GEETHA PATIL
MARLBORO, Massachusetts: Mata Amritanandamayi, popularly called Amma, the humanitarian and spiritual leader from India, interacted with her devotees from New England region and other nearby states in Marlboro on her 33rd Annual Summer Tour of North AmericaJuly 7-8organized at the Best Western Royal Plaza and Trade Center, Marlborough.
Amma’s New England program was made possible by generous donations given by her admirers and supporters pledging to support her program in all possible way. Most people, including a large number of Americans, come to experience her embrace, her unique way of spreading comfort to the world. Some are drawn to her charitable works and others to learn more from one of the preeminent spiritual teachers of the present time.
On these twodays, the basic programs included were Satsang followed by melodious bhajans led by Amma. Later she performed meditation and chanting of World Peace Prayer along with all the devotees. The token lines were opened to ensure everyone has an equal chance of meeting her in person without rushing.
During the interaction, Amma embraced those who had come to see her and whispered her blessings in their ears. The stage guests who welcomed and garlanded Amma wereWunnamwau Tom Frederick, the 2nd Chief of the Chappaquiddick Tribe of Massachusetts, Founder of Our Lady of All Nations Church, Founder of the School of Earth Medicine; and Rami Burstein, Professor of Anesthesia at Harvard Medical School, and Vice Chair, Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine Research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
A number of vendors did brisk business selling clothes, coffee, and juice smoothies. Inside the hall, a large portion of it had been turned into a kind of bazaar specializing in all things that had a logo of Amma: T-shirts, hoodies, books, DVDs, magnets, key chains, essential oils, body washes, massage corner, and mantra counters. There were Amma jewelry, bracelets, and one of the most soughtafter objects was the Amma doll, a stuffed, handcrafted replica of Amma.
Proceeds from Amma’s tours help to fund Embracing the World, Amma’s worldwide network of humanitarian projects active in more than 40 countries. Best known for disaster relief work in India, Japan, Haiti and the US, Embracing the World works to alleviate human suffering wherever and whenever possible.
