In the month of April, I was experiencing so many challenges in my life with my house (damp, mould and disrepair), my eldest son lost vision in his left eye on his birthday (in August last year) and there were many ongoing investigations. I needed to be in an environment and presence of these Great Masters (see the image above).

I came across a four day opportunity to visit the Self Realization Fellowship (SRF) Chapel in London, where two Monks Brother Samatananda and Muktananda from California were coming to visit. When I saw the flyer I felt like my prayers had been answered. I found it really special because on the last day of their event (Sunday 21st April) it was Swami Kriyananda Moksha Day. 

On my journey to London I came across a coach and the writing on it said "Get out More in Life", I chuckled because I felt that it was true.

When I arrived in London and checked my phone, I realised that my battery was dying. Since I had never been to the SRF Chapel before, I needed my phone to find my way there. I entered a Methodist Church and politely asked a lady if I could charge my phone. She kindly agreed. While waiting for my phone to charge, I took in the beauty of the church. The air was alive with chatter as everyone prepared for choir practice. I was in awe, as I had always wanted to join a choir. Watching everyone in action and getting ready filled me with a sense of being heard, love, and synchronicity. It felt like I was meant to be there, and I enjoyed being surrounded by musicians. Afterwards, I spoke to a woman about the choir and thanked her for letting me charge my phone while they were getting ready to begin.

I finally reached the SRF Chapel (see the photos above), and I was as happy as a little girl eating candy. I was so delighted to be there. Paramhansa Yogananda said that “Environment is Stronger than Willpower”, and I really experienced that as soon as I entered through the doors. Everyone I met was kind; they bowed to me and said "Jai Guru." I could feel Divine Mother’s unconditional love for me radiating out of them. I was so humbled and grateful for how a beautiful Chapel could radiate so much love.

I took a seat in the second row from the front and was amazed by all the photos of the Masters and to see them in real life (see the picture above). It was a palpable experience, unlike anything I had ever felt before. The first photo that drew my attention was of Lahiri Mahasaya. I sensed his presence affecting me immediately; it felt like he was healing my son's left eye through me. Interestingly, I also have a lazy left eye as well.

On the first evening, a talk was given by one of the monks Brother Samatananda "God’s Love for his Devotees." (you can see a picture of Brother Samatananda above) It was a very inspirational talk, I could resonate with what he was sharing with us. I was able to get an opportunity to share with him about my journey to the SRF Chapel and how I was able to feel Divine Mother's love for me, ensuring that I got there safely and how it was Divinely Orchestrated. It was my first time away from my youngest son since I was ordained as a minister in 2019, so I was really grateful for the time to myself. I decided not to attend the second day, as I needed rest and wanted to spend time alone. I remember waking up and feeling as if I had been ordained again—it was a very powerful feeling and experience.

On the third day there was a three hour kirtan, and I was really looking forward to this the most. I have never participated in a three hour kirtan or meditation in person before only online. So I was a bit apprehensive about whether I would be able to sit for that long. However, I managed to do it. I knew all the chants they played, and it was a very powerful healing experience for me. I was deeply touched by feeling the presence of God, Divine Mother, and the Masters. I was extremely grateful for the chance to chant and sing with everyone. When you're online, you sing to yourself and you don’t get to experience the power of a group singing together, so I really appreciated it. Three hours flew by fast, and I felt like I could have gone for another three hours :).

During the kirtan, I felt a connection with Krishna (see the picture of Krishna above). I'm not very familiar with Krishna as Ananda only has five Great Masters on their altars, but when I got back to the hotel, I read something from Paramhansa Yogananda on one of the leaflets I picked up. It said that Krishna protects his devotees. Reading those words brought me great comfort.

On the fourth day, the last day was truly special. Before meditation began, I felt drawn to playing on the harmonium but I never. Brother Muktananda delivered a powerful Sunday Service, it was beautiful to watch in person. We also enjoyed an amazing Indian Lunch (I am not a lover of Indian food, but that was the best Indian food I have ever tasted), and we had a group photo. After lunch, we watched a video of Paramahansa Yogananda in India. It was truly a blessing to see him in action, his playfulness, to hear his voice and to see how he interacted with his spiritual family and treated them. This experience filled me with wonder and I could only imagine how he would have treated me. I also thought about Swami Kriyananda (see a picture of him below) as it was his Moksha Day. I thanked him for his guidance, friendship and support. I could feel his happiness and blessings for me.

I had a wonderful experience connecting and being in fellowship with others who are also on the path of Self Realization and being able to have meaningful conversations with them. It's not often that I have this opportunity, everyone's kindness made it feel like being with family. Although there were moments when I became aware that I was a stranger, instantaneously in me, the thoughts and feelings were dissolved in my being of thinking or feeling I was alone and a stranger. I cherished every moment spent especially the time spent being in silence and in meditation with the Great Masters of Self Realization and Kriya Yoga and Divine Mother, as I didn't want to waste a single minute.

Also, I went into their library in the SRF Chapel it was so lovely to see the books by Paramhansa Yogananda and touch the books, because a majority of the books I have are ebooks.  There were two books that I opened by random Whispers Of Eternity and Metaphysical Meditations where I was blessed with three prayers that held special significance for me and my family. But I will share two of them.

Whispers from Eternity

Heal My Nerves and Install in Me a New Set of Telephonic Nerves

When Thou camest, I smiled in my soul‐cottage by the little brook of life. O Mystic Electrician, the many‐tinted bulbs of unawakened happiness, long dependent on my nerve‐clogged senses, refused to scintillate with light.

For the nerve‐wires had been torn and shaken by high winds of outward involvement. O Thou Silent Physician of Illness! Heal my tattered nerves! Restorer of shining currents in our lives, resurrect all the dead nerve‐wires not only in me, but in people everywhere.

Breathe into their bodies an unleashed flow of power, that all the unlit, bare‐wired and dangling bulbs of their senses may suddenly shine again with Thy blazing glory.

I am but the bulb: Thou art the holy energy that can animate it. Thou art, indeed, both bulb and light. Help all men to realize this miracle! Heal all our shattered nerves, and flood all the disease-clogged wires leading to those bulbs with the effulgence of Thy divine light.

Metaphysical Meditations

Healing Light of God 

Thy perfect light is omnipresent in all my body parts. Wherever that healing light is manifest, there is perfection. I am well, for perfection is in me.

Thy healing light has been shining within me, around me, but I kept the eyes of my inner perceptions closed and beheld not Thy transmuting light. I will plunge the gaze of my faith through the window of the spiritual eye and baptize my body in the healing light of Christ Consciousness.

Heavenly Father, teach me to remember Thee in poverty or prosperity, in sickness or health, in ignorance or wisdom. Teach me to open my closed eyes of unbelief and behold Thine instantaneously healing light.

Divine Mother and The Great Masters heard my pain, anguish and desperation. No one in the SRF Chapel would have ever detected what I was going through because I never showed or shared. But being in an environment that is dedicated to Paramhansa Yogananda, God, Divine Mother, the Saints and the Masters instantly removed all traces of my fears, worries and brought me hope, clarity and the love God has for his Devotees. Something you can't always get online.

In my four day experience, I was nurtured and restored by Divine Mother’s love. I couldn’t escape the presence of spirit. I could feel the presence of spirit dancing around me… The healing light of God radiated through me in a way I can’t even put into words. In my meditation the next day I chanted and played on the harmonium 3 cosmic chants back to back for three hours, which I have never done before. Later in the week, I had a dream about Paramhansa Yogananda.

“I went to visit Paramhansa Yogananda's home in India, I was shown around by small unusal looking Indian men. As I was walking around I began to start worrying if one of the small Indian men who I was fond of was going to come back and take me home. Then all of a sudden he appeared and said why did you think that I wasn't going to come back and take you home. Then an Indian prince appeared and kissed me, (I still remember the lingering kiss on my lips) the prince left and went to kiss someone else but I looked at him and his eyes turned to mine, instead of kissing the other person and then the dream ended”.  I felt fortunate to have experienced such a dream… I was left clueless, in a state of wonder, but deeply loved.

I want to conclude my blog with some words from the Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, which I sourced from this website https://www.holy-bhagavad-gita.org/chapter/18

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18.60

O Arjun, that action which out of delusion you do not wish to do, you will be driven to do it by your own inclination, born of your own material nature.

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18.61

The Supreme Lord dwells in the hearts of all living beings, O Arjun. According to their karmas, He directs the wanderings of the souls, who are seated on a machine made of material energy.

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18.62

Surrender exclusively unto Him with your whole being, O Bharat. By His grace, you will attain perfect peace and the eternal abode.

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18.63

Thus, I have explained to you this knowledge that is more secret than all secrets. Ponder over it deeply, and then do as you wish.

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18.64

Hear again My supreme instruction, the most confidential of all knowledge. I am revealing this for your benefit because you are very dear to Me.

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18.65

Always think of Me, be devoted to Me, worship Me, and offer obeisance to Me. Doing so, you will certainly come to Me. This is My pledge to you, for you are very dear to Me.

As God is dear to me, and to us all, she commits, pledges and vows her love to us all…

Blessings & Love 

Rev sushumnadwara Pemberton

Some of the photos were kindly shared with me by the photographer for Self-Realization Fellowship London.