Welcome to the Winter 2024 Appeal and Special Report
Spreading the Light of Paramahansa Yogananda’s Teachings to a World in Need
Dear Friend,
Warmest greetings! We are excited to share news about some of the many ways that you are helping to advance Self-Realization Fellowship’s (SRF) sacred mission. The past few years have seen an inspiring growth in the reach of Paramahansa Yogananda’s teachings around the world. You are a vital part of this expansion and play an invaluable role in contributing to awakening spiritual consciousness in individual lives and helping to uplift a world in need.
During the 2024 Self-Realization Fellowship World Convocation, SRF President Brother Chidananda emphasized the essential need for Paramahansaji’s harmonizing and soul-liberating teachings at this time: “People nowadays are looking for truth that unites and connects our world family, not divides it. Most of all, they are looking for not just platitudes, but for techniques — techniques that bestow actual experience of the God of bliss, the God of wisdom, peace, healing, and unconditional love.”
He went on to say: “There are millions in this world who are ripe and ready for this teaching; millions who would eagerly embrace and practice these teachings and techniques, if they only knew that the opportunity was there. So that is where each one of us has to apply what we know about increasing the mass spiritual karma of the world, about our own personal transformation, and about living a life that is consciously connected to that very Source of man’s divine potentials. And we have to multiply the tools and resources by which this great message of Kriya Yoga can spread to those millions of souls.”
As many of you know, we recently sent out a survey asking for input from our dear members and friends about various possibilities for achieving these goals. We plan to report back to you on the input received from that survey soon.
In the meantime, in this Winter Appeal and Special Report you will see a glimpse into the profound impact that Paramahansa Yogananda’s teachings are having on individual truth-seekers, like yourself. You will also learn more about how, with your continued support, Self-Realization Fellowship is working to multiply the tools and resources by which the light of Paramahansaji’s epoch-making teachings can be shared with spiritually yearning souls worldwide.
Teachings That Are Changing the World
Have you ever thought about the collective impact of hundreds of thousands of souls on the planet practicing Paramahansa Yogananda’s liberating Kriya Yoga teachings and embodying them in their lives? It is remarkable. As Paramahansaji often emphasized, when people experience spiritual transformation within, they contribute a positive and unifying influence in the world.
The meditation, yoga, and self-analysis techniques Yogananda shared in his teachings opened doors to unprecedented personal growth....I am learning to see the Divine within myself and everyone around me.
F. P., Brazil
It is your support — through your prayers, service, and financial contributions — that is helping us to share these life-transforming teachings with those who hunger for spiritual truth. And yet, as Brother Chidananda said in his 2024 Convocation satsanga, there is so much more we want to do together with you to help spread the science of Kriya Yoga to the millions who are searching and ready. From presenting these universal truths in new formats and utilizing new platforms to reach a rapidly changing worldwide audience, to building the internal organizational capacity and digital infrastructure that underlies SRF’s global activities, your help is critical to making all of this possible.
I am writing to acknowledge the receipt of the Kriya Yoga Lessons….Today, these gems are physically in my hands, and I regard the materials arrived as not mere printed booklets, but the legacy that Guruji left for me personally. Thank you, once again, for all the care and attention given to me, being a seeker from one tiny corner of the world.
P. M., Malaysia
Sharing the Teachings — More Ways Than Ever
With your generosity and support, we have accomplished so much this past year:
- 23 new books have been translated into a variety of new languages, including: Arabic, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovenian, and Spanish — available on the SRF online bookstore and at major book retailers.
- SRF monks and nuns travelled to 99 cities across the globe to serve members and friends through public lectures, weekend retreat programs, in-person Convocation events, Kriya Yoga initiation ceremonies, and SRF meditation center visits.
- For the first time, the full course of Kriya Yoga Lessons were made available in Portuguese — to the joy of native speakers of that language.
- Two new audiobooks (The Law of Success and Enter the Quiet Heart) were released for people to listen to on the go, with more in the works.
- A steady stream of online inspirational content and programs were offered on the SRF website and YouTube channel to uplift seekers, including blog posts, retreats, and more than 40 “how-to-live” talks by SRF ministers.
- Monastics provided personal spiritual guidance to thousands from more than 70 countries.
Please allow me to express my deepest gratitude to everyone involved at Self-Realization Fellowship who have made and continue to make available the overwhelming abundance of resources and materials on the website in support of the devotees and our practices.
A. L., Washington
In the coming year this vital work will continue. However, it is no simple task, and the tools, systems, and staff needed require significant financial investments. But it is well worth the effort — and with your help we will continue to bring these sacred teachings to all those seeking spiritual truth!
SRF World Convocation
A Life-Changing Week of Spiritual Renewal
The SRF World Convocation is our most ambitious annual program — and thanks to your support, for the first time since 2019 we were able to offer a full in-person program again in Los Angeles, while at the same time livestream a great array of soul-inspiring events online to a global audience. SRF monastics also visited members in fourteen cities on five continents, making the scale of this year’s Convocation the first of its kind.
Tens of thousands of yogis and spiritual seekers from 125 countries experienced Convocation. More than 3,600 attended the weeklong program in person at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel (from where the program was livestreamed), and many thousands more participated from their homes or local meditation centers through the specially designed Convocation app or via YouTube.
One member said: “It is such a divine gift to be able to be a part of Convocation online....Through modern technology and much effort by many, devotees from around the globe are now able to feel as if they are also present at Convocation at the Bonaventure.”
At our last in-person Convocation, in 2019, our capacity for online streaming was in its infancy. We have come a long way since then! This year a fully equipped and portable “tech room,” custom designed by SRF monks, was moved from the SRF International Headquarters to the hotel to broadcast the events to participants far and wide.
Successfully pulling off such a complex, global event required a tremendous amount of behind-the-scenes effort by not only SRF monastics and staff, but also more than 800 volunteers. In addition, there were considerable expenses related to booking the hotel’s event facilities for a full week, technology infrastructure, and the administrative costs for year-round planning and preparation. Fortunately, because of your help we were able to offer registration to both the in-person and online programs free of charge so that all could attend.
We are deeply grateful for the generous donations of time and financial support many of you made before, during, and after the event to help make this possible. On behalf of all who benefited around the world — many of whom would otherwise never have the chance to participate in Convocation — we say thank you!
Spiritual Community and Support — Building a Foundation for a Lifetime
SRF Programs for Young People
With your support, Paramahansaji’s teachings are transforming the lives of children and teens — through year-round online How-to-Live programs. Now in their third year, these programs are helping to instill spiritual values, moral courage, and skills for balanced living that pave the way for a truly happy, fulfilling life — and equip youth to help create a better world.
Many of these youths, and their parents, have reported seeing the benefits of these programs. Through the online classes they have developed spiritual friendships, helping to build a supportive community.
I like having a community of like-minded teens and adults who reinforce the values we cherish at home. I see it creating a nurturing environment where spiritual and moral values can flourish.
L. B., parent
Supporting Young Adults in New Ways
In addition to children and teens, we are also serving young adults — helping them to ground themselves in Paramahansaji’s “how-to-live” teachings as they embark on building their lives and careers while facing many pressures in a world that does not always promote spiritual ideals.
Recent initiatives especially for young adults include:
- Retreats: In-person and livestreamed retreats led by SRF monastics where young adults took time away from their busy lives to recharge with meditation and spiritual company.
- Spiritual fellowship: SRF monastics participated in activities organized by SRF young adult groups throughout the year, including a gathering of more than 140 young adults during Convocation in Los Angeles. One young adult from Illinois who attended said: “Convocation lit me up! I am so grateful. I am very inspired by the fact there is a young adult community in SRF. There is something motivating about seeing peers who are devoted and on this path.”
Your continued support will help us develop new offerings that share Paramahansaji’s wisdom and guidance with young people, so they can navigate life decisions with an understanding of the highest principles and be an uplifting influence for others as they help to create a better “tomorrow” for our world.
Preserving the SRF Mother Center
Paramahansaji’s Beloved International Headquarters
Since its founding in 1925, nearly one hundred years ago, the SRF International Headquarters (IHQ) has welcomed pilgrims from around the world to walk in the footsteps of the Guru on the grounds where he lived, worked, and communed with God. The IHQ Retrofit & Rehabilitation Project, which we last spoke to you about in March, will ensure that future generations will have the same opportunity to visit these holy grounds and experience the tangible vibrations of Paramahansa Yogananda’s ever-living presence.
At the core of the IHQ Retrofit Project is the need for vital seismic and life-safety upgrades to the International Headquarters Building, which is more than 100 years old, and improvements to the surrounding grounds. The project also will include the creation of a small Garden Shrine as a tribute to Paramahansaji.
Because of your continued support, we have been able to move forward with the complex permitting process required by the city of Los Angeles. As part of this phase, the IHQ Retrofit Steering Committee, spearheaded by monks and nuns, is meeting weekly with a consulting team of legal, architectural, engineering, and construction planning professionals to ensure a successful and timely plan approval. We also have met with various public agencies, homeowner associations, and conservancy groups, and have conducted site tours for them as well as for our Mt. Washington neighbors.
To learn more and to sign up for updates regarding the IHQ Retrofit & Rehabilitation Project, please visit yogananda.org/ihqretrofit.
As we enter a new era of growth for Paramahansaji’s spiritual work — and prepare for the 100th anniversary of the SRF International Headquarters in 2025 — we welcome your continued financial and spiritual support for this vital project. We plan to provide a complete description of the project and a breakdown of the funding needed in the coming months.
Thank You for Helping to Radiate the Light of Paramahansaji’s Work!
At the close of his Convocation talk, Brother Chidananda expressed his thanks to all of you who help make this work possible: “You have my soul’s gratitude, and I know you have the blessing and the appreciation of God and Guru. All of you who are helping spiritually, materially, by volunteering, and in other ways, thank you. God bless you.”
Then, paraphrasing words spoken by Paramahansa Yogananda at the dedication of Mt. Washington in 1925, Brother Chidananda said, “Let us continue to join hands — to join hearts — as a league of souls, a fellowship of souls, to increase the light that is radiated by Paramahansaji’s sacred work and his universal teachings at this critical time.”
We are so grateful for all of your support, and we look forward to continuing to join hands with you as a united “league of souls”!
Inspired to help?
If you feel inspired to help share these teachings with more truth seekers — of all ages! — we invite you to make a gift now. Your gift will also assist SRF to meet the many other significant expenses associated with carrying on Paramahansaji’s spiritual legacy.
To all of you who support this work with your love, prayers, service, and continuing material assistance, we send our deepest thanks. We hope you feel a deep joy in helping to bring Paramahansa Yogananda’s teachings of universal spirituality to the world.
In divine friendship,
SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
Mother Center
P.S. We deeply appreciate your recurring and one-time donations. To make a gift now, please use the link below. Thank you!
Contributions in response to Self-Realization Fellowship’s 2024 Winter Appeal are for the general support of SRF, which includes the purposes stated in this letter. As such, gifts shall be designated as, and remain, unrestricted and can be utilized for purposes SRF determines. Donations received later than approximately twelve months after the mailing date will be credited to SRF’s most recent general appeal. Self-Realization Fellowship is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt organization. Accordingly, donations are tax-deductible as permitted by law.
