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Welcome to the November edition of the Self-Realization Fellowship eNewsletter. This month we share thoughts from Paramahansa Yogananda on the power of devotional chanting, news of an inspiring video from Convocation 2011, and a Thanksgiving message from Sri Mrinalini Mata.
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Paramahansa Yogananda on Devotional Chanting
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 Popular songs are usually inspired through sentiment or passing interests. But a song born out of the depths of true devotion to God and continuously chanted, audibly or mentally, until response is consciously received from Him in the form of boundless joy, is a spiritualized song. Such songs like live matches produce the fire of God-awareness whenever they are struck on the foundation stone of devotion.
Sound or vibration is the most powerful force in the universe. Music is a divine art, to be used not only for pleasure but as a path to God-realization. Vibrations resulting from devotional singing lead to attunement with the Cosmic Vibration or the Word. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
Sankirtans or musical gatherings are an effective form of yoga or spiritual discipline, necessitating intense concentration, absorption in the seed thought and sound. Because man himself is an expression of the Creative Word, sound exercises on him a potent and immediate effect. Great religious music of East and West bestows joy on man because it causes a temporary vibratory awakening of one of his occult spinal centers. In those blissful moments a dim memory comes to him of his divine origin.
One evening I started to chant "O God Beautiful" and asked the audience, who had never before heard the song, to join me in chanting it. For one hour and twenty-five minutes, the thousands of voices of the entire audience chanted "O God Beautiful" in a divine atmosphere of joyous praise. Even after I had left the stage, the audience sat on, chanting the song. The next day many men and women testified to the God-perception and the healing of body, mind, and soul that had taken place during the sacred chanting.Read moreListen to kirtan chants
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Thanksgiving Message From Sri Mrinalini Mata
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On celebrating the national day of gratitude observed in the U.S. and Canada:
The practice of "counting our blessings" trains our minds to seek out and concentrate on the good in ourselves, in others, and in the various circumstances of life − even those that test our faith in God. Thus we become more receptive to His guidance and love, whether His grace comes as an answered prayer or as an opportunity to stretch our capacities and grow in spiritual strength and understanding. Read more
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New Video − A Talk by Sri Mrinalini Mata
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Be Messengers of God's Light and Love
Sri Mrinalini Mata, president of Self-Realization Fellowship/Yogoda Satsanga Society of India, spoke to a capacity audience at the 2011 SRF World Convocation in Los Angeles on August 13. A DVD video of this event is now available.
During this evening of divine inspiration − which was the first time Mrinalini Mata had spoken at an international gathering of SRF/YSS devotees since becoming president − she touched on many practical and uplifting topics, including:
- The most common question of devotees: "Why am I not making more spiritual progress?"
- How to be the conqueror of one's self and one's problems, no matter what one's difficulties
- The spiritual efficacy of Kriya Yoga and how its devoted practice bestows assurance of spiritual progress
- Personal reminiscences of her years spent with Paramahansa Yogananda.
In this powerful 90-minute talk, Mrinalini Mata exhorts us all to be, as Paramahansa Yogananda wished, channels of God's light and love to help illumine this world.
Watch excerpts from the video
Order from SRF online bookstore
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Scenes From 2011 Global Lecture Tours | |
Divine Friendship Around the World
Every year Self-Realization Fellowship monks and nuns visit SRF centers and meditation groups around the world, conducting public lectures and classes on the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda, weekend How-to-Live Retreat programs, group meditations, and Kriya Yoga initiation ceremonies.
We are pleased to share a brief glimpse of some of the recent programs in our Spring 2011 Global Lecture Tour slide show. View the slide show |
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SRF Commemorates 9/11 With Special Peace Events and Prayer Services
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The 10th anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, offered a time of remembrance to focus on the power of prayer and meditation for healing and fostering world harmony and peace. Self-Realization Fellowship commemorated the anniversary through participation in local and national peace events, and by organizing special programs and meditations at SRF temples during the month of September, including praying for all those who have been affected by the events of 9/11, and for world peace and healing. Read more
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New Slide Show − Inner Reflections 2012 Engagement Calendar
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Enjoy the magical combination of Paramahansa Yogananda's inspiring quotes paired with breathtaking imagery from some of the world's best nature photographers.
View Slide Show
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New SRF eNews Options − Help Us to Serve You | |
We are pleased to offer SRF eNews, our new paperless communication options. In addition to your monthly eNewsletter, you can sign up to receive selected mailings by email, including:
- Announcements of SRF events in your area
- Communications for SRF Lessons students
- News about new publications and recordings from SRF
Update your existing eNewsletter account now to receive these offerings via email.
If you are currently signed up for our monthly eNewsletter, you must still sign-up to receive these new options.
Thank you for giving us an opportunity to serve you more efficiently and economically as we gradually reduce our amount of paper mail.
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Upcoming Events
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Public Lecture Tours
Each year, Self-Realization Fellowship monks and nuns travel around the globe, conducting programs on the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda. 2012 dates now available online How-to-Live Retreat Programs
On many weekends this year, SRF monks and nuns will be conducting How-to-Live Retreat programs. Join us at one of the beautiful Self-Realization Fellowship Retreats to spend some time deepening your relationship with God, as well as recharging body, mind, and spirit.
2012 dates now available online
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We hope you enjoyed this edition of the Self-Realization Fellowship eNewsletter. Check your inbox each month for more inspiration and wisdom from the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda.
In divine friendship, Self-Realization Fellowship Copyright © 2011 Self-Realization Fellowship.
All rights reserved.
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Chanting with ever-increasing devotion brings God-communion and ecstatic joy, and through these healing of body, mind, and soul.
− Paramahansa Yogananda
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Self-Realization
Magazine
Fall 2011
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Fall 2011
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