Greetings and best wishes from the Managing Council!
We hope you and your loved ones are well and that you are able to stay closely connected to Guruji through the online meditations and services provided by Mother Center. We are all looking forward to the time we can once again participate in services together at the Portland Center.
Regarding the timing and process for reopening, we are staying in close contact with Brother Devananda and Mother Center for guidance. SRF is communicating a path to reopening that includes following the guidelines of the local government entities; in our case, that would include the State of Oregon, Multnomah County and the City of Portland. When the time comes for us to consider reopening, we will be sending a survey to Portland Center members to understand how many are ready to return to the chapel to meditate, under what conditions (for example, masks? social distancing?), and who is available and willing to help.
In the meantime, there are some bits of news to report:
1. The broken window on the front door of the chapel has been replaced. Thank you to Peter Stasch and Tom Strange for managing the process.
2. A group of devotees is making regular security checks of the chapel and grounds and also meeting some of our neighbors in the process. Many thanks to Tom Strange, Carrie Locke, Darden Bynum, Lowell Chodosh, Peter Stasch and Rebecca Field for maintaining activity at the chapel and connecting with the neighborhood.
3. Thank you for your generous donations since we suspended face-to-face activities. While these do not meet the Center’s ongoing fixed expenses, there are enough savings to cover the difference for the near future.
Should you wish to donate, please make your check payable to Portland Center and mail to
356 NE 80th Ave, Portland, OR 97213
As we continue moving forward together in these challenging times, may we ever strive to apply the wisdom and guidance of our beloved Gurudeva, Paramahansa Yogananda. When facing life’s difficulties, he encouraged us to use practical outer means and commonsense methods, while simultaneously striving to cultivate a positive attitude and faith in God’s love and protection. That inner attunement felt in meditation and prayer will allow us to reach into the infinite reservoir of God’s healing power to help ourselves and all those who are in need.
Paramahansaji said: "If you live with the Lord, you will be healed of the delusions of life and death, health and sickness. Be in the Lord. Feel His love. Fear nothing. Only in the castle of God can we find protection. There is no safer haven of joy than in His presence. When you are with Him, nothing can touch you."
In divine friendship,
Kripa, Mike, Paulette, Rebecca, Shikha