November 2023 Newsletter

Dear Friend,

As we move along the spiritual path as seekers of higher consciousness, is it possible at the same time to get a better grip on our individual problems and gain awareness on how best to deal with real-world challenges?

Sri Mrinalini Mata, beloved fourth president of SRF/YSS, said that Paramahansa Yogananda always kept before his followers “the thought that spirituality is not otherworldly. Spirituality is a joy. Spirituality is something that can be expressed while you are in this human body and in this material world.”

But to know how to manifest such abundant spirituality — and to apply it to make positive strides in our own lives — takes wisdom.

Paramahansaji extolled the Bhagavad Gita as one of the very greatest expressions of the universal spiritual wisdom that is the unifying legacy of all humanity. Because it is so encompassing and universally practical, he said, no matter where one is on the spiritual path “the Gita will shed its light on that segment of the journey.”

We invite you this month to learn more about, and draw helpful understandings from, India’s most beloved scripture of yoga, the science of divine communion — and a timeless prescription for happiness and balanced success in everyday life.

From the talks and writings of Paramahansa Yogananda:

The Bhagavad Gita — a comprehensive metaphysical and psychological treatise — describes all experiences that will come to the spiritual traveler on the path of emancipation.

The entire knowledge of the cosmos is packed into the Gita. Supremely profound, yet couched in revelatory language of solacing beauty and simplicity, the Gita has been understood and applied on all levels of human endeavor and spiritual striving — sheltering a vast spectrum of human beings with their disparate natures and needs.

[It is] at once a profound scripture on the science of yoga, union with God, and a textbook for everyday living.

As a preeminent treatise on Yoga, the renowned Bhagavad Gita speaks both pragmatically and esoterically to embrace the broad spectrum of human seeking….It cites not only the practical application of spiritual principles required of the aspirant, but also the consummate expression of those principles as realized by the advanced yogi.

The Lord is with me and I am with Him. That is His promise in the Bhagavad Gita: “He who perceives Me everywhere and beholds everything in Me never loses sight of Me, nor do I ever lose sight of him.”

To read and attain inwardly [through meditation] the full realization of the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita is to burn ignorance in the fire of wisdom.

On the SRF website, you can absorb more wisdom from Paramahansa Yogananda about the Gita — and its deeper meanings about yoga and allegorical depictions of triumphant inner growth on the spiritual path. Enjoy reading powerful excerpts from Paramahansaji’s God Talks With Arjuna: The Bhagavad Gita.

“The Bhagavad Gita: Masterful Guide for Everyday Spiritual Living” by Brother Chidananda 

This week’s talk in SRF’s online inspirational services series will be a class from Brother Chidananda, given at the 2008 SRF World Convocation, on how we can apply the Bhagavad Gita’s sublime understanding of right activity to realize our highest goals and lead the most fulfilling lives. Brother Chidananda became president of Self-Realization Fellowship/Yogoda Satsanga Society of India in 2017.  

This talk will be released on November 3. Please keep an eye out for our weekly Friday email with the link to this talk.

“Learning How to Study Wisdom From Paramahansa Yogananda” — A Story by Sri Mrinalini Mata

Would you like to know what it was like for Sri Mrinalini Mata, fourth president of SRF/YSS, to study spiritual wisdom directly from Paramahansa Yogananda soon after she entered the ashram? You can read a short story from her that captures those wonderful moments — and draw for yourself from her story inspiration and instruction on how to put this method of spiritual study into practice!

“The Coal Basket” — A Retelling of a Traditional Story From India

Have you ever felt intimidated by the breadth of wisdom to be found in the Bhagavad Gita and other scriptures, and wondered how you will be able to fully absorb higher truths? We hope you enjoy this brief but deeply encouraging tale from India about the gradual and yet definite progress we make through regularity and sincerity on the spiritual path.

Brother Chidananda on the Universal Blessings of a True Scripture — Video

In this short video, SRF/YSS President Brother Chidananda discusses the genesis of Paramahansa Yogananda’s commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, and the qualities that distinguish a true universal scripture.

The occasion of Brother Chidananda’s address was the release in Hindi of Paramahansaji’s God Talks With Arjuna: The Bhagavad Gita, on November 15, 2017. The 14th President of India, Sri Ram Nath Kovind, accompanied by the Governor and Chief Minister of the state of Jharkhand, visited the Yogoda Satsanga Society of India Ranchi Ashram during the YSS Sharad Sangam to be present for this official book release.

God Talks With Arjuna: The Bhagavad Gita — eBook Edition

Paramahansa Yogananda’s God Talks With Arjuna: The Bhagavad Gita — Royal Science of God-Realization is published by SRF in hardback, paperback, and ebook editions. Exploring the Gita’s psychological, spiritual, and metaphysical depths, Paramahansaji reveals the innermost essence of this majestic scripture while presenting an enlightening and deeply encouraging guide to who we are, why we were created, and our place and purpose in the vast cosmic scheme of things.

“The Art of Devotional Chanting”

— Monastic-Led Retreat on Nov. 18

Are you interested in applying the principles of devotional chanting to deepen your meditations and connection to the Divine within? Join us on November 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Pacific time) for this one-day retreat on understanding the yogic art of chanting as taught by Paramahansa Yogananda. The retreat is being held at the SRF Hollywood Temple, but will be livestreamed so all can participate online. There will be an intermission as part of this event. You can see the full schedule and attend the retreat at the link below.

Fall 2023 Monastic Tours Photo Essay

— Part 1

Enjoy this first installment of many images from monastic visits that are being conducted around the world by SRF monks and nuns this fall.

Upcoming Monastic Visits 

See where SRF monastics are traveling next — for the remainder of 2023 and into 2024 — to meet with SRF members and friends around the world and share the universal “how-to-live” wisdom of Paramahansa Yogananda. 

Thank you for receiving the SRF Newsletter. May the Bhagavad Gita’s illuminated wisdom and the science of yoga be a constant light on your path of understanding and soul-joy.

In divine friendship,

Self-Realization Fellowship

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