In 1920, Paramahansa Yogananda journeyed from India to the United States, at the behest of his lineage of gurus, to spread the ancient science of Kriya Yoga and a universal path to God-realization. That same year, he founded Self-Realization Fellowship to carry out this sacred mission.
As SRF enters its second century, we remain committed to expanding and deepening our service to humanity by offering timeless spiritual wisdom and preserving the unique legacy of Paramahansa Yogananda.
Now more than ever — as humanity faces intensifying challenges — people are seeking the peace, meaning, and direct experience of the Divine offered by Paramahansaji’s teachings and techniques.
To meet this moment and fulfill SRF’s sacred mission, we are embarking on an expansive phase of organizational growth, poised to reach millions of truth-seekers worldwide, as Paramahansaji envisioned.
Learn more about each priority in the sections below.
We will carry the light of Paramahansaji’s teachings farther than ever before — touching hearts across languages, cultures, and generations.
We are expanding global distribution of our publications to reach more truth-seekers everywhere, translating the SRF Lessons into many additional languages, and continuing the publication of Paramahansa Yogananda’s unpublished talks and writings and planning memoirs about his life (including a new biography).
“Yogananda’s teachings — his life and his message — bring such peace to my heart, such joy to my life, and such hope for this world.” — T. C., SRF member, New Jersey
“The meditation, yoga, and self-analysis techniques Yogananda shared in his teachings opened doors to unprecedented personal growth....I am learning to see the Divine within myself and everyone around me.” — F. P., SRF member, Brazil
We will ensure a vibrant, spiritually connected global community — reaching out to seekers of all ages, in every corner of the world, in Paramahansaji’s spirit of divine friendship and fellowship.
To bring the SRF teachings to all, no matter their location, we are enhancing digital platforms and support services, and expanding our online offerings. In addition to an ever-expanding wealth of inspirational content and programs for individual seekers, we are creating new programs for youth and families, including children’s content, teen and young adult outreach, and exploring pilot SRF schools and lay-disciple communities.
SRF is reaching seekers worldwide through programs such as the Online Meditation Center. This “wall-less temple” has made a significant positive impact on our global SRF community. Since launching in 2019 the Online Meditation Center has been visited over 4 million times and is supported by nearly 300 dedicated volunteers. Weekday meditations conducted by monastics as well as lay members are held 11 hours per day, in six languages, reaching participants from 147 countries.
Building on the rich, in-person offerings developed for SRF Youth Programs over many decades, SRF online “How-to-Live” programs teach young people how to create a spiritual foundation for their lives, one that becomes a sustaining positive influence long after the series of classes concludes.
We will protect and sustain the monastic order central to Paramahansaji’s work — ensuring that it continues to thrive, serve, and inspire for generations to come.
We are supporting the monastic order, which Paramahansaji made the nucleus of his work — through recruitment and training, immersive spiritual programs, upgrading and modernizing current ashram facilities, developing new ashram facilities, and establishing a sustainable senior care program with dedicated facilities for elderly monastics.
“I just wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the service the monks and nuns provide in leading the SRF services, both in person and online. For those of us who live far from the ashrams and temples, their dedication is a lifeline — keeping us connected to the teachings, the sangha, and the spiritual presence of our beloved Guruji. Their devotion, sincerity, and selfless effort make an immeasurable difference.” — S. F., SRF member, Scotland
SRF monastics offer devoted service to our global community, including spiritual counseling and global outreach. About 100 visits to cities around the world are made annually to share Paramahansa Yogananda’s teachings. They lead retreats and programs that include classes on Paramahansaji’s “How-to-Live” teachings, SRF meditation technique reviews, group meditations, kirtan chanting, and Kriya Yoga initiations.
SRF welcomes inquiries from and offers support to individuals who wish to dedicate their lives to God through the SRF monastic path and serve Paramahansaji’s growing global work. Each year we see increasing interest and continued entries into the monastic order. As part of our effort to reach more and more truth-seeking souls, in the coming years we will be establishing new ashrams in North and South America and in Europe.
We will preserve the holy places sanctified by Paramahansaji’s presence — ensuring they remain centers of pilgrimage, inspiration, and divine communion for future seekers.
We are preserving and upgrading Paramahansaji’s legacy sacred sites, including completing the International Headquarters Retrofit & Rehabilitation Project, fulfilling his inspiring vision for the Encinitas Ashram Center, and reopening the Lake Shrine, so that these spiritual sanctuaries remain vibrant, accessible, and welcoming for future generations.
“On these grounds I have so meditated and loved God that whoever walks through these gates with a receptive heart will be changed.”
— Paramahansa Yogananda speaking about SRF’s International Headquarters (Mother Center)
International Headquarters (IHQ) Retrofit and Rehabilitation Project
Paramahansa Yogananda established the International Headquarters of Self-Realization Fellowship in 1925. Now 100 years later, the Mother Center (as he lovingly referred to the IHQ) is in need of a major retrofit and rehabilitation. The project will also include the construction of a special Garden Shrine for meditation and as a tribute to Paramahansa Yogananda’s life and worldwide work.
SRF Lake Shrine
Since its opening to the public in 1950, the Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine has been a spiritual sanctuary where people from all over the world can come and experience true peace in heart, mind, and soul. Due to the Palisades wildfire that impacted the property in January 2025, we are conducting restoration work and performing smoke remediation work throughout the property.
Encinitas Ashram Center
Paramahansa Yogananda established the Self-Realization Fellowship Encinitas Ashram Center in 1937. Today we have many projects in progress to preserve and upgrade these grounds, which include public meditation gardens, a retreat program, ashram dwellings for SRF monks and nuns, and the Hermitage where Paramahansaji lived for many years.
More information coming soon.
We will strengthen the administrative foundation of Paramahansaji’s worldwide mission — ensuring SRF is prepared to serve a rapidly expanding global spiritual family, now and into the future.
We are strengthening SRF’s long-term financial resilience, expanding annual fundraising support, engaging more lay members in mission-critical roles, and building robust systems to sustain and grow the work for decades to come.
“The operational transformation underway harmoniously blends the spiritual leadership and service of our monastics with the expertise and dedication of hundreds of lay members and employees, serving together using the latest technology and innovative tools. Our Guru was a visionary trendsetter who fearlessly embraced modern means to fulfill the mission to spread the Kriya Yoga teachings. Under Brother Chidananda’s leadership, SRF is following in our Guru’s footsteps to make bold progress for this mission.”
— Brother Kamalananda, SRF Monastic/Board Member
SRF is dedicated to expanding our volunteer network and welcoming dedicated lay professionals to help advance our mission. The world-class professional expertise of devoted lay members and volunteers from all over the globe allows our monks and nuns to focus more time on endeavors that require monastic training and support the important spiritual needs of our growing worldwide family.
This work has been sent by God to India, to America, to the world, through Babaji, Lahiri Mahasaya, and my gurudeva, Sri Yukteswarji. You will see that in the beginning it will start as a gentle zephyr. Gradually it will become a stronger breeze. In time it will become a mighty wind, a force that will do tremendous good.
