Rob and Anna's travel adventure

My View - We Love the Leader (Rob's India Entry #12)

"You just missed her" was what we heard many times upon arrival to the Ashram in Amritapuri. The 'her' referred to is Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, the so-called 'hugging mother', also known more commonly as Amma (to me however, she's 'Big Mama Jama'). It seems that we were about a half-hour late to be present in the ashram at the same time she is. One devotee even pointed out that as we were already packed up (with our backpacks), it would be perfectly reasonable and logical to go traveling with her (sort of groupie style), as in, turn around now an go to the town she is currently in route. Apparently many here do just that. In some ways it may be fortunate that our timing accidentally coincided with her departure, as we understand that most of the hundreds (thousands?) of rooms are occupied when she is present.
The title of this entry may be familiar to frequent viewers of The Simpson's, as this was the theme for an episode where the town is seduced by a cult. While our experience here has been nothing like the TV show, as with all humor, there has been a certain amount of parallels and similarities.
Some of these elements include glazed-over expressions from some/most of the 'lifers' (we met people here that have resided for the better part of twenty years), somewhat fanatical devotion (all seem very enthusiast about the notion of following her on tour, and I observed a westerner eating his food with a photograph of Amma propped in front of his plate), a little of an isolation element (a self-contained community [including a western supermarket, cafes, internet, phone, post office, swimming pool, gift shop, flea market, laundry, travel desk, all-important bank/ATM, etc.- in short, little reason to leave {except to follow Amma}], suggestions to avoid the neighborhood [for safety purposes]), and so on.
With all this said, it seems that the organization does mostly good work in the humanitarian sector. I've viewed all of this with a fairly critical eye and have yet to find any obvious issues, contradictions, etc. Regarding the cult aspect, I personally explain it with the notion of my belief that cults and followers find each other (or the followers may even create one if absent). The basic tenets of the beliefs seem sound, love and respect others, and give aide to ease suffering, etc. The religious undertones are very moderate and inoffensive, and seem oblivious to any one religion. Even with my critical analysis, I find this probably the most palatable 'spiritual' encounter thus far.
For us, the stay here has been interesting from a sociological perspective, a mini-resort (we are on the eighth floor of a modern high-rise (with great views of the very nearby back-waters on one side and the also-nearby ocean on the other), with our own room [though no hot water], meals included [VERY basic Indian fare], very near the Arabian Sea [very enviable views from our building and room], and a very leisurely experience), fairly cheap (a little less than $4/day each), and a nice place to chill for a bit.
After a few days however, it will be good to move on.

posted by Rob and Anna @ 8:11 AM