nirantara

An interview with Amma: A living God to some, to others the embodiment of the spiritual mother By Antoinette Langcaun-Tenhunen. As the moon seemed full that night, a quiet feeling and energy of excitement filled the air of the humungous hall of the Kaapeli. Faces I have seen in year’s past were there once more, happily greeting each other like long-lost relatives. My friends came over from Tampere and were all getting ready to see Amma. Being the overly neurotic person that I am, I was burdened with bills, bills and more bills. So it was definitely refreshing to take a break from watching the BBC, CNN and the Virtual Online Coordination Center for Disasters. I had come to this hall years before and have been hugged my Amma. I had thought that this woman was just another person, capitalizing on love. It was a break from watching my country’s president, George W. Bush, doing what he does best: capitalizing on fear. I found myself by the press table and quickly inquired about an interview. As I mentioned my humble credentials (already feeling foolish as Amma is on the same playing field as the Dalai Lama in the Parliament of World Religions and the recipient of the Gandhi/King Award for Non-Violence by the Global Peace Initiative of Women and Religious Spiritual Leaders at the Palais des Nations in Geneva) I was told that I could speak to her before the “hugging” festivities begun. Just like that! I was amazed. I could have had an uzi in my bag or a bomb but “no fear” seemed the policy here at Amma’s place. I got a press badge saying Media, and was waiting for the opening ceremony to start. I had no idea what to ask, as Bush was on my mind after the whole “God told me to go to Iraq” and how cynical I have been feeling lately about what was going on in the world that the only question that seemed clear was: Who is your God? Who is the God that this tiny woman follows? What makes her get up every morning to do what she does? Why does a seemingly loving person so controversial in her own country and within the Indian spiritual community here in Helsinki? How can the president of India donate his entire year’s salary to Amma’s organization? How can she donate millions of dollars herself to the Tsunami relief and at the same time, be accused of commercializing her organization for profit? So many contradicting definitions, myths, and realities about this person. So when my time came, I was led to Swami, and was asked to kneel or sit by a wooden chair. Amma was already giving hugs and mantras to all those that have been there for hours waiting her arrival. Although I only asked a few questions, Amma’s responses were full of allegory and analogies that encompassed all the topics and questions I had prepared. I invite you to make your own opinion of this woman by the way she answered. Here is the interview I had with her in its complete form: Who is your God You! Her, him, everything! What do you think the various natural disasters happening in the world mean? Nature’s way to bring more awareness in the heart’s of people. A reminder for people to do your duty to earth and Mother Nature. Human beings are taking too much of the natural resources. There are certain restrictions, do’s and don’ts and human beings are not following them. Human beings are crossing boundaries. For example traffic lights. If we do not observe them, there will be accidents. Human beings are not observing Dharma to mother earth and nature. Humans break down mountains, destroy forests, while the population is growing but the earth is not growing. How nature can be completely calmed down like a cool gentle breeze is only through divine grace. Only divine grace can transform nature’s turbulence, as nature is restless. What is the role of Native People/Indigenous People in the world today? Their traditions and practices should be continued and strengthened. There is a tendency to go mainstream. They should not forget their ancient cultures for example worshipping nature, honoring it. Governments should also give them necessary protections. Is the world becoming for feminine in nature with its energy and what is the role of women in this age? Feminine energy always existed for everyone. There was a period when it was weakened due to laws, regulations and religion that society imposed on women. Everyone has feminine energy. Men and women need to learn how to channel their energy to create harmony. Men and women were equal in the far past and were never contradictory, but complementary. Like two wings on a bird. Feminine energy is a flow of a river. Strong, free, that it can even make electricity.. But now this river has split into branches (weakened feminine energy) that have weakened the flow. In the past women always had power. Women are slowly awakening. Women have a greater responsibility to society as God gave her a womb. She should be more patient. And then her power will be greater. The same way that electricity can be used for constructive things and also for the atomic bomb. Like electricity, humans too have energy. This time now, is a revival period. _______________________ As quickly as the interview got underway, time passed just as quickly passed. I was allowed to take picture of Amma, and was put ahead of a lot of people that were waiting to hug her and receive a blessing. She hugged me, and I got an apple and a shower of rose petals. I stayed on taking photos and saw her hug a child and start to weep. I asked her devotees who the child was. They told me that the boy was a Finn that lived in Amma’s ashram in India, but they had moved back to Finland recently. The boy told Amma that his mom died. Just like that, Amma instructed him and his father to sit by her as she continued hugging the hundreds of people who came to see her. The little boy replaced me, next to her and they both started chatting about the boy’s school, and his activities. So from a journalist, to a devotee’s child, Amma wears the “mothering” and educating parts of her mission well. Was she God? Maybe if God were to come to earth, I would imagine her/him to encompass the mother in all of us, and the teacher in our hearts. (I think a good embracer is also a personal qualification I would include) Did she say she was God? Not really? She said I was hers (what a concept!) I think my God would be something words cannot define and would blow away every conceivable idea any of us has of the mighty one. What would yours be like?