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 spring 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.

Johannesburg, Knysa, and Cape Town, South Africa; Brussels, Belgium; and Huissen, Netherlands

In March, Brother Bhimananda and Brother Nikhilananda visited members in South Africa and Europe, and are shown here with the SRF meditation group in Johannesburg, South Africa.

They then traveled to meet with SRF devotees in Knysna, South Africa.

Brother Nikhilananda and Brother Bhimananda then flew to Cape Town, South Africa, to meet with members there.

The monks then traveled to Europe, and are shown here with SRF devotees in Brussels, Belgium.

Brother Nikhilananda leads the practice of the Energization Exercises before group meditation with the Brussels Meditation Group.

Brother Bhimananda conducts a group meditation in Brussels.

Brothers Nikhilananda and Bhimananda concluded their tour with a weekend program in Huissen, Netherlands.

The monks with appreciative SRF members in Huissen.

Tucson, Arizona

In March, Brother Devananda and Brother Naradananda led a regional retreat in Tucson.

Kalamazoo, Michigan; and Chicago, Illinois

Also in March, Brother Saralananda and Brother Sarvananda conducted programs in Michigan and Illinois, and are shown here with SRF members in Kalamazoo.

Brother Saralananda speaks to the Kalamazoo members.

Brother Sarvananda and Brother Saralananda in Kalamazoo.

Brother Saralananda and Brother Sarvananda then traveled to Chicago where they conducted a weekend program.

Denver, Colorado; and Ft. Lauderdale and Tampa, Florida

Brother Prafullananda and Brahmachari Bhaskarananda visited three cities in April, and are shown here at with members in Denver, Colorado.

Brahmachari Bhaskarananda conducts the practice of the Energization Exercises before a group meditation.

Brother Prafullananda gives a public lecture on meditation and the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda in Denver.

Brother Prafullananda speaking with attendees of the public lecture

Brahmachari Bhaskarananda greeting attendees after the public lecture

Brahmachari Bhaskarananda speaks with an SRF member in Denver.

The monks then traveled to meet with members in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

After this they traveled to Tampa, Florida, to conduct a weekend program at the Tampa Meditation Group's new chapel.

Brother Prafullananda lights the candles on the altar while dedicating the new chapel at the Tampa Meditation Group.

Bro. Prafullananda helps distribute rose petals around the grounds of Tampa Meditation Group's new facility.

The SRF monks and members gather for a picture outside the new chapel .

Brother Prafullananda and Brahmachari Bhaskarananda conduct a satsanga — answers to spiritual questions — in the new chapel.

Brahmachari Bhaskarananda conducts a meditation.

A special meal is served in the new social hall of the Tampa Meditation Group.

Portland and Eugene, Oregon; and Princeton, New Jersey

In April, Brother Devananda and Brahmachari Ian visited SRF members in cities on the East and West coasts, and are shown here at the SRF Portland Center.

Brahmachari Ian speaks on the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda.

Brother Devananda and Brahmachari Ian then traveled to Eugene, Oregon, and are shown here with members at the Eugene Meditation Group.

Brother Devananda and Brahmachari Ian in front of the Eugene Meditation Group's meeting place.

The monks conduct a service for the Eugene members.

The monks' tour concluded in Princeton, New Jersey, where they led a weekend program for members.

Hampshire, London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, United Kingdom

In April and May, Brother Sakhyananda and Brahmachari Daniel traveled to Great Britain, and are shown here with SRF members in Hampshire.

Brother Sakhyananda and Brahmachari Daniel lead an inspirational program for the Hampshire members.

The monks then traveled to London for a weekend program, where Brother Sakhyananda leads a class.

Brother Sakhyananda speaking at the London Center.

Brahmachari Daniel with London Center Sunday school children.

Group photo at the conclusion of London Center's program.

The monks concluded their London visit with words of appreciation for the divine friendship of the devotees there.

Brother Sakhyananda and Brahmachari Daniel then traveled to meet with members in Manchester.

Brother Sakhyananda and Brahmachari Daniel with Manchester devotees.

Brother Sakhyananda and Brahmachari Daniel then traveled to Scotland, to visit with members of the Edinburgh Meditation Group.

The monks also visited the Glasgow Meditation Group.

Brahmachari Daniel and Brother Sakhyananda meet with the Glasgow devotees.

Brahmachari Daniel speaks on Paramahansaji's How-to-Live teachings.

Brother Sakhyananda during a class in Glasgow.

Buenos Aires, Mar del Plata, and Cordoba, Argentina

In April and May, Brother Samatananda and Brahmachari Leonardo visited Argentina, and are shown here conducting a weekend program with devotees in Buenos Aires.

The monks then traveled to meet with members in Mar del Plata.

Brother Samatananda speaks on the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda to SRF members and friends in Mar del Plata.

Brother Samatananda and Brahmachari Leonardo concluded their Argentina tour with a weekend program in Cordoba.

Escondido, California

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

Washington D.C.; Front Royal, Virginia; Reno, Nevada; and Sacramento, California

In May, Brother Vidurananda and Brahmachari Preston visited SRF members in four cities. Here Brother Vidurananda speaks with members in Washington, D.C.

Brahmachari Preston gives a class to Washington D.C. members.

Brother Vidurananda and Brahmachari Preston then led a weekend program for the SRF Greenfield Retreat in Front Royal, Virginia.

Brahmachari Preston leads practice of the Energization Exercises before a group meditation.

Brother Vidurananda speaks on the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda in Front Royal.

Brahmachari Preston gives a class at the Front Royal retreat.

The monks then traveled to Nevada to meet with members in Reno.

Brother Vidurananda and Brahmachari concluded their tour by conducting a retreat for the SRF Sacramento Center.

Brahmachari Preston conducts the practice of the Energization Exercises....

....before a group meditation.

Brother Vidurananda leads a meditation for the Sacramento retreatants.

Brahmachari Preston gives an inspiring talk on Paramahansaji's teachings.

Boston, Massachusetts

In May, Brother Jayananda and Brother Kartikananda led a weekend program in Boston, shown here with SRF members at the SRF Boston Center.

Brother Jayananda speaks on Paramahansaji's teachings....

....at the SRF Boston Center.

Brother Jayananda conducts a public lecture on the peace of meditation in downtown Boston.

Brother Jayananda greeting attendees after the talk

Brother Kartikananda speaks informally with members after the public lecture.

Shaftsbury, Vermont

In May Brother Jitananda and Brother Kalyanananda led a weekend program at the Shaftsbury Meditation Circle in North Bennington, Vermont.

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

The participants enjoy a meditation with devotional chanting conducted by Brother Kalyanananda.

New York City

In May, Sister Usha and Sister Anjali conducted a regional weekend retreat in Garrison, New York, sponsored by the SRF New York City Center.

Sister Usha gives an inspiring class....

....to attentive participants.

Sister Anjali speaks on the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda.

Sister Usha greets a member after the program.

A member thanks Sister Anjali for the inspiring weekend program.

Bermersbach, Germany

In May Sister Bhagavati and Sister Chandra conducted a retreat at the SRF Bermersbach Retreat, located in Germany's Black Forest.

Retreatants practice the Energization Exercises before a group meditation.

Sister Bhagavati leads a meditation for the Bermersbach retreatants.

Salvador, Piatã, and the SRF Armação Retreat, Brazil

In May, Sister Ranjana and Brahmacharini Laura led programs in three locations in Brazil, and are here shown with members in Salvador.

Sister Ranjana speaks on Paramahansaji's teachings....

....to a full audience during a public lecture.

There was much interest in the SRF publications and devotional items available....

....which included the new Portuguese translation of "Mejda," the story of Paramahansa Yogananda's early years, as told by his younger brother Sananda Lal Ghosh.

The nuns also visited the meditation group in Piatã, Brazil.

The nuns concluded their tour with devotees at the SRF Armação Retreat.

Brahmachari Laura leads a group meditation for the Armação retreatants.

Sister Ranjana speaks on the teachings of Paramahansaji....

....and highlights the release of the Portuguese edition of "Mejda".

Sue

Wow. The groups in Brazil are really big. So nice to see.

Liliana

Indeed, a beautiful and large spiritual family!

Doris Miranda

Jai Gurú Jai

Kati Szamos

Guruji's global family, so beautiful and inspiring. Thank you!

Ashoka Jinka

This photo easy beautifully illuminates the timeless prophecy of Mahavatar Babaji: “Kriya Yoga shall spread in all lands.” Blessed all those participants both Monks and Devotees.

Shivan Sarna

The silent retreat in NY was amazing. My second time. Please go if you can. It is wonderful. Jai Guru!

Sara DaileySmith

What graciousness the monastics spread all over the world that reflect Paramahansa Yogananda's love and care to his large family!

S.M.Devaraj

Jai Guru,
The retreat photos surely inspires to get more and more spiritual and imports the effectiveness , strength and importance of group meditation,to receive Girji's and Great Masters blessings.
Bangalore,India

Jai GURU! Such lovely and amazing photos-totally heartwarming and heart-winning images! Thank you so much! Jai GURU!

Martin Madsen

Glorious photos! Thank you for sharing this pictorial. It's wonderful to see so many beautiful souls following Guruji's teachings. Jai Guru!

Ornella Boccuzzi

Will SRF monastic visit come to Australia and which city will you come. Hopefully you will visit Brisbane

Self-Realization FellowshipOrnella Boccuzzi

Hello! And yes, the SRF monastic tours will include a visit to Brisbane, Australia this fall from October 31 to November 2, 2025.

More information will be posted on Yogananda.org as we come closer to the visit:
https://yogananda.org/events-and-programs-lecture-tours-and-regional-retreats#2025%20Schedule

Kaeli

Thank you to the monastics for coming to us. We appreciated the knowledge and joy shared with us by Brother Sarvananda and Brother Saralanda. I enjoyed the Chicago retreat and Kriya ceremony. It was a blessing beyond measure. It was wonderful to connect with other devotees. Jai Guru!

Denise DeShane

How wonderful to see the many loving shining faces of devotees and Monastics all around the world. And thrilling to recognize so many too. I found myself reflecting that this is my family, my beautiful spiritual family.