Self-Realization Center: A Place of Peace for a Piece of Peace

View From Temple, Overlooking Lake

The Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine and the new temple are located at 17190 Sunset Blvd in Pacific Palisades California, just off Pacific Coast Highway. The temple itself sits high on a hill, overlooking the lake, chapel, windmill, and boat house docked on the lake.

I was first introduced to the Lake Shrine back in September 2009 by my father. In fact it would be on our last "day-cation" together that he would reveal this hidden jewel of a location to me. I was surprised to discover that this Lake Shrine location was one of many sites of the Self-Realization Fellowship, founded by Paramahansa Yogananda in 1920. There are over 500 temples and meditation centers around the world.

This particular location is nestled in the surrounding hillside and surrounds a beautiful lake that may not have even existed were it not for a halted construction project in the late 1920's. 

Developer Alphonzo Bell, who established Bel-Air, sand blasted the area in 1927 with hopes of building another residential community. Lake Santa Ynez was born when a basin, created by the unfinished construction, filled in with water from nearby natural springs.

Over the next decade the lake became covered with brush and reeds and was only used by local youth who considered it their private swimming hole. Local residents just considered it a worthless swamp.

Inceville Motion Pictures

Prior to the construction that led to the basin which created the lake, the area was home to Inceville Motion Pictures, founded by Thomas H. Ince, who in 1912 purchased the 465-acre property, formerly known as Bison Ranch. He also leased another 18,000 acres up the Santa Ynez Canyon from Santa Monica to Malibu and used the area as a backdrop for filming silent movies. The studios were later destroyed in a fire in 1924.

In 1940 the assistant superintendent of construction for 20th Century Fox, H. Everett McElroy, purchased the property. He envisioned a lush paradise for he and his wife to enjoy. Despite the shortage of building materials due to the war, the McElroy's developed the area, dredged the lake, cleared away the overgrown brush. They even relocated their double-deck, Mississippi-style riverboat from Lake Mead, in Nevada, to their new home on the lake and took up residence there.

The next major structure the couple decided to erect along the lakeside would be the The Mill House. When the home was completed in 1929 the McElroy's relocated from the riverboat just across the lake to their new love nest. The houseboat then became a rental for celebrities and other movie industry executives. The Mill House was constructed with a fifteen-foot waterwheel, a turret, and was styled after a 16th century mill house. It has 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a spare (3/4) bathroom. Handcrafted carvings, stained glass windows, and a circular staircase compliment the structure beautifully, and outdoors there is a second story floating swing, along with a bridge constructed of wood and rope, which add to the natural way the house blends into the nearby surroundings.

Later additions to the property by the McElroy's included a 16th century dutch windmill, that still blows in the wind, and a boat landing suited for the riverboat. Today the windmill structure is used as a chapel.

In the late 1940's the McElroy's decided to sell the property, complete with houseboat to the new owner, an oil company executive with big dreams of turning the serene location into a multi-million dollar hotel and resort. He took up residence in the windmill and one night he was awakened after having a strange dream. He envisioned a place where all religions would come together in fellowship. He contacted the Hollywood location of the Self-Realization Fellowship by phone the same day he posted a letter to them explaining the dream he had. He was put in touch with Paramahansa Yogananda and this beautiful garden paradise is the result of their meeting.

On August 20, 1950 the Self Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine was opened to the public. There was a dedication ceremony to mark the occasion. During the ceremony Paramahansa Yogananda dedicated the Gandhi World Peace Memorial in honor of Mahatma Gandhi. This was the first memorial in the world honoring this apostle of peace.

Gandhi World Peace Memorial

A portion of Gandhi's ashes have been encased in a 1,000 year old stone sarcophagus from China. The ashes were donated to Yogananda by Dr. V.M. Nawle from Poona, India who was aware of the friendship that Yogananda and Gandhi shared.

Dr. Nawle confirmed by his letter that Gandhi's ashes were scattered in the most important bodies of water, and that there were in fact no other ashes given in the world, outside of India, except those being given to Yogananda. The memorial is framed by the towering Golden Lotus Archway, built by Yogananda to symbolize the awakening of the soul to its full potential.

The latest structural addition has been the new temple which was designed with both eastern and western architectural influences. The 58-foot high, 4,000 square foot temple opened in 1996 and is also topped with a golden lotus. It is built with mostly hand-crafted materials including, concrete, stained glass, ceramic tiles, and hand-carved wood, all with intricate detail. The temple is used as a retreat, has several classrooms, a ballroom, and a large 400-seat sanctuary.

Today the paradise is still only known to a select few. It remains a "Place of Peace" and serenity. Their is a path around the lake that is dotted with secluded coves with benches, beautiful flowers, plants, trees, and other life such as swans, butterflies, birds and coy fish. There are even waterfalls.

Plan to spend about 20 minutes if you just want a walk through, but if you want to fully experience the joy and peace this place has to offer, you need to be prepared to spend at  least an hour. I suggest you select a bench, near a marker or inspirational quote, which are so plentifully placed along the trail, and that you simply just sit, breathe, and relax.

Don't forget to bring your "inside voice". The place demands the silence of a library, if not more. I do not recommend bringing toddlers or young children, as they may enjoy the beauty of the flowers and swans, but their excitement may just be too much for this environment. No one will ever walk up to you to "hush" you. It's not that kind of place. But I promise that once you visit, you will feel the energy and understand why this is not the place for the pitter-patter of little feet. Its not a park or recreational kind of lake. This place is a Place of Peace, a Piece of Peace, that will recharge your spirit and leave you feeling, well, free.