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MOUNT PLEASANT, IOWA, USA, July 7, 2002: Mata Amritanandamayi opened her arms to Iowa, deep in America’s heartland, and continued to receive amazingly positive press reports such as this one in the Desmoines Register. In the gym at Iowa Wesleyan College, more than 1,000 men, women and children waited hours for their turn to receive a comforting, two-armed embrace from the “the hugging saint,” also known as Ammachi or “Mother of Immortal Bliss.” Amma has said she realized as a young mystic in India that a simple hug was an expression of love so many yearned for but rarely received. Hundreds of people sat on their heels on the floor, listening to Indian music piped through several speakers. Everyone’s focus, however, was on Amma, sitting on a chair at the front of the room, surrounded by volunteers. Supplicants who were physically able made their way up the long line on their knees. When they reached Amma, she greeted them each with a warm smile. Some sobbed openly as they were held. Others just closed their eyes and smiled. After receiving a hug, each person was showered with rose petals and given a chocolate kiss. And that was it. Bill and Joan Brady, both 55, traveled from St. Louis with their grandson Joseph Brady, 5, to get a hug from Amma. Although they know Amma is likely to be viewed as an exotic oddity by many Iowans, the Bradys said her message is very universal. “It’s no different than what we try to teach our grandson,” Joan Brady said. “That’s to be a loving person and share that with everyone.” “She’s not encouraging people in any religious path,” a volunteer said. “She’s really encouraging them to go deeper into their own path.”

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