Song of the Morning

is operated by Golden Lotus, Inc. a Michigan nonprofit corporation. Golden Lotus, Inc. was founded in 1970 by J. Oliver Black, a highly advanced disciple of the yoga master Paramahansa Yogananda.

Mission:

Founded in the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda, Golden Lotus, Inc. teaches the science of Yoga and its practical applications so that all can achieve the highest levels of physical, mental,  emotional and spiritual well-being as they progress on their path toward Self-realization.

History:

Mr. Black, a man of joy and vitality, was a very successful businessman and was also ordained by Yogananda as a Self-Realization Fellowship Minister, serving more than 40 years. The title of “Yogacharya,” bestowed on him by Yogananda, means “Yoga Teacher.” Through his untiring efforts at his Detroit SRF meditation services and at Song of the Morning, he attracted thousands to the science of yoga.

Song of the Morning is the result of Yogacharya’s desire to carry out the wishes of his guru to establish a yoga retreat for the purpose of expanding the application of this timeless science as a full and practical way of life.

Yogacharya made his conscious exit into eternity in 1989, at the age of 96, while sitting up meditating. Joyfully living, as in dying, he was a true devotee to God and guru to the end.

From 1991 to 2004, Bob Raymer, also a spiritually advanced direct disciple of Yogananda, served as the spiritual director of Golden Lotus, Inc. Mr. Raymer was a close friend of Yogacharya, and under his spiritual direction many hearts were opened to experience the path of love and devotion to the Divine. Bob Raymer left his physical body in November of 2008. We were indeed blessed to have Bob here.

Yoga is a scientific ordering of the universal laws of life.

As modern science continues to unlock the secrets of nature, it continually verifies what yogis have known intuitively for thousands of years.

The goals of Golden Lotus, Inc. are:to promote the understanding of this most ancient of sciences, helping modern  men and women  develop new depths of inner awareness and self-realization;

*   to further the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda and the teaching of yoga;
*   to operate a yoga retreat of excellence and a World Brotherhood Colony;
*   to exemplify a higher culture where householder yogis live balanced, productive lives; and
*   to provide a place of relaxation and spiritual refreshment for truth-thirsty souls.