English Sahaja Yoga Meditation Courses by Nordic and European Yogis

We are not this mind, this body, and these emotions. Beyond the material world that surrounds us, we are something much higher, more subtle. With Sahaja Yoga meditation, find your true self and know who you really are.

“The time has come for all of you to get your self-realization, by which your attention becomes enlightened, your health gets completely all right, your mental processes are sensible, but above all you stand in your present.” Shri Mataji – founder

Meditation is the only way you can grow because when you meditate, you are in silence, you are in thoughtless awareness and then the growth of awareness takes place.

“Self-realization makes us humble, replaces temper with compassion. The more innocent you are, the more blissful you will be.” Shri Mataji – founder

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.

There are three energy channels in our subtle system – left, right and centre. We will learn about the qualities of each channel, and how to balance them so that we can be in the balance, in the present moment, and on the path to our ascent.

“My simple message is that you have to seek yourself, you must know yourself.” Shri Mataji – founder.

First step towards solving any problem is acknowledging it and then identifying the root cause.

“We do not know our potential, our beauty, but once this connection with the mains is established you will be surprised at the results and the dynamism.” Shri Mataji – founder.

The human body, just like the entire universe, is made up of the five elements earth, water, fire, ether and air. In this session, we will use these elements to deepen our Meditation state.

“Within us lies the peace, the beauty, the glory of our being. There is an ocean of all that. We cannot seek it outside, we have to go within.” Shri Mataji – founder.

For a building to be tall, foundation must be strong. Learn how to establish your foundation in the journey of meditation, to make the inner pillars strong and stable.

“Freedom is when you really get your own powers which are within you.” Shri Mataji – founder.

We will steady our attention and learn to identify and clear out the imbalances affecting our subtle being. Gradually, we’ll go deeper in our silence, and inner bliss.

“In the present the eternal stays, the rest all drops out.” Shri Mataji – founder.

YouTube video for this day is coming soon

Wisdom can only come through honest introspection.

“Wisdom is a thing that gives you, first of all, complete peace. If your wisdom is developed then you become very peaceful because whatever people may say, whatever they may do, whatever aggression they may do, whatever it is, you are peaceful.” Shri Mataji – founder.

YouTube video for this day is coming soon

Meditation opens up the collective unconscious, offering life the potential for creative action and art that is immersed in the love of the Spirit.

“If you want to be positive, it is very easy and for that you should see where your attention is. Are you only seeing problems or are you seeing some fun in it?” Shri Mataji – founder.

YouTube video for this day is coming soon

A seed cannot sprout if it does not establish peace with nature around. What stops us from not establishing peace with others and most importantly with ourselves?

“When we are not realised, we are moving on the periphery, like a wheel and we are disturbed. But a realised soul is on the axis, which is silent. So, he has the peace within himself.” Shri Mataji - founder.

We cannot live without air but is air just for living or it is something which works to nurture our inner being as well.

“As soon as you open your heart, you will widen yourself, you will grow.” Shri Mataji – founder.

YouTube video for this day is coming soon

Beyond seeing and understanding the truth is, becoming the truth. When we become one with the whole, it is the first time we truly enjoy the principle of collectivity.

“We are all part and parcel of one country, and that country is of love.” Shri Mataji – founder.

YouTube video for this day is coming soon

There is constant fight between ego and superego, which doesn’t let us move on. Fighting the battle just makes it more difficult.

“Colossal ego can only be conquered by forgiving others.” Shri Mataji – founder.

YouTube video for this day is coming soon

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

Music

Ragas/Songs for the Chakras
Selection of Ragas (Songs with mantras) which are a melodic mode of Indian classical music that focus on each chakra of the Subtle System. Listening to the music can help to clear the chakras when meditating.

Meditation music with Didgeridoo instrument.
The didgeridoo is a wind instrument, played with continuously vibrating lips to produce a continuous drone while using a special breathing technique called circular breathing. The didgeridoo was developed by Aboriginal peoples of northern Australia at least 1,500 years ago, and is now in use around the world, though still most strongly associated with Indigenous Australian music.

The Didgeridoo represents the earthy sounds of the Mooladhara chakra which is located at the base of the spine. The chakra has the qualities of innocence and wisdom and manifests in Uluru (Ayers Rock) located in central Australia. The Mooladhara chakra is symbolized by the elephant headed child – Shri Ganesha.

All this music is performed by musicians who practice Sahaja Yoga meditation.

Devotional music
Beautiful devotional music in praise of our inner Mother and the external Spirit. Sung by Anandita Basu who is a recognised name in Sahaja music, Sufi and Qawwali music from Kolkata, India. Anandita started to learn Indian Classical music at the age of 4 with her mother and Guru, Professor Anjana Basu.

Vishwa Shanthi – Universal Silence
A presentation from the Late P.K. Salve Academy of Music and Fine Arts in India.

Sahaja Yogis from around the world attended the Academy to harness their Self Realisation to learn and develop their artistic skills. While at the academy, they produced this beautiful music that is influenced by western and traditional Indian styles.

• More meditation music – Selection of music to enhance the meditation experience.

This unique booklet is intended for people who have received their Self Realisation and have commenced daily Sahaja Yoga meditations with regular clearing and balancing.

The booklet 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 this booklet 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)

Information about the Subtle System, the Chakras and their qualities and characteristics, and where the Chakras are located in the Plexus area of the human body. A plexus is a branching network of vessels or nerves. The vessels may be blood vessels (veins, capillaries) or lymphatic vessels.

The some of chakras are located in these Plexuses areas:

• Pelvic Plexus – Located at the base of our spine.
• Abdominal Aortic Plexus – Located above the Sacrum Bone, in the abdominal region.
• Solar Plexus – Located at the level of the navel.
• Cardiac Plexus – Located at the level of the sternum bone, in the heart region.
• Cervical Plexus – Looks after the Ears, Nose and Throat regions.

Download the “Chakras and Plexus Knowledge”

Download “Affirmations for Self Realization”

We place our right hand on our torso and head in certain places, such as the left hip and the forehead. In Sahaja Yoga, these actions and affirmations connect our sincere desire to become our true selves to our own power to become our true selves. The result is a state of meditation, free from thoughts about the past or the future. This is Self Realization.

Download “Raising the Kundalini & Giving a Bandhan.”

Begin and end your meditation with the movements described on this page. They help to bring your attention into the present and sustain the state of calmness and inner silence.

The state of meditation can be enhanced by taking a little time each day to sit and meditate.

Balancing Techniques

Thoughts are generally about the past or the future. Sahaja Yoga Meditation helps us to establish ourselves in the present, without any thought. We balance the left and right channels of our subtle system using these techniques.

The Subtle Energy System

Every human being has a subtle system of seven energy centers, or chakras. When a chakra is in balance, it helps keep an aspect of our lives in balance. For example, when the third center (nabhi chakra) is in balance, we tend to be more peaceful and generous.

Using ice to cool down our right side

Download Ice Treatment Handout

When we think and plan too much, we ‘heat up’ our right side. An ice pack helps to ‘cool down’ an overheated right side. We demonstrate how to use an ice pack in Day 8’s session recording below.

 

Using Shri Mataji’s photograph for meditation

We have found that by meditating in front of Shri Mataji’s photograph, we become calmer as we experience the inner joy of the Spirit in our heart. We follow the traditional respect and protocol of not placing our feet pointing towards the photograph and we remove our shoes.

If you wish to use Shri Mataji’s photograph, then it’s best to place the photo in a frame and use a small candle in front of the photo when meditating.

All images are in jpg format and are ready for printing. For best print quality, use a high resolution printer or take the files, on an SD card or USB drive, to a digital photo lab for printing.

Image sizes available
Photo 1: 4″ x 6″ (10cm x 15cm) 1800 x 1200 pixels.
Photo 2: 5″ x 7″ (13cm x 18cm) 2100 x 1500 pixels.
To download an image, right-click on the image and save the file to your computer or device.

Download Candle Treatment Handout

When we seem to have no motivation or a heavy, low-energy feeling, it might reflect the state of our left side. We can use a candle to clear the left side and feel more energized. We demonstrate how to use a candle in Day 9’s session recording below.

“The Three Great Mantras.”

This is the recording we play at the beginning of every class in this 21-day course. It is called “The Three Great Mantras.” Chakras can be cleared using techniques, elements, music, and reciting mantras. The Three Great Mantras are recited to open the seventh center – the Sahasrara Chakra.

The fundamental quality of the Mooladhara chakra is innocence. This is the basis of righteous behavior. Your innocence can never be destroyed, but it may be masked by your ego and conditionings, just as the sun may be covered by clouds.

A balanced Mooladhara helps you maintain and increase your inner wisdom. It also leads to improved memory, attention and focus.

Download Swadisthana Chakra

: Excessive thinking and planning can exhaust the Swadisthana chakra. Our creativity blossoms when this chakra is clear. When we are able to get things done while maintaining our inner silence, we are less likely to get tired, and we will accomplish our goals with spontaneity and joy.

(Nabhi and Void handouts): Our seeking originates in this chakra, whether it be for food and water, or for self-knowledge and our spiritual evolution.

A clear Nabhi is vital to achieving the state of thoughtless awareness and clear attention.

Download the Heart Chakra

The fundamental quality of the Heart chakra is unconditional love. As the chakra clears, you experience pure joy and pure attention. You discover your place in the world and your purpose.

Download Vishuddhi Chakra

A clear Vishuddhi chakra allows you to witness events calmly, without judgement and without feeling guilty.

Download Agnya Chakra Handout

To balance your Agnya chakra, meditate outdoors while looking at the sky. You can place your right hand on your forehead, tilt your head slightly forward and say, “I forgive everyone, including myself.

Download Sahasrara Chakra Handout

When your Sahasrara Chakra opens, your human awareness has united with the Divine, and your physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual selves become integrated.

Free meditation classes and resources to help you discover the unique technique of Sahaja Yoga Meditation.

Resources

• Resources area – Subtle system/chakras, Glossary of Terms, printed guides, meditative music, video and audio meditations, balancing techniques and talks by Shri Mataji (founder).
• More about Sahaja Yoga – What is Meditation? Who can do meditation? What does it cost? Who teaches the meditation? Who teaches the meditation? Getting started.
• More about Shri Mataji – Founder of Sahaja Yoga meditation. Shri Mataji quietly transformed lives. For more than forty years, she travelled internationally, offering free public lectures and the experience of self-realization to all, regardless of race, religion or circumstance.
• Nirmala Vidya Amruta – References to all of Shri Mataji’s talks if you want to look up a particular ailment/issue and find out Shri Mataji’s solutions to it.
• Meditation music – Selection of music to enhance the meditation experience.
• Resources for children – Sahaja Yogi parents who are trying to make meditation for children different and interesting for them. (Password to website is Gananayaka)
• Online daily meditations on YouTube, Facebook and Zoom.
• Audio podcast website – On Apple podcast – On Google podcast.
• Video podcast website – On Apple podcast.
• Sahaja Yogis Experiences – Sahaja Yogis share their experiences, re-collections of memories and encounters with Shri Mataji and the practice of Sahaja Yoga. Find out about Shri Mataji’s life, and enjoy pictures taken over more than three decades in five continents.
• Australian classes – in over 80 locations.
• Worldwide centres – in over 100 countries.
• Subscribe to Newsletter. – To be notified of online events, workshops and other events.
• Contact Us – If you have any questions about our meditation then please don’t hesitate to contact us.

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.

Using Shri Mataji’s photograph for meditation

We have found that by meditating in front of Shri Mataji’s photographs, our Subtle system comes into balance and is cleared through the positive vibrations that are emitted from her photographs. As result, we become more relaxed and calmer as we experience the inner joy of the Spirit in our heart. We follow the traditional respect and protocol of not placing our feet pointing towards the meditation table and meditate with shoes removed. We can sit on a chair or floor, whichever is the most comfortable.

If you wish to use Shri Mataji’s photograph, then it’s best to place the photo in a frame and use a small candle in front of the photo when meditating. Please contact us if you’d like us to email you other photos of Shri Mataji (in different sizes) for your meditation at [email protected]

Meditation Photos

All images are in jpg format and are ready for printing. For best print quality, use a high resolution printer or take the files, on a USB stick, to a digital photo lab for printing.

Image sizes available

• 4″ x 6″ (10cm x 15cm) 1800 x 1200 pixels. Average file size for each image is approx 250KBs.
• 6″ x 8″ (15 x 20cm) 2400 x 3200 pixels. Average file size for each image is approx 350KBs.

How to download: To download an image, right-click on the ‘Download’ link and save the file to your computer or device.

Using Shri Mataji’s Photograph

Short video of Shri Mataji explaining why we use her photograph for meditation.

 

Meditation Card

This Meditation Card contains general instructions on how to meditate with a photo of Shri Mataji and the Affirmations exercise.

Download the Meditation Card