The SRF Lessons teach you how to live a balanced and successful life by awakening your connection to the Divine
What you have been seeking has been inside you all along
It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the stress and pressures of everyday life and become distracted by the expectations placed upon us by others and society. But you already have inside you everything you need for ultimate peace, security, and happiness.
To tap into this hidden wellspring, all you need to do is cultivate a daily meditation practice following the scientific and universal path of yoga taught by Self-Realization Fellowship.
You can receive satisfying answers to your deepest questions, and cultivate a lasting happiness
True fulfillment, answers to your questions about life, and lasting happiness are within your reach—and can become your everyday experience as you move step-by-step along the spiritual path.
Meditation has hit new heights of popularity. Scientific studies have proven many physical and mental health benefits, and how a daily practice can positively impact your life. But at the core of meditation there is something far greater.
Meditation is your doorway to Bliss-consciousness
When meditation is practiced scientifically, you can calm the mind, breath, and heart, and take your energies inside, where you can perceive your soul’s oneness with Bliss.
This soul-perception dissolves the sense of mortal limitations and will deliver not only the greatest joy, but also more peace, wisdom, and love than you could ever imagine. This is the state of being which has been realized by yogis since ancient times, and which is now available to us all.
If you are one of those who are really thirsty to solve your individual problems, or the universal human problem of understanding the mystery of life, learn and follow the teachings of Self-Realization Fellowship — the scientific spiritual teachings of India, handed down by her illumined seers and sages from time immemorial. Therein you will find the answers.
A progressive home-study program that transforms your life in ways you might never imagine
The SRF Lessons are a transmission of sacred knowledge that will uplift and transform all aspects of your life: a progressive, home-study program teaching meditation techniques and the essence of spirituality handed down through a renowned lineage of yoga masters — Mahavatar Babaji, Lahiri Mahasaya, Swami Sri Yukteswar, and Paramahansa Yogananda — and available to you.
As far as you want to go along the spiritual path, I can show you; and if you practice the techniques in the Lessons you will never feel stagnation in your progress.
Paramahansa Yogananda
You will learn the ancient techniques of Kriya Yoga meditation
The Lessons were originated by Paramahansa Yogananda. At the core of his teachings is a powerful system of meditation techniques: the Kriya Yoga science of meditation. This ancient science of the soul—to which millions have been introduced by Autobiography of a Yogi and other books by him—provides powerful methods for awakening higher spiritual consciousness and the inner bliss of divine realization.
From the very first Lesson, you receive definite methods by which you can experience the benefits of meditation immediately.
While building a solid foundation for deep meditation, you will learn three powerful techniques taught by Paramahansa Yogananda as necessary first steps in the comprehensive spiritual science of Kriya Yoga:
Energization Technique and Exercises
The unique series of Energization Exercises developed by Paramahansa Yogananda enables one to draw energy consciously into the body from the Cosmic Source. This technique of life-energy control purifies and strengthens the body and prepares it for meditation, making it easier to direct the energy inward in order to reach higher states of consciousness. Regular practice also promotes mental and physical relaxation and develops dynamic will power.
Hong-Sau Technique of Concentration
This ancient and powerful technique helps to develop the mind’s latent powers of concentration. Through regular practice one learns to withdraw thought and energy from outward distractions so that they may be focused on any goal to be achieved or problem to be solved. Or one may direct the concentrated attention that results from successful practice toward realizing the Divine Consciousness within.
Aum Technique of Meditation
Once the student has learned, through the practice of the previous techniques, to relax the body and focus the mind, this advanced meditation technique expands the awareness beyond limitations of body and mind to the joyous realization of one’s infinite potential.
Receiving Kriya Yoga
All sincere seekers of spiritual consciousness— regardless of religious affiliation—can receive the above techniques in the basic series of the SRF Lessons. After learning and practicing these three basic techniques during the first eight months of Lessons study, those who wish may apply for initiation into Kriya Yoga. Initiation entails a deeper commitment to this path. Study and practice of the basic Lessons will enable you to determine if you wish to make that commitment.
Whether or not one decides to go on to receive Kriya Yoga, all who are earnest in their application of the techniques taught in the basic series of Lessons can build for themselves a profoundly rewarding meditation practice. They will be able to prove for themselves Paramahansa Yogananda’s assurance that the highest states of divine consciousness can be attained through the basic techniques listed above—though Kriya Yoga is the fastest and most effective method.
Testimonials
Meditation and the Spiritual Path: Experiences of SRF Members
A wealth of inspiration and practical guidance
In addition to the techniques, the Lessons offer a wealth of inspiration and practical guidance for spiritual living — how to live joyfully and successfully amidst the unceasing challenges and opportunities in this world of change. You will learn to convert that inspiration into a daily spiritual practice.
Enrich your studies and practice with the SRF/YSS App
Support your Lessons study with inspiring lectures, recordings and other unique offerings:
Digital access to the Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons, in easy-to-navigate, searchable format.
Audio recordings of Paramahansa Yogananda
Step-by-step video instruction in the SRF Energization Exercises
Audio and video material to support the content featured in the Lessons, including inspirational talks, instruction, and guided meditations
Study and introspection guide for each Lesson
Features to inspire your spiritual journey and to help you overcome your struggles
Using these studies, and meditating regularly, you shall find such happiness, such answers to your problems! Don’t be satisfied with words. Have actual experience of truth. Have Self-realization!
Paramahansa Yogananda
Receive the SRF yoga techniques of meditation—progressively higher methods for experiencing Self-realization and God-communion.
Benefit from the personal connection with and guidance of SRF monks and nuns. Get answers to your questions about your practice, the Lessons, and meditation techniques.
Apply the practical “how-to-live” wisdom to solve the myriad problems in your life. Create harmony and success in every area of your existence.
Use affirmations to apply the power of concentration and will for self-improvement and spiritual progress.
Awaken heart-centered devotion and desire for God with divinely inspired prayers and poetry.
Gain understanding about the scientific principles and philosophy on which the meditation techniques are based—to satisfy your reason as well as your heart.
Learn how to scientifically prevent and heal yourself of disease — physical, psychological, and spiritual.
Apply the instructive stories illustrating moral and spiritual principles to yourself and your family life.
Feel the inspiration of the divinely charged words of Paramahansa Yogananda.
Motivate your personal journey to life’s highest goal: God-realization.
Start your journey with us — Enroll today
We invite you to journey with us on a life-transforming discovery of the peace, joy, and wisdom of the soul through the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda
This includes the Introduction, Preface, and the 18 Lessons in the basic series; as well as the Lessons auxiliary material (see details in App tab above), a student handbook, spiritual counseling opportunities with SRF monastics, and more.
This price also includes complimentary access to the digital version of the Lessons in the SRF Lessons app, and all the auxiliary content for the Lessons.
Timing: Every 2 weeks for 9 months
The SRF Lessons (basic series) is divided into 18 in-depth Lessons (approximately 24-40 pages each), each of which students receive every two weeks for 9 months.
Please allow 2 weeks for the first Lesson to arrive. If you live outside the U.S., please allow 3 weeks for delivery.
Kriya Yoga is no ordinary breathing exercise: It is the highest known technique of pranayama, by which you can consciously control the life force in the body and thereby attain cosmic consciousness.
Paramahansa Yogananda
When Can I Receive Kriya Yoga Initiation?
It is important to establish a solid foundation in meditation before practicing the higher technique of Kriya Yoga. After learning and practicing the three basic techniques (Energization, Concentration and Meditation) during the first eight months of receiving Paramahansa Yogananda's personal instruction in the Lessons, those who wish may apply for initiation into Kriya Yoga.
SRF Lessons Observe Sacred Guidelines for the Teaching of Kriya Yoga.
In Autobiography of a Yogi, Paramahansaji relates the story of how, in 1861, Kriya Yoga came to be resurrected by Mahavatar Babaji for humanity at large. He instructed his disciple Lahiri Mahasaya in the ancient science, and told him that his role in life was to teach it openly to others (as had not been done for many centuries).
At first Babaji set a very high standard for Kriya Yoga initiation. Lahiri Mahasaya then requested that Babaji relax the traditionally strict requirements for discipleship. “Be it so,” Babaji compassionately acquiesced. “The divine wish has been expressed through you. Give Kriya to all who humbly ask you for help.”
Speaking to disciples at the SRF Mother Center in 1949, Paramahansa Yogananda gave more details about this: “Although the ancient restrictions of asceticism and renunciation were waived by Babaji in order that the masses might benefit from Kriya Yoga, he nevertheless required of Lahiri Mahasaya and all descendants of his spiritual line (the SRF/YSS line of Gurus) that they impose on any who sought initiation a period of preliminary spiritual training, by way of preparation for Kriya Yoga practice.”
From the earliest years of his mission in the West, Paramahansaji began developing a systematic course of instruction in the yoga principles and techniques that would prepare serious students for initiation in Kriya Yoga according to the requirements set in place by Babaji. This course was initially taught only in classes conducted personally by Paramahansaji, and included three basic techniques whose practice he felt was integral to the full effectiveness of Kriya Yoga: the Technique of Energization, the Hong-Sau Technique of Concentration, and the Aum Technique of Meditation.
Since 1934, detailed instruction in all of the above techniques has been given in the Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons. For those students of the SRF Lessons who feel drawn to the science of Kriya Yoga as their personal path to God, Paramahansa Yogananda offered initiation into the practice of the Kriya Yoga technique. That sacred initiation (diksha in Sanskrit) offered through Self-Realization Fellowship establishes the guru-disciple relationship between the student and Paramahansa Yogananda.
Paramahansa Yogananda described the guru-disciple relationship as a “very personal and private spiritual bond...a union of loyal spiritual endeavor on the part of the disciple and divine blessings bestowed by the guru.”
I seek nothing of you but your joy in God. And you seek nothing from me but God’s wisdom and joy.
The primary focus of the Self-Realization Fellowship teachings is technique, purged of unnecessary theory. The truths explained in the Lessons are universally practical. Their clear and simple presentation makes even the more complex truths readily comprehensible and easy to apply in daily life by young and old alike. These precepts can be observed and put into practice by even the busiest person, for the practice of the techniques requires only a relatively short period of time each day.
Paramahansa Yogananda
Cost and Timing
Cost: $90 USD ($100 USD International)
This includes the Introduction, Preface, and the 18 Lessons in the basic series; as well as the Lessons auxiliary material (see details in App tab above), a student handbook, spiritual counseling opportunities with SRF monastics, and more.
This price also includes complimentary access to the digital version of the Lessons in the SRF Lessons app, and all the auxiliary content for the Lessons.
Timing: Every 2 weeks for 9 months
The SRF Lessons (basic series) is divided into 18 in-depth Lessons (approximately 24-40 pages each), each of which students receive every two weeks for 9 months.
Please allow 2 weeks for the first Lesson to arrive. If you live outside the U.S., please allow 3 weeks for delivery.