“The world should know that a life inspired by love and service to humanity is possible.”

— Amma

by Michael Nagler

AMMA CAME TO SAN RAMON, and we went to see her. For four hours we sat mesmerized, waiting our turn for one of her famous hugs, and in the meantime a well-designed, highly technical slide show went on in front of the vast hall. To start with one minor miracle, I sat for four+ hours focused on that white-clad figure up on the stage. At a certain point it hit me with full force: SHE LOVES EVERYONE. I don’t think I ever experienced the like, before or since.

How shall we understand the phenomenon of this woman, who has built hospitals and universities, offered tremendous relief to humanity in floods (Mumbai and New Orleans) and earthquakes (Gujarat), and poverty. There is a lot we could say, without a trace of exaggeration, but in the times we’re going through, one stands out: this is the tremendous love within the human being. Each of us, no exception. At a time when human life is being monetized, cast aside, outright destroyed in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, and other wrenching loci of hate and violence, nothing could be more important than to rediscover who we are and what we’re doing on this earth. Of course, we can say it ‘til the cows come home without making a dent; as Gandhi said, “If you want something really important to be done you must not merely satisfy the reason, you must move the heart also.”

The sheer power that has picked up Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi has moved through her and moved the hearts of over 40 million people (an estimate of the number she’s hugged to date); moved them to haul rock, dig trenches, give money, heal the sick. As Emerson mused one day as he gazed on the Concord Armory, see how “Timber, brick, lime and stone have flown into convenient shape, obedient to the master idea reigning in the minds of many persons.” But the way we use the word ‘idea’ may not bring out the real meaning: love is a force. According to a belief millions have held (including me), it is the force that brought the world into existence and rules our life; but some have turned their backs, thinking vainly that that force comes from themselves. What Amma does, says, and thinks 𑁋 with her very being 𑁋is that force and none other. She is nothing but that force.

If we had a few more like her, we could save this world; or maybe that’s not the approach: if we can fathom her, contemplate who she is and what she does, realize that the same potential is in every one of us, it would be enough.

When I was a visiting scholar in Vechta, a Catholic university in West Germany some years ago, my host asked if I would participate that evening in a Podiumgespräch. Having no idea what that was, I readily agreed, only to find I was supposed to debate a well-known, highly influential, and cynical political scientist. Everyone was secretly hoping I would best him in the argument, but that was a bit difficult because I didn’t understand what he was saying! Until he finally used a phrase that jumped out at me: Jesus und Buddha sind beide gescheitert …both Jesus and Buddha failed! I could not let that stand. Ignoring everything else he said (which I could hardly follow anyway) I had a flash of insight and loudly shared it: Jesus and Buddha didn’t come to ‘save’ us; they came to show us how we could save ourselves.

And so has Amma. This time, let’s not fail.