Your Guide to ….

Pure Meditation
with

Sahaja Yoga

.…at home

Sahaja Yoga Pure Meditation

http://www.sahajayoga.org

Aug 04
 Your Meditation Photograph
hotographs of Shri Mataji emit cool vibrations which can help us reach thought-
P less awareness in Meditation. If in doubt, we suggest you try meditating with-
out, then with the photograph to see if it makes a difference. It is best to use a wood
or metal frame as plastic emits a toxic fume which reduces the vibrations.

Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi

Founder of Sahaja Yoga Meditation
“See how our heart pulsates.
Pulsates without doing anything about it.
Look at our eyes,
they are beautiful cameras,
and the brain is a beautiful computer.
Who has made this?
Then we have evolved
from amoebae to human stage.
Who has done that?
We do not even think.
We take it for granted
everything that has come to us.
We take it for granted
the power of Nature
which has evolved us to the human level.
But the Nature knows
and we can get in touch with that power
through true meditation.
The power of Nature,
the Kundalini energy within,
knows how to balance and nourish us”

Programs are always free. Beginners are welcome at any program.

Program times and locations Ph. .
Visit: www.sahajayoga.org

2 15
And Now ....... What is Sahaja Yoga Meditation?
A nd now, you have your Kundalini awakened you
have all that you need to be in touch with yourself, to
awaken the beauty, the wisdom, the innocence and the joy
I n each of us there is a Mothering energy, known for centuries as the
key to spiritual enlightenment. It lies dormant, coiled in the Sacrum
bone at the base of the spine. It is called Kundalini, meaning feminine coiled
within. energy. When awakened, we feel a gentle cool fountain of energy above
the top of the head and cool vibrations on the hands. Sometimes a warm
“The greatest More than you could ever dream of can now be yours by energy is felt as the Kundalini encounters friction in its path - however
mistake is to knowing yourself, being one with your spirit, becoming the this will clear to cool vibrations. The awakened Kundalini connects us
close ones heart. spirit that you are. with our spirit and the universal love that surrounds and pervades everywhere. This
However hurt union of our spirit with the Divine energy is the true Yoga event - yoga means ‘union’
one may be, or ‘yoking’.
You who have found Sahaja Yoga, you have opened the
remember that door to all this. To the love and beauty of nature, of all Sahaja Yoga means ‘born with you’. Everyone has this energy which can now be
within there is awakened spontaneously. With our attention in the flow of cool vibrations above our
someone who humanity, and of yourself.
head, we go into pure thoughtless meditation. Then, with simple short daily practice,
always loves we quickly experience the peace, joy and other amazing benefits that this meditation
you. She is It is now up to you if you wish to walk through the door.
We the Sahaja Yogis who have ventured to take that journey brings. No need to believe, we simply feel the truth as it manifests on our central
your individual nervous system.
Mother, your are here to help you. But it is your journey, your choice.
Kundalini. Founded by Shri Mataji in 1970, Sahaja Yoga is based on principles of spirituality,
Meditation is all that is required. It all simply begins to humility and love that are over 2000 years old.
She is con- work out beautifully as we enjoy the thoughtless awareness
nected to the all-
pervading power
of meditation and let our Kundalini do the work. Contents of this Booklet
of Divine Love, Your presence in the group meditations will deepen your Item Page
which never meditation and provide a gradual awareness and knowledge
abandons you. Awakening one’s Kundalini for the First Time ........................................................ 4
about the body and one’s behavior. You will also learn The Founder of Sahaja Yoga - Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi ........................................ 5
In her love, helpful techniques that can be applied to clear the chakras
and further the knowledge of one’s inner self. Exploring the Inner System - The Seven Chakras .................................................... 6
there are no
expectations. Qualities of the Chakras and the Left and Right Channels .................................... 7
There is only a There are no fees in Sahaja Yoga for we cannot pay for our More on the Inner System - Chakras and Left, Right and Central Channels .... 8
tender glow that birthright. And there is certainly no obligation to attend. Meditating - How to get started .................................................................................... 9
takes us to her Your presence at any time is not only helpful to yourself, but
presence.” it also helps others to deepen their experience – so please Raising the Kundalini and Bandhan - before and after each meditation ............. 10
know that you are always welcome. Improving one’s Meditation - Clearing Chakras and Footsoaking ........................ 11
More Chakra Clearing Techniques ................................................................................ 12
Affirmations - To help clear the chakras and improve one’s meditation ............. 13
Shri Mataji And Now .... ....................................................................................................................... 14
Nirmala Devi Your meditation photograph of Shri Mataji. .............................................................. 15

14 \ 3
Awakening the Kundalini Sahaja Yoga Affirmations
- for the first time:
Sit comfortably in front of a picture of Shri The Affirmations:
Mataji. Please sit on a chair if it is easier. As we meditate we may start to feel
With your left hand palm upwards on your sensations on our hands or in our body of
lap and eyes closed, use the right hand as blockages (“catches”) in the chakras.
indicated along the left side. You can use the 1. With your right 2. Right hand on left We can help the Kundalini clear these
affirmations silently to yourself, addressing hand on your heart, upper stomach near blockages by saying the affirmation for that 3a

your mother energy, the Kundalini. Please ask: “Mother, Am I the ribs: “Mother, Am chakra while we meditate. We address our
use these affirmations with all your confidence the Spirit?” (3 times) I my own Master?” Kundalini as Mother.
and your pure desire to become the spirit. (3 times)

LEFT SIDE CENTRE RIGHT SIDE

Mother Mother Mother
by your grace I am: please make me: verily you are the:
7. Sahasrara 7. Sahasrara 7. Sahasrara
~ protected from all the ~ a better Sahaja Yogi. ~ victory over all the
challenges to my ~ completely Self Realised. challenges to my assent.
3. Right hand on your 4. Right hand to the 5. Right hand on the 6. Right hand on the ascent.
lower left stomach upper left stomach (as heart again: “Mother, neck where it meets the 6. Agnya 6. Agnya
(near hip): “Mother, in 2): “Mother, I am I am the spirit.” Say shoulder, turn head to 6. Agnya ~ a forgiving person. Mother, I forgive everyone,
Please give me the my own master.” Say this twelve times. the right and say about ~ forgiven. and I forgive myself.
pure knowledge.” You this about 10 times. 16 times: “Mother I am 5a Hamsa
may say this about 6 There are 10 petals on not guilty.” (We learn 5. Vishuddhi ~ a self-correcting person. 5. Vishuddhi
times. this chakra. by our mistakes, so no ~ not guilty. ~ sweet countenance of
need to feel guilty.) 5. Vishuddhi all my words and deeds.
4. Heart ~ a detached witness.
10. Now sit in quiet ~ the spirit ~ a part & parcel of the whole. 4. Heart
meditation for 5 mins. ~ forgiven for any mis- ~ responsibility in me.
or so with palms takes against my spirit. 4. Heart ~ boundaries of good
upward on the lap. If ~ a fearless person. conduct in me.
thoughts come then 3. Nabhi
say quietly to yourself ~ completely satisfied. 3. Nabhi 3. Nabhi
“Not this thought, not ~ peace. ~ a satisfied person. ~ royal dignity in me.
this thought” or “I ~ a generous person. ~ solution to all my family
7. Right hand on the 8. Rest the head back 9. Place palm of right forgive, I forgive”. Be 3a Void and money worries.
forehead pressing into the right hand hand on the top of aware of any sensations 3a Void ~ my own guru/master.
in the sides and say: and say: “Mother, for the head (fontanelle on hands, body or ~ my own guru/master. 3a Void
“Mother, I forgive any mistakes I have area), stretch back the head. 2. Swadhistan ~ guru and master.
everyone.” Forgive made against my spirit, fingers, push down Then place your hand 2. Swadhistan ~ the creative knowledge.
everyone in general please forgive me.” and slowly rotate the about 20 cm (8 in.) or ~ pure knowledge of the 2. Swadhistan
for everything. Say a Say a couple of times. scalp clockwise seven more above the head Divine which acts. ~ doer and the enjoyer.
couple of times. times saying: “Mother and see if you can feel 1. Mooladhara
please grant me my the Kundalini as a cool 1. Mooladhara ~ the innocence. 1. Mooladhara
After the initial wakening, we use a simple self realisation.” ~ the powerful innocence ~ the wisdom. ~ killer of devils.
method to raise the Kundalini before and after vibration coming from
meditation (see page 10). the top of the head. If of a child.
warm, it will eventually 13
4 go cool.
Clearing Techniques (cont.)
Restoring Our System Balance The Founder of Sahaja Yoga
Balancing the Left Side: Balancing the Right Side
For tingling heat or For tingling heat or
heaviness on the left heaviness on the right
hand. Hold the left hand hand. Hold the right
out, palm upwards. Place hand out, palm
the right hand on the upwards. Bend the
earth, or direct the left arm up from the
right palm toward the elbow and direct the
earth. palm towards the
back.
˜™
Using the Elements
ach of the five elements
E of earth, fire, water,
air and ether (i.e. space) relate
Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi
Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi is a mother and grandmother, as
well as the spiritual mother to many Sahaja Yogis from all
closely to an aspect of our subtle over the world. Shri Mataji is a descendant of an Indian “ Spirit is the
system. This means that the 1. Earth: The earth 2. Water: The water
element helps the whole royal family and her father was a member of India’s first most precious
element helps the whole thing that we
element can assist in nurturing left side and also the first right side and also the parliament. She has worked with Mahatma Gandhi. have within
and cleansing that aspect. chakra (Mooladhara). Sit
on the ground or grass
third chakra (Nabhi) and
the void. Put the feet in She is the wife of Sir C.P Shrivastava, a very distinguished ourselves.
with the left hand palm the ocean or stream and diplomat who served as Secretary General of the United The
up and the right hand flat meditate. Drinking pure Nations International Maritime Organisation for 16 years. preciousness
on the earth. water is good for the liver. She was born in India to a Christian family on March 21, of your spirit is
1923. immeasurable
and that
On May 5, 1970 Shri Mataji opened the Sahasrara chakra is why it is
for mankind, thereby allowing anyone with the desire to called the
awaken their dormant spiritual energy known as Kundalini. thing of
Shri Mataji then began to spread en mass Self-Realisation eternal value.
using the Sahaja Yoga techniques she developed. Because it
is infinite,
3. Fire (a): The 4. Fire (b): Sit for 5. Air: The air 6. Ether: The ether Shri Mataji accepts no money for her time, knowledge or we cannot
fire element helps meditation and, with element helps the element (which is for the giving of Self-Realisation. She works and travels
the whole left side a candle rotate the whole right side and invisible in the air) measure it.”
and particularly flame in small circles also the fourth chakra helps the fifth chakra tirelessly to bring Sahaja Yoga to the seekers of the world Shri Mataji
the second chakra (clockwise) around (Heart). Take deep, (Vishuddhi). Outside, tilt and she is regarded by hundreds of thousands in more Nirmala Devi
(Swadisthan). Sit for the chakras, only slow breaths while the head back and look at than 100 countries as the world’s greatest living spiritual
meditation and hold along the left side of meditating. Place the the blue sky. Allow your
the left hand towards the body. right hand on the attention to flow into the teacher.
the candle centre heart while majesty of the sky. Take
doing this. deep breaths. 5
12
Exploring the Inner System Improving one’s Meditation
- by Clearing the Chakras
Am I Meditating Correctly? Clearing our Chakras

T awareness. Our brain is silent but T we call as “catches”. We can help

rue meditation is thoughtless he signals we get of our chakras
we are fully aware of our surroundings. the Kundalini clear these catches prior to
The Sahaja objective is to deepen this state meditating by using the techniques be-
of thoughtless awareness. We do this by low. (Note - some catches clear gradually
regular meditation - allowing more strands over time. Regular use of the following
of Kundalini to rise. techniques accelerates this clearing.)
As we meditate our Kundalini begins to
clean our chakras. Conditionings, which t Rotate the Chakra (Giving Vibrations):
are bad for our health and create stress and Use your right hand to turn the chakra
disease within us, are gradually removed. As clockwise (when looking from the front
a result we feel more at peace and balanced of the body). Place your left hand palm
in our daily life. up on the lap.

What do I feel? Say the Affirmation: You will find

t
the affirmations for each chakra on
A s we meditate we gradually establish page 13. It is helpful to give vibrations
our vibrational awareness. That is, to the chakra (Rotate the Chakra) at the
we become aware of vibrations on our same time.
hands and around our body and start to feel
sensations of tingling or pain on our fingers t Footsoak, Balancing & the Elements:
and sometimes within the body. By decoding How to use these three techniques is
these signals (see page 8) we learn which of explained below and over the page.
our chakras need attention.
˜™
Foot-Soaking (highly recommended)

The Seven Chakras: W hen the day is over, relax by soaking your feet in salt water. This is best done at night
before going to bed. You will need a basin, salt, small container for rinsing water, and a
small towel. (Storing these items together will make it easier to do the foot-soak.)

M illions and millions of tiny vital life forces whirling throughout the body are
concentrated into centres called chakras. Chakra means wheel in Sanskrit. Each
chakra is a subtle energy centre that spins in a clockwise direction looking from the front
Place your feet in a basin of cool or luke warm* water containing a handful of salt (water and earth
elements).
Light a candle (fire and light elements) in front of a photo of Shri Mataji. Sit comfortably in a chair
of the body. They resemble a galaxy of planets, each spinning on its axis. with hands palm up on your lap. Raise the Kundalini and put on a bandhan.
Meditate and/or give vibrations to your chakras for 10 - 15 minutes.
There are seven main chakras within us, located along the spine. The chakra locations Finish by again raising the Kundalini and putting on a bandhan.
correspond to the seven major nerve plexuses in our physical body. Each chakra governs Rinse and dry your feet (use clean water ). Sit in meditation for
different aspects of our physical body, our spirit, our personality, and our life. As we 5 minutes or so. Flush the foot-soak water down the toilet.
meditate after realisation, our Kundalini gradually cleanses each chakra. The more we Use the foot soak bowl only for footsoaking.
meditate, the more we can emit the pure qualities of the different centres.
* If the right hand is heaviest, use cold water; left hand heavy use warm water.
6 11
Raising the Kundalini
Chakra Area on Body Quality of Chakra
To begin and end our meditation we raise B. The Bandhan
the Kundalini and put on a Bandhan as 1. Moolhadara Pelvic Plexus - Sacrum Innocence, Wisdom, Purity
bandhan protects us and
shown here.
A. Raising the Kundalini
A balances the energy in the left
and right channels. It is helpful to put
2. Swadisthan Aortic Plexus - Abdomen Creativity, Knowledge of Truth

yourself in a bandhan before and after 3. Nabhi Solar Plexus - Stomach Seeking, Satisfaction
his technique helps raise the
T Kundalini energy and set our
attention. It is helpful to raise the Kundalini
meditation. 3a. Void Stomach Area (outer perimeter) Self-mastery (own Guru)
Hold the left hand out on your lap, 4. Heart Cardiac Plexus - Heart & Lungs Security, Compassion
before and after meditation. palm upwards. Place your right hand
over your left hip (1) and slowly raise 5. Vishuddhi Cervical Plexus - Throat Diplomacy, Communication
1 2 your right hand over your head and
down the right side of your body. (2) 6. Agnya Crossing Optic Thalamus - Brain Forgiveness, Humility
Then raise the right hand back up the 7. Sahasrara Limbic Area - Brain Peace, Enlightenment
right side, over your head where the
Kundalini is flowing, and down the
left side. (3) This is one bandhan. Left Channel Right Channel
Repeat this seven times, once for each (Ida Nadi) (Pingala Nadi)
Mother’s Side Father’s Side
Place the left hand in front of your lower chakra. Moon Channel Sun Channel
abdomen, palm facing the body (1). Raise Function
the left hand up slowly, moving up to the
top of the head. While the left hand is
1 Emotions
Memories
Thoughts
Planning
raising, the right hand rotates around it in
a clockwise direction(2) (up the inside of Past Experiences Future Events
the hand and down the outside) until both Desires Actions
hands are above the head (3). All the while Enjoyment Concentration Span
keep your attention on the palm of your left Problems due to Imbalance
hand.
Then, use both hands to tie a knot (4).Repeat
three times, once for each channel. The first
2 Infections
Over Sleeping, Sluggish mind
High Blood Pressure
Hyper Activity, Insomnia
time tie one knot; the second tie two knots; Cancer Most Headaches
and the third tie three knots at the top of Depression Poor concentration
the head.
Anxiety Anger, Aggression
3 4 Psychological Lack of emotion

3
Correction Techniques
Sit on, get close to the Earth Cold water footsoaking
Use candles for clearing Use icepacks on hot chakras
Right hand to Floor Left hand to sky
Affirm Pure Desire Lift attention to top of head
10 7
More on the Inner System Meditating – how to get started.
Chakras can also be felt at these Short regular sessions work best:
points on the body: o grow in this new awareness, we need to meditate
1. Mooladhara
2. Swadisthan
4.
5.
Heart
Vishuddhi
T everyday on a regular basis. Begin by enjoying the peace
and stillness for as little as ten to 15 minutes a day. Only
3. Nabhi 6. Agnya through regular meditation can we grow and develop our subtle
3a Void 7. Sahasrara
awareness, allowing us to unlock and reveal all of the benefits.
3a 7 3 Meditation Set-up
5
2 Shri Mataji’s photo emits vibrations. In a quiet place, set the
6 framed photo on a table with a lighted candle in front. Burning
4 incense may help you to focus your attention. Sit on the floor “ One starts
1 smiling with
or on a chair in a comfortable position facing the photo. Open
the flowers,
your hands and place them palm-upward on your lap. talking to the
Raise and ‘tie up’ your Kundalini and put a protective ‘Bandhan’ birds, dancing
around. How to do this is explained on the following pages. with the wind.
You don’t do anything, just be in meditation: One flows
lose your eyes. Just relax, bring your attention inside into the
C heart and allow it to rise gently to the top of the head. Try to
keep your awareness there, and sit quietly without thinking for 10
with the
subterranean
bondage that
to 15 minutes or until you feel you have done enough. In this state runs through
of thoughtless awareness you don’t need to say any affirmations nature, that
or concentrate on anything. Just be aware of any sensations goes up the
throughout the body, especially on the head or hands. sap of a tree
to ponder the
Gradually, the more you practice, the more your mind will eternal mystery
become still. If thoughts do come, try to watch them or say of birds in the
‘not this thought, not this thought’ to yourself. You may find it sky, bees in
helpful to check your Kundalini every now and then, or press the sun, and
The Left, Right and Central Channels down on the top of the head with the palm of your hand. This flowers on a
will restore your attention to the top chakra (Sahasrara) and green hillside”

T hese are called the Ida, Pingali and Sushumna Nadis respectively. The Left and
Right channels form part of the Sympathetic Nervous System and are directly
controlled by the brain. The characteristics of the Left and Right Channels are listed on
allow your Kundalini to flow.
After meditating, again tie up your Kundalini and put on a Abraham
Lincoln
Bandhan to finish.
page 7.
And the benefits gradually become your life:
The Central channel is our spiritual channel. It is the parasympathetic nervous system
lmost immediately, with regular meditation, you will find
which governs our automatic pre-programmed functions such as breathing and heart-
beat. Before realisation, it is responsible for soothing us down, lowering blood pressure, A that you are feeling more relaxed and at peace. The Joy
begins to return into your life. Also, gradually over the first
relaxing us and healing us. After realisation, it is awakened and provides a channel for
the Kundalini energy. It helps us to balance the left and right channels and subtly reduces few weeks or so of regular meditation you will start to feel
any excess of lethargy or over-activity. As a result, and with meditation, we gradually various sensations on your hands, or throughout your body
become more balanced and peaceful. The stresses and concerns in our life gradually fade at the chakras. This is a very good sign, indicating a growing
awareness of the subtle body within. You may also notice that
8 away and are replaced by peace, joy and complete satisfaction. you become more peaceful in your behaviour. 9