Mother in Turkish Media: The Turkish Daily News

This article was a part of "Answers to Perplexing Questions" section in the Daily News (Turkey) Newspaper:

Message of peace by HH Shri Mataji
Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi is a
renowned ambassador of peace and patron of the Sahaja Yoga method of
self-realization
Iain Maynard
Ankara - Turkish Daily News

This is a poem written by H.H. Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi after her return from her first trip to the United States many years ago as patron of the Sahaja Yoga method of attaining self-awareness through meditation: She had been disturbed that her
message of being able to bring about global peace through achieving individual
balance and enlightenment through meditation fell on deaf ears in the United
States. American culture believes that you get what you pay for and you pay for
what you get. In other words, the more you pay for something, the better that
thing is, be it material or spiritual. Shri Mataji's teachings are free because
she does not believe anyone has the right to ask money for awakening somebody's
God-given spirit, a spiritual energy that exists in all of us (dormant in the
Sacrum bone) regardless of race, religion, age or gender. Her teachings have
brought enlightenment and a profound sense of joy, balance and fulfilment to
over 5 million people in 82 countries. She is also a well-respected ambassador
for global peace and regularly addresses world leaders, military chiefs and the
UN.
You are angry with life Like small children Whose Mother is lost in
Darkness Your sulk expressing despair At the fruitless end of your journey You
wear Ugliness to discover Beauty You name everything false in the name of Truth
You drain out emotions to fill the cup of Love My sweet children, my darling How
can you get peace by waging war With yourself, with your being, with joy itself
Enough are your efforts of renunciation The artificial mask of consolation Now
rest in the petals of the lotus flower In the lap of your gracious Mother I will
adorn your life with beautiful blossoms And fill your moments with joyful
fragrance I will anoint your head with Divine Love For I cannot bear your
torture anymore Let me engulf you in the ocean of joy So you lose your being in
the Greater one Who is smiling in your calyx of Self Secretly hidden to tease
you all the while Be aware and you will find Him Vibrating your every fibre with
blissful joy Covering the whole Universe with light.
Shri Mataji's style of
yoga and self realization is taught at Saglikli Yasam Dernegi branches in
Ankara, Istanbul, Antalya, Bursa, Izmir and northern Cyprus. Shri Mataji will
come to Istanbul at the end of March or beginning of April to give talks and
enlightenment to anyone who wishes it. It is hoped the Culture or Health
Ministry or even the Foreign Ministry will invite her to Ankara in her capacity
either as an ambassador for peace or as a world-renowned spiritual teacher.

Nirmala Cafe in UK: What Joyful News!

This just in from UK:

> Nirmala's is an unmissable, brightly painted 3 story building in
> the centre of town near Neal's Yard with an ever open door that
> leads in to a welcoming and comfortable cafe/restaurant, serving a
> range of healthy international dishes in line with the cafés multi
> cultural feel.
>
>
>
> Nirmala's has a wonderful reputation for it's healthy foods and
> juices and for it's great atmosphere and friendly staff. It is also
> praised for its sumptuous interiors with its various book shelves
> from which an interested reader can select from a substantial
> library of spiritual classics; for its wall of exquisitely framed
> pictures of the worlds realized souls, ranging from Gandhi to
> Einstein to Tagore; for its stunning murals and mosaics and for its
> raised stage area which is the site of regular musical and theatre
> performances featuring artists from around the world.
>
>
>
> Nirmala's has many unique attributes that lift it above other
> similar venues in the city but without a doubt its real secrets can
> be discovered on the second floor where from a large wood paneled
> room, that immediately impresses upon you a cool calming effect, it
> conducts its daily classes in Sahaja Yoga meditation; a deeply
> profound but simple form of meditation that has been know to
> transform many a burnt out city worker into a beacon of joy over
> just a short 30 minute lunch break sitting !
>
>
>
> Every night of the week Nirmala's is busy, with 4 to 5 weekly
> meditation classes alternating with the venues other activities
> including a popular pre booked 'open-mike' night, live-poetry
> evening, guest lecture night and nights when the venue is simply
> open as a healthy non-smoking/non-drinking evening café.
>
>
>
> On the third floor Nirmala's has a fully functioning office
> which is the nerve centre for a host of London based Sahaja Yoga
> activities including summer realization sessions in the
capitals
> busy public spaces from which those interested can be directed back
> to Nirmala's to learn more about meditation or to simply enjoy the
> atmosphere!
>
>
> Nirmalas is run by 3 paid office and catering staff who take care
> of all the essential day-to-day business management requirements
> and by a circulating body of part time staff drawn from the various
> London and, whenever possible, national centers. This combination
> of permanent staff and rotating staff ensures that the enthusiasm
> needed to maintain Nirmala's activities is always high.
>
>
>
> As a competitive cafe with fine produce on sale and as an
> attractive cultural hub with a great vibe "Nirmala's" is always
> busy and as a consequence of this makes a tidy profit which is
> immediately reinvested back into the business. The business then in
> turn supports "Nirmala's" real function which is to tap into the
> energy and buzz of the UK's capital city with its millions of
> students, foreign visitors and inhabitants and to offer them an
> alternative route into the ocean of vibrations which is sahaja yoga.
>
>
>
> Indeed, "Nirmala's" may seem to be a cafe, an office, a music
> venue, and other things but in reality, as its name suggests, it is
> a place where thousands of people each week one way or another are
> ascending upwards to Sahasrara and to the lotus feet of the cafes
> source of inspiration and bedrock, "Shri Nirmala Devi"!
>
>
>
> Jai Shri Mataji

Pedro: an inmate in a jail in Helsinki

Testimony of Pedro for yogis April 2006

Pedro is an inmate who received his realisation in January 2004 in a
jail from Helsinki and is meditating since that time . Pedro is
ready to have his name and address published for yogis with his
testimony . He would be very happy also if some yogis are writing
him ! In English or Spanish .

"My name is Pedro, I am thirty years old . I am inmate in a Finnish
jail called Helsingin Vankila . My sentence is : all life in
prison .
"I went to jail in 2001 and the first years I was in emotional
roller coaster . I tried not to show it outside but inside I was
feeling terrible . But then in January 2004 when I had lost almost
all hope , Sahaja Yoga was introduced in our prison .
I immediately felt something wonderful that I never felt before .
Something I couldn't explain in words . But I knew that was
something that I had been looking for all my life . Shri Mataji gave
me my self realization .

After that, I started to meditate every day and little by little our
Mother raised me and trained me with Her endless love and divine
Vibrations . I stopped smoking immediatly, thing I couldn't do
before . I know that I am just in the beginning of this wonderful
journey and I just wish to be a better instrument of Shri Mataji .

Now, we have been meditating since almost two years and a half with
yogis supporting us weekly with their wonderful programs and love .
Mother has blessed also our little collective with the chance to
have got also the permission to meditate every Sunday morning
together 4 or 5 brother inmates and me .

I feel our bond with our brothers is stronger now It is wonderful
to see how our divine Mother is changing things miraculously in this
prison . Several times somebody working here tried to prevent the
group to meditate . But actually what happened is that Sahaja Yoga
is becoming stronger and stronger . And people is now more
interested to know what is Sahaja Yoga because they can see how
wonderful we are feeling ."

My lost smile returned inside of me .I am in peace now and want
first of all to follow this path the rest of my life .
I can see other inmates are as much helped as me .
So I really wish that every prisoner in the world could have this
life changing experience .And I want to help as much as possible
for that .
I should enjoy also to receive letters from my brothers and sisters
from all over the World !"

Pedro Avila Mahkonen Helsinki April 2006

Krishna Puja Recollections

The 2006 Shri Krishna Puja left an indelible mark in the hearts of all who experienced it. The beauty of music, theater and joy of sharing was all over the place. Rakhi ceremony always carries special cool vibrations and is one of the most joyful events in a Krishna Puja. No one can compare the graceful and dignified dance performance of the brilliant soul Shraddha to Pt Bhimsen Joshi’s ‘Jai Jagdishwari’. The skit for Dahi-handi was awesome: it showed the breaking the curd/butter pot by Shri Krishna climbing a pyramid of yuvas. Auntie Tracy’s Julia played the role of Yashoda so well and Uncle Matt Malley’s son Tansen was brilliant as Shri Bala Krishna. It is the sweetest thing one can ever witness – you knew instantly that the crowd’s heart-strings tugged as the watched the interaction of Shri Krishna & Yashoda.

The funny twist was that Tansen was too young to climb the human pyramid and break the Matki – so in scene 2, the Krishna was replaced by another yound kid from the LA ashram – which was quite fun and joyful to watch.

The Connecticut collective performed Krishna bhajans in the Carnatic style of Indian classical music, which was tremendously soothing. They were preceeded by the heart tugging song ‘Namaste’ by the LA collective. The Toronto Collective sprung a pleasant surprise with a 12 year old lead singer – they did some amazing bhajans. There were many other dance performances by yuvas and yoginis.

Puja day morning meditation was followed by the newer biographical movie on Shri Mataji, I think called “Liberty & Freedom”. It has interviews of Shri Mataji, her daughters, Gregoire, Dr Brian Wells, Rajesh Shah and most importantly the first person to recognize Shri Mataji – the gujarati lady (my memory is failing at this point…). The movie is made on film, not video and has rich colors and top level direction and editing. It showcases some of the highlights of Sahaja Yoga – beautifully done – Shri Mataji arriving in ganapatipule by train, traveling to the MTDC hotel, puja preparations in ganapatiphule. The film starts off in a typical Indian bazaar, where a Sahaja Yogi vegetable seller is explaining what Sahaja yoga means to him in Marathi… stupendous. Then the movie moves into the details of the freedom struggle, beautiful anecdotes. Most importantly – the open explanation of Pujas and Sahaja Marriages. Astounding stuff. Hopefully it will be sold at one of the forthcoming pujas.

On puja day, Seattle showed a collection of Mother’s video extracts from all USA pujas – which was quite rousing. Shri Mataji’s declaration that America is the Vishuddhi was a beautiful moment when She is in her most compassionate ‘roopa’.

And then, Shri Mataji arrived.

Smiling, joyful, beautiful, vibrant, dynamic… during gifts she was speaking out and responding and smiling… which melted many hearts in the Grand Ballroom. Michigan made a nice offering at Mother’s lotus feet with a walnut-wood map of Michigan state with current SY centers marked with Swarovski crystals. Also a crystal car (the Auto Industry here) and a crystal lighthouse (signifying the Great Lakes and the National Coastline).

Many other things happened, little miracles, news from far and near, little leelas, yuva fun… but these stick out in memory right now…

UPDATE

One gift that got the maximum attention was a joint gift from Lebanon, Israel and Palestine (if I remember correctly). Which charged the whole ballroom with emotions.

Update: Oleg, one of the presenters wrote to the yogis later... It was so great moment when we came up to the stage (Emad from Lebanon, Akbar from Iran and me (Oleg) from Israel) offering the gift from Hala and flowers from Israel and prayer from all of us...

Peace to the Refugees

yesterday we (me, grish, shankar, david and many many others whom you don't know...) went to a place which is kinda like a refugee camp on one of the southern israeli shores of the meditarenean. [hizballa are sending about 100 bombs a day to all north israel and many of the northern citizens have escaped southwards] so in that camp are around 7000 "refugees" who are very nicely taken care of in this big big project which providing them free of charge all meals drinks various activities and entertainment programs and different basic facilities.
so there we went to spread Mother\'s love and vibrations, and we were welcomed so nicely, they quickly organised a place for us and brought us all we needed and after about 3 minutes declared on the speakers that all those who wish to experiment in yoga are welcomed to our spot. a few seconds later a lecture had started to about 40 people and from that moment people kept coming, or coming back with their relatives and held us there till very late in the night and were asking if we will be coming also tomorrow and in the next day. it was so beautiful there and the atmosphere was absolutely amazing. people were really seeking some inner peace and were all truly thankful for the realisation they have recieved. so many were telling me how all their worries and fears which were haunting them for 2 weeks have been washed away after the realisation. and many many children came to us and sat for a long long time deep in meditation. there was so much love and care in the air and i felt so much satisfaction. at first the whole camp was reminding many of us of sahaj camps or ganapatipule, and also to see all this different people who didn\'t know each other before integrate so wonderfully and care for each other was a very elevating experience and very sahaj. when we left all people and organizers asked us to come again even everyday if we\'d like to i wish i will get more chances to go there and i hope none of them will be left unrealised. jai Shri Mataji Anat\n \n\n \n __._,_.___\n \n \n \n ",1]
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so there we went to spread Mother's love and vibrations, and we were welcomed so nicely, they quickly organised a place for us and brought us all we needed and after about 3 minutes declared on the speakers that all those who wish to experiment in yoga are welcomed to our spot. a few seconds later a lecture had started to about 40 people and from that moment people kept coming, or coming back with their relatives and held us there till very late in the night and were asking if we will be coming also tomorrow and in the next day. it was so beautiful there and the atmosphere was absolutely amazing. people were really seeking some inner peace and were all truly thankful for the realisation they have recieved. so many were telling me how all their worries and fears which were haunting them for 2 weeks have been washed away after the realisation. and many many children came to us and sat for a long long time deep in meditation. there was so much love and care in the air and i felt so much satisfaction. at first the whole camp was reminding many of us of sahaj camps or ganapatipule, and also to see all this different people who didn't know each other before integrate so wonderfully and care for each other was a very elevating experience and very sahaj. when we left all people and organizers asked us to come again even everyday if we'd like to i wish i will get more chances to go there and i hope none of them will be left unrealised.

Jai Shri Mataji Anat

angelic herald to the coming

Very nicely written account of Shri Mataji's arrival in UK in July:

Date: Wed, 26 Jul 2006 12:17:59 +0200

Subject: Virata: Shri Mataji's arrival in UKDearest Brothers &
Sisters

Our Holy Mother Shri Mataji arrived safely on Sunday evening into the UK.
The plane landed at about 7.50 pm. It was a shame that we couldn’t all be there
but with baggage hold-ups etc. within the airport it wasn't until 9.50 p.m. that
Her car finally pulled away from Terminal One.Mother arrived at Her house safely
and was offered three beautiful and fragrant garlands prepared by our sisters
followed by Aarti & Prasad. She and Sir C. P. both seemed very well and in
good spirits after their long day travelling.Shri Mataji was very attentive to
everyone and seemed genuinely pleased to be here in the UK whilst being gently
received by those present. David formally thanked Mother and welcomed Her and
Sir C. P. back to the UK. Mother responded with a smile and said: “But not for
very long!” (She leaves for the U.S.A. in a few days).Shri Mataji watched as
flowers and small gifts were offered to celebrate Her Divine presence and smiled
and gestured to everyone expressing tremendous contentment.The moment drew to a
close with the opening lines to a very British Bhajan “And Did those feet in
ancient times walk upon England's Mountain Green” ..sung in gratitude and praise
that again Mother was blessing Albion with Divine Grace.Mother spoke with
several people and after everyone withdrew from Her room said how Joy Giving Her
reception had been.It seemed very clear that Her health continues to improve and
that hopefully She will enjoy a good rest whilst here in the UK prior to Her
onward travels to America.

With love and respect
Jai Shri MatajiUKCASYs

Sahaja Yoga - Yogi Knights

A short (15mins) film titled 'Yogi Knights' following the theme that Sahaja Yogis are the real world Jedi using their powers to battle the negative forces and spread love and peace. In this film you will see real peoples' experiences after receiving realisation both in Manchester during the Commonwealth Games, and Easter tour in 2003.