The Amma Center of New Mexico Brief History In the summer of 1987, Amma arrived for the first time in the United States. Hosted by a Santa Fe family, she shared her hugs, smiles, inspiring teachings and devotional songs with a modest gathering of 35 people. From that small gathering grew the Amma Center of New Mexico, established as a nonprofit organization in 1993 in Santa Fe. From 1987 to 2005, Amma came annually to these serene acres in Santa Fe, New Mexico. A temple was built to hold her programs here on the land. Then, an ashram was also built and officially blessed by Amma in June 1996. The ashram was opened for those wishing to immerse themselves in an atmosphere of contemplation, study, and service. Natural Beauty Amma's Santa Fe temple and ashram are surrounded by the inspiring beauty of the high desert foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, clear night skies, arroyos, ponderosa and pinon trees, blankets of snow in winter, wildflowers in spring and summer, and golden leaves in fall. Jackrabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, coyotes, and many species of birds are among the wildlife that flourishes in the area. Among the many walking areas, one of the most compelling is our own "Shiva Mountain," a hill behind the ashram building that lends a mystical backdrop to the landscape. Activities Amma has never sought to convert anyone. Whenever Amma is asked about her religion, she replies that her religion is love. The Amma Center of New Mexico provides the community with a place of worship, spiritual practice, education, and volunteer activities. Throughout the year, our center hosts Saturday night Santa Fe Satsang, Integrated Amrita Meditation classes and refresher courses, weekly Question & Answer sessions with Steve Schmidt, NM GreenFriends activities, quiet space for meditation, occasional spiritual retreats with Amma's senior volunteers, referred to as Swami's, and many other events. All of Amma's ashrams and satsangs, or spiritual communities, are run 100% by inspired sevites, also called volunteers! To learn how you can volunteer, please contact us at 505-982-9801 or visit our website. The Amma Center of New Mexico also hosts one of the retreat tour stops for North America. It is our sincere hope you will join us in celebration and service to our beloved Amma. SANTA FE SATSANG The Santa Fe Satsang meets every Saturday at 6:30pm, in the main temple at Amma Center of New Mexico. Arrive by 5:30pm if you would like to also chant the 1000 Names of Sri Lalita. Schedule Chanting of the 108 Names of Mata Amritanandamayi A talk by a devotee Bhajans (devotional singing) A short silent meditation Arati Closing prayers The library (in the ashram) is open following the satsang program. Ongoing programs will vary, so please call 505-982-9801 or check our website http://amma.org/southwest for more information. The majority of our events are held at the Amma Center of New Mexico. The Amma Center of NM mailing list is used for all updates for the Santa Fe Satsang. Please message us to be added to the list. SATSANG IN AMMA'S WORDS: "Satsang teaches us how to live properly. If we have a map with us when we travel to a distant place, we can get there on time, without losing our way. Similarly, with satsang we can guide our lives on the right course, avoiding all dangers. If you understand what the real goal of life is and work in the right way towards realizing it, your life will be filled with joy. Satsang aids us in this way."
