Shri Mataji: Self-Realization and the New Race for the New Age

“Self-realization will progressively lead to the creation of a new race for the New Age.” — Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi. This visionary declaration by Shri Mataji speaks to the transformative power of spiritual awakening. As individuals attain Self-realization through the awakening of the Kundalini, a subtle and divine evolution begins—one that transcends race, religion, and nationality. This new race is not defined by genetics, but by consciousness: a collective of enlightened souls who embody compassion, wisdom, and inner balance. In this New Age, humanity is invited to rise above division and embrace its divine potential.

“Each soul must meet the morning sun, the new sweet earth, and the Great Silence alone! What is Silence? It is the Great Mystery! The Holy Silence is His voice!”
— Ohiyesa (Dr. Charles Alexander Eastman), Santee Sioux

As you are probably aware, there have been many sages and teachers who have arisen and shared with us their eloquence, their own revelations and reflections about silence, the truth and the secret of life and living. This “many” unfortunately has taken thousands of years to accumulate. The reality is that there are very few fully illumined beings ever alive at one moment. Perhaps there is a reason for this, not the scope of this discussion though.

One of the most influential and treasured of all was a man named Ramana Maharshi, from India. It is my humble opinion that he presents the most clear, gentle and loving approach to human freedom in history. At the core of his teachings are profound references to silence. Ramana speaks about pure silence this way:

“What exists in truth is the Self alone. The self is that where there is absolutely no ‘I’ thought. That is called Silence. The Self itself is the world; the Self itself is ‘I’; the Self itself is God.”

“The inner silence is self-surrender. And that is living without the sense of ego. Solitude is in the mind of humanity. Silence is ever speaking; it is the perennial flow of ‘language.’ It is interrupted by speaking; for words obstruct this mute language. Silence is permanent and benefits the whole of humanity... By silence, eloquence is meant. It is the best language. There is a state when words cease and silence prevails.”

“There is Consciousness along with quietness in the mind; this is exactly the state to be aimed at.”

“In samadhi* there is only the feeling ‘I am’ And no thoughts. The experience ‘I am’ Is being still. The Self is God. ‘I am’ Is God. All that is required to realize the Self is to be still.”
The Spiritual Teaching of Ramana Maharshi
Shambala Dragon Books 1988.

*samadhi is a state of silent absorption in the Self, in God, in Nothingness of Mind itself, in Pure Silence

“Q: My approach is not so absolute, hence my question. Throughout the West people are in search of something real. They turn to science, which tells them a lot about matter, a little about the mind and nothing about the nature and purpose of consciousness. To them reality is objective, outside the observable and describable, directly or by inference; about the subjective aspect of reality they know nothing. It is extremely important to let them know that there is reality and it is to be found in the freedom of consciousness from matter and its limitations and distortions. Most of the people in the world just do not know that there is reality which can be found and experienced in consciousness. It seems very important that they should hear the good news from somebody who has actually experienced it. Such witnesses have always existed and their testimony is precious.

M: Of course. The gospel of self-realization, once heard, will never be forgotten. Like a seed left in the ground, it will wait for the right season and sprout and grow into a mighty tree.”
Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj
I Am That: Talks with Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, page 174
Published by Acorn Press (1973)
ISBN 0893860220
“TOWARDS THE MILLENNIUM

The year 2000 marks not only the beginning of a new century, but, according to those whose words are recorded in the following pages (of Revelation: Wisdom of the Ages by Paul Roland), it heralds the dawning of a New Age, an age which will witness an evolutionary leap in consciousness, culminating in a spiritual Renaissance for humanity. Such a change will not come for the asking. We may be forced to re- evaluate our attitude to organized religion, our obligation to humanity and certainly our perception of the Universe and our purpose in it, a revolution which has apparently already begun... that the most significant changes will come about within the lifetime of most of us, but there are conflicting views as to how the changes will transpire.

Some say it will be forced upon us through the catharsis of crisis and conflict in the manner of a biblical apocalypse. Others prophesy a gradual awakening of consciousness resulting from a crisis of conscience, with the conflict being waged between our self-interest and the “divine discontent” felt by our Higher Selves.

At the end of a century in which we set our sights on outer space, we may find that our future depends on our success in exploring the infinity of inner space.”
Paul Roland, Revelation: Wisdom of the Ages
Ulysses Press, 1995, p. 133.

And now, in the last quarter of the century, there is a renewed interest in the esoteric, but this is of a more mature, spiritual nature than was shown by the sensational spiritualism of the earlier period. Esoteric thought, it seems, is not immune to a renewed surge of energy and looks like being stimulated into a re-evaluation of its beliefs, just at a time when the rest of humanity will have to question theirs.

Through Alice Bailey, “ The Tibetan” predicted that in the first quarter of the 21st century there will be a restoration of the Ancient Mysteries, which have been debased by Black Magic. These will now be expressed at a higher level. This is part of the “Great Plan” and will pave the way for an event described as “Externalization of the Hierarchy”, when those on earth who are spiritually advanced will work consciously with the brotherhood to help humanity.

The effect of this surge in our spiritual evolution is predicted to be dramatic, especially for those who are unprepared. Such people will resist the changes, clinging all the more desparately to their materialictic values.

“The Mysteries will be restored in other ways also, for they contain much besides which the Masonic rites can reveal or that religious rituals and ceremonies can disclose ... The Mysteries will restore colour and music as they essentially are to the world ... in such a manner that the creative art of today will be to this new creative art what a child's building of wooden blocks is to a great cathedral such as Durham or Milan. The Mysteries, when restored, will make real — in a sense incomprehensible to you at present — the nature of religion, the purpose of science and the goal of education. These are not what you think today ...”

“Beyond these sensational claims of a world-wide re-awakening to the Ageless Wisdom is the fundamental belief shared by many of the esoteric and religious traditions that man must first demonstrate the will to develop, before the benign forces — whether we imagine them to be “Hidden Masters,” our own Higher Self or a Messiah — are allowed to intervene to help us.”
Paul Roland, Revelation: Wisdom of the Ages
Ulysses Press, 1995, p. 109-9.

Introduction

Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, the founder of Sahaja Yoga and revered as the incarnation of the Adi Shakti (Divine Feminine), delivered profound teachings on spiritual evolution during her lifetime (1923–2011). One of her most visionary statements is:

"Self-Realization will progressively lead to the creation of a new race for the new Age."

This quote encapsulates her belief in a collective spiritual awakening that transcends individual enlightenment, fostering a renewed humanity aligned with divine principles. Drawing from the content of adishakti.org and her specific discourse on this topic, this document explores the depth of this quote, its spiritual significance, supporting insights from other sages, scriptural connections across religions, and its implications for the ongoing evolution of humankind in the context of the New Age, Last Judgment, and Resurrection.

Understanding Self-Realization in Shri Mataji's Teachings

Self-Realization, as taught by Shri Mataji, is the spontaneous awakening of the Kundalini energy—the dormant spiritual force within every human being, often described as the individual manifestation of the Divine Mother. This process occurs through Sahaja Yoga, a meditative practice that connects the seeker to the all-pervading power of the Divine, manifesting as a "Cool Breeze" (Chaitanya Lahari) or subtle vibrations felt on the palms and above the head. Unlike traditional spiritual paths that may require rigorous asceticism or blind faith, Self-Realization in Sahaja Yoga is accessible to all, en masse, and verifiable through personal experience.

Shri Mataji emphasized that this awakening is not merely personal but evolutionary. She stated that the pure Knowledge of the Divine, once manifested through Self-Realization, will lead to the "creation of a new race for the new Age." This new race refers to a transformed humanity—individuals who have achieved inner balance, righteousness (Dharma), and harmony with themselves, nature, and others. It marks the final breakthrough in human evolution, where collective consciousness rises to a higher dimension, actualizing the promised Kingdom of God within. In her words, this is the era of the Last Judgment and Resurrection Time, where spiritual ascent should be approached scientifically: treat it as a hypothesis, observe the facts, and accept it upon verification.

The "new Age" here aligns with the Age of Aquarius, a period of unity, enlightenment, and liberation from dogmatic structures. Shri Mataji warned that without this awakening, humanity risks clinging to materialism, leading to imbalance.

Supporting Insights from Sages and Thinkers

Shri Mataji's vision resonates with timeless wisdom from various spiritual traditions, underscoring the universality of Self-Realization as a path to silence, surrender, and collective transformation.

Ohiyesa (Dr. Charles Alexander Eastman), Santee Sioux

Ohiyesa spoke of the "Great Silence" as the voice of the Divine Mystery, where each soul meets the sacred alone. This echoes Shri Mataji's emphasis on inner experience through Self-Realization, leading to a profound, silent connection with the Divine that could birth a new, spiritually attuned race.

Ramana Maharshi

A revered Indian sage, Ramana described silence as the essence of the Self, where the ego dissolves, and one realizes "I am" as God. He stated:

"The Self itself is the world; the Self itself is 'I'; the Self itself is God."

In samadhi (a state of silent absorption), thoughts cease, aligning with the quietness of mind Shri Mataji advocated. This inner silence, achieved through Self-Realization, paves the way for a humanity free from ego-driven conflicts, embodying the new race.

Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

In I Am That, Nisargadatta likened the gospel of Self-Realization to a seed that sprouts into a mighty tree when the time is right. He stressed discovering reality in consciousness, beyond material limitations, which mirrors Shri Mataji's call for an evolutionary leap. This "seed" of awakening, once planted en masse, will grow into the new race, fulfilling the promise of spiritual renewal.

Paul Roland in Revelation: Wisdom of the Ages

Roland prophesied the dawn of a New Age around the year 2000, involving an evolutionary leap in consciousness and a spiritual Renaissance. He discussed a restoration of Ancient Mysteries in the 21st century, leading to the "Externalization of the Hierarchy"—advanced souls working with humanity. This could culminate in crisis or gradual awakening, forcing a reevaluation of religion, science, and education. Shri Mataji's quote aligns perfectly, positioning Self-Realization as the catalyst for this surge in spiritual evolution, creating a new race resilient to materialism's pitfalls.

These insights collectively affirm that Self-Realization is not novel but a timeless truth, now accessible globally through Shri Mataji's mission.

Scriptural Connections Across Religions

Shri Mataji's teachings integrate prophecies from major religions, proving that Self-Realization fulfills the promised spiritual event—the opening of the Sahasrara Chakra in 1970—leading to a unified new humanity.

These cross-religious ties demonstrate Self-Realization as the unifying force, dissolving divisions and birthing a new race grounded in universal truth.

Broader Implications for Humanity and the New Age

In the context of the New Age—often synonymous with the Age of Aquarius—Shri Mataji's vision warns of challenges: resistance from materialistic forces, institutional suppression of truths, and the need for crisis-driven awakening. Yet, it promises harmony, where Dharma prevails, and humans live in peace. The new race will embody enlightened qualities: compassion, truthfulness, and divine connection, countering modern chaos.

This transformation is urgent in 2025, amid global crises, as a call to explore "inner space" over outer pursuits. As Roland noted, it may involve purging the old through catharsis, but Shri Mataji assures it's benevolent, leading to bliss and eternal life.

Conclusion

Shri Mataji's quote heralds a profound shift: Self-Realization as the seed of a new race, spiritually evolved and ready for the New Age. Supported by sages like Ramana and Nisargadatta, and scriptural prophecies, it invites humanity to awaken collectively. As the Kingdom of God manifests within, this new humanity will fulfill the divine plan, transcending ego and division for universal harmony. For seekers, the path is clear: experience the Cool Breeze, verify the truth, and join the evolution.