The Term
The word 'Sahaja' in Sanskrit has two components: saha meaning 'with' and ja meaning 'born'. Sahaja means natural, simple or innate and Yoga means union or yoking and refers to a spiritual path or a state of spiritual absorption. According to a book published by the movement, Sahaja Yoga means spontaneous and born with you meaning that the kundalini is born within us and can be awakened spontaneously.
In 2000 the term 'Sahaja Yoga' was trademarked in the United States by Vishwa Nirmala Dharma.
The term 'Sahaja Yoga' goes back at least to the 15th Century Indian mystic Kabir. and has been used to refer to Surat Shabd Yoga. The term is also used to describe the basic meditation practice of Ananda Marga. Rajneesh (aka Osho) described 'Sahaja Yoga' as the most difficult of yogas because it involves no effort and is natural and spontaneous. According to the Sahaja Yoga movement, one cannot put in any effort to awaken the kundalini; just have to ask for it to happen as it is spontaneous.
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