Sahaja Yoga School Programs in South Africa

Grades 4 to 12 children

On 21 February 2011, Sahaja Yoga in South Africa held the first school realisation program for the year at Mount Edgecombe Private School in Phoenix, a suburb of Durban. Two programs were held: one for Grades 4 to 12 children and one for Grades R to 3 children.

The realisation session for Grade 4 to Grade 12 (200 children) was conducted in a cool enclosed area on the lawn.  The Deputy Principal and teachers were most accommodating and made the Sahaja yogis feel very welcome.  A student led the assembly with “Our Father” (The Lord’s Prayer).

At first, Lincoln spoke about the current problems students are exposed to, such as drugs, alcohol and peer pressure.  He also spoke about the benefits of Sahaja Yoga meditation.  Kasthurie conducted the realization session, after which everyone felt the Cool Breeze. 

Sahaja Yoga realisation session

The children and teachers enjoyed the session and were very grateful for getting this information.

 The second session was for Grade R to Grade 3 (300 children). Because they were little ones Lincoln decided not to do his introduction bit. So after being introduced by the head of this section, the Self-realisation session was conducted by Kasthurie.  Rina did the concluding session.

 This was done under a huge beautiful old tree – a setting that made one feel like being in a village in India, where the saints gathered to share their knowledge with all who were interested in learning about God.

Grades R to 3 children

This was a wonderful start for the Sahaja Yoga School Programs in South Africa in 2011. These programs are being carried out by a dedicated band of Sahaja yogis who give freely of their time to help children and teachers in schools understand about Sahaja Yoga meditation.

 Kasthurie, Rina and Lincoln

Add comment March 31st, 2011

Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi – A Remarkable Life

H.H. Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, founder of the worldwide meditation movement called Sahaja Yoga, passed away peacefully on 23rd February, 2011 in Genoa, Italy, aged 87. 

Hers was a life unlike any other.  Whether walking with kings or walking barefoot with Gandhi, it was a journey of extremes managed effortlessly, living as she did with grace, dignity and, always, loving guidance.

Shri Mataji’s was to be a truly remarkable path.

Born of a royal dynasty; she conferred as a child with Mahatma Gandhi, living for a time in his ashram; was a medical student and a freedom fighter; was an adored mother, grandmother, great grandmother and the wife of a distinguished diplomat who himself was decorated by the Kings and Presidents of innumerable countries and knighted by the Queen of England.  But incredibly, after all this, with her family grown and settled, she then embarked on an even more extraordinary mission.

Shri Mataji was born to Christian parents in India. Spiritually enlightened, she knew from very early on that her unique spiritual gift must be made available to everyone.  And so it was that in 1970 she founded Sahaja Yoga meditation, which she shared freely.  Using simple techniques, she discovered a unique process of Self Realisation through which huge masses of people could easily achieve the peace of true meditation. She charged no money, and instead insisted this was a birthright which should be available to all who desired it, at no cost.  She said

“There can be no peace in the world until there is peace within”.

Thus began the next outstanding stage of her life:  for the next forty years, she continuously travelled the globe teaching meditation; was a loved and loving spiritual leader, acclaimed public speaker, gentle guide, philanthropist, Nobel peace prize nominee, and recipient of numerous awards and commendations worldwide.  Extending her care and compassion ever further, in India she established a holistic health and research centre in Mumbai, an international cancer research centre in Mumbai, a charity house for destitute women and children in Delhi and an international Music Academy in Vaitarna to promote classical music and arts.

Although at birth she was named Nirmala, meaning ‘Immaculate’, eventually she came to be known as Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi – the revered Mother.  She was regarded by many as the most significant spiritual figure of our times.

Regardless of race, religion, age or status, probably millions of ordinary people have now learnt how to tap into their inner spiritual power through Sahaja meditation, helping to find balance in their lives.  And at meditation centres throughout more than 80 countries in the world, her legacy will live on, with volunteers continuing to teach her techniques for free.  In the spirit of her teaching, those who have been helped will then help others, like one candle lighting another.

She was described as ‘an Avatar of the modern era’ by Claes Nobel (grandnephew of the creator of Nobel
Foundation). And in the hearts of her followers, she will remain evermore, the all compassionate Mother. 
H.H. Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi is survived by her husband Sir C.P. Srivastava, daughters Kalpana and Sadhana, grandchildren & great grandchildren, and her worldwide family of  countless devotees.  She was laid to rest in India.  

More background: 
Her parents Cornelia and Prasad Salve, a direct descendant of India’s reputed royal Shalivahana family, played a key role in India’s Liberation Movement from British rule. 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; was a renowned scholar, master of 14 languages, and translated the Koran into Marathi. Her mother was the first woman in India to receive an Honors Degree in Mathematics.

As a child, Shri Mataji lived with her parents in Mahatma Gandhi’s ashram, where he affectionately called her Nepali, because of her facial features. Even at a young age, her wisdom and deep understanding was evident to Gandhi, who was known to have sought her advice on spiritual matters.  Shri Mataji studied medicine until becoming a student activist in the Free India movement, when both her parents were jailed.

For many decades Shri Mataji kept a remarkable schedule at her own instigation, travelling tirelessly around the world teaching Sahaja Yoga meditation, showing how to effortlessly trigger the awakening of the individual’s spiritual power or kundalini, at one time as an official guest of the former Soviet Union, addressing an audience of 100,000 people.  Whether speaking in the Sydney Town Hall, the Royal Albert Hall in London, immense stadiums in India, addressing the United Nations in New York, or travelling by bullock cart to crowded dusty fields in rural villages, she gave thousands of talks to packed audiences.  Throughout, she always maintained that people cannot pay for spiritual enlightenment and denounced false self proclaimed ‘gurus’ who were more interested in money than spiritual ascent.  In 2005 she personally donated properties to the Sahaja Yoga worldwide collective.

Shri Mataji received numerous recognitions for her selfless work and lifetime achievements.  These include being awarded the UN peace medal, nominated for the Nobel peace prize, official guest of China as keynote speaker at Beijing International Women’s Conference,  granted a one hour nationally broadcast television series by the Indian Govt, given a Proclamation by the US Congress, given Unity Award for international understanding, declared Personality of the Year by Italian Govt,  Mayor of Brazil’s capital gave keys to the city and sponsored all her programs, officially greeted by North American Mayors of LA, NY, British Columbia, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Berkeley and invited by officials of many countries to address their people.

‘ You cannot know the meaning of life until you are connected to the power that created you…’

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More about Shri Mataji:  http://sahajayoga.org/shrimataji
Contact for press release:    Sahaja Yoga Meditation Australia
Ms Astrid Fleay   astridfleay@gmail.com

3 comments March 6th, 2011

Sahaja Yoga Courses and Workshops in March 2011

Sahaja Yoga Workshop in Burwood, Sydney

Four-week Sahaja Yoga meditation courses start in March 2011 at over 80 locations around Australia.

The courses are designed to teach you simple techniques for developing the mental silence of true meditation. They are comprised of one 90-minute class per week for 4 weeks.

At the completion of the 4-week course, one-day practical workshops will be held to help you further establish your meditation learnings.

• Suitable for complete beginners and regulars
• One 90-minute class per week for 4 weeks
• Join in at anytime, even if you miss a class
• No physical exercises, postures or special clothing required
• Chairs provided
• Daytime or evening classes available
• Ongoing weekly classes at most venues
• All courses and classes are free

Further details: Go to www.freemeditation.com.au/events

Add comment February 22nd, 2011

Meditation on the Esplanade at Cairns, Queensland

Sahaja Yoga on the Cairns Esplanade

In a delightful setting for meditation, Sahaja Yoga in Cairns holds one of their programs at the Esplanade, located near the centre of the city where hundreds of people pass by. This particular program is held at 7.30am every Saturday morning. If the weather is unsuitable to sit on the ground a covered area is provided.

This is a very tranquil site to meditate, with beautiful green lawns and nice large shady trees to sit under in the cool breeze, with the Coral Sea and rainforest-covered hills as a backdrop. The local Council promotes the sessions and is very supportive.

The program attracts attendees who visit from all corners of the world. We have people from China, Japan, Korea and other South East Asian countries, Holland, Germany, France, England, Ireland, Canada, America, and South American countries.

If you are visiting Cairns, Sahaja Yoga programs are held on Monday nights and Tuesday mornings,  in addition to the Esplanade program on Saturday mornings. Programs are also held in Herberton, west of Cairns on the Atherton Tablelands. Telephone 07 4032 1860 for details.

Avtar

Add comment February 18th, 2011