Self-Realization Fellowship Blog

Paramahansa Yogananda’s worldwide spiritual family of SRF members and friends has responded with compassion and generosity to help those affected by the devastating fires that affected the Los Angeles area this January. 

From around the globe, thousands joined their individual efforts with those of the SRF monastic community in praying for firefighters, emergency workers, displaced residents, and for the safety of the beloved SRF Lake Shrine in the Pacific Palisades.  

We have received the tremendous outpouring of concern reflected in the many messages you have sent, expressing your deep care for not only those within SRF but the larger family of all those who may have lost their homes, and in some cases their loved ones.   

As we shared in January, SRF is making monetary donations to several organizations working on relief and recovery efforts in the aftermath of the wildfires. Additionally, generous donations for relief efforts have come from SRF meditation groups far and wide. And we were touched to hear how so many individuals made donations in honor of Paramahansa Yogananda to some of those organizations we named on our blog post.

Mobilizing Support During the Fires

A dedicated group of volunteers — comprised of SRF members from the Lake Shrine and beyond — rallied to assist with meeting the immediate needs of those SRF members affected by the wildfires. They worked to track evacuees and those who lost their homes, getting in touch with them and helping to match their needs with offers from the SRF community.

“We tried to get help out as soon as possible,” said volunteer Abbey Chong. “People who didn’t know where they were going to live were also trying to help others. They have been so brave, incredibly courageous.”

There have also been efforts to provide direct financial relief through fundraising pages created for SRF devotees who have lost everything in the fires.

An emergency response page was set up on the SRF Lake Shrine website for SRF devotees who need or wish to offer help.

Special Gathering for Those Severely Affected by the Fires

On February 2 the SRF devotees most severely affected by the fires — those who lost homes, jobs, and other possessions — were hosted at the SRF International Headquarters in Los Angeles by SRF monks and nuns. One of the Lake Shrine ministers led the group in meditation and gave an inspirational talk, and the monks and nuns were available afterward to speak to attendees and offer spiritual counseling. The devotees were also offered the opportunity to visit Paramahansa Yogananda’s living quarters at the headquarters (which are preserved as a shrine) to absorb the spiritual vibrations Paramahansaji left there as a permanent blessing. The gathering served to help uplift those experiencing loss, and to express tangibly the spirit of divine friendship which permeates the SRF community.
 

Donation Drives: “The Response Has Been Tremendous”

SRF members from the Glendale, Hollywood, Fullerton, Encinitas, and San Diego Temples swung into action, sending out emails, posting on their websites, making temple announcements, and putting up flyers with a request for everyone to help collect donations.

“The response has been tremendous, with devotees not only donating a large amount of items, but also volunteering to deliver the donations,” said Brother Ekananda, minister-in-charge at the SRF Fullerton Temple.

SRF members and friends made significant contributions to the San Diego Food Bank, Los Angeles Food Bank, CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort), and other local charities. Responding to a request made by fire relief and help centers, Temple communities also collected many gift cards so those affected by the wildfires could purchase clothing or other necessities.

“Donations filled two Sunday school rooms and took three trucks, plus an SUV, to transport these items to the food bank!” said Brother Padmananda, minister-in-charge at the SRF San Diego Temple, of the donations collected at that location. 

“We received more donations than any other food drive we’ve ever held,” said Brother Balananda, minister-in-charge at the SRF Encinitas Temple.

And he added: “What was especially inspirational was seeing the evacuees who were staying with our Temple members working side by side with Encinitas devotees collecting and storing the food and clothing items. It really touched our hearts.”

The SRF temples are continuing their fundraising and donation efforts, as members and friends continue to give. 

SRF Young Adults Host Fundraising Event

Young adults in Encinitas organized a kirtan (devotional chanting) and potluck on February 2 to raise funds for general relief efforts and for those in the SRF community who lost their homes. It was an event that brought great enthusiasm and hope to all participating.

Please know that all your spiritual and material efforts are deeply appreciated, and we pray that through them you become increasingly aware of the omnipresent care and blessings of God and Gurus.
 

Lake Shrine Reopening Update

Although we do not yet have an estimate about when we can reopen our beloved SRF Lake Shrine, we want to inform you that we are actively engaged in taking steps for reopening as soon as it is safe and practical to do so. There are still many details to be worked out regarding the protocols for testing, cleaning, and other required procedures for the grounds and the many structures on our site and those in the neighboring areas. We want to ensure that our site will be certified safe for visitors before we reopen. At this time, the Lake Shrine Temple, Retreat, and Meditation Gardens remain closed to all visitors. We will keep you informed as we get more clarity about the situation in the coming weeks.

Thank you very much for your ongoing prayers and good wishes.
 

Ongoing Spiritual Support

SRF monks and nuns who serve as ministers and counselors continue to be available to help, listen to, and pray with those who may be in distress because of the fires in Los Angeles, and to offer comfort and perspective from the all-embracing teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda. (Spiritual counseling is a resource that SRF offers to members and friends worldwide at all times of the year.) SRF has also organized several smaller events for those impacted by the fire — to offer spiritual support, prayer, and meditation.

• For spiritual counseling, we invite you to call the SRF International Headquarters: (323) 225-2471
• Find out more about how Self-Realization Fellowship is helping those affected by wildfires in Los Angeles and how you can participate
• Join the Worldwide Prayer Circle