Outreach

Outreach

Amma’s entire life has been dedicated to the service of those in need. She often says, “May we see others’ pain as our pain and their happiness as our happiness. Just as one hand spontaneously reaches out to soothe the other hand when it is in pain, may we all console and support others as we would ourselves.”

Amma has never sought to convert anyone to any religion; hers is not a sectarian mission. But Amma has always stressed that along with a new home, a pension, an operation, or a meal, the beneficiaries of her charitable projects receive a compassionate smile and a kind word from those who serve them. In this way those who give, those who receive, and those who look on—all are transformed by the selfless love and sense of universal kinship.

It is from this perspective that the Ashram has also undertaken initiatives to connect with people from every level of society to love and serve with a holistic sense for the wellness of all.

Yoga & Meditation Training in Prisons

is a collaboration with state and local governments where volunteers travel to the institutions to reach thousands of inmates. Prisoners learn breathing with awareness, self-analysis, and emotional control. Many have said they have found a new lease on life, and the prison staff also report they see positive changes. Anyone can participate, irrespective of race, religion, caste, creed or gender. All kinds of prisoners have received support, including those convicted of violent crimes such as murder, rape, assault and robbery. The largest initiative is in Kerala, where teachers have reached more than 21,000 inmates in 50 institutions, including central prisons, district prisons, sub-jails and special sub-jails spread across the state. Since 2019, trainers in Tamil Nadu have taught about 5,000 prisoners in all the central prisons. To reach inmates during the pandemic, people are also participating online.

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Integrated Amrita Meditation Technique (IAM)

IAM is a meditation sequence created by Amma that has now reached hundreds of thousands of people the world over. It fosters improved power of concentration, relaxation, expansive thinking, and greater awareness. These constitute a general refinement of the mind, and how one uses that is completely up to each individual. Starting out as a program for the general public, requests came from various spheres of life for sessions, starting from CEOs of high-income companies to villagers in rural India. Today, there are sequences for those seeking a deep meditation practice, alongside simpler versions for people in the workplace, community groups, teenagers, and children.

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