This year's Mental Health Awareness Week will take place from the 10th to the 16th of May. The theme is to connect with nature and seems the perfect occasion to mix nature and our well-being with meditation.
Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi founded Sahaja Meditation about 50 years ago. Thousands of people have gathered worldwide to hear what she has to say in halls, temples, and churches.
Sahaja meditation is a natural form of meditation: relaxed, calm, ego-free and thought-free. It will help you develop a deeper understanding of yourself and the universe that surround us.
Shomika is a microbiologist who hosts some of these meditations. She has been meditating for over seven years. Now, she shares her thoughts and helps new people meditate with Sahaja.
"This meditation has a holistic approach, as it has the potential to improve one's mind, body and soul by raising the energy through the central channel. It activates the parasympathetic nervous system that heals the damage caused by strain on the left or the right sympathetic nervous system.", she says.
An experienced and trained volunteer will guide you step by step through the meditation process. Individually you will work self-realization by repeating affirmations that will help you channel your energy.
We are born with innate subtle energy called Kundalini. When this energy awakens, it connects with the all-pervading universal energy. Each fingertip corresponds to a chakra, so make sure you pay attention to what you feel. It might be tickling, heat or cold.
At the end of each session, you will be able to tell ask the practitioner what did you feel and they will let you know what does it mean. Finally, there is a ten-minute meditation with music.
Blanca Manovel, 27, is a Spanish lawyer living in the UK. She says: "I started meditating about a year ago. Sahaja meditation needs just a little bit of practice. I think it is something that these days we all need, especially with what has been going on in the world with the pandemic."
Elena del Castillo has been attending Sahaja meditations since 2018.
"They offered classes in different locations in London and was super great because you get to meet new practitioners and people. After each meditation you feel like a brand new person, full of energy but completely relaxed. Everyone should try it at least once in their lives.", she says.