Self-Realization Fellowship Blog

Paramahansa Yogananda on Experiencing Our True Soul-Nature Together

July 08, 2024

An introduction:

The 2024 Self-Realization World Convocation is quickly approaching! And we hope you will be joining us, online or in person in Los Angeles, this July 14 – 20 for an immersion in the Kriya Yoga teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda.

Paramahansaji gave to the world a tremendously unique gift when he began the SRF Convocation in 1950: an opportunity to be together and affirm with all our actions that we are souls — made in the image of the Divine and able to experience within ourselves the joy, peace, security, hope, wisdom, and love that is our divine birthright.

“During these times of accelerated change and increasing challenges, it is helpful to remember that within each one of us is a temple of stillness that permits no intrusion of the world’s turmoil,” Sri Daya Mata, third president of SRF/YSS, has said. “Whatever may be going on around us, when we enter that sanctuary of silence in our souls, we feel God’s blessed presence and receive His peace and strength.”

Convocation is a wonderful chance to give more time to experiencing that sanctuary of the soul, and from the soul’s perspective regain the balance and receptivity needed to allow the Divine to flow through us in a greater way.

Then we can know how, in Paramahansaji’s words, “to carry a portable paradise within, wherever one goes.” Would you like to experience more of your true soul-nature?

From the talks and writings of Paramahansa Yogananda:

Real unending joy lies in attuning the consciousness to its true, ever calm soul nature by meditation….

Only meditation yields this ever-increasing, ever-new, responding joy. Sooner or later you will realize that you want a thing only until you get it; then you will start looking for something else. But in discovering soul joy, you will find that “something else”….You will never tire of this ever new joy of your soul, which is of God.

The proximity of others’ spiritual vibrations has the power of raising your own. Meditating with other devotees thus helps you to quicken your evolution. They inspire you on your climb up the ladder of Self-realization; and you, by your example, can also be helpful to them.

Why shouldn’t you strengthen your own vibrations through fellowship with people seeking Self-realization, and by group meditation with them? This practice will fortify your own spiritual convictions; you will find that many seemingly insuperable barriers in your life will crumble and dissolve in the waters of meditation….Divine bliss will radiate from you, helping all persons you meet.

Enjoy divine thoughts with your friends. Use your time for God. If you find souls who will share that goal, then you can drink God together from the chalice of divine friendship. The highest duty God has given you is to develop His consciousness in yourself and to help true friends to do the same. So long as life sweetly sings with God, it will bring happiness to you and to others.

We can convert ourselves, our matter-of-fact workaday life, to vibrate with the song of the Infinite. Spiritualize yourself, so the divine melody will flow through your life no matter what your outer activities.

[Affirm:] “O Father, Thou art sacred perennial joy, Thou art the joy I seek, Thou art the joy of the soul. Teach me to worship Thee through the joy born of meditation.”

If you haven’t yet registered for Convocation’s weeklong immersion in Paramahansa Yogananda’s teachings — with talks by SRF monastics, group meditations and kirtan (devotional chanting), in-person and virtual pilgrimages to SRF locations, and a unique experience of divine fellowship and support — we invite you to do so today! The 2024 Convocation — which you can attend in person in Los Angeles or online ­— is being offered free of charge so that all may participate.

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Leave a comment
Ray

Oh Guru, one day I will visit you and the devotees in person, as I seek your divinely love and fellowship. Jai Guru!!!

FrankRay

Although you may not be here at convocation in person, your God vibrations are reaching us and uplifting us and we send you our all our Love in return. Jai Guru

Tess

This will be my first in person Convocation.
I’m so looking forward to “sharing divine thoughts “ and being immersed in Guruji’s teachings with friends I’ve yet to meet. Safe travels everyone.

Bijan hessami

Can we join meeting on line every night even sister chanting or sister meditation is it ok?

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