Divine Beloved, in the new year, make me know, at once and forever, that Thou hast always been mine, ever mine. My error-dreams are past, buried in the sepulcher of oblivion. I am awake, basking in the sunlight of life in Thee. – Paramahansa Yogananda, “Metaphysical Meditations
News & Upcoming Events
In Memoriam: Sri Daya Mata
On November 30, 2010, our beloved president and sanghamata, Sri Daya Mata, peacefully left this world for the joy of her eternal home in God. Chosen by our Guru to lead his work and serve as a spiritual mother to those drawn to his teachings, she has been a guiding force of inspiration, wisdom, and compassion for Self-Realization Fellowship/Yogoda Satsanga Society of India monastics and members alike as spiritual head of Paramahansa Yogananda's worldwide society for more than 55 years. She will be deeply missed by all those whose lives she touched by her love and understanding, and by the integrity of her spiritual example. Yet, as she often said, "Divine love reaches beyond the boundaries of this life," and she will ever remain in our minds and hearts, as one who lived Gurudeva's ideals to the fullest and who cared for all of God's children.
Reflections of the extraordinary life of Sri Daya Mata, the videos of the memorial service which was conducted in her honor and other details can be found on SRF’s website on the following link.
Paramahansa Yogananda's Birthday Commemoration Service – Wednesday, January 5
On Wednesday, January 5, at 7:30 pm, we will hold a commemoration service for Master’s birthday. The chapel will open at 7:00 pm for private meditation. Special services are open to everyone well enough acquainted with the SRF teachings to appreciate the significance of the Guru-disciple relationship and to participate with sincerity and reverence. Please bring a flower, your favourite if possible, to offer as a symbol of devotion to God and the SRF Gurus. Remember not to smell the flower, and thereby take for yourself a part of the gift meant for God. Please also bring a donation, as a symbol of loyalty and faithfulness to the cause of SRF. The collection will be sent to SRF International Headquarters where they are used for sharing these sacred teachings with other truth-seeking souls.
Paramahansa Yogananda’s Commemorative 6-Hour Meditation - Saturday, January 8
On Saturday, January 8, we will hold a special six-hour commemorative meditation from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, with a 20 minute intermission at 1:00 pm. If you cannot attend the entire meditation, please feel free to attend the morning only, or come during the intermission at 1:00 pm and stay for the second half. Please bring a devotional offering of a fruit symbolizing the devotee’s reverence and devotion for the Guru.
Master’s Birthday Social - Sunday, January 9
Everyone is warmly invited to Master’s Birthday potluck social on Sunday, January 9 after the 11 am service. Please bring your favourite vegetarian dish, dessert or beverage, and join us for a joyous birthday celebration!
Annual General Membership Meeting - Sunday, January 30
On Sunday, January 30 after the 11 am service, the Centre will hold its Annual General Membership Meeting. An agenda will be posted on the bulletin board in our bookroom three weeks before the meeting. Your comments and questions about the Centre are greatly appreciated. We hope you can join us!
Commemoration Services for Mahasamadhi of Paramahansa Yogananda – Sunday, March 7 & Mahasamadhi of Swami Sri Yukteswar – Tuesday, March 9
Monastics’ Visit – March 5-7, 2011
We are pleased to announce that on March 5-7, 2011, we will be blessed to have Brother Jayananda and Brahmachari Augusto from SRF Center Department join us to lead meditations, and conduct special events.
On Monday, March 7, at 7:30 pm, we will hold a special service commemorating the mahasamadhi of Paramahansa Yogananada. And, on Wednesday, March 9, at 7:30 pm, we will hold a special service commemorating the mahasamadhi of Swami Sri Yukteswar. For both services, the chapel will open at 7:00 pm for private meditation. Special services are open to everyone well enough acquainted with the SRF teachings to appreciate the significance of the Guru-disciple relationship and to participate with sincerity and reverence. Please bring a flower as a symbol of devotion to God and the SRF Gurus. Remember not to smell the flower, and thereby take for yourself a part of the gift meant for God. Please also bring a donation as a symbol of loyalty and faithfulness to the cause of SRF. The collection will be sent to SRF International Headquarters where they are used for sharing these sacred teachings with other truth-seeking souls.
Volunteer Appreciation Social & Tea – Sunday, March 20
We warmly invite all the Centre’s volunteers to a Volunteer Appreciation Social and Tea on Sunday, March 20 after the 11:00 am service. Refreshments and cake will be served. We hope all our volunteers can join us!
SRF Lessons Study Groups
Please note that, beginning January 2011, our Monday morning Lessons Study Group will be discontinued temporarily, and we will notify you when it resumes.
Service Cancellations Due to Winter Storms
Please note that as the winter storm season approaches, it may be necessary for the Centre to cancel a service, especially when local news and police reports advise against travelling in the Toronto area. Should this happen, the Centre will e-mail a cancellation alert to everyone on its E-Bulletin mailing list, and put a message on the Centre’s phone answering system approximately 1 ½ hours before the usual start of a service, meditation, or Sunday School Class.
Sincerely,
The Toronto Centre of Self-Realization Fellowship
TORONTO CENTRE OF SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
2510 YONGE STREET, SUITE 207, TORONTO, ONTARIO M4P 2H7
(647) 435-9946
www.srftorontocentre.org
