1. Sahaja Meditation
Guidelines for Programs 1

2. Background
In 2007 Shri Mataji, in response to the slow growth of Sahaja Yoga in the US, asked us to come up with a new strategy for spreading Sahaja Yoga in America.
The results of that effort - detailed in a previous slide deck - were presented to Shri Mataji and blessed by Her at Guru Puja in July of 2008.
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3. How it was done
Sahaja growth project 3 3

4. Summary-internal survey
90 out of 200 US-born Yogis responded
Most were introduced to SY through family members, friends, posters & ads
Initially, 70% found it challenging to experience thoughtless awareness
For getting established in SY,
1 out of 2 respondents required months
1 out of 3 respondents required years 4 4

5. Summary-third party survey
1 out of 4 Americans surveyed on meditation expresses interest in SY Meditation
Over half of the respondents interested in SY Meditation prefer to meditate by themselves
54% of those interested in SY Meditation say their lives are stressful
Continued >> 5 5

6. Summary-third party survey
It should be easy to learn
Prefer to learn and practice online
Prefer to practice alone in sessions as short as 15 minutes
Should be spiritual but not religious 6 6

7. Summary-focus groups Meditation is appealing
Meditation and Yoga are different
The meditation culture has some negative baggage
No one had heard of Sahaja Yoga Meditation prior to this research
Continued >> 7 7

8. Summary-focus groups
Most don’t see the connection between the affirmations and its relationship to ‘awakening of a spiritual energy’
Reaction to the picture of Shri Mataji -
Women feel: “Looks peaceful, happy, calming, serene”
Men feel: “The picture is not necessary”
Continued >> 8 8

9. Summary-focus groups
Almost all feel the technique should be renamed Sahaja Meditation
Many would consider going to a meditation class only after viewing a meditation video online
Need a Web site of professional quality – it is the first place Americans will go for information
Alleviate suspicion about free & religion 9 9

10. Core Strategy
Sahaja Yoga will now be referred to as Sahaja Meditation for all public engagements
Endorsed by Shri Mataji at Guru Puja 2008 and again in Genoa in September 2008
When possible, mainstream US yogis should be the principal interface of Sahaja Meditation with the public
Sahaja Meditation should reflect modern American values while maintaining its roots in ancient Indian spiritual traditions
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11. What Remains Unchanged/Intact?
Shri Mataji’s message and teachings
Continued use of video and audio media with references to “Sahaja Yoga”
Core values of Sahaja Yoga
Giving Self-Realization, practicing collective meditation, performing pujas and havans
Sahaja techniques for personal growth
Regular Meditation, foot soaking etc.
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12. What’s Changing, And Why?
Sahaja Yoga
to be called “Sahaja Meditation”
‘Yoga’ in the USA connotes ‘hathayoga’ and its related physical practices, not meditation
To attract mainstream Americans who are interested in practicing meditation.
Mainstream US yogis will be the principal public interface
To help newcomers easily identify with individuals from culturally similar backgrounds
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13. What is Sahaja Meditation?
Sahaja Meditation is a form of meditation developed by Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi to promote balance, health, harmony and well-being.
The word Sahaja means spontaneous and the practice leads to union with the self or spirit.
The meditation practice requires approximately minutes and awakens a spiritual energy, residing within each individual.
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14. Public Program Strategy
Sahaja Meditation should appeal to modern Americans and avoid ‘pushing their buttons’.
Seekers should be brought along gradually, in a measured and individual manner, into the full knowledge and practice of Sahaja Meditation.
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15. Shri Mataji, Guru Puja 2008
“In the beginning you shouldn’t tell them, or they will just shun you.”
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16. Mystery It’s okay to keep some mystery in it
People don't value things that are just given to them
Reveal the knowledge like a lotus blossom unfolding
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17. Four Phases Four phases of development for new people
Phases cannot be defined by a prescribed time frame (like an 8 week or 18 week course)
Progress of seekers through the phases must be individualized – not everyone grows at the same pace
Meetings need to be structured to accommodate this model of growth
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18. Four Phases

19. Four Phases 1. Experience 3. Integration 2. Knowledge 4. Recognition
Deeper knowledge of subtle system
Focus on experience
More clearing techniques
Get people to feel it
As few concepts as possible
3. Integration
Religious aspects
Simple knowledge of subtle system
Deities
Simple clearing techniques
Mantras
Havan
2. Knowledge
4. Recognition
Tie experience to the concepts
Recognize Shri Mataji
Puja
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20. Phase 1 – Experience
Very experience oriented – very little information. They need to begin to feel the peace before going further
The goal is to get them to the point where they feel it, they are confident they have it, they meditate at home, and know how to identify catches and clear them with bandhans, giving vibrations and foot soaking, balancing of the channels
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21. Phase 1 – Experience (cont)
They should reach the point where they know how to do basic meditations and basic clearing at home
They will not know very much about the qualities of chakras or how the subtle system works yet, but will have learned how to identify which chakra or nadi needs clearing, and what to do
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22. Phase 1 – Experience (cont)
Engage with new people
Allot time to be in a listening mode and allow the new people to talk briefly about why they have come to Sahaja Meditation and what they expect to get out of it; and, as time goes on, to talk about their experience with the meditation
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23. Phase 2 – Knowledge Knowledge of the subtle system
Slowly but methodically introduce qualities of chakras, more clearing techniques, causes of catches - similar to earlier beginner’s courses
More information – the Beginner’s Guide and some existing course materials may be fine until new materials are created
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24. Phase 2 – Knowledge (cont)
Possibly play public program talks of Shri Mataji, allowing them to hear more of Her message
If people are really enjoying meditation and have established it, this information will inform and expand their experience and they will find it very relevant!
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25. Phase 3 - Integration
Introduction of mantras, brief introduction of deities as aspects of the divine, as universal qualities
Sahaja Meditation and how it is related to religion
Havan
Possibly reinforce feeling that vibrations come from Shri Mataji’s photo/video
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26. Phase 4 - Recognition Recognition of Shri Mataji Puja Sahaja Yoga
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27. Shri Mataji, Guru Puja 2008
“You can use my photograph, but the realization should not be from the photograph, but from you, then only you can be a guru. There can be ladies or men both, can become gurus, and spread Sahaja Yoga all over.”
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28. Picture
A picture is essential, but not at the center of attention and not in an altar context
Do not put flowers, candle, or incense around the photo
Avoid the impression that the photo is absolutely central to the meditation experience – it can make Americans very uncomfortable.
The program instructor should be the focus.
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29. Chakra Chart
Have a chakra chart at the front of the room, ideally with an inset picture of Mother
e.g., something like pictured
Use a chart which has no text or easy understandable descriptions of the subtle energy centers (no Sanskrit terms)
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30. Take-home Photograph Have it available on a table for people to take
Explain: we keep it out of respect for the teacher, as is common in Eastern tradition
Explain: we personally find that it has a strong energy and helps our meditation, invite them to try it, to experiment with it, if they would like
Never force it or insist they cannot meditate without it
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31. Talking Points Relate personal experience
Discuss how Sahaja Yoga links to traditional American values
‘For example, notions of liberty, freedom, equality, independence, inclusiveness, empowerment, innovation and pioneering spirit, opportunism, and justice
See prior Growth Team slide deck for more details
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32. Talking Points (cont)
Good for stress reduction, productivity, peace, balance, health, harmony, and happiness
Empowers you to use awareness to guide yourself in right direction
Easy to do
Make your own choices
Be in control
You don't need to become an expert or a yogi to gain benefit
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33. Address Why It’s Free This is a major issue
People are very suspicious of free
Think there must be a catch
Address it proactively, according to your discretion
We are experts that volunteer our time to teach meditation to the public
There is dignity and respect if we frame it this way
It is our way of doing community service
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34. Videos Don’t introduce videos right away
Connection should be established with teacher before introducing video
Consider waiting 3-6 weeks or more before showing video
Keep video portion of the program short
10-15 minutes maximum
Maybe every other week
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35. Phase 1 Activities Work on them Homework
Explaining clearly what you are going to do
Help them relax
From the beginning, show them how to work on themselves and on each other (as Shri Mataji recommended to us in the summer of 2007)
Homework
Set expectation that there is homework
Have to go home and do what we do in class
Won't get much out of it unless meditate everyday
Check up on them; ask if they are meditating at home
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36. Phase 1 Activities (cont)
Teach to take bandhan and meditate at home
Focus on experience
Teach to focus on attention inside
On hands
On top of head (Sahasrara)
On subtle system
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37. Phase 1 Activities (cont)
Gradually over some weeks, introduce:
Clearing left and right channels
Foot soaking
Ice treatment
How to use info from subtle system to change how you feel
Avoid esoteric/advanced clearing techniques (e.g. shoe beating, 3-candle treatment)
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38. Minimal Information Let people pull it Experience based
Don't push or volunteer too much
Wait until they are ready
Use intuition
Experience based
No handouts on chakras
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39. Materials New Materials will be created to support this approach
For now, if we selectively use what we have, it can work. They don’t need much in Phase 1.
Give out something on how to meditate. After a few weeks something on foot soaking and or balancing. Very little else is really needed for Phase 1.
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40. Please Remember
These are guidelines, based on research and feedback from yogis and the American public.
They are extremely valuable, but are not a new set of rules, to be followed strictly.
They are an expression of a new approach, which we all need to adapt to the situations we face, using our own wisdom and discretion!
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41. Shri Mataji, Guru Puja 2008 “Whatever you teach, you must practice.”
Sahaja Meditation - Confidential and for internal use only. Please do not distribute further without prior consent of National Sahaja Meditation Council