Independence and human rights fighter turns 84

Published by one of the NZ newspapers.

Born in 21 march 1923, Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi is 84 today. Thousands of people from all over the world have gathered in Pune, India, to celebrate the birthday of the founder of Sahaja Yoga, whereas in Europe, in Australasia, and in the Americas festivals reinforcing Shri Mataji’s message of universal peace and collective transformation are in full swing.
The world has accoladed Shri Mataji as a deeply humanitarian and spiritual personality. The United Nations has invited her for four consecutive years to speak on ways to achieve world peace, as did the Government of China. She was presented with the key to the City of Brasilia following official sponsorship of Sahaja Yoga programmes in Brazil, and named ‘Personality of the Year’ by the Italian Government in 1986, apart from many other honors bestowed upon her. Claes Nobel, (grandnephew of Alfred Nobel, Nobel Peace Prize Foundation), and Chairman of the United Earth Organization says ‘Shri Mataji's discovery brings genuine hope to humanity.’ Her father, Prasad Salve, a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi, was a member of the Constituent Assembly of India and helped write free India's first Constitution. Shri Mataji is the wife of retired United Nations diplomat Sir C.P. Srivastava, who received the prestigious Lal Bahadur Shastri award from the Government of India in 2005.
Petted as ‘Nepali’ by Mahatma Ghandi, in whose ashram she spent her holidays while a child, and who would consult her on matters of spirituality, Shri Mataji has dedicated her young years to fighting for the Independence of India (1). Although delighted to live in free India, she could see that people were not truly peaceful and happy. Moreover, travelling around the world, she was appalled to see the problems facing humanity today. Believing that ‘true and lasting solution to present ills can be found only by inner, collective transformation of human beings’ (2), she founded Sahaja Yoga in 1970. Practiced in over 90 countries today Sahaja Yoga is an easy, "user friendly" meditation, always taught free of charge.
Sahaja Yoga employs scientific and anatomical knowledge of the human body to harness a powerful energy present in each human being. This energy is called the ‘Kundalini’. In its normal state lying dormant at the base of one's spine, Kundalini becomes active during Sahaja meditation and helps stop unnecessary thoughts of the past and future. Allowing one to enjoy the present moment, this energy soothes restless minds and corrects the emotional, mental and physical imbalances that arise as a result of today's chaotic lifestyles. Kundalini awakening (called Self Realization across ancient cultures), empowers the individual to acknowledge and integrate his/her potentialities. One feels strong, positive and nimble to handle the challenges that the day brings. Shri Mataji has designed Sahaja Yoga meditation to fit in with today's busy lifestyle. It takes about 10 minutes to awaken the Kundalini and for anyone to reach a blissful state of meditation, while remaining completely aware and in control of his/her surroundings. The mind and heart become clear, feeling light and strong to focus their energies on the task at hand.
Talking about the subtle system of energy centres and channels through which this energy flows, Shri Mataji says in her 1999 book that ‘the self-knowledge that I am talking about is concrete, verifiable and is tangible […] and completely understandable in rational terms.’ (27)
High profile physicians and scientists, in addition to countless people around the world benefit today from this meditation, which is heralded as ‘profound but simple enough for even children to follow. Just like breathing!’
Sahaja Yoga runs several non profits and clinical research centers in London, Paris, Mumbai, Vienna, Moscow, Kiev, Toronto and Sydney. Many acclaimed physicians have researched and applauded the effects of Sahaja Yoga on stress related and other ailments like asthma, ADHD, diabetes, migraine, IBS, infertility, MS, and spondylitis. Sahaja Yoga is present in eighteen towns in New Zealand, including Dunedin, where free meditation programs are run on Mondays at 6.30 p.m., in the OUSA Clubs and Societies Building, 84, Albany St..
For more information about Sahaja Yoga, see www.meditation.co.nz.
During her visit to Christchurch in February 1992, Shri Mataji said that after Kundalini awakening, one finds a deep peace inside, and radiates joy and security. Global unity of mankind can be achieved through it, as more and more people transform to become wise, tolerant, forgiving and loving.