Friday, July 12, 2024

Amma, the Hugging Saint, in SoCal (7/13)


Does hugging trees help them like it helps me?
Amma (India's Mata Amritanandamayi) is world famous for her compassion, distributing free hugs around the world. She has hugged more people than anyone else in the world. She is on a campaign wishing, "May all beings everywhere be happy," the Buddha's own sentiments of universal loving-kindness (metta).
How to join the hug line | amma.org
She is on an annual tour and is coming to Southern California to meet anyone in need of a blessing. It is good to see such beings [as have attained samadhi, which in Buddhism refers to anyone who has mastered the meditative absorptions, which would make them "saints" in most of the world's religions, including Hinduism, but very much excluding Buddhism.

A "saint" or arhat in Buddhism is anyone who has reach stream entry or beyond through insight or vipassana. Only this higher seeing uproots the defilements and liberates one, whereas the absorptions merely temporarily suppress them and make one seem saintly for the time being.

Ancient Vedic seers (rishis) inherited by Hinduism

Thich Nhat Hanh, Zen monk, uses his arm.
This distinction was one of the great contributions of the Buddha to the Dharmic religions and spirituality in ancient India.] Nevertheless, it is still good and a blessing to see beings who have gained samadhi. This may include Amma, who has done so many wonderful and selfless things that it is possible she has gained super-consciousness.

Amma in Los Angeles [actually neighboring Orange County] - Summer 2024 | amma.org

The FREE programs on July 13 and July 16 include inspirational music, meditation, spiritual discourse, and personal blessings. See us.amma.org/macla for more details or contact (310) 295-1852.

Amma is also conducting a retreat between July 14-16, 2024. It will also be held at the site of the free hugs:
  • Hyatt Regency
  • 17900 Jamboree Road
  • Irvine, California, 92614
  • Info: us.amma.org
Free to RSVP:
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