“Amma’s Way

Directed by Anna Agnelli, Amma’s Way – A hug to the world is preparing to arrive at the cinema on 2, 3 and 4 May. The documentary tells the life and above all the spiritual figure of Mata Amritanandamayi, a humanitarian leader who with her famous embrace has been an example of love, solidarity and compassion for years.

Who is Amma

Defined by many Mahatmas, just like Gandhi, Mata Amritanandamayi prefers to be called simply “Amma”, the “mother”. Born in 1953 in Parayakadavu (now renamed Amritapuri in her honor), in the state of Kerala, India, Mata showed her vocation to spirituality from an early age. Every day she collects skins and food scraps to take them to the cows and goats and, on the main street of the village, she runs into the most distressed inhabitants. Seeing them in pain, she decides to hug them.
“I don’t see them as men or women. I don’t see anyone other than myself. A continuous stream of love flows from me to all of creation. This is my innate nature. The duty of a doctor is to treat patients. In the same way, my duty is to console those who suffer “.

The embrace will become his symbol, defined by his disciples as a “darshan”, a real connection with the sacred. Faced with the extreme suffering and poverty of others, Amritanandamayi decides to dedicate his life to spirituality, to helping others, regardless of whether he is a Hindu, Muslim, Christian or non-believer: his religion is “love” . In fact, he does not ask for particular rituals: his simple gesture creates a sincere and profound bond with the needy. “Amma” thus becomes a world famous spiritual leader: she will welcome in her arms over 39 million people in 35 years of humanitarian commitment without even a single day of rest. And her greatness goes far beyond the iconic embrace of blessing: in 1981 Amma founded Mata Amritanandamayi Math (MAM), an international organization committed – with the network of ETW (Embracing The World) projects – at the forefront of spiritual activities and beyond. , on six continents. Amma’s incredible humanitarian initiatives range from the construction of the largest hospital in India to the founding of a university, from the fight on the ground for the emancipation of women to eco-sustainability and environmental protection to economic, health, shelter and rescue assistance to all populations affected by natural disasters. In short, the strength of the figure of Amma is seen in the structures and organizations that she realizes as much as in the spiritual impact that she has exercised throughout the world for over 45 years.

The trailer

The story of an ever greater reality

Amma’s Way – A Hug to the World summarizes in a limited time the greatness of what is probably the most loved spiritual leader in the world. Anna Agnelli’s documentary is in fact cleverly divided into two ideal parts: if initially great space is given to the description of the sentiment, love and spirituality that Amma inspires in her admirers, perhaps leaving the viewer a bit stunned in front of a world so distant, in the second part what is the global importance of his figure comes out. The interventions of Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri, Swamini Krishnamrita Prana, Swamini Amritajyoti Prana, Swami Shubamritananda Puri, Swami Shantamritananda Puri, doctor Bhavani Rao, the former Finnish Olympic swimmer Matti Rajakyla (Akhileshre a researcher), the other researcher of many others. immersion in the moment of contact with the spiritual “mother”, a sort of attempt to express in words the strength of her embrace, which takes on even more value today, in a period where physical contact is severely tested by the pandemic. Subsequently – as mentioned – more space is dedicated to the Amma beyond the iconic embrace, that is the Amma committed at a humanitarian level with enormous solidarity initiatives distributed all over the world, from India to Australia and Switzerland. Especially for those unfamiliar with her, the weight of Amma’s figure proves to be enormous on a global level, in a struggle for peace that goes far beyond geographical, religious and human borders.

Leaving the only (small) regret of not finding out more about Amma’s childhood and adolescence, about the “journey” that led her to be one of the most important spiritual and humanitarian leaders, Amma’s Way – A hug to the world it is therefore a very interesting documentary to know the importance of Mata Amritanandamayi and the reality that revolves around her figure.

VOTE: 6.5

“Amma’s Way – A Hug to the World” is the story of a global humanitarian leader