Denver Meditation Group
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Paramahansa Yogananda
"Look only for the good in everything, that you absorb the quality of beauty."
~ Paramahansa Yogananda
If you would like to know more about Paramahansa Yogananda and SRF, visit the website for Mother Center in Los Angeles California.
The Autobiography of a Yogi is a spiritual classic written by Paramahansa Yogananda more than 60 years ago. It has been a best seller, translated into 26 languages worldwide.
HISTORY OF THE DENVER MEDITATION GROUP
The Denver Meditation Group was formed in August 1924 during our Guru's first visit to Denver. Our first known meeting location was at 939 Grant Street. We do not have any information on our meeting locations prior to when the picture below at 939 Grant Street was taken of Master with his Denver students. We do not know when the Group first started meeting at this location either. We met here on Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons at 3:30 P.M. until May 1932. Unfortunately, this building at 939 Grant Street was demolished and is now a parking lot.
Swami Yogananda with Denver Yogoda students at the 939 Grant Street Temple in Denver, August 23, 1931
The Denver Meditation Group was called a Center in the early years. From the April 1932 East-West Magazine under the ”New Centers” section, it reads: ”Yogoda is in progress in America attracting much attention and meeting with enthusiasm and co-operation. In this great movement Yogoda has a new temple in Denver, which was dedicated by Swami Yogananda in August of last year. It is one of the most beautiful places in Denver and is ideally located at 939 Grant Street just three blocks south of the State House. The entrance to the Temple is very impressive with its wide stone steps denoting progress of Yogoda and huge columns that remind one of the everlasting strength of Yogoda. This home was made possible by Mary I. Dillon whose love for Yogoda prompted not only the gift, but the dedication of her life to God through Yogoda.”
Denver Meditation Group Meeting Locations, Activities, and Monastic Visits 1932-1964
From June 1932 through July 1933 the Denver Meditation Group met in room 204 of the Pythian Building (pictured below) at 14th and Glenarm Streets. The group met at 8:00 PM on Thursdays. A footnote in the June 1932 East-West Magazine says ”The (Denver) center is newly inaugurated and will be acknowledged and ordained after three years' trial.”
The Pythian Building was torn down many years ago and now is the site of the Hyatt House condominiums (pictured below).”
The Group met at 8:00 PM on Thursdays at the Woman's Club (or Woman's Press Club) located at 1325 Logan Street (pictured below) for just a couple of months from August through September 1933. This building still stands today. A note for our Group in several of the East-West magazines during this time period said, ”You and your friends are cordially invited to attend.”
The group met at the YWCA building located at 1545 Tremont Place (pictured below) from May 1933 through at least December 1941. The exact end date that the group met here is not known because meeting group locations were not listed in the Self-Realization Magazines after this date, except for a short period in 1953-1954. The group met in room 303 at 8:00 PM and closed by 9:30 PM on Fridays.
The YWCA building was torn down many years ago and now is the site of the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel pictured below.
From May 1933 through at least December 1941 a study class was held at 7:30 PM on Tuesdays at a devoteeâs home located at 429 Acoma Street (pictured below). Mr. Arthur Hilliard was the conducting teacher during part of this time period. The August 1934 Inner Culture magazine indicated that our Center was now acknowledged and ordained after a three-year trial.
A listing for the Denver Center in the August 1936 SRF magazine said that the Inner Culture Magazine was for sale at Daniels and Fishers located at 16th and Arapahoe Streets and at the Publication Book store in downtown Denver. Below is an image of the building from a 1940s postcard. It should be noted that the East-West Magazine was renamed Inner Culture in April 1934, renamed back to East-West in July-August 1944, and finally to Self-Realization Magazine in January 1949.
Below is a recent picture of the 375-ft tall Daniels and Fishers tower, which is all that remains of the original building.
The Group met at 418 Fillmore Street (pictured below) from December 1938 to until about May 1939. This was the residence of conducting teacher Mr. Arthur N. Hilliard. Meetings were held each Friday at 8:00 PM. Beginning in about November 1939 our meetings resumed at the YWCA Bldg. located at 1545 Tremont Place.
Sri Ranendra Kumar Das (pictured below) was a traveling minister and lecturer for Master in the 1930s and 1940s. He came to Denver on at least one occasion to give lectures and classes, somewhat similar to our current-day Center Tours. An August 1939 ”News of the Centers” article in the Inner Culture Magazine stated, ”Sri Ranendra Kumar Das, traveling lecturer for the SRF, whose inspiring work is bringing thousands to a new understanding of life, is giving classes in Denver at present.”
The Group met in a multi-family home at 2309 S. Federal Blvd. during at least 1953-1954 but the beginning and end dates are unclear. Meditation Group meeting location addresses were not included in the Self-Realization Magazines from 1944-1952 and from 1954 thereafter. Meetings were held on Sundays at 7:00 PM. The multi-family home was torn down many years ago and an auto parts store is located on this spot today.
In the autumn of 1956, SRF President Sri Daya Mata and her sister Ananda Mata (pictured below) visited Denver as part of a business trip that also included New York, Detroit, and St. Paul.
Sri Daya Mata mentioned in the video ”Seeking the Greatest Love in the World” that during her visit to Denver they stayed at the Brown Palace Hotel. She said that the hotel was beautiful. Pictured below is a recent view of the interior of the Brown Palace Hotel.
Below is a recent picture of the Brown Palace Hotel where SRF President Sri Daya Mata and Ananda Mata stayed during their visit to Denver in 1956.
In the January-February 1957 Self-Realization magazine it says that the Sisters were deeply touched by the devotion of SRF students to the ideals of SRF and to the beloved Guru Paramhansa Yogananda. It appears that this was only a business trip and that the Sisters did not give any public lectures, give a Satsanga for local devotees, or lead a service for the local devotees. In any event, the city of Denver was blessed by the presence of these saints.
Below is a picture of President Sri Daya Mata and Ananda Mata upon their return to Mother Center on November 26, 1956 after visiting Denver and the other cities.
Brother Anandamoy (pictured below) from the Self-Realization Fellowship International headquarters in Los Angeles gave lectures, classes, and Kriya Yoga initiation in Denver sometime between July and September 1964. This was part of a lecture tour that he conducted in eight major U.S. cities including New York.
The picture below shows Brother Anandamoy teaching the Hong-Sau concentration technique in one of the classes.
Denver Meditation Group Meeting Locations, Activities, and Monastic Visits 1968 - 2024
Correspondence in the Denver Meditation Group records indicate that the group must have completely stopped meeting for a time between Brother Anandamoy's visit in 1964 and 1968. We have a letter from Brother Mokshananda in Center Department indicating that local devotee, Mrs. Dora Hirth, ”re-formed” the group in 1968. The initial meeting of our re-formed group was held on July 26, 1968 at Mrs. Hirth's home located near the Mount Vernon Country Club in Golden. Mr. Jerry Grebb, who was to become one of the leaders of the group, attended this initial meeting. After the initial meeting, the group began meeting in the YMCA building, pictured below in 1909, located at 25 East 16th Avenue in downtown Denver. The group met in the YMCA Chapel. Unfortunately, there was a high degree of exterior street noise during our services there.
Below is a recent picture of the YMCA building, which still stands today.
From about 1970 through 1977 the group met in a north-side chapel of St. Mark's Episcopal Church (pictured below) located on the SE corner of E. 12th Avenue and S. Lincoln Street. We held a Readings Service on Wednesday evenings at 8:00 p.m. An average 6-12 devotees attended the services during this time period. Beginning in July 1974 the group also added an Inspirational Service at 10:00 a.m. on Sundays, held at various devotee homes. Sunday services were suspended during the summer months.
Below is a picture of the main sanctuary of the church during the time when we met here. The side chapel where we met for our mid-week services in St. Mark's held about 25 people, but we never filled the chapel. It was rent free at first, but we stopped meeting there in 1977 when they wanted to charge us to use their space.
The St. Marks church building was sold in the early 1990s and renovated by its new owner. The picture below is how the former sanctuary looks today. It opened as a nightclub on New Year's Eve 1996 and is still operating as such to this day as ”The Church”.
Sometime during April-June of 1972 Brother Mokshananda (pictured below) spent about one week in Denver conducting a Center Tour, giving classes on the SRF meditation techniques, and holding meetings. The events included a Wednesday evening meeting for group leaders, a Thursday evening review of the SRF meditation techniques, a Friday evening public satsanga held in a hotel, Kriya Yoga initiation to eligible students on Saturday, a kriya yoga review class, and a special meeting for all SRF members on Sunday.
On April 11, 1976 the group held an ”SRF Fellowship Day” that included meditation, an Inspirational Service, Dinner, and activities. It was attended by about 50 devotees and was held at Ponderosa Pines (entrance sign pictured below) located at 15235 Furrow Road near Monument. The Ponderosa Retreat and Conference Center shown above is located just off of I-25 about midway between Denver and Colorado Springs. The vegetarian food was prepared by local devotee David Praver, who was head chef at Chez Bon restaurant in Denver and Yesterdays in Lakewood.
On October 3, 1976 the group held an ”SRF Fellowship Day” at Camp Elephant Rock, near Palmer Lake that was attended by about 20 devotees. Below is an image of the so-called Elephant Rock. The 37-acre camp had a large meeting room, 12 cabins, and a chapel. The camp was run by the Salvation Army. The group held another SRF Fellowship Day at this location on October 15, 1985.
During 1976 and 1977 the Aspen-Snowmass SRF Group hosted several ”Rocky Mountain” retreats in Snowmass. Many devotees from our group attended these retreats, most of which were devotee-led. One of the devotee-led retreats was held on October 8-10, 1976, another one on May 13-15, 1977, both at the St. Benedict Monastery House pictured below. This monastery was founded by Fr. Thomas Keating in 1958.
On September 16-18, 1977 the Aspen-Smowmass SRF Group hosted a regional retreat at the Stonebridge Condominiums in Snowmass Village, pictured below.
This regional retreat was led by Brother Achalananda (pictured below) and Br. Dale. About 40 devotees attended the retreat, which cost $70 per person.
For a short time in 1976-77 the group held Thursday evening services in the basement of the Cheesman Park Community Center (pictured below), located at 1290 North Williams Street. We had to bring everything with us, however, such as the altar, harmonium, etc., and take it back home with us for each service, which was a hassle, to say the least.
During 1974 through about 1986 the Group held services in the basement of a devotee's home located at 2772 S. Race Street (pictured below). A Thursday evening Inspirational and Healing service was held at 8:00 p.m. On Sunday our Meditation Service was at 9:00 followed by a Readings Service at 10:00 a.m. About 10-20 devotees attended Sunday services during this time period.
During 1977 through 1979 the Group also held some Thursday evening services in the basement of a devotee's home located at 1355 S. Franklin Street (pictured below). Our all-day Christmas meditation was also held here on December 1, 1978.
In an attempt to have a permanent meeting place, in 1977 the Group purchased a property at 1627 S. Washington Street. It was a small brick building on the back of the lot (pictured below). Denver Meditation Group devotees made donations and pledges for a down payment on the property. A mortgage was obtained from a local bank in the name of local devotee Tom Black. Tom lived in this back building at the time and served as the caretaker. We held services in this back building only for a few months. This building was sold in 1978 along with the tan building with the red roof behind the trees. Denver Meditation Group devotees built this small ”Temple” (as it was called) on the front of the lot.
The ”Temple” building had an address of 1631 S. Washington Street (pictured below).
Much of the architectural planning and labor costs were ”in kind” contributions from group members, thus alleviating many of the expenses involved in building the structure. The picture below is of Denver Meditation Group devotees and others building the ”Temple” at 1631 S. Washington Street in 1977. The building had a social hall on the second floor. We never held any services in the building, however.
Unfortunately, the Group hadn't checked city zoning laws before the Temple was built and, belatedly, we found out that the ”meeting hall” was in violation of city ordinances. The city inspected the property and said that we couldn't have church meetings there because of this zoning problem. After getting this news, we held a ”Prayer Day” meditation in the back building on May 27, 1978 to try to get an answer as to whether we should ”let go” of the property, or fight the city to keep it as a Denver Meditation Group ”Temple.” There was only a small group at the meditation, but they all got the same message that it was time to ”let go” and we sold the property later that year. Even though we had decided to let go of this ”Temple” Building, on June 14, 1978 Sisters Bhavani and Namratha visited Denver and held a satsanga for us, preceded by a potluck, with about 50 devotees in attendance. They gave a very supportive and inspiring message.
With the proceeds from the sale of the Washington Street properties we purchased two properties at 2550 and 2568 S. Lincoln St. The lot to the north (2550 S. Lincoln St.) was sold soon after the purchase with the plan being to use the proceeds to enhance the 2568 S. Lincoln St. property (shown in the following pictures), which had a bigger lot. The plan was to build a ”Temple” on this property, but that plan never materialized. The group instead decided to keep this building as an investment to protect funds from inflation and to provide the group with additional income.
For a brief period of time in 1978, we met at this location with meditations being in the living room. Local devotees initially rented this property from the Group and were the caretakers. Non-SRF devotees rented the property after about 1980, however. There were many expenses for upkeep of this Lincoln Street property with rent being insufficient to cover them. Therefore, the Mother Center and Denver Meditation Group managing council decided to sell the property in about 1989 with the proceeds being put into the Denver Meditation Group building fund at Mother Center.
For a period of time in 1978-79 the group met at the East Central Community Center (pictured below), located at 1200 Williams Street in Denver.
On September 22-24, 1978 Sister Subrata (pictured below) and Brahmacharini Valeri led an all-women's retreat at Ponderosa Pines near Colorado Springs with 14 devotees in attendance.
During May 24-28, 1979 Brother Mokshananda (pictured below) and Brahmachari Gary visited Denver to lead a Center Tour including kriya yoga initiation.
All of the events were held at the Hilton Hotel located in downtown Denver (pictured below). The monks also had an informal meeting with the local devotees on Thursday May 24th at the Denver Meditation Group Chapel.
Annually during at least 1975 through 1984, the group held a ”Fellowship Day” at Foss Park, located in Indian Hills. We did group energization exercises together, held a meditation service, a vegetarian lunch, and played volleyball together. It was a fun day. The cost per person for food and facilities rental was $3.50 for adults and $1.00 for children. The vegetarian lunch at these events was prepared by local SRF devotee David Praver, who was head chef at the Chez Bon restaurant in Denver and the Yesterdays restaurant in Lakewood.The following two pictures show the inside and outside of the chapel where we meditated.
The group also held at least two devotee-led weekend retreats at Foss Park. About 26 devotees attended the October 12-14, 1979 retreat. Our meditations were held in the Foss Mountain Chapel, shown above. The park was owned and operated by the First Baptist Church of Denver at this time. This stone chapel was built by Martin Foss, in memory of his wife, and was used as a summer camp. In 1938 it was deeded to the First Baptist Church in Denver and was in great demand for small weddings but is now a private residence.
During October 17-19, 1980 Brother Achalananda (pictured below) and Br. Simon led a retreat at the Quaker Ridge Camp Retreat Center. The cost of the weekend retreat was $70 per person.
Below is a picture of Brother Achalananda with the retreatants. About 25 devotees attended. Pictured fourth from the left is Mrs. Alma Hilliard, a long-time SRF devotee and member of the Denver Meditation Group. She was a direct disciple of Masters, whom she met in 1931.
Below is a portion of the 1931 picture taken of Master and Denver Meditation Group (DMG) devotees in front of the 939 Grant Street Temple where we have circled Mrs. Alma Hilliard.
Below is a picture of Mrs. Hilliard taken in about 1979. Mrs. Hilliard met Master twice, she said. Devotees who knew her said that she was one of the humblest people that they had ever met. She cleaned other people's homes all her life and faithfully gave money monthly for a Denver Temple. Mrs. Hilliard dressed very simply. When another devotee noticed that she had started wearing a necklace, which was uncharacteristic of her, the devotee asked her about it. Mrs. Hilliard replied that a friend had given it to her, and that she wore it to remind herself to regularly pray for her. Such were her ways. Mrs. Hilliard was born June 9, 1900 and passed away February 11, 1989 at the nursing home where she spent her last days.
On April 16, 1981, the Denver group was privileged to have SRF lay minister Gene Bardwell (pictured below) lead a meditation and give a satsanga to about 20 local devotees. He also sent a letter to the Group afterwards in appreciation for the group’s hospitality and fellowship.
The picture below of the Denver Meditation Group was taken on May 3, 1981. Standing at the far left is Mr. Jerry Grebb, a leader of the Group for many years. Mrs. Alma Hilliard, the direct disciple of Master, is dressed in blue in the middle of the picture. Based on this picture, there were about 16 devotees attending services at this time.
During May 14-17, 1981 Brother Achalananda (pictured below) and Br. Simon visited Denver to lead a series of classes on Paramahansa Yogananda's teachings and techniques of meditation (what we call a Center Tour today).
Below is a picture of Brother Achalananda speaking during the Center Tour. Highlights of the program were Kriya Yoga initiation plus a film of an inspiring Christmas satsanga with Sri Daya Mata recorded in 1978.
The 1981 Center Tour was held at the Ramada Inn (pictured below), located at 1150 E. Colfax Avenue in Denver.
Below are a few pictures of the monks socializing with the Denver devotees at our meeting location during the May 14-17, 1981 weekend.
Periodically over the years, typically when there is a change of group leadership on the council, new signature cards are required by our bank. This requires approval by the SRF Board of Directors. As an example, on July 13, 1981 the SRF Board of directors held a meeting in which the new council members of the Denver Meditation Group were approved to be co-signers for our account at the Union Bank and Trust in Denver in the name of the Self-Realization Fellowship corporation. Note the co-signers on the bottom of this second page of the document pictured below.
Below are pictures of the blessed Mata sisters who helped guide our group at that time: Sri Daya Mata, Mrinalini Mata, Durga Mata, Ananda Mata, Uma Mata, and Sahaja Mata.
During the 1970s and 1980s, when the group was meeting in devotees homes, we did not have sufficient space to accommodate all of our devotees for our All-Day Christmas meditations. Consequently, we rented space in nearby hotels for the all-day meditations. For example, on December 17, 1983 we held our All-Day Christmas meditation in the Ramada Inn located at 7150 E. Colfax Avenue (previously pictured above). On December 15, 1984 we held our All-Day Christmas meditation at the Holiday Inn, located at 1475 South Colorado Blvd (pictured below). Fifty-six devotees from all along the front range attended this meditation. On December 14, 1985 our all-day Christmas meditation was held at the Airport Ramada Inn. Seventy devotees attended. This hotel was torn down after the demise of Stapleton Airport.
In October 1983 the group held a devotee-led, silent weekend retreat at Woodspur Lodge in Winter Park (pictured below). There were several inches of snow on the ground when we arrived.
Pictured below is one of the very comfortable sleeping rooms. The owner said that the lodge would be solely ours if we guaranteed at least 15 people would rent rooms. Although only 13 devotees attended the retreat, we booked the other two rooms as well so that we were the only ones in the lodge at the time.
Below are a couple views of the Woodspur Lodge lobby. The ski lodge facility was marvelous for the group. The owner was a fantastic cook and specialized in vegetarian food; we really feasted. The cost of the retreat for each devotee for two nights lodging, plus 5 scrumptious meals, was only $55. The group held another devotee-led retreat here on April 26-28, 1985. (The second picture below is of the Woodspur Lodge Lobby at Christmas time).
Br. Todd (now Brother Satyananda) and Br. Sean led a retreat at the Julie Penrose Center in Colorado Springs (pictured below) in about 1985. About 40 devotees attended.
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Below is a picture of Denver Meditation Group taken in about 1985. Based on this picture, about 20 devotees were attending services at this time.
From March 1986 through May 1990 the Group met in the Dupont Room of the Mary Reed Building at Denver University (pictured below). Rent was about $85 per month plus $45 per month for chair rental. About 20-25 devotees attended Sunday services at this time.
Sometime during when we were meeting in the Mary Reed Building, Brother Ramananda (pictured below) visited Denver and led services. He may also have given public lectures as well, but we're not certain of that. There is a humorous story that wedd like to share with you from one of Brothers services here. There was a devotee in the group at that time who had trained their German Shepherd dog to obey with hand signals and would bring the dog to the meditation services. The dog always sat attentively at the end of the room, waiting for her master's signal. During one of Brother Ramananda's services he remarked after the meditation that the dog was the most disciplined member of our group!
During 1986 through 1990 we held Thursday evening services at a devotee's home located at 6793 S. Ash Way in Centennial (pictured below).
During June 5-7, 1987 Brother Devananda and Br. Miles (pictured below) led a retreat at the Julie Penrose Center in Colorado Springs.
The Julie Penrose Center (pictured below) was a very nice facility located a short drive west of the Broadmoor Hotel. The facility currently is known as the Penrose House and is a nonprofit meeting place; it does not allow retreats anymore. The second picture below is a sleeping room at the Julie Penrose Center.
About 65 devotees attended the 1987 monastic-led retreat at the Julie Penrose Center (pictured below). The cost of the retreat was $54 per person, which included two nights lodging and 5 vegetarian meals. The following year, on May 27-29, 1988, the group held a devotee-led retreat there with about 60 devotees attending. The cost per person that year was $70.
Actor and long-time devotee of Paramahansa Yogananda, Dennis Weaver (pictured below), moved to Ridgway, Colorado in 1989. Mr. Weaver built his ”earth ship” solar-powered home in Ridgway (two pictures below), primarily out of recycled materials. He was recognized worldwide for his inspirational model of sustainable living.
Mr. Weaver was a devoted follower of our Guru since the 1960s and was asked to lead services at the SRF Lake Shrine Temple for a time. On at least one occasion, members of the Denver Meditation Group reached out to Mr. Weaver and invited him to join our group activities. We don't have record that he was ever able to join us, however. He passed away on February 24, 2006 in Ridgway.
During October 10-13, 1989 Brother Ramananda (on the left in the picture below) and Br. Bradley (now Bro. Naradananda, on the right) led a Center Tour to Denver.
Below is a picture of Brother Ramananda speaking at the event.
The Center Tour was held at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Centennial. The title of his Friday lecture was, ”The teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda: Introductory talk on the science of Yoga.”
On May 10, 1990 we held our first service at 2242 Albion Street, an office building owned by Mr. Carl Bender who gave us a very favorable rental rate for 25 years. We held our services here until moving to our Garrison Street chapel in April 2015. When we first moved here, we held our services in the room located in the northeast corner of the building. Sunday School and socials were held in the northwest corner of the building, on the left in the picture below. In the summer, we grew flowers in the garden for the special service garlands. During that time, we had Sunday and Thursday services, 3-hour Saturday morning meditations, Tuesday evening Lesson studies, and three grade levels in our Sunday School (ages 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12). Attendance at our Sunday school was rather large at the time. Socials were often held in the yard and driveways of the property over the years.
On May 18-20, 1990 Br. Keith (on the left in the picture below) and Br. Terry (now Brother Ritananda) led a retreat at the St. Malo Retreat Center near Rocky Mountain National Park (on the left in the distance in the picture below).
The beautiful St. Malo stone chapel (in the foreground of the above picture), which seats 80, was available for individual meditations during the devotees free time. The St. Malo Retreat Center where we had our group meditations, energization exercises, and classes, is visible in the background with 13,911-foot Mount Meeker visible on the horizon. The retreat center had a very holy vibration. In August of 1993 Pope John Paul II visited, giving his blessings on the Center.
Below is a picture of the retreatants and monks next to the St. Malo Retreat Center. About 90 devotees attended. The three-story retreat center had a large meeting room that could accommodate over 200 people, 49 guest rooms, each able to accommodate 3 to 4 people, was perfect for our retreats.
Sadly, the St. Malo Retreat Center burned down on November 14, 2011 and has not been rebuilt.
The picture below of the Denver Meditation Group was taken in about 1990 shortly after our move to the Albion Street property. Based on this picture, about 30 devotees were attending services at this time.
On May 24-26, 1991 the group held a devotee-led silent retreat at the Franciscan Retreat Center in Colorado Springs (pictured below). Thirty devotees attended. This was the first of many devotee-led retreats that we conducted here.
On June 7-9, 1991 the Group was visited by Brother Achalananda (on the left in picture below) and Br. Bradley (now Brother Naradananda) as part of SRF's Lake Shrine Temple promotional tour. On Thursday the 7th Brother Achalananda led a meditation service which was followed by a potluck. On Friday the Brothers conducted a meditation and presented two films on the Lake Shrine including a then recently-produced film featuring Sri Daya Mata and Brother Anandamoy, who described the Guru's wishes for the current building activities at Lake Shrine. The monks stayed at the Writer's Manor Hotel, which was located at 1730 S. Colorado Blvd. It was torn down a number of years ago and now is the site of a Best Buy store.
On May 22-24, 1992 the group held another devotee-led retreat at the Franciscan Retreat Center in Colorado Springs (pictured below is one of the many deer on the retreat grounds). This time less than 20 devotees attended. This was a disappointing turnout as the group came up $100 short in covering expenses. Consequently, the council decided that a minimum of 25 devotees would be needed to register for future retreats, otherwise the retreat would need to be cancelled.
On October 23-25, 1992 Brother Santoshananda (on the left in picture below) and Br. Glen (now Brother Sevananda) led a Center Tour with lectures and classes in Denver.
The events were held at the Embassy Suites Hotel at 7525 East Hampden Avenue (pictured below).
Below is a picture of Brother Santoshananda giving the Friday public lecture entitled ”The Teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda: Introductory talk on the Science of Yoga.” 290 souls attended the public event and 88 devotees attended the kriya initiation on Saturday. A public lecture and showing of the video ”Glimpses of a Life Divine” was presented on the following Sunday, which was attended by 112 people.
The picture below of the Denver Meditation Group was taken on April 4, 1993. From this picture it looks like we had about 30 devotees attending services at this time.
On October 27-29, 1993 Brother Ramananda (on the right in the picture below) and Br. Terry (now Brother Ritananda) led classes and services in Denver as part of the Centennial SRF Tour, a celebration of the 100-year anniversary of the birth of our Guru.
A public lecture and film were presented on Wednesday October 27th at the Embassy Suites Denver Southeast Hotel (pictured below), located at 7525 E. Hampden Avenue in Denver.
On Thursday October 28th the monks led a meditation, gave an inspirational talk, and showed a film at our chapel (pictured below).
On March 17-19, 1995 Brother Santoshananda (below on the left) and Br. Peter (now Brother Kripananda), led a Center Tour with classes and Kriya Yoga initiation in Denver. The event was held at the Embassy Suites Hotel, located at 7525 E. Hampden Avenue (pictured earlier). The Friday public lecture was entitled ”The Teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda: Introductory talk on the Science of Yoga.”
On October 28-30, 1994, Br. Brian (now Brother Jayananda, pictured below) and Br. Henry led a retreat at Camp La Foret. About 46 devotees attended the weekend retreat, which was lower than what we expected, since we had about 100 devotees attend a previous retreat here. The cost of the retreat was $125 per person, which included a $25 donation to Mother Center.
The Camp La Foret main lodge (pictured below) is located at 6145 Shoup Road in Colorado Springs.
On June 2-4, 1995 Brother Dharmananda (pictured below) and Br. Thomas led another retreat at Camp La Foret. The cost of this retreat was $115 per person, which included a $25 donation to Mother Center.
About 50 devotees attended. Pictured below are the monks and retreatants in front of the Camp La Foret lodge.
May 10-12, 1996 the Group was visited by Br. Martin (now Brother Anatananda) (pictured below) and Br. Eduardo. On Friday May 10th the monks conducted a Commemorative Service for the birth anniversary of Swami Sri Yukteswar.
On Saturday the 11th the monks conducted a one-day retreat. On Sunday the 12th they led the Meditation and Readings services and greeted devotees at a social afterwards. About 70 devotees attended the event (picture below).
The current Denver Meditation Group altar was built during August 1996 through May 1997 at a cost of about $8,000. The altar was built by SRF devotees (one is pictured below with the altar nearing completion). The golden lotus on the altar was also made by a DMG devotee.
The picture below was taken in April 1998 showing the completed altar in our chapel.
In 2010 the group decided to upgrade the altar with the addition of oval fade-out pictures and gold leafing, seen in the picture below for the All-Day Christmas meditation in December 2010.
During 1995 to 1996 attendance at Group services increased. As a result, early in July 1997 the group voted to rent and renovate the SE and SW portions of the building. The picture below is a view of the new main entrance to the chapel in the SE corner of the building. We began holding our services in the renovated space early in 1998. At that time, our Sunday school moved into our old chapel area on the NE corner of the building, on the right side of this picture, where it remained until we moved to the Garrison Street chapel in 2015.
During May 29-31, 1998 Brother Bhumananda and Br. Anthony (pictured below) visited the Group and led services.
The monks led a workshop on Saturday and led services on Sunday followed by a potluck. In the picture below the monks are seen with the Sunday School children.
Following are several pictures from the potluck, including Brother Bhumananda leading the devotees in Master's prayer before taking food. After the potluck on Sunday devotees also drove the monks into the mountains for a scenic ride.
During October 1-3, 1999 Brother Naradananda and Br. Anthony (pictured below) led a Center tour to Denver including kriya initiation.
The event was held at the Sheraton Denver West Hotel at 360 Union Blvd in Lakewood (pictured below).
The picture below shows Brother Naradananda speaking at the Friday evening public lecture that was entitled, ”Meditation - The Way to Inner Peace.”
Pictured below is a portion of the Friday evening crowd. Most of the lectures, classes, and services were in the Golden and Bergen Park rooms of the Sheraton Denver West Hotel.
It was a very successful event, including socials as well as opportunities for the attendees to greet the monks plus christenings, and renewed wedding vows. The monks also led the Lahiri Mahasaya Birthday Commemorative service at our chapel. Following are a few additional pictures from some of the activities.
On Monday October 4th following the weekend's events, a group of devotees went with the monks on a hike in the mountains (picture below), which was enjoyed by all.
Over the years the group periodically has held picnics at nearby parks. This picnic (pictures below) was held in July 2001.
In September 2002 Brother Sarvananda and Br. Lynn (now Brother Padmananda) (pictured below) led services Thursday evening and went on an outing with devotees on Friday. After leading a 3-hour meditation Saturday morning, the monks played a recording of Sri Daya Mata and answered Satsanga questions from the Denver devotees.
On Sunday the monks led the morning Services followed by a social where they greeted everyone. We presented the monks with presents to show our gratitude for their service (pictures below).
Over the years the group has sent birthday wishes and letters of appreciation to SRF President Sri Daya Mata and she always wrote back. Many of the letters from Sri Daya Mata, such as this one below from January 29, 2003, were to our Sunday School children.
Brother Anilananda and Brother Jayananda (pictured below) led a Center Tour in Denver April 4-6, 2003 including Kriya yoga initiation.
The event was held in the Doubletree Hilton Denver Tech South Hotel (pictured below) located at 7801 East Orchard Road in Greenwood Village.
As you can see in the following pictures during the Friday evening public lecture, there was a good-sized crowd in attendance.
The title of the Friday evening lecture was ”To Be Victorious in Life.”
In addition to the events at the hotel, we also had a number of events at our chapel including a satsanga (pictured below), christenings, renewal of wedding vows, our Thursday and Sunday morning services (pictured below), and socials.
Brothers Satyananda and Bholananda (pictured below) visited the Group on May 20-23, 2004. The monks led our regular Thursday evening service and on Friday the devotees joined the monks for a lunch and afternoon hike.
On Saturday the monks led a 2-hour meditation in the morning followed by a potluck social (pictures below) and in the afternoon the monks led a Gita class.
The monks also joined the devotees for lunch at the Royal India Restaurant on Colorado Blvd. (pictured below); a wonderful time of fellowship.
On September 29th through October 1st of 2006 Brother Satyananda and Br. Lynn (now Brother Padmananda) (pictured below) led a regional retreat at the Franciscan Retreat Center in Colorado Springs.
This was the retreat where Brother Satyananda first referred to us as the ”Rocky Mountain Yogis.” That identifier has caught on with us! About 82 devotees attended.
Below we see Brother Satyananda leading one of the retreat classes.
The Franciscan Retreat Center is a peaceful and beautiful facility; very conducive to silence, meditation, and introspection.
On October 26-27, 2007 Brothers Satyananda and Bholananda made a return visit to the Denver to lead our weekend services.
The monks also led an afternoon Satsanga (pictured below), providing spiritual guidance and answered the devotee's questions, followed by a potluck.
On Sunday the 27th following our services we had a potluck where the devotees were able to greet the monastics (pictures below).
On April 28-29, 2008 Brother Satyananda and Br. Lynn (now Brother Padmananda) made a return visit to the group to lead our services and to give classes. We were getting quite used to (and spoiled at this point) by Brother Satyananda's frequent visits! To say that we greatly enjoyed and benefitted from the annual visits by the monks during this time period is not an overstatement.
We had a potluck lunch coupled with fellowship with the monks on both Saturday and Sunday following the services and classes (pictures below). One of the classes was for kriyabans only.
During their visit the monks discussed with the devotees a proposal being considered by the group at the time to build a ”Temple,” which had caused some friction within the group.
