Shri Mataji
Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, the founder of Sahaja Yoga, was born on March 21st, 1923 to a Christian family in Chindawara, India. Her family took active part in India's struggle for Independence, her father, a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi, was a member of the Constituent Assembly of India and helped write free India's first constitution. Her mother was the first woman in India to receive Honors Degree in Mathematics.
In her quest to fully understand the workings of our human systems, Shri Mataji studied medicine at Lahore Medical College. Later she married Sir C.P. Srivastava, who served as the Secretary General for the International Maritime Organization, an agency of the United Nations based in London. They were blessed with two daughters and four grandchildren.
In 1970, on the beach of Nargol, Shri Mataji discovered a historical process of en-masse Self Realisation through which thousands of people could get this connection to their Spirit and thereby their inner transformation. Large numbers of people, without distinction of race, religion, age or social status have acknowledged the value of her teachings by establishing Sahaja Yoga centers in over 85 nations. These people who live a normal family life, tap to their inner spiritual power through daily Sahaja Yoga meditation and have achieved a complete balance of their lives on the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels.
Shri Mataji has been widely recognized for the powerful results of her spiritual teachings. To mention just few, in 1994, the Mayor of Brazil's capital welcomed Shri Mataji at the airport, presenting her with the key to the city, and sponsored all of her programs. In 1995, the Indian Government granted Shri Mataji a one hour primetime television series, broadcast nationally. During the same year, Shri Mataji was an official guest of the Chinese government and was invited to speak at the International Women's Conference in Beijing. Also in 1995, she was awarded by the Romanian Ecological University an Honorary Doctorate in Cognitive and Parapshychological Sciences.
Other Honors and Commendations
Shri Mataji has been widely acclaimed around the world for her selfless efforts towards social improvement and world peace. She has initiated a number of organizations for community service, including The International Hospital and Cancer Research Centre, a charity house for disadvantaged people in India, a drug rehabilitation centre in Italy, and others.
- 1970 - Develops the Sahaja Meditation technique, begins traveling the world to establish the Sahaja Meditation Worldwide Movement.
- 1986 - Declared Personality of the Year in Italy.
- 1989 - Awarded The UN Peace Medal.
- 1993 - Appointed as Honorary Member of the Presidium of the Petrovska Academy of Art and Science. In the history of the Academy, only 12 people have ever been granted this honor, Albert Einstein is also a Honorary Member.
- 1995 - Keynote speaker in the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. Nominated for Nobel Peace prize.
- 1996 - Establishes Hospital and research Centre, Mumbai, India.
- 1997 - Establishes NGO for destitute women in Noida, India.
- 1998 - Establishes Orphanage in New Delhi, India. Recipient of the Unity award for international understanding by Unity International Foundation.
- 1999 - Honorary Proclamation by the US Congress was issued which was submitted to the Congressional Records.
- 2004 - Establishes World Council for the Advancement of Sahaja Meditation.
- 2005 - Establishes World Trust and donates all properties to the Trust.
Shri Mataji passed away peacefully on 23rd of February, 2011 in Genoa, Italy, aged 87.
Our Subtle System
Within us resides a subtle system of channels (nadis) and centers of energy (chakras) which look after our physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual being. Each of the seven chakras has several spiritual qualities. These qualities are intact within us, and even though they might not always be manifest, they can never be destroyed. When the Kundalini is awakened, these qualities start manifesting spontaneously and express themselves in our life. Thus, through regular meditation, we become automatically very dynamic, creative, confident and at the same time very humble, loving and compassionate. It is a process which starts to develop by itself when the Kundalini rises and starts to nourish our chakras.
A word about the three channels of energy. The left channel (blue) corresponds to our past, emotions, desires, affectivity. Its termination is the superego, which is the storehouse of all our memories, habits and conditionings.
The right channel (yellow) corresponds to our actions and planning, to our physical and mental activity. Its termination is the ego, which gives us the idea of I-ness, the sense that we are separate from the world. The central channel is the channel of ascent, it is the power which sustains our evolution and guides us, consciously or unconsciously, towards the higher awareness of the Sahasrara (seventh chakra). The workings of Self Realization and subtle aspects of the chakras and channels are too extensive to be explained here. They are part of a knowledge which is not only to be studied at the mental level, but to be experienced directly. This new level of consciousness can be achieved after Self Realization, through the regular practice of Sahaja Meditation techniques that are taught, always free of charge.
Who Are We
We are teachers, engineers, artists, businessmen, lawyers, carpenters. We are people from all walks of life, countries, religions and cultures. Our lives have been impacted by Sahaja Meditation so much that we would like to share our experience with you.
We are offering free programs and classes to our communities, companies, social organization, and schools. You can often find us at fairs, exhibitions, in parks and valleys of the city. Our desire is to bring the knowledge and the experience of Sahaja Meditation to all those who desire to realize the incredible inner potential which is stored within each and every one of us. The experience that is nourishing, enlightening and bringing everything within and without to perfect harmony.
If you are interested in offering Sahaja Meditation classes to your community, company or organization, please read about our programs and contact us. Should you wish to attend our free public programs, you can find the nearest location on our schedule of classes.
