Self-Realization Fellowship Blog

Bringing the Teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda to Three International Festivals

To make available to as many truth-seekers as possible the writings and life of Paramahansa Yogananda, Self-Realization Fellowship/Yogoda Satsanga Society of India participates in book fairs and conferences around the world. Here are highlights from three recent events.

The Bangkok International Book Fair: God Talks With Arjuna Released in Thai

The Thai translation of Paramahansa Yogananda’s commentaries on the Bhagavad Gita was released during the 2018 Bangkok International Book Fair, held from March 29 – April 8. The opening of the book fair was presided over by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand, who took time after her opening remarks to visit various publishers. At the SRF booth, the princess received a copy of the Thai edition of God Talks With Arjuna from its main translator, as well as other of Paramahansaji’s works in Thai.

A panel discussion about the translation took place during the fair (below), moderated by the host of a popular TV series on spirituality. The panel included professors and scholars who collaborated on the work—the most complete edition of the Bhagavad Gita in the Thai language and which presents the science of yoga in its fullness. The main translator of God Talks With Arjuna gave a brief introduction about Paramahansaji’s Kriya Yoga teachings, describing the deep insights into spirituality that can be found by the general reader in his works. An enthusiastic audience warmly received the discussion.

Interest in the panel was bolstered through newspaper coverage in the preceding weeks. A major Thai news channel live-streamed the event, afterward archiving an hour-long version of the broadcast for their viewers.

The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books

SRF hosted a booth at the 2018 Los Angeles Times Book Festival of Books, taking place on the University of Southern California main campus April 21 – 22. SRF presented the many practical and literary works of Paramahansa Yogananda, with SRF staff answering many questions about his organization and “How-to-Live” teachings. Attended by over 100,000 people, the festival, with nearly continuous author events and myriad of publishers’ exhibits, brought the public in close contact with numerous viewpoints about the world of literature.

The Toronto Yoga Conference and Show

The annual Yoga Conference and Show in Toronto April 12 – 15 afforded practitioners of yoga opportunity to come together for classes, discussions, and information gathering from publishers and retailers of yoga products. Assisted by members of the SRF Toronto Center, SRF hosted a booth on the Kriya Yoga teachings of Paramahansaji, introducing conference-goers to the deeper aspects of the science of yoga. In addition to focusing on the different approaches to Hatha Yoga, the conference showcased those members of the yoga community whose primary emphasis is on meditation techniques and Yoga’s ancient philosophy.