Snacks & Meals

There is a snack shop offering a selection of Western and Indian foods. These shops typically open one hour before each program, close in between programs and at approximately midnight.

A vegetarian lunch and dinner (with vegan and gluten free options) are also available.

Lunch is served from 12:30pm until thirty minutes after the morning program ends.

Dinner is served from 6-7:30pm, then closes for the first part of the evening program. It resumes once Amma begins embracing people and ends around midnight.

Meditation Course

The IAM – Integrated Amrita Meditation Technique^® – or IAM – was born of Amma’s desire for our spiritual advancement. A combination of modalities focusing on movement, breath, sound and light, IAM Technique can be practiced daily by anyone in about 30 minutes.

IAM is taught during Amma’s retreats and is included in the retreat fee. The class takes a total of eight hours to complete, with a two hour session each morning and afternoon of the two retreat days. Sign up for IAM when you register for the retreat, or just come to IAM orientation the first night of the retreat to sign up.

Can you still get darshan with Amma? Yes, absolutely! Tell the token giver you are taking IAM and they will give you a token number that fits your schedule.

In some cities, a shorter IAM class is taught in the afternoon of the free public program day. IAM is also taught free of charge throughout the year in some Australian cities. .

IAM for Youth classes are offered at all of Amma’s retreats. Youths aged 10–18 yrs are welcome to attend. Sign up at the IAM Table.

Groups & Families

Amma loves children of all ages. Families and groups are welcome to Amma’s programs. If you would like to be hugged together as a group, please let us know. Large parties may not be able to be hugged at the same time; instead, you may be asked to form smaller groupings of a few members.

General Guidelines

• Please join the token line to receive your tokens.
• If you have a young infant, please confer with a volunteer wearing a blue scarf to recommend the best way to receive your blessing.
• Everyone needs to be present to receive their tokens. If you have special difficulties with this, please speak with the token givers wearing gold scarves.
• Everyone in the group needs a token, including infants.

In Melbourne and the Sunshine Coast there is the extra opportunity to spend time with Amma in a retreat setting.

These retreats require pre-registration and a fee.

Retreat days can help to intensify our spiritual practices, allowing us to go deeper within ourselves without the distractions of our everyday lives. During a retreat, regardless of the size, the atmosphere always feels more intimate and relaxed.

Retreat check in begins at 4:30pm on the first afternoon and continues throughout the evening. The second and third mornings begin at 6:00am with an optional gentle yoga class followed by a 30 minute guided meditation led by one of Amma’s senior disciples at 7:30am. Following the meditation and breakfast, one of Amma’s senior disciples gives a class. On the second evening, Amma leads a meditation which is followed by a special Question and Answer session and then she serves everyone dinner.

Since selfless service, or seva, is an integral part of Amma’s teaching, retreats have been structured to include this valuable practice. All participants who are able will be assigned two to three hours of seva (selfless service).

The IAM – Integrated Amrita Meditation Technique^® is usually offered during the retreat at no extra charge. A refresher class will also be offered for those who have already completed the course.

Australian Retreats 2019

Day & Evening Program Details

Public programs are free and all are welcome. Some cities also conduct retreats that involve a registration fee. Please check the tour schedule page to see a complete list of which programs are available.

There are three types of free public programs that Amma holds:

• Morning Programs
• Evening Programs
• All Day Programs

(Information about another free program is included in the Devi Bhava guide.)

During the program, you are free to watch Amma receive guests, or to visit the informational booths, Amma Shop, or services offered during the program while waiting for your token number to be displayed. Meals and snacks are also available for purchase. There may also be devotional singing and other music during the program.

Morning Programs: 10am

These begin with a short meditation with Amma and then she welcomes visitors for an embrace. An informational video is shown at the beginning of the program followed by spiritual singing and other cultural programs.

• 8:00am – Volunteers begin to welcome guests and the token line opens
• 8:30am – Tokens are handed out and seating begins
• 10:00am – Amma arrives, conducts a meditation and receives guests for her embrace

All Day programs: 11.00am

These begin with a short meditation with Amma and then she welcomes visitors for an embrace. An informational video is shown at the beginning of the program followed by spiritual singing and other cultural programs.

• 9:00am – Volunteers begin to welcome guests and the token line opens
• 9:30am – Tokens are handed out and seating begins
• 11:00am – Amma arrives, conducts a meditation and receives guests for her embrace

Evening Programs: 7:30pm

Evening programs consist of a spiritual talk by one of Amma’s senior disciples; a talk by Amma; spiritual singing; and a short meditation. Amma then will begin to receive guests for her embrace and will often hug guests until the very early morning hours of the following day.

• 5:30pm – Volunteers begin to welcome guests and the token line opens
• 6:00pm – Tokens are handed out and seating begins
• 6:00pm – Dinner service begins
• 7:30pm – Amma arrives in the hall, followed by a program of talks, devotional music and meditation. Dinner service pauses
• 9:45pm – Amma embraces guests and dinner service resumes until approx. midnight

NO Pets Policy

Pets are not permitted in any of the program areas, including the path by which Amma enters or leaves the hall or venue. Please note that this includes emotional support animals and therapy dogs. Anyone wishing to have their animals blessed are asked to bring photos to Amma when they receive their hug.