Self-Realization Fellowship ideals. Fruits and vegetables are grown for the use of residents of the Encinitas and Los Angeles centers. "He hath made of one blood all nations of men."² "World brotherhood" is a large term, but man must enlarge his sympathies, considering himself in the light of a world citizen. He who truly understands that "it is my America, my India, my Philippines, my Europe, my Africa" and so on, will never lack scope for a useful and happy life.
Though the body of Sri Yukteswar never dwelt on any soil except India's, he knew this brotherly truth: "The world is my homeland." Paramahansaji and Faye Wright, later Sri Daya Mata, at SRF Encinitas Hermitage, 1939. Soon after she entered the SRF Ashram in 1931, the Guru told her: "You are my nest egg. When you came, I knew many other true devotees of God would be drawn to this path." He once lovingly remarked, "My Faye, so much good she will do!...I know I can work through her because she is receptive."
Aerial view of Self-Realization Fellowship Hermitage, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Encinitas, California. Elsewhere on the spacious grounds are ashram residences and a Self-Realization Retreat; an SRF Temple is nearby. Paramahansa Yogananda on grounds of SRF Encinitas Hermitage, situated on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, 1940 Mr. Lynn entered mahasamadhi in 1955. (Publisher's Note) O God beautiful, O God beautiful! In the forest Thou art green, In the mountain Thou art high, In the river Thou art restless, In the ocean Thou art grave. To the serviceful Thou art service, To the lover Thou art love, To the sorrowful Thou art sympathy, To the yogi Thou art bliss. O God beautiful, O God beautiful, At Thy feet, O I do bow!
The Years 1940 – 1951 "We have indeed learned the value of meditation, and know that nothing can disturb our inner peace. In the last few weeks during the meetings we have heard air-raid warnings and listened to the explosion of delayed-action bombs, but our students still gather and thoroughly enjoy our beautiful service." This brave message, written by the leader of the London Self-Realization Fellowship Center, was one of many letters sent to me from war-ravaged England and Europe during the years that preceded America's entry into World War II.
Dr. L. Cranmer-Byng of London, noted editor of The Wisdom of the East Series, wrote me in 1942 as follows: "When I read East-West¹ I realized how far apart we seemed to be, apparently living in two different worlds. Beauty, order, calm, and peace come to me from Los Angeles, sailing into port as a vessel laden with the blessings and comfort of the Holy Grail to a beleaguered city. "I see as in a dream your palm-tree grove, and the temple in Encinitas with its ocean stretches and mountain views; and above all its fellowship of spiritually minded men and women — a community comprehended in unity, absorbed in creative work, and replenished in contemplation....Greetings to all the Fellowship from a common soldier, written on the watchtower waiting for the dawn."
A Church of All Religions in Hollywood, California, was built by Self-Realization Fellowship workers and dedicated in 1942. A year later another temple was founded in San Diego, California; and, in 1947, one in Long Beach, California.² One of the most beautiful estates in the world, a floral wonderland in the Pacific Palisades section of Los Angeles, was donated in 1949 to Self-Realization Fellowship. The ten-acre site is a natural amphitheater, surrounded by verdant hills. A large natural lake, a blue jewel in a mountain diadem, has given the estate its name of Lake Shrine. A quaint Dutch-windmill house on the grounds contains a peaceful chapel. Near a sunken garden a large waterwheel splashes a leisurely music. Two marble statues from China adorn the site — a statue of Lord Buddha and one of Kwan Yin (the Chinese personification of the Divine Mother). A life-size statue of Christ, its serene face and flowing robes strikingly illuminated at night, stands on a hill above a waterfall.
A Mahatma Gandhi World Peace Memorial at the Lake Shrine was dedicated in 1950, the year that marked the thirtieth anniversary³ of Self-Realization Fellowship in America. A portion of the Mahatma's ashes, sent from India, was enshrined in a thousand-year-old stone sarcophagus. PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA Photographed on August 20, 1950, at dedication of Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine, Pacific Palisades, California A Self-Realization Fellowship "India Center"⁴ in Hollywood was founded in 1951. Mr. Goodwin J. Knight, Lieutenant Governor of California, and Mr. M. R. Ahuja, Consul General of India, joined me in the dedicatory services. On the site is India Hall, an auditorium seating 250 persons.
Newcomers to the various centers often want further light on yoga. A question I sometimes hear is this: "Is it true, as certain organizations state, that yoga may not be successfully studied in printed form but should be pursued only with the guidance of a nearby teacher?" In the Atomic Age, yoga should be taught by a method of instruction such as the Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons,⁵ or the liberating science will again be restricted to a chosen few. It would indeed be a priceless boon if each student could keep by his side a guru perfected in divine wisdom; but the world is composed of many "sinners" and few saints. How then may the multitudes be helped by yoga, if not through study in their homes of instructions written by true yogis?
The only alternative is that the "average man" be ignored and left without yoga knowledge. Such is not God's plan for the new age. Babaji has promised to guard and guide all sincere Kriya Yogis in their path toward the Goal.⁶ Hundreds of thousands, not dozens merely, of Kriya Yogis are needed to bring into manifestation the world of peace and plenty that awaits men when they have made the proper effort to reestablish their status as sons of the Divine Father.