Yogoda Satsanga Society of India
Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (YSS) is a non-profit religious organisation founded by Paramahansa Yogananda in 1917. Its headquarters, Yogoda Satsanga Math, is situated Kolkata, with a branch math at Ranchi, Jharkhand and many branch centres. In addition to meditation centres throughout India, there are twenty-three educational institutions, from primary through college level. Yogoda, a word coined by Paramahansa Yogananda, is derived from Yoga, union, harmony, equilibrium; and da, "that which imparts". "Satsanga" is composed of Sat, truth and Sanga, fellowship. For the west, Paramahansaji translated the Indian name as Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF). It preaches the unity of Jesus and Krishna and that they are the same.
Paramahansa Yogananda has blessed his devotees in India with four ashrams – in Ranchi, Kolkata, Noida, and Dwarahat.
Founder
Paramahansa Yogananda is the founder of Yogoda Satsanga Society. Abroad, it is known as Self Realization Fellowship.
Year & place of founding
1917, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India
(Paramahansa Yogananda actually started a small ashram in Dihika, West Bengal, (near Asansol) in 1917 prior to moving to Ranchi, where he established and developed his first major ashram in India. The original site where Paramahansa Yogananda started his fledgling Dihika ashram, has been purchased by Yogoda Satsanga Society of India and is being maintained by them as a heritage site of the organization.)
Aims & ideals
- To disseminate among the nations a knowledge of definite scientific techniques for attaining direct personal experience of God.
- To teach that the purpose of life is the evolution, through self-effort of man's limited mortal consciousness into God Consciousness; and to this end to establish Yogoda Satsanga temples for God-communion throughout the world, and to encourage the establishment of individual temples of God in the homes and in the hearts of men.
- To reveal the complete harmony and basic oneness of original Yoga as taught by Bhagavan Krishna and original Christianity as taught by Jesus Christ; and to show that these principles of truth are the common scientific foundation of all true religions.
- To point out the one divine highway to which all paths of true religious beliefs eventually lead: the highway of daily, scientific, devotional meditation on God.
- To liberate man from his threefold suffering: physical disease, mental inharmonies, and spiritual ignorance.
- To encourage "plain living and high thinking"; and to spread a spirit of brotherhood among all peoples by teaching the eternal basis of their unity: kinship with God.
- To demonstrate the superiority of mind over body, of soul over mind.
- To overcome evil by good, sorrow by joy, cruelty by kindness, ignorance by wisdom.
- To unite science and religion through realization of the unity of their underlying principles.
- To advocate cultural and spiritual understanding between East and West, and the exchange of their finest distinctive features.
- To serve mankind as one's larger Self.
Monastic / Non-monastic
Monastic(includes Monks and Nuns) and house-holders
General philosophical outlook
Spiritual disciplines generally advocated
Kriya Yoga : A form of pranayama life-force control and meditation technique
Administrative set-up
- Indian headquarters at Ranchi,Jharkhand.
- International headquarters is in Los Angeles, USA
Provision for joining
House-holder followers who practice Kriya Yoga. For becoming monastic member one should be single, in sound physical and mental health, free of family and other obligations, have studied the Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons for at least one year, and between the ages of 18 and 35.
Present chief of the movement
Shri Mrinalini Mata
Activities
Religion & spirituality
Yogoda Satsanga Society of India has meditation centres in over 180 cities throughout India.
Social field
- 21 educational institutions in India
Cultural field
Relief activities
Province of its influence
India and abroad
Major publications
- Autobiography of a Yogi : Paramahamsa Yogananda
- God Talks With Arjuna: The Bhagavad Gita – A New Translation and Commentary – Parmahamsa Yogananda [1]
- The Second Coming of Christ – The Resurrection of the Christ Within You – A revelatory commentary on the teachings of Jesus – Paramahamsa Yogananda[2]
- Man’s Eternal Quest – Paramahamsa Yogananda
- The Divine Romance – Paramahamsa Yogananda
- Journey to Self-realization – Paramahamsa Yogananda
- Whispers from Eternity – Paramahamsa Yogananda
- Only Love – Sri Sri Daya Mata
- Finding the Joy Within You – Sri Sri Daya Mata
See also
External links