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Self-Realization Fellowship Temple Visit 3072 1st Ave. San Diego, Ca 92103 Stephanie D. Butcher TR710 World Religions April 8, 2019 "Self-realization is the knowing-in body, and soul-that we are one with

the omnipresence of God..." Paramahansa Yogananda My religious practices have been for the most part Christian traditions. I was raised Roman Catholic. I followed all teachings, prayers and rituals associated with the Roman Catholic faith as well as completing my catechism studies. I did later decide to join the Episcopal Church as a young adult. It wasn't until my first few years of my undergraduate studies in Religious Studies that I chose to look outside my traditional Christian belief systems. I knew of the many different world religions but never took the time to acquaint myself with them. I found I was missing out on much world history and many different cultural studies. This assignment gave me the opportunity to investigate the foundations of faith practices unfamiliar to me. A friend recommended I visit her place of worship. I chose to visit a Self- Realization Fellowship Temple in San Diego, Ca. The following report is my observations and experiences of this place of worship. I will often use the abbreviation SRF (Self-Realization Fellowship) throughout the paper. Field Information: Self-Realization Fellowship Temple: 3072 1st Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103. 2

Dates of visit: I have attended four services as of April 7, 2019. My initial service was March 3rd, 2019. Self-Realization Fellowship is a worldwide spiritual organization that was founded by Paramahansa Yogananda in 1920. Paramahansa Yogananda (1893-1952) emigrated from his native India to the United States in1920. He was one of the first Indian spiritual teachers to reside in the West. The founding headquarters are in Los Angeles, Ca (est1935). Self-Realization Fellowship emphasize teachings and classes in the practice of Kriya yoga and combines the elements of Hinduism and Christianity and meditation. I emailed the temple and asked for permission to attend and observe their services. I received a welcoming email from two members appointed by the lead minister of the temple. Suzan and Dana greeted me as I arrived Sunday morning at the front entrance. I walked the temple grounds with the 2 members as they explained the history of the temple and the founding of the original temple in Los Angeles. I met with the leading minister following the services. Brother Sattvananda was most welcoming and was happy to hear of my interest as well as my choice for choosing SRF for this project. Services are referred to as Lectures. Services are held every Sunday and Thursdays at 09:00 and 11:00 as well as an evening meditation service at 5:00. The services are preceded by an optional meditation service that lasts for one hour. There are also meditation services offered daily. 3

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Preliminary Placing: Unlike most churches I have attended, this Self-Realization Fellowship Temple was more like a small campus than one building of worship. There were several buildings on the grounds including the main Chapel building that was built in 1909.The buildings are all white. The famous architect Irving Gill designed the Self-Realization Fellowship temple as well as many other structures in Southern California. Simple square shaped buildings with archway windows and entry ways line the buildings. Cypress trees line the walkway leading into the temple grounds. It is quite a peaceful scene. It is referred to as the Hidden Gem. The temple grounds consist of 2 levels. The main chapel is located on the lower level. There is a patio next to the chapel that is also used for excess visitors during services. Parmahansa designed the temple gardens that are throughout the property. These gardens are meant for peaceful reflections and meditation. There are stunning views of the San Diego Bay from one garden. The inside of the chapel was a bit different than what I am accustomed to. The chapel had your typical seating, a podium on each side (front of the chapel) and an altar. The altar area was intriguing. At the top was a lotus flower with what looked to have a face inside it. I asked one of the ladies I met what was the symbolism and significance of this flower. She indeed said, the lotus flower was symbolic of a face. There are 2 eyes represented and a 4

star in the middle representing an individual’s third eye and awakening. The altar itself consisted of 6 beautiful portraits. As the SRF website states: “The teachings of Self-Realization Fellowship and Yogoda Satsanga Society of India are founded upon the original Christianity of Jesus Christ and the original Yoga of Bhagavan Krishna. The spiritual lineage of SRF/YSS consists of these two great avatars (Jesus and Krishna) and a line of exalted masters of contemporary times. These are: Mahavatar Babaji,LahiriMahasaya, Swami Sri Yukteswar, and ParamahansaYogananda. These are 5

the exact portraits that were displayed. At first I wondered, are we worshipping all of these individuals? It was my later understanding that they are a representation of the teachings of Yogananada Paramahansa. The teachings of Jesus and Krishna are at the heart of everything. Paramahansa believed Jesus traveled to India during what is referred to as the lost years and learned the teachings of the Vedic scriptures, the Bhagavad Gita and Kriya yoga. I have often questioned this idea. I am leaning to Paramahansa’s theory. During my initial visit I noticed a woman standing outside greeting fellow attendees. I witnessed various social classes, lifestyles etc. I observed young adults from likely early twenties to older adults in their late senior years. Most attendees were likely between 30- 60 years of age. I encountered people from the US as well as from other parts of the world. I met a nice German couple. I met several individuals from India. In fact, I noticed many individuals were from India. I observed an almost even amount of men and women with probably a few more women. I observed individuals attending alone as well as married men and woman and same-sex couples also. 6

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Description and Activities of Service: The service started with a gentleman asking us all to reflect in a moment of silent meditation. This lasted for about five minutes. Following the meditation the leading minister/monk lead the congregation in song while playing a harmonium. Next, a prayer that seemed an affirmation prayer almost was chanted. I have found it in a reading. “ Heavenly Father, Divine Mother, Jesus Christ, Bhagavan Krishna, Babaji, Lahiri Mahasaya, Sri Yukteswarji, Guru-Preceptor Paramahansa Yogananad, all saints of all religions, I bow to you all. May Thy love shine forever on the sanctuary of my devotion, and may I be able to awaken Thy love in all hearts.” 2 Next was a reading from the teachings of Paramahansa. The monk’s teachings on one particular day focused on our roles as humans in the world. After the lecture, another prayer was said. We then contributed to an offering followed by another meditation. The service was lovely. I felt much peace and unconditional love attending. I felt as if this chapel was just as holy as any Christian Cathedral I have ever attended. I felt so welcomed. It was awkward not knowing what to expect but there was no judgments and my new friends were happy to explain things to me. I have decided to keep visiting this Self-Realization Fellowship temple as time permits. Analysis: Theoretical teachings. SRF teaches that through application of the moral and esoteric principles of original Christianity and of original Yoga presented through teachings/lessons that have been handed down by the Gurus of Self-Realization Fellowship the follower will discover a life of divine. Through practice, meditation and prayer a follower will realize a spiritual fellowship with other truth-seekers on this path; and the supremejoy of “satsanga”—fellowship with God, the one Father. SRF believes that the real meaning of any scripture can only be known through direct experience. They 7

believe the inner knowledge is accessible to all who attain self-perception or self- realization. All religious traditions are welcomed to partake in the teachings of SRF. “ the society seeks to foster a spirit of greater understanding and goodwill among the diverse peoples and religions of our global family, and to help those of all cultures and nationalities to realize and express more fully in their lives the beauty, nobility, and divinity of the human spirit. Paramahansa Yogananda founded Self-Realization Fellowship in 1920 to make available the universal teachings of Kriya Yoga , a sacred spiritual science originating millenniums ago in India. These nonsectarian teachings embody a complete philosophy and way of life for achieving all-round success and well-being. Methods of meditation are learned for achieving life's ultimate goal — union of the soul with Spirit (God). 2 This religious experience has been one of growth and appreciation for me. I believe I have found another trail on my spiritual path. I have always believed the Hindu faith traditions were worthy of lengthy studies. The Hindu belief system of all religions leading to the path of oneness with God seems less judgmental and more welcoming. The Self-Realization Fellowship idea of being a church of all religions reflects the idea of a God that is indeed all-loving and welcoming. 8

Bibliography 1. Self-Realization official website: http://www.yogananda-srf.org/Default.aspx 2. Introduction to Self-Realization Fellowship Lesson. Sri Mrinalini Mata, President,Los Angeles, CA90065. 9

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