Self Realization Fellowship | SRF Monastic Visits

Welcome to this photo essay depicting SRF members and friends around the world participating in visits made by Self-Realization Fellowship monastics in fall 2024.

SRF monks and nuns conduct a wide variety of inspirational events, including public lectures on the “how-to-live” teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda; weekend retreat programs, group meditations, kirtan devotional chanting, answering spiritual questions in satsanga, and providing individual spiritual counseling at SRF meditation centers and groups; and Kriya Yoga initiations, where eligible SRF Lessons students have the opportunity to participate in the sacred ceremonies and enter the guru-disciple relationship with Paramahansa Yogananda.

Cali and Medellín , Colombia; Asunción, Paraguay; Valparaiso, Chile

In September, Brother Ekananda and Brother Dhyanananda visited four countries in South America and are shown here with SRF members in Cali, Colombia.

Brother Ekananda and Brother Dhyanananda in Cali

Brother Ekananda speaks to members in Cali.

Devotees at the Cali Meditation Group's meeting place

The monks then traveled to Medellín, Colombia, and are shown here with devotees in front of their meeting place.

Brother Dhyanananda leads a service in Medellín.

With Medellín devotees in meditation

Brother Ekananda, Brother Dhyanananda, and the SRF members in Medellín. The monks then traveled to meet with SRF members in Asunción, Paraguay (not pictured).

Brothers Ekananda and Dhyanananda concluded their tour with a weekend program for members in Valparaiso, Chile.

Members came from throughout Chile for this Valparaiso event.

South Bend, Indiana, and Grand Rapids, Michigan

In September, Brother Naradananda and Brahmachari Preston led a regional retreat in South Bend, Indiana. Brother Naradananda is shown here speaking on Paramahansa Yogananda's how-to-live teachings.

The retreat was hosted by the SRF meditation group of Kalamazoo, Michigan.

The monks then traveled to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where they are welcomed by members there.

Brother Naradananda and Brahmachari Preston conduct a satsanga for the Grand Rapids members.

Brother Naradananda leads a workshop in Grand Rapids.

Front Royal, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

In September, Brother Jitananda and Brahmachari Bhaskarananda conducted a weekend retreat in Front Royal, Virginia.

They also visited members at the SRF Washington D.C. Center, where Brahmachari Bhaskarananda is shown speaking on the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda.

Shaftsbury, Vermont; Raleigh and Asheville, North Carolina

Brother Keshavananda and Brahmachari Daniel visited SRF members on the East Coast of the U.S. in September, and are shown here at the Shaftsbury Meditation Circle in North Bennington, Vermont.

Brother Keshavananda conducts the practice of the Energization Exercises before a group meditation.

Devotees of the Shaftsbury Meditation Circle enjoy a meditation with kirtan (devotional chanting), conducted by Brother Keshavananda.

The monks then visited members in Asheville, North Carolina.

Brahmachari Daniel shares insights on Paramahansaji's SRF teachings.

Brother Keshavananda speaks to members in Asheville.

Brother Keshavananda then led a weekend program in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Brother Keshavananda leads a commemorative service in honor of Lahiri Mahasaya, one of the great gurus of the SRF path.

Brother Keshavananda leads an inspirational service for members in Raleigh.

New York City; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Seattle, Washington; Sacramento, California

In September and October, Brother Devananda and Brother Bhimananda visited four cities in the U.S., and are shown here with SRF members in New York City.

Brother Devananda speaks to members at the SRF New York City Center.

Brother Bhimananda gives a class to the New York devotees.

Members in Minneapolis, Minnesota, were visited next by Brother Devananda and Brother Bhimananda.

Brother Devananda and Brother Bhimananda then conducted a weekend program at the SRF Seattle Center.

The SRF Sacramento Center was the last stop on the tour for these monks.

Brother Bhimananda speaks on Paramahansaji's teachings.

Brother Devananda and Brother Bhimananda conduct a joint satsanga for participants in Sacramento.

Kyoto, Sendai, Sapporo, and Tokyo, Japan

In September and October, Sister Shankari and Sister Radhika visited SRF members in a number of cities in Japan, and are shown here leading a regional retreat in Kyoto.

Sister Radhika (left) and Sister Shankari greet members in Kyoto.

Sister Shankari conducts a review of Paramahansaji's Energization Exercises during the Kyoto retreat.

Sister Radhika leads a meditation during the Kyoto retreat.

Group shot with members at Kyoto.

Sister Shankari and Sister Radhika are welcomed by SRF members in Sendai.

In Sendai, Sister Shankari and Sister Radhika conduct a commemorative service in honor of Lahiri Mahasaya.

Sister Shankari and Sister Radhika with members in Sendai.

The nuns then traveled to Sapporo, Japan, to meet with members there.

Sister Radhika conducts a satsanga for members in Sapporo.

In Tokyo, Sister Shankari and Sister Radhika concluded their tour in Japan.

Los Gatos, California

In October, Sister Dhira and Sister Sita conducted a regional retreat hosted by the SRF Los Gatos Center.

Sister Sita gives a class during the Los Gatos retreat.

Vancouver, Canada; San Antonio and Houston, Texas

In October, Brother Bhumananda and Brother Vidurananda traveled to meet members in three cities in the U.S. and Canada, and are shown here in Vancouver, Canada.

Brother Bhumananda conducts a public lecture during the weekend events in Vancouver.

Brother Bhumananda speaking in Vancouver.

Paramahansa Yogananda's publications are available during the public event in Vancouver.

Brother Bhumananda greets a Vancouver participant.

Brother Bhumananda and Brother Vidurananda traveled to San Antonio, Texas, to meet with members there.

The monks concluded their tour with a weekend event in Houston, Texas.

Brother Bhumananda gives a public lecture to a receptive audience in Houston.

Brother Vidurananda greets attendees after the public lecture.

Brother Bhumananda speaks in the Houston Meditation Group's chapel.

The Houston Meditation Group's chapel.

Brother Vidurananda conducts a review of the Energization Exercises for Houston members.

Milano, Abano Terme, Verona, and Roma, Italy

In October, Brother Sevananda and Brother Vidyananda visited SRF members in four cities in Italy, and are here pictured with members at the SRF Milano Center.

This monastic visit coincided with the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Milano Center.

A special display shows some of the highlights in the history of the Milano Center's fifty years.

Brother Sevananda speaks to Milano devotees.

Brother Vidyananda speaks to Milano devotees.

Brother Sevananda speaks with Milano members.

Milano members greet Brother Vidyananda.

Brother Sevananda and Brother Vidyananda then traveled to Abano Terme to conduct weekend events there. They were joined here by Brother Vajrananda.

Brother Sevananda give introductory remarks at a public lecture in Abano Terme.

Brother Vidyananda gives a public lecture to an attentive audience in Abano Terme.

Brother Sevananda and Brother Vidyananda conduct a joint satsanga at Abano Terme.

After a meditation with kirtan (devotional chanting), Brother Vajrananda leads participants in Paramahansa Yogananda's healing technique.

While in Abano Terme, the monks also visited members in the nearby Padua Meditation Group.

Brother Sevananda and Brother Vidyananda then traveled to visit members in Verona.

Brother Vidyananda speaking on Paramahansaji's teachings in Verona

Brother Sevananda and Brother Vidyananda give a joint satsanga to Verona members.

Brother Vidyananda greets a member in Verona.

The monks concluded their tour with a visit to members in Roma.

Escondido, California

In November, Brother Devananda conducted a weekend series of classes, meditations, and inspirational services for members of the SRF center in Escondido, California.

Itamonte, Penedo, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

In November, Sister Bhavani and Brahmacharini Sophie began a visit with SRF members in Brazil by conducting a regional retreat in Itamonte.

The nuns greet devotees at the opening of the retreat program.

Brahmacharini Sophie speaks to devotees at the beginning of the retreat.

Brahmacharini Sophie conducts a practice of the Energization Exercises before a group meditation.

Practice of the Energization Exercises

The Portuguese translation of "Manifesting Divine Consciousness in Daily Life" by Sri Mrinialini Mata was released during the Itamonte retreat.

Sister Bhavani and Brahmacharini Sophie conduct the closing class at the Itamonte Retreat's "Guru Mandir."

Sister Bhavani leads a devotional prayer.

Group shot of those attending the Itamonte retreat.

Sister Bhavani and Brahmacharini Sophie also visited members in Penedo.

The nuns concluded their tour of Brazil by visiting devotees at the SRF center in Rio de Janeiro.

Sister Bhavani and Brahmacharini Sophie greeting the Rio de Janeiro devotees.

Sister Bhavani conducts a period of meditation with chanting.

Sister Bhavani with members of the Young Adult Group after a satsanga in the Rio de Janeiro Center chapel.

Sister Bhavani announced the release of the Portuguese translation of "Manifesting Divine Consciousness in Daily Life" by Sri Mrinialini Mata.

Mrinialini Mata's "Manifesting Divine Consciousness in Daily Life" is featured during the Rio de Janeiro visit.

SRF publications in Portuguese are available at the Rio de Janeiro Center.

The nuns with the Rio de Janeiro center devotees on the last day of the program.

Sister Bhavani and Brahmacharini Sophie after the closing class.

Elizabeth Steinle

It is valuable to have these photos. SRF history is an ongoing project. I greatly admire participants in all these cities showing their devotion, a source of inspiration to me. Blessings to the traveling monastics. I share, through these photos, the dedication of these participants to our mutual goal of spiritual growth.

Seema Datta

Seeing all of these photos of the monastics and devotees from around the world fills my heart with hope and gratitude. Guruji’s work is having is helping raise the consciousness of humanity. Jai Gutu.

Yashwant kumar

Jai guru

Sara DaileySmith

Oh my, to think of all the happiness spread around the world in the love of Master and his gift of Kriya Yoga to each soul. Yes it feels like a large family growing larger.
Thank you for your service of happiness.
Jai Guru
Sara DaileySmith

DR VIRENDER TRISAL

Thanks for sharing. I also attended the same program held at Jammu last week.

Angie

What a large family! Lovely to see all your faces. May God bless you all.

Brenda

Blessings Dear One Nyc picture isnt clear could it be up graded.Blessings

Shreya

Beautiful photos! The love of God is in every human heart ignited by our monks and nuns of SRF/ YSS family all across the world. Jai Guru ji and Jai Paramgurus. Aum shanti Amen.

Martin Madsen

Thank you so much for sharing all these joy-filled, beautiful photos from the monastic visits! How wonderful it is to see our spiritual family from around the world. Jai Guru!

Marilena Scott

We are so proud of our monks and nuns. They are lions of invincible courage. They are reaching out to our world family in deeply loving ways. It is a soothing solace to be a part of this family. We are helping our guru fulfill his mission.