Letter received from Bronte Baxter:
I am one of the moderators of the ex-amma chatroom at examma@yahoogroups.com where some of us there are gathering forces in preparation for approaching a few nationally known reporters and asking them to do an investigation into Amma and her organization. We are trying to compile names and contact information of people with first-hand accounts who are willing to tell their stories to the press. We have been told that without this, no reporter will take us seriously.
It's understandable that former or current insiders may fear for their safety in doing this, but it is common in such circumstances for the press to shield the name, face, voice, etc. of people who would be compromised by a public interview. The important thing is that those with information step forward, if we are ever going to expose this woman
and prevent still more innocent people from finding their way into her clutches. Anyone reading this who would like to join us in our efforts, please contact me at brontebaxter8@yahoo.com
Two people who I would like to connect with in particular are S.R. Natham who wrote the piece about the Amma hospital (posted here), and Amma's former Joint Secretary who published a statement about questionable financial affairs within the organization. If anyone knows these people, please ask them to contact me.
I understand some people may be afraid to come forward thinking I may be a spy for Amma's organization. In that case, please contact me through the examma chat room at examma@yahoogroups.com You will have to join the group in order to send a message that way. Direct your email to the
group and ask if Bronte Baxter is legit, then when you are reassured, contact me by private email above.
Best regards to everyone,
Bronte Baxter
FEATURED STORY: Amrita Hospital
(thanks to the author for sharing this important testimony):
I am extremely disturbed by what i read. No parent should have to go through such a nightmare. I hope you are successful in convincing your daughter to leave this cult. Recently, I had an experience which was much worse. This god woman runs a hospital in Kochi in India which is yet another scam. The following is a brief description of the course of events ... My dad walked in for a routine health check up on July 7,2007 at their health clinic and ended up being convinced by their so called experts that he had blocked arteries. The cult methodically isolated my parents from myself and my sister who lives in Chicago and much against our wishes my dad went in for an angiogram and they screwed it up royally causing his kidneys to go in to a shock. A routine test which nearly proved fatal in his case. The doctor did not perform a check to see whether he was allergic to the dye used in the test. They covered this up and kept telling my mother that it was his age (which was 70 by the way). After he recovered from this my Dad wanted to get out of there, but they would not release him citing his purported heart condition. Over the next week and half they systematically brainwashed my mother into getting him to undergo the angioplasty on August 2, 2007. His operation was scheduled for 2 AM in the morning on Aug 2. At 10 PM in the night on Aug 5, my mother was urgently called in to the administrator's office to discuss my dad's condition. She is told he has a leaky valve and they need a security deposit from her for $3500 to arrange for the valve and a triple bypass. She was in no state to make an informed decision, so she handed them the money. The operation was completed as per schedule and then the surgeon told her that everything was 'o.k.' and that my dad should be awake in the next 24 to 48 hrs. She asked him about the valve, and the surgeon expressed surprise and said there was nothing wrong with his valves, and went on state that my dad had 20%, 30% and 15% blockage in 3 arteries which did not actually merit a bypass. An angioplasty would have sufficed, but they performed a bypass anyway. My mother then confronted him with the security deposit bill she was charged for the heart valve replacement and the surgeon got irritated and told her to pick up the matter with the hospital accounts department in the morning. She went their first thing in the morning and was told that they figured out the error but she would not get the refund as it had been donated to the amrita hospital trust which performs free surgery for needy patients. My mother says it is a noble cause but does agree the manner in which the donation was made on her behalf and that too by deceit. They told her they will look into it once the final bill is settled. In the meanwhile my dad's condition worsened and he died due to post surgical complications. My sister and i were enroute to Kochi from San Jose and Chicago respectively when the death occured. My sister had a GSM phone with her so she got the news while in transit in Gatwick airport, so she immediately starting pressing the hospital for a post mortem. She was told it would be done. They embalmed the body instead of performing the postportem. My sister expressed dismay that the post mortem was conveniently skipped. I was oblivious of all this since i was boarding a flight out of Singapore while all of this transpired. My sister wanted to visually inspect the body but found it impossible since the whole body was covered in a tape, like a mummy. Due to Hindu religious beliefs she could not convince our family members to undo the covering. My sister was alerted by a colleague of hers at Smalley Bearings in Chicago about organ donation racket that was associated with this cult's hospital. Her colleague wanted her to visually inspect his back for any signs of kidney removal. We have been trying to uncover what actually transpired which a sent a man visiting a health clinic to his death. At every step of the way we are continuously being stonewalled by this cult and the hospital. The hospital staff is totally uncooperative. We are yet to see the refund for the heart valve which was never replaced. We did not even get a breakdown of the procedures done and none of the medical records have been made available to either to us till date. We are planning to take legal action here in California and Illinois since Amrita hospital trust has an arm here in Pleasanton California. Again my sympathies are with you and sincerely hope that you get your daughter back soon where she belongs. I know how difficult it is to cope with a loved ones loss.
Sincerely,
S. R. Nathan
San Jose, California
"So disciples believe they are loved unconditionally, even
though this love is conditional on continued surrender. Disciples
in the throes of surrender feel they have given up their past,
and do not, consciously at least, fear the future. . . Feeling
totally cared for and accepted, at the universe’s center,
powerful, and seemingly unafraid of the future are all achieved
at the price of giving one’s power to another, thus remaining
essentially a child."
-(p56) The Guru Papers: Masks of Authoritarian Power by Joel Kramer and Diana Alstad
Welcome to cultofthehuggingsaint.com, a place for alternative views on Mata Amritanandamayi (commonly known as "Amma" or the "hugging saint" in the Western media.) We hope to be able to provide information and views that have been censored or omitted from the mainstream press, allowing visitors to make an informed decision before jumping into a potentially damaging group.
This website exists primarily to provide links to resources and information that are not easily accessible. The Amma organization keeps a tight rope around media reports of the hugging guru, and it is common knowledge among devotees that press interviews are tightly monitored to prevent certain topics from being discussed. The media usually reports on the humanitarian aspects of the group, completely bypassing the cult-like nature of the group and it's activities. We hope this portal will serve as a way for people to explore more than one side of a tightly controlled public image campaign.
The following letter was allegedly sent to the ashram of Mata Amritanandamayi several months ago. The senders report that the letter has not been responded to.
May 4, 2007
The Personal Secretary to
Respected Mata Amritanandmayi
Mata Amritanandamayi Math
Amritapuri P.O.Kollam
Kerala
Dear Sir/Madam,
We would like to bring to your attention an ugly incident that occurred in your Delhi Ashram in which the local in-charge Amma Swamini Rasamrita and Sh. Gopal alongwith 40-50 goons had attacked the residents of Green Avenue and their staff with an intent to kill. On 20th April 2007, Green Avenue Residents Association filed an FIR with the local Police and a copy of the same is attached for your reference.
It may also be brought to your notice that while the Ashram inmates including the above mentioned had preplanned and executed this act of violence, the entire association has found extremely repulsive the fact that they have also lodged a completely false criminal complaint against the residents. This was least expected from an Ashram belonging to Maa Amritanandmayi who is revered and respected by all.
This atrocity on residents by the Ashram inmates in which the person in-charge has been directly involved and which has evoked zero response from your Headquarters is now in the knowledge of innumerable people. The entire episode is being brought to the notice of the masses in the right perspective through emails as well as by the print and electronic media. A peaceful Dharna had also been organized by the residents of Vasant Kunj on 29.4.2007 in which many concerned citizens of Delhi were invited to join and was attended by at least 500 people. A note explaining the episode was widely circulated and is attached along with a memorandum signed by hundreds of people.
As decided in the mass gathering a memorandum is being sent to you for appropriate action from your end. It may be reiterated once again that the concerned citizens of Delhi are very perturbed by not just the ugly incident but also by the repulsive lies and false complaint initiated by the Delhi Ashram. It can further be established through the copies of the recent emails that are being attached herewith.
We would also like to bring to your attention that whenever Maa visits Delhi, the residents go out of their way and offer every assistance such as living space for devotees, free drinks and parking space in their farms etc. We are all feeling very disillusioned that instead of reciprocating our sentiments, rules and requests, the Ashram has resorted to violence and breaking the law.
Once again we request you to take immediate corrective action and oblige.
Thanking you,
Yours truly,
For GREEN AVENUE RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION
Amma Geddin' Outta Here: One visitors disturbing visit to Amma's ashram
Spiritual Leader Stays At LAX Hilton Despite Protests: Article regarding the LAX Hilton protest
Amma's Hugs Won't Bring Justice: Webpage by Unite Here
On Why I Will Not Join Your Freaky Cult: An outsider's observations of the Amritapuri ashram.
Amma: A Two-Faced Mommy: Guruphiliac's humorous commentary on Amma as God.
Satsang With Ammachi: Guruphiliac's visit to an Ammachi satsang
Indian Mystic Is No Saint, Say Analysts: An article from The Rick Ross Institute For The Study Of Destructive Cults
Swept Up By Mother Love: Rahima's Story: Testimony from an ex-devotee.
Ashrams Om Us: Another outside visitors description of the Amritapuri ashram.
Letter regarding The Death Of Caroline Arbitole: Letter to the French Embassy regarding the death of a French ashramite.
Husband Of Caroline Arbitole Responds: Response letter from Caroline Arbitole's husband. Seems that the death was not suspicious, but an accident.
The Miracle Stories Of Mata Amritanandamayi: A critical view of the miracle stories surrounding Mata Amritanandamayi
Mysterious Disappearances: One investigators view on the mysterious deaths around Amma's ashram
The Proliferation Of Hindu Cults Outside India: An interesting article with a large section devoted to the activities of the Amma organization.
The Hugging Saint: A critical look at the reality behind the Amma organization from Worldwide Religious News.
Indian Mystic Meddles In Politics: A look at the political ties of Amma and her crew. By Jay Shankar.
Amma's Marketing Team: The resume of the head of Ammachi's United States marketing and press team.
Petition To Protect The Life Of Sreeni Pattathanam : Old petition from the Sreeni Pattathanam case
Amma, Save Us From Your Followers: More outsider observations on ashram life
The Lakshmi Of Our Times: A look at the financial, political and media control surrounding the Amma organization
Amma's Swami Bashes Ghandi: Excerpts from the full article.
Business Of The Gods: Addresses the financial empires of God men and women, with a section focusing on Amma.
Amma's compassion: A news article about Amma and the LAX Hilton workers dispute.
Rabbi Michael Lerner's Letter: Letter from esteemed Rabbi to Amma
Miracles Of Sudhamani: An article discussing the alleged Ammachi miracles
Amma's Cosmic Squeeze: A more fairly balanced article. By Erik Davis, for Salon.com
Rise Of A God Woman: Countercurrents.org article discusses the Sreeni Pattathanam case and political ties of the Amma organization.
Worshipping Amma As God: Another tale of an outsider getting creeped out by the ashram
Interview With A Devotee: An interview that does a good job of illustrating underlying subtle brainwashing techniques and mental manipulation surrounding Ammachi
Saadya: An Ex Devotees Story
Amrita TV Launched: An article discussing Ammachi's TV station
The Ammachi Letters: Should Ammachi stick to hugging?
Embraceable You: A review by Dan Kapelovitz
10 Ways To Build A Cult Like Following: Eerily reflective of Ammachi
Discussion Groups
A forum for ex-devotees and questioning to discuss experiences
A slightly more unbiased version of the regular Amma discussion forum
A discussion forum for dedicated devotees of Amma
Regarding medical services, AIMS hospital and financial accountability
A lively, lengthy discussion of various aspects of M.A. Math
Lots of alternative Amma news
