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'''Sahaja Yoga''' (Sahaja meaning ''born with'' and Yoga meaning ''union'') is a type of ], religion and ], created by a woman named ] in 1970. The term Sahaja Yoga is also used to refer to the '''Sahaja Yoga International''' ('''Vishwa Nirmala Dharma''') movement which she founded. '''Sahaja Yoga''' (Sahaja meaning ''born with'' and Yoga meaning ''union'') is a type of ], religion and ]. It claims to be a unique method of meditation based on an experience called ] (] awakening) that is believed to occur within each human being. The term Sahaja Yoga is also used to refer to the '''Sahaja Yoga International''' ('''Vishwa Nirmala Dharma''') movement founded by ] (also known by devotees as Shri Mataji) on ] ] based on this practice.

The practice is internationally popular, having spawned meditation centers in multiple countries, and its own television show. It was also notably once taught to prisoners at ]<ref> - Queen's tribune online</ref> It has also come under criticism for having many cult-like elements. Many followers meditate directly on a picture of the founder, and many ex-members of the group, as well as academics, cite negative elements to the group such as a preoccupation with money, mind control tactics, and an "us vs. them" mentality which attempts to silence dissent.<ref></ref><ref> Article from '']'', July 13, 2001.</ref>


==Beliefs== ==Beliefs==
{{details|Kundalini}} {{main|Kundalini|Chakra}}
The non-profit organization offers an experience by which it is claimed that individuals can spontaneously become aware of their ''subtle system'' through which they become one with (union) the ''all pervading power'', attaining Self-Realization.
Followers believe that there are seven energy points, or chakaras, on the body that can be balanced by awakening the kundalini, a normally dormant energy which exists in every human being. When self-realization is achieved, a person will feel a cool breeze on top of their head. If there is a feeling of burning, then the body has not achieved such balance. Sahaja Yoga claims to provide an easier method of attaining this state than other traditional methods such as ].

''Kundalini'' is believed to be an energy that exists in every human being, but is dormant. Sahaja Yoga believes that this energy manifests itself through a "cool breeze" emanating from the hands and head. Many ways of awakening this energy have been proposed, however Sahaja Yoga proposes to offer an easier method of attaining this than other traditional methods such as ] which traditionally were known to require great penances to achieve Self-Realization.


==Sahaja Yoga in medicine== ==Sahaja Yoga in medicine==
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==Sahaja Yoga International (Vishwa Nirmala Dharma)== ==Sahaja Yoga International (Vishwa Nirmala Dharma)==
] ]
'''Vishwa Nirmala Dharma''' or '''Sahaja Yoga International''' is an international nonprofit organization and ] established in ] by Shri Mataji ] to teach Sahaja Yoga meditation. According to members, it has centers in over 75 countries. '''Vishwa Nirmala Dharma''' or '''Sahaja Yoga International''' is an international nonprofit organization and ] established in ] by Shri Mataji ] to teach Sahaja Yoga meditation. According to members, it has centers in over 75 countries. Sahaja Yoga/Vishwa Nirmala Dharma is a registered Organisation in many countries such as Columbia(Excel spreadsheet), the United States of America, France (has an "asso.fr" website domain reserved for organisations), and Austria.


===Facilities=== ===Facilities===


⚫ * An international hospital in ], ], the ''Sahaja Yoga International Health and Research Centre'' using Sahaja Yoga methods. This hospital claims to have been successful in curing incurable diseases such as high blood pressure, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis.
]
The Sahaja Yoga International organization maintains various yoga-related facilities, including:

⚫ * An international hospital in ], ], the ''Sahaja Yoga International Health and Research Centre'', which uses Sahaja Yoga methods. This hospital claims to have been successful in curing incurable diseases such as high blood pressure, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis.
* The ] (ISPS) in ], India * The ] (ISPS) in ], India
* The Vishwa Nirmal Prem Ashram, Delhi, a project for the rehabilitation of destitute women and orphaned children, which opened in 2003<ref></ref> * The ], Delhi, a project for the rehabilitation of destitute women and orphaned children.
* The ''Shri P. K. Salve Kala Pratishthan'', an academy of Indian Classical Music and Fine Arts, Vaitarna (Maharashtra) * The ''Shri P. K. Salve Kala Pratishthan'', an academy of Indian Classical Music and Fine Arts, Vaitarna (Maharashtra)


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* The performance and recording of Indian and Indian-based spiritual music through groups such as ''Music of Joy'' (Australia), ''Nirmal Bhakti'' (Switzerland), many of whose members have trained at the ''Shri P.K.Salve Kala Pratishthan'' in Vaitarna. * The performance and recording of Indian and Indian-based spiritual music through groups such as ''Music of Joy'' (Australia), ''Nirmal Bhakti'' (Switzerland), many of whose members have trained at the ''Shri P.K.Salve Kala Pratishthan'' in Vaitarna.
* Radio Programs in Sydney and other parts of Australia. * Radio Programs in Sydney and other parts of Australia.

==Criticism==
Some ex-members assert that the organization is a "cult which aims to control the minds of its members".<ref> Article from '']'', July 13, 2001.</ref>


==References== ==References==
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==External links== ==External links==

⚫ *
* video * video

⚫ * BBC radio program] questions and answers by Nirmala Srivastava and two ex-members.
===Sahaja Yoga Meditation===
⚫ *
*
* *
* video
* video
* *

===Sahaja Yoga International===
*
* online international newspaper * online international newspaper
* Mirror of an article appearing in ] * Mirror of an article appearing in ]
* Article in the Times of India * Article in the Times of India
* - Queen's tribune online

*
* *
*
*
*
*
⚫ * BBC radio program] questions and answers by Nirmala Srivastava and two ex-members.


{{yoga}} {{yoga}}

Revision as of 03:22, 4 November 2006

It has been suggested that Vishwa Nirmal Prem Ashram be merged into this article. (Discuss) Proposed since October 2006.
It has been suggested that Yuvashakti be merged into this article. (Discuss) Proposed since October 2006.
File:Subtlesys.gif
Sahaja Yoga
FounderNirmala Srivastava
Practice emphases
Kundalini
Related schools
Vishwa Nirmala Dharma

Sahaja Yoga (Sahaja meaning born with and Yoga meaning union) is a type of meditation, religion and yoga. It claims to be a unique method of meditation based on an experience called self-realization (Kundalini awakening) that is believed to occur within each human being. The term Sahaja Yoga is also used to refer to the Sahaja Yoga International (Vishwa Nirmala Dharma) movement founded by Nirmala Srivastava (also known by devotees as Shri Mataji) on 5 May 1970 based on this practice.

Beliefs

Main articles: Kundalini and Chakra

The non-profit organization offers an experience by which it is claimed that individuals can spontaneously become aware of their subtle system through which they become one with (union) the all pervading power, attaining Self-Realization.

Kundalini is believed to be an energy that exists in every human being, but is dormant. Sahaja Yoga believes that this energy manifests itself through a "cool breeze" emanating from the hands and head. Many ways of awakening this energy have been proposed, however Sahaja Yoga proposes to offer an easier method of attaining this than other traditional methods such as Hatha Yoga which traditionally were known to require great penances to achieve Self-Realization.

Sahaja Yoga in medicine

There are case studies in which practitioners of Sahaja Yoga methods were tested in attempts to overcome diseases such as ADHD, asthma, and epilepsy.

In the test group practicing Sahaja Yoga meditation, it was found that there was a "significant improvement in VCS (Visual Contrast Sensitivity)", It was noted that Sahaja Yoga meditation appeared to bring about changes in some of the electrophysiological responses studied in epileptic patients. Other studies also show that Sahaja Yoga meditation results in fewer and less acute seizures

Results showed short-term effects on asthma: conclusions of the study found "Sahaja Yoga does have limited beneficial effects on some objective and subjective measures of the impact of asthma."

In the studies made, Sahaja Yoga was found to be more effective than generic forms of meditation in the reduction of stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Sahaja Yoga International (Vishwa Nirmala Dharma)

Vishwa Nirmala Dharma Logo
Vishwa Nirmala Dharma Logo

Vishwa Nirmala Dharma or Sahaja Yoga International is an international nonprofit organization and new religious movement established in 1970 by Shri Mataji Nirmala Srivastava to teach Sahaja Yoga meditation. According to members, it has centers in over 75 countries. Sahaja Yoga/Vishwa Nirmala Dharma is a registered Organisation in many countries such as Columbia(Excel spreadsheet), the United States of America, France (has an "asso.fr" website domain reserved for organisations), and Austria.

Facilities

  • An international hospital in Bombay, India, the Sahaja Yoga International Health and Research Centre using Sahaja Yoga methods. This hospital claims to have been successful in curing incurable diseases such as high blood pressure, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis.
  • The International Sahaja Public School (ISPS) in Dharamsala, India
  • The Vishwa Nirmal Prem Ashram, Delhi, a project for the rehabilitation of destitute women and orphaned children.
  • The Shri P. K. Salve Kala Pratishthan, an academy of Indian Classical Music and Fine Arts, Vaitarna (Maharashtra)

Activities

Activities of Vishwa Nirmala Dharma include:

  • Free weekly meditation programs.
  • Inner city programs and free drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs featuring Sahaja Yoga.
  • Free Sahaja Yoga meditation programs in work environments, such as the National Institute of Health in Washington, DC, Twentieth Century Fox studios in Los Angeles, California, Motorola, Inc. in Chicago, Illinois, Nortel Networks in Dallas, Texas; in hospitals; and in schools and colleges .
  • Patronage of the arts, through creation of the Theater of Eternal Values, Poetry Enlightened, and other projects, and through use of Sahaja Yoga.
  • The performance and recording of Indian and Indian-based spiritual music through groups such as Music of Joy (Australia), Nirmal Bhakti (Switzerland), many of whose members have trained at the Shri P.K.Salve Kala Pratishthan in Vaitarna.
  • Radio Programs in Sydney and other parts of Australia.

Criticism

Some ex-members assert that the organization is a "cult which aims to control the minds of its members".

References

  1. Harrison, L.J., Manocha R., Rubia, K. "Sahaja Yoga Meditation as a Family Treatment Programme for Children with Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder", Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry 2004;9(4):479-497. URL:
  2. Manocha, R. "Sahaja yoga in asthma", Thorax 2003;58:825-826. URL:
  3. Manocha R, Marks G.B., Kenchington P., Peters D., Salome C.M. "Sahaja yoga in the management of moderate to severe asthma: a randomized controlled trial", Thorax 2003;57:110-115. URL:
  4. Ramaratnam S., Sridharan K. "Yoga for epilepsy", Cochrane Database Syst Review 2000;(3):CD001524
  5. Panjwani U., Selvamurthy W., Singh S.H., Gupta H.L., Mukhopadhyay S., Thakur L. "Effect of Sahaja yoga meditation on auditory evoked potentials (AEP) and visual contrast sensitivity (VCS) in epileptics", Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 2000;25(1):1-12
  6. Panjwani U, Selvamurthy W, Singh SH, Gupta HL, Thakur L, Rai UC. Effect of sahaja yoga practice on seizure control & EEG changes in patients of epilepsy. Indian J Med Res 1996;103: 165-72.
  7. "Shri Who Must Be Obeyed" Article from The Independent, July 13, 2001.

External links

Sahaja Yoga Meditation

Sahaja Yoga International

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