need a hug?

with the way things have been going these days, my guess is that everyone could use one. especially one from amma, otherwise known as the hugging saint.

for those unfamiliar with amma, here's a brief introduction:

‘Amma’ as she is known all over the world today, has inspired and started innumerable humanitarian services. She has earned international recognition for her outstanding contributions to the world community. She is recognized as an extraordinary spiritual leader by the United Nations and by the people all over the world.

For the past 35 years Amma has dedicated her life to the uplifting of suffering humanity through the simplest of gestures – an embrace. In this intimate manner Amma had blessed and consoled more than 25 million people throughout the world.

i was fortunate enough to meet this amazing woman two years ago, the last time she was here in LA. click here to read my blog post about that first time i listened to her speak, chanted with her, and received my own personal hug.

luckily for us here in southern california, amma will be returning to los angeles on june 15th, with programs open to the general public on june 15th and 16th, a retreat (pre-registration required) on june 17th thru 19th, and the big event, the devi bhava, on the evening of june 19th.

all events will be held at the radisson hotel at LAX.

here are the details:

Radisson Hotel at Los Angeles Airport
6225 West Century Blvd
Los Angeles, CA - 90045

Public Program
Date: June 15- June 16
Time: 10 am and 7:30 pm

Southern CA Retreat (pre-registration & fee required)
Date: June 17 - June 19
Please visit the Retreats page to learn more about Retreats (Pre-registration & fee required)

Devi Bhava - Public Program
Date: June 19
Time: 7:00 pm

On most public program days, there are two programs each day, i.e. during the day (at 10:00 am) and the evening (at 7:30 pm). During these programs all are welcome to come and meet Amma and receive her darshan. Darshan means receiving a blessing in the form of a compassionate hug from Amma. Devi Bhava programs (ceremony in celebration of the Divine Mother) occur on the last day of the program during the evening (at 7:00 pm).

Numbered tokens for entering the darshan line to meet Amma are distributed one hour before each program, with priority given to those meeting Amma for the first time.

Please Note: Due to time constraints token availability may be limited.

Morning Programs:
Darshan: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Evening Programs:
Spiritual programs: 7:30 pm - end
Dinner: 6:00 pm and 10:00 pm

Devi Bhava Programs:
Atma Puja: 7:00 pm
Darshan: 8:00 pm - end
Dinner: 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm

more information about amma, her works, and her north american tour can be found on her website: www.amma.org

and while it took almost seven hours from the time i arrived to pick up my darshan token to the time i actually received my hug the last time i saw her, i'm definitely going to make it a point to see her again this year. you never know; maybe getting a blessing from her might be the one thing that'll give me that stroke of luck that i've been waiting for!