Ritu Maheshwari
India Post News Service
OAKLAND: During her North American travel, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi (Amma) visited San Francisco Bay Area proclaiming boldly the message of compassion. In 1987, when Amma first visited the United States, devotees gathered in houses and small churches in Oakland, California. Thirty-one years later, Amma’s fall programs in the Bay Area took place in Oakland again at the City Center Marriott, one of Bay Area’s largest convention centers in historic old Oakland.
During the five-day program from November 22 to 26, Amma shared some divine wisdom about respecting Mother Nature and one another. “In truth, the spiritual path both begins and ends with compassion. Let us try to awaken positive emotions within ourselves and contribute positive vibrations to the world,” said Amma.
It was the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25. Amma spoke about the importance of awakening the universal principles of motherhood in both men and women during the retreat in Oakland, California. She reminded everyone that women and men are of equal value and that we must nurture qualities like compassion and patience in our hearts to prevent violence against women and to bring about a more just and peaceful world.
Programs included guided meditation, devotional singing, a prayer for world peace and a spiritual talk by Amma. Program attendees also had the opportunity to receive darshan—Amma’s spiritual blessing in the form of a motherly embrace. The event was completely free and open to public.
Amma has been conducting such programs in her home country of India since the mid-1970s. At the request of people in the United States, she began holding similar programs outside India in 1987. Amma says that her life is dedicated to trying to awaken love and compassion within individuals all over the world. Amma feels these qualities 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.
For more information on Amma, visit www.amma.org
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