Self-Realization Fellowship | SRF Monastic Visits

Welcome to this photo essay depicting SRF members and friends participating in visits made by Self-Realization Fellowship monastics around the world in fall 2025.

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.

Santiago, Chile; and Bogotá, Colombia

In September, Brother Prafullananda and Brahmachari Leonardo traveled to South America, and are shown here in Chile with members of the Santiago Center of SRF.

Interest in the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda necessitated that the public lecture be given twice at the same venue on the opening evening of the weekend program.

Brother Prafullananda spoke on the joy found through the practice of yoga meditation.

Brahmachari Leonardo led classes on Paramahansa Yogananda's yoga techniques for SRF members.

Brother Prafullananda greets members after a program.

As a memento of the weekend, a member asks for a message to be written in one of Paramahansaji's publications.

Brother Prafullananda and Brahmachari Leonardo next traveled to Bogotá, Colombia, here being greeted by members at the SRF Bogotá Center.

The monks pose for a group photo with SRF members in Bogotá, many traveling from other cities to attend.

Brother Prafullananda and Brahmachari Leonardo give a joint satsanga, answering questions about applying Paramahansaji's how-to-live teachings.

Devotees practice the Energization Exercises before a group meditation.

Sunday School children of the Bogotá Center give the monks a handmade present in appreciation for their visit.

This message is to send a HUGE thank you for last week's monastic visit to Bogotá. It was a very beautiful and enriching encounter for me. I live away from the city, and sharing with other devotees and the monks was definitely a divine gift!

SRF member in Colombia

Escondido, California

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

Austin, Texas; Nashville, Tennessee; and Atlanta, Georgia

In September Brother Keshavananda and Brother Vidurananda traveled to Austin, Texas, to conduct a weekend program.

Brother Keshavananda gave a public lecture to a full house at the SRF Austin Center...

...and Brother Vidurananda gave classes on Paramahansaji's “how-to-live” teachings.

The next stop for the monks was Nashville, where they gave an inspirational program for members of the SRF Nashville Meditation Group.

The monks then traveled to the SRF Atlanta Center.

The occasion was to honor the 25th anniversary of the Atlanta Center's meeting place.

Brother Keshavananda gave classes...

...and led a meditation.

Brother Vidurananda gave an inspirational service.

The monks had a chance to spend time with the members after the program.

Toronto, Guelph, and Vancouver, Canada

In September Brother Balananda and Brother Padmananda led a regional retreat in Niagara Falls, Canada, hosted by the SRF Toronto Center.

Brother Balananda led a practice of the Energization Exercises before a morning meditation.

Long-time members with Brother Balananda.

There was also a midweek visit with SRF members in nearby Guelph.

Brother Balananda and Brother Padmananda concluded their tour in Vancouver, Canada, leading a weekend program for members at a rural venue.

Participants gather for meditation and classes.

Front Royal, Virginia

In September, Brother Nakulananda and Brother Asimananda conducted a regional retreat at Front Royal, Virginia.

The monks give a satsanga on Paramahansa Yogananda's how-to-live teachings.

Brother Asimananda led participants in the Energization Exercises before a morning group meditation.

Brother Nakulananda greets members after a class.

Nuns from the Greenfield Retreat serve participants during meals.

Schwäbisch Gmünd, Stuttgart, Augsburg, Prien, and Bermersbach, Germany; and Salzburg, Austria

In October, Brother Nikhilananda, Brother Shantimoy, and Brother Vimalananda traveled to Germany and Austria. Their first stop was Schwäbisch Gmünd (near Stuttgart), where Brother Nikhilananda is shown giving a public lecture.

Newcomers are welcomed to the public lecture in Schwäbisch Gmünd.

Brother Nikhilananda's lecture was on how every person can find true happiness – the joy of the soul – through yoga meditation.

The monks gave classes on Paramahansa Yogananda's “how-to-live” teachings throughout the weekend. Here, Brother Shantimoy gives instruction on the SRF techniques of yoga meditation.

Brother Vimalananda speaks to an engaged audience.

During kirtan chanting, participants interiorize with Paramahansaji's chants.

Participants speak with Brother Vimalananda.

Brother Nikhilananda greets members after a class.

Nuns from the Nuremberg Ashram assisted with the weekend events. Here Sister Vandana greets members...

...and devotees have an opportunity to connect with Sister Bhagavati.

After the weekend events, the monks then met with members of four meditation groups. They first visited members in Stuttgart, Germany...

...and then with members in Augsburg, Germany...

...and then with members in Prien, Germany...

...and finally traveled to Austria to meet with members in Salzburg.

Earlier in September, Sister Chinmayi and nuns of the Nuremberg Ashram conducted a weekend program at the SRF retreat in Bermersbach, Germany.

Sister Chinmayi led meditations...

...and gave inspirational classes at the SRF Bermersbach Retreat.

This event has been 'another special one,' because it was held entirely in German....What a blessing to hear how the three monks conveyed Master's wisdom in their individual way, covering different facets of the spiritual path!

Attendee in Germany

New York City; Grass Valley and Los Gatos, California; and Ashland, Oregon

In October, Brother Devananda and Brother Dhyanananda gave a weekend program for members at the SRF New York City Center.

They then conducted programs on the West Coast, meeting first with members of the SRF Grass Valley Meditation Group in California.

Brother Devananda and Brother Dhyanananda then conducted a regional retreat, hosted by the SRF Los Gatos Center.

The monks concluded their tour with members in Ashland, Oregon.

Here they dedicated a new chapel for the SRF Ashland Meditation Group.

Palermo, Trapani, Catania, Napoli, Latina, Roma, and Padova, Italy

In October, Brother Tyagananda, Brother Vidyananda, and Brother Vajrananda visited multiple cities in Italy. Their first stop was a weekend program in Palermo, Sicily.

For the opening program, Brother Tyagananda gave a public lecture on the benefits of yoga meditation as taught by Paramahansa Yogananda.

Brother Vidyananda gave classes throughout the weekend.

Brother Vajrananda speaks with attendees.

Participants practice Paramahansaji's Energization Exercises before a group meditation.

The monks also visited members of the SRF Trapani Meditation Group...

...where Brother Tyagananda is shown giving a class in Italian on Paramahansaji's “how-to-live” teachings.

After the events in Sicily, Brother Tyagananda and Brother Vidyananda also visited members of the SRF Catania Meditation Group...

...and then members of the SRF Napoli Meditation Group...

...and then members of the SRF Latina Meditation Circle...

....and also members of the SRF Roma Center....

...where Brother Tyagananda spoke on the importance of balancing our lives with the peace of yoga meditation.

Brother Tyagananda and Brother Vidyananda concluded their tour in Padova, honoring the 50th anniversary of the founding of the SRF Padova Meditation Group.

In Padova, Brother Tyagananda and Brother Vidyananda met with a gathering of SRF young adults.

Brisbane, Australia; and Auckland, New Zealand

In October and November, Brother Sevananda and Brother Kartikananda traveled to Australia and New Zealand. They are shown here with SRF members in Brisbane, Australia.

In Brisbane, Brother Sevananda gave a public lecture to an engaged audience, speaking of the deep peace felt in meditation.

After the class participants gathered to connect with each other...

...and to speak with Brother Sevananda.

During the weekend events, Brother Kartikananda gave classes...

...and led meditations.

The monks then traveled to New Zealand to give a weekend program in Auckland.

Brother Sevananda gave a public lecture the first night of the program in Auckland.

Brother Kartikananda led classes throughout the weekend, and here conducts a review of Paramahansa Yogananda's Energization Exercises.

SRF members attend a class on Paramahansaji's “how-to-live” teachings.

Brother Kartikananda greets members after a class...

...and Brother Sevananda greets a devotee.

Atlanta, Georgia; and Sacramento, California

In November, Brother Ritananda and Brother Bhimananda conducted a regional retreat, hosted by the SRF Atlanta Center, at a venue in North Carolina.

Participants enjoy a class on Paramahansaji's “how-to-live” teachings.

Brother Ritananda leads the practice of the Energization Exercises before a group meditation.

Brother Ritananda and Brother Bhimananda conduct a joint satsanga.

At the SRF Atlanta Center, Brother Bhimananda speaks to devotees.

The monks then flew to California to conduct a weekend program at the SRF Sacramento Center.

Brother Ritananda leads a prayer before a class.

Brother Bhimananda leads a workshop with devotees on Paramahansaji's “how-to-live” teachings.

Devotees shared personal insights during this joyous weekend in spiritual fellowship.

Thank you so very much for your visit with us at the Atlanta Center and the Lake Junaluska Regional Retreat....We want to express our sincere gratitude for your friendship and all you do to help us draw closer to God and Guru!