Thanks for sharing you're experience about Amma. We visited her recently too! I saw here in the U.S. She spoke very little mostly in some Indian language, but she had a translator. There were several people there. Both Indian and non Indian. ( I didn't see any hippies there :)

She seemed to be a very emotional loving person. First we watched some videos about several relief projects that she has conducted in India and outside. Then she began to talk (with her translator) about different things. I think what struck me most of all is- we have to focus on the now. We can't enjoy what's happening now if we're are worried about our future or something that happened earlier. I wish I could remember some of the other things she said, but when there are too many things to learn, my little brain tends to just forget all of them. :)

After that she started to greet everyone in what I thought at first was a peculiar way. She was giving hugs to almost everyone in the auditorium. We were lucky to be put almost first in line. Getting a hug from her had ad deep comforting feel to it. Much like a sign saying no matter how bad you've messed up, something out there still loves you. It was an amazing experience