2012
Commemoration Ceremony — January 5, 2012
Our traditional commemoration service honoring Paramahansa Yogananda’s birth will be held on Thursday, January 5. All are welcome. Please check with the Self-Realization Fellowship temple, center, or meditation group closest to you for the time of the ceremony.
Special Meditation — January 7, 2012
A special six-hour meditation commemorating the birth of Paramahansa Yogananda (January 5, 1893) is held each year at Self-Realization Fellowship temples, centers, meditation groups, and ashrams on the second Saturday in January.
Temple Services
The regular program of services and other activities at Self-Realization Fellowship temples is outlined in our Schedule of Services. These include inspirational and lecture services, meditations, Sunday school classes for children, and special prayer and healing services.
2012 Convocation
Self-Realization Fellowship members from around the globe will be coming to for our 2012 Convocation. Welcoming the participants will be monks and nuns of the Self-Realization Order, who will conduct classes, satsangas, and meditations, and offer individual counseling to those who wish to receive personal guidance in their practice of the Self-Realization teachings. Detailed instructions in the techniques of meditation taught by Paramahansa Yogananda, and advice on living a more peaceful and spiritually fulfilling life in today’s complex world, will be presented in afternoon and evening classes.
Among the week’s highlights will be uplifting audiovisual presentations, and pilgrimages to the Mother Center, the Lake Shrine, the SRF Temple in Hollywood and Paramahansaji’s crypt at Forest Lawn. There will also be a pilgrimage to our Encinitas Hermitage and Retreat on Sunday, August 5, the day after Convocation.
Kriya Yoga Initiations
Kriya Yoga initiations are scheduled for the following locations and dates in 2012. Self-Realization Fellowship students in each area will be sent full details in advance.
| Tampa, Florida |
|
Feb. 18 |
| Havana, Cuba |
|
Feb. 25 |
| Mother Center, Los Angeles |
|
Feb. 25 |
| Chicago, Illinois |
|
Apr. 14 |
| Austin, Texas |
|
Apr. 21 |
| Armação, Brazil |
|
Apr. 28 |
| Santiago, Chile |
|
May 5 |
| Asunción, Paraguay |
|
May 12 |
| Toronto, Canada |
|
May 12 |
| Mother Center, Los Angeles |
|
May 19 |
| Convocation, Los Angeles |
|
Aug. 3 |
| Zeist, Netherlands |
|
Sept. 29 |
| Vienna, Austria |
|
Oct. 6 |
| Aschaffenburg, Germany |
|
Oct. 13 |
| Richmond Temple, CA |
|
Oct. 20 |
| Lucca (Il Ciocco), Italy |
|
Oct. 27 |
| London, England |
|
Nov. 3 |
| Mexico City, Mexico |
|
Nov. 10 |
| Mother Center, Los Angeles |
|
Nov. 10 |
Students of the Self-Realization Fellowship teachings become eligible to apply for Kriya Yoga after completing Step II of the Self-Realization Lessons. Those who wish to receive Kriya are welcome to send their personal report (included in Lesson 52/1) to the Mother Center.
Commemorative Services
Self-Realization Fellowship temples and centers throughout the world observe the following occasions each year with a special commemorative ceremony.
| Birthday of Paramahansa Yogananda (1893) |
|
Jan 5 |
Paramahansa Yogananda Commemorative
Meditation |
|
Jan. 7
|
| Mahasamadhi of Paramahansa Yogananda (1952) |
|
Mar. 7 |
| Mahasamadhi of Sri Yukteswar (1936) |
|
Mar. 9 |
| Good Friday |
|
Apr. 6 |
| Easter Sunday |
|
Apr. 8 |
| Birthday of Sri Yukteswar (1855) |
|
May 10 |
| Mahavatar Babaji Commemoration Day |
|
July 25 |
| Janmashtami (birth of Bhagavan Krishna) |
|
Aug. 10 |
| Mahasamadhi of Lahiri Mahasaya (1895) |
|
Sept. 26 |
| Birthday of Lahiri Mahasaya (1828) |
|
Sept. 30 |
| All-Day Christmas Meditation |
|
Dec. 15 |
Youth Programs
Our summer How-to-Live Youth Programs provide children between the ages of 10 and 16 with an opportunity to learn the art of living balanced, harmonious lives, in tune with God and their true selves. Separate weeklong programs for boys and girls include periods of meditation, spiritual instruction, constructive creative projects, and outdoor activities. As in past years, the 2012 Youth Programs will be held in a setting of natural beauty in southern California’s San Bernardino Mountains. The Girls’ Youth Program will be held June 16 – June 23. The Boys’ Youth Program will be June 23 – June 30. For further information, please visit our web page How-to-Live Youth Programs.
Retreats
Our Self-Realization Fellowship Retreats and How-to-Live Retreat programs offer members and friends an ideal opportunity to devote a period of time to spiritually renewing their lives and deepening their awareness of the Divine.
The retreat schedule includes:
- morning and evening meditations with monastic disciples of Self-Realization Fellowship
- evening classes and inspirational programs
- opportunities for personal counseling in one’s practice of Paramahansa Yogananda’s teachings
- free time to relax, meditate, and enjoy the peace and beauty of the retreat grounds
Monastic Tours & Regional How-to-Live Retreat Programs
This year, Self-Realization Fellowship monastics will be conducting public lectures, member programs, and weekend How-to-Live Retreat programs in the following cities:
| |
|
| Tampa, Florida (public lecture and Kriya Initiation) |
Feb. 17–19 |
| Havana, Cuba (public lecture and Kriya Initiation) |
Feb. 24–26 |
| Chicago, Illinois (public lecture and Kriya Initiation) |
Apr. 13–15 |
| Austin, Texas (public lecture and Kriya Initiation) |
Apr. 20–22 |
| Armação, Brazil (member program and Kriya Initiation) |
Apr. 27-29 |
| Santiago, Chile (public lecture and Kriya Initiation) |
May 4–6 |
| Asunción, Paraguay (public lecture and Kriya Initiation) |
May 11–13 |
| Toronto, Canada (public lecture and Kriya Initiation) |
May 11–13 |
| New York City, New York (regional retreat) |
May 18–20 |
| Seattle, Washington (regional retreat) |
June 8–10 |
| Toronto Regional Retreat |
Sept. 14–16 |
| Amsterdam, Netherlands (public lecture) |
Sept. 27 |
| Zeist, Netherlands (member program and Kriya Initiation) |
Sept. 28–30 |
| Vienna, Austria (public lecture and Kriya Initiation) |
Oct. 5–7 |
| Aschaffenburg, Germany (public lecture and Kriya Initiation) |
Oct. 11–14 |
| South Bend, Indiana (regional retreat) |
Oct. 19–21 |
| Rome, Italy (outreach program) |
Oct. 20 |
| Lucca (Il Ciocco), Italy (member program and Kriya Initiation) |
Oct. 25–28 |
| Maui, Hawaii (regional retreat) |
Oct. 19–21 |
| Denver, Colorado (regional retreat) |
Oct. 26–28 |
| London, England (public lecture and Kriya Initiation) |
Nov. 2–4 |
| Mexico City, Mexico (member program and Kriya Initiation) |
Nov. 8–11 |
|