Interesting, honest account. I've been seeing Amma for about 12 years and
have been meditating regularly (TM) since 1968. I can't dispute any of the
externals you describe. I think your description of those is accurate. A lot
of it is, as you say, necessary to manage the crowds that Amma hugs. Very
carefully thought-out, detailed procedures are in place to keep things
flowing smoothly. A few extra seconds spent unnecessarily with each person
can mean hours in the course of a day. Amma is 57. All this has taken a toll
on her body and every effort is made to lessen her load. The whole scene is
very Indian, even cult-like. I approach it, as I try to approach all things,
with a "take what you need and leave the rest" attitude. I believe that
"energy" you felt is genuine and benign. I think it can be powerfully
instrumental in furthering one's spiritual progress. That, and the culture
around Amma, may be addictive for some people. As for me, after a dozen
years seeing Amma on many occasions, I actually feel more independent. I
don't pay much attention to all the hoopla you mention. I just tune into
that energy and come away feeling more clear and uplifted. As for the
Ex-Amma group, it is moderated by someone who only saw Amma once, from afar,
and who has a vendetta against Eastern spirituality in general, and for
personal reasons, Amma in particular. I have never participated in the
group, but I am told that it is heavily moderated, and comments defending or
supporting Amma are not approved. So I'd take that group with a big grain of
salt. I've seen a lot of kids helped tremendously by Amma - gotten off drugs
and steered toward higher education and a healthy lifestyle. So I'd think
twice about blocking your daughter's further participation.
