On a bright sunny February day in 1931, central Phoenix residents found handbills on their doorsteps with a most unusual invitation: "Come hear why some people are born with a silver spoon in their mouth, while others are born in poverty." The speaker was a Swami from India, named Yogananda. From him, astonished Phoenicians learned for the first time about reincarnation, about spiritual unfoldment and healing, and most of all, the possibility of personally finding God.

Paramahansa Yogananda presented five lectures on techniques of meditation, then called Yogoda; and a 12-part class series which culminated on March 29 with the first Kriya initiation in Arizona. On this occasion, Master said that he liked Phoenix and the desert very much because it reminded him of "his India." A devotee who later recorded her memories, Mrs. Anna Q. Coates, said she could still recall Master's voice whenever he said "my India;" the words seemed to begin from deep within him, and would captivate his listeners with their dynamic quality. Master also made the now famous prophecy: "I have sowed the seeds of my prayers into the ether of Phoenix, and some day devotees will water them with the water of devotion and divine seeking, and they will sprout forth into the creation of a divine center."

It took several years until, in 1947, a small group obtained their first Center location on 1800 West Monroe. It included a small chapel with space for seating 45, and regular meetings took place on Sunday mornings as well as Tuesday and Friday evenings. The dedicated core of disciples eagerly anticipated Master's next visit to Arizona. In the spring of 1948, Paramahansaji and two cars filled with disciples came from Mount Washington to dedicate this first Self Realization Fellowship Center in Phoenix. He came again in 1949, this time to dedicate a 20-acre parcel of beautiful desert land given to him by devoted Arizona ranchers, Mr. & Mrs. Freeman. Master loved the silence of the desert, he prayed "May the Divine Lord and the great masters who are ever present in the universe, and whose power is symbolized in the sun's rays, instill in all who come - not only for the healing of the beneficial rays - but also for the spiritual atmosphere which we leave in this place."

Happy years of growth followed, there were the first christenings, the first marriage ceremonies, the first India Night. More and more students subscribed to the Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons, and SRF ministers served the community. In October of 1953, Rajarsi Janakananda assigned Brother Bhaktananda as full-time minister to the Phoenix Center. The group continued to increase in number and activities. To procure sorely needed supplies - chairs, tables, cooling systems (after all, this was Phoenix!) - the devotees started to serve vegetarian lunches as fund raisers. Paramahansaji's famous spaghetti recipe had made it to Arizona, personally prepared by Brother Bhaktananda. Eventually Brother's services were needed in California, but he remained minister in charge and visited Phoenix monthly.

The Center moved to 7th Street during the mid-60s, and kept growing. In 1969 Mother Center acquired the property at 6111 North Central, and soon made plans for the construction of the first SRF Temple outside of California - as well as the first SRF temple built from the ground up. Sri Daya Mata came for the ground-breaking ceremonies, and finally, on February 11, 1973, the Phoenix Temple was ready to become the hive for the honey of God-realization. With Daya Ma in India, Uma Mata dedicated our Temple, and Brother Anandamoy served as the first minister.

Now, several decades later, the Phoenix Temple has grown to serve many devotees both locally and from adjoining areas. We have 2 resident monks, services on Thursday, Friday and Sunday, with special services such as Lessons and scripture study sessions during the week. We are continuously working on the beautification of the temple grounds. Over the years, two other buildings which were later acquired for Sunday school classes and as residence for the monastics.

The Phoenix Temple community aspires to become a magnet to all souls who feel drawn to our Guru's path, offering our services to the Valley of the Sun, the state of Arizona and neighboring states. A plan has been created to help the Phoenix Temple meet the needs of its members now and in the coming decades. In order to provide facilities for the expanding membership, the Phoenix Temple will build a community hall to host fellowship events, provide adequate space for our Sunday school children and increase parking, among other needs. Yoganadaji's prayers continue to be watered by devotees who strive for God-realization. As Paramahansa Yogananda predicted, this work will "begin as a gentle zephyr and gradually increase into a mighty wind that will help to sweep away the devastations of evil and ignorance." Since his mahasamadhi in 1952, members have continued to devote their lives to their spiritual upliftment and the upliftment of other truth-seeking souls. Through these efforts of the devotees, we transform our lives and help grow the temple hive for the bees that are seeking the honey of self-realization.