As readily as my legs folded under me to sit and meditate for 20 minutes this morning, Amma sat down in the same cross-legged position [truthfully, her’s was better than mine!] to hug 1,000 people starting at 7pm last night.
This was my second embrace or “darshan” (from the Sanskrit “dasana” for vision) from Amma.
We were at her event in Marlborough for almost nine hours: chatting, eating, strolling the grounds, people watching – it was a beautiful New England summer day. We eventually ended up in Section F, our next-to-final waiting spot.
I have no idea how many people she hugged last night, but when we left at 11pm, two thirds of the crowd was still waiting to move into the final queue.
On my knees for the last few feet, I leaned in and was guided/shepherded in front of Amma. It’s fascinating to see; like honey bees buzzing around a queen: dutifully, lovingly, without complaint tending to her every imaginable need.
For what seemed like 10-15 seconds she embraced me, leaning into me, repeatedly whispering the same thing. It sounded like “Medulla” (“inner”) or “Madura” (“mature”)? Whatever the message, she chose it for me.
[My qigong teacher has been telling me to “Ground. Ground. Ground!” for months. Coincidence?]
[How do I choose to interpret that? Something like, “I’m a dandelion that needs to root in order to grow from “pretty” to “purposeful”. You have to know me to get the analogy: stubborn, going through an age-related metamorphosis.]
I felt as if I had her full attention in that moment. It was enveloping, tender. I felt energized and puzzled for the rest of the evening. [The dandelion vision didn’t appear until this morning. Unfortunately, and par for the course, it didn’t come with instructions!!]
The darshan experience cost me next to nothing: a little heartburn for overindulging in the REAL Indian food(!), and a couple life lessons:
It’s one thing to talk about devotion; it’s another altogether to demonstrate it.
I’m embarrassed, but I snapped at an enthusiastic bookseller on our way out. My friends and the dear woman were startled but reacted with kindness. So this post is a reminder to myself to speak kindly, truthfully and necessarily. Words can hurt.
May you know faith and love, Skip
BTW – I started to leave without my 2 oz of water that I watched Amma bless (mine was leaking) and my guru insisted that I go back inside and get another one. It may be coincidence, but I just had the best cup of coffee ever!! ❤
