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 Paramahansa Yogananda |
Services
We invite you to join us for our regular Sunday services at our Bedford Street location. We begin with Yogananda's energization and recharging exercises at 9:00 a.m. for those who are interested (in the parking lot or hallways); the meditation service begins at 9:20 and lasts until 11:00 a.m. There is an opportunity to arrive or depart at 10:00 a.m., when there is a reading and a chant.
If there is no parking on the street it is fine on Sundays to park in the back half of the parking lot. Come in the front door of the building and walk toward the back on the first level until you find the room. The door may already be open when you arrive.
Often, members are busy with family obligations/activities on major American holidays, so even when these have a spiritual meaning, such as Easter, we recommend emailing the Coordinating Secretary to learn if the service will be held.
In addition, we sometimes have to cancel services for inclement weather or on days when city events make transportation to our space difficult. Heads up, we are not always able to announce these special circumstances on the website. Again, you are always welcome to check with the Coordinating Secretary.
Commemorative Services are held several times during the year to honor the birthdays and Mahasamadhis of the Masters of Self-Realization Fellowship.
These services are held on the Sunday following the commemorative day (or sometimes on the day itself, if it's a Sunday), during the final hour of the meditation.
We typically hold extended meditations annually for Christmas and to celebrate Paramahansa Yogananda’s birthday in early January.
- Except for periods of chanting and readings, our meditations are held in
silence for the purpose of God-communion and practice of techniques as taught
by our Guru, Paramahansa Yogananda.
- Arrive early so you will have time to find a seat and be comfortably seated
before the meditation begins. If you do arrive after the start of the service,
please enter only during a reading or a chant.
- Plan to stay for the entire meditation (or leave at 10:00 a.m.). If you must leave early, please
do so quietly, during a period of chanting.
- Illness, coughs and colds: If you have any health condition that would disturb
others, please meditate at home and try to “tune in” with the
group meditation. If you experience any problems please go quietly into the
outer hallway to recover. You can continue your meditation and return to the
chapel during the next period of chanting.
- Meditation techniques: The practice of meditation techniques should not
be heard by others. If you are not able to practice them silently, then please
visualize and practice the techniques mentally.
- Standing is permitted during chanting.
- Restroom breaks: If you need to use the restroom, please do your best to leave and return to your seat during a period of chanting.