Self-Realization — The Inner Rebirth of the Spirit

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The Paraclete Shri Mataji presents Self-realization as the universal spiritual aim affirmed across all major religions—an inner awakening in which one directly experiences the Divine within, rather than merely believing in it intellectually or practicing external ritual. It emphasizes that every tradition has pointed to this same reality, but has used different words for the one experience: spiritual rebirth, illumination, awakening, salvation, union with God, or knowledge of the Self. The page highlights how sacred teachings, though expressed in varied languages and symbols, converge on a single message: true religion culminates in inner transformation—the living realization of our deeper identity beyond ego and conditioning.

The Universal Call to Self-Realization: A Comparative Study Across World Religions

Abstract

This paper explores the universal human aspiration for Self-realization—a transformative inner awakening—as it is articulated across the world's major spiritual and religious traditions. While the theological frameworks and terminologies differ, a remarkable convergence points to a singular phenomenological experience. We examine the core concepts of spiritual rebirth in Christianity (Born Again), Islam (Al-Qiyamah), Sikhism (Dasam Dwar), Hinduism (Moksha), Buddhism (Nirvana), Taoism (Zhenren), Judaism (Devekut), and Gnosticism (Gnosis). The paper argues that while every religion has, at its core, pointed to this inner transformation, many have been taught wrongly or used to create division. It then presents the teachings of Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi as a modern synthesis, which unifies these diverse traditions through the concepts of Kundalini and Paramchaitanya, and offers a verifiable, tangible experience of this awakening—the cool breeze of the Holy Spirit felt on the central nervous system. Finally, it outlines four practical, accessible paths for the modern seeker to attain this state of being.

1. Introduction: The Universal Call and the Human Dilemma

The spiritual history of humanity is defined by a persistent, universal quest for a direct, experiential knowledge of the divine. This ultimate attainment, which this paper will refer to by the comprehensive term Self-realization, appears under different names in every major religion. It is the Christian being Born Again, the Islamic inner Resurrection, the Hindu Moksha, and the Buddhist Nirvana. However, as Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi points out, a profound tragedy has befallen this universal truth. The very institutions founded to guide humanity toward this goal have often become instruments of dogma, ritualism, and division. They have lost, as Shri Mataji stated, "the sense that all religions come from the same source."[1] This has led to a situation where many "professing a religion are creating a society which is completely decadent," because the true inner transformation has been replaced by blind faith and external branding.

This paper seeks to rectify this by first establishing the common ground shared by the world's great spiritual traditions regarding the experience of Self-realization. It will then introduce the synthesis offered by Shri Mataji, which provides a verifiable, phenomenological basis for this experience, accessible to all. Finally, it will outline four practical methods for attaining this spiritual rebirth in the modern age.

2. A Comparative Study of Self-Realization Across World Religions

The following sections explore the unique terminology and conceptual framework each tradition uses to describe the same fundamental experience of inner awakening and union with the divine.

2.1 Christianity: The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit

In Christianity, Self-realization is expressed as being “born again” or “born of the Spirit.” Jesus Christ’s declaration to Nicodemus, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3), points to a profound inner transformation, not a mere intellectual assent to doctrine.[2] This is the Baptism by the Holy Spirit, an event distinct from water ritual, powerfully illustrated at Pentecost where the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit, experiencing a “sound like a mighty rushing wind” and seeing “tongues of fire.”[3] This indwelling of the Paraclete, or Holy Spirit, actualizes Jesus’s teaching that “the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21), shifting the locus of spiritual life to an internal, lived reality.[4] In Eastern Orthodox theology, this culminates in Theosis, the process of becoming like God.[5]

2.2 Islam: The Inner Resurrection and the Baptism of Allah

Islam articulates Self-realization through the Qur’anic call to witness the Resurrection, Al-Qiyamah, as a present, inner reality. Allah swears an oath by this event and by the “self-reproaching Spirit” (al-Nafs al-Lawwamah) (Qur’an 75:1-2), signifying that the Resurrection is a verifiable experience linked to the awakening of a specific spiritual faculty.[6] This is further clarified by the concept of the Baptism of Allah (Sibghat Allah): “The Baptism of Allah; and who can baptise better than Allah?” (Qur’an 2:138).[7] The term sibghah (dye) implies a transformative immersion that permanently alters one's essence, a direct action of God that purifies the soul.[8]

2.3 Sikhism: Opening the Tenth Door

Sikhism offers a powerful terminology for this experience, centered on the opening of the Dasam Dwar, or the Tenth Door.[9] This is a spiritual aperture at the crown of the head (the fontanelle bone area), corresponding to the Sahasrara chakra, which opens upon enlightenment. The Sri Guru Granth Sahib states: “The Tenth Gate is the home of the inaccessible, infinite Supreme Lord.” The resulting state is Sahaj Avastha, a state of spontaneous, effortless union with God.[10] A person who attains this is a Jivan Mukta, one who is liberated while living.[11]

2.4 Hinduism: The Realization of Atman and the Awakening of Kundalini

Hinduism’s ultimate goal is Moksha, liberation from the cycle of rebirth (samsara).[12] This is achieved through Atma Sakshatkara, the direct realization of the Self (Atman) and its identity with the Absolute (Brahman). The yogic traditions provide a detailed map for this journey, centered on the awakening of the Kundalini, a primordial divine energy.[13] This energy is described as lying dormant in the sacrum bone at the base of the spine—a bone considered sacred by ancient Greeks and Romans, who called it the os sacrum or "sacred bone."[14] When awakened, the Kundalini ascends through the central channel, piercing the chakras, and uniting with the divine in the Sahasrara chakra, resulting in Samadhi (superconscious union).

2.5 Buddhism: The Attainment of Nirvana

The ultimate attainment in Buddhism is Nirvana, which literally means to “extinguish” the fires of greed, hatred, and ignorance that cause suffering.[15] This is synonymous with Bodhi (enlightenment), the awakening to the true nature of reality. In the Zen tradition, this is often referred to as Kensho (seeing into one's true nature) or Satori (a moment of sudden enlightenment).[16] It is the realization of the ultimate, unconditioned nature of a Buddha, which is one with all reality.

2.6 Taoism: Union with the Tao

Taoism seeks harmony with the Tao, the ineffable source of all things. The realized being is the Zhenren, the “True” or “Authentic Person,” who has returned to their original nature and lives in perfect accord with the Tao.[17] This state is characterized by Wu Wei, or effortless action—spontaneous, natural action that flows from a deep connection with the Tao, without the interference of the ego.[18]

2.7 Judaism and Kabbalah: Cleaving to God

In the mystical tradition of Judaism, Kabbalah, Self-realization is expressed as Devekut, which means to “cleave” or unite with God.[19] It is a state of constant communion and intimacy with the divine, achieved through prayer and meditation. The mystical experience involves the direct perception of the Sefirot (divine emanations), particularly Binah (Understanding), as inner states of consciousness.[20]

2.8 Gnosticism: The Pursuit of Gnosis

Gnosticism, a diverse religious movement from the early centuries CE, placed central emphasis on Gnosis, a Greek word for a direct, experiential knowledge of the divine.[21] The Gnostics, whose writings were famously rediscovered in the Nag Hammadi library, believed that a spark of the divine was trapped within the human soul, and through Gnosis, this spark could be liberated and returned to its divine source.[22]

3. Synthesis: The Common Thread and the Modern, Verifiable Metaphor

The table below summarizes the remarkable convergence of these diverse traditions on a single, universal experience.

Religion	Primary Term(s)	Core Concept
Christianity	Born Again, Baptism by the Holy Spirit	Spiritual rebirth through the Holy Spirit
Islam	Al-Qiyamah, Sibghat Allah	Inner Resurrection, Baptism of Allah
Sikhism	Dasam Dwar, Sahaj Avastha	Opening of the Tenth Door, spontaneous union
Hinduism	Moksha, Kundalini Jagran	Liberation through awakening of divine energy
Buddhism	Nirvana, Bodhi	Extinguishing of suffering, enlightenment
Taoism	Zhenren, Wu Wei	Becoming the True Person, effortless action
Judaism (Kabbalah)	Devekut, Tikkun	Cleaving to God, rectification of the soul
Gnosticism	Gnosis, Theosis	Direct knowledge of divine, deification

As Shri Mataji taught, all these terms point to the same fundamental experience: the awakening of a subtle spiritual energy within (the Kundalini) and the establishment of a connection with the all-pervading divine power (the Paramchaitanya). Her unique contribution was to provide a modern, verifiable metaphor for this experience: the sensation of a cool breeze of the Holy Spirit or vibrations felt on the central nervous system (hands, head).[23] This tangible experience, which has been the subject of scientific inquiry showing measurable effects on the brain,[24] demystifies the ultimate goal of all religions, making it accessible and verifiable for the modern seeker.

4. Four Practical Paths to Attain Self-Realization

Based on this synthesis, there are four primary ways for a modern seeker to attain Self-realization (being born again):

1. Following the instructions of the Paraclete Shri Mataji: Her extensive collection of talks and guided meditations are available online, offering direct guidance for awakening the Kundalini.[25]
2. Practicing a prescribed meditation technique: A simple, structured meditation for Kundalini awakening, complete with diagrams and affirmations, is available as a downloadable PDF.[26]
3. Receiving Self-realization from a Sahaja Yogi: The experience can be transmitted directly by practitioners at Sahaja Yoga centres, which exist worldwide and offer programs free of charge.[27]
4. Direct, contemplative recognition of the inner Self: Through introspection and meditation, one can directly recognize the inner Self as the Divine Feminine (Adi Shakti) and as Brahman, the ultimate reality.[28]

5. Conclusion

The comparative study of world religions reveals a universal call to an inner awakening—a Self-realization that liberates the human spirit. While this truth has often been obscured by dogma and division, the teachings of Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi offer a powerful, unifying synthesis. By providing a practical and verifiable method to awaken the Kundalini and experience the cool breeze of the Holy Spirit, She has demystified the esoteric promises of the past. The path to the Kingdom of God is not a matter of blind faith in a particular creed, but an inner journey of discovery, a tangible experience available to all who sincerely seek it. As Paramhansa Yogananda stated, “Self-realization is the knowing in all parts of body, mind, and soul that you are now in possession of the kingdom of God.”[29]

6. References

[1] Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi. "Every Religion Has Said You Must Have Your Self-Realization." adishakti.org, 12 Aug. 2006.
[2] "John 3:1-21." New International Version, Bible Gateway.
[3] "Acts 2." New International Version, Bible Gateway.
[4] "Luke 17:21." New International Version, Bible Gateway.
[5] Clendenin, Daniel B. "Salvation as Theosis: The Teaching of Eastern Orthodoxy." Themelios, vol. 23, no. 3, 1998.
[6] "Allah's (SWT) Command to Witness Al-Qiyamah (The Resurrection)." adishakti.org.
[7] "Tafsir Surah Al-Baqarah - 138." Maarif-ul-Quran, quran.com.
[8] "The “Dye of God”, baptism, and Qur’anic interaction with Christian themes." Pondering Islam, 19 Jan. 2019.
[9] "Dasam Dwaar." SikhiWiki.
[10] "Sahaj." SikhiWiki.
[11] "Jivan Mukta." SikhiWiki.
[12] "Moksha." Encyclopædia Britannica.
[13] Vanamali. Shakti: Realm of the Divine Mother. Inner Traditions, 2008.
[14] Sugar, O. "How the sacrum got its name." JAMA, vol. 257, no. 15, 1987, p. 2061.
[15] "Nirvana (Buddhism)." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation.
[16] "Kenshō." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation.
[17] "Zhenren." Encyclopædia Britannica.
[18] "Wu wei." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation.
[19] Schmidt, G. G. "Cleaving to God through the ages: An historical analysis of the Jewish concept of devekut." Mystics Quarterly, vol. 21, no. 4, 1995, pp. 123-35.
[20] "Binah." Chabad.org.
[21] "Gnosis." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation.
[22] "Introduction to Gnosticism and the Nag Hammadi Library." The Gnosis Archive.
[23] Coney, Judith. Sahaja Yoga: Socializing Processes in a South Asian New Religious Movement. Curzon Press, 1999.
[24] Hernández, S. E., et al. "Larger whole brain grey matter associated with long-term Sahaja Yoga Meditation." Brain and Behavior, vol. 11, no. 2, 2021, e01976.
[25] "Self-realization Shri Mataji - YouTube Search." YouTube.
[26] "Self-realization Meditation." adishakti.org, PDF.
[27] "Sahaja Yoga Meditation Centers." sycenters.org.
[28] "Adi Shakti: The Divine Feminine." adishakti.org.
[29] Yogananda, Paramhansa. The Essence of Self-Realization. Crystal Clarity Publishers, 1990.

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So this is the cool breeze of the Holy Ghost. The power which is all around us is the power of the Holy Ghost and what you feel on your fingertips is the cool breeze that is the surrounding Divine Power. So in your human awareness you develop another higher dimension which is beyond your mental capacity and you become, actually it´s a question of becoming not certifying that you are baptized or anything but actualisation that you become a realised soul. This is the last breakthrough we all have to achieve. In the evolutionary process we have come to the human level and unless and until we achieve this breakthrough there is no possibility of saving this universe because only after this breakthrough you can feel it that you have become part and parcel of the whole. It’s an experience.

The Paraclete Shri Mataji
Public Program, Vienna, Austria-—24 July 1989

“The Cool Breeze is all around us and we can start feeling in our hands when the Kundalini emerges from the top of the head if our Vishuddhi is alright. This is what Christ meant by 'to be born again' and not just to call some people and say 'Alright, now we have some baptism.'"

The Paraclete Shri Mataji
Bedford, U.K.—8 October 1982


“The Cool Breeze coming out of your head, that's called as Chaitanya Lahari, that's called Cool Breeze of the Holy Ghost. When John the Baptist talked about baptism, he meant this. He didn't mean the way we do baptism, to just call somebody, put some water on the head, and say 'Oh, you're baptized. That's just a drama. Baptism is a living process.”

The Paraclete Shri Mataji
Helsinki, Finland—17 August 1989

“The Kingdom of God that we were promised is at hand. This is not a phrase out of a sermon or a lecture, but it is the actualization of the experience of the highest Truth which is Absolute, now manifesting itself in ordinary people at this present moment.”

The Paraclete Shri Mataji

“Dedication doesn’t mean that you don’t talk of Sahaja Yoga. Many people think that keeping silent is the way you are dedicated. Only in meditation you should be. But you have to get out of that shell. Tell all the nations and tell all the people all over the Great Message that the Time of Resurrection is here. Now, at this time, and that you are capable of doing it.”

The Paraclete Shri Mataji
Cheltenham, England—31 July 1982

“Actually, thank God they have found out now the book written by Thomas who has described Gnostic way of life, where gnya means 'to know.' In Sanskrit language, gnya means 'to know,' gnya. So he has described very nicely the gnostic life. This was the Gnostic Bible, or whatever we call it, saying about a personal experience of achieving God realization, Self-realization. It talks about Sahaja Yoga out and out.”

The Paraclete Shri Mataji
Christmas Puja, Pune, India—December 25, 1987

“The Self is the Spirit. This Spirit resides in the heart of every human being and is in a witness-like state. The Spirit is the projection of God Almighty, while the Kundalini is the projection of the power of God, of His desire which is the Primordial Mother, or you can call it Adi Shakti, Holy Ghost or Athena.

So the Kundalini is the projection of the Holy Ghost, while the Spirit is the projection of God Almighty. The All-pervading Power of love is the power of the Primordial Mother, which creates and evolves, and does all the living work.”

The Paraclete Shri Mataji
The Work of the Divine, Derby, England—1 August 1984


“And you are judged and judged and judged. But this Judgment is so beautiful, that you are not damned with anything, you are not completely imprisoned. But you are given a chance to improve, to reform, to be perfect, and to enjoy the Beauty that is promised, the Beauty that is described, the Beauty that we are, the Beauty that is Truth, that is Bliss, that's Heaven.”

The Paraclete Shri Mataji
Public Program, Hampstead, England—6 June 1980

“You see, the Holy Ghost is the Mother. When they say about the Holy Ghost, She is the Mother... Now, the principle of Mother is in every, every scripture — has to be there. Now, the Mother's character is that She is the one who is the Womb, She is the one who is the Mother Earth, and She is the one who nourishes you. She nourishes us. You know that. And this Feminine thing in every human being resides as this Kundalini.”

The Paraclete Shri Mataji
Radio Interview, Santa Cruz, USA—1 October 1983

“But there is a Primordial Mother which was accepted by all the religions; even the Jews had it... In India, this is called as Adi Shakti. In every religion, they had this Mother who was the Primordial Mother.”

The Paraclete Shri Mataji
TV Interview, Los Angeles, USA—11 October 1993


“So, the power of understanding only come when we become the power of Cosmic Consciousness. Because Cosmic Consciousness understands each and everything; sitting down here you can understand everything, you don't have to go there. Everything. And because your Mother is a Mahamaya it may not show, but it will expose one day. So you have to depend on that part of Sahaja Yoga, that it is a Mahamaya's job. So we should not get disturbed or upset, it will show.

So, you are doubly blessed. First of all you got your realization, which they say is the hardest of hardest thing to get. You have overcome the gravity. And secondly, your Mother is the Mother of all the Adi Gurus. She's the One who taught all the Adi Gurus. She created the Adi Gurus and She'll create out of you the Adi Guru.”

The Paraclete Shri Mataji
Guru Puja, Gmunden, Austria—6 July 1986

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