Mrinalini Mata

Mrinalini Mata (born Merna Loy Brown), is a close disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda and one of those chosen by him to carry on the Self-Realization Fellowship work after his death. She has served as vice-president of the society since 1966.

She was born in a Latter-day Saint family before taking the monastic title Sri. Her Mormon background resembles her fellow SRF Inc. Board of Directors: Daya Mata (Faye Wright), Ananda Mata (Virginia Wright, Daya's sister) and Tara Mata (Laurie Pratt, Yoganananda's editor).

In 1945, at the Self-Realization Fellowship Temple in San Diego, Mrinalini Mata first met Paramahansa Yogananda. She was then fourteen years old. Just a few months later, she entered Sri Yogananda's ashram in Encinitas, California as a nun of the Self-Realization Order.

Through day-to-day association during the years that followed (up until the time of his passing in 1952) Yogananda devoted much personal attention to the spiritual training of this young nun. From her earliest years in the ashram, he prepared her for the task for which he had chosen her: editing and overseeing the publication of his "Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons" and other writings, transcribed lectures, and scriptural commentaries. Mrinalini Mata (whose name refers to the lotus flower, traditionally regarded in India as a symbol of purity and spiritual unfoldment) has served for many years as editor-in-chief of Self-Realization Fellowship books, lessons and peridocals. More than 150 of Paramahansa Yogananda's talks have been published under her direction, including two anthologies, as well as several volumes of his poetry and inspirational writings.

Mrinalini Mata has made a number of visits to India to guide the work of Sri Yogananda's society there and has lectured on his teachings in principal cities of the subcontinent. In her capacity as vice-president and as a member of Self-Realization Fellowship's Board of Directors, she assists president Sri Daya Mata in overseeing the spiritual and humanitarian activities of Self-Realization Fellowship/Yogoda Satsanga Society of India, including the worldwide dissemination of Yogananda's teachings and establishment and guidance of temples, centers and retreats. She is also responsible for the spiritual direction of the Self-Realzation Fellowship monastic communities.

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