Newcomers Welcome!
Welcome!
Thank you for your interest in visiting the Raleigh Meditation Group! We are composed of members and friends of Self-Realization Fellowship. We have various services and activities throughout the week including Meditation services, a Reading service, Sunday School, and a Bhagavad Gita study group.
All are welcome to attend! You do not need any background in meditation to attend our services. There will be someone to greet you when you arrive. There is nothing required from your end, except coming and enjoying the meditation.
We will make an effort to greet you after the Service. And if you see people talking in groups after services, please join in --you will always be welcome.
Your First Visit
Our Sunday Reading Service (11 a.m. to noon) is the most recommended service for newcomers. It includes shorter meditations that will help to prepare you for the longer stretches of stillness required in the meditation services held on Sundays at 10 a.m.
We meditate with eyes closed, seated on chairs. There is no need to bring any accessories. Those interested in learning the SRF techniques of meditation are encouraged to sign up for the SRF Lessons. If you know no definite technique of meditation, simply talk to God in the language of your heart and ask him to reveal himself.
To meditate in the chapel, you must be at least 12 years old. On Sundays, children are welcome to attend our Sunday School classes, which are held on most Sundays (10:45 a.m.) during the traditional school year.
What to Expect at Our Services
The one hour Sunday Meditation Service (10:00 a.m.) includes prayers, a short reading, chanting, and 30 minutes of meditation.*
The one hour Sunday Reading Service (11:00 a.m.) includes periods of prayers, affirmations, chanting, short meditations, and readings from Paramahansa Yogananda. We have a voluntary offertory that helps us to meet the expenses of our meetings.*
*** PLEASE NOTE, adults and children age 12 and over are welcome to all services in the chapel. Children under 12 can attend Sunday school (if it is scheduled that Sunday) or remain in the parent Child room with a parent. We thank you for helping us to keep a meditative atmosphere in the Chapel.
Our monthly pot-luck luncheons and our socials are also excellent ways to get to know others.
The 3 hour Saturday Meditation Service (9:30 a.m) includes the SRF energization exercises, prayers, a short reading, chanting, and three periods of meditation (40 minutes each).
The Scriptural Study group meets Thursday (7:00 p.m.) to study the book “Second Coming of Christ”, written by Paramahansa Yogananda.
Please refer to the schedule for further details.
Arrival
Please try to arrive a few minutes before the scheduled start time, in order to relax and calm your mind. Once the service begins, entrance into the chapel will be available only during periods of chanting or during a reading.
If you arrive late, you can still participate. You are welcome to meditate in the foyer as directed by ushers. During appropriate periods (such as when a chant is being played or during a reading), the ushers will let you in the chapel.
Group Meditation Etiquette
In group meditation, devotees come together in silent fellowship to reinforce each other’s efforts toward Self-realization. You can do your part by asking, “What else can I do to keep from distracting others?” Effective group meditation is possible only if each person shares responsibility for creating an atmosphere of peaceful stillness. The following guidelines list some positive action you can take to help create a peaceful environment for group meditation.
Departure
If you need to leave during a service, please do so at the beginning of a chanting period or during a reading, so as not to disturb others.
Thank you for your interest in visiting the Raleigh Meditation Group! We are composed of members and friends of Self-Realization Fellowship. We have various services and activities throughout the week including Meditation services, a Reading service, Sunday School, and a Bhagavad Gita study group.
All are welcome to attend! You do not need any background in meditation to attend our services. There will be someone to greet you when you arrive. There is nothing required from your end, except coming and enjoying the meditation.
We will make an effort to greet you after the Service. And if you see people talking in groups after services, please join in --you will always be welcome.
Your First Visit
Our Sunday Reading Service (11 a.m. to noon) is the most recommended service for newcomers. It includes shorter meditations that will help to prepare you for the longer stretches of stillness required in the meditation services held on Sundays at 10 a.m.
We meditate with eyes closed, seated on chairs. There is no need to bring any accessories. Those interested in learning the SRF techniques of meditation are encouraged to sign up for the SRF Lessons. If you know no definite technique of meditation, simply talk to God in the language of your heart and ask him to reveal himself.
To meditate in the chapel, you must be at least 12 years old. On Sundays, children are welcome to attend our Sunday School classes, which are held on most Sundays (10:45 a.m.) during the traditional school year.
What to Expect at Our Services
The one hour Sunday Meditation Service (10:00 a.m.) includes prayers, a short reading, chanting, and 30 minutes of meditation.*
The one hour Sunday Reading Service (11:00 a.m.) includes periods of prayers, affirmations, chanting, short meditations, and readings from Paramahansa Yogananda. We have a voluntary offertory that helps us to meet the expenses of our meetings.*
*** PLEASE NOTE, adults and children age 12 and over are welcome to all services in the chapel. Children under 12 can attend Sunday school (if it is scheduled that Sunday) or remain in the parent Child room with a parent. We thank you for helping us to keep a meditative atmosphere in the Chapel.
Our monthly pot-luck luncheons and our socials are also excellent ways to get to know others.
The 3 hour Saturday Meditation Service (9:30 a.m) includes the SRF energization exercises, prayers, a short reading, chanting, and three periods of meditation (40 minutes each).
The Scriptural Study group meets Thursday (7:00 p.m.) to study the book “Second Coming of Christ”, written by Paramahansa Yogananda.
Please refer to the schedule for further details.
Arrival
Please try to arrive a few minutes before the scheduled start time, in order to relax and calm your mind. Once the service begins, entrance into the chapel will be available only during periods of chanting or during a reading.
If you arrive late, you can still participate. You are welcome to meditate in the foyer as directed by ushers. During appropriate periods (such as when a chant is being played or during a reading), the ushers will let you in the chapel.
Group Meditation Etiquette
In group meditation, devotees come together in silent fellowship to reinforce each other’s efforts toward Self-realization. You can do your part by asking, “What else can I do to keep from distracting others?” Effective group meditation is possible only if each person shares responsibility for creating an atmosphere of peaceful stillness. The following guidelines list some positive action you can take to help create a peaceful environment for group meditation.
- Please turn off all electronic devices. Please do not use cell phones at any time in the chapel, in order to maintain the meditative vibrations in there.
- If you have a cough, cold, or any condition that creates noise or restlessness that may affect others, please stay home for the day.
- Please do not wear perfumes or strong scents.
- No food or drinks are allowed in the chapel. A capped water bottle is OK.
- Practice the meditation techniques so that they are inaudible to others in the group.
- Stay quietly seated during periods of silence.
- If needed, you may stand and do gentle stretching during periods of chanting.
- Please use the restroom only during periods of chanting.
Departure
If you need to leave during a service, please do so at the beginning of a chanting period or during a reading, so as not to disturb others.