Hugs and love
Saw this and felt moved to share it. Hugs to all. Love, Albert
really loved it albert- thank you.
This is sooooo great!
Maybe one day I have the courage to do this in Vienna!
I had goosebumps (if this is the correct spelling) while watching it.
Meanwhile I watched it many times - soooo great!
Thank you!
PS:
My internet was broken down, so I was banned for some time! Fortunately everything works fine again!
big hug back to you,
love,
M
i've seen this twice now. moved both times. thanx albert. love.
Yes, it really is a beautiful video ...
When I first saw it, I would just watch it over and over and over again and feel the power and the possibility of love.
Love to all,
---Albert
Amazing... and innocent, and world changing..I am inspired.
Mr. Free Hugs just had the opening segment on the Oprah Show today. If the video wasn't big already - now it's gone super platinum. Yay! Thanks Oprah.
we couldn't conceive of a miracle if none had ever happened. -L.Fudim
I loved the video! I would buy a T Shirt that said "Free Hugs". Maybe I will make myself one? Thank you for the inspiration.
ellisa
Beautiful video. Of course it made me cry... The little lady really got to me.
yes, glynda... me too! i know exactly which part you're talking about....
hand on the cheek...
simple, clean pure love...
and everything changes from black and white to the full color of life...
'cause, that's how the world shifts, i think, when we know love...
Hugs to you all,
---Albert
Definitely moved to tears by the 'purity' of the idea. Commented how afraid we are about the suspected intentions of someone doing something like that. However, before I went to Esalen and before I met my wonderful South American friends (who hug like crazy) I remember my buddy saying that I hugged "like I had swallowed a broom..." THAT comment got to me...thanks for posting this here!
stumbled across your site and this video, and it surprised me by opening up a lot of wet tears! i didn't even realize i needed a hug. thanks. : )
after sharing that vid with all my friends...I found this cool site Albert created.
One reason I love peace dancing (Dances of Univeral Peace/Sufi Dancing) (dances from every culture and path!!)(lead by spiritual people) in Seattle on Wed. at 7:30 p.m. on Keystone Ave. in the church there are the many many HUGS one can get and offer with the wonderful peace dancers. (At the end everyone hugs each other). The more you go the more hugs you get. I use to live 45 minutes away and when I went once a week these slow dances and quickly taught lyrics helped one get in touch with Spirit, Self (Soul), vitality, TRUTH, love, joy happiness...
why'd I move away?
http://www.geocities.com/ninthnebula10/aaa000111-graphic-illusion-comics.htm
Albert,
I cannot believe the range of emotions this "hugs for free" piece has thrown me into. Oh my, it made me laugh and cry, it made me happy and sad, hope and pain are there as well. A hug from the right person has the power to create tremendous healing or extreme turmoil. This piece of your has left me with a lot to think about. Thank you so much for sharing this. I think I love it...
I find something slightly invasive about this whole idea of Free Hugs' I wonder why he is out there giving out this form of pseudo intimacy. I feel I am not a bad person and after time and knowing I am open to giving hugs to people other than my family or the dead or dying or puppies and wee folk. But to make a placard of one's life and invite someone in in some trivial passing wave of emotion feels cruel and uneccessay to me.
He is just giving some peripheral part of himself. He advertizes his 'love' of humanity and then after a hug like a fly by night quickie five minut f*^# he is eyeballing the next conquest.
Where here does it fel good. Does it feel like anything other than some guy on the make.
I dislike what he does and the implications. I dislike people who espouse these feel good virtures all to make a name for themselves...
devon, i sincerely appreciate and accept your feelings around the 'free hug' video. when you ask "i don't know but am i alone (there are no free hugs) i imagine you're NOT alone in feeling this.
Devon,
I find your response confusing in light of all the positive responses above. I was surprised when I reread the various posts, that Oprah had broadcast this video last fall. That is sweet and amusing. I can't imagine her intent was sinister. You obviously see something quite different than those represented here. Do you think others were embarrassed to post a dissenting opinion?
It is often helpful to examine a personal response in an effort to discover what it is that sparks such a powerful visceral impact. That, to me, is truly intriguing and what process is all about.
Hi, Devon,
Maybe I am misinterpreting your words, but I wonder how you can see the action as invasive. He doesn't force anybody to accept his wonderful offer. And many people didn't accept it - for whatever reasons; and, sure enough, it is everybody's right do accept or to walk bye. In amazement, in embarrassement, in astonishment, in a hurry.
Have you ever tried to smile at people while you were on a bus? The "answers" are pretty much the same ones. Some accept your offer and get a Golden Moment smiling back, others pretend that they didn't see your smile.
I do this from time to time. Not only for research purposes and not only for me. I do it, because I want to offer my fellow citizens a "Hey, wake up" - call.
And wouldn't it be great if people approched each other fearlessly more often? If they smiled at each other and even hugged each other? In the true feeling, that we are actally all one?
Strange, I never had the feeling that I have to carefully weigh my words when posting here, but right now I feel a bit uncertain. ...
Best greetings from Vienna, Esther
I respect your ability to express your opinion, even thought it goes against the flow. The content of your views aren't as important to me as your willingness to say what you genuinely feel. Thanks!
I can't say I have a charge on for the video, one way or the other. The reason it is beginning to have meaning for me is to watch how it registers with the rest of the crew. Thanks to everybody for stirring the pot.
And it's great to hear from the Vienna office, Esther. I'm glad to hear you are getting all those Viennese to wake up! (Wish we could do the same for some Americans!)
I know several people who do not like the "free hug" campaign. Thank you, Devon for posting your comment and speaking your truth. I think it is totally valid to perceive this as invasive or as anything you want to perceive it. This might be confusing or even unacceptable to people who perceive differently. I like the diversity of ideas and feel that striving for the right way to perceive "things" is moralistic and dangerous.
Have a good Sunday, Monika
hummm this reminds me of people who objected to "The Secret." The Secret was a basic beginning for some people and people in a "spiritual glamour of ego" criticised and put it down. It sort of bothered me that it became a "mass success thanks to Ophra and then seemed to vanish -- I rarely hear about it anymore. Nor have I heard about the hug thing much lately except some born/bored again pseudo Christians are starting some sort of hug religion and self promoting it -- johnny come lately's as they are.
What's really going on Devon? What's happening with you. I know I don't get enough hugs which are allegedly good for us. Would I offer or accept one from a total stranger? (I'd pay for hugs from a beautiful woman!) (I'm a shallow guy).
Not that you are asking for agreement I can see the point that others (with their own hug sites) are misusing the original good nature of the original hugger but I think his hugs were genuine and not self-agrandizing.
What do you feel about Laughter Yoga?
I guess not everybody likes hugs as much as you and I do:-) And this is fine. As to the "Secret" or "What the bleep" etc. - I consider these important contributions to reach a mass audience who would otherwise not be reached. By people who are well-read in spiritual and/or scientific disciplines they might be perceived as rather shallow. I personally don't consider Oprah a guide in my spiritual quest nor Dr. Phil a good therapist. But this is just me.
I actually posted prior to reading all the posts..I just read Devons. Ophra and Phil do nothing much for me either.
I wish Ophra had chosen Zukav instead of Phil I think evolution would then be hastened.
(Is there a free lunch?) Regarding the smile thing yesterday someone smiled at me and it made me feel better and I hope I smiled back quickly enough. I was feeling a bit insecure lately.
... is a good one in that there is sort of show-off-manship about this and its pop/news media connection.
But I love it nevertheless, not only because so many who saw it and participated in it were clearly quite moved. I also loved it because it was a symbolic behavior. And in a time of crassness, cynicism, war, and suffering (like human history, eh?) a public symbolic gesture that includes all those who participate in the idea of a community of people loving its members is not such a bad thing. It's a symbol of a feeling within that I need to return to frequently for balance--of being trusting, childlike, and even naive. Its lack of sophistication is exactly what makes it work. The statement is that the free hug is given from the heart, demanding nothing in return--no pay back, no cost to you, just the sense of being touched by another human being spontaneously if you wish. It's like that dude who threw out his cell phone number for people to call and lean on. I didn't call, and I probably would have smiled approvingly at the hugger without hugging him. But lots of people did call, and were pleased that someone was out there doing this.
Actions that develop connection within a very difficult and fragmented social fabric are probably constructive--even if only in small ways. John Lennon was no different when he wrote All the Lonely People.
And I was also moved nearly to tears by it--sentimental sap that I am!
Weems
Silly as it sounds Sweet Eva, my chiropractor's receptionist, always hugs me when I come and go with the reminder - "5 Hugs a Day!" She doesn't do this for every patient, nor do I hug most strangers. Our relationship based on chemistry and ease allows us this indulgence.
When I taught senior fitness classes, part of our training was to walk around the class and touch each student at least once, correcting a stance or placing a hand on a shoulder. For some this might be the only human contact they would get that day...
Even in families days can go by without sitting next to one another on the sofa, a hug goodnight, a kiss on the cheek or a squeeze of the hand. All the comings and goings do not necessarily invite contact. It must be intentional. All studies I've read show that it is a part of a healthy life to have social contact and, to a degree, this entails touch as well.
Maybe we can add touch to the FDA pyramid of healthy practice...
I remember years ago when my 95 year old grandmother was lamenting how much she missed human physical contact. The sad, wet eyes, and her telling me she missed hugs.
You were a wise fitness trainer!
Weems
That is a nice example Weems. I can imagine...
"""Strange, I never had the feeling that I have to carefully weigh my words when posting here, but right now I feel a bit uncertain. ...
"""""""""""
Esther if the feeling you have that you are now uncertain in posting then why? I have only stated my own point of view. I respect what you feel. But surely one can comment and say their own truth. We don't have to be puppets. I don't want to hug strangers. I don't particularly want the guy or woman across the way from me on the train or the bus smiling at me. You do, so go for it. I am in no position to critque you and this has not been a criticism. This is my feeling.
I give money to homeless people. I have even bought cognac for homeless people. I work shelters and do community work with Alzheimer patients. I visit hospices and stay with people who are dying and YES I hold them because they want it and there are no cameras to dilute that moment. I only say this to show THAT I certainly believe it is very important to do service and help others but, in productive ways. And yes buying cognac can be productive.
If hugging strangers and smiling at them makes you feel good but also importantly the person who is the recipient.... if it makes them feel better then that's a perfect match.
I am only saying that I don't want it. I do think the majority would view you as far more spiritually aware, far more generous, far more evolved than Devon Post.
John,
I appreciate your comment to my comment. I feel strongly about things that move me to action or reaction. I have done this all my life. To speak up and out.
It is wonderful to have free speech. And I thank you for saying what you did.
Monika,
I agree too and my way or views are only right for me. I would think to each their own. Thanks Monika.
Rob,
Laughter Yoga is funny.... pet rocks are great. I don't want one in my house though (my sister had one) Hugs are lovely but I don't want one from the whole wide world. I find ways of avoiding end of parties and usually stretch my arm way out to have a handshake. I have had some say "commere I wanna give you a hug' even while seeing my arm is outstretched because THEY want to give a hug.
That's my point Rob.
Weems,
Glad you loved the video. and interested to read that the Free Hug is given from the heart. My 'question' is/ was.... that given from the heart surely doesn't require a camera crew and a placard. It can make for an embarrassment as many people traversing the streets just want to be left alone. To go about their business.
Thanks to you for your insightful and lovely comments.
Laughter yoga feels fake to me.
I think you are very real and I think your serving others is awesome...you are living it..unlike myself...I feel I am rarely in service to others...so I hold you in high respect as you are very unselfish.
Yesterday after peace dancing it was a guy who offered the first hug to me. And all the women gave me hugs but I had to be really receptive to get them and they were worth it. Except one who honored herself and was not open to hugs...but I could feel her spiritual path and her joy in it.
One of my last hugs with my Mom before she passed was strange because she was actually brittle. I had to be infinitely patient and gentle as I loaded her into my car. The hug was not as satisfying as just being in her presence (and for years just flying and driving to L.A. to see her and being with her was REAL and though painful it was a process that was very real and not fake and when she escaped her outer form it was "whew" thank God and not that much sadness or feeling (except maybe on a massage table recently). When she went the next day or that night it was still a shock and a relief (though I believe the Soul is immortal has always been and will always be) (I don't really know the exact time of departure since I was on a plane by then) -- drugs, doctors and healing kept her alive longer than maybe was necessary. Though I regard escaping ones body as a decision between soul and God. Her body was in a lot of pain and I am glad she isn't suffering.
My greatest hugs came from my Aunt since they were so unconditional. I think, for me, touch is very very important. I pay attention for opportunities. And I like them from anyone. (Washed clothes, good breath helps).
I've met at least two people who wouldn't shake hands. And because energy is such as it is I can totally accept and understand people who operate & think and feel differently than me.
Love. :) Rob
By a consideration alone sometimes things can be as you want.
Hey Devon thanks for being you!
Hugs and love