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Artist History In the midst of today’s hectic, non-stop timetable people are increasingly stopping to ask themselves two fundamental questions:1. Why can’t I feel better?- less tired and stressed- mentally, physically and emotionally stronger- more able to cope and enjoy life- healthier2. How can I evolve as a person?- become a more spiritual and compassionate person- understand more about my place in this Universe- establish a relationship with God that is based on Truth not ritual and hypocrisy.If you recognise any combination of these needs in you, then you are part of a growing community of people who are becoming uneasy with the direction and quality of their life.Sahaja Yoga can help to answer these needs through the ancient, gentle and yet powerful process of Self-Realisation and meditation.What is Self Realisation? In the sacrum bone at the base of the spine in every individual there exists a subtle and dormant coil of spiritual energy known as the Kundalini. This energy has been well documented through the ages, and has become a core part of many of the most authoratitive Yoga and spiritual practices. In AD600, for instance, the renowned Indian saint and mystic Jnanadeva documented in detail the existence of this energy in his seminal treatise on Yoga and the spiritual universe, Jnaneshwari. The process of self realisation involves the gentle awakening of this living and conscious energy, so that it pervades the individual’s subtle (i.e. spiritual) being. Once this event occurs, the person is no longer isolated from the universe around them – i.e. trapped inside their own head – but becomes a connected part of the greater cosmos. The benefits of this awakening are many, including a realisation of our sense of purpose, a feeling of completeness and the sort of self-knowledge which is commonly missing from our day to day lives and activities. Once the self realisation has occurred, it is up to the individual to decide whether they wish to explore the new world that opens up to them, by continuing with a program of meditation to enhance and encourage the cleansing power of this energy on the subtle system. Over time the practice of this meditation produces profound emotional, physical and spiritual changes which give each of us the ability to maintain a remarkable degree of control over the progress of our lives in every way. Practitioners often talk of a feeling of ‘oneness with God and Nature’ as the most evident manifestation of their regular meditation. The meditation.The meditation is a deceptively simple process and takes the form of sitting quietly to allow the Kundalini to rise from its seat at the base of the spine to the top of the head - along the central spiritual ‘channel’ inside all of us, the Sushumna Nadi. Again all literary works dealing with Yoga detail this subtle road map as described; this is knowledge which has been known about for thousands of years, not merely a few centuries!This energy cleanses the individual’s Chakras – or spiritual centres – on its journey and leaves the person in a profoundly peaceful and relaxed state. Various additional techniques of Sahaja Yoga, designed to make it easier for the practitioner to attain this state of ‘thoughtless awareness’, are taught as part of the classes. These include simple mantras and gestures which encourage the cleansing activity in the spiritual centres. The teachingThe meditation is called Sahaja Yoga, taken from the Sanskrit meaning of the words. Sahaj means ‘spontaneous’ or ‘born with you’ and yoga translates as ‘union’ (with the Divine or All Pervading Spirit). The phrase then translates as ‘the method of Divine union through yoga which everyone is born with’.Sahaja Yoga classes are held in 80 countries around the world and are always provided free of charge. Right from the earliest days Shri Mataji, the founder of this type of Yoga practice, made it clear that this knowledge and the process of union effected by our self realisation is the birthright of every human being and therefore cannot be charged for.Classes are organised and run by volunteers who have been impelled by the positive changes in their own lives to pass the gift on to others. These individuals come from all walks of life and occupations - doctors, lawyers, caretakers, taxi drivers, housewives and mothers. The single link between them all, no matter from which country or profession, is their open hearted warmth and genuine desire to help others benefit as they have done. The hire of rooms and payment for materials is also all done through the generosity of these people and their fund raising efforts. Impact on the individual Hundreds of thousands of people world-wide have discovered that health problems, addictions and many forms of mental and emotional imbalance disappear after they begin to practice Sahaja Yoga meditation. This process of cleansing, even if done for only 10 or 20 minutes a day, helps the individual to achieve a greater sense of overall wellbeing, enabling them to become more productive, confident and creative. It also restores their natural equilibrium and dynamism which helps them to become more responsible members of their family and society at large. Impact on society Shri Mataji has explained that this increased balance and integration within the individual leads naturally to a spontaneous reduction in the tension and dissatisfaction that drives people to drugs, crime and violence. In this way Sahaja Yoga addresses many of the root causes of our world’s social problems by alleviating such imbalances at a uniquely personal level. Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi was born to a Christian family of noble descent at noon on the 21st March 1923 - the Spring Equinox - at Chindwara in the centre of India. Mahatma Ghandi recognised her deep and special qualities when she stayed at his ashram as a young girl. Later she studied medicine and took an active roll in the move-ment for the independence of India.In 1947 Sri Mataji married Mr. C. P. Shrivastava, who was the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organisation of the United Nations, based in London. They have two mar-ried daughters, four grandchildren and recently Shri Mataji became a great grand-mother for the first time.Through her own efforts and experiences during the early 1970's Sri Mataji evolved a system of Yoga whereby the subtle energy called Kundalini could spontaneously be awakened, and most importantly, the same process could be passed on from person to person around the world. This was the birth of Sahaja Yoga - meaning 'in-born' and ‘spontaneous’ - which describes the natural, effortless way that the subtle system inside all of us is awakened. Sri Mataji's life is devoted to spreading the benefits of this wonderful process as widely as possible. She travels the world tirelessly teaching and promoting Spirituality, a schedule that has resulted in the growing practise of Sahaja Yoga in many countries, including Europe, North and South America, Australasia and her native India.Rather than a teacher or guru, Sri Mataji is best likened to a mother. The compassion, patience and love that motivate all her work - done without financial reward - is evidence of the compassion that she has for those who come to her for help. Her only desire is that, through Sahaja Yoga, this marvellous happening can be made available to all. Deity: Shri GaneshaPhysical counterpart: Pelvic Plexus, prostrate glandLooks after: Reproductive and excretory organsQualities: Innocence, wisdom, chastity, childlike nature.No of Petals: Four (4)Day: TuesdayColour: Coral Red Element: CarbonGem: CoralSymbol: Clockwise SwastikaThe Mooladhara represents the beginning of time, the evolution of all things from a single cell like the amoeba to complex mankind. This Chakra is at the root of the whole subtle system, and so acts as the support of all the Chakras. In Sanskrit ‘moola’ means root and ‘adhara’ means the support. QualityThe fundamental quality of this Chakra is innocence, the type of simplicity which is the basis of all righteous action. This quality is most evident in young children and babies, who will exhibit no malice or desire for personal gain at the expense of others. This is also a kind of wisdom, as when a child instinctively knows how to suck to obtain food or cries in discomfort. Unfortunately, as we progress through childhood and life, we are beset by influences and environments which obscure the wisdom and innocence we were born with. The result is that we become tied up in a seemingly perpetual knot of complexity in our relationships and actions. As we start meditating, however, this complexity slips away and we re-discover the joy of simplicity in our day to day lives. To do actions without selfish motive, to enjoy all the aspects of life as if we were children again. This also helps us to make wiser choices in our lives, to see the innate wisdom in the correct course of action. We know from the saying ‘out of the mouths of babes’ and the story of The Emperor’s New Clothes just how powerful this innocent wisdom can be!MythologyThe presiding Deity (or role model) for the Mooladhara Chakra is Shri Ganesha, the eternal child with the head of an elephant. He is the archetypal innocent, and guards his Mother Kundalini (Gauri) and her subtle instrument with alertness and uncompromising zeal. He is typically worshipped as the remover of obstacles, either in the course of awakening the Kundalini during our Self Realisation process, or during our lives in general. As the eternal child Shri Ganesha bubbles with joy, enthusiasm, playfulness and love. Gross Physical AspectThis Chakra oversees the excretory and reproductive organs. Because of this there have been mistaken associations in the past between sexual tantric practices and the awakening of the Kundalini. In fact this type of attempt is completely against the spirit of innocence which is embodied in the Mooladhara and so is doomed to fail. In certain cases it can even be dangerous with the potential to harm the process irreversibly. Sex and reproduction have a vital and natural part to play in everyone’s lives, however it is only when this is tempered with respect and a balanced outlook that we can take advantage of the power of our innate innocence. After we begin our journey of self realisation we learn to develop this respect and enjoy the conduct which is the incorruptible source of the gravity and power of truly wise people. Causes of problems with the Mooladhara ChakraLeft Side: Excessive sexual, tantric or occult practices.Right Side: Excessive puritanism (e.g. focussing on the evils of the world).Looking after the MooladharaA weak Mooladhara may show up as : a poor sense of direction, poor memory or sense of balance and certain other diseases or mental problems.To help clear any problems of this Chakra we can:A. Use the elementsSit on the earth as much as possible to ‘ground’ our subtle system.Soak our feet in a bowl of warm salted water whilst meditating (called ‘footsoaking’).Place the right hand on (or towards) the ground whilst meditating.B. AffirmationsMother, please make me innocentMother please clear my Mooladhara Chakra.General AdviceTry and keep our focus on natural things such as the earth, sky or grass rather than on the gross material things which may be fighting for our attention. Avoid too much red meat as this can excite the Chakra.Meditate on the quality of innocence.Adopt a balanced and respectful attitude towards members of the opposite sex.

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