"The more you concentrate on the outside, the less you will know of the inner glory of the everlasting joy of Spirit. The more you concentrate within, the less you will have of difficulties without."

Paramahansa Yogananda

Retreat Registration is Now Closed

Thank you, Portland Center members and friends, for your overwhelming interest in the September 21 Silent Retreat! We reached the maximum number of attendees sooner than expected, and can no longer accept new registrations. If you have any questions about the status of your registration, please contact us at portlandcentersrf@gmail.com .

 Upcoming Dates to Remember

Sunday, 9/1 Video with Sister Karuna:

"How You Can Talk With God"

11:00 a.m. – noon

Also on Sunday, 9/1 11:00 a.m. - noon Sunday School resumes for children ages 3 - 12

Sunday, 9/15 Video with Brother Anantananda:

"Living Without Fear"

11:00 a.m. – noon

Thursday, 9/26 Lahiri Mahasaya Mahasamadhi and Birthday Commemorative Service

7:00 – 7:45 p.m.      Meditation

8:00 – 9:00 p.m.      Commemorative Service

Sunday, 10/6 Video with Brother Ishtananda:

"Loyalty: Highest Law for Spiritual Success"

11:00 a.m. – noon

Sunday, 10/20 Video with Sister Ranjana:

"How to Rise Above Pressures and Problems"

11:00 a.m. – noon

We invite you to visit our website for

a detailed schedule and description of all our activities.

Young Adults Group

Portland Center is delighted to announce that some of our members are forming a Young Adults Group. As a spiritual community that uplifts each other in our spiritual practices and in our focus on the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda, we welcome young adults between the ages of 18 and 40 to participate. 

If you are interested in cultivating divine fellowship on your journey back to God, please send an email to portlandcentersrf@gmail.com and someone will contact you about next steps.

Lahiri Mahasaya Commemorative Service

On Thursday, September 26 we will honor the birth as well as

the Mahasamadhi of Lahiri Mahasaya, the great Master

who received Kriya Yoga directly from Mahavatar Babaji.

"If you don't invite God to be your summer guest,

he won't come in the winter of your life.”

Lahiri Mahasaya, as quoted by 

Paramahansa Yogananda in 

Autobiography of a Yogi

This combined commemorative service will begin at 8:00 p.m., preceded by an optional meditation from 7:00 to 7:45. It is traditional to bring a flower or flowers, and a monetary donation in an envelope as symbols of devotion, gratitude and loyalty. Anyone with a sincere interest in the SRF path is welcome to attend this beautiful ceremony.

In Memoriam — Michael O'Keefe

“In the spiritual life one becomes just like a little child –

without resentment, without attachment, full of life and joy.”

Paramahansa Yogananda   

Michael O’Keefe passed away on April 20^th of this year while living in Guadalajara, Mexico. He moved to Portland around 1995 and joined the Portland Center at that time. He volunteered in several roles, but mostly as a gardener at our Center. His warm smile and personality will be rememberd by all who knew him. Michael loved to serve, and was someone you could always count on to fill a volunteer gap here and there.

Michael had a positive outlook on life and was also very humble. He loved meditation and was devoted to SRF. In the last eight years of his life he fulfilled a desire to live in India, which he did very successfully. He shared his travel experiences with 80+ Facebook friends who vicariously traveled with him. He also enjoyed living in Mexico part of the time, which is where his current incarnation came to an end. Michael will be missed by his two children and his many friends.

"I would like to acknowledge Michael's cheerful attitude and willingness to lend a helping hand. I first met and got to know him from serving with him on the cleaning committee. He was someone you could always count on to pick up a dropped stitch if need be. He was friendly to all.” JK

“I remember Michael as kind and gentle, and all about service for God and Guru, never seeking the spotlight or recognition for his service. He just wanted to serve. It was a blessing that he was my friend.” RC

“He was a wonderful person. Constant traveler; a real global trotter. When I was living in Portland, he used to take me for nice walks by the side of the river after Sunday group meditation. Years later we met a couple of times in the Ranchi (India) ashram. He visited our house in Hyderabad (India) as well. I have good memories of Michael. I am sure Guruji would be taking care of him on the other side too.” VV

🙏 May his soul rest in peace 🙏

Day of Service — Saturday October 12

We invite you to share in the joy of serving alongside like-minded souls during Portland Center's upcoming Day of Service, Saturday October 12. The day begins with an optional half-hour meditation at 9:30 a.m., and we'll roll up our sleeves and plunge into playful work starting at 10:00 a.m.

There will be a variety of tasks in and out of doors (weather permitting), for all levels of capability. Equipment and supplies are provided, along with snacks and a vegetarian lunch. We will wrap up the day around 2:00, or whenever our 'to do' list has been accomplished. You are welcome to stay for whatever amount of time you have available.

Come and join fellow devotees,

as together we make our beautiful Center sparkling clean!

“No task is too difficult or too menial

when offered to Thee in loving service.” 

Paramahansa Yogananda

News from Self-Realization Fellowship Mother Center

SRF Youth Services is offering a series of online How-to-Live classes for children and teens ages 9 to 17, September 14 – December 21, conducted via Zoom on two Saturdays each month. The focus of the sessions will be “Building Joy-Filled Spiritual Friendships."

These online How-to-Live classes provide youth with support, life guidance, and encouragement based on the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda.

Registration is ongoing and will extend beyond the start date for the classes.

To learn more and to register, visit:

Convocation Events are Still Available!

The SRF annual worldwide Convocation was conducted in July in Los Angeles, as well as online. Members and friends from over 140 countries participated in group meditations, kirtans and virtual pilgrimages, listened to inspiring classes and talks by SRF monks and nuns, and connected personally with SRF monastics and other devotees through online Fellowship Rooms.

Except for the Fellowship Rooms and SRF Technique classes, all these events will remain available through SRF's Convocation 2024 YouTube playlist, and also in the new versatile SRF/YSS Mobile App, under "Videos."

Volunteer Highlight — Ushers and Greeters

“Once we were strangers, but when we love God,

we become brothers and sisters.”

Paramahansa Yogananda

It is in that consciousness that ushers and greeters welcome people at Portland Center – welcoming them as part of our spiritual family, whether they are new to the path or visiting from other cities or countries. Ushers and greeters play an important role in ensuring that the first impression visitors receive when attending our Center is a warm and positive one.

Would you like to be one of the warm and friendly individuals who serve in this way? Portland Center is in need of more volunteers for our Usher/Greeter team. Introverts welcome!

To find out more about becoming part of this team, please submit a Volunteer Application through our website or at the Center, and you will be contacted.

News from Managing Council

Greetings, Portland Center members and friends!

After returning from travels recently, one of our members remarked that the Portland Center is a “special place” for going deep in meditation. We are grateful for the many who continue to donate their energy and/or financial resources to help attract spiritual seekers – while remembering the single reason the Center exists.

The following is from the SRF Centers website:

"The most effective way to seek and find God, whether alone or with others, is through meditation. Paramahansa Yogananda said, 'Meditation is the way to God….It is the pickax that pries up all the covers of consciousness and brings forth the fountain of God’s ever new joy.'

"Paramahansaji envisioned groups of spiritual seekers throughout the world quietly meeting for deep God-communion and meditation. He pointed out that the united devotion and concentration of even a small group can greatly increase the meditational depth of each individual.

"Self-Realization Fellowship centers and meditation groups are formed for only one purpose: that devotees may meet together to reinforce each other’s desire for God and their efforts to find Him through meditation. Such groups, if regular and devotional in their practice, develop a spiritual magnetism that in time will attract others. But more important than the size or organizational extent of a group is its ability to support, inspire, and encourage its individual members in their spiritual efforts."

"When I come to the temple it is for one purpose: to be with God and to tell you of God. And you come here for my words and to try by meditation to feel His presence.”

—Paramahansa Yogananda

We look forward to welcoming all who join us at Portland Center to try by meditation to feel His presence.



In divine friendship,

Bruce Mosias, Linda Clark-Traeger,

Mike O'Brien, Paulette Fritsch, Shikha Misra

Ongoing Monthly Events at Portland Center



First Sunday: Sunday School for children ages three to twelve, held from 11:00 a.m. to noon. More information is available on our website.

Third Sunday: Friendship Tea – an opportunity to meet informally with spiritual friends immediately following the 11:00 service, while sharing light refreshments.

Last Sunday: Meditation Service led by Portland Center's kirtan group, beginning with group practice of the SRF Energization Exercises at 8:00 a.m. This is followed by periods of meditation and chanting accompanied by traditional Indian instruments. If you are unable to stay for the full kirtan period, you may enter or leave the chapel during the chanting at 9:00 and 10:00 a.m.

How to Make a Financial Contribution

We deeply appreciate your contributions of time and resources to help us meet the recurring expenses that sustain our Center, as we are supported solely by financial contributions from our members and friends, and by volunteers who donate their skills.

For those who would like to contribute online, you can

send funds through Zelle to the following email address:

portlandcenterdonations@gmail.com

If you prefer to write a check, 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!

Keep in touch with Portland Center through our website and social media:

Looking for more SRF groups in the Pacific NW or throughout the world?

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