About Paramahansa Yogananda
Paramahansa Yogananda was an influential Indian spiritual teacher, yogi, and guru who played a pivotal role in bringing Indian spirituality to the Western world, particularly through his teachings on meditation and Kriya Yoga. Born Mukunda Lal Ghosh in 1893 in Gorakhpur, India, Yogananda was drawn to spiritual pursuits and mysticism from a young age. In 1915, he was formally initiated into the monastic Swami order and received the name Yogananda, which means “bliss through divine union.”
In 1920, he traveled to the United States to participate in a conference of religious liberals in Boston, which marked the beginning of his nearly thirty years of teaching in the West. His lectures, classes, and writings emphasized the unity between Eastern and Western religions and introduced countless Americans to meditation and the philosophy of yoga.
The organization founded by Paramahansa Yogananda is called Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) in the United States and Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (YSS) in India. Yogananda established the Self-Realization Fellowship in 1920 to disseminate his teachings on the ancient science of Kriya Yoga and its tradition of meditation, as well as the underlying harmony of Eastern and Western spirituality.
Activities and Purpose
The organization’s activities include:
- Spiritual Instruction: Offering lessons on the art and science of Kriya Yoga meditation as well as the underlying philosophy drawn from the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda.
- Services and Retreats: Conducting meditation and inspirational services and organizing spiritual retreats where individuals can deepen their practice in a supportive community setting.
- Publications: Publishing books, recordings, and other materials related to the teachings of Yogananda, including his well-known autobiography, “Autobiography of a Yogi.”
- Charitable Activities: Engaging in social service activities as an expression of Yogananda’s ideals for spiritual living.
Global Presence and Headquarters
Self-Realization Fellowship/Yogoda Satsanga Society has a global network of temples, retreats, and meditation centers. Major centers include locations in:
- United States: The international headquarters of the Self-Realization Fellowship is located in Los Angeles, California. There are numerous centers and retreats across the country, including the well-known Lake Shrine in Pacific Palisades, California, and the Encinitas Retreat in Encinitas, California.
- India: The headquarters of the Yogoda Satsanga Society of India is in Dakshineswar, near Kolkata, with numerous ashrams and centers spread across the country.
- Other Countries: Branches and centers can be found in various parts of Europe, South America, Australia, and Asia, serving the international community of followers.
These centers and the organization as a whole work towards promoting spiritual and self-development based on the teachings of Yogananda.
