Dr. Deb's post on one type of therapeutic hug reminded me of another, quite different hug.
An organic hug.
A spiritual hug.
My social work therapist friend attended one of Amma's hugging events. She flew to the other side of the country, stood in line with thousands, waiting, and then getting, her hug. She was quite in awe and remains inspired.
Below is a video of Amma, "The Hugging Saint," at a visit in New York City.
How do you get your hugs?
13 comments:
Hi! Thanks for stopping by my blog the other day! I posted the recipe for the martini this morning...if you care to stop by again!
Happy Monday!
How do I get my hugs? Good question. I'm not--by nature--a hugger, but I think it's because I don't feel free to be that way without appearing needy. Does that make sense?
I think that is the most fascinating thing I've seen in a while. One more example of how love rules over anything else, and is so lacking in our lives in so many areas. Thanks for that.
terri - I did and thanks! A new drink to try -- wheeeeeeeeee!
apathy - I understand the fear of appearing needy. Depends somewhat on who you're trying to hug, too. Your significant other? A family member? The librarian?
mamaP - and the power of the human touch, the craving for it, to fly a thousand miles and then stand in long lines. whoah. I think I'll go give my hubby a hug.
Practical Man and BabyHP hugs are a given. One of my cats is a bit of a hugger too but I also love the unexpected hug..the one you get from someone you'd never expect who does it when you least expect it.
A few weeks ago, I wrote about the Rainbow Gathering... one thing the Rainbow Family used to do (and probably still do, but I haven't been there in awhile) was something called the Hug Patrol, and any person who seemed alone and apart from the group would get a series of hugs from a self-appointed faction of hippies (of both/all genders), who went around hugging everyone at random.
It sounds hopelessly hippie-dippie and dumb, but it made you feel instantly that you belonged. It really worked, and seemed to bring any "outsiders" right into the group.
I was one of the skeptics, and the earnest hugs just melted my heart. Really, the unconditional nature of the hugs seemed to unlock something in me, and I just loved those people.
In my church the when our pastor cuts us loose, ya better be ready for some huggin. During communion if someone is not comfortable with this closeness we have ways to show that and we respect it. I saw the most incredible sight at the Methodist conference. Two young woman were just wandering the halls with a sign "free hugs". WoW.
hp - unexpected and unsolicited hugs are the best, I agree!
daisy - hug patrol sounds awesome. I'd be one of those people sitting on the outside, grateful for being brought in. Some of us need that extra encouragement.
kelli - free hugs, that reminds me ...
I can relate to apathy lounge as I come from a loving family who were never physically demonstrative. You just always knew you were loved by their actions for you. Nowadays I give my mum, an 80 year old, a hug hello and goodbye and I know she loves it.
Having said that, like HP I love an unsolicited hug. I know that when I hug someone it's because I really want to.
Wherever I can steal them.
Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting the other day. I've enjoyed visiting here.
I grew up in the un-huggiest of families so I was very deprived until my kids came along. Then we became very active in a church that was huge on hugging. It was nice. We left that church a few years back and my kids are now 16 and 21 and hugging Mom is low on their priority list. I get only a hug or two a day now from my husband.
Those do look like nice hugs!
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