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[This Just In]

SPIRITUALITY
Close encounters

BY CHRIS WRIGHT

She’s known as the “Mother of Immortal Bliss.” No, we’re not talking about Jane Swift, but Mata Amritanandamayi — a/k/a Amma — the Indian mystic who’s best known for her “hugging tours.” In her 30-year career as a serial nuzzler, Amma has held an estimated 20 million devotees to her ample bosom. By all accounts, those who are cuddled by Amma experience a sense of spiritual peace. There is weeping. There is healing. There is the incessant whir of news cameras.

On July 16, Amma will appear at the Ramada Inn in Andover, where hundreds of pilgrims are expected to bury their faces in her tear-stained sari. But then what? We at the Phoenix believe hugging should be a year-round affair. Here is a list of embraces we would like to see, matched with appropriate inspirational quotes gleaned from the Web site (www.ammachi.org) of India’s “living saint.”

Carl Everett hugs Trot Nixon. “The man of courage is one who can forgive even when anger rises uncontrollably.”

Matt Storin hugs Eileen McNamara. “When we have to deal sternly with subordinates, take care not to let hatred or irritation rise within us.”

Stephen Lynch hugs Fannie Mae. “Children, do not think that peace of mind can be gained from worldly wealth.... We may do a hundred things right, but for one wrong act people disown us.”

Jerry Callahan hugs Barney Frank. “See all others as the children of the same mother and love them as brothers and sisters.”

Tom Menino hugs Jimmy Kelly. “When the seed goes under the soil, it sprouts and becomes a tree.... But if the seed refuses to surrender, refuses to get out of the basket and go underground, it may end up as food for a mouse.”

Mike Ross hugs Frugal Fannie. “If we’re accustomed to buying 10 new outfits of clothes a year, limit the purchases to one each year, reducing our wardrobes to what we really need.”

Natalie Jacobson hugs Chet Curtis. “When there is a difference of opinion in the family, be ready to discuss the matter and resolve the issue.”

Paul Cellucci hugs George W. Bush. “If we befriend the storekeeper at the palace kitchen, we may get a pumpkin. If we please the king instead, all the wealth in the treasury will be ours.”

Kay Hanley hugs Tanya Donelly. “Loosen your clothes if they are too tight. Make sure the spine is erect.”

Issue Date: July 12 - 19, 2001