America Yatra 2009 Archives - Amma, Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

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Ammas North American Yatra 2009

Amma’s 2009 North American Yatra will occur between November 16th and November 27th.

San Ramon
M.A. Center, Castro Valley.

Public Program
Mon, Nov 16 (11am to 5pm)
Tue, Nov 17 (Programs begin at 10am and 7:30pm)
Wed, Nov 18 (Programs begin at 10am and 7:30pm)

Retreat
Thu, Nov 19 – Sat, Nov 21
Devi Bhava
Sat, Nov 21 (evening)
Please note: All the

Michigan
Public Program
Mon, Nov 23 (evening only)
Tue, Nov 24 (11 am to 5pm)

Retreat
Wed, Nov 25 – Fri, Nov 27
Devi Bhava
Fri, Nov 27 (evening)

Dates are subject to change and venues are to be announced.

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.

Doug E Fresh supplies the beats for Darshan

9 July 2009 — New York City, New York, USA

During Amma’s final night of darshan in New York, hip-hop innovator Doug E Fresh—also known as ‘The Human Beatbox’—sought her blessings. It was the second time the renowned rapper and hip-hop legend had attended Amma’s programs, but the first time he performed at one.

Accompanied by tabla, Fresh put on a half-hour performance while Amma gave darshan. Praising Amma on the mike with his rhymes, Fresh had everyone in the Manhattan Center on their feet, despite it being the wee hours of the morning.

After his performance, Fresh recollected his first meeting with Amma the year prior. “[A friend] told me about Amma being here. … And when he did he said ‘Yo! You got to meet her. Her energy is incredible. She’s a beautiful spirit. So you feel love.’ And I said, ‘Is this real?’ And he said, ‘I’m telling you!’ And when I went there, you know she gave me a hug. And after that—I remember that energy. ‘Cause I left and I felt really, really free. Just really ‘good.’ That’s the best way to describe it. Just free energy. Just positive pure energy. …

“This time it was even better than the last time. The energy was just incredible. She is such a fun person—and a loving person. It’s not just the energy of what I picked up the last time. I picked up fun, youthful, bright, exciting energy. And it made me feel, ‘Well, alright, … let’s get this party started up in here.'”

Regarding his performance, Fresh said, “We just created something from the energy that Amma created by being in the room. So it was a gift to her. Because she is always giving to so many people, like with no tiredness. Endlessly just giving, giving, giving. So I felt somebody should give her something back. And whatever it is I can give back, you know I’m gonna give it because I see she carries that light.”

Fresh said he hoped his coming to Amma would encourage other artists from the hip-hop and music community in general to come and experience Amma’s darshan. “You’re just getting pure energy with no ulterior motive—just want to make the world a better place. How could you be mad at that? … I think a lot of people need to feel her energy because it will make a difference in their life.”

When Fresh left the Manhattan Center he had a bag full of Amma’s CDs. He joked that people should pay attention—that they very well may hear an Amma sample on one of his upcoming records.

—Kannadi

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 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

Amma’s Japan, USA, Canada Yatra 2009

Japan Yatra 2009

KOBE, Japan
22nd, 23rd May 2009
Venue: Kobe Sanbo Hall
5-1-32 Hamabe-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe 651-0083. (10-min. walk from Sannomiya Station, in front of Boeki Center Station (Portliner Line)
Morning program: at 10:00, Evening program: at 18:30

TOKYO, Japan
25th, 26th May 2009
Venue: Hotel, Aqua Stadium, Stellar Ball
4-10-30 Takanawa, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8611
Morning program: at 10:00, Evening program: at 18:30
for more info visit www.amma.jp

USA Yatra 2009

Seattle
Thu May 28 – Sun May 31
May 28 (10 am & 7.30 pm)
Public program venue: Seattle Center, Fisher Pavilion, 305 Harrison Street, Seattle, WA – 98109
Retreat: May 29 – May 31 (for pre registrants)
Retreat venue: Puyallup Fairgrounds, The Pavilion, Near Gold Gate entrance, 110 9th Ave. SW, Puyallup, WA 98371
May 31, 7.00 pm – Devi Bhava (at retreat venue)

San Ramon
Public Program: Wed June 3 – Wed June 10
Retreat: Thu June 11 – Sat June 13 (for pre registrants)
Devi Bhava: Sat June 6 & Sat June 13 – Evening
Venue: M.A. Center, 10200 Crow Canyon Rd, Castro Valley, CA – 94552

Los Angeles
Mon June 15 – Fri June 19
Venue: Radisson Hotel, Los Angeles Airport, 6225 West Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045
Devi Bhava (public program) 7.00 pm, Jun 19

Albuquerque
Sun June 21 – Thurs June 25
Venue: Marriott Pyramid North, 5151 San Francisco Road NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109
Retreat: Jun 23 – Jun 25 (for pre registrants)
Devi Bhava (public program) 7.00 pm, Jun 25

Dallas
Sat June 27 – Sun June 28
Venue: Hyatt Regency DFW, 2334 N. International Parkway, DFW Airport, TX 75261
Devi Bhava (public program) 7.00 pm, Jun 28

Iowa
Tue June 30 – Wed July 1
Venue: Coralville Marriott Hotel & Convention Center, 300 East 9th St., Coralville IA 52241
Devi Bhava (public program) 7.00 pm, Jul 1

Chicago
Fri July 3 – Sat July 4
Venue: The Westin Lombard, Yorktown Center, 70 Yorktown Center, Lombard, IL 60148
Devi Bhava (public program) 7.00 pm, Jul 4

New York
Tue July 7 – Thur July 9
Venue: Manhattan Center, 311 W. 34th Street, New York, NY – 10001
Devi Bhava (public program) 7.00 pm, Jul 9

Washington DC
Sun July 12 -Mon July 13
Venue: Hilton McLean Tysons Corner, 7920 Jones Branch Dr, McLean, Virginia, 22102
Devi Bhava (public program) 7.00 pm, Jul 13

Boston
Wed July 15 – Sat July 18
Venue: Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel and Trade Center, 181 Boston Post Rd. West, Marlborough, MA – 01752
Retreat Jul 16 – 18 (for pre registrants)
Devi Bhava (public program) 7.00 pm, Jul 18

Canada Yatra 2009

Toronto
Mon July 20 – Thur July 23
Venue: Sheraton Parkway Hotel, 600 Highway 7 East, Richmond Hill, Ontario L4B 1B2, Toronto N, Canada
Retreat Jul 21 – 23 (for pre registrants)
Devi Bhava (public program) 7.00 pm, July 23

For more details visit www.amma.org