Happy Diwali in Toulon

5-7 November
Toulon, France

Amma's programs in the South of France are some of the largest outside India. Even before sunrise, one can see long lines encircling the Omega Zenith stadium. More than anything else, one is struck by the patience and love imbuing every aspect of the event. On the one side, Amma displays such selfless patience and love in tirelessly embracing one after another, no matter how many come. At the same time, the devotees wait with such patience and acceptance, happy to receive Amma's blessing no matter how long it takes. Their devotion is truly a sight to behold.

In her address, Amma spoke about the importance of ensuring one is seeing situations and circumstances with clarity: "Vision is not what we see externally through our physical eyes. It is the perception born from our understanding of life and situations. This vision should be pure and without blemish. The solutions to most of our internal and external problems lie in removing our incorrect vision or wrong perspective. It is our duty to make efforts towards this end."

On the final evening of Amma's programs, the packed stadium had a surprise in store for Amma - as she took the stage, with a cry of "Happy Diwali Amma!", the entire crowd turned on the lights of their mobile phones, creating a beautiful spectacle in celebration of the festival of lights and calling to mind Amma's invitation to us all: "If all of us can light the lamp of faith and love in our hearts and walk forward together, then we definitely can bring about a change in society."

Seeing the stadium illuminated with thousands upon thousands of points of light, it was not hard to imagine that change rippling out through society, the darkness of ignorance being dispelled by the countless lights, shining together, flickering with hope borne out of patience, and love expressed as compassion.