Self Realization At The Lake Shrine
“It is indeed a radical act of love just to sit down and be quiet for a time by yourself” - Jon Kabat-Zinn
Away from the soaring heat of Los Angeles, Friday afternoon found me in the cool serenity of the Lake Shrine at the Self Realization Center in Pacific Palisades.
When the center opened after the lockdown I tried several times to reserve a time to visit but was not successful until finally this past week I was able to score a time on Friday afternoon. Braving the traffic on a Friday afternoon on Sunset Blvd and the 405 Freeway is no picnic in Los Angeles but I was able to make my way and spend a wonderful afternoon here.
The lake with its rustic waterfalls and terraced gardens was originally the brain child of developer Everett McElroy who imported the double decker house boat from Lake Meade and built the quaint mill house with the water-wheel. An interim caretaker bought the property intending to create a luxury resort but a dream of a church of all religions being established at the site led him to offer the property to the Guru Paramahansa Yogananda. The Guru created a meditation center complete with shrines, waterfalls and a hill top temple that welcomes people of all faiths and from all parts of the world to experience peace of heart and mind.
The shady path along the lake is lined with flowers and trees that invite visitors to walk around the lake or stop at the various shrines or simply find a seat gazing at the calm and beauty around them to experience quiet in the midst of a bustling city. In addition to quiet contemplative visitors I also saw a lady in one of the alcoves complete with her lap top, various file folders and a cell phone busy working enjoying the peace and quiet around her.
I did not get to visit the temple itself which is only open on Sundays for Sunday services thought I did get to walk a couple of times around the lake and stop at various spots to inhale the peace and quiet and enjoy the beauty of my surroundings.
This beautiful shrine dedicated to Lord Krishna with a quote from the Bhagvad Gita was a popular stopping place. Close your eyes and let your imagination fly and you can almost hear the musical notes of the flute and the tinkling laughter of Lord Krishna’s admirers in Vrindavan.
These majestic swans gliding on the lake, indulging in play strike a beautiful note as you wander around the lake or find a seat and gaze at the water, flora and fauna along the path.
Another beautiful shrine, this one to Lord Buddha.
The windmill chapel was a busy spot with many people sitting on the outer deck on chairs wrapped up in the silence of their meditation practice.
Plaques dedicated to various religions of the world are planted amongst the flowers signifying the message that all people, all faiths are welcome here.
Across from the visitor center is a mysterious path leading to the sunken gardens which offer a cool shady spot under a living canopy for people to sit in quiet contemplation. It was already occupied when I made my way there so I retreated gracefully.
The Mahatma Gandhi peace memorial which contains a portion of the Mahatma’s ashes brought from India and dedicated at the time of the opening of the shrine in 1950.
The back of the gift shop with it’s beautiful wrought iron stair case. There is no entrance to the gift shop which carries Indian specialties from here but it’s a beautiful spot never the less.
The Lotus temple
A truly wonderful afternoon wander that left me refreshed and rejuvenated and ready to enjoy a total change of pace on Saturday with a visit to the National History Museum on Saturday morning with my three and a half year old grandson. What a treat this weekend has been in more ways than one.