27 March 2008, Singapore

I arrived at the vast, modern Expo Hall in Singapore on the day before the programmes were to begin. Downstairs, enormous international trade shows were going on, the air filled with the energy of one big sales show. It was a relief to go upstairs and find Amma’s stage half-built and tour group and preparations undeway for Amma’s International Love Show that would start the next morning.

It became apparent that my seva would be to organise the “May I Help?”

I jumped in and enjoyed welcoming the friendly Singaporeans, many of whom were overjoyed to be seeing Amma again for the first time in two years. When I asked some newcomers, “Have you met Amma before?” a few of them innocently replied, “Only in picture form” or “Only in a book!” The art of Welcoming seems to be a BIG thing in Singapore.

On the first evening, as Amma walked from her room to the hall, She was received by two enormous, dancing red Chinese dragons. They leapt about, manned by acrobats who seemed to fly up onto each others shoulders by an act of will alone allowing the ‘dragon’ to rear onto its hind legs. I think Amma fed one of them an orange but since I was at the tail wagging end I can’t tell you for sure… All this was accompanied by quite amazingly ear-splitting drumming and cymbals. I think I really learned the level of Amma’s detachment from sense perceptions… Simply that she was able to stand there, peacefully smiling – not grimacing with fingers rammed into our ears like the rest of us. She gazed, delighted, and I gazed at her, delighted to be able to feast my eyes on Her form.

The second night, Amma was greeted by four incredible dancers… someone called them ‘bhangra’ but that desciption falls far short. If the dragons were acrobatic, these guys were almost galactic. One dancer had a dancer on his shoulders and another with his legs wrapped around his waist. Mr shoulders leant right back, and Mr waist leant right forward and the main man whirled around with the other two spinning like helicopter blades. It was totally impressive. Again, accompanied by LOUD drumming and, again, I watched Amma watching. I realised how well this symbolised the temptations of maya, with the colour, the noise, the incredible feats. It is so hard to keep our focus on What Is True with all this truly fantastic distraction going on.

What Is True simply stood, smiling: totally enjoying and totally detached… ready for another night of greeting and welcoming each and every visitor who would be coming through the door.

Vaishnavi