Exploring the 12 Steps from a Buddhist perspective
Amma go get my hug now
For years I'd heard about this lady guru from India who goes around the world hugging people. Many people follow her around, and some people actually give up their everyday lives to go live with her at her ashram. I'd never gone to see her, and when Vince invited me to go a couple of weeks ago, I figured it was time.
It was a scene. Lots of people, maybe thousand in the hall. The thing started at seven and is just getting over now, which means twelve hours later. Amma has been hugging people all night. She's been known to hug people for twenty-two hours straight.
Five of us went up there early, to the ashram in Castro Valley, and we sat on the floor, listening to songs for two and a half hours. And when the time came for the hugs, we were the first in line.
Kenny literally got the first hug of the night. Then Kevin, then me. Vince went fourth, and then Jada went. She held on to Kenny for like three minutes. At first I thought he was crying, but it was just Amma patting him. He got up, dazed, and then Kevin went. When it was my turn, I kneeled down in front her her, she grabbed my head, and pushed it in her bosom. She chanted a phrase in a language that I didn't understand, and kind of patted me in the same rhythmic way I saw Kenny get patted. She let me go, and I looked up and said "Thank you," at which point she pulled my head in to get another hug. It was awesome.
Did I have a spiritual experience? Not really. I actually got hugs from Jada and Vince last night that I enjoyed more. But it was totally worth it to see her devotees, to see her smile, and to experience the scene.
And the hug was totally cool, too.
It was a scene. Lots of people, maybe thousand in the hall. The thing started at seven and is just getting over now, which means twelve hours later. Amma has been hugging people all night. She's been known to hug people for twenty-two hours straight.
Five of us went up there early, to the ashram in Castro Valley, and we sat on the floor, listening to songs for two and a half hours. And when the time came for the hugs, we were the first in line.
Kenny literally got the first hug of the night. Then Kevin, then me. Vince went fourth, and then Jada went. She held on to Kenny for like three minutes. At first I thought he was crying, but it was just Amma patting him. He got up, dazed, and then Kevin went. When it was my turn, I kneeled down in front her her, she grabbed my head, and pushed it in her bosom. She chanted a phrase in a language that I didn't understand, and kind of patted me in the same rhythmic way I saw Kenny get patted. She let me go, and I looked up and said "Thank you," at which point she pulled my head in to get another hug. It was awesome.
Did I have a spiritual experience? Not really. I actually got hugs from Jada and Vince last night that I enjoyed more. But it was totally worth it to see her devotees, to see her smile, and to experience the scene.
And the hug was totally cool, too.
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