Welcome to Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (YSS), the nonprofit spiritual organization founded by Sri Sri Paramahansa Yoganandaji. It is our joy to serve you in your quest for spiritual fulfilment.
If you are new to Paramahansa Yogananda’s teachings, here are a few recommendations to get you started:
New to Yoga and its concepts? Those who may be unfamiliar with the concepts and terminology of the yoga tradition will find brief helpful explanations of terms used on our website in our online Glossary.
Learn to Meditate
The Yogoda Satsanga Lessons are a comprehensive home-study series featuring Yogananda’s detailed instruction in the scientific meditation techniques of Kriya Yoga — as well as his in-depth guidance on the art of balanced spiritual living.
Beginner’s Meditation Instructions
If you would like to start meditating now, visit our Learn to Meditate page for a selection of offerings.
Visit a Yogoda Satsanga Society of India Ashram, Retreat, or Centre
Yogoda Satsanga Society of India has more than 180 Ashrams, Retreats, and meditation centres around the country — offering all interested seekers the opportunity to come together to experience the power of group meditation, focused retreat programmes, inspirational services, and to share in spiritual fellowship. Activities include:
- Lecture services on the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda
- Personal counsel from monks
- Group meditations
- Devotional chanting (kirtan)
- Meditation services with readings from the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda (at our centres and meditation groups)
- Sunday Satsanga for children
- Special events
Yogoda Satsanga Society of India’s Sharad Sangam
Every year, we offer a week of spiritual renewal, fellowship, and in-depth study of the teachings of Sri Paramahansa Yogananda including:
- Evening lecture classes on the How-to-Live teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda
- Review of YSS meditation techniques (open to students of the YSS Lessons)
- Group meditations
- Satsangas (questions and answers)
- Kirtans (devotional chanting accompanied by Indian instrumentation)
- Showings of rare films of Paramahansa Yogananda
- Fellowship with monastics and thousands of YSS members from around the country
Retreats
The retreat is open year round (except during Sharad Sangam) for YSS members and friends who wish to come for the period of spiritual renewal. The special monastics lead retreats are also conducted time to time throughout the year on the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda. Although these retreats are structured for those who are familiar with the teachings, anyone interested is welcome to enquire at the reception.
In the words of Paramahansa Yogananda, YSS Retreats offer “a dynamo of silence where (you) may go for the exclusive purpose of being recharged by the Infinite.” Highlights of our retreat programmes:
- An environment of silence and tranquillity for introspection, spiritual study, and meditation
- Opportunity for personal meetings with our meditation counsellors
- Locations that emphasize the beauty and divinity of nature
- Review of the YSS meditation techniques
- Informal classes on balanced spiritual living
- Delicious vegetarian meals
Recommended Reading
We would like to suggest the following books as a good place to start your exploration of Paramahansa Yogananda’s teachings.
Autobiography of a Yogi by Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda
This best-selling spiritual classic serves as an excellent introduction to the life and teachings of Yogananda. A fascinating and entertaining story, it also answers questions about the purpose of existence, yoga, higher consciousness, religion, God, and the challenges of daily spiritual living. It is a book for people of all faiths, for anyone yearning to know what life is truly all about.
Where There Is Light by Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda
This spiritual handbook compiled from the writings and lectures of Paramahansa Yogananda offers concise guidance and spiritual perspective on many topics of interest, such as: perfecting human relationships; transforming failure into success; cultivating a personal relationship with God; understanding death; transcending stress, worry, and fear; making prayer effective; and finding wisdom and strength to make life’s decisions.
Three Anthologies of Lectures and Essays by Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda
Man’s Eternal Quest by Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda
This first volume of Paramahansaji’s collected talks and essays explores little-known and seldom-explained aspects of meditation, life after death, the nature of creation, health and healing, and the unlimited powers of the human mind.
The Divine Romance by Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda
In this second volume of collected talks and essays, Yogananda shows how we can meet the daily challenges to physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual well-being by awakening our divine nature. He reveals the deep metaphysical roots of our closest relationships and explains how the invisible, universal thread of love that unites these relationships is drawing us back to the Source from which all love comes. Other topics include: habits, memory, karma and reincarnation, yoga and meditation, and how to bring greater harmony to oneself, one’s home, one’s community, and the world.
Journey to Self Realization by Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda
This third volume of collected talks and essays offers counsel for those seeking to better understand themselves and their true purpose in life. Yogananda brings a universal and far-seeing perspective to the myriad complexities of human experience — showing us how to view even pitfalls and obstacles as a purposeful part of the adventure of life. Other topics include: how to express lasting youthfulness; acquiring attunement with the Source of success; balancing business and spiritual life; overcoming nervousness; the art of getting along with others; and realizing God in daily life.
Other Books by Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda
Inner Peace: How to Be Calmly Active and Actively Calm by Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda
These inspiring selections from Yogananda’s writings give practical applications to help one stay calm, happy, and evenminded, in spite of world conditions. Empowering the reader to transform anxiety and stress into happiness and peace, this small book offers a potent antidote to our fast-paced world.
The Law of Success by Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda
This potent little book describes how to connect with the Source of success, choose worthy goals, overcome obstacles and fears, and operate the divine laws that invite success into our lives. Topics include: creativity and initiative, positive thinking, dynamic will, self-analysis, the power of meditation, and much more.
Metaphysical Meditations by Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda
This pocket-sized book offers more than 300 meditations, prayers, affirmations, and visualizations, as well as introductory instructions on how to meditate. Beginners and experienced meditators alike may find this small volume a useful tool for awakening the boundless joy, peace, and inner freedom of the soul.
If you would like to delve deeper into the teachings of Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda, please see our complete list of books and recordings at the YSS Bookstore.
Those who may be unfamiliar with the concepts and terminology of the yoga tradition will find brief helpful explanations of terms used on our website in our online Glossary.
