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 Spring 2026.

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.

Sydney, Newcastle, Perth, Adelaide, and Melbourne, Australia

In February, Brother Devananda and Brother Bhimananda visited SRF members in five cities in Australia. They are shown here conducting a retreat hosted by the SRF Sydney Center and attended by members from throughout the country.

Brother Devananda and Brother Bhimananda at the Sydney Center.

The monks then traveled to meet with members of the SRF Newcastle Meditation Circle in New South Wales, Australia.

They next led a weekend program for members of the SRF Perth Meditation Group...

...where Brother Bhimananda and Brother Devananda answered spiritual questions in a joint satsanga.

In Perth, Brother Bhimananda conducts the practice of Paramahansa Yogananda's Energization Exercises before a group meditation...

...and Brother Devananda leads participants in devotional chanting.

The events in Perth included a workshop on Paramahansaji's "how-to-live" teachings.

The monks then visited members of the SRF Adelaide Meditation Circle...

...where Brother Devananda gives a class...

...and Brother Bhimananda speaks on the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda.

Brother Bhimananda and Brother Devananda's Australia tour concluded in Melbourne, where they are pictured with members of the SRF Melbourne Meditation Group.

Brother Bhimananda gives an inspiring class....

....and Brother Devananda speaks to the attentive participants.

Escondido, California

In February, Brother Shantimoy and Brahmachari Rodrigo visited members of the SRF Escondido Center.

Rome, Cagliari, and Sassari, Italy

In March Brother Tyagananda and Brahmachari Marco traveled to Italy. Here Brother Tyagananda conducts a public lecture to a full audience in Rome...

...in which he explains how scientific yoga meditation provides the way to find inner peace in this troubled world.

The monks also met with SRF members at the meeting place of the SRF Rome Meditation Center. This was a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the center.

Brother Tyagananda gave inspiring words honoring this anniversary event.

Sunday school children at the Rome Center pictured with the visiting monks.

Brother Tyagananda and Brahmachari Marco also visited members on the island of Sardinia, and are shown here conducting a retreat attended by SRF members from across the island.

Brother Tyagananda and Brahmachari Marco with members in Sassari, Sardinia.

Brother Tyagananda and Brahamachari Marco then traveled to meet with members of the SRF Meditation Circle in Cagliari, Sardinia.

We spent many beautiful moments in Cagliari and Sassari with the SRF monks. We were touched by the kindness and dedication to God and our beloved Guru expressed by so many devotees who participated at the events. We look forward to such meetings again in the future!

Sardinia SRF members

Tucson, Arizona

In March, Brother Muktananda and Brother Naradananda conducted a regional weekend retreat in Tucson, Arizona.

Brother Naradananda leads a group meditation...

...and Brother Muktananda gives an inspiring talk on Paramahansaji's teachings.

Kansas City, Missouri; Denver, Colorado; and Albuquerque, New Mexico

In March, Brother Saralananda and Brother Dhyanananda traveled to three states. Here they are warmly welcomed by the members of the SRF Kansas City Meditation Group.

Brother Saralananda speaks on Paramahansaji's teachings to a full audience during a public lecture in Kansas City.

Brother Saralananda greets attendees at the Kansas City Meditation Group's meeting place. The monks conducted classes and meditations throughout the weekend.

Members enjoy speaking with Brother Dhyanananda.

Group photo at the conclusion of the monks' visit to Kansas City.

Brother Saralananda and Brother Dhyanananda then traveled to visit members of SRF's Denver Meditation Group...

...where they gave classes, led meditations...

...and took time to meet personally with members.

The monks concluded their tour with a weekend program in Albuquerque. In a public lecture, Brother Saralananda speaks on the effectiveness of Paramahansa Yogananda's yoga teachings.

Brother Dhyanananda reviews the SRF meditation techniques with SRF Lessons students,...

...Brother Saralananda talks informally with attendees...

...and Brother Dhyanananda greets a participant.

The monks and attendees at the conclusion of the Albuquerque program.

Portland, Oregon; and Calgary, Canada

In April, Brother Nikhilananda and Brahmachari Daniel conducted a weekend program for members at the SRF Portland Center.

The monks then traveled to Calgary for a weekend with members there.

The program included a weekend regional retreat hosted by the SRF Calgary Meditation Group. Here Brother Nikhilananda and Brahmachari Daniel give a joint satsanga.

The quiet retreat facility was conducive to peaceful meditation and reflection.

Brahmachari Daniel leads a prayer before a meditation service.

Devotees enjoy a meditation with devotional chanting conducted by Brahmachari Daniel.

Paramahansa Yogananda's publications are available during the Calgary retreat.

Toronto, Canada; and Eugene and Corvallis, Oregon

In April, Brother Jayananda and Brahmachari Preston led a weekend program in Toronto. Brother Jayananda gives a public lecture...

...speaking on the deep peace experienced in yoga meditation.

After the lecture there was much interest in the SRF Lessons, which teach Paramahansa Yogananda's meditation techniques...

...and many were also interested in the writings of Paramahansa Yogananda.

Brother Jayananda greets participants after the public lecture.

Brahmachari Preston enjoys answering participants' questions.

Other events took place at the SRF Toronto Center's meeting place throughout the weekend. Here Brahmachari Preston reviews the practice of the SRF meditation techniques...

....and leads a meditation.

A group shot during the final event at the Toronto Center.

Brother Jayananda and Brahmachari Preston then traveled to Eugene, Oregon to meet with SRF members there.

Brother Jayananda gives words of inspiration in the SRF Eugene Meditation Group's chapel...

...and also in an informal gathering outside the chapel.

Brother Jayananda and Brahmachari Preston then visited with members of the SRF Corvallis Meditation Circle where Brother Jayananda dedicated their chapel.

Brother Jayananda and Brahmachari Preston with members of the Corvallis Meditation Circle.

Santa Barbara, California

Brother Bhimananda and Brahmachari Jorge met with members of the SRF Santa Barbara Meditation Circle during a weekend visit in April, shown here during a nature outing.

The monks gave classes on Paramahansaji's "how-to-live" teachings. Here, Brother Bhimananda conducts the practice of Paramahansaji's Energization Exercises before a group meditation.

Thank you so much for the sublime alchemy of stories of Daya Mata and Master, and other monastics, with profoundly deep meditations. It was such a total joy to be able to share this weekend with you through your loving service.

The SRF Santa Barbara Meditation Circle

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

In May, Brother Muktananda and Brahmachari Jordan visited the SRF Washington D.C. Center. Brahmachari Jordan gives a class...

...and Brother Muktananda greets Washington D.C. members.

The monks then traveled to the SRF Greenfield Retreat in Front Royal, Virginia to conduct a weekend regional retreat.

This was the next event to take place in Greenfield Retreat's new chapel after its dedication the previous week during a special visit by SRF President Brother Chidananda.

The newly dedicated chapel at SRF's Greenfield Retreat.

Brother Muktananda gives a class...

..speaking on the many benefits of applying Paramahansa Yogananda's "how to live" teachings in our lives.

Brahmachari Jordan leads a devotional prayer.

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

Brother Muktananda and Brahmachari Jordan greet participants at the conclusion of the retreat.

The retreat has been wonderful and very uplifting. I appreciate everyone’s effort in making this retreat flow with perfection.

Retreat participant

Sacramento, Santa Rosa, and Los Gatos, California

Brother Naradananda and Brother Sakhyananda with attendees of a regional weekend retreat sponsored by the SRF Sacramento Center in May.

During the retreat Brother Naradananda and Brother Sakhyananda gave inspiring talks on Paramahansaji's teachings...

...led meditations, reviewed the SRF meditation techniques, and answered spiritual questions in satsangas.

The monks next visited members of the SRF Santa Rosa Meditation Group...

...where they answered spiritual questions in a joint satsanga.

Brother Naradananda and Brother Sakhyananda in Santa Rosa.

Brother Sakhyananda conducts a practice of Paramahansaji's Energization Exercises before a group meditation.

The monks also visited members of the the SRF Los Gatos Center, where Brother Naradananda led a meditation with devotional chanting.

Greeting Los Gatos devotees after the closing class.

New York City

In May, Brother Balananda and Brahmachari Ian conducted a weekend regional retreat in Garrison, New York, sponsored by SRF's New York City Center.

Retreatants attend a satsanga — answers to spiritual questions — conducted jointly by Brother Balananda and Brahmachari Ian.

Brother Balananda gives an inspiring class...

...and Brahmachari Ian leads devotional chanting before a meditation.

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

...before a group meditation.

Brother Balananda greets participants at the end of the retreat...

...and a member shares his appreciation with Brahmachari Ian.

Cordoba, Argentina; Montevideo, Uruguay; Mexico City, Mexico; and Guatemala City, Guatemala

In May, Brother Prafullananda and Brother Dhruvananda visited SRF members in South and Central America, beginning their tour in Cordoba, Argentina. Here Brother Prafullananda speaks to a full audience during a public lecture.

Much interest is shown in Paramahansaji's teachings after the lecture...

Joyous Cordoba volunteers at the book table displaying SRF publications and devotional items.

The weekend program included reviews of the SRF meditation techniques, satsangas, and meditations. Brother Dhruvananda gives an inspirational talk on Paramahansaji's teachings...

...and conducts a meditation with devotional chanting.

Brother Prafullananda and Brother Dhruvananda with attendees at the closing class in Cordoba.

Brother Dhruvananda greets attendees at the close of the program...

...and participants share their appreciation for the program with Brother Prafullananda.

The monks also visited the SRF Cordoba Center...

...which was founded in 1954. A plaque at the entrance reads: "Our sincere gratitude to the devoted faithful who, with love and devotion, have maintained this beautiful work of Paramahansa Yogananda."

Cordoba devotees gather outside for a group photo with the monastics.

Brother Prafullananda and Brother Dhruvananda conduct a joint satsanga at the Cordoba Center...

...and afterwards greet appreciative members.

Brother Prafullananda and Brother Dhruvananda then traveled to Uruguay to meet with members of the SRF Montevideo Meditation Circle.

Brother Dhruvananda reviews the practice of the SRF Energization Exercises...

...and Brother Prafullananda leads a devotional chant at the start of a meditation.

Brother Prafullananda and Brother Dhruvananda with Montevideo members.

The next stop for Brother Prafullananda and Brother Dhruvananda was a weekend regional retreat sponsored by the SRF Mexico City Center.

The monastics greet participants at the opening of the retreat program.

Brother Prafullananda conducts a group meditation....

...and gives an inspirational talk on Paramahansaji's teachings.

Brother Dhruvananda gives a class on Paramahansaji's "how-to-live" teachings...

...and conducts a review of Paramahansaji's Energization Exercises prior to a group meditation.

Enthusiastic participants at the close of the Mexico City retreat.

The monastics concluded their tour with a visit to members in Guatemala City...

...where they conducted meditations and gave inspirational classes. Here Brother Prafullananda and Brother Dhruvananda give a joint satsanga.

Brother Prafullananda greets devotees after the program.

The monks also dedicated the chapel of the SRF Guatemala City Meditation Circle...

...during a ceremony in which Brother Prafullananda showered the altar with rose petals...

...and after which the monks greet all those attending.

The SRF monastic visit to Guatemala was my first contact with monastics from SRF. Through their visit and meeting with SRF disciples from other countries, I came to understand Paramahansaji’s words that meditating with others boosts spiritual progress by elevating one’s own consciousness through the combined, powerful vibrations of the group.

Guatemala City participant

Seattle, Washington

In June, Brother Padmananda and Brahmachari Rahul conducted a weekend regional retreat in Seabeck, Washington, hosted by the SRF Seattle Center,

Participants greet each other before entering the silence observed for the remainder of the retreat program.

The retreat takes place in a beautiful rustic setting.

Brother Padmananda gives a class on Paramahansaji's "how-to-live" teachings.

Brother Padmananda conducts the practice of Paramahansaji's Energization Exercises before a group meditation.

Participants in silent meditation.

Brother Padmananda and Brahmachari Rahul also spent an evening with members at the Seattle Center's meeting place.

Punithamalar

Would be really grateful if could have one centre in Darwin, Australia.

Theresiu Janicki-Hardy

Thank you for letting us all share in this joy of these precious monastic visits all over the world, and see all these shining jewelled faces of Master's sweet devotees radiating so much light and love and joy! It makes our hearts and souls and faces smile with them! And a huge thank you and Guruji's blessings to the monastics for coming to see and inspire us in our far-flung places, serving us all so selflessly!. Our beloved Guru blesses us all in so many ways!

Alfredo

Bendecida visita monástica de los hermanos Prafullananda y Dhruvananda a Córdoba. Muy agradecidos por traernos el fervor del Maestro. Felicitaciones a los condiscípulos que organizaron las actividades por su cordial hospitalidad y servicio.
Jai Gurú!

Martin Madsen

Thank you for sharing all these peace-permeated photos! Jai Guru!

Pam

Thank you for sharing these photos, it gives me such happiness to see how we have brothers and sisters all over the world who share a love for the path that Master has provided for us.

Kati Szamos

How wonderful it is to see all the photos from the monastic tours, our global family!

Beto

Muchas gracias por su visita. Fue muy inspiradora para nosotros!

Christian

The teachings and impact of Paramahansa Yogananda that you all are doing is beautiful