Amma's Biography

About Amma

They say when one door closes, another opens. For millions over the last 30+ years, this other door has opened in the form of Mata Amritanandamayi (lovingly called "Amma" or "Ammachi"). This unassuming Lady in White from Kerala, India has made front pages of newspapers worldwide building an empire of unconditional love and selfless service that brings solace and deep humane compassion to suffering populations in remarkable ways. Top philanthropists donate billions of dollars each year to charity. Money however does not extirpate the root cause of the problems we face today, it only cures symptoms. So then what does? This is where Amma comes in.

"The beauty and charm of selfless service should never die away from the face of this earth. The world should know that a life of dedication is possible; that a life inspired by love and service is possible." - Amma

She lives by example. If Love were personified, it would take a form like hers. Not the ordinary love we see in the world today between husband and wife, brother and sister, even mother and child, hers is a sublime love born out of spiritual perfection, devoid of any expectation or selfish motivation. It is a life-changing experience to watch how she pours herself into pulling people out of the trenches, be it affliction by a natural calamity, a physical injury or an emotional problem. Whether an orphaned child weeps or nations go to war, her heart weeps to unparalleled degrees for both. She reaches out with a firm resolve to make a difference, not resting until the job is done. Soon thereafter, she finds another disabled farmer to console, widow to provide a means of livelihood to, 'untouchable' leper to share her boundless love with.

So deep is her empathy that it makes the pain of others unbearable to her. She says, "Love is the only language that every living being understands." "Love is the basis of the universe." With these ideals she is fulfilling and expanding the legacy left behind by Mother Teresa on a much grander scale than anyone has in centuries. Her contributions built on a simple edifice of love are more valuable and lasting than generations of billionaires. She touches people's hearts.

She says, "All things such as money and worldly objects are gone forever when you give them away - but not love. The more love you give, the more your heart will be filled with love. Love is like a never-ending stream." Amma wishes every person to become a source of love, always spreading love and compassion, and thereby inspiring others to do the same. Love, she says, is our essential nature.

On Amma’s Biography

In this unique biography, one of her closest disciples tells this guru's remarkable story, from how she discovered her divine calling to how her personal journey evolved into an international mission promoting spiritual awareness and providing solace to millions. Amma’s life has been one laced with stupendous hardships, including free flowing abuse and vehement opposition from her own family. The unforgiving environment she grew up in convinced her at an early age of the fleeting and selfish nature of worldly life.

Only deep contemplation of life and its goal occupied her mind. Many questions arose in her mind. What is the root cause of suffering? If one takes a human body, is one destined to suffer? Does God not see this suffering? Am I alone? Who are my real father and mother? Who dies and who takes birth? Why is there selfishness and unhappiness everywhere?

She looked for answers by turning inwards. Thinking of the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ and Krishna she thought, “They have sacrificed everything for the world! People turned against them, but Jesus and Krishna still loved them. If they have done it, then why can’t I?

She saw through the nature of world, “We have no true relations, for all our relatives love us only to fulfill their own selfish needs. Human beings love each other out of desire. Nobody loves us selflessly. Only God loves us with selfless love.”

As she approached her teens, she reached a state of unbroken spiritual awareness, losing body consciousness on several occasions for hours together. The mere thought of God swept her mind and caused her to lose all awareness of the external world.

The turning point in her life came when one day she heard a voice from within her saying: “My child, I dwell in the heart of all beings and have no fixed abode. Your birth is not for merely enjoying the unalloyed Bliss of the Self, but for comforting suffering humanity. Henceforth, worship Me in the hearts of all beings and relieve them of the sufferings of worldly existence.”

This marked the beginning of her crusade against human suffering and the effortless sharing of her unending love and compassion. This books is a powerful and moving introduction to Amma for those who don't know her and a deepening experience for those who do.

Says Amma of her life, “My joy lay in seeing others’ happiness. I never thought of my own comfort and workload. Whenever I had the opportunity to serve others, I tried my best to assist them with utmost sincerity and love.”