All are welcome – there are no requirements to attend any of the regularly scheduled services or activities. You do not need to sign up or register. The Washington DC Center occasionally holds special events which require participants to be SRF Lessons students or members.
To meditate in the chapel, you must be at least 14 years old. For those younger, we provide a Sunday School program for children and youth 4-18 years old and for infants and toddlers (0 to 3 years of age) we have a Parent/Child Room, where parents and children may watch the service on a large video screen.
All are welcome. You do not need any background in meditation to attend any meditation services. However, if you are not experienced in sitting for longer periods of meditation, it is recommended to start with shorter group meditations such as the Sunday morning 10am meditation service which lasts for about 45 minutes and the Sunday morning 11am reading service which has several brief meditations.
Our Greeters in the foyer try to identify newcomers and introduce themselves. Otherwise, please approach a Greeter at the end of the Sunday Reading Service and they will introduce you to other members. Another opportunity to meet and converse with members is at our once a month social events.
We meditate with eyes closed, seated on chairs. For those wishing to sit on the floor to meditate, we provide an area with cushions. There is no need to bring any accessories. Beginners are given basic instructions on beginning a meditation. Please see Learn to Meditate. Those interested in learning the SRF meditation techniques are encouraged to sign up for the SRF Lessons.
Please see our calendar or weekly services schedule for a complete list of regularly scheduled services and meditations.
All activities are free. Because we are completely volunteer-supported, our Sunday Reading Service at 11 am includes an optional free will donation.
If you arrive late, you can still participate. You are welcome to participate in the waiting area which has a large video screen of the service, opposite the chapel, as directed by ushers. During appropriate periods (such as when a chant is being played) the ushers will seat you in the chapel. We encourage you to arrive on time – this will make meditation far easier!
We encourage those who attend SRF meetings to dress conservatively and comfortably. Please, no shorts, bare feet, etc.
We have guided meditations in March, June and September. See our Calendar and Newsletters for dates. For other meditations, the service reader gives brief instructions at the start of each meditation service. After that, the meditation is silent except during periods of chanting.
If you are new to SRF, a place to start is to read Chapter 26 of Autobiography of a Yogi, in which Paramahansa Yogananda describes the history and purpose of Kriya Yoga. Also, see Meditation & Kriya Yoga. If you have further questions, please call Self-Realization Fellowship at (323) 225-2471 and a monastic meditation counselor will be happy to discuss them with you.
You can sign up for e-Newsletter and Event Notifications. We encourage all members to receive these as they are the most efficient way to stay in touch with Center activities.
Please feel free to Email: Washington.dc.srf@gmail.com
