For a longer and more detailed account of my experience of and interview with Mata Amritanandamayi, see Kenneth L. Woodward, The Book of Miracles: The Meaning of the Miracle Stories in Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2000, 377–82).

Finally, I want to thank all the good folks at Penguin Random House, especially my editor, Gary Jansen, who asked to see the manuscript of this book and patiently guided it through the shoals of the publication process. A fine writer himself, Gary is the sort of editor who understands the difference between a push and a shove.