Shri Mataji visited Berkeley on June 18, 1997 and June 5, 2000 and conducted free public programs. Her contribution to society was officially recognized by mayors of Berkeley and Oakland. In order to express the gratitude for her selfless humanitarian work, the mayor of Berkeley Shirley Dean has proclaimed a Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi Day on June 18th in her honor in the city of Berkeley.
In this video, Shri Mataji will guide to help you experience the state of meditation for the first time – the process which is also called as self-realization. This state of meditation is achieved when your inner energy rises through the intricate system of energy channels and centers.
Try self-realization exercise on your own
Sahaja Yoga Meditation really is easy to learn but we still recommend that you read this through before starting your meditation experience – then, go ahead, try it! Sit comfortably with your eyes closed. Place your hands on your lap with your palms up. Repeat each phrase until you feel peaceful and ready to move on.
Once you start, there are many levels to Sahaja Yoga Meditation, varied and deep, that can help you understand more about yourself – from health to spirituality. We call this “awakening your inner self” and in doing so, you gain personal power, awareness and control. As Shri Mataji, the founder of Sahaja Yoga Meditation has often said, “we become our own masters.”
Sequence for placing hands during the guided meditation
1. Take a few slow, deep breaths. This will help you to relax and meditate better.
2. The following steps will help you calm your thoughts. For best results, do them slowly. Put your right hand on your lower left side, just above your hip and quietly say, either out loud or to your self,
“I want to experience the pure knowledge.”
Move your right hand up along your side until it is just below the ribcage and say,
“I am my own teacher.”
Place your right hand on your heart and say,
“I am one with my spirit.”
Move your right hand to your left shoulder, where it meets the neck, and say,
“I do not condemn myself.”
Next, put your right hand across your forehead, lower your head slightly and say,
“I forgive everyone, including myself.”
Lastly, put your right hand on the crown of your head, the center of your palm making firm contact with the top of your head, and rotate it slowly in a clock-wise direction. While doing this say,
“Let me experience the state of meditation.”
3. Raise your right hand about six inches over your head, palm down. Slowly move your hand up and down until you feel an energy, possibly warmth or coolness, on the palm of your hand. If you do not feel it or are uncertain, simply sit and observe what you are feeling inside.
4. Sit quietly for approximately 5-10 minutes. Without trying, without effort, notice the mental silence – how your thoughts have calmed. If a thought does pop into your head, let it rise and fall away.
5. At the end of your meditation, slowly open your eyes and repeat Step 3. That’s it. Do you feel better? Did you feel a change? Are you more relaxed, quieter inside? You have just taken the first step on a journey of self realization. The destination? Inner peace, balance, personal control and self understanding.
Lecture by Shri Mataji in Berkeley on June 5, 2000
“I bow to all the seekers of truth. I do not know how to thank the mayor of Oakland and mayor of Berkeley for being so kind to give this certificate to me. I must say this is a wonderful country where people recognize something that is doing good work. Really remarkable it is. [..] So today I’m going to tell you how you have to know yourself. First of all you must decide that you have been seeking, seeking, seeking and this is the place known for its seeking. It’s high time you better come to the end of it and seek what you have been seeking and you get it, that’s the promise.”