Youth of Golden Age NPO was established in 2005 as the legal successor of the informal international fellowship Youth of Golden Age, which had existed since 1994.
Already in 1993, during the annual Convocation of the Self-Realization Fellowship in Los Angeles, California some young SRF members had the vision of a fellowship between young (and young at heart) members. The inspiration was felt to get together during the weekends or holidays, to meditate, to visit the cinemas and to go hiking. In the following months, a plan for the first weekend retreat came to be, a retreat which would take place 1994 in Germany. After months of communication and planning the retreat was an immense success. These were the first steps of Youth of Golden Age.
That we are the “Youth of the Golden Age,” may sound a bit arrogant, but it´s rather supposed to inspire to self-reflection and to increase our own incentives. The Golden Age, which corresponds to the Sattva Yuga, is the age in which the general consciousness has become very high and many souls have found liberation.
Youth of Golden Age NPO is an independent association of young followers of the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananada, as they are taught by the Self-Realization Fellowship (https://www.yogananda-srf.org). However, we are not officially affiliated to Self-Realization Fellowship. We are very close to Paramahansa Yogananda’s organization and many of us take part in official SRF events in Europe. It´s a great happiness for us that we have received support from many of the monks and nuns of SRF throughout the years.
There are some practical reasons why the activities of our fellowship have been given the frame of an official association. The main reason was that we were growing more and more through the years. An association is a simple and reliable structure, that has defined rights and obligations, permeated with principles of democracy and constitution. Every organization must be registered in an association register and our fellowship is listed there as a non-profit organisation. The extra work that this created is compensated by the possibilities to use financial, representational and organizational options, which would not be possible for a private person. Additionally, the association gives every member the opportunity and the commitment to get involved. By now that has become inevitable at our ever enlarging events.
The expression retreat origins from the verb “to retreat”, synonymous with “to withdraw”. According to the classic usage of the word, it´s a withdrawal during a limited period of time. It involves opportunities to step out of the everyday life to create space for introspection about one´s own self and life. Youth of Golden Age shares this concept on retreats. However, we also emphasise social interaction. Our retreats therefore involve activities like music, outings in nature, preparing food and eating together, as well as meditation and introspection. The inspiration from the community can thereby help to stimulate the higher Self. During our retreats we enjoy an atmosphere of joyful spirituality.
No, one doesn’t need to be a Self-Realization Fellowship (https://www.yogananda-srf.org) member. However, one should be open to and curious about the Yoga teachings and the philosophy of Paramahansa Yogananda, even if it´s still a very recent discovery. We are very happy to welcome new members and participants. Please don´t hesitate to get in touch with us!