Nirmala Devi-Founder of Sahaj Yoga Part II

Sahaj Yoga evolved as a divinely ordained but consciously conceived movement after Nirmala Devi reached self-realisation through awakening her innate spiritual energy. And this awakening, she believed, could be achieved by any individual. Thus, Sahaj yoga became her instrument of enlarging a spiritual experience as also a means of social transformation through collective consciousness.The word "Sahaja" in Sanskrit means "spontaneous" or “innate”. It therefore, becomes  a "spontaneous" or "natural" form of yoga, to awaken the dormant spiritual energy, also referred to as ‘Kundalini’ of the practitioner. It, thus, becomes a pursuit  to achieve a state of self-realisation and inner balance. Once Nirmala Devi attained self-realization through meditation and through  awakening the Kundalini within herself, sharing this experience and its benefits became her passionate and relentless duty. What is today understood and practised as ‘Sahaj Yoga’ is merely the simplified  manifestation and articulation of these techniques.

What is Sahaj Yoga?

Sahaj Yoga emerged because Nirmala Devi realised the potential of en-masse self-realization and the holistic benefits of meditation for the individual’s personal and social life. She was of the view that personal and social betterment of life was key to true social transformation. After having herself experienced the miraculous effects of this meditation technique, she relentlessly dedicated her life to teaching people of all nationalities, races, and religious backgrounds how to use Sahaja Yoga to better their lives. She envisioned the regular practice of Sahaja Yoga producing evolved societies, where people lead joyful, balanced lives, a vision whose realisation she could see in her own life time. The 80s saw her continuously and tirelessly tour Europe, Australia and North America, teaching this method free of charge to those interested and in the 90s, her travels spread to South America, Africa, Russia, Eastern Europe and Asia and the Pacific region.

Sahaj Yoga is often referred to as a "spontaneous" or "natural" form of yoga, as it emphasizes the awakening of a dormant spiritual energy within the practitioner. The word "Sahaja" in Sanskrit means "spontaneous" or "innate," and the practice aims to achieve a state of self-realization and inner balance through the awakening of this innate spiritual energy, often referred to as "Kundalini."

Kundalini and Chakras

Central to Sahaja Yoga is the awakening of the Kundalini energy, which is believed to be located at the base of the spine. This energy is said to rise through various energy centers (chakras) along the spine, leading to self-realization and a sense of spiritual connectedness. 

Chakras (energy centers) are the fulcrums that control most aspects of our physical, mental, and spiritual lives. Chakras are located at the sites of our main nerve plexuses. Often, difficulties in life can be traced to imbalances or blockages in one or more chakras.There are seven main chakras located along the spine. They are connected by nadis (or channels). When the Kundalini rises and nourishes the chakras, our body automatically becomes dynamic, creative, and integrated.

Each chakra has a physical manifestation in our nervous system and is responsible for the smooth functioning of specific parts of our physiology. Additionally, each chakra has subtle qualities, an essence that can influence your character and personality.

Meditation is a fundamental practice in Sahaja Yoga. The meditation techniques used in Sahaja Yoga involve guided processes that aim to help practitioners achieve a state of thoughtless awareness, where the mind is free from distracting thoughts and experiences a deep sense of tranquillity. The practice involves techniques to balance and cleanse these chakras, leading to physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

It places a strong emphasis on achieving self-realization, which is the awareness of one's own true nature and the realization of the interconnectedness of all beings. This state is believed to bring about a deep sense of inner peace and joy.

Specifically, it emphasizes the concept of "collective consciousness," suggesting that when individuals achieve self-realization, they contribute to the overall elevation of human consciousness. This interconnectedness is believed to lead to a more harmonious and peaceful world.

Building A Mission

What began in 1970 as an interaction with a small group of people grew , in next 40 years, into a powerful movement.  She travelled internationally, offering free public lectures and the experience of self-realization to all, regardless of race, religion or circumstance, quietly but decisively touching and transforming their lives. She not only enabled people to pass this valuable experience on to others, but taught them the meditation technique necessary to sustain it.She maintained that there is an innate spiritual potential within every human being, and it can be spontaneously awakened.

The inner balance and stress-reduction that accompanies the practice of Sahaja Yoga meditation has already benefited hundreds of thousands worldwide. The ability to quickly and easily activate our innate, spiritual energy – and experience its benefits – differentiates Sahaja Yoga from other forms of meditation. Spontaneity, immediate results and guided meditation define this practice though the objective remains spiritual awakening as also building up a collective consciousness.

An abiding aspect of Sahaj Yoga is that it is always offered free of cost as the belief that inner peace can be acquired by paying a fee, is deemed antithetical to the whole concept of initiating a process of enlightenment. This tradition continues even today at the hundreds of Sahaj Yoga centres across the world.

(To be continued….)

(Uday Kumar Varma is an IAS officer. Retired as Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting)