Inspiration from Paramahansa Yogananda | |
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“Just beneath the shadows of this life is God’s wondrous Light. The universe
is a vast temple of His presence. When you meditate, you will find doors opening to Him everywhere. When you have communion with Him,
not all the ravages of the world can take away that Joy and Peace.”
Paramahansa Yogananda
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Greetings, members and friends of the Portland Center
of Self-Realization Fellowship
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We are happy to announce that beginning in August, Portland Center will offer two video presentations monthly during our Sunday morning 11:00 service, on the first and third Sundays. These inspirational videos feature the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda, as presented by monastics of the Self-Realization Fellowship order.
And on July 14 we will inaugurate the annual SRF Convocation with a video of a previous Convocation Opening Class given by Sister Draupadi. More information about Convocation and other events at Portland Center can be found below.
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Highlights for the Coming Months | |
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Sunday, 6/2 Video with Brother Anandamoy: "Creating Your Spiritual Environment"
Sunday, 6/16 Father's Day with Friendship Tea
Saturday, 6/22 Day of Service
Sunday, 7/7 Video with Brother Satyananda: "How to Spiritualize Your Everyday Experiences"
Sunday, 7/14 Convocation begins: 2023 Convocation Video with Sister Draupadi at 11:00 a.m., followed by fellowship and refreshments.
2024 Opening talk with Brother Kamalananda livestreamed at Portland Center, 7:30 p.m.
A detailed schedule of Convocation events at our Center
follows in this newsletter
Thursday, 7/25 Mahavatar Babaji Commemoration Day
Sunday, 8/4 Video with Brother Anilananda: "Creating a Meaningful Personal Relationship with God"
Sunday, 8/18 Video with Brother Sevananda: "How to Find Peace in Today's World"
Monday 8/26 Janmashtami: Birthday of Bhagavan Krishna Commemorative Service
A complete schedule of all Portland Center activities
can be found on our website.
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Day of Service: Saturday June 22 | |
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Join your fellow spiritual friends on Saturday, June 22 for a day of camaraderie and service at our Center! Those who volunteer at these events know how enjoyable working alongside other devotees can be.
We will begin at 9:30 a.m. with an optional meditation in the chapel, followed at 10:00 by indoor and outdoor cleaning, maintenance, and gardening projects. Come for part or all of the day, as your schedule allows. We typically conclude by 2:00 p.m. No special skills are needed and everyone can participate according to their individual capacities.
Tools, equipment, snacks and a vegetarian lunch will be provided. We look forward to seeing you then!
“Any little thing that you do for God’s cause, no matter how small,
will go a long way toward your own realization.”
Paramahansa Yogananda
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Summer Commemorative Services | |
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Mahavatar Babaji Commemoration Day
Thursday July 25
Janmashtami: Bhagavan Krishna's birthday
Monday August 26
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Mahavatar Babaji Commemoration Day, Thursday July 25: A special service dedicated to the momentous occasion when Mahavatar Babaji blessed and directed Paramahansa Yogananda to bring the teachings of Kriya Yoga to the West.
Janmashtami, Monday August 26: Birth Anniversary of Bhagavan Sri Krishna
Schedule for both dates:
7:00 - 7:45 p.m. Optional meditation
8:00 - 9:00 p.m. Commemorative Service
Everyone with a sincere interest in the Self-Realization Fellowship path is welcome to attend these services. As with all SRF commemorative events, it is customary to bring a flower and a monetary donation in an envelope, as symbols of our devotion and gratitude toward the great master being honored.
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Portland Center Sunday School
and SRF Online Summer Youth Program
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Portland Center's Sunday School will be on summer break until September 1, when we will resume meeting on the first Sunday of each month.
Parents may want to note that registration is now open for SRF Youth Services' 2024 online How-to-Live Summer Program for children and teens, ages 7 to 17. This series of live, interactive classes conducted via Zoom will take place June 19 – 23. The theme of this year’s program is "Will Power."
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For more information and to register your child,
please visit the SRF Youth Services website.
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Convocation at Portland Center | |
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Sunday, July 14
11:00 a.m. Convocation 2023 Video with Sister Draupadi, followed by fellowship and refreshments.
7:30 p.m. 2024 Convocation Opening Class with Brother Kamalananda, livestreamed from Los Angeles.
Monday, July 15 through Friday July 19
6:30 p.m. Optional Meditation*
7:30 p.m. Evening Class with SRF Monastics, livestreamed from Los Angeles
Saturday, July 20
1:00 p.m. Closing Class with Sister Draupadi, followed by fellowship and refreshments.
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* The chapel and meditation garden will be open for silent meditation
from 6:30 to 7:30 before each of the evening classes.
Complete information about Convocation is available on SRF's website.
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Portland Center welcomed two Self-Realization Fellowship monks on April 30 and May 1, Brother Naradananda and Brahmachari Bhaskarananda. We were inspired by the satsanga and lecture they conducted, and also enjoyed fellowship with them during an informal outing to the beautiful Leach Botanical Garden. | |
Devotees with the monks at Leach Garden | |
Enjoying lunch together at Leach Garden | |
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Group photo at the close
of the monks' visit
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We are grateful to the monks for their presence,
and to all the volunteers who contributed to the success of their visit!
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One-Day Silent Retreat: Saturday September 21 | |
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Portland Center's 2023 one-day silent retreat at the beautiful Alton Collins Retreat Center was of great value to all who attended, and we are pleased to announce that Portland Center will again host a retreat on Saturday, September 21, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
SRF members will lead the retreat with group meditations, and there will be ample free time to enjoy the old growth forest setting. A delicious vegetarian lunch is included, and registration will be available mid-July.
Watch for an email update coming later in summer!
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Volunteer Highlights: Maintenance Committee | |
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Are you someone who enjoys taking care of property and doing small fix-it jobs? Whether working singly or within a team, members of Portland Center's Maintenance Committee make a significant contribution to the upkeep of our beautiful building and grounds. The photos below show the types of projects that are needed from time to time.
If you are not currently serving as a Center volunteer, consider joining our Maintenance Committee. Not only will our Center benefit from your service, but you will be surprised at how much you will benefit, too!
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Touch-up paint is needed now and then | |
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Scraping off the
abundant moss helps to keep our grounds beautiful
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Changing light bulbs, checking smoke detectors, minor repairs – there's always something
in need of attention!
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Assembling a tool shed for garden implements | |
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The outside walls
need cleaning too!
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To find out more about becoming part of this team, please speak with Peter or Kaya at the Center, or send a message to PortlandCenterSRF@gmail.com . | |
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Greetings from the Managing Council!
Purpose of Self-Realization Fellowship Centers, Groups and Circles
- To bring together truth-seeking souls for group meditation
- To hasten the spiritual progress of each member
- To serve the work of Self-Realization Fellowship
As we think about the purpose of Self Realization Fellowship Centers and the devoted members whose ongoing devotional service helps make the Portland Center a spiritual oasis, we realize how blessed we are to be able to serve and help Portland Center in supporting the work of SRF.
SRF is in a new phase of growth, and Portland Center is also drawing a growing number of people to its meditations and services. The positive energy brings them back. Please join us!
“When I am no longer in the body, this organization will be my body.
As you have helped me, and served this form while I am here,
so serve this organization.”
Paramahansa Yoganananda
In divine friendship,
Bruce Mosias, Linda Clark-Traeger, Mike O'Brien,
Paulette Fritsch, Shikha Misra
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Roses in bloom at Portland Center | |
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Monthly Events at Portland Center
First Sunday (except June, July and August): Sunday School for children ages three to twelve, held from 11:00 a.m. to noon. More information is available on our website.
Third Sunday: Friendship Tea – an opportunity to meet informally with spiritual friends immediately following the 11:00 service, while sharing light refreshments.
Last Sunday: Meditation Service led by Portland Center's kirtan group, beginning with group practice of the SRF Energization Exercises at 8:00 a.m. This is followed by periods of meditation and chanting accompanied by traditional Indian instruments. If you are unable to stay for the full kirtan period, you may enter or leave the chapel during the chanting at 9:00 and 10:00 a.m.
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How to Make a Financial Contribution
We deeply appreciate your contributions of time and resources to help us meet the recurring expenses that sustain our Center, as we are supported solely by financial contributions from our members and friends, and by volunteers who donate their skills.
For those who would like to contribute online, you can
securely send funds through Zelle to the following email address:
portlandcenterdonations@gmail.com
If you prefer to write a check, please know that checks payable to "Portland Center" will be deposited locally and used to support our Center's activities, pay utility bills, etc. Checks payable to "Self-Realization Fellowship" are sent to SRF headquarters in Los Angeles, to support SRF's worldwide activities.
Checks may be mailed to 356 NE 80th Avenue, Portland 97213.
Thank you for your support!
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"We should train ourselves to think in grand terms: Eternity! Infinity!"
Paramahansa Yogananda
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Interested in finding other SRF groups
in the Pacific NW or throughout the world?
Click here:
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Just a reminder that you're receiving this email because you have expressed an interest in the Portland Center of Self-Realization Fellowship. Don't forget to add newsletter@srfportlandcenter.org to your address book so we'll be sure to land in your inbox!
Day of Service image by VectorPortal.com
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