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PRESS RELEASE FOR AUSTRALIA(25th February, 2011)

H.H. Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, ounder o the worldwide meditation movementcalled Sahaja Yoga, passed away peaceully on 23rd February, 2011 in Genoa, Italy,aged 87.

Hers was a lie unlike any other. Whether walking with kings or walking bareootwith Gandhi, it was a journey o extremes managed eortlessly, living as she didwith grace, dignity and, always, loving guidance.

Shri Matajis was to be a truly remarkable path.

Born o a royal dynasty, she conerred as a child with Mahatma Gandhi, livingor a time in his ashram, was a medical student and a reedom ghter, was anadored mother, grandmother, great grandmother and the wie o a distinguisheddiplomat who himsel was decorated by the kings and presidents o innumerablecountries and knighted by the Queen o England. But incredibly, ater allthis, with her amily grown and settled, she then embarked on an even moreextraordinary mission.

Shri Mataji was born to Christian parents in India. Spiritually enlightened, sheknew rom very early on that her unique spiritual git must be made available toeveryone. And so it was that in 1970 she ounded Sahaja Yoga meditation, whichshe shared reely. Using simple techniques, she discovered a unique process o SelRealisation through which huge masses o people could easily achieve the peace otrue meditation. She charged no money, and instead insisted this was a birthright

which should be available to all who desired it, at no cost. She said There can be nopeace in the world until there is peace within.

Thus began the next outstanding stage o her lie: or the next orty years, shecontinuously travelled the globe teaching meditation; was a loved and lovingspiritual leader, acclaimed public speaker, gentle guide, philanthropist, Nobel peaceprize nominee, and recipient o numerous awards and commendations worldwide.Extending her care and compassion ever urther, in India she established a holistichealth and research centre in Mumbai, an international cancer research centrein Mumbai, a charity house or destitute women and children in Delhi and aninternational Music Academy in Vaitarna to promote classical music and arts.

Although at birth she was named Nirmala, meaning Immaculate, eventually shecame to be known as Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi - the revered Mother. She wasregarded by many as the most signicant spiritual gure o our times.

Regardless o race, religion, age or status, probably millions o ordinary people havenow learnt how to tap into their inner spiritual power through Sahaja meditation,helping to nd balance in their lives. And at meditation centres throughout morethan 80 countries in the world, her legacy will live on, with volunteers continuingto teach her techniques or ree. In the spirit o her teaching, those who have beenhelped will then help others, like one candle lighting another.

Shri Mataji was described as an Avatar o the modern era by Claes Nobel

(grandnephew o the creator o Nobel Foundation). And in the hearts o her ollowers,she will remain evermore, the all compassionate Mother.

H.H. Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi is survived by her husband Sir C.P. Srivastava,daughters Kalpana and Sadhana, grandchildren & great grandchildren, and her

worldwide amily o countless devotees. She will be laid to rest in India.

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More background:

Shri Matajis parents Cornelia and Prasad Salve, a direct descendanto Indias reputed royal Shalivahana amily, played a key role in IndiasLiberation Movement rom British rule. Her ather, a close associate oMahatma Gandhi, was a member o the Constituent Assembly o India andhelped write ree Indias rst constitution; was a renowned scholar, master o14 languages, and translated the Koran into Marathi. Her mother was the

rst woman in India to receive an Honors Degree in Mathematics.As a child, Shri Mataji lived with her parents in Mahatma Gandhis ashram,where he aectionately called her Nepali, because o her acial eatures.Even at a young age, her wisdom and deep understanding was evident toGandhi, who was known to have sought her advice on spiritual matters.Shri Mataji studied medicine until becoming a student activist in the FreeIndia movement, when both her parents were jailed.

For many decades Shri Mataji kept a remarkable schedule at her owninstigation, travelling tirelessly around the world teaching Sahaja Yogameditation, showing how to eortlessly trigger the awakening o theindividuals spiritual power or kundalini, at one time as an ocial guest

o the ormer Soviet Union, addressing an audience o 100,000 people.Whether speaking in the Sydney Town Hall, the Royal Albert Hall inLondon, immense stadiums in India, addressing the United Nations inNew York, or travelling by bullock cart to crowded dusty elds in ruralvillages, she gave thousands o talks to packed audiences. Throughout, shealways maintained that people cannot pay or spiritual enlightenment anddenounced alse sel proclaimed gurus who were more interested in moneythan spiritual ascent. In 2005 she personally donated properties to theSahaja Yoga worldwide collective.

Shri Mataji received numerous recognitions or her selfess work andlietime achievements. These include being awarded the UN peace medal,nominated or the Nobel peace prize, ocial guest o China as keynote

speaker at Beijing International Womens Conerence, granted a onehour nationally broadcast television series by the Indian Govt, given aProclamation by the US Congress, given Unity Award or internationalunderstanding, declared Personality o the Year by Italian Govt, Mayoro Brazils capital gave keys to the city and sponsored all her programs,ocially greeted by North American Mayors o LA, NY, BritishColumbia, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Berkeley and invited byocials o many countries to address their people.

More about Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi:www.sahajayoga.org/shrimataji

Contact for press release:Sahaja Yoga Meditation Australia media co-ordinator

Ms Astrid FleayEmail: astridfeay@gmail.comPhone: 0439 312 893

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