Chicago was beaming with the preparations for the religious meet of the century. It was here, 100 years ago, that an unknown Indian saint's, Swami Vivekananda, five-minute address took the world by storm. To celebrate this mysticism and pietism, the devout from across the globe met last month. The centenary congregation had 600 saintly leaders representing 125 religions. Of these, three represented Hinduism and Mata Amritanandamayi, fondly called Amma, was one of them. At such a young age, to rub shoulders with many a religious leader of the world is being considered remarkable. Who is she? What is her contribution to humanity? How is she different from other numinous leaders? Why and how are more and more people devoting their lives at her feet? These were the many questions being asked at the meet of the 100 years. Love is not tangible. Yet, we find it more powerful than any corporeal objects in this world. Love alone can create miracles. Yet we discard it and miss the world of beauty. As we learn to read and write alphabets, we learn not to love others but to love oneself and long to be loved by others. In the process, we miss the spring of love and become prisoners of hatred, carrying prisons inside our tormented souls. It is to this modern psyche that Amma plays the music of love. To Amma, God is love, not Truth. It is here that Mata Amritanandamayi completely differs from the Indian spiritual leaders (except, perhaps, Ramakrishna Paramahansa and Ramana Maharishi) to whom spirituality is a relentless pursuit after neti -- the truth inside the crystal concealment. It is here that Amritanandamayi moves closer towards the essence of Christianity and Buddhism. She is Amma, the other word for uncalculating and unselfish love and devotion. This most beautiful and meaningful image leads her straight into the hearts of millions. Men and women, discarding their subliminal self, can hug their mother, be at her feet, pour their hearts out, confess their errors and feel the warmth of love. But what's more important is that Amma excels in the art of listening. How many of us, who call ourselves preachers, know that a patient listening is worth a thousand sermons? Hence there are many who disrobe their minds and confess their blunders in front of Amma and seek her advice. The communication is totally interpersonal. Yet it's complete. Again, Amma knows the healing power of touch - after all, a caressing touch can tranquillize a tornado. She creates a world where your distraught soul can sail along in the ocean of love. And you begin to hear your inner voice chirping. It was sunset time. End of a day, in search of the truth, says Mata Amritanandamayi. The sea and the sky turned red. The backwaters appeared like seething lava. As I sailed back through the backwaters to the complex web of the modern world, I spotted a lone sterling star near the full-blown moon. A gentle breeze touched me. I was unusually calm.( Click here to read more about Amma's Ashram ). Mother Says So... Following are excerpts from an interview: To your devotees, you are God. To the detractors you are a fraud. Actually, who are you? A crazy woman, dear son. This body belongs to Sugunanandan and Dayamanthi. But Hinduism is a pursuit for the truth... The language of a religion is the language of love - a language the modern world has forgotten. Today, we know only of selfish love. Reformation of this 'limited love' into divine love is any religion's aim. Within the fullness of true love, blossoms the fragrant flower of compassion. Is it why you show special care to the old and the orphans? Every mother is concerned about her child. But when she gets older, she finds her daughter more concerned about her own child - the reason why all mothers crave for love and care. Orphans also want love. I am their mother. But how can you know the value of motherhood without becoming a mother? The one who creates the engine knows it better than the one who drives it. You hug everybody. Why? What else can a mother do to her children? Who is your spiritual guru? No one. But, if I have to choose someone then it's Dayamanthi Amma who gave birth to me and taught me discipline and righteousness. Ultimately, you are your own guru. Then why should you be guru to others? In my ashram, there is no guru-disciple relationship. It is the affinity between mother and her kids. An engine before gaining full speed has to change gears in tune with the slope of the road and the load it carries. Amma says only this much. She doesn't teach or preach. What is spiritual knowledge? Materialism and spiritualism are not different from each other. If you know one, you know the other. He who can swim can enjoy the waves. Live life like a picnic without forgetting your own home. What role does a family play in spiritualism? A road is for driving your vehicle only to reach the destination. You can have a family, but don't mistake it for life itself. And why do you wear only white? Is it an image-building technique? It is a continuation of Amma's past. Once, as a young girl, I wore my elder sister's colored skirt. I was scolded for it. She said that I didn't deserve a colorful dress. So, I stitched one from a torn white dhoti and made a blouse out of my father's old shirt. Maybe that is why I still wear a white sari and white blouse with long sleeves. or bread, what is more important for millions across the globe? Bread with love. Only then will it taste good. Both are two faces of the same God. However, one is not a substitute for the other. Have you read the Upanishads or Vedas? Not yet. I am illiterate. Do you have any desire, Amma? Yes, my son. To attain the life of an agarbathi (incense stick). - Rajashekaran Nair Archive