Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, the founder of Sahaja Yoga, was born on March 21, 1923 to a Christian family in Chindawara, near the city of Nagpur in Central India. Her parents, Prasad and Cornelia Salve, descendants of royal Shalivahana dynasty, played a key role in India's Liberation Movement. In her young age, Nirmala Salve, as a youth leader were trying to help her people in a freedom struggle with British rulers. Later on she dedicated her entire life to the noble aim of bringing Spiritual Liberation to the people of the world.
In 1970, Shri Mataji, succeeded in developing a method by which the residual spiritual energy in man could be awakened en masse. This method of self realization has become known as Sahaja Yoga. Sahaja means spontaneous, and it means ‘born with you’. Yoga means union; union with something beyond ourselves, with something essentially divine. So Sahaja Yoga is "spontaneous union" with the all-pervading Divine Energy which is the source of entire creation and which exists inside of every human being.
Shri Mataji has introduced the practice of Sahaja Yoga in over 80 countries transforming the lives of thousands. These people who live a normal life, tap to their inner spiritual power through daily Sahaja Yoga meditation and have achieved greater balance in their lives on the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels.
Shri Mataji traveled the world offering Her teachings free of charge. She has delivered thousands of lectures, given many television and radio interviews, and been the subject of hundreds of newspaper articles around the world. She is the founder and sole director of "Sahaja Yoga" or "Vishwa Nirmala Dharma", which is an established non-profit organization in the United States.
The subtle system represented below is also called the Tree of Life in many spiritual traditions. It is closely linked to our nervous system, which it keeps in balance, and after awakining of Kundalini, it actually enables us to feel the state of our energy channels and energy centers. Indeed, we can detect the subtle system functioning within us due to the presence of a cool breeze, a prickling sensation or sometimes heat on particular parts of our hands or on top of our heads. A cool breeze felt equally on the fingers and the palms of both hands indicates that our inner being is balanced and in good condition. As the subtle system is the cause and the support of our nervous system, it acts at every level of our being, spiritually to begin with, then physically, mentally and emotionally. Once this mechanism is awakened and gradually mastered by practicing Sahaja Yoga, it becomes a marvelous instrument in developing the personality, allowing us to integrate consciously and of our own free will, the Creation from which we came.
Seven Lanterns: The human body's vital life forces are concentrated into centres called Chakras. The Chakra is a subtle energy centre that normally cannot be perceived. Chakra means wheel in the Sanskrit language because these life forces rotate clockwise at certain frequencies. The activity resembles planets or galaxies, each spinning on its axis at points along the spinal cord.
The human being has seven major Chakras. Every chakra represent the certan subtle qualities which determine our state of mind and behavior. Chakras also control the function of corresponding organs and physiological systems through the plexuses of autonomic nervous system By a series of subtle connections called 'nadis' in Yogic terminology each Chakra is connected to and brings its influence to bear on the whole body. In classical texts there are said to be three hundred and fifty million of these nadis. Very importantly that each Chakra is connected to a part of the hand as indicated in the subtle system diagram. Once the state of Yoga is achieved, the hands become sensitive to the state of the Chakras, and with practice this is easily interpreted.
Three Rivers: The three channels of the subtle system are known in sanskrit language as Ida Nadi, Pingala Nadi, and Shushumna Nadi. Actually Nadi means channel or river.
Ida Nadi - The channel of left side, or Moon Channel. Blue on the chart, it starts at the base of the subtle system on the left side and ends with the formation of Superego on the right side of the head, covering right hemisphere. It represents the past, our memories, emotions, desires. In a wider sense it is irrational part of our consciousness. Recognition of musical harmony, color palette of a picture, the entire composition of an image is subtly connected to the power of Left Channel. Because this channel is "cold" it tends to slow down body and mind. Scientifically one might say it relates to the functions of the right hemisphere of the brain and a part of the sympathetic nervous system. "Left side" problems are the source of emotional attachments, depression, low self esteem, persistent feelings of guilt, lethargy, bad habits and despair. Religious ritualism, false spiritual teachings, attempts to connect or connection with dead souls can cause serious problems of the left side channel.
Pingala Nadi - The channel of right side, or Sun Channel. Yellow on the chart, it starts at the level of the second chakra on the right side and ends with the formation of Ego on the left side of the head, covering left hemisphere. It represents the future, our thoughts, logical comprehensions, actions. In a wider sense it is rational part of our consciousness. Ability to analyze, recognize the speech and text or any other symbols, planning of the action and its performance as far as an appraisal of the results of the action is supported by the power of Right Channel. Efficiency in learning, professional performance, physical training, creativity and all other types of activity depends on the condition of Pingala Nadi. Because this channel is "hot" it tends to accelerate the activity body and mind. It relates to the functions of the left hemisphere of the brain and another part of the sympathetic nervous system. People having "right side" problems might not feel anything wrong, on the contrary they may believe themselves to be successful, happy, lucky. But this is only up to a point one can develop a real health problem. Chronic stress, insomnia, diabetes, hypertension, heart attack and much, much more deadly diseases are results of misuse of the energy of Right Side.
The function of Left and Right channels can be compared with the brake and accelerator in your car. To move your vehicle through ways of life you must learn how to apply both. The art of harmonious balance between these two for ages was the point of numerous spiritual and philosophic teachings.
Shushumna Nadi - The central channel of our Spiritual Evolution, integration. Shushumna nadi is completely different from the other two channels and represents the present. The central channel begins at the area of a sacrum bone and passes through straight up into the highest chakra on the top of the head. Before Kundalini awakening it is only partly active. It sustains the inborn principles of righteousness (dharma). After Kundalini awakening it makes the connection between our conscious mind and the autonomic nervous system, between the Spirit, which is the reflection of God Almighty in every human being, and God Himself. It is through this channel that we become collectively conscious and all the disparate factors of our being are integrated in one whole. Sushumna is the straight and narrow path by which one has to pass through to enter into the Kingdom of God. The mystic feelings of Bliss, Peace and Harmony are the qualities of enlightened by Kundalini awakening central channel.
Kundalini: The kundalini is a dormant subtle energy lying in three and a half coils at the base of the spine. When it gets awaken it rises up through the central channel, enlightens chakras one after another. Ultimately after “breaking” the last chakra on the top of the head it gets united with the Cosmic Divine Power. That is a state of a real yoga. As Kundalini passes through the various chakras She cleanses them healing us of our mental, emotional and physical problems, bringing us into balance with ourselves & our environment.
Kundalini is the energy of a pure desire which is the deep inner desire of every individual to get connected, or better to say, to restore broken connection with a highest Divine Power that pervades the Universe.