Sahaja Yoga

Sahaja Yoga is a Meditation Style founded by Nirmala Srivastava, more widely known as 'Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi' and affectionately as 'Mother' by her followers (Sahaja Yogis). According to the movement, Sahaja Yoga is the state of self-realization produced by kundalini awakening and is accompanied by the experience of thoughtless awareness or mental silence (Nirvichar Samadhi). Practitioners of the Sahaja Yoga meditation technique feel a cool breeze on their hands and on top of their head while meditating, other effects include a dilation of the pupils and deep physical and mental relaxation. Thus Sahaja Yoga is not only the name of the movement, but also the technique the movement teaches and the state of awareness achieved by the technique. The movement teaches that self-realization through kundalini awakening is a transformation which results in a more moral, united, integrated and balanced personality.

Sahaja Yoga started in India and England (where Nirmala Srivastava moved in 1974) and there are now Sahaja Yoga centres in almost 100 countries worldwide. She charged no money, insisting that her lesson was a birthright, which should be freely available to all. "There can be no peace in the world until there is peace within," she said. For many her methodology on self -transformation and creating consciousness led to a happy and blissful life.

The organisation has had its share of controversies some related to the behaviour of leaders and others to the perceived level of influence the founder has had over her followers. Some ex-members have labelled the movement a cult but it has been largely defended and exonerated from this label. Sahaja Yoga has been found to have been unfairly targeted by anti-cult organisations.