Videos Archives - Page 8 of 11 - Amma, Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

Amma in Toronto

Toronto, Canada – 25 July 2009

Welcoming Amma to the city, is the councilor of Markham, Mr. Logan Kanapathi, said that “The world needs more leaders like Amma, the world needs more leaders like Mahatma Ghandi, and Martin Luther King. That’s the way we can serve the world. That’s the way we can emancipate the less fortunate and serve the people. Thank you for coming to Toronto Amma.”

Mr. Mike Smith, 3 times Canadian Olympian in Decathlon & Sports commentator for CBC National Televison, came to receive Amma’s blessings.

Miss Bonnie Crombie, Member of Parliament for Mississauga-Streetsville, send a message to Amma.

With the program in Toronto, Canada, Amma concludes her two month, Japan -America – Canada yatra.

Amma in Marlborough

Marlborough, Boston

18 Jul 2009

The city Mayor of Marlborough Nancy E Stevens handed over a proclamation to Amma for Amma’s outstanding service to the world.

Diane L Eck, author of the book “a new religious America” and Harvard University Professor of Comparative Religion and Indian Studies, and the chair for the Committee on the Study of Religion and Master of Lowell House and Reverend Dr. Dorothy A Austin, (Associate Minister in The Memorial Church at Harvard University and Chaplain to the University, Lecturer in Psychology and Religion at Harvard Divinity School and Co-Master of Lowell House) welcomed Amma to Boston.

We are blessed to live with Amma

12 July 2009 — McLean, Virginia, USA

Upon Amma’s 13th visit to the Washington D.C. area, she was welcomed by former Indian Ambassador T.P. Srinivasan and Rajiv Ranjan, a representative of the Ambassador of India to the United States, Meera Shankar.

T.P. Srinivasan, who has met with Amma several times over the past 10 years and was born only two miles from the village of Amma’s birth, praised Amma as one who not only speaks spirituality but puts its teachings into action through her life.

“She is not just a messenger of love,” he said. “She is someone who has used her hands and her ability to bring solace to the people all around the world. We are blessed that we are living in an age when Amma is living. We are blessed that we have a chance to see her in flesh and blood. We are blessed that we can feel her love and enjoy her divine embrace. Future generations will hardly believe … that such a person, in flesh and blood, ever lived on this earth. She is such a blessing to this world. And we hope and pray that we will have the privilege of having her for a long time to come.”

Rajiv Ranjan also addressed the gathering. He said, “Amma is an inspiration to all of us. She symbolizes the collective spiritual wisdom, social consciousness and compassion of India. Her efforts at rehabilitation and integration of the weakest, the most needy and disadvantaged throughout India, Africa and the rest of the world are without parallel.”

Rajiv Ranjan concluded by presenting Amma with a plaque on behalf of Ambassador Sankar in recognition of Amma’s “global humanitarian work and environmental conservation efforts.”

Amma endorses the Earth Charter

7-9 July 2009 — New York, New York, USA

The Earth Charter—a declaration of fundamental principles for building a just, sustainable and peaceful world—has been translated into 40 languages and signed by more than 5,000 organizations. The charter started as an initiative of the United Nations in 1987 and was finalized in 2000 as a civil-society project. On July 7, 2009 in New York, Amma also added her signature to its list of endorsees.

Steven Rockefeller, who coordinated the drafting of the charter by consulting representatives of the world’s major religions, was on hand to welcome Amma to New York and to request her to endorse the Earth Charter’s principles. The Earth Charter’s ethical vision proposes that environmental protection, human rights, equitable human development, and peace are interdependent and indivisible. Steven Rockefeller is the son of former United States Vice President Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller and fourth-generation member of the renowned Rockefeller family.

“What a great blessing it is to be here tonight in the presence of Amma,” Rockefeller said. “I would like to extend deep thanks to Amma… for her very gracious offer to endorse the Earth Charter. In addition I would like to express heartfelt thanks to Amma for being a spiritual and social leader who, through love for all people, her teachings, her many humanitarian good works and her educational initiatives and her work on behalf of the environment is helping us make that transition to the better world that is envisioned in the Earth Charter.”

Rockefeller continued, “When I think of Amma and her life of devotion and service, I see a shining example for all of us of the spirit of reverence, compassion and care. … Amma, all of us associated with the Earth Charter Initiative want to share with you our deep gratitude for the light and joy you have brought into the world.”

Also on hand to welcome Amma to New York were M.S. Singh Puri, Ambassador & Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations since March 2009; and Upendra Chivakula, a member of the New Jersey General Assembly and State Office.

After garlanding Amma, M.S. Singh said, “What I see here is truly transformational—the beauty of love and devotion—all of it, Amma, which you have made possible. Thank you very much for your blessing for all of us here. … I think these are times that the world is going through where we need blessings, goodness and doing the right thing. We are extremely blessed and honored by your presence.”

Upendra Chivakula expressed similar sentiments. “The message of love and service is universal. It transcends across religions, languages, communities. I think it is wonderful that in the 21st century we have Amma that is able to spread the message of love and service through hugs and trying to feel some of the difficulties that we face in this mundane human life. … We should take her message and each and every one of us must become an ambassador for goodwill.”

Independence Day in Chicago

July 3 – 5, 2009 — Lombard, Illinois, USA

Amma’s annual programs in Chicago fell on America’s Independence Day Weekend. As fireworks burst in the summer skies celebrating the United State’s freedom from the British, Amma and devotees celebrated a different type of freedom.

On the first day, William J. Mueller, the Lombard Village President, came to the hall in order to welcome Amma. “It is an honor to welcome Mother here today—a living saint. Thank you for being here with us.”

Mueller went on to speak about his personal triumphs in fighting cancer, all of which he attributes to faith and prayer. “[Amma’s] the vehicle to reach to our God in prayer and healing,” he said. “The first time I [prayed], I was in doubt. And there are probably some here today that are in doubt too. But let me assure you that it is the real thing.”

He concluded by saying that he would include Amma in his prayers. “Tonight when I say a prayer, I will thank the Lord for Mother and the work that she does.”

On the second day, Ashok Kumar Attri, the Consul General of India in Chicago, came for darshan. “We don’t come here as guests,” he said, referring to his wife and himself. “We come here as fellow devotees”.

Speaking about his first two years in Chicago—at the beginning of which he received Amma’s darshan for the first time—Consul General Attri said, “It has been a specially blessed period for us. … We feel this has been because of Amma’s blessings to us. Amma blessed us to serve all of you. And that has been very precious to us. … Serving humanity as a service to all-mighty God. That has been the motto of Amma, and I bow my head in reverence to this ideal.”

Amma in Dallas

Amma’s annual visit to Dallas, Texas took place on the 27 and 28th of June. Thousands came to experience Amma’s darshan and to imbibe her spiritual wisdom. Among those who welcomed Amma were prolific artist, writer and social activist, Mary Ann Thompson- Frenk. Throughout the programs, devotees put on a number of cultural performances in honour of Amma. Amma’s youth group, Amrita Yuva Dharmadhara, brought saplings for Amma to bless as part of their reforestation project. One group of devotees performed original gospel music inspired by Amma and her life of compassionate service.

God in every sound, Atma in every melody

Blessings & Celebrations in Albuquerque

25 June 2009—Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

The fourth stop on Amma’s 2009 Summer US Tour was Albuquerque, New Mexico. Amma held programs in the city for five days, including a three-day retreat.

On the second night, Amma was welcomed by Senator Linda Lopez, a member of the Senate of New Mexico, as well as two prominent area doctors: Dr. Cheryl Willman, the director and chief executive officer of the University of New Mexico Cancer Research & Treatment Center, and Dr. Vasant Lad, founder of the Ayurvedic Institute of Albuquerque.

Senator Lopez, who has represented the 11th District of New Mexico since 1997, said to Amma, “Welcome to New Mexico. You bring with you love and hope for our families and mainly for our children and our community of New Mexico.”

Dr. Willman praised the charitable medical programs run by Amma’s ashram. “I am so honored to have Amma here because through her great works she has opened many hospitals for children and cancer patients throughout the world that not only bring the best medicine from the West, but the best heart and soul and spirit for that healing power.”

A surprise guest on the first night of the retreat was renowned sarod maestro, Padma Vibhushan Amjad Ali Khan, who teaches at the University of New Mexico. Amjad Ali Khan came seeking Amma’s darshan and blessings, presenting her with his latest CD, Ancient Sounds.

“Somehow in India I could not have the opportunity to have the darshan of Amma,” he said. “But I have been hearing good things, beautiful things about Amma. How she is helping and healing people, and sharing love, and giving the message of peace and harmony and compassion. … All my students are also here.”

On the second day of the retreat, Amjad Ali Khan treated everyone to an hour-long recital as Amma gave darshan. “I was so pleasantly surprised to see the involvement of Amma into music,” he said before playing. “She herself was singing. I did not expect that. And she is so much involved in music and healing and blessing the whole world. I have also come here for the blessings.”

Amjad played several traditional ragas and original compositions.

“Our family, we feel connected with every soul, every religion, every song of the world. And in our country, in India, we say svar hi isvar hai—‘The sound is God.’ And every melody, every raga, has a soul. Har raga me ek atma hai. So it is a great privileged and honor to be here in the presence of revered Amma.”

That same day in the evening, there were more traditional music performances, including West Africa, Native American and a whirling dervish.

The most heart-capturing “performance” of them all came from Amma herself—who on two occasions concluded darshan with ecstatic bhajans—”Khol Darvaza,” “Dao Dao Dao” and “Meri Jhopadi”—which had the New Mexico devotees dancing and singing with all their hearts despite the late hour.

—Kannadi

“A Great Woman, A Great Humanitarian & A Great World Leader

“A Great Woman, A Great Humanitarian & A Great World Leader”

18 June 2009 — Los Angeles, California, USA

When Amma came to Los Angeles for her annual visit, she was welcomed by a number of California politicians, including the Mayor of Santa Monica, Michael Feinstein and Los Angeles City Councilwoman Jan Perry. Senator Gilbert Cedillo’s Office also sent an official certificate of commendation and recognition.

Before garlanding Amma, Mayor Feinstein spoke about Amma’s humanitarian projects, specifically praising her programs assisting impoverished agricultural families.

“The embrace is something that she does physically and spiritually, but it is also something that she has inspired in a bigger way in terms of service to the world,” the mayor said. “All the kind of help she has offered to people around the planet is an embrace of its own sort. Really the embrace is about love, but it is also about taking that love and sharing it in a practical manner.”

Councilwoman Perry also praised Amma’s humanitarian works, referring to her as “A great woman, a great humanitarian, and a great world leader.”

Perry continued: “It is honour to just recite the many gifts you have already bestowed around the world—in Kenya, to the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund, to tsunami victims, to prevent suicides of farmers who are having agricultural problems and the many educational and medical programs throughout the globe.

“As one who also serves the homeless, it is an honour to be able to meet someone of such great stature who sets the standard so very high for the rest of the world to follow. … Thank you for sharing your life with all of us.”

– Tulasi

The most heroic thing is caring

7 June 2009 — San Ramon, California, USA

The second stop on Amma’s 2009 U.S. Yatra is San Ramon, California, home to Amma’s ashram headquarters in the United States, MA Center.

On June 5, the mayor of Sunnyvale, California, Antony Spitaleri, came for Amma’s darshan. Author Alice Walker also attended. Walker—who won the Pulitzer Prize in 1983 for her novel The Color of Purple—said, “[Amma] presents the kind of leadership we need for our planet to survive. This is the most heroic person I’ve probably ever met. Because she is sitting there hugging people. This is the most heroic thing that any of us could do now. Because shooting each other is not heroic. The most heroic is caring, and she does that.”

June 6, World Environment Day, found Amma’s American youth organization, AYUDH – America, brought various fruit-tree saplings for Amma to bless. They then planted the trees on the premises. “Planting trees is like building houses for Nature,” Amma said upon blessing the trees. The group has planted 250 such saplings since January; its goal is to plant another 250 this year.

Amma’s San Ramon programs run from June 3 through June 13th, with a retreat on the final three days. She then travels to Los Angeles.

—Kannadi

Amma Embodies the Great Spiritual Traditions

27 May 2009 – 31 May 2009 — Seattle, Washington

When Amma landed in Seattle on May 27th, it marked the beginning of her 23rd tour of the United States.

Amma was officially welcomed to the Seattle by Richard Conlin, the President of the Seattle City Council. Addressing Amma and the gathering, Conlin said, “It is an honor and pleasure to be able to be able to welcome you to Seattle on behalf of the people of Seattle and the Seattle City Government.

“It is indeed a wonder to have such an amazing spiritual leader to be able to greet. A person who truly embodies the great spiritual traditions of our world.”

Conlin said that Amma reminded him of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous saying, “We can all be great because we can all serve.”

He also read an invocation prayer of Seattle’s native people:

May our words be tuned as one with the great mountains
with the great walks,
with the great trees,
at one with our bodies and our hearts.
Will you come and help us, O Super Natural Powers?
And you, Day? And you, Night?
All of you, see us as one with this world.

Amma gave a total of eight programs in four days in the city, giving satsang, darshan and leading the people in meditation in bhajans.

—Tulasi