The Self-Realization Fellowship, founded by Paramahansa Yogananda, presents a theology centered on the direct, personal experience of God. Its core teachings, codified in the practice of Kriya Yoga, assert that the ultimate purpose of life is to achieve self-realization—the direct perception of the soul’s unity with the universal Spirit. The Fellowship emphasizes the underlying harmony of all major religions, viewing them as different paths to the same divine reality.
This theological framework places primary importance on an individual’s spiritual efforts and inner state rather than their external identity or worldly circumstances. Within this spiritual context, the SRF’s approach to the LGBTQ community is one of general inclusion rooted in the belief that the soul is genderless and without specific orientation. Yogananda’s teachings focus on transcending the limitations of the physical body and ego to connect with the divine.
From this perspective, an individual’s sexual identity is considered a part of the temporary, material existence, secondary to the eternal and unchanging nature of the soul. Therefore, while the organization may not have specific programs for LGBTQ members, its foundational theology naturally extends an inclusive embrace to all who seek spiritual union with God, valuing each person’s spiritual journey above their physical identity.
