Sahaj Marg

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Sahaj Marg (Hindi translation, the easy or natural path), a form of Raja Yoga, [1][2][3] is a heart-based meditation system.[4] According to practicants, the essential features of the system are "cleaning" of impressions (called samskaras) and then meditating on the "mere supposition of divine light" in one's heart.[5]

Contents

[edit] Practice

The daily practice includes:

  • Morning meditation on supposition of divine light in the heart (30-60 minutes);
  • Cleaning of impressions of the day (i.e., imagining the day's events evaporating out one's back and being replaced with divine light; 30 minutes);[6]
  • A prayer-meditation at bedtime;[7]


Weekly practices include:

  • A weekly meditation group;[8]
  • Cleaning meditations with a preceptor.[9]

[edit] History

The organizational body, Shri Ram Chandra Mission (SRCM), was formally registered in 1945 by Shri Ram Chandra of Shahjahanpur, its founder, commonly known as "Babuji."[10] Babuji was born on April 30, 1899 in Shahjahanpur, a large town in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India and passed away in April 1983 at the age of 83. As part of the Sahaj Marg spiritual practice, Babuji adopted a technique called pranahuti[11] or yogic transmission, whereby the "divine essence" was said to be transmitted directly into the practicants' hearts in order to speed up their spiritual evolution. [12]

[edit] Controversies

There have been several disputes over the control, domain and trademark names of the group since the death of the founder (Shri Ram Chandra of Shahjahanpur) in 1983.[13]

[edit] Activities

The SRCM is a non-governmental organization registered with the United Nations.[14].

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices," J. Gordon Melton, Martin Baumann, Page 1169 - "The mission teaches a system of yoga called Sahaj Marg. This is a variety of traditional Raja yoga (royal yoga), modified in accordance with modern lifestyles.".
  2. ^ "What is Raj Yoga?" Elizabeth Denley, Australian Yoga Life, Issue 8 - 2004, pp.45-48, www.ayl.com.au.
  3. ^ "Meditation therapies for attention deficit /hyperactivity disorder" T Krisanaprakornkit, C Witoonchart, N Piyavhatkul, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008 Issue 2, Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. "...Sahaj Marg Meditation, a system of Raja Yoga..".
  4. ^ "Local Women Travel to India For Celebration at Ashram," Martha Slater, The Herald of Randolph, VT - "..the meditation practice called Sahaj Marg (the natural path), a Raj yoga (yoga of the mind) heart-centered meditation.."
  5. ^ "A Flexible Mind," Elizabeth Denley, Australian Yoga Life, Issue 7.
  6. ^ "A Flexible Mind," Elizabeth Denley, Australian Yoga Life, Issue 7. "In Sahaj Marg raja yoga the cleaning of the mind is a part of the daily practice or sadhana. Cleaning can also be done by the guru for the practitioners. – union with the ultimate – is only possible when the samskaras are cleaned away. In fact, before any higher spiritual states can be reached, the cleaning must be done. Otherwise the tendencies and habits of the past pollute and continually pull the aspirant backwards."
  7. ^ "Sahaj Marg System of Meditation," C. Suntharamoorthy, Daily News, Sri Lanka, August 4, 2003. "At 9.00 p.m., every abhyasi, wherever he or she may be, should meditate for 15 minutes thinking that all the people of the universe who are already my brothers and sisters, may all their hearts be flooded as my heart is being flooded with spiritual craving, love and devotion for the Divine Master and real faith is growing in them. O Master! Thou art the real goal of human life. We are yet but slaves of wishes. Putting bar to our advancement. Thou art the only God and Power. To bring us up to that state. This prayer meditation is done for about 10-15 minutes by repeating the prayer a few times and meditate on the meanings of the statements therein. Immediately thereafter one is advised to retire to bed so that there will be constant remembrance Unlike the traditional Prayer hymns or songs, the Sahaj Marg Prayer does not ask for anything; it consists of three statements of facts."
  8. ^ "A Flexible Mind," Elizabeth Denley, Australian Yoga Life, Issue 7.
  9. ^ "Sahaj Marg System of Meditation," C. Suntharamoorthy, Daily News, Sri Lanka, August 4, 2003.
  10. ^ "Sahaj Marg System of Meditation," C. Suntharamoorthy, Daily News, Sri Lanka, August 4, 2003.
  11. ^ Pearmain, Rosalind. 2005. "Transformational Experiences in Young People: The Meaning of a Safe Haven." International Journal of Children's Spirituality. 10(3):277-290
  12. ^ "Sahaj Marg System of Meditation," C. Suntharamoorthy, Daily News, Sri Lanka, August 4, 2003.
  13. ^ "Forestry Companies Take A Cut At Cybersquatters," Steven Bonisteel, Newsbytes, September 21, 2001, Alexandria, Virginia. "Despite the latitude provided by the 'in rem' provision, recent cases from that court have made it clear that trademark holders must still attempt to alert domain-name registrants to a pending lawsuit, using e-mail, postal mail and publications. In April of this year in Alexandria, Judge Claude Hilton refused to proceed with an action against Sahajmarg.org unless the Shri Ram Chandra Mission, which sought the domain, published notices of the lawsuit in U.S. and Indian newspapers."
  14. ^ UN Listing
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