“I moved to England when I was 20. I worked and studied so much that I became exhausted and fell ill. I went back to Poland to recover and introspect. I realised I had many negative thoughts. I felt a strong need to get rid of them and decided to look for meditation classes.

One day, I met my childhood friend for coffee. Unlike me, she had always been a seeker. She told me she wanted to study psychology and was trying to find herself. I shared that my life was physically draining, I felt exhausted, had too many thoughts, and was looking for a place to start meditating.

As we were leaving the café, I glanced at the counter and saw some flyers advertising Sahaja Yoga. I picked up a few and laughed, saying to my friend, “Look, I just found it.”

But I didn’t have time to attend the Sahaja programme. I had college five days a week and worked six days, including the day of the programme. Then, something unexpected happened – a colleague at work became aggressive and pushed me. The incident was reported, and we were both suspended from work for a week.

I decided to use that time to go to Sahaja meeting. The moment I saw Shri Mataji’s picture, I knew I was in the right place. I became a Sahaja Yogini and never looked back. 

My friend and I lost touch for a few years, but then I came across her profile on Facebook. She was living in Leamington Spa, near our Sahaja Yoga farm. We arranged to meet at a café, and she began sharing her story. Her seeking had led her to a cult that believed they were blessed by the Holy Ghost and could speak in tongues.

Suddenly, she grabbed my hand and started speaking in a strange, incomprehensible language. I quickly withdrew my hand, feeling uneasy. I stayed for a few more minutes out of politeness, then left for the farm.

There was a Puja at the farm that day, but as soon as I arrived, I sensed something was wrong with me. Something sat on my Sahasrara, blocking the flow of vibrations. My Kundalini was working hard but couldn’t get past the obstruction.

I was overcome with a profound sadness unlike anything I had ever experienced. I knew it wasn’t me – I’m a naturally joyful person. Concerned, I called a Sahaja friend and told her about it. She worked on me vibrationally, I recited Devi Kavach and used the candles but nothing helped. Despairing, I said to my friend, “I don’t think I can go on living with this sadness.”

That night, I prayed to Shri Mataji for help and went to sleep. The next morning, I woke up with a clear thought: I should ask Shri Mataji to give Realisation to the soul that had attached itself to me. I prayed to Mother for the lost soul’s Realisation, and just like that, it left me. I was back to my normal, cheerful self again!”

Kamila – Warsaw, Poland

“Last year was difficult for my wife and me. We faced many challenges in our lives. We prayed to Shri Mataji, but we weren’t sure if our prayers were reaching Her.

In September, I went to drop off my mother-in-law at her residence in Achalpur. While there, we visited a Sahaja Yoga center and experienced a wonderful meditation that brought us a deep sense of peace and resolution.

When we returned to our hometown of Khendwa, I spoke with our local vegetable vendor. He told me that he had come to our house while we were away. Someone had opened the door from the inside and informed him that we were not at home and didn’t need any vegetables. The next day, the vendor returned to our home, and the same thing happened.

I asked the vendor what the person who opened the door looked like. He said that the lady was wearing a dark brown sari, was very radiant, and had a large, moon-shaped bindi on the forehead.

A fellow Sahaja Yogi later explained that, just as Shri Ganesha’s symbol is the Swastika, the symbol of the Adi Shakti is a moon-shaped bindi. That’s when we realised that the person who had opened the door to our house was none other than Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi Herself! At that moment, I understood that Shri Mataji is always taking care of our lives.”

Sanjeev and Vaidehi Shrivastava – Khendwa, India

“I saw a photo of Shri Mataji in the house of a Sahaja Yoga couple but I never asked about it. Until one day, the Sahaja Yogini asked me if I wanted to get Self Realisation. I accepted, and since then I meditate every day. Before Sahaja, I used to do my job as quickly as possible. Today, I live in the moment and pay close attention to what I’m doing. Meditation has also greatly helped me overcome my shyness.

My dream is to work in Borotin. To me, it’s incredible to see little children sitting quietly and meditating. I study English every day. If everything works out, next year I’ll go there!”

Mariana – Casa Branca, Brazil

“My sister, who is also a yogini, and I love hiking and visiting waterfalls. The nature here is breathtaking. One day, we were at a waterfall when I saw a young man jump from one of the rocks into the water. There’s a grotto behind the waterfall, and he was trying to swim against a strong current to reach it. However, he wasn’t making any progress, and I quickly realised he was struggling to breathe. Without hesitation, I jumped into the water, grabbed his arm and pulled him out before anything worse could happen. This waterfall is very dangerous.

I ended up saving the young man from drowning. Later, we started talking, and I took him to Sahaja to get Self Realisation. In the end, I saved him twice. (laughs)”

Bruno – Casa Branca, Brazil

“My mom and dad’s families are from Italy, and I also have French and German heritage. I don’t even know what I’m doing here in Brazil! (laughs) Just kidding – I love this land so much.

I started meditating three years ago. I’m a civil engineer, and I often get creative insights while meditating. Once, I wanted to design a space in my house where 8 to 10 people could meditate together. During meditation, a 3D image suddenly popped into my mind, it was like watching a movie. I saw a pentagon-shaped space with a beautiful roof, benches and a stream of cool water flowing through it, perfect for foot soaking..

It was so vivid and detailed that I stopped meditating to sketch it. I thought to myself, “I’ll just finish this quick drawing and then go back to meditating!” And that’s exactly what I did. (laughs)”

Juliano – Casa Branca, Brazil

“When I started practicing Sahaja, my daughter was 15 years old. One day, we went to a store to buy clothes for her. In the store, she loved all the pieces we picked, but when we got home she started complaining and blaming me: ‘It’s your fault I bought these horrible things’.

Before meditating, I would have been very upset. But to my surprise, that day, I simply didn’t react. My daughter even provoked me, saying: ‘That’s right, don’t say anything.’ And I really didn’t say anything. I just witnessed it.

That was the moment I realised that a very profound transformation was happening within me.”

Aline – Casa Branca, Brazil

“We were on a plane with Shri Mataji during Her last trip to South America. Shri Mataji was seated in executive class, and I was in economy. Curiosity got the better of me, and I thought, “What’s happening over there?” So, I grabbed my video camera and entered the executive class, pretending to be a filmmaker.

As I was filming, Shri Mataji turned around to look at me. My heart skipped a beat – I thought, “Oh no, am I about to get scolded?” But instead, She gave me the most beautiful, motherly smile.

I turned to another yogi nearby and said, “Please take a picture of me here because I might never get another chance to be in a picture with Shri Mataji.” I struck a pose with Shri Mataji behind me, and he took the photo. I wanted to have that memory. I wanted to be able to say one day, “Oh, I was there. It wasn’t all just a dream.” 

Fábio – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

“A few years ago I got very ill. I thought my time had come and called my friend to come to the hospital and write down my will. 

That night, I had a dream. I was on a beautiful beach with a pier. I walked down the pier and when I reached the end, I saw Shri Mataji. My heart filled with joy – the Goddess was waiting for me! I approached Shri Mataji and said, ‘Mother, I am ready.’ But to my surprise, She replied, ‘Not yet. You still need to forgive some people.’

That dream brought back a special memory. Years ago, I was on a flight with Shri Mataji, when the pilot announced that we were flying over Belo Horizonte. I went to the front where Shri Mataji was and asked Her to bless my hometown. She then placed Her hands toward the ground. I thanked Her. Then She asked me how I was doing. I said everything was fine. She said, ‘And your husband?’ I replied, ‘He’s fine.’ She closed Her eyes and said, ‘You are a good wife, but he is not a seeker.’ That day, I understood that my efforts to save my marriage were in vain. Two years later, the divorce was finalised.

Since then, I have forgiven my ex-husband completely. He had taken half of my pension. None of this changed my attitude. Forgiveness is essential. I shared this dream with some Sahaja friends. They told me to forgive most people, but not all of them just yet. They want me to stay around for a bit longer.”

Vera – Brasilia, Brazil

“I was born in the US and I received my Realisation in 2006 while I was a university student on campus in California. When I went on a summer holiday to Argentina, everyone thought I was Brazilian. Interestingly, a few years later, I was matched with my husband, who is Brazilian, and now I live in Brazil with him and our daughter.

Once, I traveled to Panama alone and stayed with people who were not Sahaja Yogis. While there, I discovered they were involved in black magic. I went out to the yard and shoebeat all the negativity. That night, I had a dream. Shri Mataji appeared, staring at me intensely, and began destroying the negativity. She looked like an all-powerful Goddess.

In the second part of the dream, Shri Mataji and I were walking together, chatting casually, like a mother and daughter. I was struck by how awe-inspiring and commanding she could be in one moment, yet so approachable and down-to-earth in the next.”

Patience – BH, Brazil

“I studied music at the State University of Minas. I was part of an orchestra, but there was a conductor who didn’t like me. He used to say, in front of everyone: ‘You’re out of tune!’ I think it was his method, I don’t know. But that whole experience was terrible for me.

A girl who witnessed the whole situation told me: ‘This problem with the conductor must be something spiritual.’

I didn’t believe in God, I was skeptical. I decided to go on a trip to clear my head, just a sightseeing tour. During the trip, a girl started talking about yoga, chakras, and energy. As soon as I heard that, I thought: ‘Tomorrow, I’m going to try that!’

I went to Sahaja Yoga and loved it. I quit smoking and dove right into it. Even so, I stayed in the orchestra, and the conductor continued to treat me badly. Then, I started placing a picture of Shri Mataji on my sheet music during rehearsals. To my surprise, he immediately stopped mistreating me.”

Daniel – Contagem, Brazil

“As a startup entrepreneur, most of my work is in front of a computer, but whenever I can, I spend time in the garden. Being in nature helps me stay balanced and keeps my liver cool.

One day, my mother-in-law handed my wife and me a Sahaja flyer. At the time, we were in debt, but I looked at the flyer and said to my wife, “It’s free. Let’s try it”

We started meditating daily and soon began giving Sahaj programmes in our town. Sahaja Yoga improved the spiritual, social, and even financial aspect of our lives. 

I have witnessed many times how nicely things work out in Sahaja Yoga. Once my wife had a pure desire to attend the Shri Adi Shakti Puja in the United States. She often has moments of divine insight, but this time I was skeptical. It was quite last minute, the flights were very expensive and we did not have visas. But my wife felt everything would work out somehow.

We tried to schedule a visa interview, but no dates were available before the Puja. Then, we clicked on “reschedule,” and miraculously, a slot opened up just three days later. We attended the interview and got the visas.

Then, my wife met a friend of ours who mentioned that he was also traveling to the USA at exactly the same time and had found a promotion for half the price. We managed to get the last two tickets! At that point, it was clear: we were going to Canajoharie.

International experiences are truly enriching. I studied in France for five years and in South Korea, so I deeply value opportunities like International Pujas to connect with our global Sangha. During the Puja in the U.S., there was even a trip to Niagara Falls. When I saw the cost, I told my wife, “That’s impossible for us.” But she replied, “We’ll go – you’ll see!”

The Puja organisers were looking for volunteer drivers, and since I love driving, I offered to help. To my surprise, they waive the cost of the trip for drivers. It felt like a small miracle – we ended up paying only a small part of the costs. The Puja was wonderful. I have enjoyed every moment of it.”

Gustavo – Belo Horizonte, Brazil

“I was offered a job at a startup. My task would be to create a customer service department from scratch. Knowing that startups are high-risk and high-intensity jobs, I told the owner I would accept the job only on the condition that I could choose my team myself. He agreed, and I started working.

When the time came to expand our team, we put out an announcement and received a huge number of applications. ‘How am I going to choose just two people from this crowd?’ I wondered. My wife suggested checking the vibrations of the applications instead of reading through all of them. That’s what we did. Two applications stood out with really cool vibrations.

The basic requirement for the job was a university degree and five years of experience. I was very curious about the two winners chosen based on vibrations. To my surprise, one was a 19-year-old college dropout, and the other was an older man who had recently emigrated to Austria and barely spoke German.

‘It’s going to be interesting justifying this choice to my boss,’ I said to my wife.

When I showed my boss the two candidates I had selected for my team, he was horrified. ‘Artur, for goodness’ sake, have you lost your mind? Why did you choose these two?’ I couldn’t think of any reason apart from the vibrations, so I simply said, ‘Look, these are the two people I believe will be the best, and you agreed to let me choose the team.’ He reluctantly accepted my decision but made it clear that he was very unhappy about it.

The two guys started working with us, and it quickly became clear that they were exceptional. The 19-year-old was incredibly intelligent, mastering processes in just three days that took everyone else three weeks to learn. No one had ever seen such a quick learner. The older man was highly experienced and so grateful to have been given such a good job despite his limited German skills that he consistently went above and beyond what was expected.

On top of that, both were easygoing and a pleasure to be around. They fit into the team perfectly, like a glove. Everyone liked them.

A few weeks later, my boss came to me, looked at me with admiration, and asked, ‘Artur, I sometimes wonder – how could you possibly have known that these two would be such a perfect fit for us? I never would have guessed.’

‘People skills,’ I replied with a smile.”

Artur –Kitee, Finland

“One day, when I was playing outside with my dad, our neighbour came by. He talked a little bit with my dad, then looked at me and asked, ‘Who’s your best friend?’

I said, ‘Shri Mataji!’

The neighbor said he never heard of a child in our village called Shri Mataji and asked me, ‘Who is Shri Mataji?’

This surprised me so I explained to him “Shri Mataji is my mother, She is your mother, She is the mother of your mother. She is the Goddess!”

The neighbor looked at me all funny and then looked at my dad. My dad just shrugged and said, ‘That’s who Uma’s best friend is.’”

Uma – Cabella School, Italy

“One day when I was little, I was playing on the slide with my sister Uma. Then this boy started being mean and wouldn’t let anyone else use the slide.

I ran to my auntie and asked her to help us. She said, ‘I’ll come after I finish my sandwich.’ But we didn’t want to wait, so we gave a bhandan and asked Shri Mataji to help.

The very next moment, the naughty boy’s mom came and told him to go home! Whenever we have a problem, we always give a bhandan and ask Shri Mataji for help. She always fixes everything for us!

Amba – Cabella School, Italy

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