Yesterday, I waited all morning for a hug.

I went to go see Amma, the "hugging saint," who travels all over the world with the intention to hug as many hug-needy people as possible. But Amma, who has hugged more than 26 million people and often hugs for 20+ hours in a row, does more than hug. She puts her money where her hugs are. Over the years, she has raised millions of dollars for orphanages, health care, and emergency aid to survivors of tsunamis, earthquakes, and other natural disasters in India and elsewhere.

Some people wait more than five hours for a hug. I was lucky because I arrived early on a weekday morning. (Also, just like at the Rocky Horror Picture Show, you get special treatment if it's your first time.) I was probably among the first 50 people to get hugs. I watched as Amma embraced each person. It wasn't as I expected. She was often having discourse with one person while hugging another, and the environment was intense as the organizers were—understandably—focused on less spiritual endeavors such as nudging the hundreds of hug-waiters forward and wiping our faces free of sweat and makeup.

I approached the scene like a journalist, the way I come into so many situations, observing and analyzing the people and the proceedings. But something in me changed when I saw an older woman nearby, quietly weeping as she waited. And an elderly man who could barely stand waiting in line for his hug. And then, I saw a woman, about my age, holding a postcard for Amma. Not realizing what it was at first, I glanced over, and saw the beginnings of a message of gratitude for what she was learning from her cancer. At that moment, I realized the sheer amount of suffering that existed in that room—in any room—and the potency of what Amma was doing by alleviating, or simply sharing in, people's grief.

My hug was sweet. She held me to her and said the words "my darling" in my ear. Then, I went to the upper level of the center for a little while to watch while she tirelessly hugged one person after the next.

* Amma is here at her center in Castro Valley until June 14, giving out hugs. Click here for her full schedule.
* Also, check out our New York blogger's experience with Amma last year.
* And, to know more, see the documentary on Amma, Darshan: The Embrace.

Most importantly, if you have seen Amma, please share your experiences with us by commenting below. We'd love to hear from you!