 |
|
Luther
McKinnie
|
Luther
McKinnie
Luther
McKinnie, SRF Devotee from the Hollywood Church who passed away
recently at 95 years old.
New!!!!
Recently, we acquired a video tribute to Luther McKinnie for his
90th birthday celebration in Hollywood. The tribute video was taken
during a banquet in Luther's honor. Many distinguished representatives
of SRF gave their testimonals about their relationship with Luther,
including Dennis Weaver (actor), and several monastics. This one
hour video is now available for purchase for $10 and that price
includes shipping. You can order the video on our products
page.
The SRF Center Leader in New York City for many years, Luther McKinnie,
was a long time devotee of Paramhansa Yogananda and his Self-Realization
teachings. When he read Autobiography of a Yogi and started
taking The Lessons in the early 1950s, Luther said his “whole
body became electric” as he felt Yogananda’s blessings
on finding his destined spiritual path.
Although Luther worked as a simple porter at Grand Central Station,
he followed the teachings of his newly found guru, in a devoted
way. Luther’s aura was that of a holy man. When people saw
Luther walk down the street in Harlem, they thought he was a reverend
minister of a local church. His dignity and spiritual power reflected
the yoga teachings of his guru.
Luther tells his story in a video segment which is shown here and
you may also purchase for $10 (shipping including) the entire one
hour video from our products page:
Dial-up modem version
MP3
Download (audio only)
Although Luther was married, his wife (who chose not to have children)
objected to Luther’s spiritual conversion to the Self-realization
path. He quickly found himself isolated in his life. There was no
meditation group in New York City at the time and no one in Harlem
that studied SRF Lessons.
So one day in 1955, Luther decided to take a long vacation alone.
He went out to visit the SRF Headquarters, or Mother Center, in
Los Angeles. Arriving by bus on a Sunday, he went directly to Hollywood
SRF Church to get orientated there and possibly meet someone he
could eventually talk with about the teachings.
Dr. Lewis, one of Yogananda’s advance disciples, was the minister
giving the talk that day. As Luther walked into the church a little
late, Dr. Lewis stopped his sermon abruptly and pointed to Luther
saying, “Excuse me sir, could I have a word with you after
the service.” In shock, Luther didn’t know this minister
and wondered what he wanted?
When Luther met with Doctor afterwards, he again was shocked at
what Doctor told him, “You are one of Yogananda’s precious
disciples from the past, who has returned.” Luther was astonished
by this remark and didn’t know what to make of it, but he this
man’s heart. And it was true and pure. Luther and Dr. Lewis
became life long friends from that moment on. During the course
of their conservation, Doctor healed Luther of a chronic sinus ailment
that flared up during his arrival in L.A. From that healing, Luther
never had that problem again. It was a sign that had found his spiritual
family.
Years later, Luther moved to Los Angeles upon his retirement in
the early 1970s. He moved near the SRF Hollywood Church and became
well known with all the devotees for his Tuesday night meditations
and kirtans (devotional singing sessions). People would pack into
his small house and would chant with him for long hours. Luther
was known by his chanting and was the kirtan leader at the SRF Hollywood
Temple for many years.
Although he recently passed away in Los Angeles at the age of 95
in January 2002, Luther gave to me, the webmaster, a copy of his
video and told me that he wanted it distributed after his passing.
Interviewed by a devotee of the Hollywood Church, I know many friends
of Luther will be interested in seeing this video. If there is interest
in receiving a copy of it, you can contact Phil Decardo through
the SRF Hollywood Church. I don’t know Phil personally, but
I hope he will appreciate this offering of Luther’s video on
this web-site. It was something Luther wanted to get out to his
friends everywhere.
Over twenty-five years ago this webmaster attended the church as
well. Some of the devotees of African decent who attend the church
now include the well-known movie actor, Albert Hall. Mr.
Hall, played the part of Elijah Muhammad in the recent movie, Ali,
on the life of Muhammad Ali, starring Will Smith. Mr. Hall has been
a long time devotee of Paramhansa Yogananda and an active member
of SRFfor many years.
See his link here: www.anarchytv.com/actor/hall.html
There are many Yogananda devotees of African decent who are meditation
and center leaders in the Self-realization movement. I’ve personally
met the leaders in the SRF Sacramento and Miami Centers. They are
wonderful devotees and seek to share Paramhansa Yogananda’s
teachings in the best way they know how. I wish them all the very
best in their service to God and Guru.
It would be lovely to one day embrace openly in divine friendship
as fellow gurubais, brother and sister devotees of the same guru,
and hold a convocation for those of African decent someday. Guruiji
knows there is a need for these teachings to be embraced by all.
Wouldn’t it be a just and noble thing to talk about how to
reach out and bring these great teachings of Self-realization to
those of African descent? We’ll see what the future brings.
At this point those who are interested must be guided.
May God and Gurus guide us to be channels for Their Light in
this world!
Contact
us:
Please feel free to contact us with your comments or suggestions regarding this
website: rsmith108@netzero.net
|
