When I was 28 I met a saint named Amma, if you don’t know who she is you can go to Amma.org to read about her. In short, she is a divine mother who travels the world blessing people with hugs, clearing them of their karma. She’s a healer known to change people’s lives simply through touch, and she’s worked many miracles. So naturally, when she came through the Bay Area for one of her blessings and group meditations I decided to go meet her. I really never expected anything supernatural to happen, I just figured if a saint was in my town giving free hugs, why not?
Upon entering the hall where Amma was to speak…I saw an enormous stage where a tiny Indian woman sat. She wore traditional Indian attire, had a golden bindi on her forehead and had an aura of bliss on her face. Around her were many workers dressed in white who would pull the guests on to the stage and many who’d escort others off the stage. I watched as they passed one person at a time to Amma’s feet. Some would be embraced with force, others gently ….some left ecstatic, some would leave in tears, some walked off casually. Regardless, I stood in line waiting for my turn watching as she did this ritual for hours. As I got closer I could feel a tremendous heat coming off the stage, it was so hot that sweat began to pour from my body. In order to quell this heat there were dozens of huge flans blowing on the crowd, which made the space particularly magical as all the tapestry, linens and clothing were whipping and flowing among the windy air. In all honesty I felt like I was in some kind of surreal dream state, as the human conversations melded into the sound of musical instruments and incense all around me.
People wept, people brought gifts, people fainted …everywhere was human emotion, human flow. When it came to my turn I was directed to the stage and sat on the small pillow near her feet. For a few minutes I took in the gusts of wind from the fans in my face and drifted in & out of my body. But I was jolted back by one of her attendants as he pulled me into Amma’s arms. Amma reached for me with a strong embrace, it lasted maybe a minute…she then put her face against my cheek and whispered something in my ear. It was not in the English language, but I learned later it was a mantra, a Hindu mantra to strengthen my connection to Christ. She then made some sort of soothing noise and stroked my head and hair. I was then quickly passed to a waiting attendant.
I remember walking off the stage feeling a bit disoriented, which I guess is common as she tends to have a supernatural effect on people. But as I walked to my chair I kept smelling something floral. Where is that scent coming from , I thought. With each step the smell of roses got stronger. Why does my skin smell like fresh roses , the incense they burned was not rose, I muttered. As soon as this realization crossed my mind I felt a flavor of rose in my mouth. In confusion I took a huge breath of air in, and as it filled my lungs I realized the scent was coming from within me. My breath smelled like fresh roses and my mouth tasted like I’d eaten rose petals. How could this be? I thought. I was both baffled and elated. Is it possible that she blessed me with some kind of floral magic, did some mystic divinity actually permeate my soul?
Part of the reason I share this story is because it’s one of my most tangible spiritual experiences I’ve ever had, and roses were involved. In fact, the scent of roses lingered within and around me for three days. My body and soul had somehow been permeated by her divinity. Or maybe my divinity was recognized and had a chance to behold itself. I don’t really know….but it was a beautiful memory I will have forever….and it seemed an important moment to retell. Maybe in sharing this it can give someone the hope and understanding that magic does exist, and god does answer prayers and give tangible, real signs.
I also tell this story because florals have a huge theme in my recent endeavors….I’ve been working daily to create floral recipes & syrups , I’m also working on art projects revolving around the astrological connections between herbs & flowers. Every month and astro sign is represented by a different set of flowers. My astrological sign of Cancer is represents by the white rose.
Ritual Roses 