* COVID period will come to an end; we don’t know when.

Until then, obey the restrictions: Amma

* She says pandemic is like a mirror in which we can see things about ourselves that need to be corrected

* She loves to hug her 'children' and says a hug infused with the power of pure love can work wonders

In Amritapuri, the ashram of Mata Amritanandamayi, pace of the day has changed since
COVID-enforced lockdown in March. No visitors are allowed in the sprawling ashram premises,
and the familiar sight of 5000-plus devotees queueing up for her ‘darshan’ is missing.

“Learn to be more loving and compassionate,” says Mata Amritanandamayi whose love and hugs
still reach her ‘children’ in distant lands through emails, letters and a webcast on Saturdays. She
is actively involved in the running of the ashram and all the institutions under its umbrella,
spends the day meeting people concerned and holding discussions. And she has set aside the
night to reply to mails, sleeping only in the dawn for two hours before starting her prayers and
meditation.

What energises and drives her as the whole world seeks her love, blessings, and the magic of her
hugs?

“It is the pure energy of unconditional love,” she says. “When you uphold and pursue that as
your life’s mission, there is no tiredness because you are now in complete harmony with the
universe.”

Excerpts from the interview.

1) The world is going through a tough phase fighting the COVID pandemic. People have to deal
with a lot of stress, financial difficulties, fear of the diseases, alienation from friends… In such a
situation, how do we stay positive without falling into depression?

Amma: In general, there are only two types of problems in life—those which can be resolved
and that which cannot. Is there any point in worrying and getting depressed about something that
has a solution? No. And what about the latter—a problem that cannot be resolved? Is there any
logic in worrying about it? Not at all. COVID belongs to the first category. There is a solution
for it. We just need to abide by the guidelines and restrictions. This period will come to an end;
we don’t know when. Until then, obey the restrictions and do what you have to.

There are other situations that, no matter how hard we try, cannot be fixed. Then, we are left with
no choice but to accept. For example, an adult trying to grow another half foot is not going to
succeed, even if he hangs upside down and takes various vitamins. In such unchangeable
circumstances, the only solution is to accept and be happy with what we have. Of course, some
situations, such as failing in an interview, we need not accept. We can appear and reappear for
other interviews until we get a job. Therefore, the important thing is to always understand what
type of situation we are facing and then to respond accordingly.
COVID is not the end of the world. In fact, this pandemic is like a mirror in which we can see
things about ourselves and our actions that need to be corrected. We should look into this mirror
and make those corrections. Learn to be more loving and compassionate. Learn to be respectful
to others, to Nature and, above all, to the Supreme Power that governs the universe.

2) The world definitely has changed over the years. Lifestyle and people’s beliefs have changed.
How do you look at the way the world has transformed? In these 67 years, have these changes
affected your belief in people, life and God?

Amma: Since everything exists in time and time is cyclic in nature, change is inevitable. Nothing
can be done about it. My path is to accept the change and see the oneness in everything. And that
is what I do.

3) Tell us a way to be happy. What should people do to be happy and stay happy?

Amma: Don’t we regularly take decisions in our everyday life, both big ones and small ones?
Why can’t we also take a similar decision to always remain happy? The only difference is that
the decision to be happy is internal. Just as we have the ability to adjust and adapt to external
circumstances, we also have the capacity to adjust our inner world and gain control over our
constantly fluctuating thoughts and emotions as well. We all have this power; it is only a
question of determination.

4) What is the power of a hug? What is the magic of your hugging that helps people heal?

Amma: A physical hug that isn’t imbued with the energy of love will not have much power.
However, a hug infused with the power of pure love can work wonders. Love alone is the true
transformative power.

Ninety per cent of the problems people face in this world are due to lack of love. We are born to
experience true love. Nevertheless, the majority live and die without ever having even glimpsed
it. Love and life are not two; they are one. Without love, there is no life. The totality of love is
the totality of life and vice versa.

In every person, there is an innocent child crying for love. That innocence is the source of our
potential. Amma’s embrace is not just physical. It is a real meeting of hearts, wherein an
awakening, and inner flow is created.

5) How do you work so tirelessly, dedicating everything for a single purpose? For others, you are
the inspiration, what is the energy that drives you?

Amma: It is the pure energy of unconditional love. Amma thinks of about what she can give, not
about what she can take. My path is the path of selflessness and acceptance. When you uphold
and pursue that as your life’s mission, there is no tiredness because you are now in complete
harmony with the universe.