Ashram Canberra – ACT

Canberra Ashram

Chewings St Scullin, Australian Capital Territory

(Established 1999)

By HH Shri Mataji’s blessings Sahaja Yoga was established in Canberra in 1984 with programs and Pujas being held at numerous public and Collective venues. In 1999 the Collective were inspired to purchase a house to establish a permanent residence for the Collective and a home for HH Shri Mataji’s attention in Canberra. The deposit for the property was provided from funds raised from a food stall managed for several years by Canberra Yogis at a Computer Fair held monthly at the Canberra Showground, and subsequently at the Canberra Depot. These funds were supplemented by generous donations from individuals within the Collective. In 1999, a home in Chewings Street, Scullin on the north side of Canberra was found and a deposit was put down with a few families moving in and Canberra’s Collective ashram was born. A board of local Trustees was set up as guarantors for the mortgage of the house which was later transferred to Life Eternal Properties Australia to remove private ownership by the local Trustees to ensure the long term tenure and security of the property for the Collective into the future. In 2000 renovations were carried out to extend the meditation room, add three bedrooms, an additional living area and amenities, and convert makeshift quarters in the garage into a proper bedroom to be later converted into a room for HH Shri Mataji, enhancing the vibrations in the ashram and surrounding areas. The ashram has been a focal point for numerous community related Sahaja Yoga activities including hosting Music of Joy on multiple occasions as well as seekers attending regular workshops and Collective programs. A number of Sahaja Yogis (mostly families with young children) live at the ashram which is also enjoyed by the wider Canberra Collective.