Yesterday at Sacred Circle Dance, a newcomer named Ananda joined us. She’s a lovely woman, about my age, who is mostly deaf but communicates well. We learned that she was named after Anandamayi Ma—the revered Indian spiritual teacher. Ananda told us that she had traveled to India as a young woman in search of Anandamayi and saw her in person after a long journey across the country.

Ananda’s main memory was of seeing Anandamayi at the end of a long hallway—a very old woman with a wrinkled face. Yet, Ananda experienced her as “the most beautiful woman” she had ever seen.

To be honest, I had never heard of Anandamayi Ma before, but others in the Circle had. In fact, Ron (the leader of the Circle) knew a dance inspired by her and named after her, which he taught to us.

My experience of the dance was very positive. I felt a real sense of peace and connection with the other dancers—and by extension, other humans.

Short bio written by ChatGPT:

Anandamayi Ma (1896–1982) was a revered Indian spiritual teacher known for her profound sense of divine joy and inner realization. Born as Nirmala Sundari in present-day Bangladesh, she displayed spiritual awareness from a young age, often entering deep states of meditation without formal training. Her followers believed that her wisdom was innate rather than learned, and she rarely identified with any particular religious doctrine, instead emphasizing direct experience of the divine.

Throughout her life, Anandamayi Ma traveled across India, attracting devotees from diverse backgrounds, including scholars, politicians, and ordinary seekers. She spoke of the importance of self-realization, devotion, and surrender to God, encouraging individuals to follow their own spiritual paths sincerely. Despite her growing fame, she maintained a simple lifestyle and often referred to herself as a child of the Divine.

Her presence was described as deeply peaceful and transformative, with many reporting a sense of peace and clarity in her company. Even today, her teachings continue to inspire spiritual seekers worldwide, emphasizing unity, love, and the eternal nature of the soul beyond worldly identities.