The Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine is literally a little piece of heaven in the spiritual desert that is L.A. There you can meditate, ponder, contemplate as you explore 10 acres of trees, koi ponds, fountains and gardens.

Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, it was founded in the 1920s by the same swami of The Autobiography of a Yogi fame, but it doesn’t subscribe to one religion, rather their lecture services seem to be more spiritual in nature. And there is an area dedicated to the five principal religions in the world.

What I’d like to check out though, apart from the grounds of the sanctuary, are the meditation classes…sessions (?) that take place on Friday and Sunday nights (6:30-9:30pm). I always wanted to know how to do that, just don’t have the patience. There’s also something called “Energization Exercises.” Intriguing!

But even more intriguing is the fact that Gandhi’s ashes are enshrined there in the Mahatma Gandhi World Peace Memorial. I’d just avoid it on Sundays though as I heard that’s when it’s the busiest…for some reason! As far as I can tell from the Shrine’s Web site, there is no admission fee and parking is free.

It just sounds like the perfect place to escape to when you just want to take a deep and meaningful breath from hectic city living…..now exhale…

_17190 W Sunset Blvd
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272-3001
(310) 454-4114

Tuesday through Saturday 9am-4:30pm
Sunday 12:30-4:30pm
Closed on Mondays and holidays