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Ananda "demonstrates" at SRF Convocation. Ananda members speak directly to SRF members for the first time about 11-year lawsuit. Daily reports from Asha Praver August 19-26, 2001 Ananda members decided, for the first time ever, to communicate directly with SRF’s membership about the topics raised on this website. They traveled to SRF’s annual Convocation in LA during the week of August 19, 2001. Standing outside the entrances to the Bonaventure Hotel, they passed out information about the lawsuit, detailing the numerous changes that have been made to Yogananda’s teachings by SRF since the Master’s passing. Letters describing the events of the week were send to Ananda friends via email each day. These letters follow: Ananda at the SRF Convocation News from Asha Praver Monday, August 20, 2001 Dear friends: SRF greeted all its convocation attendees with a letter telling them about Ananda. I’ve include it here. After all these years of silence, now they start convocation by relating to us. A good direction. Yesterday also, the first day of convocation, two or maybe three times, monastics spoke to their members about Ananda people being outside. One monk told a group that the lawsuit is “about copyrights of photographs and writings.” Later, at the opening evening program, a monk spoke about Ananda people being outside passing out literature. We don’t know exactly what he said. One SRF woman told us that she felt “disquieted” by what he said but didn’t remember his words, except that he said at the end that the world is big enough for both organizations. Another man rushed right up to us after the program—we were outside the entry doors of the Bonaventure Hotel where the convocation is being held—and asked for our newspaper of information. “I love to hear both sides,” he said. “They told us you were out here.” Almost all our interactions have been very cordial. About half the people we’ve offered the paper to have accepted it. A few have engaged in conversation. One longtime SRF volunteer took a copy, went away and read a bit of it, came back and asked for two more, left and then returned again, asking for two more. He said he is in a dilemma: he has been part of SRF for years, volunteers and loves it, but also sees our point of view. Another group of young women said, “Master said all presidents of SRF would be God-realized. Daya Mata is God-realized so she must know what she is doing.” It was put more as a dilemma, however, than a dogma. Our answer is to direct them to the website, “where you can find more information if you are interested.” Several people have been sitting in the hotel lobby reading our newspaper with a stack next to them. We are primarily scattered along the sidewalks outside the Bonaventure and near the other hotels where SRF attendees are staying, or have to walk to get to the Bonventure. We’ll see what response we get today after the announcement last night. We are gathering outside the Bonaventure to sing and chant at transition times for the SRF programs. SRF people going by can’t help but smile—and sometimes even join in—when they hear us chanting. We don’t have to be very organized about what we are doing. There are 5000-7000 SRF members all over about a six block area, so everywhere is a good place to be. Only one person has been rude, and it was very easy just to let him say his short piece and then walk away from us. Today we are setting up our public room, with a beautiful video of Master and the lst edition of the Autobiography of a Yogi for sale, and also a display of relics of the gurus. We have signs advertising that room, and the website. We may also carry copies of the video out onto the street and tell people where they can get a copy. About forty people are here now. We had a beautiful morning meditation and then a good meeting. People who were here yesterday—about 20—shared their experiences. Everyone seems to be enjoying the experience. It will be a very interesting week! Below is the letter SRF is giving out to attendees: August 19, 2001 Dear One of God and Gurus: We warmly welcome you to our 2001 World Convocation! As we all come together to share in the soul-liberating teachings of our beloved guru, Paramhansa Yogananda, we wish you a week filled with much inspiration, spiritual renewal, and divine fellowship. This week offers a wonderful opportunity for each one of us to attune ourselves more deeply with God, focusing on the inherent goodness and strength that are the hallmarks of our true soul nature. Sri Daya Mata has said that when we come together we feel the cumulative power of our individual efforts. “We are motivated to use more fully the priceless gift of the Self-Realization Fellowship teachings, to remember how much we are cherished by the Divine, and to find in our hearts a new depth of compassion for others.” On this note, we wanted to let you know that there may be members of an organization called Ananda Church of Self-Realization outside and around the Bonaventure and Biltmore Hotels for the purpose of publicizing their own activities and distributing literature. It is important for you to know that this group is not part of our SRF Convocation activities. And although some of the literature may be of a confrontational nature, we encourage you to simply reflect our Guru’s spirit of kindness and goodwill. So that you may fully benefit from the spiritually uplifting atmosphere of Convocation, we would recommend not engaging in debate with members of this group. Rather, if you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to speak with one of the SRF monastics or volunteers who will be present at the Bonaventure Hotel throughout the week of Convocation. And, more importantly, we encourage you to pray for the harmony and spiritual well-being of all. May we strive to emulate our Guru’s spirit of understanding, peace, and friendship during this blessed week of fellowship and divine communion. In divine friendship, SRF Mother Center (end of letter from SRF) —————————- (more from Asha) In our meeting this morning, we were talking about the fact that this is a long effort that we are making. This week we are tossing pebbles into a big lake, creating many ripples that may take time to reach the shore. Also, thoughts are very powerful. We need to be steadfast in our vision of Master for the World, a movement of Self-realization spreading out in all directions, way beyond the capacity of any organization or any little group to direct. Above all, we pray to be Master’s instruments, to bring into manifestation his message, his mission, his consciousness. Jai Guru, Joy, Asha for Ananda-at-the-Convocation. P.S. One little anecdote: The “Roman Room”—Ananda’s room at the Biltmore—is beautiful and already SRF people are coming in. The video and the lst edition Autobiography are big draws. One dynamic SRF woman came to the room after reading the newspaper. She said: “Last night the monk told us about you. He said, ‘Daya Mata says people can preach whatever they want.’ Then I read your newspaper—They are suing you!!” That about sums it up. Joy, Asha Next letter Top | Back to: Current events and news| Home | Contact Us | Directory/Site Map Updated: November 26, 2001 www.YoganandaRediscovered.org/CurrentEvents3.html