Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, the founder of Sahaja Yoga, had a very clear and spiritual perspective on “Maya” (worldly illusion or attachment).
The main points of her views are as follows:
Meaning of Maya (Illusion): According to Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, Maya is the worldly attachment, illusion, and materialistic attraction that keeps a human being away from their true Self and divine power.
It acts like a veil.
Freedom from Maya (Self-Realization): She believed that only through Kundalini awakening (Self-realization) can a person be freed from the bondage of Maya.
When the Kundalini rises and crosses the Agnya Chakra, the mind becomes thoughtless (a state of thoughtless awareness), reducing the influence of Maya.
Balance and Witness State: Mataji taught that one should rise above Maya while living a household life and fulfilling worldly responsibilities. She emphasized being detached while living within Maya, maintaining a witness state rather than
renouncing everything.
Love and Compassion: According to her, true love is the antidote to Maya.
Through Divine Love, a person can rise above material desires and attachments.
Lack of Inner Knowledge: Maya dominates as long as a person is not connected to their Self and the Divine. Through Sahaja Yoga, when a person attains Self-knowledge, the illusion of Maya naturally dissolves.
In summary, Shri Mataji did not
consider Maya as purely negative, but rather as a lower state of awareness that can be transcended through Self-realization and Sahaja Yoga.
Shri Mataji described Sahaja Yoga as a pure, universal path that integrates all religions. She also stated that she was a divine incarnation, more
precisely the Holy Spirit.
A loving invitation through a self-composed poem to attend the meditation center:“Do come to the center sometimes,
Meet your Sahaja brothers and sisters, even if by chance.
You do come for puja…
Do come to the center as well.
To cleanse these pathways, make some effort.
You do come for puja…
Do come to the center as well.”
Human body is the temple of God. But this temple must be enlightened and pure. You have to cleanse and purify your entire being so that it becomes a beautiful temple where God can reside.
Param Pujya Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi
