What to expect from the first Sahaja Yoga session
A Sahaja Yoga session is not your average meditation class. First, Sahaja Yoga involves a non-commercial form of meditation, so sessions are always free, no strings attached. There’s nothing to buy, now or ever. Sahaja is a not-for-profit organization whose facilities and programs are funded by donations. We welcome people of all ages from all walks of life. There’s no need to reserve a place in advance. Walk-ins are welcome.
Sahaja Yoga meetings are designed to help you awaken and experience your Kundalini energy, with the goal of achieving the state of thoughtless awareness. You’ll discover and experience, step by step, your own chakras and the qualities associated with each. Once you’re able to consistently feel the flow of the Kundalini energy, you can explore more advanced techniques, such as clearing and healing your chakras, which leads to a healthier mind, body and soul. You can explore at your own pace, in your own way.
The experience
Sahaja Yoga introductory programs typically begin with an overview of the subtle energy system and a brief discussion of the power of the Kundalini energy within you. The first step in the technique of Sahaja Yoga, the initiation process, involves the awakening of the normally dormant Kundalini energy within you, then allowing the energy to flow through your chakras and, ultimately, connect with the all-pervading energy. This results in a state of meditation. In the process, you will also realize or become aware of the Inner Self or the Spirit and experience the flow of Kundalini and the all-pervading energy throughout your central nervous system, which may manifest physically in the form of vibrations (a throbbing or tingling of the fingers) and/or a cool breeze. It is a soothing, pleasant experience.
This connection of the Kundalini to the all-pervading power is necessary to achieve a state of quality meditation in Sahaja Yoga. For the rest of your journey, the practice of Sahaja Yoga will involve raising the Kundalini energy each time and achieving the state of meditation known as thoughtless awareness.
“What it feels like” to have the initial experience of Self-Realization or realizing the Self or Spirit varies from person to person and is largely dependent on the state of one’s chakras, thus it is different for each person. The state of any one person’s subtle energy system is a unique thumbprint — no two individuals are exactly alike. Most people feel, at the very least, a sense of inner calm and peace. Many experience the cool breeze or vibrations during their first session. Others experience these sensations gradually, within a few days or even weeks, depending on how long it takes to develop a sensitivity to their inner energy. Even if one does not feel the breeze or vibrations, the Kundalini energy is certainly awakened during this process of Self-Realization. Most people experience the state of thoughtless awareness intermittently during initial sessions, then over time, they’re able to stabilize their attention and remain in thoughtless awareness for longer and longer periods of time.
This entire process of Self-Realization in the first session takes less than a half-hour. And Sahaja instructors are always there to guide you every step of the way and answer any questions you may have. You’ll also learn how to practice the technique of meditation on your own at home or wherever you wish.
Sahaja Yoga meetings are designed to help you awaken and experience your Kundalini energy, with the goal of achieving the state of thoughtless awareness. You’ll discover and experience, step by step, your own chakras and the qualities associated with each. Once you’re able to consistently feel the flow of the Kundalini energy, you can explore more advanced techniques, such as clearing and healing your chakras, which leads to a healthier mind, body and soul. You can explore at your own pace, in your own way.
The experience
Sahaja Yoga introductory programs typically begin with an overview of the subtle energy system and a brief discussion of the power of the Kundalini energy within you. The first step in the technique of Sahaja Yoga, the initiation process, involves the awakening of the normally dormant Kundalini energy within you, then allowing the energy to flow through your chakras and, ultimately, connect with the all-pervading energy. This results in a state of meditation. In the process, you will also realize or become aware of the Inner Self or the Spirit and experience the flow of Kundalini and the all-pervading energy throughout your central nervous system, which may manifest physically in the form of vibrations (a throbbing or tingling of the fingers) and/or a cool breeze. It is a soothing, pleasant experience.
This connection of the Kundalini to the all-pervading power is necessary to achieve a state of quality meditation in Sahaja Yoga. For the rest of your journey, the practice of Sahaja Yoga will involve raising the Kundalini energy each time and achieving the state of meditation known as thoughtless awareness.
“What it feels like” to have the initial experience of Self-Realization or realizing the Self or Spirit varies from person to person and is largely dependent on the state of one’s chakras, thus it is different for each person. The state of any one person’s subtle energy system is a unique thumbprint — no two individuals are exactly alike. Most people feel, at the very least, a sense of inner calm and peace. Many experience the cool breeze or vibrations during their first session. Others experience these sensations gradually, within a few days or even weeks, depending on how long it takes to develop a sensitivity to their inner energy. Even if one does not feel the breeze or vibrations, the Kundalini energy is certainly awakened during this process of Self-Realization. Most people experience the state of thoughtless awareness intermittently during initial sessions, then over time, they’re able to stabilize their attention and remain in thoughtless awareness for longer and longer periods of time.
This entire process of Self-Realization in the first session takes less than a half-hour. And Sahaja instructors are always there to guide you every step of the way and answer any questions you may have. You’ll also learn how to practice the technique of meditation on your own at home or wherever you wish.
