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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 Continue reading
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.sahajayoga.com.au/events
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
Ellouin Festival, Altai Region
Ellouin is a traditional festival of Altai people’s folk games conducted in picturesque places of the Altai mountains near the settlement of Ongudai. Ellouin is the most important cultural event in Altai Republic and is yearly visited by more than 10,000 people.
Folk arts and crafts were widely presented at this festival. In the valley, surrounded by the mountains, there gathered about 20,000 people. The concert ground was the setting for Altai music. In yurts there were organised performances based in folklore. There were also many unusual crafts. In such a multiform seething stream we set our tents with Sahaja Yoga stalls, comfortably enjoying what was happening in the shade of the trees.
There gathered about 60 Sahaja yogis which created the atmosphere of a little Sahaja camp.
Mehendi painting at Ellouin Festival
There was work for everybody. Several mehendi painters sitting under a shelter were working for several hours on end painting people’s hands, not even raising their heads, and giving Self-realisation to everyone as there always was a queue . Other Sahaja yogis told people about Sahaja Yoga. Our brother Vladimir was actively giving Self-realisation using his own approach. First he arranged a rope between the trees and then started going on it to and back with brilliant skill, thus constantly attracting people. Many of the latter tried to do the same thing but, as we all know, to keep equilibrium one should gain inner balance. That is why the queue of people willing to get balance did not end, either.
Sahaja Yoga Bhajan group, Ellouin Festival
All this was taking place to the accompaniment of bhajans. Two music groups settled down in two tents. Both the groups were constantly creating a dense circle of viewers around them. Kawwalis were of special interest, gathering audiences of 50-70 people. Some people were leaving, having got their Self-realisation, but immediately others came up.
Altai people are simple and sincere and they take Self-realisation very easily as they worship Mother-Earth, River and Mountains. That is why Sahaja Yoga is also close to them. We saw an old woman (about 90 years old) getting her Self-realisation and then she sat and listened to bhajans for a very long time.
We also got an opportunity to perform one bhajan, “Guruoke Guru”, and an Indian dance on the main stage before a large audience.
In such a way, in a very interesting and intensive manner, two days passed. And of course, we had an opportunity, though not for a long time, to enjoy Altai nature, as after the Festival we returned to our Sahaja camp which we set on the bank of a rapid river in a secluded wonderful place. There were huge boundless fragrant meadows painted with multicoloured grasses. In the distance there were herds of cows and horses and around us there were mountains. What else does a Sahaja yogi need after an intensive day? To sit at a swift river in meditation, to lie on soft and tender grass looking into the high Altai sky, to sit in the company of the closest and dearest people – his brothers and sisters – at a fire drinking hot tea prepared from meadow herbs.
The trip turned out to be very fruitful as about 1500 people got their Self-realisation during the two days.
With love from the Novosibirsk Sahaja family
(Photographs: news.sahajayoga-russia.ru)
For more news about Sahaja Yoga programs in Russia, please follow this link.