Elements of Compassion, In Loving Memory of James R. Doty MD

Her Holiness Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, lovingly known as “Amma the Hugging Saint,” has held and blessed more than 40 million people in her arms over the past 45 years. Also called “The Mother of Compassion,” she has been my Satguru--my spiritual teacher--for over 33 years.

Through her international ashrams and volunteers, Amma has launched a vast organization of humanitarian and dharitable activities under the umbrella of “Embracing the World.”

Embracing the World is a global network of volunteer-run national and regional nonprofit organizations, led and inspired by Amma. Volunteers are helping people in need in 48 countries, across seven focus areas-- education, health care, gender equality & women’s empowerment, environmental protection, disaster relief, food, water and shelter, rural development, and research. Amma’s organization, Mata Amritanandamayi Math (MAM), is affiliated with the United Nations as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with special consultative status. MAM's humanitarian work aligns with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, and they engage in various relief and development projects around the world.

As a Registered Nurse, I was able to provide input during the developing stages of Amma’s first super-speciality hospital in Cochin, Kerala, India, the Amrita Institute of Medical Science--AIMS Hospital. I have also served as a nurse while on tour with Amma in the USA, India and Reunion Island and have participated in many of her charitable activities. I am proud to have been a benefactor by providing scholarships to nursing students at the AIMS Hospital School of Nursing and by donating funds that provided free heart surgeries to children born with heart defects.

Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, Amma the Hugging Saint

I have also been part of His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s Art of Living Foundation since 1992, who’s reach extends to 180 countries. I have been able to support and donate to the foundation’s international charitable activities, including AOL’s “Care for Children Campaign,” which provides free education, proper hygiene and nutrition to poor children throughout India.

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar of The Art of Living Foundation

In 1995, I was fortunate to sit with Vietnamese Buddhist Monk, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and founder of the mindfulness movement, Thich Nhat Hanh, during A Day of Mindfulness at Jack Kornfield’s Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Marin County, California. Thay is the embodiment of true compassion, and his books, including Peace is in Every Step and Being Peace, have opened my heart and shown me how to find peace within myself and live a life of true compassion. Here is one of my favorite interviews he did, before his passing, with Oprah, How to Listen with Compassion: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=281389119173625

Nobel Peace Prize winner, Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh Photo by Parallax Press

Dr. James R. Doty, MD, was a Stanford neurosurgeon, neuroscientist and New York Times bestselling author of Into the Magic Shop and Mind Magic. As founder and director of Stanford University’s CCARE, the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and in collaboration with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Dr. Doty spent nearly two decades researching the impact of compassion on our world.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Dr. James R. Doty

Dr. Doty, who so beautifully stated, “Compassion is what’s going to save our species,” interviewed some of the world’s most prominent spiritual leaders during his CCARE Conversations on Compassion. Here are some of his dialogues, with Amma the Hugging Saint, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, HH the Dalai Lama, and Thich Nhat Hanh that were held at Stanford University. These beautiful souls are the embodiment of love and compassion, serving others selflessly, without expecting anything in return.

Amma, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi:

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Sri Sri Ravi Shankar of The Art of Living:

His Holiness the Dalai Lama:

Thich Nhat Hanh:

What kind of world might we have if we all begin to help those in need? Where all people would have enough food, clothing, shelter, medical care and education? It is not a utopia; it is a reachable goal if each one of us chooses to step up and give in whatever way we can to those needing assistance.

You can give in simple ways, by donating to a local food depot, homeless shelter, soup kitchen or volunteering in your community. You can drive an elderly person to medical appointments or grocery shop for them. You can help a neighbor or friend who has just had surgery or who is disabled. You can donate to those affected by natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes, and fires.

Find the cause that speaks to you, one close to your heart and begin. We can make a better world through our small or large acts of love, kindness, and compassion for those in need.