#Amma hugs free

The author has cautioned the gullible so that they do not get victimised by Amma in the way that Tredwell had been used and exploited. It is so good that she has taken the trouble to write this detailed expose of Amma, her shortcomings - warts and all. Sooner or later someone would have had to do it. I must say that this book is very readable and entertaining.īy writing this book Tredwell has rendered a great service to the world. Gail Tredwell´s vivid descriptions of Indian life, graphic accounts of confrontations with Amma, colourful turns of phrase, the ability to capture the magic moments in dramatic situations, all these features and more are praiseworthy. This review is from: Holy Hell: A Memoir of Faith, Devotion, and Pure Madness (Paperback) Gail's flight to freedom-her victorious recovery from a life of abuse and disillusionment-displays extraordinary strength and inspiring courage.”īeware of this false guru called Amma February 6, 2014 Only then was she able to muster her battered but not quite broken spirit and plot her escape. In a gradual yet determined struggle, she managed to untangle herself from the web of myth and indoctrination. Tredwell takes us vividly through her varying stages, starting with naiveté and innocent devotion, then on to dawning awareness and confusion, finally to emotional breakdown and her shocking 'enlightenment'-her realization that the liberation she urgently required was is in fact liberation from her own guru. We also see how such a dizzying rise created vast opportunity for abuse, deceit, and hypocrisy. Through Tredwell's eyes, we watch a modest and traditional ashram metastasize into a business-oriented, bustling, mega-international organization. The book evokes the joys of early devotional life and vibrant images of rural India. Although the guru's flaws are a necessary part of her story and awakening, she strives to be factual throughout, digging deep to eschew victim frameworks and take responsibility for her own role in accepting the abuse and perpetuating the lies. She tells her tale with straightforward honesty, fairness, and a dash of Aussie snap and wit. In time, the relationship transformed into virtual enslavement in which Tredwell was on call 24/7 and worked herself nearly to death in the hope of finding God.īecause she became fluent in the Malayalam language and had continual intimate proximity to Amma for twenty years, Tredwell is uniquely capable of portraying this famous woman. Her eager decision to serve the young 'saint' began with innocence and a pure desire to please her new guru.

#Amma hugs free

Gail 'Gayatri' Tredwell was there every step of the way-from early devotee to head female disciple, ever-present personal attendant, handmaiden, whipping post, and unwilling keeper of some devastating secrets.Īt age nineteen, when she was a happy-go-lucky, adventurous lass from Australia, Tredwell never imagined that she would soon be trading her free spirit and skimpy clothing for a life of submission in an ankle-length sari.

“Amma, universally known as 'The Hugging Saint,' went through a two-decade transformation from a simple fisherman's daughter to an international wonder worshiped by millions.