“Peace (shanti) is a divine quality. A true yogi, one united to "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding" is like a lovely rose, spreading around him the fragrance of tranquility and harmony.”


― Paramahansa Yogananda, God Talks with Arjuna


  Greetings, members and friends of the Portland Center! 


"God is the Honey, organizations are the hives; both are necessary. Any form is useless, of course, without the spirit, but why should you not start

busy hives full of the spiritual nectar?"

Swami Sri Yukteswar to Paramahansa Yogananda, as recounted in

Autobiography of a Yogi chapter 27


Portland Center is one of our Guru's many 'hives' throughout the world – places where sincere truth seekers come together to create spiritual 'honey' through group meditation, fellowship, and service. We invite you to join us as we support each other's efforts to progress on our spiritual journey.


Our schedule for the coming months includes two special commemorative services honoring Paramahansa Yogananda and Sri Yukteswar, with more information found below. We are also continuing to offer kirtan led meditations on the last Sunday of each month. And beginning in February, we will resume hosting monthly Sunday Socials on the third Sunday, following the 11:00 Inspirational Service. Light refreshments are provided, along with an opportunity to meet and mingle with Portland Center members and friends. 


Whether you are new to Portland Center or have been attending for some time, we welcome your presence at one of our upcoming services or events. For a complete schedule of our activities, please visit our website.

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 

Every year in March, members and friends of Self-Realization Fellowship/Yogoda Satsanga Society of India pay homage to our Guru Paramahansa Yogananda and our paramguru Swami Sri Yukteswar, as we commemorate their final conscious exit from the body, known as the mahasamadhi.

The observance of Paramahansa Yogananda's mahasamadhi takes place on Tuesday March 7, followed by a service honoring Sri Yukteswar's mahasamadhi on Thursday March 9. Both commemoratives will be held from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., preceded by an optional meditation

beginning at 7:15 p.m.


As with all SRF special services, it is traditional to bring a flower or flowers and a monetary offering in an envelope. These gifts symbolize our devotion, loyalty, and gratitude to these great Masters and the SRF path.

Recent Events at Portland Center:

Christmas and Master's Birthday

Many thanks to the volunteers whose contributions

made these occasions uplifting and memorable!

Portland Center's Managing Council would like to consult with someone who has expertise or interest in Emergency Preparedness/Procedures.


Also, Sunday School will be starting again this year if there are qualified teachers and teacher’s aides. No prior experience is necessary, and SRF Youth Services offers training to devotees who would like to volunteer for this important and meaningful service.


If one of these opportunities captures your interest, please send an email to Mike O’Brien at PortlandCenterSRF@gmail.com or fill out a volunteer form found on our website or at the Newcomers Table at the Center.

*****

Until in-person Sunday School resumes at Portland Center, parents with young children may watch the Sunday 11:00 Inspirational Service in our Family Room, where a video monitor is available.


We also encourage parents to take advantage of the SRF Youth Services How To Live classes for children ages 9 through 17, described below.

SRF Youth Services

Self-Realization Fellowship Youth Services is offering online interactive How-to-Live classes for youth ages 9 through 17, twice monthly on Saturdays via Zoom. Registration is open and ongoing, through May 23. For more information please visit their website.

News from Managing Council

Greetings, Portland Center members and friends!


The PCSRF Managing Council and committee chairs met recently and were inspired by reviewing the purpose of SRF and its centers and groups, and reflecting on how to connect our actions to these principles. We believe this is an activity that will also energize and benefit you.

 

Our Guru said, “The one central purpose of Self-Realization Fellowship is to teach the individual the way to personal contact with God.”

 

The purpose of the Portland Center and all SRF centers, groups and circles is three-fold:

1. To Bring Together Truth-Seeking Souls for Group Meditation

The foremost spiritual duty of center and group members is to meditate deeply and to manifest divine peace and harmony in all their daily activities. When our thoughts, actions, and all other aspects of our lives become filled with the consciousness of God and Guru, we automatically convey Their spirit to others. 


2. To Hasten the Spiritual Progress of Each Member

“Those who wish to perfect themselves,” Yogananda said, “are urged by the Masters to keep in close association with others of similar nature in order to strengthen their right aspirations.” Participation in the spiritual activities of the group helps to inspire each devotee to make a greater effort, and to protect him or her from distractions to spiritual progress.


3. To Serve the Work of Self-Realization Fellowship

Centers and groups do this in a variety of ways – the first and foremost of which is to serve as a center where devotees can come together to build their lives around the aims and ideals of SRF. In addition, there are many opportunities for members to serve in different capacities in the centers and groups.

 

We are grateful for the many members whose selfless actions and welcoming, harmonious devotion help to make the Portland Center a spiritual hive of activity supporting our Guru’s purpose.  

 

Quick note: The 'hive' will be buzzing over the Memorial Day weekend. SRF monastics will visit from May 26-29. Please mark your calendars. More details to come. 


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 offer their time and skills. We deeply appreciate your donations to help meet the recurring expenses needed to sustain the building and our Center's activities.


For those who would like to donate online, you can also send funds through Zelle to our special email address:

portlandcenterdonations@gmail.com


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!

“The Searcher of Hearts wants only your sincere love. He is like a little child: someone may offer Him his whole wealth and He doesn’t want it;

and another cries to Him, ‘O Lord, I love You!’

and into that devotee’s heart He comes running.”



Paramahansa Yogananda in Where There is Light

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