“Awakened souls shine with the light of God; they make the invisible light
of His goodness visible in their hearts and actions. Their enlightenment declares the presence of God and serves as a spiritual beacon
to guide others out of the paths of darkness.”
Paramahansa Yogananda
in The Second Coming of Christ:
The Resurrection of the Christ Within You
|
|
Greetings, friends of the Portland Center!
It has been a joy to once again open our doors for 11:00 Sunday morning Inspirational services and Tuesday evening silent meditations, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. We warmly welcome all who are returning to our Center after months of closure, as well as those who are new to Self-Realization Fellowship or the Portland SRF community.
The following arrangements for meeting safely have been working well, and we appreciate your continuing cooperation by observing these guidelines:
- Masks are required.
- To allow for social distancing, seating is in designated seats only – including for families and couples.
- All chants and prayers are to be practiced mentally, not aloud.
- Doors open at 10:45 a.m. on Sundays, 6:15 p.m. on Tuesdays.
- The chapel may be cooler than usual as windows will be partially open, so please dress accordingly.
- The Book Room remains closed for now, but we anticipate its reopening in the near future.
Come and be with us in the serenity of our beautiful chapel!
|
|
More details about these events will be given in future editions of this newsletter, but for now, you may want to mark these dates on your calendar. |
|
Paramahansa Yogananda and Swami Sri Yukteswar
Mahasamadhi Commemoratives
|
|
"Whether I am here or not, remember, there is no barrier of space for souls. As you improve yourself and awaken your soul, you will be conscious of eternal connection with me; and above all, you will always be in touch with God...."
Paramahansa Yogananda
|
|
In March, members and friends of Self-Realization Fellowship/Yogoda Society of India will honor our blessed Guru and paramguru, Swami Sri Yukteswar on the anniversaries of each one's final, conscious exit from the body, known as the mahasamadhi.
The observance of Paramahansa Yogananda's mahasamadhi takes place on Monday March 7, followed by Sri Yukteswar's mahasamadhi on Wednesday March 9.
Depending on the Covid situation in the coming months, it is possible that Portland Center will again hold in-person commemorative services or open the chapel for two hours of silent meditation on these days. Subscribers to this newsletter will receive advance notice of any schedule changes, and information will also be posted on our website.
Additionally, the SRF Online Meditation Center will offer monastic led services in lieu of live commemorative events traditionally held at local SRF meditation centers. You may sign up here to receive advance notice of these and other SRF programs.
|
|
Convocation 2022 to be held in-person and also online! |
|
Self-Realization Fellowship recently announced that, circumstances permitting, this year's Convocation will again take place at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles on August 14 - 20 and will also be streamed online, as it has been for the past two years.
Details about the 2022 Convocation schedule of events will be announced through SRF's social media and their e-newsletter. If you are not already a subscriber, we encourage you to sign up here to be informed about Convocation and other timely news from SRF.
|
|
|
|
Holiday Events
at SRF Mother Center
|
Monastic led meditations for Christmas, New Year's Eve, and Master's birthday may be viewed through SRF's website. There you will also find a beautiful video of Christmas Open House at the Mother Center.
|
|
|
|
Christmas at Portland Center |
|
Thank you to our talented Flower Committee volunteers for helping to create
a joyous atmosphere in our Center during the Christmas season!
|
|
Memorial Service for Patrick Dougherty |
|
Longtime SRF member Patrick Dougherty passed away in Encinitas last year, some months after relocating to Southern California from Portland with his wife Joyce. A memorial service in his honor will be held at the SRF Encinitas Temple on Saturday, April 9 at 2:00 p.m.
Let us send our heart's love to Joyce and Patrick's family, and also to his soul as it continues its journey home toward Spirit.
Anyone who would like further information may contact Joyce at joydougherty108@gmail.com.
|
|
News from Managing Council |
|
Greetings, Portland Center members and friends!
As we enter the second month of 2022, we wish all our friends and members a blessed new year filled with hope and joy.
With your enthusiastic support, we are gratefully continuing to offer the Sunday services and the Tuesday night meditations. The volunteers who work behind the scenes as well as our in-person ushers, greeters and service readers help to keep the SRF worldwide movement alive and well in Portland, Oregon. Whether you attend live services at the Portland Center or not, we are united in our minds and hearts as we strive to live harmoniously in body, mind and spirit through the teachings and inspiration of our revered Guru Paramahansa Yogananda.
We are very happy to let you know that the final document to approve the Portland Center’s status as a non-profit 503 (c) (3) was approved by the State of Oregon on January 5, 2022. We doubt that it was simply a coincidence to receive that approval on Guruji’s birthday! Jai Guru!
We look forward to personally greeting new and returning friends during one of our upcoming services. May God, Christ and our Guru deeply bless one and all. May their love encircle the earth as we do our part to bring their light into our own hearts.
Thank you all for your prayers and material support!
In Divine Friendship,
Kripa Raguram, Mike O'Brien, Paulette Fritsch,
Rebecca Field and Shikha Misra
|
|
How to Make a Financial Contribution
Portland Center of SRF is supported solely by financial contributions from members and friends and by volunteers who donate their time. We deeply appreciate your donations to help us meet recurring expenses to sustain our Center until we can resume our full schedule of in-person services.
For those who would like to donate online, you can now send funds through Zelle to our special email address:
If you prefer to write a check, please know that checks payable to "Portland Center" will be deposited locally and used to support our Center's activities, pay utility bills etc. Checks payable to "Self-Realization Fellowship" are sent to SRF headquarters in Los Angeles, to support SRF's worldwide activities.
Checks may be mailed to 356 NE 80th Avenue, Portland 97213.
Thank you for your support!
|
|
Happy Valentine's Day!
💟
"When I have left this world, only love can take my place."
Paramahansa Yogananda to Sri Daya Mata, shortly before his passing.
|
|
Interested in finding other SRF groups
in the Pacific NW or throughout the world?
Click here:
|
|
Just a reminder that you're receiving this email because you have expressed an interest in the Portland Center of Self-Realization Fellowship. Don't forget to add newsletter@portlandcentersrf.org to your address book so we'll be sure to land in your inbox! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
