AMONGST the various cut-throat industries of Los Angeles, it
is comforting to know that one can still escape to a place like the
Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine.
Many Angelenos don’t even know about it, though it has been been located
right off the PCH on Sunset Boulevard for over six decades.

One of the biggest modern attractions to Lake Shrine is the Mahatma
Gandhi World Peace Memorial. This
“wall-less temple” is the only location outside of India where you can find a
portion of Gandhi’s ashes. Lake Shrine
got these bragging rights because of the deep spiritual connection between
Gandhi and Yogananda, although the donation of ashes irritated some of Gandhi’s
family members. The Gandhi Memorial reminds
the disillusioned and sacrilege that there still is a place for spirituality
and sacredness in Los Angeles.

I go to Lake Shrine periodically when I need to be reminded
of a greater meaning. When I go there, I
am reminded to hope, I am reminded of beauty and belief. I am reminded of historic LA. I imagine seeing Elvis sitting on the
opposite side of the Lake, or George Harris meditating in the windmill
chapel. I love Lake Shrine because it
reminds me of all the important stuff that LA might want me to forget.
-- Carey UhlPhotos 1 & 2: Self-Realization Fellowship Website
Photo 3 Credit: Bruce Stinshoff
Paramahansa Yogananda's Lake Shrine is indeed
ReplyDeletea powerful center of spiritual peace and love.
the Master often experienced God consciousness
in these environs and most visitors can feel
the presence of this great Avatar of this age.
I have been there several times and it is a
place of great peace and harmony. Uplifting
ones awareness of the divine.