"I want Thee, O God, That I may give Thee to all! I want salvation,That I may give it to all!
Free me, then, O God from the bondage of the body— That I may show others how they can free themselves!"
Paramahansa Yogananda in Cincinnati
On October 3rd, 1926, Swami Yogananda began his lecture series in Cincinnati, Ohio. Though he entered the city as a stranger, he left it on December 2nd as one of its best-known and best-loved visitors. Never were two months more packed with activity and welcoming of the Yogoda message.
Swami's opening address on October 3rd attracted the largest audience that had ever gathered to hear a lecture in the huge Music Hall of Cincinnati, seating over 3,600 people. Swami continued his lectures in Music Hall until October 18th, after which several Yogoda evening classes were formed, and also an afternoon Yogoda class at the Cincinnati Woman's Club. These several classes taught by the Swami in Cincinnati were comprised of over 1,100 students.
(Swami Yogananda (circled) in Elks Temple, Cincinnati, on Nov. 2nd, 1926)
Cincinnati displayed a very warm enthusiasm for Swami's Yogoda teachings and the finest type of citizens lent their united support to his message. Deep appreciation is especially extended to the excellent and nationally known newspaper, the Cincinnati "Enquirer," who opened the columns of the "Enquirer" to Swami's message to such an extent that practicably every person in Cincinnati became familiar in some degree with the teachings of Yogoda. Swami's lectures appeared in full every day in the "Enquirer" and were the means of reaching hundreds of thousands of Ohio people who could not attend the lectures in person. If all newspapers displayed such a fine progressive spirit, people could quickly be educated to the taste for the better things of life. Such newspapers as the Cincinnati "Enquirer" are the best ministers to the education of the public. Mr. Frederick F. Downs, vice-president of the United States Can Company.
Among other prominent citizens of Cincinnati who became Yogoda students were: Mrs. Nettie B. Loughead, first woman Senator to the Ohio State Legislature; Mr. Thomas L. Tallentire, attorney and member of the State Legislature; Mr. Clair H. Norton, noted Cincinnati manufacturer; Miss Annie Laws, first president of the Cincinnati Woman's Club, nationally known educator, and president of the Kindergarten Mothers Club; Mr. Robert W. Smith, attorney and national committee man of the American Legion, all socially prominent in Cincinnati.
Swami's opening address on October 3rd attracted the largest audience that had ever gathered to hear a lecture in the huge Music Hall of Cincinnati, seating over 3,600 people. Swami continued his lectures in Music Hall until October 18th, after which several Yogoda evening classes were formed, and also an afternoon Yogoda class at the Cincinnati Woman's Club. These several classes taught by the Swami in Cincinnati were comprised of over 1,100 students.
(Swami Yogananda (circled) in Elks Temple, Cincinnati, on Nov. 2nd, 1926)
Cincinnati displayed a very warm enthusiasm for Swami's Yogoda teachings and the finest type of citizens lent their united support to his message. Deep appreciation is especially extended to the excellent and nationally known newspaper, the Cincinnati "Enquirer," who opened the columns of the "Enquirer" to Swami's message to such an extent that practicably every person in Cincinnati became familiar in some degree with the teachings of Yogoda. Swami's lectures appeared in full every day in the "Enquirer" and were the means of reaching hundreds of thousands of Ohio people who could not attend the lectures in person. If all newspapers displayed such a fine progressive spirit, people could quickly be educated to the taste for the better things of life. Such newspapers as the Cincinnati "Enquirer" are the best ministers to the education of the public. Mr. Frederick F. Downs, vice-president of the United States Can Company.
Among other prominent citizens of Cincinnati who became Yogoda students were: Mrs. Nettie B. Loughead, first woman Senator to the Ohio State Legislature; Mr. Thomas L. Tallentire, attorney and member of the State Legislature; Mr. Clair H. Norton, noted Cincinnati manufacturer; Miss Annie Laws, first president of the Cincinnati Woman's Club, nationally known educator, and president of the Kindergarten Mothers Club; Mr. Robert W. Smith, attorney and national committee man of the American Legion, all socially prominent in Cincinnati.
Some advertisements in the "Cincinnati Enquirer"
(october and november, 1926)
(october and november, 1926)
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Guruji's magazine during the early years of the organization
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Paramahansa Yogananda in the "Cincinnati Enquirer"
On December 1st, the Cincinnati students of Yogoda honored Swami with a Hindu Health luncheon. This luncheon and the plans for a Cincinnati Yogoda Center may be best described in the words of the following article which appeared in the Society columns of the Cincinnati "Enquirer" of December 2nd, 1926:
"Yesterday, at his 'Hindu Health Luncheon,' in the Hotel Sinton ballroom, Swami Yogananda was greeted by over a thousand men and women who sat down at flower-decked tables, hundreds being turned away. In this enthusiastic throng there were distinguished men of affairs, bankers, literateurs, medical men, leaders of fashion, clergymen, and indeed followers drawn from many walks of life.
"I do not ask your co-operation for myself," declared the philosopher in his address on "The Art of Living," "I ask it for Cincinnati, America, India, for all humanity. I come to you not as an advocate of any cult, but as one who wishes to help Cincinnati to a balanced life, to a knowledge of the value of concentration, meditation and realization of the God in man. For with that comes an inner urge to help all men. It is to assist Cincinnati and America to concentrate on the universal principles of God in whose image man is made and not upon the non-essentials of dogma or creed that I have come to you. . . . . .
"By a balanced life I mean one that is calmly active. To be too calm is to be lazy. To be too active is to be a machine. Yogoda will show you how to attain this 'calm activity,' and through it to be fatigueless; to energize the human dynamo at will and so to prevent physical and psychological disease, depression, failure, crime, poverty, religious intolerance.
"Yogoda shows the way to unite man's God-given forces and not to subdivide them. It teaches preventive measures—which are safer, saner and more positive than any attempts to cure after a detrimental state has been established. I bring to Cincinnati the message that just so long as there is a single poor person in your city, or one who is hungry, or diseased, or forlorn, every citizen of this community is responsible for that condition. I hope to see the day when every member of this municipality will be strong in a universal struggle to prevent human ills. If a Hindu temple or a Moslem mosque can be lighted by electricity in this day of progress, surely all nations can join in expressing the gifts of God to man, through the intelligence and the sympathy imparted in him, forgetful of all dogma and differences that have existed among them. I should like to see the Pope and the Bishop of Canterbury exchange pulpits. Why can not this be, since each is made in the image of God and since the body of each is His temple?
"Yesterday, at his 'Hindu Health Luncheon,' in the Hotel Sinton ballroom, Swami Yogananda was greeted by over a thousand men and women who sat down at flower-decked tables, hundreds being turned away. In this enthusiastic throng there were distinguished men of affairs, bankers, literateurs, medical men, leaders of fashion, clergymen, and indeed followers drawn from many walks of life.
"I do not ask your co-operation for myself," declared the philosopher in his address on "The Art of Living," "I ask it for Cincinnati, America, India, for all humanity. I come to you not as an advocate of any cult, but as one who wishes to help Cincinnati to a balanced life, to a knowledge of the value of concentration, meditation and realization of the God in man. For with that comes an inner urge to help all men. It is to assist Cincinnati and America to concentrate on the universal principles of God in whose image man is made and not upon the non-essentials of dogma or creed that I have come to you. . . . . .
"By a balanced life I mean one that is calmly active. To be too calm is to be lazy. To be too active is to be a machine. Yogoda will show you how to attain this 'calm activity,' and through it to be fatigueless; to energize the human dynamo at will and so to prevent physical and psychological disease, depression, failure, crime, poverty, religious intolerance.
"Yogoda shows the way to unite man's God-given forces and not to subdivide them. It teaches preventive measures—which are safer, saner and more positive than any attempts to cure after a detrimental state has been established. I bring to Cincinnati the message that just so long as there is a single poor person in your city, or one who is hungry, or diseased, or forlorn, every citizen of this community is responsible for that condition. I hope to see the day when every member of this municipality will be strong in a universal struggle to prevent human ills. If a Hindu temple or a Moslem mosque can be lighted by electricity in this day of progress, surely all nations can join in expressing the gifts of God to man, through the intelligence and the sympathy imparted in him, forgetful of all dogma and differences that have existed among them. I should like to see the Pope and the Bishop of Canterbury exchange pulpits. Why can not this be, since each is made in the image of God and since the body of each is His temple?
Cinicinnati How-to-Live Center
"I have established this 'How-to-Live Center' in order to instruct adults and children in the art of self-control, of right eating, of idealism. Business is necessary and is a great impetus to man's ingenuity. But if it is devoted solely to money making it is unworthy of its mission. Business is service. And only that article is fit to sell which is a good article and helps the world. Life must be service. Without that ideal for all the world, for all human beings, the intelligence which God has given man is not reaching out toward its goal."
The newspaper article continued:
The Swami was continually interrupted with responsive applause, his words being listened to with profound attention and his address being introduced by a similar expression of prolonged enthusiasm in his honor. He announced that $6,500 had been raised as a foundation for Cincinnati's "How-To-Live Center," to be conducted under the Yogoda system.
When in full operation the Cincinnati center is to have children's classes where, through the Yogoda method of concentration, a contact with Spirit is obtained, and crime and evil are prevented by scientific strengthening of the will power to rise above temptation.
There will be a "prosperity clinic," where "failures" will be welcomed and where an employment bureau will be organized. Here poverty will be diagnosed as an individual question and the way of remedying it surveyed and made a means of instruction.
A health clinic will include methods of dieting, of exercise and of mental and physical healing.
A clinic of spiritual and material service for all inhabitants of Cincinnati will be formed.
A spiritual clinic, where will be taught the art of contacting God through psycho-physical concentration is already assured.
A Moral League for uprooting the causes of crime by teaching children in the methods of Yogoda in a way to prevent crime will be founded. An invaluable system invented by Swami Yogananda, which recharges the body battery through will and concentration, energizing and relaxing, will make it immune to the modern menace, fatigue. Yogoda is a compound of the word yoga, which means harmony, and da, which signifies to teach.
Swami Yogananda announced that he had made arrangements with Brahmachari Nerode, the young Hindu now in charge of the Detroit Center, to come to Cincinnati once a month to teach and inspire the citizens of Cincinnati at the How-to-Live Center. He is a pupil of Swami Yogananda and has been educated in his theories. He has been a student at American schools and colleges, where he has received his M.A. cum laude. He therefore has the background and is able to carry on in the absence of Swami Yogananda.
The guests were greatly interested in the menu for this "Hindu Health Luncheon," which contained no meat and while simple was very nourishing. It consisted of a delicious, mild curry of mushrooms, cauliflower and other vegetables, after one of Swami Yogananda's recipes; rice cooked from this East Indian's own supply which he has sent him from his native heath so that it will not be so polished as to be useless as an article of food; wild rice which is the unpolished kind; whole wheat bread muffins, and a fresh pear, filled with cream cheese made into a paste with cream, decorated on top with a roulade of whipped cream and set upon a bit of jelly, sprinkled with pine seeds, borrowed from the Swami's store that comes from his own country.
Dr. Thomas M. Stewart, leader of the newly established center here, spoke of the necessity of some such practical vehicle of inspiration as Yogoda, to reach the root of crime causes, and the mental and physical ills to which flesh is heir. A well-known medical man himself, one who has made the sciences and dogmas of the Far East a matter of lifelong study.
Letting statistics talk for him, he said that according to recent official survey, experts had found that the increase in mental diseases in this country in the past 41 years is 553 per cent—a most appalling record. Insanity in the last ten years in America has augmented 24 per cent, and, as an indication of the progress of crime wave and evil license in general, the police appropriation in New York alone has been raised from $11,000,000 to $33,000,000. In Chicago the commission appointed to find some means of suppressing the astonishing perversity of criminal development that prevails there has declared, said Dr. Stewart, in its official bulletin, that education is the one means to an amelioration of this condition. It further stated that so complicated are these demands that it would take at least 30 years to teach teachers how to teach others.
Dr. Stewart, from his close association with Swami Yogananda and other Far Eastern masters of philosophy, insisted that Yogoda could accomplish this end in a comparatively brief period, and with eminent and sure results, as have been proved elsewhere.
A permanent committee to formulate the plans, superintend the growth and develop the units of the "How-to-Live Center" here is to be appointed immediately, a national committee also being in process of formation to correlate all these centers in a single great movement throughout the land, dedicated to the spiritual and material tenets which Yogoda embodies.
Pledges of financial support for the Cincinnati center were distributed, a sum of $100,000 being unofficially established as an ultimate goal in establishing such an educational service here and toward the founding of a teachers' training school for the preparation of those who are to give instruction there.
The newspaper article continued:
The Swami was continually interrupted with responsive applause, his words being listened to with profound attention and his address being introduced by a similar expression of prolonged enthusiasm in his honor. He announced that $6,500 had been raised as a foundation for Cincinnati's "How-To-Live Center," to be conducted under the Yogoda system.
When in full operation the Cincinnati center is to have children's classes where, through the Yogoda method of concentration, a contact with Spirit is obtained, and crime and evil are prevented by scientific strengthening of the will power to rise above temptation.
There will be a "prosperity clinic," where "failures" will be welcomed and where an employment bureau will be organized. Here poverty will be diagnosed as an individual question and the way of remedying it surveyed and made a means of instruction.
A health clinic will include methods of dieting, of exercise and of mental and physical healing.
A clinic of spiritual and material service for all inhabitants of Cincinnati will be formed.
A spiritual clinic, where will be taught the art of contacting God through psycho-physical concentration is already assured.
A Moral League for uprooting the causes of crime by teaching children in the methods of Yogoda in a way to prevent crime will be founded. An invaluable system invented by Swami Yogananda, which recharges the body battery through will and concentration, energizing and relaxing, will make it immune to the modern menace, fatigue. Yogoda is a compound of the word yoga, which means harmony, and da, which signifies to teach.
Swami Yogananda announced that he had made arrangements with Brahmachari Nerode, the young Hindu now in charge of the Detroit Center, to come to Cincinnati once a month to teach and inspire the citizens of Cincinnati at the How-to-Live Center. He is a pupil of Swami Yogananda and has been educated in his theories. He has been a student at American schools and colleges, where he has received his M.A. cum laude. He therefore has the background and is able to carry on in the absence of Swami Yogananda.
The guests were greatly interested in the menu for this "Hindu Health Luncheon," which contained no meat and while simple was very nourishing. It consisted of a delicious, mild curry of mushrooms, cauliflower and other vegetables, after one of Swami Yogananda's recipes; rice cooked from this East Indian's own supply which he has sent him from his native heath so that it will not be so polished as to be useless as an article of food; wild rice which is the unpolished kind; whole wheat bread muffins, and a fresh pear, filled with cream cheese made into a paste with cream, decorated on top with a roulade of whipped cream and set upon a bit of jelly, sprinkled with pine seeds, borrowed from the Swami's store that comes from his own country.
Dr. Thomas M. Stewart, leader of the newly established center here, spoke of the necessity of some such practical vehicle of inspiration as Yogoda, to reach the root of crime causes, and the mental and physical ills to which flesh is heir. A well-known medical man himself, one who has made the sciences and dogmas of the Far East a matter of lifelong study.
Letting statistics talk for him, he said that according to recent official survey, experts had found that the increase in mental diseases in this country in the past 41 years is 553 per cent—a most appalling record. Insanity in the last ten years in America has augmented 24 per cent, and, as an indication of the progress of crime wave and evil license in general, the police appropriation in New York alone has been raised from $11,000,000 to $33,000,000. In Chicago the commission appointed to find some means of suppressing the astonishing perversity of criminal development that prevails there has declared, said Dr. Stewart, in its official bulletin, that education is the one means to an amelioration of this condition. It further stated that so complicated are these demands that it would take at least 30 years to teach teachers how to teach others.
Dr. Stewart, from his close association with Swami Yogananda and other Far Eastern masters of philosophy, insisted that Yogoda could accomplish this end in a comparatively brief period, and with eminent and sure results, as have been proved elsewhere.
A permanent committee to formulate the plans, superintend the growth and develop the units of the "How-to-Live Center" here is to be appointed immediately, a national committee also being in process of formation to correlate all these centers in a single great movement throughout the land, dedicated to the spiritual and material tenets which Yogoda embodies.
Pledges of financial support for the Cincinnati center were distributed, a sum of $100,000 being unofficially established as an ultimate goal in establishing such an educational service here and toward the founding of a teachers' training school for the preparation of those who are to give instruction there.
Swami Yogananda leaves Cincinnati
Swami Yogananda is leaving for Cleveland the end of this week, and goes thence to Pittsburgh, in his campaign of spiritual unity and material prosperity, Thence he departs for New York for the holidays, which he will spend with the family of Mme. Galli-Curci, who is considering the post of Chairman of the Swami's National Committee. In January he opens his classes in Washington, and after this course in the national capital he will make one of his regular tours of all the Yogoda Centers of the country. He hopes to return here every three months or possibly oftener, depending upon the needs of the many schools which he is establishing.
Thus ended this long article from the Cincinnati "Enquirer."
(Extracted from East West Magazine, November—December, 1926 VOL. 2—1)
Thus ended this long article from the Cincinnati "Enquirer."
(Extracted from East West Magazine, November—December, 1926 VOL. 2—1)
The animals' love for Yogananda
On November 14th, Swami Yogananda was the guest of Mr. John G. Robinson and his daughters at Terrace Park, Ohio. The occasion had been arranged to enable Swami to have a short visit with four natives of India who are staying in Terrace Park at present. They were truly delighted to have someone from their own country call on them—due to their age and weight and the traffic laws of Cincinnati, it would have been impossible for them to have called on the Swami at his hotel. Tillie, the oldest of the ladies, is 109 years of age and weighs four tons. She addressed Swami familiarly as Papa. Tony is only forty-five years old and weighs 8,335 pounds. The two younger girls, Clara and Pit, are respectively 35 and 40 years of age and weigh a mere 6,930 and 7,355 pounds. To set the minds of our readers at rest, we will admit that these charming natives of India are not people, but performing elephants belonging to John G. Robinson, Jr., who is a member of the fourth generation of the Robinson family of circus fame. Tillie is the oldest performing elephant and the only talking elephant in the world. She pronounces the word "papa" loudly and distinctly, and addressed Swami thus in a very filial manner. (With friendly squirrel in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, 1924) |
(Yellowstone Park)
"A little greedy wild bear came up to the Maxwell and put its two little front paws against the car and ate from my hands." 
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Lectures published in Cincinnati Enquirer during october, 1926
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Cincinnati Music Hall, where the lectures took place.
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History of our Meditation Circle
“How do we go about forming SRF meditation group in Cincinnati ?” was the request by one of our senior members to Mother Center in April, 1976.
There was silence. Complete silence on Mother Center part. This senior member was not yet a kriya ban. He received his Kriya in July, 1976. Soon after a letter arrived from the Mother Center informing him that he should get ready for forming a meditation group in Cincinnati. Mother Center will need to know about meeting place, time, persons to contact and so forth. Also, Mother Center stipulated that this devotee should be the secretary for the first year. On January 14, 1977 this meeting was held at a rented home of another devotee. Forty two devotees showed up. Thus our Group was formed - Cincinnati Meditation Group. We met on Sunday afternoon for meditation. About 5 to 7 devotees showed up. The devotee from Lexington came regularly for five years to meditate with us. Later, he was instrumental in forming SRF meditation group in Lexington. Only the devotee at whose home we meditated knew how to play harmonium. We celebrated our guru’s and paramgurus’ special services, learned how to make garlands, learned how to play harmonium, tablas, cymbals and bells. We were here at this location till 1991. This was central part of Cincinnati. |
We moved to another devotee’s home located in the western part of town. We changed our time on Saturday morning. There was a core of devotees, 7 to 10 strong. Devotees came and generally went. But our core held together. We were now made Cincinnati Meditation Circle. Mother Center requested that we rent a room in a church or temple. So we moved to a church in 2001. We were here in this church till 2010. The rent was very nominal. Our present day church has welcomed us with open arms. Our schedule - Wednesday 5.30pm to 7.00pm; Saturday 9.30am to 10.30am. Some ardent devotees start at 8.30am on Saturday. Last Saturday of month we have extended meditation of one hour of kirtan. On special commemoration days, we extend meditation by one hour. We have a dedicated room to our group. Our group has strengthened one another and made our resolution to meditate regularly and deeply very strong. “Four or five of you get together and meditate” our paramguru, Swami Sri Yukteswarji’s admonition has worked well for us. Guruji has blessed us abundantly and his protection and guidance is with us constantly. Indeed he is a living guru. We are very fortunate to have found our true guru. JAI GURU |
