Sahaja Yoga: Self-Realization Through Kundalini Awakening
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IC Value 2016 : 61.33| SJIF Impact Factor(2017) : 7.144| ISI Impact Factor (2013): 1.259(Dubai)|UGC J No :47335 Research Paper Volume - 6, Issue- 1,January 2018| e-ISSN : 2347 - 9671| p- ISSN : 2349 - 0187 EPRA International Journal ofEconomic and Business Review SAHAJA YOGA: SELF-REALIZATION THROUGH KUNDALINI AWAKENING Dr. Neelam Rani Principal, Gold Field College of Education, Faridabad, Haryana, India Associate Professor, Gold Field College of Education, Faridabad, Haryana, Dr. Umesh Chandra India ABSTRACT Yoga means union of soul, body and the conscious mind through universal consciousness. Sahaja Yoga is a special form of meditation based on the experience of self-realization by Kundalini awakening. In human being Kundalini is a reflection of Adishakti or primordial energy. 3 Nadis and 7 Chakras with the Kundalini in human being form the Kundalini instrument. All happenings and events in the creation at micro level can be best understood by understanding the Kundalini instrument. The seven chakras are responsible for our physical, emotional and mental well-being. Once KEYWORDS: we get our Self Realisation we feel these centers in the Subtle System within us. As Yoga, Sahaja Yoga, the Kundalini rises and passes through the six centers (which are our energy centers Kundilini, Chakra, Self- in the spinal cord) and pierces through the fontanel bone area on the top of our head, realisation it nourishes and revitalizes the centers (chakras) so that the person feels relaxed, calm and full of life. At this stage a cool breeze, like very beautiful vibrations, starts flowing through the fingertips which is the first experience of Self-Realisation. Our Kundalini flows through the chakras. It energizes, nurtures and balances them. Each of our chakras, is associated with specific functions and qualities. A catch is a blockage, obstruction or impairment of a chakra which prevents our Kundalini from passing through that blocked chakra to rise to a higher level. As a result, the obstructed chakra does not function efficiently which causes a physical, cognitive or emotional problem in our life. These problems can be healed by kundalini awakening. The stronger our chakras are, the stronger the associated qualities are within us. Meditation is a valuable, and powerful, self-discovery tool for self- realisation. A Sahaja Yoga technique helps to diagnose problems within our own subtle energy system. INTRODUCTION Sahaja Yoga is a unique method of meditation based Sahaja yogis. Sahaja Yoga provides the meditation technique on Self-Realization by Kundalini awakening that can occur to the state of self-realization produced by kundalini within each human being. Through this process an inner awakening. Self-realization through kundalini awakening is a transformation takes place by which one becomes moral, transformation which can be experienced on the central nervous united, integrated and balanced. The process of Sahaja Yoga system consequently results in a more moral, united, integrated is spontaneous and natural. It is a technique to awaken the and balanced personality. Shri Mataji described Sahaja Yoga Kundalini Shakti which lies in the sleeping state at the base of as the pure, universal and integration of all religions. our spine i.e. sacrum bone. The process of awakening of MEANING OF SAHAJ YOGA Kundalini is a spontaneous and joy giving process. An inner The word ‘yoga’ means ‘union’. This is the union transformation takes place during this process and the of our mind, body and soul to attain the bliss of almighty individual becomes more moral, integrated, harmonious and God. Yoga is generally done to prepare one for meditation, balanced. and meditation is done to realize union of one’s self. This Sahaja Yoga is a unique new spiritual movement experience is referred to as salvation, and is similar to the founded in 1970 by Nirmala Srivastava (1923-2011), more concept of nirvana in Buddhism. Maharshi Patanjali states widely known as Shri Mataji by her followers, who are called that there are eight limbs of yoga leading to Kaivalya. These www.eprawisdom.com Volume - 6, Issue- 1, January 2018 C 21 EPRA International Journal of Economic and Business Review|SJIF Impact Factor(2017) : 7.144 e-ISSN : 2347 - 9671| p- ISSN : 2349 - 0187 are ethical discipline ‘Yamas’, rules ‘Niyamas’, physical MEDITATION postures ‘Asanas’, breath control ‘Pranayama’, withdrawal The word ‘meditation’ in English is derived from from the senses ‘Pratyahara’, one-pointedness of mind the Latin word ‘meditatio’, from a verb ‘meditari’ which ‘Dharana’, meditation ‘Dhyana’, and finally Samadhi which means ‘to think, devise or to ponder’. Apart from its historical is often described as the realization of the identity of the Self. usage, the term meditation was introduced as a spiritual “Saha” means ‘with’, “Ja” means ‘born’, “Yoga” practices, referred to as ‘dhyana’ meaning to contemplate or means union with the all-pervading power of Divine love. meditate. Thus, meditation is a practice where an individual Etymologically ‘Sahaja’ means spontaneous and ‘Yoga’ means operates or trains the mind or induces a mode of union. Thus Sahaja Yoga is our awareness beyond the limits consciousness, either to realize some benefit or for the mind of our ‘ego and conditionings’ into the realm of reality. This to simply acknowledge its content without becoming identified can be achieved by the process of meditation. The potential with that content, or as an end in itself. The to the spiritual awakening and ascent is inborn in every human term meditation refers to a broad variety of practices that being. This potential is possible to be actualized through a includes techniques designed to promote relaxation, build unique living process of Sahaja Yoga. internal energy or life force and develop compassion, love, A Dictionary of Buddhism gives the literal patience, generosity, and forgiveness. translation of Sahaja as “innate” and defines it as “denoting According to Walsh & Shapiro (2006), ‘Meditation the natural presence of enlightenment (bodhi) or refers to a family of self-regulation practices that focus on purity.” and Yoga means union to a spiritual path or a state training attention and awareness in order to bring mental of spiritual absorption. According to Sahaja Yoga, the kundalini processes under greater voluntary control and thereby foster is born within us and can be awakened spontaneously, without general mental well-being and development and/or specific effort. Just as a seed is transformed spontaneously into a capacities such as calm, clarity, and concentration. great tree, our physical, mental and emotional balancing There is no universal accepted definition of process is carried out effortlessly by meditation. meditation. The word meditation carries different meanings Sahaja Yoga is a simple technique of Self- in different contexts. Meditation has been practiced since Realisation. Today, we wander here and there in all spheres Vedic period as a component of spiritual customs and beliefs. of life in search of peace, happiness and joy but everything Meditation often involves an internal effort to self-regulate resides within our heart as the SELF the ‘Atma’ which is the the mind in some way. Meditation is often used to clear the reflection of God. This fact has been disclosed to masses by mind and ease many health concerns, such as blood pressure, Sahaja Yoga in achieving Self- Realisation. Sahaja Yoga not depression, and anxiety. only gives Self-Realisation, but also transforms the individual Meditation is a broad term which encompasses a number into beautiful personality. It gives the power of inner of practices. Meditation may involve generating an emotional transformation. Its effects are positive and benefits are state for the purpose of analyzing that state—such as anger, immense which start manifesting with regular meditation hatred, etc. or cultivating a particular mental response to practices. Through Sahaja Yoga we achieve complete various phenomena, such as compassion. The term integration of body, mind, intellect and soul and experience “meditation” can refer to the state itself, as well as to practices thoughtless awareness and attain complete peace and bliss. or techniques employed to cultivate the state. Meditation Our physical, mental and emotional phases are balanced. may also involve repeating a mantra and closing the eyes. Sahaja Yogis claim that by practicing Sahaja Yoga, all kinds of Meditation has a calming effect and directs awareness inward diseases including those incurable once which are beyond the until pure awareness is achieved. In brief, there are dozens of reach of medical science, are cured and all problems, of an specific styles of meditation and many different types of individual are solved gradually. activity commonly known as meditative practices. HISTORY OF SAHAJA YOGA The process of meditation, as well as its effects, is Before starting Sahaja Yoga, its founder Nirmala a growing subfield of neurological research. Modern scientific Srivastava earned a reputation as a faith healer. With a small techniques and instruments have been used to study how group of devotees around her, she began spreading her message regular meditation affects individuals by measuring brain and of Sahaja Yoga in India in the year 1970. As she moved with bodily changes. According to Brahma Kumaris, meditation her husband to London, UK, she continued her work there, means “be in remembrance of Supreme soul”; Thus meditation; and year by year the movement grew and spread throughout can be an effective form of stress reduction and has Europe, by the mid-80’s reaching North America. In 1989, the potential to improve quality of life and decrease Nirmala made her first trip to Russia and Eastern healthcare costs. Europe. Nirmala charged no money, insisting that her lesson involves achieving a state of ‘thoughtless awareness’ was a birthright which should be freely available to all. She in which the excessive stress producing activity of said. “There can be no peace in the world until there is peace the mind is neutralised without reducing alertness within”.