In view of Gurudeva Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda’s pivotal role in the spread of yoga worldwide, Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (YSS) conducted various programmes to commemorate the 4th International Day of Yoga (IDY) which falls on June 21 every year. 

Certainly Paramahansaji would be very pleased to learn that the world will now be paying homage annually to the philosophy and science of Yoga, as his life was dedicated to introducing all truth seekers to the time-honored techniques of yoga meditation.

In the National Capital Region of Delhi, IDY was celebrated at the Noida Ashram, Delhi Kendra and Gurugram Kendra of YSS.

Communication and publicity for the IDY programmes at the three places were done ahead of the programme via announcements, SMS, email, website, newspaper advertisements and hoardings. Devotees who had friends or family with a keen interest to learn meditation were encouraged to attend. An advertisement was placed in the Delhi edition of the Times of India newspaper informing the general public about this programme. Pamphlets were inserted in local newspapers in Noida, and banners were displayed outside the Ashram as well as on the outer walls of the pandal.

YSS Noida Ashram

On the evening of June 24, 2018, YSS Noida Ashram organised an introductory programme on meditation along with an open house session for the public from 6 pm to 8 pm.

The programme commenced with the singing of cosmic chants and bhajans by devotees to the accompaniment of tabla and cymbals. Following the chanting session, Swami Lalitanandaji conducted a brief meditation and satsanga.

At the very beginning, he told the audience that they are special because they belong to a very small percentage of humanity, who is interested in seeking and finding God. Their interest in understanding the teachings of the great Gurus of yoga shows a high evolutionary level. He quoted from Adi Shankaracharya’s Vivekachudamani where he mentions that a person is supremely lucky to have three things in one birth: a human form, desire for God and a satguru.

Describing the main yoga paths: Karma, Bhakti, Jnana, Mantra, Hatha and Raja yoga, he elaborated the latter. Talking about the science of Kriya Yoga, he explained how it has been made available through the instrumentality of the great gurus of Yogoda (YSS) to the members on this spiritual path. He also touched upon the importance of Kriya Diksha or initiation, through which only the technique can be received and practiced.

After the satsanga, Swami Sadanandaji took the audience through a period of guided meditation and also explained the method of healing techniques. He concluded by conducting healing technique with all the guests and devotees present in the pandal.

The programme was attended by around 500 people, including close to 150 guests (non-YSS Lesson members). An open house session was arranged at three venues for guests at the close of the programme where YSS sannyasis answered the questions regarding yoga and meditation posed by the inquisitive guests. About 45 guests participated in these open house sessions. 

Simultaneously, Children Sunday Satsanga also celebrated IDY through a programme in the Dhyan Mandir. Around 600 devotees, guests and children joined the Guru langar after the programme.

The enthusiasm about yoga teachings was visible among many guests and the initiative in this regard was received well by the audience.

YSS Delhi Kendra

On the morning of June 24, 2018, IDY was also celebrated in YSS Delhi Kendra - where guests and devotees were welcomed by attractive jasmine decorations as well as by an inspiring talk on yoga by Brahmachari Sheelanandaji.

In his satsanga, he made people aware of the true meaning of yoga. He also gave a brief introduction about YSS, taking the attendees through the evolution of the organisation founded by Gurudeva Sri Sri Paramahansa Yoganandaji to disseminate spiritual teachings - how Guruji established YSS about a century ago, in 1917, with just seven students in Dihika, and later, founded SRF in 1920, released His world-best-selling spiritual classic the Autobiography of a Yogi in 1945. The book is now available in 50 languages, of which 15 are Indian languages. It is the second book after the Holy Bible which 95 per cent of the world’s population can read in their own language.

Having successfully completed 100 years in 2017, YSS commemorated this eventful year with the release of a Centenary Commemoration stamp by honourable Prime Minister of India - Sri Narendra Modi - on March 7, 2017. Later, in November,  honourable President of India - Sri Ramnath Kovind - in the presence of our YSS/SRF President Swami Chidanandaji released the Hindi version of 'God Talks with Arjuna,' Guruji's commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, in Ranchi.

Brahmachariji mentioned that Gurudeva's world mission was to spread the Kriya Yoga teachings of YSS/SRF. He said how each human is troubled because we try to find out unlimited joy from limiting objects. But, the only way to find unadulterated limitless happiness is through renunciation from material objects. By renunciation itself, the mind can become stable and focused at the unified thought that we are all souls and we have originated from the ultimate divine.

Brahmachariji led the attendees through a guided meditation that lasted 30 minutes, wherein he shared guidelines for the correct posture and other essentials for meditation.

The cosmic chant 'Door of my heart' was sung by all present, and healing prayers were conducted at the close of the programme. Brahmachariji explained why we use 'Om' in all our prayers, as 'Om' is the omnipresent sound of God which is present in each atom of this universe. He also mentioned that rubbing of our palms directs the energy to whom we are passing and this is very effective for the person for whom we are praying.

A question-and-answer session in the open house evoked a good response, where newcomers sought responses from him for their queries.

YSS Gurugram Kendra

On the morning of June 17, 2018, IDY was celebrated at YSS Gurugram Kendra through a programme to introduce Kriya Yoga to spiritual seekers. Swami Sadanandaji conducted the programme that included a spiritual discourse, guided meditation, visualization technique, healing and closing prayer. Spiritual queries of guests were addressed during an open house which was followed by refreshments, books exhibition and new members’ enrolments. The programme was attended by nearly 140 people including 25 newcomers.

In his spiritual discourse, Swamiji spoke about the YSS aims and ideals. He spoke about Kriya Yoga teachings as the fastest route to Self-Realization. Swamiji also mentioned that normally a human being needs 10 lakh incarnations to reach the goal of God Realization, but through Kriya Yoga practice this period can be shortened significantly. He spoke about the importance of a God-realized Guru in one's spiritual journey. In modern times, Paramahansa Yoganandaji introduced the system of sending his teachings in the form of lessons directly to students’ homes.