| Revision as of 07:54, 4 December 2007 editSimon D M (talk | contribs)2,617 edits Windinthetrees, this has already been explained on the talk page which it appears you have not read let alone contributed to, the domain name and the website are 2 different things, Internet← Previous edit | Revision as of 08:44, 4 December 2007 edit undoSfacets (talk | contribs)12,015 edits yes Simon, this has indeed already been explained on the talk page.Next edit → | ||
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Revision as of 08:44, 4 December 2007
 | It has been suggested that this article be merged into Sahaja Yoga and Talk:Sahaja_Yoga_meditation#Merge_all_this_with_Sahaja_Yoga_as_there_is_little_specific_to_SY_meditation. (Discuss) Proposed since November 2007. |
Sahaja Yoga meditation was developed by Nirmala Srivastava, more widely known as Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, during the 1970s, and which is followed and promoted by the Sahaja Yoga movement. Sahaja Yoga has been described as a syncretism of different religions that "unites the essence of all religions through direct perception of the subtle, divine reality".
Meditation
Meditation in Sahaja Yoga is described as "going beyond the mind" According to Sahaja Yoga there are two methods of spiritual growth, introspection and meditation
Meditation is defined as a "cleansing process for (our) centers" and is recommended twice a day for a period of around 10 minutes.
It's not a ritual, but it should be done whenever you feel like and after sometime you will find that you are all the time in meditation. You don't have to even meditate, but you are in meditation
— Nirmala Srivastava,
Nirmala Srivastava has stated that meditation is not thinking "about your problems at all, whatever chakras you have, anything", rather it "means exposing yourself to God’s grace." She has described meditation as "an individual journey towards God."
Practices
 | This article is missing information about Error: you must specify what information is missing.. Please expand the article to include this information. Further details may exist on the talk page. |
Sahaja Yoga meditation involves entering a state of "thoughtless awareness" - where the practitioner purifies his/her attention, achieving clarity of mindSome Sahaja Yogis prefer to meditate sitting on the floor or on a chair with a candle before Nirmala Srivastava's photograph which is said to emit "vibrations". A number off natural techniques are used to cleanse their chakras. One such technique is "foot soaking" where one may simply soak the feet in a bath of salty water, or in a river or ocean. Such cleansing techniques utilize nature's five elements that are said to help balance the chakras within the meditator.
Part of the Sahaja Yoga path includes detecting imbalances within the chakras and balancing them using various means, including use of mantras, affirmations, placing the hand on the affected area with attention, and introspection.
Beliefs
See also: Kundalini and Self-realizationSahaja Yoga teaches that there are seven main energy points, or chakras, in the subtle body that can be balanced by awakening the Kundalini, a normally dormant 'mother' energy which exists in every human being. In Sahaja Yoga, "Self Realization is the first encounter with Reality." also defined as "the awakening of Kundalini" According to Sahaja Yoga, when self-realization is achieved, a person will feel a cool breeze on top of their head, or on their hands. If there is a feeling of warmth or heat, then the Kundalini is working to achieve this state. Sahaja Yoga aims at providing a trans-cultural 'spontaneous' method of attaining this state , which is said to integrate every aspect of spiritual, physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, unlike other traditional methods such as Hatha Yoga, which rely on the physical pathway of postures and breathing exercises to attain self-realisation.
Chakras
Sahaja Yoga teaches that in addition to our physical body there is a spiritual one, a 'Subtle system' comprised of channels (Nadis) and energy centers or plexuses (chakras), which affect our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well being.
Each chakra is said to possess different qualities. Once the Kundalini is awakened and rises through these centres, connecting the person to the all pervading living energy, the qualities of the chakras begin manifesting spontaneously. According to Sahaja Yoga, once the Kundalini is awakened, the practitioner is able to diagnose imbalances in the different chakras, via 'vibrations' which can be felt in the hands, head and/or body.
| # | Chakra | Presiding deities | Associated colour | Associated qualities | Associated Element | Symbol |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Sahasrāra, सहस्रार | Adi Shakti/Nirmala Srivastava , Kalki | White or Multicolored | Self Realization, Meditation, Yoga, Joy, Collective Consciousness, Integration, Recognition, Knowledge | 
| |
| 6 | Ajñā, आज्ञा (or Agnya) |
Jesus, Mary, Mahaganesha, Mahakartikeya | White | Thoughtless Awareness, Forgiveness of others and self, Morality | Light | 
|
| 5 | Viśuddhi, विशुद्ध (Viśuddha) | Krishna, Radha, Vishnumaya, Yeshoda | Blue | Collectivity, Collective Communication, Self Respect/Confidence, Responsibility, Diplomacy, Witness Power, Freedom | Ether | File:Vishuddhisimple.png |
| 4 | Anāhata, अनाहत | Shiva, Parvati, Durga, Rama, Sita | Red | Security, Confidence, Immunity, Mariyadas, Love, Joy, Benevolence, Father/Husband/Brother Relationships, Sankoch, Sincerity, Protection, Respect | Air | 
|
| 3 | Nabhi/Manipura maṇipūra, मणिपूर |
Vishnu, Lakshmi | Green | Center of seeking, Satisfaction, Grace, Balance, Dignity, Generosity, Justice, Peace, Wealth, Household qualities, Respect for others. | Fire | 
|
| 2 | Swadhistana svādhiṣṭhāna, स्वाधिष्ठान |
Brahmadeva, Saraswati | Yellow | Pure Knowledge, Creativity, Aesthetics, Intellectual Perception, Pure Attention | Water | 
|
| 1 | Mūlādhāra, मूलाधार (Also Mooladhara) | Ganesha, Kartikeya | Red (indian red or coral red) | Innocence, Purity, Wisdom, Auspiciousness, Magnetism, Spontaneity (Sahaj), Power to raise the Kundalini | Earth, Carbon | 
|
References
- Sahaja Yoga - is Sahaja Yoga a religion? Frequently asked questions viewed 28 September 2007
- Srivastava, Nirmala (12/1998). Christmas Puja (Speech). Ganapatipule, Maharashtra, India.
{{cite speech}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); More than one of|author=and|last=specified (help) - Srivastava, Nirmala (05/04/2000). Gudi Padawa Puja (Speech). Noida, India.
{{cite speech}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); More than one of|author=and|last=specified (help)"So there are two things, one is meditation and the other one is introspection. These are the two methods of human growth. In meditation chaitanya makes you grow and by introspection you remove all your negativities" - Srivastava, Nirmala (29/10/2000). Diwali puja (Speech). Los Angeles, United States of America.
{{cite speech}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); More than one of|author=and|last=specified (help) - Srivastava, Nirmala (27/06/1999). Press conference (Speech). Sutton Place Hotel, Vancouver Canada.
{{cite speech}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); More than one of|author=and|last=specified (help)"Now, meditation otherwise, unless and until you are connected, it's no use doing meditation. Now we do meditation because our centres are yet not so clear. They have to be kept clean. So it s like a cleansing process for our centres and that's what we do. It's very silent and about ten minutes meditation is sufficient." - Srivastava, Nirmala (31/12/1991). Shri Ganesha puja (Speech). Kalwe, India.
{{cite speech}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); More than one of|author=and|last=specified (help) - http://www.scotlandyoga.com/meditation/thoughtless.html
- Meditation Guide
- Sahaja Yoga Canada - Subtle System
- http://www.sahajayoga.org.in/SelfRealization.asp
- Sahaja Yoga international - Kundalini, Vibrations and Self Realization
- - Sahaja Yoga Australia - Sahaja Yoga Intro Book, Chapter 2
- Chakras and the Channels of Energy
- Sahaja Yoga Australia Book One Introduction
- Sahaja Yoga Canada
- http://www.sahajayoga.ca/ChakraPresentation/subtlesystem.htm
- http://www.sahajayoga.com.au/book_one/ch-5-the-chakras/
Further reading
- Srivastava, Her Holiness Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi (1997) Meta Modern Era, (Vishwa Nirmala Dharma) ISBN 8186650059
- Pullar, Philippa (1984) The Shortest Journey, ISBN 0-04-291018-8
- Kakar, Sudhir (1984) Shamans, Mystics and Doctors: A Psychological Inquiry into India and Its Healing Traditions, ISBN 0-226-42279-8
- Rai, Umesh (1993) Medical science enlightened: new insight into vibratory awareness for holistic health care (New Delhi: Life Eternal Trust) ISBN 81-900325-0-X
- Coney, Judith (1999) Sahaja Yoga: Socializing Processes in a South Asian New Religious Movement, (London: Curzon Press) ISBN 0-7007-1061-2
- Apte, Arun (1997) Music and Sahaja Yoga (Pune: NITL)
- de Kalbermatten, Gregoire (2003) The Advent (New York: daisyamerica, 2003) ISBN 1-932406-00-9
- de Kalbermatten, Gregoire (2003) The Third Advent (New York: daisyamerica, 2003; Melbourne: Penguin Australia, 2004; Delhi: Penguin India, 2004) ISBN 1-932406-07-7
- Powell, Nigel (2004) Sahaja Yoga Meditation (Corvalis Publishing) ISBN 0-954-85190-0
- List of research papers, conferences and publications relating to the Sahaja Yoga research and health center.
External links
- How Sahaja Yoga meditation is different to other forms of meditation
- Sahaja Yoga discovery course
- The Beginning of Sahaja Yoga video
- Say 'No' to Drugs, Turn To Sahaja Yoga for Help September 10, 2006 editorial from Times of India
- Leaflet on Sahaja Yoga published by INFORM c.2000
- Talk given at the International Development of Human Consciousness and Sustainable Global Health conference by Prof. Sandeep Rai detailing the effects of Sahaja Yoga meditation on stress and stress-related illnesses