Our History & Lineage
Song of the Morning’s rich history spans over 50 years and beyond
Song of the Morning was founded in 1970 by Yogacharya J. Oliver Black, a direct disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda. Following the instructions given by the master, Yogacharya incorporated one of his Michigan properties under the name Golden Lotus, Inc., which came to own and operate the 800-acre Song of the Morning Yoga and Meditation Retreat (formerly known as Song of the Morning Ranch). After being ordained by Paramahansa Yogananda, Yogacharya Oliver spent the rest of his life guiding the spiritual practice of thousands of devotees along the path of Kriya Yoga and the Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons. Yogacharya developed and served both at the SRF Detroit Center and Song of the Morning, bringing to fruition his Guru’s vision.
Paramahansa Yogananda
Song of the Morning’s story actually begins with the birth of a great master in India, and his arrival to America in 1920. Born in India in 1893, Paramahansa Yogananda was sent to America with the divine command and blessing of his Gurus to bring the liberating teaching of Kriya Yoga to the West, and to show the essential unity underlying all true religions. He is considered “The Father of Yoga in the West”. His masterpiece Autobiography of a Yogi is a spiritual classic that has changed millions of lives. Translated in dozens of languages, it remains a source of many university courses and entered mainstream American culture when Apple-founder Steve Jobs said it was the only book on his iPad, and former-Beatle George Harrison declared it as his most important and treasured spiritual book.
Sri Yogananda dedicated his life to this mission living in America and traveling throughout the West for over 30 years. He established Self-Realization Fellowship in 1935 and it continues to thrive and spread his teachings, primarily through the Self-Realization Lessons, a dynamic and liberating home-study course. For more information about SRF and Paramahansa Yogananda’s teachings and writings, explore yogananda.org or visit Song of the Morning’s main office to request a tour and introduction from one of our resident community members.
Fellowship & Community
Paramahansa Yogananda taught the universal essence of all religions through one’s direct experience of the Divine, in which a mystical understanding of this essential unity is attained. He also envisioned creating “World Brotherhood” Communities such as Song of the Morning, in addition to How-to-Live Schools, Youth Programs, and small meditation groups in every town, often meeting in homes of devotees. With that same spirit, we strive to create and live by his vision of spiritual community and friendship.
Our Spiritual Lineage
Lahiri Mahasaya
Mahavatar Babaji
Jesus Christ
Bhagavan Krishna
Paramahansa Yogananda
Swami Sri Yukteswar
The teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda, through Self-Realization Fellowship, are founded upon the original Christianity of Jesus Christ and the original Yoga of Bhagavan Krishna. Our spiritual lineage consists of these two great avatars (divine incarnations) and a line of exalted masters of contemporary times: Mahavatar Babaji, Lahiri Mahasaya, Swami Sri Yukteswar, and Paramahansa Yogananda. Each of these Great Yogis played a role in bringing to the modern world the spiritual science of Kriya Yoga and the yogic interpretation of the New Testament and Bhagavad-Gita.
The role of the Guru is to show the way to God-communion. Shunning personality-worship, these divine masters humbly offered their grace and intervention with only one motive: that each person would have their own direct experience and relationship with the Divine.
Nevertheless, the role of the Guru is vital to our spiritual progress. Therefore our daily prayer begins with the following invocation: “Heavenly Father, Divine Mother, Friend, Beloved, God…” (this refers to the many ways in which God manifests to the devotee) “...Jesus Christ, Bhagavan Krishna, Lahiri Mahasaya, Swami Sri Yukteswar, and Paramahansa Yogananda; saints and sages of all religions, we humbly bow to You all.”
Our Founder: Yogacharya J. Oliver Black
J. Oliver Black was born on September 1, 1893 in Rockford, Illinois and live a full and devoted life until his passing on September 16, 1989 at the age of 96. He and his wife Ethyl had two children: a son, Robert, and a daughter, Phyllis. He founded Peninsular Metal Products, which produced parts for the auto industry in the early 20th century. During World War II, his company switched to making plane parts in support of the War effort. Besides running a large, successful business, he held a number of patents for a variety of inventions. At one time, he owned the most privately held land in Northern Michigan.
Meeting His Guru
Mr. Black was a man of deep spiritual interests, and after years of searching he met Paramahansa Yogananda in the early 1930s. Sri Yogananda was able to answer his questions and explain to him life-long spiritual abilities, such as hearing the Inner Voice and seeing the Inner Light. Sri Yogananda also taught Mr. Black a number of healing techniques and, most importantly, initiated him into Kriya Yoga, which became essential to his teachings and his life.
Becoming Yogacharya Oliver
In 1949, Paramahansa Yogananda gave Mr. Black the title “Yogacharya” to signify his deep attainment as someone who not only taught yoga, but embodied its teachings. As a Yogacharya, he was given the blessing to initiate others into Kriya Yoga and to establish centers and retreats. Yogacharya Black also served as a minister of Self-Realization Fellowship, and was put in charge of the Detroit SRF Center, which convened at the Detroit Institute of Arts. Devotees came from around the country to attend his Sunday SRF services and to receive initiation into Kriya Yoga. He also founded the Golden Lotus Yoga Teachers Association to further the knowledge and practice of Hatha Yoga
Yogacharya also could not forget the instructions his Guru had given him to found a retreat away from the city, complete with a community and yoga educational center. In 1970, he went on to found Golden Lotus, Inc. and Song of the Morning, where he resided full time from 1975 until his passing.
“My body shall pass but my work shall go on. And my spirit shall live on. Even when I am taken away I shall work with you all for the deliverance of the world with the message of God.”
— Paramahansa Yogananda