Amma doles out hugs in Coralville
http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070702/NEWS01/70702005
Monday, July 2, 2007
By Brian Morelli
Iowa City Press-Citizen
Some people weep, others beam and some close their eyes and savor the warm embrace from the world renowned humanitarian known as Amma, the “hugging saint.”
“If you are in the right frame of mind and really receptive, it is like eating or drinking something you have never had before,” said Kamal Bijlani, 46. “Many people cry or spontaneously feel very happy, or it just brings up great emotion in them.”
Bijlani is originally from India, but has become one of the thousands that tour with Mata Amritanandamayi, a.k.a. “Amma,” a tranquil, 53-year-old woman from Parayakadavu in the Quilon district of Kerala, India.
More than 2,000 people, including Bijlani, Coralville Mayor Jim Fausett and Lt. Gov. Patty Judge, packed into an ornately decorated conference hall in the Coralville Marriott Hotel and Convention Center today to receive hugs.
“She arouses the feeling of love. She rekindles the fire in all of us,” Bijlani said.
Bijlani was adorned in flowing white garments “for simplicity,” as were many of Amma’s followers.
Vendors pack the convention as well. People sell garments, CDs, pictures and books, and there is a ring of Indian food sold in a hallway that surrounds the main room.
After a brief group meditation, gatherers sat at Amma’s feet like children and one-by-one came close and received an embrace from her, which many consider a healing or blessing.
Raj Solanki and his partner, Tracy Gonzalez, wanted their son Makaiah, 3, to experience Amma, so they drove up from Fairfield for the event.
“I really wanted my son to see her,” Gonzalez said. “I hear she has a really big heart and gives great hugs and we wanted to share that love.”
Amma has a reputation for making an impact in humanitarian efforts leading to disaster relief and building homes for the needy.
“It is not often we host someone of such international importance, especially someone who has done so much to bring the world together and improve the lives of millions of people,” Judge said.
Amma’s local programs are scheduled throughout today and Tuesday at the Marriott.
“Whereas Amma is a renowned humanitarian and spiritual leader, whose sole mission is to help people … (I) declare July 2nd and 3rd of 2007, the days of Amma the hugging saint,” Fausett said.