Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi - the founder of Sahaja Yoga was born on March 21st, 1923 to a Christian family in Chindwara, India. Her family took active part in India's struggle for Independence, her father, a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi, was a member of the Constituent Assembly of India and helped write free India's first constitution. Her mother was the first woman in India to receive Honors Degree in Mathematics.

In 1970, on the beach of Nargol, she discovered a historical process of en-masse Self Realization through which thousands of people could get this connection to their Spirit and thereby their inner transformation.

Large numbers of people, without distinction of race, religion, age or social status have acknowledged the value of her teachings by establishing Sahaja Yoga centers in over 85 nations. These people who live a normal family life, tap to their inner spiritual power through daily Sahaja Yoga meditation and have achieved a complete balance of their lives on the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels.

Shri Mataji has been widely recognized for the powerful results of her spiritual teachings. In 1994, the Mayor of Brazil's capital welcomed Shri Mataji at the airport, presenting her with the key to the city, and sponsored all of her programs. In 1995, the Indian Government granted Shri Mataji a one hour prime time television series, broadcast nationally. During the same year, Shri Mataji was an official guest of the Chinese government and was invited to speak at the International Women's Conference in Beijing. Also in 1995, she was awarded by the Romanian Ecological University an Honorary Doctorate in Cognitive and Parapsychological Sciences.