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    “Self-realization is the knowing — in body, mind, and soul — that we are one with the omnipresence of God....”

    Paramahansa Yogananda

    Mission

    Self-Realization Fellowship is…
    … an invitation to the spiritual seeker to journey together on a life-transforming discovery of the soul. This journey embraces the "how-to-live" teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda, which embody the highest techniques for realizing who we truly are and show how to bring lasting peace, joy, and love into our lives and into the world.

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    Since 1920, Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) has been dedicated to carrying on the spiritual and humanitarian work of its founder, Paramahansa Yogananda, widely revered as the father of Yoga in the West.

    SRF is a worldwide religious organization with international headquarters in Los Angeles. As expressed in the Aims and Ideals formulated by Paramahansa Yogananda, the society seeks to foster a spirit of greater understanding and goodwill among the diverse peoples and religions of our global family, and to help those of all cultures and nationalities to realize and express more fully in their lives the beauty, nobility, and divinity of the human spirit.

    Teachings

    Paramahansa Yogananda founded Self-Realization Fellowship in 1920 to make available the universal teachings of Kriya Yoga, a sacred spiritual science originating millenniums ago in India. These nonsectarian teachings embody a complete philosophy and way of life for achieving all-round success and well-being, as well as methods of meditation for achieving life's ultimate goal — union of the soul with Spirit (God).

    The teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda are made available, today as during his lifetime, through the printed Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons. This comprehensive home-study series — studied by many thousands of people all over the world — gives instruction in all the meditation techniques of the Kriya Yoga science, as well as in the many other aspects of balanced spiritual living taught by Yogananda.

    Membership

    Today, Self-Realization Fellowship has grown to include more than 600 temples and centers around the world and has members in over 175 countries. In India and surrounding countries, Paramahansa Yogananda's work is known as Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (YSS), which has more than 200 centers, retreats, and ashrams.

    Most SRF members are men and women with responsibilities to work and family, who learn through the Self-Realization teachings how to balance their active lives with meditation. In Yogananda’s teachings, they find guidance for spiritualizing marriage and family life, creating success and prosperity in business and professional endeavors, and contributing in a meaningful and serviceful way to their community, nation, and the world at large.

    Monastic Order and Leadership

    In accord with its founder’s wishes, the work of Self-Realization Fellowship is guided by the monastic order that Paramahansaji established along the lines of the ancient swami tradition of India. The monks and nuns of SRF take formal vows of renunciation; and are responsible for serving the spiritual needs of Self-Realization Fellowship members and friends around the world.

    Sri Daya Mata, one of the earliest and closest disciples of Paramahansa Yogananda during his lifetime, was spiritual head and president of Self-Realization Fellowship/Yogoda Satsanga Society of India from 1955 until her passing in 2010.

    Sri Mrinalini Mata, another of Yogananda’s closest disciples, served in these positions from 2011 until her passing in 2017. Brother Chidananda is the current spiritual head and president of SRF/YSS.

    Services and Activities

    Publishing the writings, lectures, and recorded talks of Paramahansa Yogananda and his monastic disciples

    Operating retreats, temples, and meditation centers where people from all walks of life can come together in a spirit of community and fellowship

    A quarterly magazine, Self-Realization, devoted to healing of body, mind, and soul

    Spiritual training of monks and nuns in the SRF monastic communities

    Conducting lecture tours and classes on Paramahansa Yogananda’s Kriya Yoga teachings, including an annual weeklong World Convocation

    Programs on meditation and spiritual living for children and teens

    Offering individual spiritual guidance by letter, telephone, and in person

    Supporting various charitable relief and welfare activities around the world

    Guiding the work of the Worldwide Prayer Circle, a network of groups and individuals dedicated to praying for those in need of physical, mental, or spiritual aid; and for world peace and harmony