I know quite a few people who experience Ammachi, the hugging saint, as unconditional, divine love. They are joyful in Her presence, and are very keen about walking in Her footsteps. Amma says that we all are ” embodiment of Supreme Consciousness and pure Love.”

Unfortunately, the conditioning of society is covering people’s essential nature as love. From early childhood we have received contrary messages from our parents, relatives, teachers and others. Some were helpful and encouraging, while often they were rather critical and psychologically damaging. We learn to survive by adjusting  to the people around us and their expectations. Thus, we learn the normal social games and manage to cope or even succeed in life without knowing who we truly are. Hence there is much confusion and restlessness in our minds and hearts.

People will not realize the beauty and glory of our being, unless and until we associate with people who manifest pure unconditional love like Amma. When we are around people like this we can easily relax and be who we are without the fear of being judged, criticized or condemned   .We feel that we are fully accepted. We realize that we are truly precious just as we are. There is no need to play the social games in order to fit into society. People spontaneously do whatever is needed from moment to moment.

The primary purpose of human life is to know the truth of our being; Lord Jesus Christ referred to the same truth when He said, “Truth shall make you free.” Since there is much pretension in and around us, it is not easy to be completely true to ourselves. Yet, if we persist on the path towards truth, we will find the truth that frees us. We will realize that we are love. Only then can we genuinely happy.