Frequently Asked Questions
*What meditation techiques do we practice?
We practice the yoga techniques of meditation, concentration, and energization taught by Paramahansa Yogananda – including Kriya Yoga, a sacred spiritual science originating millennia ago in India.
*Who can participate in our meditation services?
All our meditation services are open to the public and we warmly welcome all sincere seekers. You do not need any background in meditation to attend our services, although it is helpful to study the meditation techniques provided in the SRF Lessons for Home Study (see below). If no techniques are known, silently call on God in the language of your heart.
*Do we teach Paramahansa Yogananda's meditation techniques during our meditation services?
Paramahansa Yogananda's meditation techniques are not reviewed during our meditation services. Step-by-step instructions in the techniques that he taught are given through the Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) Lessons for Home Study.
*Are the meditations guided?
Apart from brief instructions given at the beginning of the service, the meditations are not guided. Those interested in learning the SRF techniques of meditation are encouraged to apply for the SRF Lessons. There are guided meditations available on the SRF website.
*Is there a cost for our meditation services?
There is no charge for attending our services. However, there is a donation box for those who may wish to help cover our operating expenses (we are completely volunteer-supported) and which also allows us to assist in the worldwide humanitarian work of SRF.
*What should you expect from our meditation services?
The meditation service includes periods of prayer, chanting and silent meditation. The agenda is as follows:
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Opening Prayer
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Service Reading: short devotional reading from Paramahansa Yogananda’s writings or SRF books.
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Devotional Chanting
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Meditation
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Closing chant
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Healing Service: at the close of the Meditation Service, time is spent in praying for those who are in need of healing and for world peace.
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Closing Prayer
*What is the spiritual lineage of Self-Realization Fellowship?
The teachings of Self-Realization Fellowship are founded upon the original Christianity of Jesus Christ and the original Yoga of Bhagavan Krishna. The spiritual lineage of SRF consists of these two great avatars and a line of exalted masters of contemporary times: Mahavatar Babaji, Lahiri Mahasaya, Swami Sri Yukteswar, and Paramahansa Yogananda (last in the line of SRF Gurus). Each of these Great Ones played a role in Self-Realization Fellowship's mission of bringing to the modern world the spiritual science of Kriya Yoga. Visit SRF's official website to learn more about SRF's spiritual lineage
*Why do we sing during our meditation services?
In Self-Realization Fellowship, we always begin our meditation with a chant. Paramahansa Yogananda said, “Sound or vibration is the most powerful force in the universe. Music is a divine art, to be used not only for pleasure but as a path to God-realization. Vibrations resulting from devotional singing lead to attunement with the Cosmic Vibration or the Word. Each of the chants should be sung not once but many times, utilizing the cumulative power of repetition, until the singer feels great bliss wafting through the ‘radio’ of his [or her] heart.”
*I want to learn more about Paramahansa Yogananda and his teachings. Where do I start?
As an introduction to Paramahansa Yogananda's teachings, we suggest that you read the spiritual classic, Autobiography of a Yogi.
You can learn more about SRF by visiting the Self-Realization Fellowship website at www.yogananda.org
*What other introductory books by Paramahansa Yogananda do you recommend?
The collection of Paramahansa Yogananda’s talks and essays is a great introduction to his teachings. In this anthology, Yogananda explores a wide variety of spiritual topics such as meditation, life after death, health and healing, the unlimited powers of the human mind, the equality of man and woman, and the interrelatedness of all life.
Volume I: “Man’s Eternal Quest”
Volume II: “The Divine Romance
Volume III: “Journey to Self-Realization”
The anthology is available for purchase in the SRF bookstore and Amazon.
Paramahansa Yogananda was a prolific author; we invite you to peruse his titles in the link provided above or in our library.
*Additional resources:
For more information on the life and teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda, please visit the official website of Self-Realization Fellowship: www.yogananda.org
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