The Founder

“Freedom is when you really get your own powers which are within you.”

Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi – Founder of Sahaja Meditation

Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi was born in Central India on March 21, 1923. When she was young, Shri Mataji worked with Mahatma Gandhi in the fight for India’s Independence. Her vision of universal peace and unity continues Gandhi’s dreams of freedom on a spiritual level. During the last 40+ years of her life (1970-2011), her dedication to the upliftment of humanity established what is now the Sahaja meditation technique.

Knowledgeable in science, art, politics, economics, sociology, and medicine, Shri Mataji taught that peace in our societies can only be brought about through discovering peace within ourselves. After giving thousands of free lectures and programs, working tirelessly across the world to ensure that generations to come will benefit from the ability to realize one’s self, Shri Mataji helped thousands reach the deepest roots of our existence, to have complete power over our own behavior, habits, and self-destructive patterns.

In imparting the Sahaja meditation technique, wherever Shri Mataji travelled, she never accepted any money for its teachings, explaining that the experience of realizing one’s inner self is the birthright of every human being; you cannot charge for something that you are born with.

The impact of Shri Mataji’s life can be seen as a result of her extensive world travels, during which she educated people about meditation, the true meaning of freedom, liberation, and world peace. Shri Mataji was awarded throughout in her lifetime for her achievements and teachings – nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, awarded the United Nations Peace Medal, and more. Additionally, she established a hospital, research facility and orphanage for those in need. Today, millions of people, adults and children, enjoy the benefits of Sahaja Meditation in over 120 countries worldwide.

To learn more about Shri Mataji, and her incredible lasting impact, please visit www.shrimataji.org.

“When you get your self-realization you become entitled to an awareness by which you can find out the roots of everything. You can find out the roots why people get sick, you can find out why there are incurable diseases, you can find out why there are psychological problems, you can find out why there are moral crisises, you can find out why there are political problems, why there are economic problems.” – Shri Mataji