Happy Mother's Day

Love to all on this Mother's Day. Today I am not only thinking of my own beloved mother, to whom I am so grateful to for all the nurturing, encouragement and loving care that she always gave our family, but my thoughts are also on my beloved friend and teacher the late Rajita Sivananada (Judith Cornell), whose birthday would have been today. She was a mother to me in many ways as well and I am grateful to her for bringing to me and so many others, the mandala processes I teach.

Love to all of you on this Mother's Day.

This quote by Amma Chi, the hugging saint, says it all:

The essence of motherhood is not restricted to women who have given birth; it is a principal inherent in both women and men.

It is an attitude of the mind. It is love – and that love is the very breath of life.

No one would say, “I only breath when I am with family and friends; I won’t breathe in front of my enemies.”

Similarly, for those in whom motherhood has awakened, love and compassion are as much a part of their being as breathing.

-Amma Chi, also know as Sri Mata Amritandamayi Devi, is a spiritual leader and humanitarian who travels the world offering hugs to millions of spiritual seekers. This quote is from a speech given at the Global Peace Initiative of Women Religious and Spiritual Leaders, October 7, 2002.