The Newsletters
Sahaja Yoga music group, Curry Fest 2014
On the weekend of 25-27 April 2014, a large contingent of Queensland Sahaja Yogis travelled to Woolgoolga, NSW for the 9th annual “Curry Fest”.
Woolgoolga has a large population of Indians of mainly Sikh origin, and the Sikh Temple is clearly visible when driving through.
On Saturday morning, our music group performed a number of musical items, beginning at 9.30 am. Although we were early for our stage spot, the “roadies” were in hyper mode, sorting out all the cables, microphones and speakers.
Eventually our “sound check” became our first number, “Jai Gana Raya”. Onlookers, finally aware of our presence, started to approach the stage. This was followed by “Namami”, “Mahamaya” and “Jogawa”, with a good response from the growing crowd.
Sahaja Yoga stall, Curry Fest 2014
Then the musical performance was over, and we headed to the Sahaja Yoga stall. We had a lovely spot overlooking the beach, away from the noise of the main stage. About sixty people got their Self-realisation, and many more took brochures and information about Sunday’s follow-up program, which was booked in a local hall.
People who came to the stall on Saturday at the Festival came to the follow-up program on Sunday to receive more information and to experience the meditation again. The people who attended enjoyed the meditation and a talk by Shri Mataji (the founder of Sahaja Yoga). Overall, it was a very gentle and loving program, with every hope that people will continue at the local program in Coffs Harbour and at a possible new program in Woolgoolga.
New Sahaja Yoga meditation classes will be held in Canberra at Belconnen and Greenway.
Shri Mataji
About the classes Sessions are designed for both complete beginners and regulars. You will learn simple techniques to experience the peace of true meditation and how to deepen your experience.
• One 90-minute class per week.
• Join in at any time, even if you miss a class.
• No physical exercises, postures or special clothing required.
• Chairs are provided.
• No booking required.
Class locations
Greenway: Every Monday for 6 weeks (starting Monday 28th April) 6:30pm to 7:30pm. Tuggeranong Community & Function Centre 245 Cowlishaw St, Greenway. Phone: 0412 882 163
Belconnen: Every Thursday for 6 weeks (starting Thursday 1st May) 6:30pm to 7:30pm. Belconnen Library Swanson Street Belconnen. Phone: 0410 177 822
Cost: No charge and no booking required.
Quotes
• “You have to know your spirit … for without knowing your spirit you cannot know the truth.”
• “A star is shining within us and that is our spirit.”
• “Innately, within us resides the spirit which wants to enlighten you,to give you the peace, the bliss and the joy of our being.”
•”True and lasting solution to present ills can be found only by inner, collective transformation of human beings.”
• The truth which can be actualised after Self-Realisation is that you are not this body, this mind, this conditioning from the past, this ego, these emotions, but that you are the Pure Spirit.”
Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi – founder of Sahaja Yoga
A laugh of appreciation, a laugh of enjoyment – it is so pure and creates such a beautiful atmosphere. I think the whole ecological problem is in our brains…. It is not outside. It is inside us, which is reflected outside…. You are all grown-up children of mine, and I want you to know all the beauties that are within you that you have to enjoy. First of all, learn to laugh at yourself. That is the best way to enjoy yourself … we have so many other beautiful facets and such beautiful things within our personality that we have forgotten to enjoy. (Shri Mataji, 1997).
One of the basic things we should avoid is to criticise others. It is better to criticise yourself. Criticise yourself, criticise your brothers and sisters, criticise your country, criticise all the habits you have and laugh at yourself, is the best way. If you know how to laugh at yourself, then you will not object or will not stand in the way of any creativity of another person. (Shri Mataji, 1989)
The author of this personal experience has had an old car for many, many years. Over this time, there have been many occasions when the inextricable happened. For example, on one occasion, the car continued to run for hundreds of kilometres, even though the fuel tank was close to empty. Now, unfortunately, the old vehicle has finally been put to rest.
In this story, the author describes another of these events.
It was time for registration of my car, and I had to find a new mechanic as I had moved. I knew I had to get the brake pads replaced because at the previous inspection for registration I had been told that they would definitely have to be replaced to pass the next inspection. I had also had a safety check that revealed the same thing. I was a bit concerned, as I had experienced dishonest mechanics in the past and it had cost me a lot of money. This time I went thoughtless, as I knew that this was the way to make the best decisions. I chose the closest mechanic.
I had to book the vehicle in for inspection on the same day that a film about Shri Mataji was being shown in Newcastle. The job would take about an hour and a half. I was a little bit worried that I might not make it to the cinema on time. So I said to myself, “Not this thought,” a few times, and the worries stopped. I settled down for the wait.
Only twenty minutes had passed when I saw my car appear from the workshop. I was sure that something major must have been wrong for it to re-appear so quickly. I waited for the bad news. The owner of the workshop called me over, and once again I could not believe my ears.
The owner told me, “We didn’t replace the brake pads because there is nothing wrong with them.” I blurted out the story of the two inspections. Again, I was stunned as she said, “I remember that you said that. So I got three mechanics to check the brakes and they all agreed there was nothing wrong with them.”
When I recovered from the incredible news, I replied, “Well, I don’t know what the biggest miracle is: the fact that somehow the brake pads have repaired themselves; or that you are honest enough to tell me. After all, you could have just done what I asked you to and I would be none the wiser!”
The owner smiled and told me that they were a family business and would never be dishonest. She asked if I wanted the inspection report needed for the registration, as the car was fine. Of course I agreed, as I still had plenty of time to get to the cinema for the film.
Obviously, I had picked the right mechanic. Once again, I was helped to make the right decision through Sahaja Yoga.
Lisa Barron
Editor’s note: You can find more stories by Lisa by searching for “Lisa Barron”.
(Photograph: heraldsun.com.au)