An introduction:
This month we honor the 75th anniversary of Paramahansa Yogananda’s establishing of the Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine in Pacific Palisades, California, as a unique sanctuary for all who seek to experience true inner peace and understanding.
Earlier this year we gratefully shared the seemingly miraculous news that all of the legacy structures around the lake, as well as the Lake Shrine Temple and Retreat, survived the wildfire that tragically devastated much of the larger Palisades community this past January. Reflecting on the significance of this in his livestreamed message at that time, SRF President Brother Chidananda said: “To me, the survival of the Lake Shrine symbolizes that we — and anyone — can have that sanctuary of peace, harmony, and divine communion within ourselves that can never be destroyed by any type of negative circumstances.”
We are overjoyed that — after many months of dedicated work by SRF monastics, lay members, and safety professionals — starting on August 27, we will be able to welcome back visitors to the meditation gardens at Paramahansaji’s beloved Lake Shrine to walk the grounds and absorb its many blessings.
In the spirit of what the Lake Shrine represents to so many, we want to share with you inspiration from Paramahansaji below on how each one of us can establish a sacred inner sanctuary, to know the joy and wonder of the soul and bring balance and security to our lives.
From the talks and writings of Paramahansa Yogananda:
The temple of God is within your soul. Enter into this quietness, and sit there in meditation with the light of intuition burning on the altar. There is no restlessness, no searching, no striving here.
There is happiness in the divine soul-temple within you. There is goodness there; and loyalty, hope, courage, peace, and joy.
Practice the art of silence. When tigers of worries, sickness, and death are chasing you, your only sanctuary is the inner temple of silence. The spiritually deep individual lives day and night in a calm interior silence into which neither menacing worries nor even the crash of colliding worlds can intrude.
The more you are silent the more happiness you will find. What joy awaits discovery in the silence behind the portals of your mind, no human tongue can tell. But you must convince yourself; you must meditate and create that environment. Those who deeply meditate feel a wonderful inner quiet. This stillness within should be maintained even when in the company of other people. What you learn in meditation, practice in activity and conversation; let no one dislodge you from that calm state. Hold on to your peace.
In fearlessness affirm: ‘I am castled in God’s presence. No harm can reach me, for in every situation of life — physical, mental, financial, spiritual — I am protected in the fortress of God’s presence.’
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Soul touching, We are blessed by God and Guruji
Srinivas
I particularly love the practice of inner temple devotion in the presence of come what may. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti
Very powerful and significant quotes from our Gurudev which always help us to uplift in our life. Jai Guru.
Thank you Gurudev for this besutiful reminder. Jai Guru!
Jai guru
Just what I needed to be reminded of. Thank you.
Beautiful!! Exquisite, divine Peace!!!
I feel deeply blessed everytime I read Guruji's words. When doubt appears, his Wisdom always dissipates it. Jai Guru!!
Thank you for these beautiful words from our guru.
Jai Gurudeva Paramahansa Yoganandaji! "You are the soul of the soul of the universe and your name is Love." Only Love is Real. God is Love. "The temple of God is within your soul." The immortal God-ordined teachings of the Holy Science and Sacred Art of Kriya Yoga, divine union of soul and Spirit, is being vibrantly, faithfully, flawlessly, in eloquent simplicity, taught by Paramahansa Yoganandaji. Glory to the great Spirit of God so perfectly manifested through divine beloved Gurudeva, Paramahansa Yoganandaji. Jai Guru! "Be still and know that I am God." Jai Guru! Jai Guru! Jai Guru!
I miss coming to the lake shrine. I live in Canada now and cant come. 1.i cried to Divine Mother,please give me a hug(during pandemic) and before I knew it Paramahansa yogananda came to me in a dream.he(his spirit) gave me a hug. A long one. Then he asked me if I could only ask one thing what would it be??? For you to teach me kriya Yoga, because I'm having a hard time meditating. End of dream.
Thank you so much for sharing such great dream you had. Master is so loving! You were deeply sincere in your desire for that hug! He answered your sincere desire.
Blessed soul
As always, practical and profound advice from God through Paramahansa Yogananda.
I took a photo shot of the affirmation and put it on my phone’s screen saver. I’ve already lost count of how many times I have read the affirmation since doing that!
Jai Guru!♥️
So many Blessings !
So much Love !
Meditate and feel the Joy
Jai Guru!
God ! Christ ! Gurus ! we bow at Thy Lotus Feet.
Beautiful quotations from Guruji! Thank you, SRF.
Jai Guru!!!
Powerful words from GuruJi uplift the mood and energy! I am fortunate to be a disciple of GuruJi in this lifetime!!! Thanks to God, Gurus and SRF Brothers and Sisters!!!
Blessed is our beloved guru Paramahansa Yogananda as I read his quotations a strong sense of his love and presence is istantly felt. Jai Guru
Thank you
Thank you for this! Guruji's words bring solace and healing. Jai Guru!
Thank you God, for Gurudeva