Welcome to the April edition of the Self-Realization Fellowship eNewsletter. In this issue we share inspiring thoughts from Paramahansa Yogananda on the life-changing power of prayer.
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Paramahansa Yogananda on Prayer
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You will be surprised how, by constant prayer, your life will change − not the prayer of a beggar, but the loving demand of a child to his Heavenly Father....You have a divine right inherited from God to demand from Him; and He will respond to you because you are His own.
The time to pray to God for guidance is after you have meditated and felt that inner peace and joy;...If you think you have a need, you can then place it before God and ask whether it is a legitimate prayer. If you feel inwardly that your need is just, then pray: "Lord, you know that this is my need. I will reason, I will be creative, I will do whatever is necessary. All I ask of You is that You guide my will and creative abilities to the right things that I should do."
"What is the best prayer?" a disciple inquired. Paramahansa Yogananda replied:"Say to the Lord: 'Please tell me Thy will.' Don't say: 'I want this and I want that,' but have faith that He knows what you need. You will see that you get much better things when He chooses for you."Never think that God does not answer your prayers. Every word you have whispered to Him He has written in His heart, and someday He will answer you. If you keep watching for Him and the many ways in which He does respond, you will know that in fact He answers you all the time.We invite you to read more about prayer and watch the inspiring video of Sri Daya Mata entitled "How Can My Prayers Help Others?"
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| Prime Minister of India Meets With YSS Monks |
 On March 4, 2016, India's Prime Minister, the Honorable Sri Narendra Modi, met with the General Secretary of Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (the name by which Paramahansa Yogananda's work is known in India). The meeting took place at the Prime Minister's office in the Parliament House in New Delhi. In addition to Swami Smaranananda (YSS's General Secretary), two other senior YSS monks attended: Swami Nityananda and Swami Ishwarananda (a member of the YSS Board of Directors).
The monks shared with Prime Minister Modi news of the upcoming centennial of Paramahansa Yogananda's work in India, which began in 1917; and his pioneering role in bringing a deeper understanding of Yoga both within and outside of India. They also presented to the Prime Minister a letter from SRF/YSS President, Sri Mrinalini Mata, in which she expressed her appreciation of the Prime Minister's role in the establishment of the United Nations International Day of Yoga, now held annually on June 21. Read more. |
Digital Video Rentals − Now Available
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 We are pleased to announce that digital rentals of inspiring Self-Realization Fellowship classes and satsangas are now available from our online bookstore. More than a dozen videos by Sri Daya Mata, Sri Mrinalini Mata, and other SRF monastics are now offered−and can be viewed in multiple formats (including tablet and phone). We invite you today to check out the list of available titles (which will continue to grow during the next several months).
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| Self-Realization Magazine − Spring 2016 |
A quarterly magazine devoted to healing of body, mind, and soul...
The Spring 2016 issue is now available and includes timely and uplifting articles from Paramahansa Yogananda and Sri Mrinalini Mata. This edition features inspirational topics such as:
- "Resurrect Your Spirit!" by Paramahansa Yogananda
- "Embracing and Sharing the Universal Love of God" by Sri Mrinalini Mata
- "Become the Sea of Joy": Excerpts from letters by Paramahansa Yogananda to Rajarsi Janakananda
The audio CD included in this issue is Strengthening Character by Developing Spiritual Courage and Endurance, an inspiring talk given by SRF minister Brother Chidananda at the 2015 Self-Realization Fellowship World Convocation, Los Angeles.
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| New Photo Album: Monastic Tours − Fall 2015 |
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 photo album of our fall 2015 international monastic tours, providing a glimpse of some of the recent SRF programs.
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2016 SRF World Convocation − Registration Now Available
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Join SRF members and friends at the 2016 Self-Realization Fellowship World Convocation for a week of classes on the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda, spiritual fellowship, meditation, kirtan chanting, and more.
August 7 - 13, 2016
Westin Bonaventure Hotel
Los Angeles
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| Programs for Youth − Registration Now Available |
Self-Realization Fellowship How-to-Live Youth Programs
 Girls Teen Retreat: April 9Self-Realization Fellowship will be conducting a one-day retreat program for teen girls, ages 13 to 18 years. The retreat will be led by SRF monastics, who will provide guidance on how to strengthen one's connection to the spiritual life and how to apply the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda to become a true success in the world. Learn more and register. Boys Regional Day Program: April 23
 Boys ages 7 to 18 years are invited to join SRF monastics and lay disciples for a special day in Northampton, Pennsylvania. Separate activities for children 7-12 and teens 13-18 will include: Energization Exercises and meditation, satsanga (an informal talk), interactive class/creative activities, recreation, lunch and fellowship. There will also be activities for parents, which will include a monastic-led group meditation and satsanga. Learn more and register. Summer Day Program
Girls Program: June 27 - July 1
Boys Program: July 4 − July 8
 Self-Realization Fellowship will be conducting two five-day How-to-Live programs in Encinitas, California: one for girls and one for boys. During each program, separate events will be scheduled for children 7 to 12 years old and teens 13 to 18 years old. Learn more and register online. |
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Public Lecture Tours
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Apr. 15 - 17
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Vancouver, Canada (public lecture; plus Kriya Yoga Initiation for eligible students)
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May 3
| Curitiba, Brazil (introductory talk with guided meditation) | |
May 6 - 8
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Salvador, Brazil (public lecture; plus Kriya Yoga Initiation for eligible students)
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May 12
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Cuenca, Ecuador (introductory talk with guided meditation)
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May 13 - 15
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Atlanta, GA (public lecture; plus Kriya Yoga Initiation for eligible students)
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May 27 - 29
| Washington, D.C. (public lecture; plus Kriya Yoga Initiation for eligible students) | |
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How-to-Live Retreat Programs
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Apr. 29 - May 1
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Armação, Brazil (regional retreat)
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May 13 - 15
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Calgary, Canada (regional retreat)
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May 20 - 22
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New York City (regional retreat)
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May 20 - 22
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Tokyo, Japan (regional retreat)
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Jun. 10 - 12
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Seattle, WA (regional retreat)
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2016 SRF World Convocation
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Aug. 7 - 13
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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 © 2016 Self-Realization Fellowship.
All rights reserved.
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Most men consider the course of events as natural and inevitable. They little know what radical changes are possible through prayer!
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Fall 2015
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