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 on the banks of the Ganges at Dakshineswar, near 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).

In 1920, he carried Kriya Yoga to the West where, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., he established the international headquarters of Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF). YSS/SRF is devoted to the spiritual upliftment of mankind. Paramahansa Yogananda dedicated his life to awakening in the hearts of all to a deep love for God. He opened the door of his teachings to all persons regardless of race, caste, or religion, and presented what he described as a way to realise the Divine and live an ideal balanced life.

Paramahansa Yogananda has blessed his devotees in India with three ashrams – in Ranchi, Kolkata, and Dwarahat.

In addition to undertaking the spiritual training of the Yogoda Satsanga sannyasis, these ashrams are also open to Yogoda devotees desirous of spending a few days in spiritual solitude to deepen their sadhana and recharge themselves with the bliss of God-communion.

YSS today disseminates the Kriya Yoga teachings of Yogananda from its headquarters at Dakshineswar and Sakha Math in Ranchi to spiritual seekers residing in the Indian subcontinent. It also administers over 100 centres and meditation groups in India’s principal cities as well as in some rural areas.

Founder

Paramahamsa Yogananda is the founder of Yogoda Satsanga Society. Abroad, it is known as Self Realization Fellowship.

Year & place of founding

1917, Dakshineshwar, near Kolkata, India

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 Self-Realization Fellowship 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 Christianity as taught by Jesus Christ and original Yoga as taught by Bhagavan Krishna; 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 from of pranayama breathing and meditation technique

Administrative set-up

* Indian headquarters at Dakshnieshwar
* 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

Sri Daya Mata

Activities

Religion & spirituality

Society has around 500 meditation centres in 54 countries

Social field

* 21 educational institutions in India

Cultural field

Relief activities

Province of its influence

India and abroad

Major publications

* [http://www.yogananda-srf.org/ay/index.html Autobiography of a Yogi] : Paramahamsa Yogananda
* God Talks With Arjuna: "The Bhagavad Gita - A New Translation and Commentary" - Parmahamsa Yogananda
* 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

*List of Hindu organisations

External links

* [http://yssofindia.org/ http://yssofindia.org] Yogada Satsanga Society of India official website
* [http://www.yogananda.org/ Self-Realisation Fellowship Homepage]
* [http://www.ranchi.com/tourism/views/yogodasatsanga.asp Yogoda Satsanga Society Ranchi]
* [http://www.lifepositive.com/spirit/masters/paramahansa-yogananda/self-realization.asp On Yogada Satsanga Society of India]