Akademik

(est. 1970s)

   The Amrita Foundation was founded in Dallas, Texas, during the 1970s by former associates of the SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP (SRF), who felt the need for independent development and wanted to publish their own version of the teachings of Paramahansa YOGANANDA (1893–1952). Since the 1920s, SRF had taken prime responsibility for publishing and circulating Yogananda’s writings, but after his death some followers thought that the SRF’s editing distorted the texts.

   As SRF owned the copyrights to most of Yogananda’s writings, the Amrita Foundation set about reprinting materials that had passed into the public domain, including the original editions of Yogananda’s writings. Among the reprints were the initial writings and essential teachings of the infrastructure of Yogananda’s work—the lessons on KRIYA YOGA distributed to students.

   The home study course is a hallmark fea-ture of the foundation’s services, making the kriya lessons available to everyone. Issues are sent out each month to subscribers. The focal points of these lessons include the principles of MEDITATION and concentration, as well as physical practices designed to facilitate the spiritual development that kriya yoga can help achieve. Advice on diet and nutrition is also promoted; an important aspect of kriya yoga is promotion of a healthy body in order to awaken KUNDALINI energy as the vehicle to spiritual bliss (ANANDA).

   The foundation has reprinted a substantial number of the first editions of Yogananda’s early writings, including The Second Coming of Christ, Songs of the Soul, and Whispers from Eternity. The foundation remains based in Dallas, Texas.

   Further reading: Paramahansa Yogananda, Second Com-ing of Christ (Dallas: Amrita Foundation, 1984); ———, Songs of the Soul (Dallas: Amrita Foundation, 1980).