Daily Meditation English Course – February 2023

We will experience the awakening of a divine mothering energy within us that gently takes us into a state of silence.

“Meditation is such a soothing thing, such a beautiful way of connection with the Divine, that all your problems get solved in that meditative mood.” — Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, founder of Sahaja Yoga

Learn how to calm your attention, reduce your thoughts, and increase your enjoyment of inner silence.

“Like a wheel which is moving, if your attention is on the wheel, on the periphery, then your mind is all the time moving. But if you jump on the axis of the wheel, it is silent.” – Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, founder of Sahaja Yoga

Secret of happiness in life lies in finding the balance and practicing it. Learn how you can keep your inner being in state of balance with simple daily practice.

“If a person doesn’t have a balance, then he cannot achieve his ascent.” Shri Mataji – founder.

Our attention can move into the past or the future, making it a challenge to meditate. We will learn about the three energy channels, and how to balance them so that we can be in the present, and on the path to our spiritual ascent.

“You are an instrument most beautifully made, absolutely so beautifully made that once you discover it, you will be amazed as to what you are.” — Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, founder of Sahaja Yoga

We discuss the innate qualities of the subtle energy centres (chakras) within us. We will learn how we can imbibe these qualities in our daily lives through Sahaja Yoga meditation.

“The first thing should be to watch yourself, that you are not reacting but you are experiencing and enjoying the silence, the subtleties, the beauty, the glory of your being.” — Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, founder of Sahaja Yoga

In Sahaja Yoga we use the natural elements of water, earth, fire, ether, and air to deepen our meditation. The foot soaking technique helps us clear our subtle system and increases our enjoyment of the meditation.

“Only in meditation you are in the present and you grow in your spirituality.” — Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, founder of Sahaja Yoga

We will steady our attention and learn to identify and clear out the imbalances affecting our subtle being. Gradually, we’ll go deeper into our own subtlety, silence, and self-knowledge.

“Your hands start feeling the cool breeze. They start feeling the chakras of yourself and chakras of other people. With your hands you can raise the Kundalini, with your hands you can give realization. These hands become powerful things.” — Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, founder of Sahaja Yoga

Cooling down the right-side channel with ice.

We will demonstrate the cooling effect of ice to steady our attention and make us less reactive.
“All this temper becomes so cool and so beautiful. It’s very surprising. A very dynamic person becomes extremely compassionate.” — Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, founder of Sahaja Yoga

When our left channel clears out, we can feel how much we are loved by the Divine.

“Freedom must have wisdom behind it. So both the sides, the movements on both the sides, are wrong. So what is all right? In the center. Is not to get conditioned by anything and not to be ego-oriented.“ — Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi

This will be an interactive workshop in smaller virtual rooms with experienced Sahaja Yoga practitioners. You’ll learn techniques to clear your subtle system and go deeper into meditation. This interactive workshop is only available on the Zoom platform.

SAFETY NOTE: We will use a candle to clear our left channel of imbalances. As a safety precaution, do not do this treatment if you are wearing loose clothes or near anything that might catch fire. Take great care. You can sit on a chair or on the floor.

WHAT TO BRING: Before the start of this session, please have these items available:
– A small candle in a holder or secured to a plate
– Matches or a lighter

We become our own gurus through the daily practice of Sahaja Yoga. We stop arguing with ourselves. We accept and follow our own inner guidance. We leave behind all extreme behaviour, whether it’s over-indulgence or over-strictness.

“You have to be your own guru means you have to guide yourself. You have to treat yourself as your disciple and you have to trim yourself.” — Shri Mataji

We will focus on the first energy center, the Mooladhara Chakra. In Sanskrit, “Mooladhara” means support of the root. This chakra is the base of the subtle system. Its innate qualities are purity, innocence, joy, and wisdom.

“This innocence never gets destroyed because it is eternal, but it may happen that it will get covered with some clouds by our mistakes that we commit. But once you get your Realization, your innocence is re-established, manifests, and you become innocent.” — Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi

Swadhishthana, the second chakra, is the center of creativity, pure knowledge, pure desire and pure attention. The power of pure desire within us guides our spiritual journey. Opening this chakra helps us to let go of our need to control, so we can allow the divine power to work things out.

“Thinking, thinking, thinking, planning, planning, planning, planning, running. Ultimately the whole joy has disappeared.” — Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi

Feeling contented in our daily lives.

The third chakra, the Nabhi, is where our seeking for spiritual evolution originates. When this chakra clears, we experience our own divine qualities of satisfaction, generosity and peace.
“There can be no peace in the world until there is peace within.” — Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi

Let’s collectively open our Heart Chakra so we can feel our innate qualities of love, compassion, security and fearlessness.

“You become the source of joy, not that you only receive the joy but you become the source of joy, the source of bliss and the source of peace. Wherever such a person goes, it just soothes.” — Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi

We will put our attention on the Vishuddhi Chakra to strengthen our sense of self-respect and respect for others. The power of this chakra also helps us to be a detached witness of the drama of life.

“The detachment takes place because you become one with the Spirit which is not attached, which gives you that light, that detachment from where you can see the whole thing just as a drama going on.” — Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi

To open the Agnya Chakra, let’s learn to forgive. This clears the subtle pathway to be connected to the all-pervading power of the Divine.

“When you forgive a person, what do you do? You accept the situation, to begin with, and secondly you forgive what you think has been done wrong to you. But because nothing can be done wrong to your Spirit, you just forgive because you are the Spirit.” — Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi

Clearing, Balancing and Meditation Workshop
This will be an interactive workshop in smaller virtual rooms with experienced Sahaja Yoga practitioners. You’ll learn techniques to clear your subtle system and go deeper into meditation.

This interactive workshop is only available on the Zoom platform.

Day 17 – Monday, March 13, 2023
Integration.

At Sahasrara we can let go of all our worries, opinions, and frustrations. We can offer them to the silence above the top of the head. This is where our attention joins the universal, Divine attention.

“Sahaja Yoga is like building first the pinnacle of the building, and then the foundation. Opening your Sahasrara was the first thing that was achieved. And then in the light of Sahasrara you have to watch yourself and see for yourself.” — Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi

We enhance the experience of meditation by going deeper into the silence within us. Discover the power of a mantra, or prayer in Sanskrit, to clear our chakras and strengthen the state of meditation.

“Meditation is the only way you can enrich yourself with the beauty of reality. There’s no other way. I cannot find any other way but meditation by which you rise into the realm of divinity.” — Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi

We will sustain longer periods of silence using the techniques learned so far.

“If you can achieve that point, where you watch everything without reacting, you are in reality. And then only the penetration into the subtleties of your surroundings, of your relationships, your friendships — the whole universe — dawns upon you.” — Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi

Our focus will be on taking full advantage of our Self-realization by going deeper into the meditative state. We’ll explore the power of music to sustain complete inner silence.

“Now this happening of achieving thoughtless awareness is very simple and easy. But to maintain that point is difficult. We still react and we think. Anything you see, you react. To get to that point in thoughtless awareness is first to change your attention…. Try to witness everything…. You start enjoying everything that is there. Even a small blade of grass you can enjoy.” — Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi

In our last session of this series, we integrate all that we have learned. We look within ourselves and see how much we have grown in our awareness. You’ll find out what comes after this course to continue further with your journey in meditation. If you have missed a few sessions, don’t worry because this entire course is available on our YouTube channel.

“If you can go into meditative mood, you are in contact with this Divine Power. Then whatever is good for you, whatever is good for your society, for your country, all is done by this Divine Power…. Just if you meditate you are one with this Divine Power.” — Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi

We will meditate on our central channel, asking our Kundalini to take us into the silence of the present moment and help us to transform from within.

“Meditation is the only way you can grow.” – Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, founder of Sahaja Yoga

We will meditate on our central channel, asking our Kundalini to take us into the silence of the present moment and help us to transform from within.

“Meditation is the only way you can grow.” – Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, founder of Sahaja Yoga

When our right channel clears out, we realize that we can rely on the Divine energy to take care of all our problems.

“Develop that dignity and that love and that understanding, that etiquette of a divine person, that sweetness, that gentleness of a divine person.” – Shri Mataji founder

When we connect with the subtle power of innocence within us, we begin to see the obstacles in our path fall away.

“An innocent person is really like a magnet and it attracts, he attracts, the people towards himself, just like a flower attracts a bee towards itself.” – Shri Mataji – founder

The Kundalini is the pure desire within us to ascend. She nourishes, purifies, and enlightens our divine qualities.

“This power is your own. She’s actually your mother, individual mother and She has got everything recorded about you within Herself and She is your own energy.
She has to just rise and get you connected with this all-pervading power, then you realize how great you are.” – Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, founder of Sahaja Yoga

When desire and attention are purified, inspiration strikes!

“Once you are in thoughtlessness, you will get all inspirations, all powers.” – Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, founder of Sahaja Yoga

When your attention is enlightened, it becomes powerful.

“This is the miracle – that human beings have turned their attention to their spirit. Then you are amazed how things work out.” – Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, founder of Sahaja Yoga

Satisfaction comes from your Spirit.

“One cannot enjoy anything until he achieves contentment.” – Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, founder of Sahaja Yoga

As we clear our Void, the area of our guru principle, we become empowered to act.
in a moral and dignified way.

“Eyes should be steady. When you look at somebody steadily you should know that
you have got Sahaja Yoga in you – with love, with respect, with dignity.” – Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, founder of Sahaja Yoga

Sahaja Yoga enlightens our brain. That empowers us to escape from all the ways we avoid facing reality and avoid correcting ourselves.

“Progress comes when you put your step forward, you put your foot firmly on that point and then put the second step forward, like as you climb on a mountain.” – Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, founder of Sahaja Yoga

Before realization, we live in a world of confusion. After we receive the awakening of our Kundalini, the light of the Spirit shows us the absolute truth, which we feel in our hands as a cool breeze.

“This is what is Self-realization – you become just the master. You don’t have to consult anyone. You know it. You have to just consult your Spirit through your
vibratory awareness, and you know it.” – Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, founder of Sahaja Yoga

In Sahaja Yoga we awaken the divine qualities of the Heart chakra. In the Left Heart we awaken love and compassion, in the Center Heart we develop our sense of security and inner strength, and in the Right Heart the sense of responsibility.

“You can gradually experience. With the experience, try to put the experience in your heart, and have faith in that experience. What were you? What have you become now?” – Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, founder of Sahaja Yoga

Inner peace is the foundation of world peace. Through the enlightenment of our awareness and the opening of our heart, our inner calm creates harmony with others,
no matter their country or culture. True peace prevails, long standing wounds heal and we have a hope of saving the planet.

“Peace can be only achieved by establishing peace in the hearts of the people.” – Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, founder of Sahaja Yoga

Guilt is a way to judge ourselves and keep repeating our mistakes. When the left Vishuddhi is clear, we are able to see ourselves with compassion and correct ourselves.

“We have to be pleasantly placed towards ourselves. We have to respect ourselves.
We have to be happy about ourselves. This is the first thing – is not to feel guilty about anything. Just believe that you have done nothing wrong which cannot be dissolved by this great power of forgiveness.” – Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, founder of Sahaja Yoga

We can use our voice to dominate and hurt others, or to soothe and comfort others.
In a meditative state, we don’t react with anger or criticism, but we elevate and inspire
with our words and deeds.

“Diplomacy is not convincing anybody with intellect or by temper or anything but it is to melt away another person by your goodness, by your good words, by your sweet words, by your forgiving nature.” – Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, founder of Sahaja Yoga

Even though getting our self-realisation is effortless, we can only grow in our awareness and knowledge if we practise Sahaja Yoga every day.

“It should be your own — that you should be able to manoeuvre yourself, you should be able to handle it yourself, should be your own power which should express it.” – Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, founder of Sahaja Yoga

The balloons of ego and superego, the culmination of all our attention on the future and the past, prevent the Kundalini from reaching Sahasrara. As our Agnya chakra clears, these balloons are reduced, allowing us to get above our thoughts at Sahasrara. When we are completely silent – without thought – we are in reality.

“Kundalini, when she reaches the Agnya Chakra and when She opens Agnya chakra, then you can be in thoughtless awareness. Then you don’t think – thinking just stops. You watch everything, just watch, but you do not get involved into what you are watching. You just watch and that watching itself gives you the growth within.” – Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, founder of Sahaja Yoga

Head Massage & Workshop
A bird is “born twice”. First it is born as an egg, bound by the shell, and at the right time it breaks free. We are like the egg before Realisation, and like the bird after Realisation.

“Our ego and superego makes us an egg. We are like a shell. It has to be there, to have our I-ness; to have our freedom to choose between right and wrong. And then when we mature the Mother can break the shell and you become a second person, the person who is twice born. This is what is really baptism.” – Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, founder of Sahaja Yoga

We can enjoy true collectivity if we know how to balance ourselves and use compassion and wisdom in our relationships.

“After you get your realisation you enter into a new awareness of collectivity. You become the collective consciousness.” – Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, founder of Sahaja Yoga

We will clear our upper chakras and then have a session of “bija mantras.”
Bīja means ‘seed’ and bīja mantras are single syllable sounds which resonate with the divine qualities of our chakras to clear them.

“Sanskrit has come out of Kundalinî’s movement when She makes a sound. All was recorded by the great saints and like that every chakra has got vowels and consonants according to the number of sub-plexuses they have — you can say petals they have — and all of them make the alphabets of Sanskrit language.” – Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, founder of Sahaja Yoga

Our evolution so far has brought us to great heights of creativity and technology. When our central channel is enlightened and the Sahasrara is open, we continue to evolve and realise our full potential.

“In our evolution whatever we have achieved, has come in our awareness. That means it should become a part and parcel of our awareness. Like, as I can see you, I can feel you, in the same way you should be able to see. And through that light we should be able to explain each and everything.” – Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, founder of Sahaja Yoga

We’ll work on clearing our left channel to remove the heaviness that keeps us stuck and unable to enjoy the present.

“On the moon line if you go too far it can be destructive. Because if you sit in the house doing nothing… then you start thinking too much and this thinking is just the desire energy working out, no action.” – Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, founder of Sahaja Yoga

We will practise techniques to clear the right channel, so that we can accomplish amazing things without inflating our ego.

“The love that I’m talking about, the divine love, makes you not only strong but also dynamic. It is the greatest luminous power that we can think of… The dynamic power of love can transcend all the evil powers of the world.” – Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, founder of Sahaja Yoga

Mantras are used in Sahaja Yoga to cleanse the chakras and establish their Divine qualities. Most mantras are recited in Sanskrit, a deeply spiritual language.

“You have to have complete faith in yourself and that your Self is nothing but innocence.” – Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, founder of Sahaja Yoga

We demonstrate how to remove the obstacles we face in our daily lives and in our personal growth.

“All those things or obstacles which block or stop you from reaching your depth should be removed by loving yourself, by watching yourself and by understanding that I have this problem within. I have to remove this problem.” – Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, founder of Sahaja Yoga

Pure knowledge is connected to our own self-awareness and subjective experiences after we receive our self-realisation. These experiences clarify and correct whatever we learn through books, discussion and analysis.

“In our evolution, whatever we have achieved has come in our awareness. Like, as I can see you, I can feel you In te same way you should be able to see. And through that light we should be able to explain each and every thing.” – Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, founder of Sahaja Yoga

Welcome to Sahaja Yoga Meditation

“You cannot know the meaning of your life until you are connected to the Power that created you.”
HH Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi – Founder of Sahaja Yoga Meditation

Your Self Realisation
Today, you have been introduced to Sahaja Yoga Meditation and received your Self Realisation. Self-Realisation occurs when the Kundalini, a mothering energy within all of us, is awakened and connects us to the all-pervading power.

Meditation
Through regular meditation, we strengthen our Kundalini to cleanse and balance our energy centres (chakras). Meditation allows us to go beyond our thoughts (thoughtless awareness) to experience inner peace and silence. Regular meditation only takes a few minutes and really works!

Try the meditation
Sit quietly for a few moments and hold out your hands, palms upward, towards the photograph. You may feel a cool or warm breeze and your thoughts may quieten. Continue meditating in silence for 5 to 10 minutes.

HH Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi

About Sahaja Yoga Meditation
True meditation is a personal experience, where one goes beyond thoughts, worries, and upsets. One is calm and peaceful through ‘thoughtless awareness’- that is, no unwanted thoughts but fully aware. Sahaja Yoga meditation is used by millions globally, with minimal disruption to daily routines, to actually achieve inner balance, joy and improvements in mental, physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.

Sahaja, Saha means ‘with’, Ja means ‘born’. Born with you. That is spontaneous. Yoga means Union with the Divine. So, Sahaja Yoga is the spontaneous union of your Self with the Divine.

Who is Shri Mataji?
Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi (or ‘Mother’, as she is affectionately known) founded Sahaja Yoga meditation in 1970. For over 40 years, she gave thousands of lectures and taught millions around the world how to meditate easily. Born in 1923 in India, she worked with Mahatma Gandhi and was very involved in India’s fight for independence. She was a mother and grandmother and a descendant of an Indian royal family.

The Subtle System
Overlaying our nervous system, resides a subtle system comprising of energy channels (‘Nadis’, see A to C on diagram) and centres of energy (‘Chakras’, see 1 to 7 on diagram). This system looks after our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual being. Upon ‘Self Realisation’, our spirit is awakened, and the subtle system connects to the all-pervading life force that nourishes and balances it through true meditation.

The Subtle System

How do I learn more?
To help you understand this new experience, you are invited to free online courses or weekly classes where collective meditations will establish your Self Realisation. You will learn how to maintain inner balance throughout the day and read and correct any imbalances in your subtle system. Classes are held in over 100 countries worldwide. Suitable for newcomers and regular meditators. No booking needed and everything is provided. Classes are always free of charge.

• Daily meditations and Courses
• Worldwide meditation centres

More Information & Online Resources
Online resources with video and audio meditations, meditative music, balancing techniques, printed guides and talks by Shri Mataji (founder). Live Streaming meditation webcasts. Podcasts with guided meditations, music and talks. Newsletter sign up for news and events.

• More information & Online resources

Use this Guide to learn simple meditation and balancing techniques to help you experience the peace of true meditation. If this is your first meditation, then please follow the ‘Affirmation for Meditation’ steps for your Self-Realisation to activate your inner-being.

Download Meditation & Balancing Guide

These unique booklets are intended for people who have received their Self Realisation and have commenced daily Sahaja Yoga meditations with regular clearing and balancing.

The booklets provides in-depth information about how to meditate at home, the Subtle System and the clearing and balancing techniques.

Through regular meditation, one is able to fully absorb the divine knowledge contained in these booklets which has been shared with us by Her Holiness Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi – Founder of Sahaja Yoga Meditation.

Download “A Beginner’s Guide to Sahaja Yoga Meditation” (PDF format 11MB size)

 

Download “Guide to the Chakras – Sahaja Yoga Meditation” (PDF Format 28MB size)

While participating in our sessions, you will come across several terms that may be new to you. This is an overview of the most commonly used terms…

All Pervading Power
God Almighty. Known by many names including Shiva, Allah and Yaweh.

Attention
The faculty of applying the mind and interest. Under pressure it can become short-spanned and undisciplined but through Sahaja Yoga Meditation the faculty can become focused and productive.

Balancing and Clearing
If the attention is majorly focused on right-sided activities (thinking, action, the future) or left side (reflection, emotion, the past) blockages can occur. Meditative clearing removes these blockages and allows the system to gain balance in the centre (mental silence, peace, now).

Catches
Catches occur when the efficient function of chakras is impaired. These catches block the passage of kundalini and are the causes of varying problems. When these damaged charkras are repaired through meditation the problems disappear.

Central Channel
This is the channel through which the kundalini flows. It is opened when self realisation takes place and it is the through-flow of kundalini which brings about real and enriching meditation.

Chakras
These are the subtle energy centres located at the main nerve plexuses along the spine. There are seven main chakras in the human system and they relate to stages of evolution, the seventh, at the top of the head being activated by self realisation.

Cool Breeze
The energy manifested from the top of the head when self realisation takes place. It can be felt as a warmish breeze-like sensation. After meditation the energy cools down and is known as the cool breeze.

Difference between Yoga and Meditation
Yoga is the union of the kundalini with the great energy of creation that surrounds us (self realisation). Meditation takes place as a result of that joining.

Guru
Spiritual teacher, guide. Someone with their self realisation who assists others to gain their yoga.

Kundalini
The mothering energy that resides in the sacrum bone at the base of the spine. When self realisation takes place this energy uncoils, rising through the chakras and the top of the head.

Inner Peace
Being free from mental activity. Not being concerned with memory or plans but being in the ‘now’.

Joy
Happens when deep meditation takes place. A all-embracing sense of relaxed well-being.

Kundalini Awakening
Kundalini resides in three-and-a-half coils at the base of the spine. When self realisation or kundalini awakening takes place, this energy uncoils and rises through the chakras to manifest at the top on the head.

Left Channel
This rises along the left side of the spine but at the forehead it crosses into the right hemisphere of the brain to become the superego. It is concerned with emotion, the past, insecurity, conditioning and, if the attention becomes heavily focused into it, it can cause depression and many painful diseases.

Meditation
It is a state of relaxation without mental activity. It is calming, peaceful and opens the inner pathways to health, knowledge and spiritual deepening.

Right Channel
This rises along the right side of the spine but at the forehead crosses into the left hemisphere of the brain to become the ego. It is concerned with action, the future, planning and, if the attention becomes heavily focused into it, it can cause anger, tensions and many painless diseases.

Sahaja Yoga Meditation
The word ‘Sahaja’ in Sanskrit has two components: ‘Saha’ is ‘with’ and ‘ja’ is ‘born’ – the literal translation is “innate”. Yoga means union with the divine. So, Sahaja Yoga means spontaneous and born with you meaning that the kundalini is born within us and can be awakened spontaneously, without effort. This is Self Realisation

Self Realisation
This is the yoga, the union, the joining of the individual spirit with the great energy of creation. It happens when the kundalini (life force) rises from its home in the sacrum bone along the spine and pierces the fontanelle at the top of the head.

Shri Mataji
The founder of Sahaja Yoga. She was born in 1923 in Chhindwara, India. Her father was a lawyer who spoke fourteen languages and was the first Christian Member of the Indian Parliament. Her mother was the first woman in India to receive an honours degree in mathematics. The family was deeply involved in the Indian fight for independence. Shri Mataji married C.P. Shrivastava, a diplomat who became Secretary General of the UN Maritime Organisation. She has two daughters and four grandchildren. In 1970 she discovered a way of granting spontaneous self realisation. She then travelled the world holding programs, giving self realisation and informing people of Sahaja Yoga.

Spirit
The reflection of divinity within each human subtle energy system.

Spirituality
An intense interest in the non-material aspects of life, reality and existence after death

Subtle System
The network of chakras, channels and kundalini which define the nature of a human being at any given time. (See more here)

Thoughtless Awareness
Is meditation. All thinking stops although the consciousness of sounds around us remains. The traditional name for this very pleasant and rewarding state is mental silence.

Vibrations
The cool pulsing that a realised person feels (often on the palms of the hand) when the attention is focused on something or someone in balance.

Yoga
The pathway to, and gaining of, self realisation. Rajah Yoga is the pathway along the right channel, Bakthi Yoga uses the left channel ‘Sahaja means born-with or spontaneous. So Sahaja Yoga draws attention to the fact that the union (self realisation) can be gained spontaneously by way of mechanisms one is born with.