April & May 2026

"Easter may bring its delights of traditional Easter lilies, gift-bearing bunnies, and variously decorated eggs. But I pray that as you celebrate Christ's resurrection these be symbolic of the lily of Christ-wisdom opening in purity in the garden of your soul; that you taste the sweetness of Christ-love in your heart and enjoy the infinitely colored eggs of its blessings of true happiness; and that, like the fast-footed bounteous bunny, you may quicken your pace toward the Divine Home."

-Paramahansa Yogananda

Council News

Dear Friends,

The Portland Center is delighted to announce that Brother Nikhilananda and Brahmachari Daniel will be visiting from April 17–19. We look forward to a spiritually enriching weekend in their company.

The visit will begin on Friday with an outing, satsanga, and kirtan at Mt. Tabor. On Saturday, the monastics will lead an interactive workshop titled “Love–Serve–Courage–Faith,” among other uplifting events planned for the day.

On Sunday, we will celebrate "Bring a Friend to Portland Center Day”—a wonderful opportunity to introduce friends and family to our Center and the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda. Friendship Tea and refreshments will follow the service. The Sunday School children will be blessed to have Brahmachari Daniel join in during the class.

In other news, the Portland Center relocation efforts continue to move forward, and a New Temple Committee has been formed to guide this important initiative. We invite all members to attend the General Membership Meeting on Sunday, April 26, where relocation ideas and updates will be shared.

The Managing Council extends its heartfelt gratitude to every member and friend of the Portland Center for your ongoing service, dedication, and financial support. Your selfless contributions sustain the spirit and growth of our beloved Center.

We look forward to seeing you at the General Membership Meeting and to hearing your thoughts and inspirations as we continue this journey together.

May Guru’s blessings ever guide and protect you.

ॐ Jai Guru! 🙏🏽

With warm regards,

The Managing Council

Shikha Misra, Linda Clark-Traeger, Lisa Buchholz,
Mike O'Brien and Akhilesh Dwivedi

Join Us for the Spring Monastics Visit

Photo of Portland taken from the top of Mt. Tabor

As highlighted elsewhere in the newsletter, Portland Center is grateful to have SRF monks, Brother Nikhilananda and Brahmachari Daniel, with us to lead three days of events, April 17-19. Along with immersing yourself in the Satsanga, meditations, inspirational services, and interactive workshops, we encourage you to take the time to get to know the monastics during the outing, potluck, and breaks. We hear from visiting monastics that they enjoy meeting as many of us as possible. These interactions will deepen the spiritual vibrations of this special weekend for all concerned.

The visit will begin with a day of hiking, satsang and kirtan at Mt. Tabor in Portland on Friday. Followed by a workshop on Saturday and a day of devotion on Sunday.

The full details can be found in the flyer below or on our website; click here.

If you have been looking for the right time to visit Portland Center or to bring your friends and family, this is it!

Upcoming Events

Fri, April 3

Good Friday Open Meditation
10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Sun, April 5

The True Meaning of Resurrection

Sunday School 11:00 am
Easter Egg Hunt after

Easter Vegetarian Potluck & Social
12:15 pm -1:15 pm

Sat, April 11 - Day of Service

9:30 am Meditation (optional)

10:00 am -2:00 pm Projects
Complimentary Vegetarian Lunch Served

Sun, April 12

"The Importance of Developing Evenmindedness"
A video talk by Brother Muktananda

April 17-19

Monastic visit, see details above or click here

Sun, April 19

Sunday Service by Brother Nikhilananda

Sunday School with Brahmachari Daniel

This is a great opportunity to bring your friends and family!

12:15 pm - 1:30 pm
Friendship Tea and Refreshments

1:30 pm - 2:00 pm
“Glimpses of a Life Divine” Video

Children will have a planned activity

2:15 pm - 2:45 pm
Kriya Checks

(Please email PortlandCenterSRF@gmail.com to sign up)

Sun, April 26

Kirtan 8:00 am, 9:00 am & 10:00 am (Energization Exercises begin at 8:00 am)

"How to Live a God-Oriented Life"
A video talk by Brother Sattvananda

General Membership Meeting

Sun, May 3

"How to be a Divine Friend to All"

A video talk by Sister Karuna

Sunday School 11:00 am

Thurs, May 7

National Day of Prayer

Sun, May 10

Sri Yukteswar Birthday Service *

Mother’s Day

Sun, May 17

"Expanding Our Awareness of God"
A video talk by Brother Prafullananda

Friendship Tea 12:00-12:45 pm

Sun, May 24

The Underlying Unity of the World's Religions

Sun, May 31

Kirtan 8:00 am, 9:00 am & 10:00 am (Energization Exercises begin at 8:00 am)

Living Without Fear

*A flower offering is optional; rose petals will be available. A monetary donation may also be brought in an envelope as a symbol of loyalty and gratitude.

Please save the date for the following events.
More information to come.

Saturday, July 18th
Portland Center Family Picnic

Saturday, September 19th
Alton Collins Retreat

Self-Realization Fellowship News

SRF World Convocation

August 2nd - 8th

Experience the joy of the soul at the 2026 SRF World Convocation!

Join us for a transformative weeklong program on the Kriya Yoga teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda. Convocation is available in-person in Los Angeles, online and at temples and centers across the world. Details on how Portland Center will participate will be available early this summer.

To Register & Learn More...

Opportunities to Serve

"The way to freedom is through service to others. The way to happiness is through meditation and being in tune with God. Let your heart beat with love for others, let your mind feel the needs of others, and let your intuition feel the thoughts of others."

Paramahansa Yogananda

Interested in helping?

Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator Paulette Fritsch at pauletsrf@gmail.com for more information or fill out a Volunteer Application form found in the foyer at the Center or by clicking here.

Financial Donations

Portland Center is self-sufficient and relies on the support of its members for all of its operations. Please consider making a financial donation to help sustain our center.

Online donations to the Portland Center can be made through Zelle with the following email address:

portlandcenterdonations@gmail.com

Checks made payable to "Portland Center" can be given during the offering, placed in the Donation Box or mailed to:

356 NE 80th Avenue, Portland 97213