Frequently Asked Questions
Attending Our Meditation Services
We meditate with closed eyes, seated on chairs. There is no need to bring any accessories. Beginners are given basic instructions at the start of each service. After that, the meditation is silent except during periods of chanting. Please see the Beginner’s Meditation page on the SRF site. Those interested in learning the SRF meditation techniques are encouraged to sign up for the SRF Lessons. For those wishing to sit on the floor to meditate, unfortunately, we do not have a dedicated space available.
We encourage those who attend SRF meetings to dress conservatively and comfortably, as you generally would when attending a church or religious service. Please, no shorts, bathing suits or bare feet. You do not need to remove your shoes in SRF Chapels. It is best to wear fabrics that don’t make noise and please refrain from wearing fragrances and scented oils. Those who are prone to getting “chilly” may wish to bring a shawl or sweater as we endeavor to keep the Chapel cool during the Texas summer.
People are encouraged to arrive a few minutes early in order to find a seat and calmly settle in before the service begins. Our doors are open at 9:30 every Sunday. If you arrive after a service has begun, please wait for the usher to admit you during one of the chants. If you need to leave before the end of a service, please try to do so during a chant or reading.
There is a parking lot at the Britain Way Center where we are located at 2011 North Britain Rd in Irving TX.
All meditation services at our Chapel are open to the public. Everyone is welcome to attend. There is no fee. You do not need to sign up or register. No background in meditation is required.
To meditate in the Chapel, you must be at least 12 years old and be able to remain quiet and still. For those who are younger, we have a Family Room directly connected to Sunday School where a parent can stay with their child and hear the Service. The Family Room also has a large window that allows you to watch the Sunday School activities. Sunday School meets from 11a.m. to 12 p.m. Please contact us if you are interested in enrolling your child at sundayschool@srfdallasfortworth.org.
The Sunday Reading Service 11 a.m.–12 p.m. is a good introduction for those not familiar with meditation or with SRF. The Reading Service includes shorter periods of meditation, devotional chanting and readings from the New Testament and Bhagavad Gita.
Kriya Yoga
A good place to start is to read Chapter 26 of Autobiography of a Yogi, in which Paramahansa Yogananda describes the history and purpose of Kriya Yoga. Also, there is a page on the Self-Realization Fellowship web site explaining the Kriya Yoga path. SRF students initially devote themselves to a period of preliminary study and meditation in order to prepare themselves physically, mentally, and spiritually for Kriya Yoga practice. This is through a series of printed SRF Lessons written by Paramahansa Yogananda. The Lessons can be studied at home. Those studying the basic series of the Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons may apply to receive Kriya Yoga by submitting their personal report to the SRF Mother Center after completing Lesson 18.
Sunday School and Teen Group
Established over 30 years ago following the guidelines established by SRF, we have a Sunday School program for children between the ages of 5-12 that meets from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Both the Sunday School and the monthly Teen Group conveniently overlap with the Sunday Reading Service, which parents can attend while their children are in class. In each class, the teachers and aides present some aspect of Paramahansa Yogananda’s “How-to-Live” principles in a way that children can easily understand and enjoy. The purpose of SRF Sunday Schools is to inspire children to seek God and love Him above all else, and to share His love with all.
If you have any questions, or would be interested in helping or observing the Sunday School activities, or having your child attend our Sunday School, please contact our Sunday School Coordinator at sundayschool@srfdallasfortworth.org.
We look forward to serving your children.
The Teen Group (ages 13-18) meets on the first Sunday of every month from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. The Class begins with a brief meditation and all activities are based on “Exploring Paramahansa Yogananda’s Teachings With Teens” created by the SRF Youth Services Department. The adult leader leads the group in reading and discussing stories and events taken from Autobiography of a Yogi and Mejda, The Family and the Early Life of Paramahansa Yogananda. For more information please contact teengroup@srfdallasfortworth.org
Monthly eNewsletter & Calendar
You can sign up electronically in our foyer to receive our Monthly eNewletter and also here on our website. We encourage everyone to subscribe to our Monthly eNewsletter and check our Monthly Calendar as this is the most efficient way to stay up to date with our activities.
You can email us via our Contact Form on this website. We will respond to your email with a detailed response to your questions. You may also call and leave a voicemail at 972-294-7161. Messages are checked daily.
Book Room and Lending Library
We have a well-stocked bookroom that is open for 30 minutes every Sunday from 12:00 to 12:30PM. We also have a modest Lending library with items available for loan by signing them out.