“While you love nature, love deeply, so deeply that you lose yourself in that love, and you will perceive the Love which is in everything. You will feel nature, earth, and sky as your body and self. Love all with the love of God. That love alone is pure.” Paramahansa Yogananda in a letter to Rajarsi Janakananda

Greetings, friends of the Portland Center!  We are delighted to announce that Portland Center now has a presence on both Facebook and Instagram. You are warmly invited to "Like" and follow us on these social media sites to receive current news about our Center's activities, as well as steady inspiration through lovely photographs and timely words of wisdom from Paramahansa Yogananda. Stay informed by signing up today, through the links above or the icons at the end of this newsletter!    Portland Center of Self-Realization Fellowship

Mahasamadhi Commemoratives

Every March, devotees of Self-Realization Fellowship pay homage to our Guru Paramahansa Yogananda and to our Paramguru, Swami Sri Yukteswar as we observe the Mahasamadhi of these great masters. Look for an announcement from SRF with details for special commemorative services to be held online. If you do not already receive email updates from SRF, you may sign up here.

Mahasamadhi of Paramahansa Yogananda, Sunday March 7 "Someday, when my body will be no more, I shall be happy to watch you from Spirit. I shall see how you are growing spiritually, and how this work of the Gurus is unfolding. I am the ever-living Spirit, undying; and I shall be watching over you with a million eyes."  Paramahansa Yogananda

Mahasamadhi of Swami Sri Yukteswar, Tuesday March 9 "To keep company with the guru is not only to be in his physical presence (as this is sometimes impossible) but mainly means to keep him in our hearts and to be one with him in principle and to attune ourselves with him."  Swami Sri Yukteswar

News from Self-Realization Fellowship Mother Center

Online Inspirational Youth Program

Were your children attending SRF Sunday School before the pandemic, or perhaps Sunday School has never been available near you? Parents will be happy to know that Youth Services has gathered a team of monastics and professional SRF members to create an engaging five-part video series as the first offering in their Online Inspirational Youth Program. The videos are designed for children six to ten years old, but devotees of all ages will enjoy the beautifully filmed pilgrimage tours, monastic led meditations, and how-to-live principles conveyed through interactive fun activities.

Annual Worldwide Convocation 2021

Because of the ongoing public health concerns that are likely to extend into summer, this year's Worldwide Convocation will again be presented completely online. Updates and more details are available on SRF's website: Convocation 2021

Supplemental Lessons Series If you have completed the basic series of the SRF Lessons, you are eligible to receive the Supplemental Lessons offered for the first time and released last fall. As described in an announcement from SRF, "In this series of Lessons, you will find a wide range of topics to enhance and strengthen your practice of our Guru’s meditation techniques and how-to-live teachings." More information is available through your member portal on the SRF website.

News from Managing Council

Greetings, Portland Center members and friends! Our process of incorporating Portland Center is moving forward! Managing Council has officially adopted a set of bylaws that will serve as an operating document for the Portland Center. This step was completed with ongoing guidance from Mother Center and by following a template used by other SRF Centers that have already incorporated.   The many benefits of incorporating our Center include the ability to open bank accounts in the corporation’s name, designate authorized signatories, and obtain adequate insurance coverage. After incorporating, we will also be able to accept online monetary donations through our website, as well as ensure the tax deductibility of donations.    A membership vote on approving the incorporation will be coming soon, and all voting members will be informed of the date and time of a brief Zoom meeting to be held for this purpose.   Annual elections: Given the absence of face-to-face services since March 2020 due to the pandemic, annual elections for Managing Council positions will not be held this year. With the approval of our Center Department liaison Brother Devananda, the current Managing Council members have agreed to remain in their positions for another year. Thank you for your ongoing service, donations, and support of the Portland Center.   In Divine Friendship, Kripa Raguram, Mike O'Brien, Paulette Fritsch, Rebecca Field and Shikha Misra

How to Make a Financial Contribution  Throughout these months of public closure, Portland Center of SRF has been supported solely by financial contributions from members and friends and by volunteers who donate their time. We deeply appreciate your ongoing donations to help us meet recurring expenses to sustain our Center until we can resume in-person services. If you write a check to the group, 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!

‌ "Look for God behind every little good that comes to you, for it is His hand that places these things before you; and so love Him in your heart that nothing else matters." Paramahansa Yogananda

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