Love can heal all wounds: Amma

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal"><script language="javascript" src="Config?Configid=43376741"></script><br /><img align="left" src="/photo/199704.cms" alt="/photo/199704.cms" border="0" />BANGALORE: <span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi</span>, popularly known as Amma in India and the Hugging Saint elsewhere, is turning 50 on September 27.<br /><br />Having mesmerised the entire world with her torrential love and unique style of spiritual preaching and hugging, today she''s the only hope for millions of her devotees. Despite her extremely busy schedule sandwiched between her birthday celebrations and daily darshans, Amma found time for an exclusive interview for <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">The Times of India</span>. "Love is the only medicine that can heal the wounds of the world. Love is the very foundation, beauty and fulfillment of life."<span style="" font-weight:="" bold=""> Excerpts:</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">What''s your mission all about?</span><br /><br />To become an offering to society. As long as there is enough strength in these hands to reach out to those who come to Her, to place Her hand on a crying persons shoulder, Amma will continue to give darshan. To lovingly caress people, to console and wipe their tears until the end of this mortal frame. This is Amma''s wish.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">When you look back, what''s that kept you so focussed doing the same kind of job? Did you get bored any time?</span><br /><br />Love for humanity and the entire creation. Boredom happens only when there is no love. Pure love makes everything ever fresh and ever new. <br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Are you confident that the social reformation you have taken up will wipe out poverty from the country?</span> <br /><br />I make no claims. Living in the present is my life and message. One may exhale and never inhale again. When there is no guarantee even for the next breath, is it not meaningless to proclaim such things? However, Amma is here to help suffering people, and She will continue doing that without expecting and claiming anything. <br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">You have said that spirituality is the basis of everything in life. How relevant is it in the modern world?</span><br /><br />Spirituality is the most relevant factor in modern society. It is not different from real life. Just as we take management classes to become good and successful managers in the outside world, spiritual principles teach us how to manage our inner life successfully. <br /><br />There are two types of education; education for living and education for life. We only take care of the first and ignore the latter. Our educational system helps us to earn a living by becoming a doctor, engineer, professional and so forth. Nevertheless, education for life, which is spirituality, is not even the last item in the list.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Western media portray you as a Hugging Saint. What''s special about this unique way of blessing your devotees? </span><br /><br />There is nothing unique about it. It is a simple, straightforward and least complex way to tell everyone, Amma loves you as her own self.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">The present generation is caught between many uncertainties? What solution you have for them?</span><br /><br />Self-confidence. It gives a conviction that arises from deep within. This will help them realise the immense potential within, which remains untapped.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">What formulae would you derive to improve the condition of Indian women?</span><br /><br />Creating a balance between masculine and feminine qualities within her. Motherly love is shakthi (power). Women being the pivot of society and family, she must realise the power of motherhood. Women have to find their courage. <br /><br />Courage is an attribute of the mind; it is not a quality of the body. Women have the power to fight against the social rules that prevent their progress. This is Amma''s own experience. <br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Who are the people that have influenced your life the most? </span><br /><br />I always considered the entire creation as my guru. Even an ant has taught me lessons. <br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">You have travelled all over the world. What''s so special about our country? </span><br /><br />All countries and all cultures are unique. But India is the spiritual heart of the world.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">India''s biggest problem today is lack of religious harmony. As a spiritual head, what do you have in store for to solve our problems?</span><br /><br />Religion is not a problem. Wrong understanding of religion is the problem. There are two parts to a religion, the outer and the inner. The outer is intellectual and the inner is spiritual. Most religions are stuck with the outer. <br /><br />The essential spiritual principle, which is the inside of all religions, alone will bring peace and harmony between religions and in society. All religious leaders should work towards this goal. <br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">You are turning 50 on September 27. What''s your birthday message?</span><br /><br />As far as I am concerned, birthdays are not special days. This is a gathering for world peace and harmony. My message to everyone everywhere is love and serve selflessly.</div> </div>