I joined VLD for its promise of greater attunement with my Guru. I thrilled at the blessing of dedicating my life to God, of loving God and serving God. And the blessings continue. The activities of VLD have all contributed to making me more focused on my sadhana and making a greater effort to follow the “Spiritual Duties” [outlined for VLD members], than ever before. And my faith and expectation is that the rest will follow.
—H.K., Kolkata
As Swami Chidanandaji, president and spiritual head of Yogoda Satsanga Society of India/Self-Realization Fellowship (YSS/SRF) conveys in his message welcoming readers to the Voluntary League of Disciples Handbook, “Paramahansa Yogananda devoted much time during the final years of his life to the formation of a vehicle or structure through which Kriyaban members of YSS and SRF worldwide could actively participate in the growth and progress of his work. Now that dream has come to fruition with the formal inauguration of the YSS and SRF Voluntary League of Disciples.”
Since that inauguration, in June of 2021, there have been many exciting new opportunities for members of this lay disciple order to offer service — and learn more about deepening their discipleship on the path. In this post, we are happy to share with you some of those ongoing developments.
But first, here is some background about how being a Kriya Yogi in Yogoda Satsanga Society of India relates to the question of whether someone also chooses to become a member of the Voluntary League of Disciples (VLD):
The Unique Support and Approach of VLD Classes
In an online satsanga held for YSS/SRF Kriyabans shortly after the inauguration, Swami Chidanandaji highlighted that “The Voluntary League of Disciples, first and foremost, is about discipleship, and then about serving the work with that consciousness — from that attitude, from that inner alignment with and dedication to Guru….This is the Voluntary League in a nutshell: Kriyaban disciples, of YSS and SRF, who make a commitment to living the life and serving the work.”
The VLD classes and workshops conducted monthly by YSS and SRF monastics offer inspiring, insightful, and practical counsel to VLD members. These events are designed to support members in fulfilling the pledge they have taken and to help them absorb the principles of Paramahansaji’s teachings more deeply into their consciousness.
In the last two years, the following vital topics have been covered as part of VLD online classes delivered by YSS monastics:
- Hastening Our Progress to the Divine Through a Spiritual Routine
- Insights Into the Practice of the Hong-Sau Technique
- The Value of Balanced Life for Kriyabans
- Reflections on Sri Daya Mata’s Motto: Love, Serve, Courage, Faith
VLD members who missed these classes given by YSS monastics, or those who would like to review them again, can view these videos in the Content section of the YSS VLD website. VLD members can access this by logging in using their Devotee Portal login and password.
A unique feature of the VLD classes has been joint satsangas by monastics from YSS and SRF, live-streamed from opposite sides of the globe. They have helped to foster a greater sense of unity and closeness of among our global family of Kriyaban brothers and sisters.
The topics of these satsangas were:
- Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda: A God-Ordained Guru for East and West
- Answers to Questions From VLD Members
- Fulfilling Your Divine Purpose
While the monastics were imparting their insights, the satsanga experience felt akin to being in the comforting presence of wise elders at home, generously sharing spiritual inspiration with me.
—R. M., Pune
There were many practical gems in the session personally valuable to me. These were insights from monastics who have overcome similar obstacles in their own sadhana. There were useful tips for both veteran and new disciples on the path.
—U. V., Delhi
VLD Member Fellowship Events
YSS VLD members were part of three online fellowships which were conducted by VLD member volunteers in March, July, and September 2022.
The YSS VLD member fellowship in March 2022 included a monastic satsanga and included sharing of personal experiences in their sadhana and seva by a panel of four long-time VLD members from YSS and SRF. It also had a facilitated breakout session where YSS VLD members from all over India joined Zoom breakout rooms to reflect on the monastic message and the insights shared by the panelists.
I especially loved hearing the personal stories shared by the panel members. This is a rare experience to hear from devotees; they were wonderful examples of the beautiful family of Guruji. Highlights for me: Swamiji’s talk, panel discussion, breakout rooms! In short, everything about the event!
—From one of the fellowship participants.
VLD Retreat at Noida
A special in-person weekend retreat exclusively for the members of the Voluntary League of Disciples (VLD) was conducted at the YSS Noida ashram and was live-streamed to the YSS Dakshineswar ashram, Igatpuri, Pune, Chennai, and Coimbatore retreat centres during April 14 – 16, 2023.
The retreat included monastic-led meditations and satsangas on the topics: “The Role of Seva in Our Sadhana” and “Making Our Meditations Deeper and Sweeter.”
Attending the VLD retreat at the YSS Noida Ashram was a transformative experience, providing me with a sense of inner security and calmness. I discovered a renewed enthusiasm for all my worldly duties, regardless of their nature—whether interesting or not, difficult or easy. This experience has shifted my attitude, guiding me to approach my work with a mindset of service. Also, my meditations have become more regular, deeper, and sweeter.
— M. M., Bhubaneswar
VLD Information Booth and Information Desk at Sangams
VLD members embraced the opportunity to share information about the VLD with those YSS devotees and Kriyabans who were interested in learning more.
During the YSS Sangam 2023 at Hyderabad, VLD members from various kendras and cities came together to collectively reflect on the key points of membership in the VLD. They also set up a booth to share this information with those Kriyaban devotees who were interested. About 500 Guru-bhais and Guru-behens visited the booth.
To Learn More
To learn more about the Voluntary League of Disciples, please visit the YSS VLD website. One of the helpful things you will find there is a short video clip from a talk given by the President and Spiritual Head of YSS/SRF, Sri Sri Swami Chidananda Giri, in which he explains the purpose of the VLD.
If you have a YSS Devotee Portal account, you can also log in there to find the Voluntary League of Disciples Handbook, which includes a comprehensive presentation of the history and purpose of the VLD as well as the VLD Pledge. The Handbook can also be accessed by YSS/SRF Kriyabans through the SRF/YSS app.
