Dedicated to the Realization of God and Service to Him in All Forms

The Reverend Mother Yogacharya M. Hamilton met her guru, Paramhansa Yogananda, in the year 1925. Mother Hamilton described her first meeting with Master (Paramhansa Yogananda): “He took my hand, looked into my eyes, and I felt an electric shock go from my toes to the top of my head. From that moment to this, I was his!”

With that fateful meeting in Seattle, Washington, Mother began her ascent from the human to the divine, following her guru with loyalty, faith, and a pure heart. In the 1940s, Master appointed Mother as center leader for Seattle. He later ordained Mother as a minister in 1950, and in 1951, gave her the title Yogacharya, one of six in the world organization and the only woman. He asked Mother to initiate others into Kriya Yoga, a rare permission from the great master. Mother continued to teach and carry on the sacred guru-disciple relationship as requested by her guru. She attained Mahasamadhi (conscious exit from the body) on January 31, 1991.

View a short video about Mother’s life, narrated by David here.

“Each one who picks up his cross to follow the Christ can accomplish this Purpose if he is willing to go through what is necessary to pay the necessary price for that priceless pearl of God-realization. But who, if he has once tasted of this glory, is not willing to pay that price? Certainly Christ was, and he has become the inspiration, the pattern, the example for all men everywhere, regardless of whether or not they call themselves Christians. What they call themselves is not important. What is in a name? It is the fact that every single human being must go this path by whatever name he calls it—by whatever name he calls the Savior, or the Christ—in order that he may attain his oneness with God. We are put here on this earth but for that purpose.” – Mother Hamilton