Daily Herald

Like Moths to Love's Flame

By Marni Pyke, Daily Herald Staff Writer

Last summer Alida Cynric asked for a miracle.

The 35-year-old Madison, Wis., resident had suffered through several miscarriages and had stopped menstruating. She believed it would be impossible to have a child again.

Tuesday, she put her 12-week-old son Elijah into the arms of "Ammachi," the woman whose prayers Cynric believes allowed her to conceive.

Cynric was among thousands of people who visited the Wyndham Hotel in Lisle for a moment with Mata Amritanandamayi, also known as "Amma" and "the mother of immortal bliss." Most often, though, she is called "Ammachi."

She's often mentioned in the same breath with Mother Teresa and Ghandi. Though she espouses no specific religion, most of her followers are Hindu. And many of the people who travel great distances to see Ammachi believe her touch, and her prayers, can heal. Ammachi's message is simple: universal love. She conveys that message with a surprisingly strong embrace and a few whispered words of encouragement.

Her philosophy of compassion has taken her from a small fishing village in India to the United Nations.

During her visit to Lisle, which continues today, Ammachi is expected to bless more than 4,000 people.

That's a relatively easy load compared to the crowds of more than 18,000 who flock to her appearances in India.

One by one on Tuesday, an ethnically diverse group of people approached the diminutive Indian woman wearing a plain white sari.

Cynric handed her wriggling infant to Ammachi, who held the baby closely and kissed it.
"Last summer I asked Amma for help in having another baby. I fully believe this is because of her," Cynric said.

Rachel Jefferson traveled from Ann Arbor, Mich., for "darshan," which is Sanskrit for an audience with a saint.

"I felt like I was in the arms of pure love. It was overwhelming ... as if you were drunk on love," Jefferson said.

The grand ballroom of the Wyndham Hotel, scene of numerous job fairs and wedding receptions, was transformed into a miniature house of worship and bazaar.

"Only one darshan per day," a sign implored. Scores of booths lined the parameter of the room selling Indian clothing, religious objects and CDs.

Ammachi doesn't charge anything for a "darshan," and proceeds from the sales will go toward charities supported by Ammachi of which there's a daunting number - orphanages, housing for the poor and hospitals in India as well as women's shelters and soup kitchens in the United States.

Ammachi met with worshippers for 14 hours Tuesday. As they sat on the floor, some looked anxious, others tearful, while some beamed in anticipation.

Today she will grant audiences from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from 6:30 p.m. until early in the morning Wednesday.

"When there is true love there is no tiredness," Ammachi said through an interpreter. "For a mother it's not a burdensome job to take care of her child, for a hired servant it is."
An elderly woman approaches the chair for a hug. When it's over, tears stream down her face and she receives a second embrace. And that isn't all. All visitors are gently showered with rose petals and are given a Hershey's Kiss.

"We need more compassion; children should show compassion for their parents, parents for their children," Ammachi said.

"People in the world need more awareness that what they think and do every day affects their surroundings," she said. "We need to create more awareness of universal consciousness. Human beings are very egotistic, people are born in ego, and live in ego. We should feel more love."

For a woman who has spoken to the United Nations and headed world summits on religion, Ammachi relies on a grassroots organization to set up her tours.

Tuesday's event was publicized largely through word of mouth, and instead of staying in a hotel, she is staying at the Oak Brook home of Balan Nair.

Nair met Ammachi when she appeared at the Hindu Temple of Chicago in 1987.
"I was really impressed by the answers I got from her and I was touched by her smile," he said.

Now Nair helps organize her visits to Chicago.

Jerry Pearson is one of the typical, atypical people visiting Ammachi Tuesday. The tall, weathered-looking Floridian isn't clad in the Indian garments some people are wearing, instead he's in jeans, and a T-shirt.

"I came out of curiosity, and I need enlightenment," he said. Pearson is facing a hip replacement surgery he'd rather avoid.

"She has a presence," he said after his interview.

Sulo Krishnamurthy and her son, Dinesh, both stood in silence after their audience.
One year ago, the young college student talked with Ammachi about his desire to go to medical school.

Tuesday, she inquired how his studies were progressing.

"She remembered," Dinesh said. "She told me to study well."

Sulo Krishnamurthy believes Ammachi's prayers helped her sister recover from back-to-back medical emergencies - a hysterectomy and a broken knee.

"Being on her lap is like being in your mother's arms," Sulo said. "She takes you like a baby."