Amma Comes to New England in July

She has been likened to Mother Teresa and Mohandas Gandhi by Reuters and named as one of the twelve most influential religious leaders in the world by CBS TV in its Primetime Special, "In God’s Name". Hundreds of thousands of people flock to see her both in India and all over the world including in New England. And yet, this humble 58-year-old from Kerala dressed in a simple white sari, has only one concern – uplifting the suffering of humanity. Known simply as Amma or Mother, Mata Amritanandamayi Devi has been dubbed the "Hugging Saint" by the international press for her unique practice of receiving each person who comes to see her with a loving embrace.

Maria Loring, a massage therapist offering healing touch to women with breast cancer, first heard about Amma from a book entitled,"Women of Grace and Power". She says,"Of the amazing women depicted in the book, she happened to be the only one actually alive. When I became aware of her visiting the US and coming to Marlborough MA, not far from where I lived, I felt she was making a statement to me, "Maria, I am coming all the way from India to see you. Will you accept my invitation?"

Being with Amma has given Maria confidence in the teaching that to access the divine within oneself is the first step to the healing process. "Watching Amma live from a sacred place within her core continuously teaches me that sacredness begins within. When working my clients, I invite them to receive a gift — awareness of their divine feminine."

Amma has hugged 32 million people in 20 countries around the world. When asked where she gets the energy to embrace so many people while simultaneously building and running a world-wide humanitarian movement, Amma says simply, "Where there is Love, everything is effortless".

Amma’s humanitarian projects network, Embracing the World, active in 30 countries, has developed a reputation for outstanding disaster-relief work and humanitarian activities. Dr. Steven C. Rockefeller said, "When I think of Amma and her life of devotion and service, I see a shining example for all of us of the spirit, reverence, compassion and care." Amma says that she is trying to awaken love and compassion, qualities that she feels are essential for world peace and harmony. "In today’s world, people experience two types of poverty: the poverty caused by lack of food, clothing and shelter, and the poverty caused by lack of love and compassion," Amma says. "Of these two, the second type needs to be considered first because if we have love and compassion in our hearts, then we will wholeheartedly serve those who suffer from lack of food, clothing and shelter".

Amma will be in New England from July 14-17th and all are invited to receive a personal blessing. Free programs are on July 14th at 10am and 7:30pm and July 17th at 7pm at the Best Western, 181 Boston Post Road West in Marlborough, MA. Programs include inspirational music, meditation, spiritual discourse, and personal blessings.

Numbered tokens for individual blessings are distributed one hour before programs begin. Tokens are limited by time constraints.