COME MEDITATE IN CONNECTICUT
The Way to Self-Realisation – the Knowledge of the Spirit
Today I Am Wise
Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world.
Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.
Rumi
Happy 90th Birthday, Shri Mataji!
Today millions of people around the world are celebrating the 90th Birth Anniversary of Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi – the Great Spiritual Leader, the Great Visionary. In recognition of Her strength, love, devotion and compassion, many people call Her “Mother”. Those of us who have not heard or read about Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi could be surprised that the personality of such stature has not reached their awareness before… The impact of Her work and Her contribution to the well-being of humanity as a whole is hard to estimate.
When She was young, Shri Mataji worked with Mahatma Gandhi in the fight for India’s Independence. Her vision of universal peace and unity continues his dreams on a spiritual level. Gandhi recognized Shri Mataji’s spiritual gifts in Her early childhood and consulted Her on spiritual matters. Shri Mataji maintained that there is an innate spiritual potential – Primordial Energy – often referred to as “Kundalini”, within every human being, and it can be spontaneously awakened. She emphasized that this awakening, described as Self-Realization, cannot be purchased. Money has never been charged, nor will it be, for the experience of Self-Realization or for the teaching of Sahaja Yoga Meditation.
For more than forty years she travelled internationally, offering free public lectures and the experience of Self-Realization to all, regardless of race, religion or circumstance. Only in 1990, Shri Mataji conducted more than two hundred events in twenty-six countries, including Brazil, India, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, France, England, Poland, Spain, Italy, the United States, and many more. The distance she travelled in that year exceeded 83,885 miles, which was the equivalent of circling the globe three times.
Her unique discovery of a simple technique to trigger the awakening of the primordial energy, transformed millions around the world and many more are to come.
International Awards and Recognitions
● Italy, 1986: Declared the ‘Personality of The Year’ by the Italian Government.
● Moscow, Russia,1989: Shri Mataji had a meeting with the Head of the Ministry of Health, USSR. Following which Sahaja Yoga was granted a ‘Full Government Sponsorship’ which included funding for promotion and scientific research.
● St. Petersburg, Russia, 1993: Inaugurated the first International Conference on Medicine and Self-Knowledge, which became an annual event at the Academy thereafter.
● St. Petersburg, Russia, 1994: Got appointed as Honorary Member to ‘The presidium of Petroyaska’s Academy of Art and Science’ and was told, “You are even higher than science.” Only twelve people so far have been granted this honor; Albert Einstein is one among them.
● Brazil, 1994: The Mayor of city of Brazilia welcomed Shri Mataji at the airport and presented Her with the‘Key to The City’, and sponsored all of Her programs.
● 1994: Nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize.
● Romania, 1995: Awarded Honorary Doctorate in Cognitive Science by Prof D. Drimer, head of the Ecological University Bucharest.
● Sydney, Australia, 1995: The Mayor of Sydney officially welcomes Shri Mataji during Her visit to Australia.
● Beijing, China, 1995: Official guest of the Chinese Government to speak at the United Nations International Women’s Conference.
● India, 1995: The Indian Government has granted Shri Mataji a one hour prime time television series, broadcast nationally.
● Sophia, Bulgaria, July 26, 1995: General Secretary of the international ‘Ecoforum for Peace’ expressed appreciation to Shri Mataji and wished realization of Her goals and ideals.
● 1996: Nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize.
● France, May 2, 1996: International Award ‘La Pléiade’.
● India, 1997: The ‘Unity International Peace Award’ by the Unity International Foundations. Shri Mataji’s name included to the List of The Greatest People of The Planet for her fundamental contribution to the scientific and spiritual development.
● London, UK, 1997: Tribute to Shri Mataji at the Royal Albert Hall by Claes Nobel (Chairman of United Earth Organization and grandnephew of Alfred Nobel, creator of the Nobel Foundation). In his admiration speech Mr. Nobel acknowledged: “Shri Mataji’s discovery brings genuine hope to humanity”.
● Delhi, India, 1998: Greetings from the President and Prime-Minister of India on Shri Mataji’s 75th Birthday.
● India, 1998: A road in Navi Mumbai got named as the H.H. Shri Nirmala Devi Marg.
● Pune, India, 2001: Manav Ratna Award in recognition of Shri Mataji’s selfless work for all humanity.
● Moscow, Russia, 2003: Sahaja Yoga awarded “Best diagnosis and therapies of regenerative medicine 2003” by the Ministry of Health of Russia.
● Cabella Ligure, Italy, 2006: Awarded Honorary Citizenship of Italy by the local assembly for the Municipal Office of Cabella Ligure, Alessenandria Italy.
Awards and Recognitions in North America
“Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, the Mother, is recognized internationally as the most significant force in the world today and she will awaken in us the force that will change our life and change the world.”
– Dwight Tillery, Mayor of Cincinnati, September 10, 1992
● New York, USA, 1989-1994: Invited by the United Nations for four consecutive years to speak on ‘How to achieve world peace’.
● New York, USA, 1989: The U.N. Peace Medal as a recognition for Her outstanding contribution to the humanity and World Peace.
● USA,105th Congress, 1997 and 106th Congress, 2000: Honorarium read into Congressional Record by Congressman Eliot Engle commending Shri Mataji for her dedicated and tireless work for humanity.
● Cincinnati, USA,1992: Dwight Tillery, Mayor of Cincinnati, proclaimed September 10th as “Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi Day”.
● Philadelphia, USA,1993: Edward G. Rendell, Mayor of Philadelphia, October 15th as “Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi Day”.
● Los Angeles, USA, 1993 and 1994: Letter of Welcome and Continued Friendship was granted by Mayor Richard Riordan on behalf of the people of Los Angeles. 
● New York, USA,1994: Police escort was granted for a welcomingparade honoring Shri Mataji and celebrating her association with Mahatma Gandhi. The half day march originated on 5th Avenue and encircled Central Park.
● British Columbia, Canada, 1994: Letter of Welcome was granted by the Premier of the Province of British Columbia, Mr. Mike Harcourt, on behalf of the people of Canada.
● Vancouver, Canada, 1994: Letter of Welcome was granted by Mayor Philip W. Owen on behalf of the people of Vancouver, Canada.
● Yonkers, New York, USA, 1996: Letter of Welcome was granted by Mayor of Yonkers, New York. September 26 was proclaimed as “Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi Day”.
● USA, 1999: Honorary Proclamation by the US Congress which was submitted to the Congressional Records.
● Berkley, USA, 2000: Shirley Dean, Mayor of Berkley, proclaimed June 5th as “Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi Day”.
● Cincinnati, USA, 2001: Charlie Luken, Mayor of Cincinnati, proclaimed March 21st as “Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi Day”.
● New York, USA, 2001: Congressional Recognition and 78th Birthday Greetings by House of Representatives.
● Plano, Texas, 2001: Special Recognition on Shri Mataji’s 78th Birthday from Jeran Akers, Mayor of the city of Plano, Texas.
● Texas, 2001: Special Greetings on Shri Mataji’s 78th Birthday from Rick Perry, Governor of Texas.
● Pittsburgh, USA, 2001: Tom Murphy, Mayor of Pittsburgh, proclaimed March 21st as “Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi Day”.
● New York, USA, 2001: New York State Assembly Honoring Shri Mataji on the occasion of Her 78th Birthday.
● British Columbia, Canada, 2001: 78th Birthday Greetings by the Premier of the Province of British Columbia, Canada.
● Austin, USA, 2008: Will Wynn, Mayor of Austin City, proclaimed March 21 as “Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi Day”.
● Prince Edward Island, Canada, 2010: Special Greetings on Shri Mataji’s 87th Birthday from Robert Chiz, Premier of Prince Edward Island.
● Ottawa, Canada, 2010: Warmest Congratulations on Shri Mataji’s 87th Birthday from the Prime Minister of Canada.
● Toronto, Canada, 2010: Special Greetings on Shri Mataji’s 87th Birthday from Premier Dalton McGuinty on behalf of the Government of Ontario.
● Toronto, Canada, 2010: Warmest Congratulations on Shri Mataji’s 87th Birthday from Mayor David Miller and Members of Toronto City Council.
● British Columbia, Canada, 2010: Warmest Congratulations on Shri Mataji’s 87th Birthday from the Premier of British Columbia, Canada.
● Washington, USA, 2010: Birthday Congratulations from the White House by Michelle Obama and recognition of Shri Mataji’s life as an important part of the American story.
● Washington, D.C., USA, 2012: Vincent Gray, Mayor of Washington, proclaimed March 21 as “Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi Day”.
Some humanitarian institutions founded by Shri Mataji
Shri Mataji also founded many Non Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) which include:
1. An international health center to help patients from all over the world to use Sahaja Yoga Meditation techniques in order to treat their ailments. This health center has been producing very successful results in alleviating the symptoms of a number of incurable diseases such as cancer, epilepsy and multiple sclerosis. (CBD Belapur, Vashi, India)
2. A charity organization for poor people “Nirmal Prem” in Greater Noida, India to provide shelter to destitute and homeless women, where they can also optionally learn Sahajayoga (Greater Noida, India)
3. An international music academy (PKS Academy, Vaitarna, Maharashtra, India) to promote classical music, as well as classical dance and fine arts.
4. An international theater company whose international cast and crew has successfully toured throughout Europe, Australia, Israel, India and the USA. Its mission to produce performances that promote racial and cultural understanding worldwide. (TEV)
5. A number of educational establishments to provide culture, ethics and moral values in children have been established (ISPS-Dharmshala in India, Canajoharie-US and many others).
The 4th Step: How To Feel Vibrations
In the steps 1-3 we talked about the Inner Energy and how we can actually feel it, when it is awakened. Although many people do get the experience of feeling the cool breeze and – what we call – the vibrations, there are also many who do not feel it right away. I was one of them, when I started to meditate. I did not feel anything at all, but I felt very relaxed and peaceful inside. This, and that I was never asked for money, made me go on with this meditation. It might sound strange to give importance to the fact that I did not have to pay for this meditation, but I always thought of meditation as something spiritual, where we connect with something higher, be it our own higher self or a higher power, and it always felt dishonest to me when people made a money business out of it.
Shri Mataji, the founder of Sahaja Yoga Meditation, always emphasised that this knowledge cannot be sold.
A Personal Recollection
My first experience of actually feeling the vibrations was maybe after two years. There were workshops from time to time where someone would sit behind a person and help clearing the energy centers (that will be a subject for a later post where you can learn how to help another person to balance their energy centers). In one of those sessions a lady “worked on me” and suddenly I felt a cool breeze spreading all over my back which was a quite interesting feeling as it was winter time and I was packed in a warm sweater, but the coolness came from under the sweater.
Therefore, please: Don’t give up!
Helpful Tricks
Luckily, there are some “tricks” to help.
We will make a big jump forward to one of the energy-centers that is placed at the level of the throat, called the Vishuddhi. This center allows us to feel the vibrations, so if we don’t, it indicates that this center is constricted.
We will have a deeper look into it later on, but for now it is enough to know that one of the main aspects of the throat-center is self-esteem.
If we do not respect ourselves, or are buried in guilt-feelings, this center is very likely blocked.
Let’s do a small test:
Take a paper and a pen.
Within 1 minute write down all your negative sides, your weaknesses, and negative habits.
Turn the paper around.
Now for another minute write down all your positive sides, your strengths and positive habits.
Who was the winner? The negative side, or the positive one? Most of the time it is the easiest thing for us, to find faults after faults with ourselves and feel terribly guilty about them, but when it comes to our qualities, we start thinking…
The 4th Step
We will work on several levels to open up the throat center.
There are some simple physical exercises and treatments we can use.
Regular meditation helps a lot. When our Inner Energy is awakened, she starts going into all those energy-centers that are constricted and starts removing all negative energies there. With time we start feeling an inner freshness and lightness, when more and more of these inner blocks are dissolved.
It is also important to become more mindful about how we deal with ourselves. Are we kind, loving and patient with ourselves and forgiving when we made a mistake? Or are we harsh and aggressive to our inner being, throwing one unkind guilt-feeling after the other on us, never being good enough for anything? Here is your new slogan:
How you want others to treat you, so treat yourself.
The Goal
We want our throat-center to open up more and more which will result in
- feeling vibrations (at the beginning it can be very faint, sometimes cool, sometimes warm)
- to be mindful towards oneself
- to let drop-out all guilt feelings
It is very important to see how we deal with mistakes we might have committed.
When guilt feelings are pressing down on us, we tend to justify our actions, thus not really facing what we have done wrong, and most of the time continuing with it, feeling more guilty, needing more justifications, and soon we are trapped in a vicious circle.
Sometimes we also have the misconception that we think if we have done something wrong, the only way to repent for it is feeling guilty – that is very wrong and one of the main reasons, why our throat center is blocked.
If we have done anything wrong, the best way is to face it, take up responsibility and never do the same mistake again. If we have accepted a mistake, and are committed to never repeat it again, there is no need to feel guilty anymore – we have learned a lesson that made us richer in our experience and it is time to go on. .
Sometimes it can happen, that we feel guilty without having done anything wrong at all. If this is the case, ask yourself again and again, why you feel guilty, and confirm to yourself with full confidence: I am not guilty at all!
The Exercise
For those who have not done yet the meditation to awaken the Inner Energy, please do that first, as all the other exercises will only work efficiently if the Inner Energy is awakened. You can find it in step 1.
Do the following twice a day if possible, in the morning and in the evening – it takes about 20 minutes.
Repeat these exercises as long as it takes to feel the vibrations in the hands and over the head.
- Take the small test from above, counter all negative aspects with positive ones and write them down – read the positive qualities of yourself every day as a loving reminder
- Gargle with lukewarm salt water
- massage your neck and shoulders with a little bit of olive oil
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Press your chin to the chest-bone, roll the tongue back, breathe relaxed and slowly in and out for 1 minute.
- In the following short video Shri Mataji showed some simple exercises to help the throat-center open up more
. 
Put the right hand on the left side of your neck, turn the head to the right and say 16 times aloud and with full confidence: I am not guilty !
.- Meditate
I wish you a wonderful week with beautiful meditations and maybe the first hints of the cool breeze in your hands!
Your´s, Angi
One Universal Religion
“In my thought there is only one universal religion, whose varied paths are but the fingers of the loving hand of the Supreme Being.”
Kahlil Gibran
Science And Spirit
“Everyone who is seriously involved in the pursuit of science becomes convinced that a spirit is manifest in the laws of the universe – a spirit vastly superior to that of man, and one in the face of which we with our modest powers must feel humble.” Albert Einstein
The Third Step: Connect to The Power that Created You
After the first steps towards your inner self – with the awakening of your Inner Energy and learning about vibrations – you might have found that the experience is never the same. It can differ from day-to-day, and it can also differ from person to person. Some people might have had very strong experiences right from the beginning, some might have felt only faint sensations in the hands, some might have felt nothing at all. Why it is so, we will see later on when we come to the different energy-centers. But – out of our experiences from the many programs we have conducted – most people could feel a state of inner peace and calmness, where the thoughts came to rest.
The growth of our awareness does not come overnight. It is a gradual process so we have to learn perseverance, patiently allowing new perceptions to emerge in their own time.
Does a seed know it’s true Self?
Our growth can be seen very much in the same light like a seed growing into a tree. We cannot command a seed to start growing. In the same way we cannot command the Inner Energy to rise.
It needs a gardener to plant a seed.
It needs an enlightened personality to awake the Inner Energy. Once this Inner Energy is awakened, the person can awaken it in others.
When the seed is planted it needs water to grow.
When the Inner Energy is awakened it needs meditation to become stronger.
Gradually, so gradually that nobody actually sees the actual happening, the seed grows into what it was meant to be from the very beginning of its existence.
.
In the same way we grow into our true self, silently and effortless. One day it may happen that you wake up, realizing that you feel so much lighter, so much more joyful, so different and so much better… and again another day will come where you will feel even more lighter, more joyful and different and better… and yet another day, and many more such days… it is an ongoing process.
We cannot see it, we cannot touch it, but we know when it is gone – Life.
Life grows, goes through cycles and perishes. We cannot bring things to life, nor can we hinder life to wither away.
Our whole planet is bubbling with life, “Nature” taking care from the smallest details to the biggest balancing acts between life-forms, connecting everything with each other in a way, that nothing can live without the other. But what or who is this power?
“How can you know the meaning of your life when you are not connected to the power that created you.” Shri Mataji
The complete conscious awareness of a human being starts with the understanding and perceiving of all outside and inside happenings on the central nervous system. This is also called the individual consciousness. Normally the universal power that organizes all life and living processes cannot be felt by the common human awareness.
This changes when our Inner Energy is awakened and the connection between the human being and the all-pervading power is established. We start feeling the sensations in our hands as a cool breeze (sometimes it can be a warm sensation, which will be explained later on when we learn more about the energy-centers). We also start feeling the state of our subtle system (a reflection of our personality) on our finger-tips.
Kundalini is your Mother
I consider it one of the greatest gifts Shri Mataji has given to humanity – She found a way to awaken this Inner Energy (called in Sanskrit the Kundalini) in normal people like you and me.
Before, it was only a few seekers who went to secluded places and cleared their subtle system rigorously, so that the Kundalini Energy would rise. Since all the centers had to be clear before this could happen, many did not reach this aim in their life time.
Shri Mataji could reverse the process so that the Inner Energy, or Kundalini, would rise first and then go back into our subtle system to clear it. This is what happens when we get our self-realization.
Mostly only one or very few strands of this energy make their way through our constricted energy-centers. That is why we may feel the cool breeze of this energy not so strongly at the beginning, but with regular meditation we help our energy-centers to clear more and more, and allow this Inner Energy to rise with more strands, which again let us feel more of the cool breeze.
“Kundalini is your Mother. She has been with you for ages and She has been waiting for this day when you could get your Realisation.” Shri Mataji, 1979
The Third Step:
Connect to your Kundalini. No amount of words can describe the mystery of this living force within, that – if you wish so – silently and nourishing takes you to your highest self, guiding you into the fantastic adventure of exploring your inner being and all the manifold qualities hidden there.
Could a small seed ever imagine that a day would come where it became a grand tree, full of fruits and giving shelter and shade to so many beings? Could it believe that everything is already there and only needs to be allowed to grow? In the same way we are not aware of what heights we can reach, but all of it is already there, inside.
The Goal:
When you sit in meditation, let yourself be pulled into the working of your Kundalini. Try to connect with her, try to feel her and to communicate with her. Ask questions – you may find that somehow you are guided to the right answers.
The Kundalini is a part of you, given to you, yet she works independent in her own ways. She is the same force that made you grow from a child into an adult, without any pains, ever so softly, without you ever realizing the actual growing process, yet a real happening.
The Exercise:
Awaken the Inner Energy, the Kundalini, if you have not done, yet
Here is a guided meditation by Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi herself to awaken your Inner Energy. She also shows how to raise this energy and how to put yourself into a shield of protection. After this meditation you may find yourself in a state of thoughtless awareness and feeling deep peace within.
Join the daily live online meditations
on all week-days from 8:00-08:30 PM Eastern Time: http://live.sahajameditation.com
Strengthen your Kundalini
Music can help a lot to strengthen our subtle body. The music in this video clip is specially connected to the Kundalini.
Spring is on its way and as everything starts growing, so do I wish for everyone of you that you enjoy your own growing process, reaching high up into the realms of inner freedom.
Yours, Angi
Sahaja Meditation iPhone and iPad Applications have been released!
We are happy to announce that our iPhone and iPad Applications are now available to download on iTunes.
Here is the download link:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sahajameditation/id544161096?mt=8
Some cool features:
The Second Step: Awareness
Wouldn’t it be cool if we would always know what is the right thing to do, the right decision to take, the right objects to buy… well, there is a way.
When your Inner Energy is awakened, a new awareness starts manifesting inside. Technically speaking, it is like a new sense which – like any other sense – can be felt and experienced through the central nervous system.
This Inner Energy is in every living being, and in everything that exists, but only in human beings it can be awakened. Then it starts flowing through us and distributes its healing and nourishing powers wherever they are needed.
One of the basic experiences is ‘feeling vibrations’
Everyone, and everything in the universe emits vibrations. These vibrations are different from other energies (like electro-magnetic fields, body-fields, etc). Vibrations are of a subtler nature.
It’s cool
In the guided meditation by Shri Mataji in step 1 you were asked if you can feel the cool breeze over your head. That is the first time when you feel your own vibrations. Same, you are also able now to feel the vibrations of other people, animals, plants, objects or of decisions you have to make. Basically there are no limits.
The rule is easy: if the vibrations are cool, it’s cool! If they are warm to hot, it indicates trouble.
The Second Step:
Sharpen your awareness. Start using your vibrations by feeling who and what emits cool or warm vibrations.
You can check vibrations of people, photos of people, books, music, your food, things – basically of everything. See how the vibrations change from object to object. Also the vibrations of people can change from day-to-day, depending on the mood they are in.
The Goal:
Feel the difference between cool and warm vibrations. You will get the clearest results after your meditation, when you are in a state of inner peace.
We start simple, by checking vibrations in a general way. Later on you will learn more about what it means when some fingers or parts of the hands feel cool, or warm.
Note: It might be difficult to feel the vibrations clearly at the beginning. I personally felt only a faint coolness or warmth when I started with this meditation, but over time the experience became stronger. It has to do with the state of our various energy centers, but the more we meditate, the more these centers clear, which will result in a stronger flow of vibrations.
The Exercise:
Keep meditating every day. Meditation is important to make your inner energy stronger. It is like the oil that is needed to keep the oil-lamp burning.
If you have not done the guided meditation to awaken the Inner Energy, yet, then see Step 1.
During the week-days there are live on-line meditations from 8:00-08:30 PM Eastern Time which you can join here: http://live.sahajameditation.com
These live meditations are being recorded, so that you can meditate also at any other time of the day with a guided meditation, if you wish to.
After the meditation hold both your hands towards any object, photos etc near you. See if the vibrations change to cool or to warm. The more objects you ‘test’, the better you will feel a difference.
One personal experience: When I was looking for a job in the past, I went through the job offers and checked the vibrations of each. I applied for all those where I felt cool vibrations, and it turned out to be really good for me.
I wish you a week full of fun by exploring the world of vibrations!
Yours, Angi
The Center of The Universe
The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within the souls of people when they realize their relationship, their oneness, with the universe and all its powers, and when they realize at the center of the universe dwells the Great Spirit, and that this center is really everywhere. It is within each of us.
Black Elk
Knowledge
No man can reveal to you nothing but that which already lies half-asleep in the dawning of your knowledge.
Khalil Gibran
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