Open arms, open heart: Spiritual Leader heals the world with hugs
Asahi Japan, Japan Beat
-by Paul Baylis
Aug 2003
If there were a world record for hugs, it would surely go to Mata
Amritanandamayi, a small, dark Indian women with a radiant smile.
Better known as 'Amma' (Mother), She has devoted her life to bringing
good feelings to people, mainly through hugs.
 Amma
is estimated to have hugged over 20million people around the globe
as many as 20 thousand in single, 20hour marathon hugging session.
By the end of such a session there is usually a large wet stain
on her white robe from the tears people have shed on her shoulder.
In Japan recently, She hugged over thousand people in a session
lasting a couple of hours. Yet one of her followers the American
born, Japanese speaking Shantamrita Chaitanya, called that a holiday
since normally She just crucifies herself. In Malaysia, earlier
this year, people lined up for hours to hug Amma during a 18hour
session. But instead of complaining of Her own fatigue, she wanted
to make sure the people waiting outside under the hot sun, got some
water.
But if Amma is the worlds leading hugger, it doesn't mean her hugs
have a mass-produced, generic quality to them. Rather each seems
individually tailored for the person receiving it. She holds on
tight enough, long enough and warm enough to let you know that she
means it, while whispering something in your ear, that seems meant
just for you. Usually it is the word for "daughter, daughter,
daughter" or "son, son, son" in Malayalam, a language
of Kerala, her home state in South India.
In 1993, she was chosen as one of three people to represent Hinduism
at the parliament of the worlds religions in Chicago. And last year
the United Nations bestowed on her the Gandhi-King Award for non-violence,
following on the likes of primatologist Jain Goodall, Nelson Mandela
and Kofi Annan.
But unlike a cult leader, Amma demands no personal obedience, does
not preach the exclusivity of any one religious creed and does not
ask people to renounce their lives, possessions or relationships.
Rather, she seems mainly interested in spreading happiness by turning
out the hugs. If along the way, people have donated money to the
many charitable projects set up in her name- four hospitals, 33
schools, 12 temples, 25,000 houses for poor people and orphanage,
a battered women's shelter, a senior citizens homes, various technical
schools and spiritual study centers, that is fine too.
One of the people eventually drawn to her was Shantamrita, born
Brandon Paul Smith, in California. In 1984, at 15, he came to Japan
to do a home stay with a family in Hyogo Prefecture, before going
on to do a University Degree in Asian Studies. After his brother
took him to see Amma in 1990, Shantamrita felt he had found what
he was looking for.
"Serving her is the best thing that I can do at this point,"
he said. "I can't think of anything else". At her recent
Tokyo appearance, Shantamrita fluidly translated Amma's parables
and spiritual counseling into Japanese before a packed hall.
Shantamrita acknowledges that getting the word out about Amma,
is extra challenging in Japan, because of "cult" concerns.
"In Japan it's kind of a quick stereo type, but someone like
Amma is beyond that level," he said "she is recognized
on a international level, and how she spends her life, gives her
credibility. If we get defensive and start trying to explain things,
it seems like we are trying to hide something, and there is nothing
to hide".
While Amma is recognized as a leading figure in the Hindu faith,
she seems have little time for religious politics, or advancing
the cause of one religion.
"I have little time to spend spreading Hinduism." she
said. "Everyone simply calls me mother, and I call them children.
It doesn't matter what religion."
The charitable foundation in India, named after her, are jointly
directed by representatives of Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam,
she said. And at her recent Tokyo gathering along with businessman,
students, and free spirited foreigners, there were a few shaven-headed
Buddhist priests, lining up to bask in her hugs.
For Amma there is little difference between the Japanese people
she meets and those from other countries.
"I have never felt any difference between Japan and elsewhere.
It is language of love that speaks."
As to how the Japanese are coping with economic hard times; "Basically
they are hard working, and I strongly believe they will regain what
has been lost and find a sense of balance."
And for sometime, it seems, a key ingredient in that balance is
a hug from Amma.
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