Lake Shrine
8/4/2006 | 28m 39sVideo has Closed Captions
Huell visits the Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine in Los Angeles.
The Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine is an amazing oasis in the middle of our bustling city. Originally a location for silent films in the 20s, the property ended up in the hands of a construction superintendent for 20th Century Fox who built a double decker Mississippi houseboat and an authentic reproduction 16th century Dutch windmill. Today it is an open-air shrine to all religions.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Visiting with Huell Howser is a local public television program presented by PBS SoCal
Lake Shrine
8/4/2006 | 28m 39sVideo has Closed Captions
The Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine is an amazing oasis in the middle of our bustling city. Originally a location for silent films in the 20s, the property ended up in the hands of a construction superintendent for 20th Century Fox who built a double decker Mississippi houseboat and an authentic reproduction 16th century Dutch windmill. Today it is an open-air shrine to all religions.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch Visiting with Huell Howser
Visiting with Huell Howser is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipVISITING WITH HUELL HOWSER IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GENEROUS GRANT FROM THE RALPH M. PARSONS FOUNDATION.
>>Huell: WELL HELLO, EVERYBODY, I'M HUELL HOWSER.
HERE ITS ABOUT 2:15 ON A VERY HOT TUESDAY AFTERNOON.
WHEN WE LEFT DOWNTOWN L.A.
THE THEMERRMOMETER SAID IT WAS 100 DEGREES.
PEOPLE WERE BEGINNING TO STRESS OUT.
LOUIE AND I DECIDED TO YOU DRIVE OUT HERE TO PACIFIC PALISADES TO VISIT A PLACE THAT I HAVE BEEN READING ABOUT AND SEEING PICTURES OF, LITERALLY FOR YEARS.
HERE WE ARE IN THIS BEAUTIFUL SPOT.
LAUREN, TELL US EXACTLY WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW.
>> THIS IS THE SELF REALIZATION LAKE SHRINE.
>>Huell: THE LAKE SHRINE, IT'S WRITTEN UP IN ALL THE BOOKS ABOUT LOS ANGELES AS THIS WONDERFUL, KIND OF A HIDDEN, TUCKED AWAY PLACE IN THE PALISADES THAT IS AN OASIS OF TRANQUILITY HERE ON THE SIDE OF SUNSET BOULEVARD.
>> THAT'S CORRECT.
WE GET VISITORS FROM ACROSS THE WORLD.
HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS EACH YEAR.
>>Huell: THIS IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF SOMEONE WHO HAS LIVED IN L.A. FOR OVER 20 YEARS AND THIS IS MY FIRST TIME HERE.
>> WELCOME.
YOU WON'T FORGET IT.
>>Huell: WILL WE HAVE A RELAXED SELF REALIZED AFTERNOON.
>> I HOPE SO.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE FACES OF THOSE VISITING YOU WILL GET A CLUE OF WHAT YOU CAN EXPERIENCE HERE.
>>Huell: THESE ARE NOT THE FACES OF PEOPLE VISITING.
THEY'RE THE FACES OF GUYS TO BE HERE ALL THE TIME.
>> THAT'S TRUE.
BECAUSE THEY'RE HERE ALL THE TIME, YOU CAN SEE THE PEACE THEY RADIATE.
>>Huell: LET'S SEE THESE WONDERFUL FACES LOUIE.
>> I'M BROTHER -- >> BROTHER -- >> BROTHER -- >>Huell: THESE ARE ALL NAMES FROM WHAT RELIGION?
>> ANCIENT HINDU.
THEY REFLECT EQUALITY OF THE DIVINE.
EACH HAS A DIFFERENT SIGNIFICANCE WE'RE LOOKING TO EMULATE IN OUR LIVES.
>>Huell: THIS IS A SPECIFIC WORLD RELIGION HERE?
>> SELF REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP WAS ACROSS THE WORLD, THAT IS CORRECT.
>>Huell: THIS AREA REPRESENTS ALL RELIGIONS.
>> YES, RACES AND CREEDS.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME AND HONORED HERE.
>>Huell: WE'RE STARTING THIS TOUR BECAUSE RIGHT HERE, EXPLAIN WHAT IS HERE IN THIS COURTYARD, LAUREN.
>> THIS IS A COURTYARD OF ALL RELIGIONS.
IT HONORS THE FIVE WORLD RELIGIONS.
HINDUISM, BUDDHISM, JEWDISM, CHRISTIANITY AND ISLAM.
>>Huell: YOU HAVE LITTLE SHRINES WITH NAMES AND PLAQUES FOR THE GREAT RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD.
>> YES.
>>Huell: THIS IS A PLACE OF FOR PEOPLE OF ALL RELIGIONS, THEY'RE ALL WELCOMED HERE.
>> YES.
>> THERE'S AN INTERESTING STORY.
OUR MINISTER WAS HERE, A CAR PULLED UP AND THEY HAD DIFFERENT RELIGIONS AND RACES.
THEY STOOD AND LOOKED AT THE DIFFERENT MONUMENTS AND A LADY SCREAMED OUT "EVERYONE IS WELCOMED HERE".
>>Huell: WE FEEL WELCOMED HERE.
WHO IS THE HISTORIAN IN THE GROUP.
TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT WE'RE SEEING HERE.
I KNOW THIS WINDMILL DOESN'T REALLY HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE RELIGIOUS ASPECT, MORE OF THE HISTORICAL ASPECT OF WHAT THIS PLACE WAS ABOUT.
>> WELL, THERE WAS A MAN DURING THE 1940s WHO BOUGHT THE PROPERTY.
HE ALWAYS WANTED TO LIVE IN A DUTCH WINDMILL.
A 17TH CENTURY DUTCH WINDMILL IN LOS ANGELES.
HE BUILT ONE.
HE WAS CONNECTED WITH 20TH CENTURY FOX.
THEY BUILT IT.
IT'S COMPLETELY AUTHENTIC.
THERE'S A DUTCH SAYING ABOVE THE WALK WAY.
HE LIVED HERE WITH HIS WIFE AND ONE NIGHT HE HAD A DREAM THIS PLACE BECAME A CHURCH OF ALL RELIGIONS.
THERE'S A MINISTER ON THE ISLAND IN THE LAKE GIVING A SERVICE.
HE WENT BACK TO SLEEP AND THOUGHT IT WAS STRANGE.
HE HAD THE SAME DREAM AGAIN.
HE WENT BACK TO SLEEP AGAIN AND HAD ANOTHER DREAM.
HE STARTD TO CHECK IT OUT IN THE PHONE BOOK.
HE LOOKED FOR A CHURCH OF ALL RELIGIONS.
OUR FOUNDER HAD AN AD FOR A CHURCH OF ALL RELIGIONS.
HE WAKEDS UP AND SAYS THIS IS IT.
HIS WIFE WAKES UP AND SAYS WHAT ARE DO YOUING.
HE SAID I'M GIVING AWAY OUR PROPERTY TO THE CHURCH OF ALL RELIGIONS.
SHE SAID NOT AT 4:00 IN THE MORNING YOU'RE NOT.
>>Warren: >>Huell: IS THIS A TRUE STORY?
>> YES.
HE HAD A PARTNER THAT DONATED A PORTION.
WE CAME BACK YEARS LATER AFTER WE MADE A CHURCH AND SAID WHEN WILL YOU BUILD THE ISLAND IN THE MIDDLE.
WE DIDN'T DO IT.
BUT THE WINDMILL BECAME OUR CHAPEL.
NOW WE HAVE A LARGER TEMPLE ON THE HILL ABOVE HERE.
WE KEEP THIS OPEN FOR MEDITATION.
>>Huell: IT'S STILL AN ACTIVE BUILDING THERE.
THIS WAS THE BUILDING HE BUILT TO SLEEP IN BACK IN THE 1940s.
>> THAT WAS HIS HOME.
THE AUTHENTIC MACHINERY IS IN THE TURRET:WE CAN MAKE THE WINDMILL TURN AND IF YOU HAVE GRAIN WE CAN GRIND IT.
>>Huell: WHAT'S THE HOUSE BOAT OUT HERE?
>> THIS WAS LEFT OVER FROM A MOVIE SET.
WE KEEP HEARING RUMORS THIS WAS AN OLD CARI GRANT AND SOPHIA LOREN MOVIE.
THIS WAS PART OF A 20TH CENTURY PROP.
AFTER IT WAS OVER IT WAS AT LAKE IMMEDIATE.
THEN IT WAS BROUGHT HERE.
>>Huell: HE HAD A WINDMILL AND A HOUSE BOAT.
IS THE LAKE A NATURAL LAKE?
>> THE LAKE WAS DUG OUT ORIGINALLY AS A SAND AND GRAVEL COREY.
IT FILLED WITH WATER AND THERE WAS NATURAL SPRINGS.
THIS WAS THE ONLY SPRING FED NATURAL LAKE IN LOS ANGELES.
>>Huell: IT'S BEEN HERE FOR HOW LONG LIKE THIS >> THE 1940s.
PERHAPS A LITTLE EARLIER.
>>Huell: WOW.
>> MANY OF THE LOCAL CHILDREN CAME HERE WHEN IT WAS A LAKE AND SWAM.
THEY HAVE FOND MEMORIES.
>>Huell: I'M LOOKING OVER YOUR SHOULDER.
COME DOWN HERE, LOUIE, FOR A MINUTE.
THIS IS BEAUTIFUL DOWN HERE.
I JUST NOTICED THIS WATERFALL DOWN HERE.
THIS IS JUST -- LOOK AT THIS.
THIS IS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL HERE.
>> THIS WATER FALL WAS BUILT AND THERE'S A STATUE OF CHRIST AT THE TOP.
THEY FELT CHRIST AND THE LEADER OF INDIA WERE THE TWO LEADERS THAT SHOWED SIMILARITIES OF EAST AND WEST.
MANY OF THE TEACHINGS ARE BASED ON THE ESSENCE OF CHRISTIANITY AND THE ESSENCE OF YOGA.
>>Huell: THAT'S YOUR NEW TEMPLE UP THERE.
>> YES.
>>Huell: THERE'S A LADY DOWN THERE READING.
SO, PEOPLE LITERALLY COME OUT HERE AND QUIETLY SIT AND MEDITATE AND READ AND THINK AND WHATEVER THEY WANT TO DO.
>> YES.
ABSOLUTELY.
PEOPLE COME FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE.
MANY ARE NOT MEMBERS OF OUR CHUERRCH OR FOLLOW THE TEACHINGS.
THEY COME HERE TO MEDITATE AND HAVE THE PEACE AND HAVE A CONNECTION TO NATURE.
>> MANY OF MY FRIENDS WHEN THEY VISIT SAY THEY USE IT AS AN ONE DAY RETREAT OR HALF DAY RETREAT.
TAKE TEN MINUTES OR THREE HOURS TO UNWIND AND GET AWAY FROM THE HECTIC PACE OF LOS ANGELES.
BECAUSE IT'S OPEN TO ANYONE AND THERE'S NO CHARGE IT'S REALLY WONDERFUL FOR THAT PURPOSE.
WE EVEN HAVE A RETREAT FACILITY.
I THINK IT'S THE BEST KEPT SECRET IN LOS ANGELES.
>>Huell: YOU CAN HAVE A FORMAL RETREAT HERE.
>> YES.
>> SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT COME HERE COME WEEKLY.
THEY ENJOY IS SO MUCH THEY SPEND AN HOUR OR AFTERNOON EACH WEEK.
I HAVE HAD CASES WHERE SOME HAVE COME FOR SO MANY YEARS AND ENJOY IT SO MUCH WHEN THEY LEAVE THEIR WILL THEY LEAVE IT FOR THE MEMORIAL SERVICE TO BE HANDLED HERE YEN THOUGH THEY'RE NOT A MEMBER OF THE FAITH.
WE HOLD THE SERVICE HERE AT THE WINDMILL CHAPEL.
>>Huell: NOW WE'RE STARTING DOWN THE PATH.
THE PATH GOES AROUND THE LAKE.
>> YES.
IT'S ABOUT A QUARTER OF A MILE LONG.
>>Huell: THERE'S PEOPLE IN THE GARDENS ALL THE TIME.
>> THE GARDENS ARE VERY EXTENSIVE.
WE CONSTANTLY CHANGE THE VEGETATION HERE.
>>Huell: LOOK AT THE VIEW OF THE LAKE FROM HERE.
THIS IS BEAUTIFUL.
>> FROM HERE YOU CAN SEE ACROSS THE LAKE.
THERE'S A MEMORIAL.
>>Huell: WE WILL GET THERE IN A MOMENT.
THAT'S ANOTHER STORY.
>> YES.
IT IS.
>>Huell: LOOK UP HERE, LOUIE, WE HAVE THE WINDMILL WITH THE ACTUAL WINDMILL THAT TURNS.
>> THAT'S CORRECT.
>>Huell: IT'S USED NOW, THE SIGN SAYS "QUIET PLEASE, MEDITATION AREA".
>> THIS IS THE GREATING IN DUTCH IN THE TOP.
"GOD BLESS EVERYONE WHO WALKS UNDER THESE ARCH WAYS".
>>Huell: THIS WAS PUT IN THE 40s.
IT HAD A RELIGIOUS FEELING EVEN WHEN HE BUILT IT.
>> HE MUST OF HAD SOME THOUGHT TO PUT THAT SAYING THERE.
>>Huell: CAN WE WALK UP HERE?
I DON'T WANT TO INTERRUPT ANYONE'S -- >> WE DON'T WANT TO INTERRUPT THEIR PRAYER.
>>Huell: JUST KIND OF -- IT'S A BEAUTIFUL CHAPEL.
>> THIS WAS THE ORIGINAL CHAPEL WHERE WE HELD SERVICES AND MEDITATIONS AND INSPIRATION AL SERVICES.
WE QUICKLY OUTGREW IT.
WE WERE ABLE TO OPEN OUR NEW TEMPLE IN 1996.
>>Huell: HERE'S THE TEMPLE UP THERE.
YOU CAN SEE IT FOR THE FIRST TIME.
THIS VIEW WITH THE LAKE AND THE TREES AND ALL OF THIS.
IT REALLY IS A LITTLE HIDDEN GEM, ISN'T.
YES JOGANANDA LOVED NATURE.
HE SAID GOD WAS EXPRESSED IN NATURE SO IT WAS INVOLVED IN ALL OF HIS BUILDINGS AND TEMPLES.
>>Huell: NOW WE WILL GET INTO WHO YOGANANDA WAS WHEN WE GET TO THE TEMPLE.
NOW WE GO BACK OUT THERE THIS WONDERFUL GATE HERE.
WE JUST KEEP WALKING AROUND THE... AROUND THE... NOW WE'RE INTO THIS -- THIS IS BEAUTIFUL HERE.
LOOK AT THIS.
HERE COME OUR FIRST, HOWDY.
HOW ARE YOU DOING?
NICE TO SEE YOU.
HAVE YOU HAD A GOOD TIME HERE.
>> YES, I AM.
>>Huell: HAVE YOU BEEN QUIET AND MEDITATING.
>> YES.
VERY QUIET.
WE LIKE THE PLACE.
WE KEEP COMING BACK HERE.
>>Huell: YOU HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE.
>> ONCE.
THIS IS MY SECOND TIME.
>>Huell: THE BOYS LIKE IT?
>> THIS THE IS BOYS FIRST TIME.
>>Huell: DID YOU LIKE IF, BOYS?
>> IT'S PRETTY MUCH A WALK AROUND AND LOOK AT THINGS.
>>Huell: YOU'RE SUPPOSE TO BE QUIET AND MEDITATE WHEN YOU COME HERE.
>> I JUST, I DON'T REALLY MEDITATE.
I JUST WALK AROUND.
>>Huell: THEY'LL GET INTO IT.
KEEP BRINGING THEM BACK.
>> THANK YOU.
>>Huell: GROWS ON YOU, I THINK.
WHEN YOU'RE NOT REQUIRED TO MEDITATE TO COME HERE, ARE YOU.
YOU CAN JUST ENJOY IT.
BOY, LOOK AT THIS.
BOY.
THIS IS JUST BEAUTIFUL.
OH, GOSH.
HI, HOW ARE YOU DOING?
NICE TO MEET YOU.
IS THIS YOUR FIRST TIME HERE?
>> NO.
I'M FROM BRAZIL.
I COME HERE TWICE A YEAR.
I COME FIVE YEARS.
I LOVE TO COME HERE.
>>Huell: YOU COME HERE FROM BRAZIL.
>> YES.
>>Huell: HAVE YOU HAD FUN TODAY.
>> YES.
>>Huell: IT'S A BEAUTIFUL PLACE.
>> OH, MY GOD, THIS IS PARADISE ON EARTH.
>>Huell: NICE TO MEET YOU, SIR.
>> SOMETHING HAPPENED INTERESTING HERE.
ONE EVENING A COUPLE OF MEN WERE DRIVING THEIR CAR DOWN THE STREET WHERE IT DEADS END AT SUNSET.
THEY WERE AT A PARTY AND DOING WHAT THEY SHOULDN'T OF DONE.
THEY CAME DOWN HERE AND WAS FLYING DOWN AND CAME FLYING THROUGH THE FENCE OVER HERE AND LANDED WITH THE FRONT OF THE CAR IN THE LAKE.
>> >>Huell: THEY WERE BAPTIZED IN THE WATER.
>> THEY WERE UNHURT.
THE MAN STUMBLES OUT.
A MINISTER LIVING HERE RAN DOWN AND WAS SHOCKED.
THE MAN WAS SHOCKED AND STUMBLED OUT OF THE CAR AND SAID "WHERE AM I, IS THIS HEAVEN?"
.
THE MINISTER SAID YOU CAN SAY THAT.
LATER HE BECAME A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH.
IT CHANGED HIS LIFE.
>>Huell: NOW, WE REACHED A GARDEN AREA HERE.
IT LOOKS LIKE A SHRINE.
>> YES.
THERE'S A STATUE OF THE FEMININE ASPECT OF GOD IN THE CHINESE TRADITION.
IT'S PART OF OUR TRYING TO INCLUDE ALL RELIGION AND ALL PEOPLE TO FEEL COMFORTABLE.
>>Huell: LOOK AT THESE PLANTS.
>> THESE ARE WEEPING BAMBOO AND CHINESE MULL BERRY AND BONZI TREES.
>>Huell: PEOPLE COULD COME JUST TO ENJOY THE GARDEN.
>> YES THEY COME ON HORTICULTURE TOURS.
IT'S A COLLECTION OF PLANTS.
WE GET EXOTIC AND UNUSUAL PLANTS FOR THIS AREA.
THERE'S A LOT OF WORK OVER THE MANY YEARS TO GO THROUGH AND PUT THE GARDENS IN THE SHAPE THEY'RE IN.
LET'S GO DOWN HERE.
WHAT'S THIS?
>> THIS IS A LANDING TO SEE THE FISH.
IT'S AN AREA WHERE PEOPLE CONGREGATE AND HANG OUT.
>>Huell: YES.
>> THERE'S A WHITE COY SWIMMING BY.
THERE'S MORE THAT COME AROUND.
>>Huell: LOOK AT THIS.
>> HOWDY, HOW ARE YOU DOING?
YOU'RE FROM?
>> NOT UNDERSTAND.
>>Huell: HE COULD BE FROM ANYWHERE.
>> YES.
WE HAVE PEOPLE FROM MANY COUNTRIES.
RUSSIA.
>>Huell: HELLO.
WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
>> WE FROM RUSSIA.
>>Huell: FROM RUSSIA?
>> YES.
>>Huell: WELCOME TO LOS ANGELES.
>> THANK YOU.
>>Huell: DO YOU LIKE IT.
>> WE LIVE HERE.
>>Huell: IS THIS YOUR FIRST VISIT TO THE GARDEN.
>> NO, MANY TIMES.
>>Huell: DO YOU LIKE TO JUST COME OUT AND SIT.
BE QUIET?
>> YES.
WE LIKE VERY MUCH.
THIS PLACE.
IT'S VERY BEAUTIFUL.
IT'S VERY NICE PLACE.
>>Huell: NICE TO MEET YOU ALL.
>> NICE TO MEET YOU TOO.
>>Huell: ARE YOU LEAVING?
>> WE ARE LIVING HERE.
>>Huell: ARE YOU LEAVING HERE AND GOING HOME OR STAYING HERE?
>> NO, WE'RE GOING.
>>Huell: IT'S QUIET ENOUGH.
YOU'RE GOING HOME.
>> THANK YOU.
>>Huell: NICE TO MEET YOU SIR.
THERE'S A LADY WE DON'T SHOW HER, SHE'S SLEEPING BACK HERE.
THAT'S PART OF IT AS WELL.
>> MAYBE SHE'S RESTING HER EYES.
>>Huell: DIDN'T MEAN TO WAKE YOU UP.
>> THERE'S SWEET CHILDREN.
>>Huell: YES.
EVERYONE FINDS THEIR OWN THING.
>> YES.
>>Huell: LOOK, LOUIE, THERE'S THE WATER FALL WE SAW EARLIER.
IT'S ACROSS THE WATER.
BOY, THIS IS GREAT.
THIS JUST GOES ALL THE WAY AROUND THE LAKE.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
>> THERE'S A PATHWAY TO WALK AROUND.
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL WALK.
>>Huell: SOUNDS LIKE ANOTHER WATER FALL.
>> IT IS.
OVER HERE IS ANOTHER STATUE.
THIS IS FROM THE HINDU TRADITION.
>>Huell: LOOK AT THIS.
OH, THIS IS JUST BEAUTIFUL.
LOUIE LOOK ON THE TOP THERE.
THAT STATUE IS FROM THE HINDU TRADITION.
>> YES.
THIS IS A QUOTE AT THE BOTTOM.
IT'S THE HINDU SCRIPTURE.
>>Huell: HE WHO PERCEIVES ME EVERYWHERE AND BE HOLDS EVERYTHING IN ME NEVER LOSES SITE OF ME NOR DO I EVER LOSE SITE OF HIM.
THAT'S FROM THE HINDU RELIGION?
>> THAT'S CORRECT.
>>Huell: NOW WE'RE MOVING INTO -- THIS IS REALLY THE FOCAL POINT, ISN'T IT?
>> YES.
ACTUALLY IN 1950 WHEN THE LAKE SHRINE WAS DEDICATED THIS IS WHERE THE CEREMONY TOOK PLACE.
WE'RE MOVING TOWARDS THE GANDHI MEMORIAL.
IT'S WHERE A PORTION OF GANDHI'S ASHES ARE ENSHRINED.
>>Huell: YOU TOLD ME THIS IS THE ONLY PLACE IN THE WORLD WHERE ANY OF GANDHI ASHES REMAIN?
>> THAT'S WHAT WE'RE CERTAIN OF.
IT'S NOT ABSOLUTE.
WE'RE PRETTY CERTAIN.
ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF BEGANED EE'S PASSING THE LAST REMAINING PORTIONS OF HIS ASHES OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES IN INDIA WERE RELEASED TO HIS GRANDSON AND SCATTERED IN INDIA.
THIS IS THE ONLY PLACE OUTSIDE OF INDIA WHERE THERE WAS A PORTION OF HIS ASHES.
>>Huell: HIS ASHES WERE BROUGHT HERE IN?
>> THE ASHES WERE BROUGHT HERE AFTER GANDHI'S PASSING IN THE 40s BY A JOURNALIST FRIEND WHO KNEW OF THE STRONG BOND.
>>Huell: UP TO THIS POINT WE REALLY HAVEN'T TALKED MUCH ABOUT WHO YOGANANDA WAS.
WHAT'S THE STORY, HE FOUNDED THIS?
>> YES.
HE CAME TO THIS COUNTRY IN 1920 AS A DELEGATE FROM INDIA.
HE STAYED ON IN THIS COUNTRY.
HE CAME TO LOS ANGELES IN 1925 AND FOUND HIS HEADQUARTERS HERE.
>>Huell: WAS HE A HOLY MAN?
WHAT DO YOU CALL IT?
>> AT THAT TIME HE WAS CALLED SWAMI YOGANANDA.
>>Huell: THAT A GURU?
>> NOT NECESSARILY.
GURU IS A TERM THAT'S SUFFERED LOTS OF CONTORTIONS AS TERMS DO OVERTIME.
THE ORIGINAL MEANING OF GURU IS ONE WHO KNOWS GOD AND SHOWS OTHERS HOW TO GET BACK TO GOD.
NOW IT HAS COME TO MEAN A TEACHER.
THAT'S NOT THE ORIGINAL MEANING.
>>Huell: SO HE WAS CALLED A?
>> A SWAMI YOGANANDA.
THEN WHEN HE WENT BACK TO INDIA HE TOOK THE HIGHEST RELIGIOUS TITLE OF INDIA.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THAT IS THE MEANING "THE DIVINE SWAN" WHERE THE VEHICLE OF THE CREATOR IS CALLED THE SWAN.
IT WAS TOO HAVE THE QUALITY TO SEPARATE MILK FROM WATER WHEN THEY'RE MIXED.
TRY TO DO THAT.
THE CONCEPT OF THIS IS ONE WHO HAS THE ABILITY TO SEPARATE SPIRIT AND MATTER FROM EACH OTHER NO MATTER HOW CLOSELY THEY'RE INTER TWINED.
>>Huell: THIS IS VERY THEOLOGICAL.
HOW DID HE KNOW GANDHI.
WHY ARE HIS ASHES HERE?
>> YOGANANDA WANTED TO VISIT GANDHI BECAUSE HE WAS THRILLED OF INDIA MOVING TOWARDS INDEPENDENCE.
HE WAS SO ENAMORED.
WHEN HE WENT BACK TO INDIA IN 1935 ONE OF HIS GOALS WAS TO VISIT GANDHI.
THEY MET IN 1936.
THEY SPENT DAYS TOGETHER.
GANDHI WAS SO TAKEN BY YOGANANDA THAT HE ASKED HIM TO TEACH HIM MEDITATION.
>>Huell: HE TAUGHT GANDHI MEDITATION?
>> YES.
HE GAVE HIM THE TECHNIQUES TO GANDHI.
>>Huell: THAT'S WHY GANDHI'S ASHES, SOME ARE HERE.
I HAVE SEEN THE PICTURES WITH LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR GOODWIN KNIGHT AND HIS WIFE.
IT WAS A BIG CELEBRATION.
WE HAVE FOOTAGE OF THAT EVENT.
THAT WAS A HUGE CELEBRATION WHEN THAT HAPPENED.
>> THE DEDICATION IN 1950.
AUGUST 20TH, 1950.
AT THAT TIME THEY DEDICATED.
PLACE.
AND THEY BROUGHT GANDHI'S ASHES.
>>Huell: THIS IS A THOUSAND-YEAR-OLD -- >> YES.
>>Huell: THAT'S A THOUSAND YEARS OLD.
>> YES.
>>Huell: WOW.
>> YOGANANDA LOVED BEAUTIFUL THINGS AND OLD THINGS REMINDING HIM OF THE PAST.
HE SAW HISTORY AS A TAPESTRY OF ROLLS THAT WE COME BACK AND PLAY.
IT'S ALL CONSCIOUSNESS.
WE'RE HERE YE INVOLVING AND LEARNING AND LEARNING MORE OF THE GOD WITHIN.
THAT'S WHAT YOGA TEACHES.
>>Huell: WHAT A WONDERFUL PLACE TO DO IT.
>> HUELL, WE FEEL PRETTY LUCKY TO BE HERE.
>> HE BUILT THIS OUTDOOR TEMPLE HERE.
THE CONCEPT WAS TO SEE GOD EVERYWHERE.
AND WORSHIP GOD IN NATURE.
YOU CAN WORSHIP GOD ANYWHERE.
>>Huell: YOU CAN WORSHIP GOD IN YOUR OWN WAY HERE.
THE MONUMENTS OF THE FIVE MAJOR RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD ARE WELCOMED HERE.
>> ALL RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD ARE WELCOMED HERE.
>>Huell: LADIES, WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE TODAY?
>> I BROUGHT MY FRIEND JEAN TO SEE THE GARDEN OF SELF REALIZATION.
I THOUGHT IT WAS BEAUTIFUL AND SHE WOULD ENJOY IT.
>>Huell: ARE YOU VISITING HERE FROM SOMEWHERE ELSING?
>> ENJOYING THE PEACE OF THE GARDEN.
>>Huell: IT'S A WONDERFUL QUIET PLACE.
>> IT'S LOVELY AND BEAUTIFUL.
>>Huell: DO YOU BRING PEOPLE HERE?
>> IT'S A NICE PLACE TO BRING VISITORS.
WHEN YOU ENTERTAIN VISITORS.
NOW I GET MORE PEOPLE TO COME IN THE SUMMER.
I LIKE TO BRING -- THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I BROUGHT SOMEONE HERE.
I WAS HERE A WEEK AGO FOR THE FIRST TIME.
I WAS HERE WITH FRIENDS.
I JUST THOUGHT WHEN JEAN CAME I WOULD LIKE TO SHOW HER THE PARK.
>>Huell: IT'S A HIDDEN PLACE.
ISN'T IT?
>> YES.
IT IS.
I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT UNTIL SOMEONE TOLD ME.
I LIVE NEAR HERE.
I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT THOUGH.
>>Huell: HELLO.
>> HELLO.
>>Huell: YOU ARE FROM?
>> ORIGINALLY FROM IRAN.
>>Huell: IRAN.
ARE YOU VISITING IN LOS ANGELES?
>> WE LIVE IN U.S.
RIGHT NOW, THESE TWO LIVE IN L.A. WE LIVE IN RHODE ISLAND.
WE'RE VISITING HERE.
>>Huell: WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS BEAUTIFUL PLACE?
>> IT'S VERY BEAUTIFUL.
IT'S WONDERFUL.
>> IT'S A PIECE OF HEAVEN.
>>Huell: HAVE YOU FOUND A PART OF YOUR RELIGION HERE?
>> NOT SO MUCH RELIGION.
SURE IT IS A RELIGIOUS IS NICE.
>>Huell: WHETHER YOU'RE RELIGIOUS OR NOT IT'S BEAUTIFUL PLACE.
>> YES.
>>Huell: WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU COME HERE.
WHAT KIND OF THOUGHTS GO THROUGH YOUR MIND?
>> I WANT TO FIND PEACE.
>>Huell: HAVE YOU FOUND IT?
>> YES.
>> YES.
ME TOO.
ESPECIALLY SEEING THE GANDHI'S NAME OVER THERE AND THE MEMORIAL FL GANDHI.
IT'S VERY AMAZING FOR ME.
I LOVE HIM VERY MUCH.
>> >>Huell: YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING.
YOU ARE YOUNG.
>> WELL, I THINK THIS PLACE IS JUST SO REPLAQUESING.
I HAVE BEEN HERE A COUPLE OF TIMES WITH THE CHURCH.
IT'S JUST A BEAUTIFUL PLACE.
I LOVE TO COME HERE.
>>Huell: YES.
>> YES.
>>Huell: YOU GET QUIET WHEN YOU COME HERE.
DON'T YOU?
>> YES.
YOU CAN SYMBOLIZE THE NATURE GOING ON.
YOU CAN JUST -- THE SPIRITUALIZE.
IT'S RELAXING HERE.
>>Huell: WELL, I'LL LEAFEN YOU ALL SITTING HERE AND ENJOYING YOUR AFTERNOON HERE.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> WE ENJOY IT.
THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.
>>Huell: BYE BYE.
>> BYE.
>>Huell: HERE WE ARE BACK ALMOST WHERE WE STARTED ABOUT 30 MINUTES AGO.
THIS HAS BEEN AN ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL AFTERNOON.
>> WE ENJOYED HAVING YOU.
>>Huell: THANK YOU.
>> PLEASURE.
>>Huell: THIS HAS BEEN VERY INSTRUCTIVE AND A WONDERFUL BIT OF LOS ANGELES FOR US TO DISCOVER.
>> I HOPE YOU HAVE BEEN ABLE TO EXPERIENCE THE INNER PEACE HERE.
>>Huell: NOT ONLY THE INNER PEACE TODAY.
I CAN GUARANTEE YOU THIS IS THE PLACE I WILL BE BACK TO ON A QUIET, YOU KNOW, MORNING OR AFTERNOON WITHOUT LOUIE AND THE CAMERA TO BE QUIET AND MEDITATE.
>> WE LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING YOU.
>>Huell: AND YOU HAD SOMETHING YOU WANTED TO LET EVERYONE KNOW.
THIS IS OPEN AND FREE OF CHARGE FOR PEOPLE WHETHER THEY'RE RELIGIOUS OR NOT RELIGIOUS.
IF THEY JUST WANT TO COME AND MEDITATE OR LOOK AT THE BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS.
LOOK AT THE WATER.
READ.
WHATEVER THEY WANT TO DO.
IT IS NOT A PARK, PER SE.
>> THAT'S RIGHT, HUELL.
WE'RE SO GLAD YOU COME.
WE WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOUR AUDIENCE TO COME WHEN THEY'RE IN THE AREA.
IT'S NOT A PLACE FOR PICNICS AND BARBECUES AND VOLLEYBALL GAMES.
IT'S A PLACE TO COME AND MED IT MEDITATE AND PRAY AND COULDN'T EM PLATE AND READ AND BE QUIET AND APPRECIATE GOD AND NATURE AROUND US.
>>Huell: IT'S A WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL PLACE.
WE HAVE HAD A VERY SPECIAL AFTERNOON HERE THIS AFTERNOON.
WHEN YOU LOOK OUT OVER THE WATER AND YOU SEE THIS BEAUTIFUL NATURE THAT'S ALL AROUND US, IT'S HIDDEN HERE ON THE SIDE OF SUNSET BOULEVARD IN THE PALISADES.
IT'S ONE OF THE TRUE GEMS OF LOS ANGELES.
IT IS HERE FOR ALL OF US TO ENJOY.
"CAPTIONING EQUIPMENT DONATED BY LLOYD RIGLER AND PERFORMED BY RAPIDTEXT" VI.
VI.ND I VISITING WITH HUELL HOWSER MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A
- News and Public Affairs
Top journalists deliver compelling original analysis of the hour's headlines.
- News and Public Affairs
FRONTLINE is investigative journalism that questions, explains and changes our world.
Support for PBS provided by:
Visiting with Huell Howser is a local public television program presented by PBS SoCal