Meditation
Have you ever looked, really looked, without thinking, at the unopened coils of a tree-fern frond? If you give yourself time to absorb the shape and contours you find your attention becomes one with the plant. It’s so mathematically perfect and alive at the same time. You can almost feel the force of life that will gradually unfurl the coils as the fern grows.
As artists and writers we love to find examples in nature of what happens inside us when we enter the meditative state. So, drawing a tree-fern really appeals because we can relate the uncoiling of our own energy to the pattern of the fern’s growth. Spiritually, we are born from the light above, and in that light we can see our own true potential for the first time.
Several of us gathered in a friend’s garden in front of her tree-ferns and looked intently at the plants for some time until our attention became one with them. Then we examined runner bean seeds by separating the different parts to look at the primule and storage material and to search in vain for any image of the bean plant it would have become.
From that we closed our eyes and put attention on the base of the spine where the earth is represented in us and from where the wisdom and innocence needed for our growth into the true self come. Next the attention moved up the spine to the “seed” germinating within the sacrum bone and rising to meet the nurturing energy from the light above. With attention at the top of the head we watched the silence between the thoughts in the same way that we had observed the fern and the seed.
Afterwards, one lady who was new to meditation said that she had experienced a gap between her thoughts for the first time ever. So, we talked about the Kundalini as a mothering, nurturing energy expanding our creativity as we grow closer to our inner potential and about how to use this attention during such activities as drawing and writing. She was able to feel the Cool Breeze coming from the top of her head. We sat in meditation again for some time.
The next step was to write in silence and continuously for about ten minutes on the subject of “myself and my art”. All of us felt it was easier to write after being in meditation and that what we wrote was valuable for our growth in spirit as well as in art practice.
Finally we drew a self-portrait with the aid of hand-held mirrors, while focusing on the thought, “Am I what I see?” You may find this an interesting activity whether or not you are an artist.
Christine Driver
About six years ago we had the desire to know more about the traditional culture of Australia. The real Australia! We went to an Aboriginal philosophical farm two years in a row. Aboriginals and Maoris were sharing some of their knowledge with any interested foreigner to this sacred land. We had the opportunity to give Self-realisation to some of the people attending this event. At that time we knew we were not really ready yet to share our knowledge about Sahaja Yoga, as we were not aware of their important protocol such as acknowledging the traditional owners of the land, their ways of teaching/sharing so different from our Western ways.
In 2002 I met an Aboriginal Elder at Sydney Town Hall in front of the Queen Victoria Building. Spontaneously I asked, “Is it true that each and every human being has the Rainbow Serpent within himself?” Surprised, she replied, “Yes!” I continued, “Is it true that we can feel this Rainbow Serpent as a cool breeze in our hands, on the top of our head and in our body?”
Even more surprised, she agreed and said, “The Rainbow Serpent is the Beauty, the Emerald City each and every human being is looking for. Go to Northern Territory. Go to Uluru, but do not climb the Rock.”
I absolutely agreed as we all know that Uluru is sacred. I told her that in Sahaja Yoga we teach about the Rainbow Serpent known also as Kundalini, Holy Ghost, Tao, Ruh, for free, to anyone interested, to help people to reconnect themselves with the Land and their roots. She was happy, and while she was shaking my hand on leaving, my body became suddenly completely cool and remained cool for a few hours.
Two years later we went to pay respect to Uluru and It was beyond our imagination. Incredible vibrations, depth, gravity, innocence, silence, joy and a deeper respect for the guardians of this Land are some of the unforgettable feelings you get in front of His majestic presence.
As in the outstanding movie “Ten Canoes”, it is another never-ending story! But everything comes when the time is right. A week before the Western Tour in November 2006, Kelly organised a meeting with one of the Elders of the Wiradjuri People. Her name is Aunty Jill. She runs the Kelso community centre where we were going to hold the Bathurst program. I told her my encounter with the Elder from Sydney, and she confirmed that the Rainbow Serpent is the Kundalini, that the Rainbow Serpent has nothing to do with Aboriginality but with our Spirituality. The Rainbow Serpent is our Connection.
I asked her what was the protocol for the welcoming ceremony. She told me a few sentences to say. Then she offered to come herself if another Elder, Uncle Bill, was not able to come. We were so thrilled!
Back home we contacted Uncle Bill who accepted our invitation. We met Uncle Bill a few years ago. He showed us some of the Bathurst sacred sites. One of them is Mount Panorama! When we all were together on this sacred hill, so many vibrations were coming from Mother Earth that I had to remove my shoes. He told us that now there are only two tribes meeting on Mount Panorama. Can you guess? They are Ford and Holden!
On the actual day of the program we waited for Uncle Bill to perform the welcoming ceremony, along with Merenia, a Maori lady. Some Aboriginal children would not come in until Uncle Bill was there. In the meantime we started to give Realisation to some of the children. They could feel the cool and their eyes were glowing. After the welcoming ceremony we found Uncle Bill carrying the sorrow of his people and at the same time astonished by the powerful Maori welcome by Merenia. The children went to sit around him and on him. They were waiting for the music and the stick dance, especially a little girl, 7 to 8 years of age. Dancing with her was such a joyful experience as one could see and feel the inner strength of the Aboriginal community in her big, happy eyes.
Uncle Bill was very content and mentioned that he would be interested in coming back as his people need a lot of healing.
For anyone in the Bathurst area who is interested in finding out more about Sahaja Yoga, programs are held at the Kelso Community Centre, 24 Bonner Street, Kelso every Saturday at 10.00 am.
Madhavi Rome
(Photograph courtesy of the Australian Department of the Environment and Heritage)
HOW CAN I TRY THIS MEDITATION?
If you would like to experience the peace that true meditation can offer, there are many ways to participate, free of charge. The following options are available.
WEEKLY MEDITATION
Throughout Australia, Sahaja Yoga has many free weekly classes (1 to 1.5 hrs long), with guided meditations, talks and easy-to-follow practical sessions. Beginners are also welcome; everything is explained. It is meditation based, not exercise yoga, no special clothing is needed and chairs are provided. We look forward to meeting you!
Find your nearest meeting in Australia here.
Find international meetings here.
RADIO/ONLINE MEDITATION
If you can’t get to a meeting, we have a one-hour weekly Sahaja Yoga radio program with guided meditations, talks by Shri Mataji (founder of Sahaja Yoga), music and archives.
In Sydney, Australia, listen via radio or web: Radio station 2SER 107.3 FM Sundays 9am-10am (Sydney time).
Remote and international audiences can listen via the website.
See radio/online details here.
EVENTS
Subscribe to be notified of Sahaja Yoga meditation events located in Australia. To receive emailed information about Australian Sahaja Yoga meditation workshops, courses, music concerts, regional tours and other events, subscribe here.
ONE-DAY MEDITATION WORKSHOPS
We occasionally hold one-day meditation workshops in Australian major cities. Beginners are welcome. We usually email workshop details to subscribers about two weeks prior to workshops. For general information on our meditation workshops see here.
HAVE THE EXPERIENCE NOW!
Can’t wait? Even while you are sitting at your computer, it is possible to have a short and simple, yet powerful, meditation. Follow the instructions through a guided Self-realisation (connection to Self) meditation. Click here.
ONLINE NEWS BULLETIN
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We look forward to meeting you soon.
Best wishes from Sahaja Yoga Australia.
Everyone wants less stress. And every week, all over Australia (and worldwide), people are learning how to meditate with us. Sahaja Yoga meditation, founded by Shri Mataji, is very easy to learn and is free of charge. You’re welcome to join us to experience the peace it can offer.
We asked people from one of the Sydney, Australia, meetings why they enjoy coming along each week. Here are their replies:
• Frank (attending 1 year)
“This style of meditation has really helped me to find that sense of balance that we all look for. It provides refreshing and interesting ideas about finding new pathways around old problems. I really look forward to the meetings each week. I especially recommend the footsoaking if you have trouble sleeping!”
• Sunny (1 month)
“My first experience about Sahaja Yoga weekly meetings is the pleasant feeling of rest and encouragement. The instruction is easy to understand and you simply flow along without any pressure. You do not even notice the time is ticking away.
The profound words of Shri Mataji make so much sense about life itself and strengthen many private thoughts you have wanted confirmed.
The teachers are genuinely dedicated individuals with the deep sense of commitment to impart the technique to the path of peace and happiness. It is great to share the wonderful sentiment that you are in the right place to achieve spiritual wellbeing.”
• Julie S (6 months)
“The first meeting I went to, I was unsure what was going to happen. Any hesitations I may have had faded as soon the program started. During meditation I felt my heart open and fill up with this most divine love. And I knew – I had finally found it! My true self. Since then when I go to weekly meetings, I feel elevated as soon as I walk into the room. The sense of peace engulfs me and I feel completely contented. I am empowered.”
• SW was inspired to write this poem after her first night:
FOOTPRINTS
Raindrops gave chase to the sultry evening
Incense turned into white smoke
Danced upwards to heaven
Sandalwood lingered with each breath
Candle light lay waiting at the seventh path
Ended the pilgrimage of restless searching
Accessible and so far away
Kundalini be my guide
I forgive everyone
I absolve my wrongs
I am not guilty
Heavy heart lifting
I’m my own master
Smile perpetuated with each affirmation
With pure knowledge, thoughtless and free
Forgotten calmness transcends
Insolence dissolved into nothingness
No longer in abeyance, a spirit awakened
Journey of awareness began
Buoyant footprints, dependable
Followed where peace and enlightenment dwell
SW, Feb 2007
Interested to attend?
Their responses say it all. If you would also like to learn how to enjoy the peace that true meditation can offer, come along. Beginners are also welcome – Sahaja Yoga is very easy to learn and everything is explained. Depending on locations, our weekly meditation meetings may be about 1 to 1.5 hours long, and might include practical sessions, recorded talks by Shri Mataji and guided meditations. Sahaja Yoga classes are offered free of charge throughout Australia (and worldwide). It is meditation based, not exercise yoga – no special clothing is required and chairs are provided. We look forward to meeting you!
• List of our free weekly meetings (Australia & international)
Kind regards from Sahaja Yoga Australia