UNITED STATES, July 11, 2011 (by Loren Paul-Caplin at the Huffington Post): The Sanskrit meaning of the word darshan is “auspicious viewing.” The concept of darshan is steeped within the Hindu tradition of worship and practice as the “beholding” or “sighting” of a deity, sacred object or revered person. This experience is commonly held to encompass a reciprocal component resulting in the viewer receiving a blessing. That’s why legions of devotees will withstand long and arduous trials simply in order to receive darshan from their gurus or revered persons of choice. A contemporary “holy woman,” who is commonly known as Amma or Ammachi, offers her darshans in the form of hugs. And hundreds of thousands of people line up to receive her darshans annually, just as I have over the years when Ammachi annually tours the U.S. and comes to New York.
This blog isn’t exactly an article about Ammachi, where she fits into the guru tradition or her Hindu roots. It also isn’t about the powerful, pure love that her devotees claim she emanates or the powers of her hugs, said to be able to heal serious maladies, sometimes even spontaneously. What it is about, however, is my experience with receiving her (and others’) darshans as I battle my own cynicism, critical thought and general arrogance. It’s also about the efficacy and value, at least through my lens, of Ammachi and her darshans.
Even though I’ve had numerous darshans from Ammachi over many years, I’ve personally never had any epiphany-filled or mystical experience from them. As to the spiritual benefits and why I continue to go: the short answer is that, “real” or “not real,” the prima facie evidence that Ammachi exhibits every time I’ve attended is nothing short of amazing. I enjoy basking in the hyper hope and emotions and collective striving for transcendence and peace that mostly permeates the place.
Full article at source.