Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi
A lifetime dedicated to the emancipation of humanity through self-realisation. She brought the gift of meditation to millions — always free.
A Life of Service
Early Life
Born to a Christian family on March 21, 1923, in central India. From a very early age, she was drawn toward spirituality and ways to help humanity. She lived at Mahatma Gandhi's ashram and actively participated in India's freedom struggle, which led her to discontinue her medical studies.
Family & Calling
Shri Mataji married and led a family life until her children were grown up before starting the Sahaja Yoga movement in her fifties — dedicating the rest of her life to the emancipation of humanity.
1970 — Mass Realisation
On the shores of the Arabian Sea in Nargol, Gujarat, she devised a technique to give mass realisation to emancipate humanity. This was the birth of Sahaja Yoga as a global movement.
Spreading Inner Peace Worldwide
Since 1970, Shri Mataji tirelessly traveled around the world, giving self-realisation to thousands of people in many countries — always free of charge. She showed people how to pass this valuable experience on to others and sustain it using Sahaja Yoga Meditation methods.
She made it clear from the very beginning that this knowledge and the process of self-realisation is the birthright of every human being and therefore cannot be charged for.
"You cannot know the meaning of your life until you are connected to the power that created you."
— Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi
A Legacy of Service
Shri Mataji received numerous recognitions for her selfless work and lifetime achievements.
Awarded the UN Peace Medal
Nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize
Keynote speaker at the Beijing International Women's Conference
Received a Proclamation from the US Congress
Declared Personality of the Year by the Italian Government
Presented the keys to the city of Brasília by its mayor
Officially greeted by mayors of Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Berkeley
Honoured with the Unity Award for international understanding
The Work Continues
Shri Mataji passed away peacefully on the 23rd of February 2011 in Genoa, Italy, aged 87. Her work continues through the many Sahaja Yoga Meditation classes and meetings organised in over 100 countries worldwide — always free of charge.
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