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the heart of Self-Realization Fellowship is a dedicated monastic order
founded by Paramahansa Yogananda. Monks and nuns of the Order serve the
society’s worldwide spiritual and humanitarian work in many capacities
– from publishing the writings and recordings of Paramahansaji and his
direct disciples, providing spiritual counsel, and conducting temple services,
retreats, and lecture tours, to maintaining buildings, meditation gardens,
etc., overseeing the distribution of the SRF Lessons and books, and fulfilling
the many administrative, office, and other duties required for carrying
on the work of an 
international
religious organization.
Throughout all ages, the most profound impulse of the human spirit has been the longing for perfect love, understanding, joy, completeness – for Truth itself. In all the great religions of the world, there have been those who have chosen to forego family life and worldly responsibilities in order to give themselves singleheartedly to that divine quest.
Following
this centuries-old tradition, monks and nuns of the Self-Realization Fellowship
Order embrace a four-fold vow of renunciation: simplicity, celibacy, obedience,
and loyalty. In the religious orders of both East and West, such vows
are the very foundation of the monastic life.
Paramahansa Yogananda himself belonged to India’s
ancient monastic Swami Order founded by Adi Shankaracharya
many centuries ago, as do monks and nuns of the Self-Realization Fellowship
Order who take their final renunciant vows. Paramahansa Yogananda established
this monastic order in the West in the early 1930s with the arrival of
Sri Daya Mata and other dedicated disciples who wished to give their lives
completely to God. After his passing in 1952, care and nurturing of the
growing monastic order became one of Daya Mata’s responsibilities. As
spiritual head of the organization, she has personally overseen the development
of the Self-Realization Fellowship Order. Today the Order is comprised
of monks and nuns residing primarily in the USA, and also in Europe and
India, who have felt called to devote their lives to seeking God and serving
humanity through the work of Self-Realization Fellowship.
SRF
monks and nuns come from a wide spectrum of backgrounds – men and women
of diverse races, cultures, religious upbringings, educational development,
and career experience. But what all monastics have in common is an ardent
desire to live for God alone. Through self-discipline, introspection,
devoted meditation and a total giving of one’s self in loving service,
the monastic seeks to experience the deeper joys of the soul and the supreme
love that only God can give.
The general requirements for SRF monastic life are: One should be single, in sound physical and mental health, free of family and other obligations, have studied the Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons for at least one year, and between the ages of 18 and 35. (This is a general rule. Individual consideration is given to each applicant's circumstances and qualifications.) If you feel that a life dedicated to self-improvement, meditation, and service in a monastic community environment is what you have been seeking and you would like to inquire further about the possibility of pursuing a vocation in the monastic order of Self-Realization Fellowship, you are welcome to contact our International Headquarters .
