The Extraordinary Mata Amritanandamayi (Amma)

Amma

For many people, the world of spirituality is an unknown country, and they need a guía.Amma

Overview, history and heritage

India as we know has generated great Avatars, people with a high spiritual level as it has shown its history, has generally prevailed more men than women, but the female was present at this time and a case extraordinary is that of M? t? Amritanandamayi Devi, also known by his followers as 'Amma', 'Ammachi' or 'Mother' (born September 27, 1953), with the name of Sudhamani in the small town of Parayakadavu (now known as Amritapuri almost) near Kollam, Kerala. It is recognized worldwide for its huge charitable and revered by some as a Mahatma (great soul) or as a living saint.

It is said that countless people come to her to receive his blessings, and the birthplace has been transformed into an ashram, Amma accepted as a group of young disciples began to live by the rules of sannyasa, typical of traditional life of the monks in India.

His teachings are a call for people to turn their attention to the noble qualities in everyday life. She claims that human beings can not progress spiritually if not develop a spirit of altruism.

In this way, has created numerous works of charity in which the constant aim is the development of the individual in all its dimensions: schools, hospitals, medical camps, housing, pensions for destitute women, orphanages and institutions of higher education (computers, medicine, nursing, engineering, etc.).

Wikipedia gives us that Amma was born the morning of September 27, 1953, in a small village on the west coast of Kerala, India. His parents named him Sudhamani. At the time of birth, his face had a radiant smile, were not published tears or weeping, as is usual in other babies. Sudhamani was a very special girl from his birth. He showed a great devotion to God and still a little girl, and often remained absorbed in deep meditation, totally alien to the world. At the age of five, began composing devotional songs dedicated to Krishna. When he was only nine, his mother fell ill, and all responsibility for the work of cooking and look after the house fell on her. He had to leave school, despite having shown signs of great intelligence. Sudhamani cared for her brother and sisters, their parents and also took over the family dairy. Although their daily work end at midnight, Sudhamani spent the rest of the night to meditate, sing and pray to God, instead of going to bed.

Another quality that was clearly evident in Sudhamani early age, was his love and compassion for other human beings. Often visited other homes in the neighborhood looking for tapioca skins for cows of his family. In these dwellings listened patiently to many stories of pain, especially the elderly who bemoaned the lack of attention, and even the abuse they received from their children and grandchildren after they became independent. Sudhamani This created a great desire to help people get rid of his sorrow and pain. Although only a child, did everything possible to alleviate the suffering of their neighbors. She attended washing clothes, bathing, and even bringing them food from home. This habit of giving things away from his family home and cause major problems was the cause of which was severely punished. However, no punishment could stop her making all sorts of charities in your neighborhood.

We added global change, his biography, full of miracles and strange events are at the height of his work: the legend of a woman who decided to embrace the world, person to be the crazy girl persona.De in their trances rolled on sand, to embrace the President of India ... All, depending on how you look, we're crazy, each in his way. The change that lived inside of me was to realize my own self, make my infinite capacity to know who it was, but that capability is within each one of us. When you lower a train in India, there are people who carry the luggage on his head. The head of that person and a scientist is the same, but used for different things. The first, to lift heavy loads, the second, to further investigate the mysteries of the world. I cleansed myself, and all we can do. When done I realized that I was not a battery that is spent living, but live plugged into the source of divine power.

Wikipedia adds us that when Sudhamani reached his teens he began to experience frequent states of spiritual ecstasy. Danced and sang often totally abstracted from the world, in what has been described as a deep state of mystical union with God. Members of his family and many of their neighbors were unable to understand these states. As his behavior was not normal for a girl her age, began harassing her in many ways. He was eventually forced to leave home, to seek life on their own and live outdoors.

Sudhamani decided to stay for many months immersed in the most austere and rigorous spiritual practices. Remained completely indifferent to their own bodily needs, often leaving to eat and sleep. Could remain in samadhi (deep meditation) for hours or even days, without showing any signs of external consciousness.

In his own words described these states as "smiling, Mother Divine became a mass of radiant light and melted in me. My mind blossomed and was bathed in bright colors many of the Divinity." Became convinced that "nothing is different from my own being without form, in which the entire universe exists as a tiny bubble."

After these experiences, at the age of 22 years, Amma (known until then as Sudhamani) started the mission to spread his spiritual message.

Amma says, that most people coming to see me have a spiritual goal, you really want to selflessly serve the most disadvantaged sectors of our society. In programs outside India, not only adults, but children do selfless service with great enthusiasm. Save small amounts they give their parents on their birthdays or other special occasions and use that money to serve poor children. When I'm giving my hugs, you'll see even small children selling flowers and crafts to help the needy. It is true that people have different problems and come to share with me. I hear their problems and suggest solutions. But that does not mean they are selfish and are here just to take.

International Awards:

In 1987, Amma joined his frequent trips to India, their annual world tours selflessly conveying a message of love, with great simplicity and wisdom.

In 1993 he was named one of the three representatives of Hinduism at the Parliament of World Religions held in Chicago. In 1995 he was invited to speak at the ecumenical celebrations which took place in New York to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations. In August 2000 he was invited by the UN Secretary General to attend and speak at the Millennium Summit by world peace. In October 2002 he was awarded the UN Prize for Non-Violence Gandhi and King in July 2004 ended with a major speech on World Parliament of Religions, held at the Forum in Barcelona.

In October 2007, Amma was awarded in recognition of his humanitarian work in the Film Festival Human Rights "Cinéma Vérité" in Paris (video). Actress Sharon Stone was presented the award

In India, ministers of different parties come to her to inquire, scientists doubts and movie stars pay tribute.