Amma was in Mannheim. It was half an hour after the conclusion of the morning darshan. It was already quarter past five. The hall was almost vacant, except for the volunteers engrossed in preparing the hall for the evening program. I was sitting in the hall, reading, when a gray-haired man approached me. I knew him well, having seen him many times in the United States. So I asked him, "Did you come here only to see Amma?"

"Yes, but actually I am German. My sister still lives here. I migrated to Canada years ago," he replied.

"When did you meet Amma?" I enquired.

"In 1997," he replied. He continued, "But, you know, when my sister first told me about Amma, I was not interested. I was living in deep fear at that time. I had prostrate cancer. Fear of death haunted me day and night. I lost interest in life and had no enthusiasm left to do anything."

I listened deeply as he continued.

"Though I did not feel drawn by my sister’s description of Amma, I went to see her anyway. To be honest, my first darshan did not create any real impression on me. Perhaps to please my sister, I visited Amma a second time. That time, it totally changed my life and perspective. Since then I have dedicated my life to her - it is all hers. My fear of death disappeared. Now whether it comes in five minutes or in 50 years, it doesn't matter to me. I am not afraid anymore."

"Whether in life or death, I am hers."

I was filled with a profound feeling. Sitting there, I contemplated on the man's faith - the faith that Amma instills in the hearts of her children.

- Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri