2025 Yogacharya Birthday: “Like a Sacred Hidden River”
With Song of the Morning Community
August 29 - 31, 2025
A Special Event
“Souls like you will inspire thousands through your exemplary life. God and the Gurus are ever guiding you.”
~Paramahansa Yogananda (in a letter to Yogacharya, dated October 11, 1944)
It is our joy to invite you to a three-day celebration August 29, 30 and 31 in honor of our Founder, and to experience the spiritual vitality that flows, “like a sacred hidden river,” through the Retreat he founded at the request of our Guru, Paramahansa Yogananda.
The weekend will include group meditations, hatha yoga, and the tenth installment in our Fellowship with Yogacharya series, which is titled “Find Your True Nature.” It was recorded on December 3, 1967. Topics discussed include the need for Self-Realization; the interior yogi; defining truth; and the relationship between animal, human and divine nature.
The weekend also includes a special meditation and dedication of the Boathouse led by Naren K. Schreiner as we celebrate the incredible restoration work completed on this beloved building.
Everyone will also be invited to contribute to the Yogacharya and Song of the Morning stories archive. Wendy Page-Echols and other volunteers are leading this project. On Saturday afternoon, there will be time slots available to have your story recorded. We invite you this year to share your experiences with Yogacharya for our Archives so that those who come behind us will know about the founder of Song of the Morning and the Detroit Center of Self-Realization Fellowship. We want to hear about building the Domes, renovating the Lodge, the Mainhouse and the Wheelhouse. What it was like to be on staff when Yogacharya was here, stories that Yogacharya told, things he told you. Experiences that you had with him. His guidance in your life. Jot down a list of items to share and sign up below! We are asking all attendees at this year’s Birthday Celebration to sign up for a time slot at one of our many locations to record your stories, either from his lifetime or experiences after his passing that you could share. Contact Wendy with questions and to sign up: wpage4@gmail.com.
During his life, Yogacharya Oliver Black counseled, guided, and uplifted the spiritual lives of thousands of sincere seekers. He left behind a legacy through Song of the Morning Ranch that has touched thousands of lives since his passing. It is with gratitude that we come together each year for his birthday to celebrate his life of service and generosity by fundraising for a project that deeply impacts our ability to serve the spiritual purpose we are here for. Details will be announced in early August! Stay tuned – it is very inspiring what is coming!
Weekend Schedule
5:00 p.m. Dinner
6:30 p.m. Naren Scheiner introduces the theme of the weekend: “Like a Sacred Hidden River”
Marilyn Beker and Carl Schuman present a film and concepts of the future
8:00 p.m. Evening Meditation
9:00 p.m. Introduction to weekend activities and Welcome Social
Saturday, August 30
8:45 a.m. – Golden Lotus Hatha Yoga Class
10:00 a.m. Brunch
11:00 -1:30 Wendy Page-Echols of the Archive Committee invites you to have your experiences with Yogacharya recorded at locations throughout the Retreat and Community
2 – 3:30 p.m. Fellowship with Yogacharya “Find Your True Nature” Topics discussed: The need for self-realization, the interior yogi, defining truth, and the relationship between animal, human, and divine nature. BIG REVEAL! The first “Fellowship with Yogacharya” book is available starting at the Giftshop at 4 p.m.
5:00 p.m. Dinner
6:30 p.m. Starts in the Wheelhouse and walking tour of the Buildings concluding at the Boathouse. Like a “Sacred Hidden River” the spiritual life and activities of the Ranch flow through our historic buildings located along the Pigeon River, starting at the Boathouse. All work completed on the Boathouse is paid for, and will last long into the future as a pilgrimage site for those visiting the Ranch.
There will be an update and tour of work completed in the Boathouse and Wheelhouse, and presentation of plans for continued improvements, including the Mainhouse and Dome areas, as we move along the Pigeon River to continue restoring buildings “on the Way to the Garden Court.” We are raising funds this year for continued work on our historic buildings. We will announce the total raised in honor of Yogacharya at the Birthday Party on Sunday.
8:00 p.m. Please join us for the FIRST MEDITATION HELD IN THE RESTORED BOATHOUSE which will include a dedication led by Naren Schreiner for this sacred space.
Sunday, August 31
11:00 a.m. SRF Sunday Meditation Service
1:00 p.m. Fellowship Dinner
3-5:00 p.m. YOGACHARYA BIRTHDAY PARTY
About the Program Leader
Song of the Morning Community
Spiritual communities are places where people live together in the spirit of cooperation and friendship, dedicated toward a common goal. Located on the property is our Clear Light Community, where residents support one another in a balanced life that is joyous and God-centered. Song of the Morning’s spiritual community is rooted in Paramahansa Yogananda’s vision […]
Learn more about Song of the Morning CommunityCategory : Guided Retreats