Sahaja Yoga

Sahaja Yoga (. Sanskrit, m, सहज योग, sahaj: " simple", " natural", " innate " ) is a technique of meditation and the name of a new religious movement based on the teachings of the Indian Nirmala Srivastava (1923 - 2011), respectfully called by Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi their followers. The organization of Sahaja Yoga International ( Vishwa Nirmala Dharma also ) was founded in 1970 in Nargol / India. According to the movement, Sahaja Yoga is the state of self-realization caused by the awakening of the Kundalini and is accompanied by the experience of thoughtless awareness or mental silence.

Users of the Sahaja Yoga meditation technique say they feel a cool breeze on their hands and over their head during meditation; other effects include dilation of the pupils and deep physical and mental relaxation. Sahaja Yoga is not just the name of the movement, but also the technique taught and the state of consciousness is achieved by this technique. The movement teaches that Self-realization is a transformation through Kundalini awakening, which ultimately leads to a higher moral behavior and an integrated and balanced personality.

Teaching

Sahaja Yoga is, according to ancient Hindu beliefs, in his doctrine of a subtle system of energy channels, the nadis and energy centers, the chakras, which are responsible for the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well -being. Nadis are associated with parts of the autonomic nervous system. Accordingly meet the Ida Nadi or Pingala Nadi which the left and right sides of the sympathetic nervous system, the central Sushumna Nadi to the parasympathetic nervous system.

According to Sahaja Yoga there are seven chakras, their gross material correspondences are the Nervenplexen. The practitioner should be able to feel the state of the energy centers through concrete sensations on the hands and on the head. Warm or hot sensations on hands, head and / or palms is interpreted as a blockage in the system. These so-called " Catches " one could by vibrations, an objective divine energy find. The basis of this methodology is called " Vibratory Awareness".

It emphasizes the religious view of the chakras, which are each associated with several aspects of the divine. So integrated Sahaja Yoga most Hindu deities such as Ganesha, Shiva, Lakshmi, etc. and the most important religious founders and their essential teachings, such as Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Mohammed, Zoroaster, Confucius, Lao- tse, Buddha, Guru Nanak. Each chakra thus not only possesses certain qualities but also a divine counterpart, so one summarizes as the brow chakra as Jesus of Nazareth seat and his mother Mary on. Sahaja Yoga teaches that the Kundalini in its ascent through the chakras bring it along after her awakening from hibernation in the sacrum into balance, with the emphasis the kundalini power of the Holy Spirit the same. Without their revival of true yoga is impossible. During the ascent through the various energy centers also their qualities manifested. Many diseases caused by damage to the corresponding chakra could be cured and healed through regular meditation the body. Although cure is not the main purpose, there are a Sahaja Yoga Hospital in India. The meditator can attain by the rise of Kundalini the state of thoughtless awareness, Nirvichar Samadhi, and the ascent through the top, the crown chakra is to feel by a cool breeze over your head and / or on the palms. Unlike other yoga paths, it is in Sahaja Yoga, according to the trailer possible for the first time in history, to awaken the Kundalini en masse and everyone can achieve an immediate, spontaneous self-realization before a picture of Mataji.

Techniques

Self-realization (also realization ) can be noisy Sahaja Yoga simply by looking at a photograph of Nirmala Devi and by the desire for self-realization can be obtained. From her, but also from her photo, is permanently out, which could be visible on photos a flow of positive, cool vibrations ( subtle energy ). Goal of meditation is to reach a state of mind outdoors consciousness, Samadhi, the meditator reaches the above dhyana, the first stage, and Dhaarna, the second stage. The meditator is to set up an altar with a photo of Nirmala Devi, best, comfortable place in a specially designated space in front of the altar, ideally with the hands resting on the floor, on his knees and have the palms facing up. During meditation, make sure to have the attention all the time to the Sahasrara, the crown chakra directed. Before and after that should you enter Bandhan itself. This so-called Bandhan is a program executed with hand motions protection ritual in Sahaja Yoga, the application of which, in many other situations, such as before and after getting into a car, playing sports, at bedtime, when shopping and always when you feel like it is recommended. It is morning and evening meditation before the altar. Nirmala Devi refers to meditation as the grace of God, surrender and describes it as a personal journey to God.

To pujas to prove supportive, are called as Hindu worship. The worship of the various deities always takes place through the worship of the corresponding divine aspect in Nirmala Devi. She is revered as during Shri Krishna Puja as Krishna, during the autumn festival of Navaratri as Durga to Christmas as Jesus and Mary and Shri Adi Shakti Puja during the Adi Shakti as (divine feminine primal force ). Nirmala Devi emphasizes especially the importance of Shri Adi Shakti Puja since a Sahaja Yogi particularly growing in the worship of Adi Shakti. As in all Hindu pujas gifts of material and / or financial nature are also in Sahaja Yoga in addition to spiritual worship usual, goes beyond that a large part of the fees of the pujas, called Dakshina or Samarpan ( remuneration by the student ) to the Guru.

If there is an imbalance in the chakra system, despite regular meditation, so you turn to spiritual cleaning various techniques, many of which involve the application of the four elements or have their origin in traditional Indian folk medicine, about the foot bath in salt water, ice packs and shoe sole hitting and liniments with various oils and clarified butter. Vibrations, according to Sahaja Yoga manifestations of the all-pervading cosmic power, will not only improve the energy state of water, but also the concentration of dissolved minerals change. This method is used for example on food. Vibrations treated material is referred to as vibrates.

History

The term " Sahaja " has a long tradition. As a system of worship he was in the Tantric traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism since 8 - common in Bengal in eastern India 9th century. The teacher of Shivaite Nathyogis, Gorakh ( 7./10. Century), taught in detail about the rising of the Kundalini and the state of ' Sahaja '. Various Hindu mystics, such as the still popular Mirabai ( 16.Jahrh. ) And Tukaram ( 17.Jahrh. ) Handed down the term. More recently, it was among other things Ramana Maharshi (1879-1950), who taught about the state of Sahaja Samadhi. According to the understanding of Sahaja Yoga, however, many of these lines have been distorted by various influences, so that they are not viewed as precursors.

By his own description Nirmala Srivastava opened on May 5, 1970 on the beach of Nargol / India ( 150 kilometers north of Mumbai), the Sahasrara, the crown chakra. This was done after a meditation of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh event ( later known as Osho ), where they condemned the methods of Willfährigmachung as " manipulation and exploitation " of Sadhakas. It indicates that she had before the foundation of Sahaja Yoga known gurus visited to see their methods.

Nirmala Srivastava sat down on May 4, 1970, a Saru - tree ( Casuarina ) in Nargol and sank into deep meditation. With the opening of the Sahasraras in the early morning of May 5, their kundalini had unfolded and was thus able to experience their unity with the divine self. Then she founded the Sahaja Yoga movement. Nirmala Srivastava referred to the circumstances of the May 5, 1970 even as overwhelming.

Organization

By the year 2003 was Nirmala Srivastava, supported by their closest confidants, at the top of the organization, followed by the national and regional leaders. In December 2003, the "World Council for the Advancement of Sahaja Yoga" has been set up with then 19 members, chaired by Nirmala Srivastava. Currently it consists of 31 members, with three members meet simultaneously in the areas of finance, accounting and property, legislation and publications consultant function.

Criticism

Critics of Sahaja Yoga have any concerns regarding the handling of children. The fact that parents give their children often in infants or boarding schools in India, the Czech Republic and Italy, some consider unacceptable. Also, different beliefs of Sahaja Yoga seem incomprehensible to outsiders, such as the god-like reverence and equating Nirmala Srivastava with the Holy Spirit.