Sahaja Yoga facts for kids

Sahaja Yoga (which means "easy" or "spontaneous yoga") is a spiritual path started in 1970 by Nirmala Srivastava (1923–2011). Her followers call her Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, or simply "Mother." People who practice Sahaja Yoga are called Sahaja yogis.

Followers believe that during meditation, they can experience something called "self-realization." This happens when their kundalini energy awakens. They say this brings a state of "thoughtless awareness," which means their mind becomes very quiet.

Shri Mataji taught that Sahaja Yoga is a pure, universal religion that brings together ideas from all other religions. Many of her followers believe she was a special spiritual leader, like a divine being who came to help humanity.

What Does the Name Sahaja Yoga Mean?

The word 'Sahaja' comes from an ancient Indian language called Sanskrit. 'Saha' means 'with,' and 'ja' means 'born.' So, 'Sahaja' can mean "born with you" or "innate." It also means "natural" or "easy."

Yoga means "union with the divine." It refers to a spiritual journey or a deep state of spiritual connection.

Together, Sahaja Yoga means that the special energy called kundalini is born inside us. It can awaken easily and naturally, without a lot of effort. The term 'Sahaja Yoga' has been used by spiritual teachers for a long time, even back to the 15th century.

History of Sahaja Yoga

Before starting Sahaja Yoga, Nirmala Srivastava was known as a spiritual healer. In 1970, she began sharing her teachings in India with a small group of people.

Later, she moved to London, UK, and continued her work there. The movement grew and spread across Europe. By the mid-1980s, it reached North America. In 1989, Shri Mataji visited Russia and Eastern Europe for the first time.

She believed that her spiritual lessons were a birthright for everyone. Because of this, she never charged money for her classes. As of 2021, Sahaja Yoga has centers in at least 69 countries around the world.

Beliefs and Practices

Sahaja Yoga teaches that it is different from other types of yoga or meditation. It focuses on achieving self-realization through the awakening of kundalini energy right from the start. Other yoga styles might focus on physical exercises or breathing techniques first.

The main teachings and practices of Sahaja Yoga come from Hinduism. They include ideas from mystical traditions and Indian customs. However, there are also some ideas from Christianity, such as the idea of a fight between good and evil. Shri Mataji's teachings also include references to other religions, spiritual ideas, and even modern science.

People who practice Sahaja Yoga often try to keep a low profile. They do not usually push their beliefs on others. The movement allows for different ways of seeing the world. Some people are very committed, while others just practice occasionally.

Kundalini Energy

In Indian spiritual traditions, awakening the kundalini energy has always been seen as a very special and difficult goal to reach. Sahaja Yoga is unique because it claims to offer a quick and easy way to awaken this energy.

Meditation Practice

Meditation is a very important practice in Sahaja Yoga. The main goal of their meditation technique is to reach a state called "thoughtless-awareness." This means your mind becomes completely quiet and still.

Family Life

In Sahaja Yoga, families have a special way of life. Children learn about the movement's beliefs and Shri Mataji's importance from a very young age. They are involved in daily practices like meditation, foot-soaking, and singing devotional songs. This is similar to how children in many other religions learn about their faith within their families and communities.

The Subtle System: Chakras and Nadis

Chakra Kundalini Diagram

Sahaja Yoga teaches that besides our physical body, we also have a "subtle body." This subtle body is made up of nadis (which are like energy channels) and chakras (which are energy centers).

Nirmala Srivastava connected these traditional ideas to modern science. For example, she linked the Sushumna nadi to the parasympathetic nervous system. She also linked the Ida and Pingala nadis to the left and right sides of the sympathetic nervous system.

Chakras are not physical parts of the body. But in many ancient meditation practices, people believe they are important parts of the subtle body.

Beliefs About the World's Future

Within Sahaja Yoga, there is a belief that we are living in the final period of the world, before a big change happens. Shri Mataji taught that she came to Earth to help save it from negative influences. She believed that some problems in society were caused by these negative forces.

How Sahaja Yoga is Organized

Vishwa Nirmala Dharma (which means "Universal Pure Religion") is the official organization for Sahaja Yoga. It is also known as Sahaja Yoga International. This organization is officially registered in many countries, including the United States, Colombia, and Austria. In Spain, it is registered as a religion.

Membership Numbers

There are no exact official numbers for how many people are part of Sahaja Yoga. In 2001, it was thought that about 10,000 people were core members worldwide. Another 100,000 people practiced it less regularly. The Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi Sahaja Yoga World Foundation says that Sahaja Yoga centers are in over 140 countries.

International Sahaja Public School

The International Sahaja Public School was started in 1990 in Dharamsala, India. It teaches about 250 students from different countries each year. Children can attend from the age of 6.

Yuvashakti Youth Movement

Sahaja Yoga has a youth movement called "Yuvashakti." This name comes from Sanskrit words meaning "Youth Power."

The Yuvashakti group takes part in global discussions, like the World Youth Conference. They talk about world issues and how to solve them. In 2000, they helped women from poorer communities find work.

Vishwa Nirmal Prem Ashram

The Vishwa Nirmala Prem Ashram is a special project run by the Vishwa Nirmala Dharma organization. It is located in Noida, Delhi, India, and opened in 2003. This ashram helps women and girls who have experienced difficult times. They are taught meditation and other skills to help them heal.

How Sahaja Yoga is Funded

The founder, Shri Mataji, said that the methods for practicing Sahaja Yoga should always be free. She believed that you cannot pay for spiritual enlightenment. She also spoke out against teachers who charged money for spiritual guidance.

However, the official Sahaja Yoga website states that there is a fee to attend international spiritual gatherings called pujas. These fees are used to cover the costs of organizing the events.

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