Zurich: More than 25,000 spiritual seekers from 138 countries signed up for the self-realization fellowship (SRF) world convocation (August 14-20), a week-long immersion in the Kriya Yoga teachings of Sri Paramahansa Yogananda who started the annual convocation more than 70 years ago.
For the third year in a row, the SRF convocation was offered completely online and free of charge, and for the first time via a convocation app, according to a press release from the organizers. “In recent years, we needed a huge 30-storey hotel to accommodate the world convocation, says a press release.
Although a few meditation technique classes were only open to students of the SRF lessons, most of the events were open to the general public, including the evening classes taught by SRF monasteries. Topics aimed at strengthening the spiritual life in practical ways, the press release said.
“What is needed is a new scientific spirituality for our modern age,” Chidananda said. He pointed to the liberating power of Kriya Yogaan, an advanced yoga technique “which deals directly with energy and consciousness, and which enables one to glimpse from the very beginning of one’s endeavors the ultimate goal – conscious union with the inexhaustible blissful Spirit,” the press release said.
In his speech about how everyday thoughts can change our lives, Brother Prafullananda spoke of the impact that scientific techniques of meditation and affirmation can have on one’s ability to transform life’s obstacles through positive thinking.
“Our thinking patterns make a difference,” he said. “What we think changes the outer situation…. Just as negative thoughts produce negative circumstances, positive thinking produces what we do want. Learn how to go deep into these meditation techniques. This way we can create the positive blueprint.”
