Forget the past. The vanished lives of all men are dark with many shames. Human conduct is ever unreliable until man is anchored in the Divine. Everything in future will improve if you are making a spiritual effort now.
Swami Sri Yukteswar
Autobiography of a Yogi
, p. 138
|
|
Greetings!
The month of March is going to be very special for the Washington DC Center. We have two commemorative services planned, the first on March 7th we will commemorate the Mahasamadhi of our Guru Paramahansa Yogananda, and two days later March 9th we will commemorate the Mahasamadhi of our Param Guru Swami Sri Yukteswar. As mentioned last month, we are happy to be hosting the Monastic Tour the first week of April at the DC Center, and it is a blessing for those volunteers that practice the presence of God this month as we prepare for this event. We hope you can join us for this historical and spiritual event. The details for these events are provided in this newsletter.
“To commune daily with God in deep meditation, and to carry His love and guidance with you into all your dutiful activities, is the way that leads to permanent peace and happiness.”
Paramahansa Yogananda
In Master’s Service,
Wayne Lavallee
Coordinator
|
|
Paramahansa Yogananda Mahasamadhi Service
On March 7th we will hold a special commemorative ceremony from 7:30-9:00pm to honor the mahasamadhi of our beloved Guru, Paramahansa Yogananda. Please bring a flower and a donation in an envelope as symbols of your loyalty and devotion. Extra flowers and envelopes are available on a donation basis in the lobby.
This service is primarily intended for those who are SRF students, or other devotees who regularly attend the SRF meetings. However, all are welcome who are well enough acquainted with SRF teachings to appreciate the significance of the Guru‑disciple relationship, and to participate in the service with sincerity and reverence.
|
|
Daylight Savings Begins
Please remember to set your clocks ONE HOUR FORWARD on Saturday night, March 7th, as Daylight Savings Time begins on Sunday, March 8th.
|
|
Monthly Potluck Social
You are warmly invited to spend time sharing in divine fellowship at our monthly potluck social on March 8th. Please bring a vegetarian dish (
warmed to room temperature to facilitate food service
), fruit juice, or dessert if you plan to attend. All are welcome.
|
|
Swami Sri Yukteswar Mahasamadhi Service
A special service to commemorate the mahasamadhi of our revered Paramguru, Swami Sri Yukteswar, will take place on March 9th, from 7:30-9:00 pm.
Please bring a flower and a donation in an envelope as symbols of your loyalty and devotion. Extra flowers and envelopes are available on a donation basis in the lobby.
This service is primarily intended for those who are SRF students, or other devotees who regularly attend the SRF meetings. However, all are welcome who are well enough acquainted with SRF teachings to appreciate the significance of the Guru‑disciple relationship, and to participate in the service with sincerity and reverence.
|
|
Center Tour Volunteer Meeting
There is a Center Tour Volunteer Meeting on March 22nd, immediately after the Reading Service. All those who have volunteered for this event are asked to attend so that we can finalize our plans and preparations for the Center Tour. We are grateful for your willingness to serve. Lunch will be provided.
|
|
DC Center Nominations for April Elections
The Nominating Committee is still seeking nominations for our April elections, where we will vote for members to fill the elected positions of Council Members, Service Readers, and Sunday School Teachers and Assistants.
Please click on the button below to indicate the position(s) for which you would like to be nominated, or complete the "
Unable to Serve"
section. Otherwise, the Nominating Committee will contact you via a follow-up phone call.
We are extremely thankful for all the time and effort the Center's volunteers devote to furthering Master's work.
|
|
Self-Realization Fellowship Monastic Tour
Washington, D.C.
April 3 – 5, 2020
Self-Realization Fellowship monastics will be visiting Washington, D.C., April 3 – 5, 2020, to meet with SRF members and friends for a weekend of immersion in the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda.
The weekend event includes:
- Public lecture with guided meditation
- Meditations
- Inspirational classes
- SRF techniques review classes (for SRF Lessons students)
- Kriya Yoga Initiation
Attending Kriya Yoga Events
The Kriya Yoga events are open only to SRF Kriyabans.
If you have already received the Kriya Yoga Lessons but have not yet attended an initiation ceremony, please call Membership Services at (818) 549-5151 (between 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. Pacific time) or visit our
contact us
page to request to be registered for the ceremony.
If you have already attended a Kriya Yoga Initiation you do not need to register, but you will be asked to show your SRF Kriyaban card in order to attend. If you need a replacement card, please
contact us
no later than March 4, 2020.
Events to be held at:
Washington D.C. Center
of Self-Realization Fellowship
4911 Niagara Road
College Park, MD 20740
|
|
Attending the Kriya Ceremony
As stated above, current Kriyabans do not need to register in order to attend the ceremony. However in order to aid our preparations, it would be most helpful to have an estimate of how many devotees to expect. If you plan to attend the Kriya ceremony, kindly consider indicating this by clicking on the button below.
|
|
Center Tour Update
We are happy to announce a block of rooms has been reserved at the Holiday Inn College Park. All reservations must be made by March 3, 2020 in order to receive the preferred rates (i.e. $109/night + tax). Below is the reservation link to book online; individuals with telephone requests must call 800-HOLIDAY and identify themselves with the Washington DC Center of Self Realization Fellowship. The Group Code is SRF. Make reservations either online or over the phone 800-Holiday. Click here to make your reservation:
Washington DC Center of Self Realization Fellowship
|
|
Flyer Distribution for Center Tour
All SRF members are encouraged to pick up flyers in the DC Center foyer, announcing the April 3-5 Center Tour, to share and post as they are able. Flyers will be available by Sunday, March 8th. When picking up the flyers, please note on the sheet next to the flyers what general geographic area you plan to post them in and the approximate number you are taking. This will help us determine if there are areas needing additional advertising. Please take as many as you realistically expect to post and return unused flyers as soon as you can. Your assistance in spreading the news of the Tour is appreciated, either via flyers, word of mouth, or on social media.
|
|
Service Readings This Month
March 1: Vol. 3 #9:
Secrets of Success
March 8: Vol. 3 #10:
Follow the Path of the Great Ones
March 15: Vol. 3 #11:
Seek God Through Kriya Yoga
March 22: Vol. 3 #12:
How to Get Along With Others
March 29: Vol. 3 #14:
In God is All Happiness
|
|
Long Meditations This Month
We will have 3-hour meditations every Sunday evening from 6:00-9:00 pm. There will also be a 5-hour guided meditation service on March 21st, from 10 am - 3 pm.
|
|
Caring Friends Team
The
Caring Friends Team
provides support and outreach to members who are experiencing illness, hardships, and personal crisis. For more information please contact Stacey Hawkins at 301-395-9541.
|
|
Weekly Services
Sundays
Meditation Service: 10:00-10:50 am
Reading Service: 11:00-12:00
3-Hour Meditation: 6:00-9:00 pm
Thursdays
Bhagavad Gita Study Group: 6:00-7:00 pm
Inspirational Service: 7:30-9:00 pm
|
|
Special Events This Month
Paramahansa Yogananda Mahasamadhi Service
March 7, 7:30 - 9:00 pm
Daylight Savings Time Begins
March 8
Monthly Potluck Social
March 8
Swami Sri Yukteswar Mahasamadhi Service
March 9, 7:30 - 9:00 pm
5-hour Guided Meditation
March 21, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Center Tour Volunteer Meeting
March 22, 12:15 - 2:00
|
|
Washington DC Center of Self-Realization Fellowship
4911 Niagara Road College Park MD 20740
washington.dc.srf@gmail.com
DCcentersrf.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
