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Music of Joy is a unique, multicultural group of musicians in Australia who believe the purpose of music is to create and share joy. Exceptional joy – jubilant, relaxing, profound. Joy that reverberates with audiences, offering elation, bliss, solace.
Much of the group’s repertoire stems from Bhajans – songs of the spirit, songs of praise and adoration. To these ancient songs, Music of Joy has added Indian traditional village songs, music from Pakistan, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, England, Israel, Russia and Africa, as well as a number of home-grown compositions by members of the group.
The experience that can result from sharing this unique world music is thoughtless awareness, a relaxed meditative state which can be understood and developed through the Sahaja Yoga Meditation practised by these musicians. It’s an experience the musicians love to share.
The group is made up of about twenty male and female singers and instrumentalists who come from diverse cultural backgrounds. Core members of the group have been performing together for more than fifteen years. Under the direction of John Smiley, an experienced music teacher and choral instructor, Music of Joy’s repertoire is accompanied by a great mix of Eastern and Western instruments, such as harmonium, guitar, bass, flute, saxophone, clarinet, tabla, dholak, djembe, chimtar, tambourine and didgeridoo. As understood in many musical philosophies, the rhythm section of the group is the heartbeat of the music, without which there is no joy.
Music of Joy has toured extensively locally and overseas. They have performed at numerous festivals and special events around Sydney. Further afield, they have delighted audiences at the Ganesha Festival in Helensburg, the Winter Magic Festival at Katoomba, Canberra’s Floriade and the Woodford Folk Festival in Queensland, as well as many cultural events in Newcastle, Wollongong, Goulburn, Ulladulla, Bateman’s Bay, Coffs Harbour and Woolgoolga. In addition, they have performed dozens of joyful concerts in centres throughout New South Wales.
Music of Joy featured in the NSW Art Gallery exhibition, Dancing to the Flute. Their overseas performances include meditation seminars, with audiences ranging from 500 to 8,000 people, in New Zealand, India, Italy, and most recently in the United States, where they received the acclaim of visitors from all around the world.
To hear Music of Joy singing the Bhajan, “Namostute”, click the link below. Enjoy.
[audio:19 – 19 – Australian Bhajans Group _ Namostute.mp3]
Happy Mothers Day to Shri Mataji
a truly remarkable Mother, grandmother and great-grandmother,
with loving wishes from us all.
To the one who is so soft, so present, so reassuring and so nourishing,
To the one who gives that strength of love to all the mothers,
We wish to pay homage and our deep respect to Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi.
Meenakshi Pujari
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