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About Us

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About Us

We are global. We are diverse. We are inspired by Amma.

Whether we volunteer, explore Amma’s teachings, spend time in local groups, coordinate humanitarian projects or want to practice yoga and meditation—we are all part of this incredible network of love and compassion. Everyone is welcome.

“We are all beads strung together on the same thread of love.”

- Amma

Our Story & Mission

Our story is the story of what happened when one person decided to offer her life wholeheartedly for the sake of others, creating a ripple effect for our thousands of volunteers & beneficiaries.

From Amma’s example, our mission is to:

  • Awaken love, peace and joy within
  • Act with compassion, loving and caring for others as ourselves
  • Love and respect nature and the planet
Learn about Amma

Milestones

1970

Having consoled her neighbors from a young age, Amma . becomes known for her selfless love and compassion. People come to stay with her as her disciples, and her family house becomes home for the first residents.

1981

Amma’s India-based spiritual and humanitarian organization, the Mata Amritanandamayi Math (M.A. Math) is officially registered.

1987

Amma goes on the first of her annual world tours, beginning with Singapore, the United States, and Europe.

1989

Amma diverts funds raised for her ashram’s first prayer hall to take on an orphanage in India, laying the basis for her humanitarian initiatives.

1995

Amma addresses the Interfaith Celebrations at the 50th anniversary of the United Nations in New York.

1998

Amma’s first multi-disciplinary, tertiary care hospital opens its doors in Kochi, Kerala, India.

2002

Amma receives the Gandhi-King Award for Non-violence at the United Nations in Geneva. 

2003

Amma’s 50th birthday celebrations welcome 500,000 people in Kochi, Kerala, India

2005

Amma’s humanitarian organization receives Special Consultative Status from the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

2014

Amma is invited by Pope Francis to the Vatican to co-sign the Joint Declaration of Religious Leaders Against Modern Slavery.

2016

The first-ever UNESCO Chair on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment is established at Amma’s Amrita University.

2018

Amma is honoured with an award by Shri Narendra Modi, India’s Prime Minister, and United Nations Secretary General António Guterres, the largest contribution to India’s environment cleanliness campaign (Swachh Bharat Kosh).

2021

40 years after its inception, Amma’s organization has provided aid for more than 30 million people in 48 countries. Amma has personally embraced more than 40 million people throughout her life. 

2023

Under India’s presidency of the G20 Summit, 
Amma is the first spiritual leader to serve as chair of the Civil 20 (C20), the civil engagement group for civil society organizations. Under Amma’s leadership, Civil 20 India reaches out to the highest number of people in C20’s history. 

Our Voices

Amma’s network embraces all and rejects none.

Swami Amritaswarupananda

Amma’s most senior disciple and vice-chairman of Amma’s foundation

By getting to know so many people who have different cultural and national backgrounds, I have come to appreciate both the similarities and differences between us. It helps me to have a global view about our future and our needs.

Matti

AYUDH Member

It’s so important that we walk the talk and be examples for society. The Amma centres are now well known for their environmental work and for showing new ways of living that can inspire people to do their part.

Mathieu

GreenFriends member

While serving food for people in need in Mexico, we were moved to see how one beneficiary, despite her lack of resources, was still able to do so much for others. This helped us recognize that the people we were serving were actually giving us something much more valuable than what we had given them: the gift of compassion and humility that comes along with service.

Deborah and Mario

Volunteers

Through our volunteering work, we developed more thankfulness and appreciation for everything we have, and everything we took for granted before like water, food, electricity.

Vivek

Volunteer

How We Are Run

Leadership

When people pour out their hearts to Amma, she offers them emotional solace, spiritual guidance, and concrete solutions to their problems. Many of our projects have been initiated as Amma’s direct responses to these conversations. After meeting Amma, many are inspired by her example, initiating service activities in their local community.

The vast majority of our efforts are carried out by volunteers, with zero paid administrators at the national and international levels. Projects are coordinated by one of Amma’s disciples or another volunteer. Coordinators seek Amma’s guidance in how to shape projects and carry out their efforts.

Legal

Mata Amritanandamayi Math (MAM), Amma’s India-based humanitarian and spiritual organization, was founded in 1981. 

Embracing the World is a global network of local, regional, and national not-for-profit associations and informal volunteer groups inspired by the India-based humanitarian initiatives of MAM. Embracing the World is active in 48 countries. 

Our Impact

People embraced by Amma
0 M
Beneficiaries worldwide
0 M
Volunteers from all ages and backgrounds
0

All data is based on worldwide estimates as of 12/31/2021

Experience Amma's message in your own life

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Amma says her religion is love.
Her teachings are for everyone.
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Watch Amma’s daily livestream

Amma offers us the possibility to connect online with her on a daily basis. During these livestreams, we can meditate with Amma, chant bhajans (devotional singing) and hear spiritual teachings.

Registration is required to access these livestreams:


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