Sahaja Yoga means "the spontaneous union with God" (sahaja means "born with you" in Sanskrit). It awakens the spiritual power inherent in every human being, known variously as the Kundalini by the Hindus, the Ruh by the Muslims and the Holy Ghost in the Bible. Its founder, 77-year-old Shri Nirmala Devi, was born with a complete understanding of the human nervous system and its energetic counterparts (chakras). Shri Mataji (Revered Mother), as she is known, has traveled the world, demonstrating her capacity to trigger the awakening of the kundalini. Besides many international awards, she has been the recipient of the United Nations Peace Prize for four consecutive years and has been nominated for the Nobel Prize for Peace three times.

To understand Sahaja Yoga one needs to understand the importance of charkas. The human body has seven (invisible) chakras or energy centers, each moving clockwise with its own frequency. These energy centers look after the parts under their care. When the movements of the charkas are in excess, they cause the production of cells to stop. When there is no production of cells, energy is depleted and the organs become ill.

The seven chakras and corresponding body organs/functions are: Mooladahru (elimination and reproduction), Swadistana (intestines, spleen, pancreas, liver, kidneys, womb), Nabhi - around the navel (liver, stomach, intestines), Anahad (heart and lungs), Vishuddhi (communication in general, involving ear, nose, throat, limbs and skin), Agnaya - at the middle of the forehead (brain, eyes) and Sahasrara, situated at the center of the head.

In addition to the chakras, there are three channels, namely Ida (left), Pingala (right) and Sushumna (center), running along the human body. Ida (Yin) is connected to the past and it controls desire. Unfulfilled desires create anger or sadness. Thus, people who cling to the past deplete this energy channel, becoming prone to lethargy, nervous breakdown, cancer, senility at a relatively young age, and in extreme cases, lunacy. Contrary to popular thinking, the strain of mental work is not effectively countered by physical activity. Pingala (Yang) caters to both physical and mental activities and is connected to the future. Too much planning (and worrying) about the future causes depletion to this channel. Dominating, egoistic and hot-tempered people belong to this category. They are usually prone to constipation, ulcer, hypertension, piles and heart attacks. Sushumna stands for the present. It corresponds to the parasympathetic nervous system, controlling the reproduction of cells, breathing and blood circulation.

When the energy centers are in balance, then the manifestation of Sahaja Yoga becomes evident. Peace is felt when the first energy center is balanced. Appreciation of aesthetic beauty (natural or man-made), together with enhanced creativity, result when the second center is balanced. Since a balanced third chakra makes one joyful ("seeking good, clean fun"), contented and curbing the urge to utter or do wrong things, Sahaja Yoga is being used to rehabilitate prisoners and substance abuse victims in India, Russia, Turkey and the east coast of the United States. With the balance of the fourth chakra, couples on the verge of divorce are known to have become closer than ever before, as it facilitates mutual love and understanding. Even close relationships can become too close for comfort. The balanced fifth chakra enables one to impose a limit on how close one can get. Letting go, forgiving another and controlling one's desires result when the sixth is balanced. The benefits of all the centers are only felt as the seventh integrates them.

A hospital in Mumbai, India, is dedicated to Sahaja Yoga, where qualified medical doctors use their "vibratory awareness" to diagnose illnesses. Meanwhile, final year medical students at the New South Wales University in Australia has a course on Sahaja Yoga in their curriculum. With all the chakras balanced and the organs cleansed, diseases are alleviated.

Sahaja Yoga is relevant in this modern age as it is applicable to all, irrespective of age, gender, state of health or religion, with no restrictions on dress, diet or sexual activity. It can be incorporated in a busy schedule, with 10 minutes' meditation, twice a day. Once spiritually awakened, meditation on the seventh chakra is all that needs to be done. As it combines concrete medical science (physiology) with the abstract metaphysical, it is hard, if not impossible, to dispute the benefits of Sahaja Yoga.

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