Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi
A life dedicated to Humanity
Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi quietly transformed lives. For more than forty years, she traveled internationally, offering free public lectures and the experience of self-realization to all, regardless of race, religion or circumstance. She not only enabled people to pass this valuable experience on to others, but taught them the meditation technique necessary to sustain it, known as Sahaja Yoga.
Shri Mataji maintained that there is an innate spiritual potential within every human being, and it can be spontaneously awakened. She emphasized that this awakening, described as self-realization, cannot be purchased. Money has never been charged, nor will it be, for the experience of self-realization or for the teaching of Sahaja Yoga meditation.
The inner balance and stress-reduction that accompanies the practice of Sahaja Yoga meditation has already benefited hundreds of thousands worldwide. The ability to quickly and easily activate our innate, spiritual energy - and experience its benefits - differentiates Sahaja Yoga from other forms of meditation. With practice, individuals are able to direct their own energy and redress mental, physical and emotional imbalances to achieve a state of well-being, serenity and fulfillment.
Honors and Commendations
Shri Mataji has been widely acclaimed around the world for her selfless efforts towards social improvement and world peace. She has initiated a number of organizations for community service, including The International Hospital and Cancer Research Center, a charity house for disadvantaged people in India, a drug rehabilitation center in Italy, and others.
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1970 – Develops the Sahaja Yoga technique, begins traveling the world to establish the Sahaja Yoga Meditation Worldwide Movement.
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1986 – Declared Personality of the Year in Italy.
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1989 – Awarded The UN Peace Medal.
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1993 – Appointed as Honorary Member of the Presidium of the Petrovska Academy of Art and Science. In the history of the Academy, only 12 people have ever been granted this honor, Albert Einstein is also an Honorary Member.
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1995 – Keynote speaker in the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. Nominated for Nobel Peace prize.
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1996 – Establishes Hospital and research Centre, Mumbai, India.
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1997 – Establishes NGO for destitute women in Noida, India.
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1998 – Establishes Orphanage in New Delhi, India. Recipient of the Unity award for international understanding by Unity International Foundation.
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1999 – Honorary Proclamation by the US Congress was issued which was submitted to the Congressional Records.
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2004 – Establishes World Council for the Advancement of Sahaja Yoga Meditation.
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2005 – Establishes World Trust and donates all properties to the Trust.