Shri Mataji: "Let me put my foot on yours. I am Mother Earth.”
Traditionally, kundalini and its awakening have been shrouded in mystery and awe. Most seekers view it as the maha shakti (great power), whose ascent symbolizes the adept's spiritual progress and manifests in fearful mental and physical experiences. Sages warn against willfully raising the kundalini, for its premature arousal can wreck damage. Nirmala Devi, however, makes it appear as easy as falling off a log, with no damage to one's system. She even grants it across cyberspace. Visitors to her site are given instructions on how to raise their kundalini.”- Suma Varughese
MOTHER DIVINE
By Suma Varughese
A spiritual guru with a mass following in India and abroad, Mata
Nirmala Devi's USP is her ability to give mass kundalini awakenings,
even granted over cyber space, through Sahaja Yoga.
The figure on the dais is small built and plump, with a broad fair
face lit with a radiant smile. Framed by streaming locks of black
hair and an enormous red bindi on the forehead, it has an elemental
quality. One can imagine it astride a tiger, bearing a flaming
trident. The face, of course, is familiar, the subject of thousands
of posters plastered all over Mumbai, in Western India, that announce
the arrival of well-known spiritual leader, Mata Nirmala Devi.
She has a mass following. Her annual Shivaji Park rallies attract a
hundred thousand acolytes, celebrities jostle with each other for a
sight, and to millions more her word is law. Sahaja Yoga centers dot
86 countries. She has been a guest speaker at the 1995 Beijing World
Women's Conference. For four consecutive years she was invited by the
UN to speak of world peace and in 1989 was awarded the United Nations
Peace Prize. In Russia, research on Sahaja Yoga was granted full
government sponsorship in 1989. In 1995, the government of Bulgaria
honored her with a Peace Award and the Romanian government with an
honorary doctorate in Cognitive Science. What is the secret of her
popularity?
Nirmala Devi's appeal is unique. Her USP is her ability to give mass
kundalini awakenings, through a system called Sahaja Yoga or Vishwa
Nirmala Dharma.”If I've done anything worth mentioning, it is the
ability to give collective realization," she has said on several
occasions.
Traditionally, kundalini and its awakening have been shrouded in
mystery and awe. Most seekers view it as the maha shakti (great
power), whose ascent symbolizes the adept's spiritual progress and
manifests in fearful mental and physical experiences. Sages warn
against willfully raising the kundalini, for its premature arousal
can wreck damage. Nirmala Devi, however, makes it appear as easy as
falling off a log, with no damage to one's system. She even grants it
across cyberspace. Visitors to her site are given instructions on how
to raise their kundalini.
Indeed, I am here at a meeting with Maharashtra's IAS officers where
she is scheduled to give a demonstration. We are asked to raise our
palms upward, then to place the left hand on the liver while
extending the right towards her, then finally to raise our palms
above our heads. She asks us if we feel any cool air radiating either
from our palms or the top of the heads, which according to her is the
infallible sign of a risen kundalini. The other is thoughtlessness
and peace of mind. In the air-conditioned hall, it is difficult to
gauge whether the cool feeling is from the kundalini, or from a more
temporal source. Nevertheless, I do feel some coolness from up on
top, and I put up my hand when she asks for a hand count. A majority
of the audience feels likewise, I notice. Nirmala Devi explains the
relative ease with which she raises kundalini in the kali yug, the
present Hindu era of darkness.”This is blossom time," she says,
adding that she has"shortened the seeking.”
If kundalini awakening is Mataji's calling card, it is also easily
the most controversial aspect of her teaching. For traditionalists,
it is impossible to believe that one can get self-realization in the
time it takes to have a cup of tea. How valuable is such an
awakening? Do the results last?
Willy Doctor, a management consultant and former Head of the
department of Psychology at Sophia College, is a senior disciple of
Mataji. She concedes that the original self-realization may wane
unless followed up regularly with Sahaja Yoga meditation. Raising the
kundalini then is only the initial spark.
When the kundalini is awakened, which Mataji says can be done by anyone whose own kundalini has been awakened, it heals and balances the over activity of the right and left sides.”In Sahaja Yoga our dormant spirituality is awakened to achieve true meditation. We are completely alert, yet our thoughts are slowed down and the mind is silent. Our hearts are full of joy and love but we are emotionally detached from what is going on around us.”
I walk into a center at Napean Sea Road, Mumbai, India, run by Willy. Today, she is absent, and a young Angana Shroff puts us through our paces. The 20-odd meditators are affluent, relatively young and predominantly women. Angana came in contact with Sahaja Yoga through Willy three years ago. Says she: "I realize now that it is not what happens to you but your perspective that really matters. I'm far more aware of my actions, personality and ego.”Adds Grishma Dattani: "You know what is appropriate and what is not. Surrendering to Mataji has saved me from all fears.”
Sameer Desai, a young stockbroker, suffered from recurring high fever when he came in contact with Sahaja Yoga.”After Willy raised my kundalini, I had no fever for the next three days.”Now fully recovered, he also claims to be more composed.
The Sahaja Yoga brochure says: "Through Sahaja Yoga meditations, blocks of the subtle body are released, cleansing the chakras and channels. This practice can be regarded as a sophisticated internal biofeedback process which demystifies stress, improves health and heals the harried nervous system.”
The organization has opened a hospital in Badlapur, in New Mumbai, called the Sahaja Yoga Research and Health Center that only treats ailments with Sahaja Yoga. Set amidst lush green lawns and singing birds, the three-storeyed structure has a serene charm. Inside, I meet Dr Hule, an allopath who converted to Sahaja Yoga when he found that a patient who was also practicing yoga healed much faster than others did. Dr Hule claims to have cured thousands of asthma and bronchitis patients. Other diseases receptive to this healing include diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, migraines, insomnia. Steeping the foot in warm salted water to dissipate negative energy and the application of ice on the heat-congested chakras are some other treatments.
Hari Prakash, a software engineer from Hyderabad, has been at the Center for the last two months. He says: "I was feeling lethargic and so weak that I could not work. I'm much better now. My blood pressure and sinus problem are also under control.”
Jenny Cook, a care assistant for the learning disabled in the UK, is here to treat depression after an operation to remove her right ovary.”I feel much happier now," she says.
So Sahaja Yoga helps its practitioners. But how do you contend with their assertion that it's the only way to self-realization? One may add that they are hardly the first organization to make that claim. Moreover, Mataji is unusually emphatic in denouncing most spiritual leaders as frauds.
According to Willy: "Sahaja Yoga is the only way which gives enlightenment first and then works its way backwards. The other way, you may not be liberated for lifetimes; with Sahaja Yoga you are likely to be so within one lifetime itself.”
To do Mataji credit, however, she reserves her ire for those gurus who she feels take money for self-realization, or mislead their disciples in other ways. She says categorically: "It's a living process, you cannot pay for it. It's your own power which will be awakened.”She also contends that once the kundalini is awakened, an individual feels all knowledge at the tips of his fingers.”When you encounter a bad person or a cheat, your fingertips begin to burn.”
The lady herself is said to have"opened sahasrara chakra of the universe"At a beach in Nargol, near Mumbai on May 5, 1970. She describes the experience of merging with the divine as a feeling of cool rain falling upon her. Subsequently, she realized within her the power of raising mass consciousness. The Sahaja Yoga people have a portfolio of photographs, accessible on their website, which shows blinding light or energy emerging from her or surrounding her. Subsequently, Nirmala Devi started her ministry across the world. But she is no sanyasi (nun). She is the wife of a top bureaucrat, Sir C.P. Srivastava, whose illustrious career culminated as the Secretary General of the UN Maritime Organization. Her two daughters are married and she has just become a great grandmother.
Today, at 77, she spends half her time in a chateau in Italy and the other half in India. Her Indian abode is in Pune. She is said to be independently wealthy. Prathisthan, her house, resembles a cross between a palace and a museum. The entry is lined with bronze statues of Indian gods and goddesses, and the rooms within are studded with priceless bric-a brac.
Her drawing room is massive, with beautiful carved furniture and elaborate candelabra. The hall is ringed with a balcony, accessible through a carved staircase. Nirmala Devi is reputed to have designed the place herself. We are shown into a portico, overlooking a beautiful lawn. Mataji is sitting on a sofa. A few chairs have been laid for us, but the disciples accompanying me sink to the floor, hands folded in deep reverence. I do likewise. Later, as I try to rise, my legs feel rubbery. I wobble comically in my attempt to find my balance. Mataji, with deep concern, holds me and says: "Let me put my foot on yours. I am Mother Earth.”
A great warmth fills my foot and sensation returns. The next day, we return to say goodbye. Nirmala Devi is having an inventory of her kitchen vessels (hundreds of them) done, but she meets us with a smile. When she notices me, she asks with genuine concern how I am. Feeling my back with her hands, she says: "She is a very emotional child.”
One cannot help warming to her persona, which is affectionate, natural and motherly. Her fervent patriotism is touching.”What saved me (as the wife of an IAS officer) from false pride was patriotism. My husband got into the IFS but I refused to leave the country. I also told him, 'The day you take a bribe, I will leave you'.”
Likewise, her concern for women is genuine.”I have started an organization to look after destitute Muslim women. If their mothers and sisters are weeping what will become of the children?”she asks.”Women should help other women.”
One of the ways she addresses it within the organization is through the inter-marriage of Sahaja Yogis, from across the globe.”Sahaja Yogis fill up forms and submit them at centers. She selects by matching their vibrations," says Willy.”To an outsider some of the alliances seem wildly improbable, but they work.”
Lyn, an Australian working with Mukund Iron and Steel, was married to Vasudeva on a trip to Ganapatipule in Maharashtra. She says: "Has it worked? Well, it's the only marriage I've had; we have two children and we aren't planning to kill each other. My husband tells me that he was always interested in Australia and knew he would marry an Australian. As for me, my friends said I would never marry an Australian.”
Other initiatives taken by the group are the Sahaja Yoga school in Dharamshala, in Northern India, which apart from the academic curriculum emphasizes the absorption of Indian values. Meditation is a daily activity. With transformation of human society as her mission, Mataji has a long way to go, but who can deny that she has brought the end closer?
Suma Varughese, MOTHER DIVINE
http://www.lifepositive.com/Spirit/new-age-catalysts/nirmala-devi/nirmala.asp
Shri Mataji: "Let me put my foot on yours. I am Mother Earth.”
The next evening Bhupinder gave Kash specific instructions and a mantra to be recited before going into meditation. As directed, Kash put his right palm on the ground and uttered this sacred mantra four times:
"Om Twameva Sakshat Shri Ganesha Sakshat
Shri Adi Shakti Mataji Shri Nirmala Devi Namoh Namah.”
The dormant Kundalini energy inside his sacrum bone sprang into life, coursed through the central nervous system, and pierced his Sahasrara.
At that very instant, for the first time ever, he felt The Mother Earth breathing. She was breathing very gently and every heave of Her breath felt on his palm, swelling slowly up, and then down again. She was a living organism just like all creatures who were nourished by Her.
As he continued repeating the Mighty Mantra of Shri Ganesha the sacred Shri Bhumidevi (Mother Earth) continued inhaling and exhaling to reveal Her true nature. Her superconscious child was sure beyond all doubts that Earth was breathing. Mother Earth is alive — This Revealed Truth is Absolute.
As he came through the celestial clouds and opened his spiritual eyes, the Great Adi Shakti was there to receive him. The sight of Her standing right in front astounded the young child. Who was this stunningly beautiful young Woman who had appeared out of nowhere in this Divine Paradise? Who was this extremely attractive Being, all enfolded in a dazzling red and white sari, who had come to greet him?
https://adishakti.org/introduction/inner_seed_of_human_evolution.htm
Articles based on Shri Mataji quotes:
“A day will dawn when whole world would bow to this country India"
“A great war is taking place between satanic forces and Divine Forces"
“About Sahasrara nowhere in the scriptures something was described"
“Achieve your Self, become your Self">
“After all we are all human beings created by one God"
“All the people laugh at us, nobody believes us.”
“All these rituals have entered into Sahaja Yoga.”
“Among Muslims there are Sufis... who are realized souls"
“And now the time has come for it to be blasted.
“Announce it to all the seekers of truth, to all the nations.”
“Anyone can commit any sins in the name of religion.”
“But if you put one little fish and two eggs for ten people"
“But the Muslims do not want to talk about Resurrection at all"
“But this Judgment is so beautiful ... you enjoy the bliss of your Spirit"
“But you know that you have eternal life. You can never die.”
“Death does not exist for you — It is finished... your spirit is free.”
“Do not destroy your spirit by going to such people.”
“Every religion has said you have to have Self-realization"
“For all people whom I gave Self Realization yesterday"
“He (Jesus) was the Holiest of the Holy. You accept that position.”
“I don't care for your protocols and rituals. It is nonsense for me.”
“I have to warn all the SYs ... Sahaja Yoga is the Last Judgment"
“I must say they are committing the greatest sin ...”
“I was with Him (Guru Nanak Ji), in fact with all of Them.”- 1
“I was with Him (Guru Nanak Ji), in fact with all of Them.”- 2
.”... if you see around the world is in chaos"
“Indians have no goal as far as spiritual life is concerned"
“It is the greatest event of all spiritual happenings of the Universe.”
“It means the Last Judgment has begun with full force"
“It will be slowly revealed by Me because ...”
“Like all the thieves of the world ... have taken over.”
“Meditation is not to sit before the photograph">
“My actual sign name is Lalita ... the name of the Primordial Mother"
“Nobody has to change dresses or anything - it's nothing outside.”
“Now watch. I will change the direction of the waves.”
“No reality in those religions...no Divine Force working"
“Pure knowledge is not of chakras, vibrations, kundalini but of God"
“Self-Realization will progressively lead to the creation of a new race"
“Some are money-oriented ... some are violent"
“Tell Jagbir now to leave it to Her.”
“That's not the way it (Al-Qiyamah) is going to work out.'"
“The expression of the Adi Shakti within you is the Kundalini.”
“Christianity has nothing to do with Christ.”
“The time has come for you to get all that is promised"
“The ultimate act against Spirit is to worship that which has no Spirit"
“The whole Cosmos is waiting for their arrival.”
“They are stagnated at the point of dharma, so they start telling ...”
“There is so much blind faith, there is so much of wrong ideas"
“They came to Sahaja but they said"We cannot worship Goddess.”
“They made Christ look like a TB patient"
“You have to enter into the Kingdom of God"
“Your job is, in a way, greater than the saints and sages.”
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