Como Participar de Meditações e Grupos de Estudo Online

Zoom é o nome do software de videoconferência que usamos. As instruções para instalá-lo no seu dispositivo são fornecidas abaixo.

Para baixar no seu computador acesse: https://zoom.us/support/download.

Para instalar em um tablet ou dispositivo móvel abra a App Store (iOS) ou Google Play Store (Android) e busque por “Zoom”. Instale ZOOM Cloud Meetings.

O Zoom é fácil de usar, mas se você nunca o usou e deseja saber mais, o Zoom oferece vários tutoriais em vídeo e suporte adicional em sua página Getting Started.

It is not necessary to sign up for a Zoom account to join an online service, but we do recommend it. A basic account is free and will allow you to make some customizations such as how your name will appear on-screen to others. (We ask that you not rename yourself to anything other than your name and/or location.)

Although free accounts indicate there is a 40-minute session limit, you will be able to stay for the entire duration of our services since the Online Meditation Center is hosting the session.

This is mostly a matter of personal preference and what you have available. Zoom can be installed on a PC, Mac, or iOS/Android smartphone, or tablet. A recent PC or Mac with a good internet connection will likely provide the best video and audio experience. But if you prefer to join by smartphone or tablet that’s fine too.

Note: to avoid feedback, please join a meditation with only one computer or device.

Using the computer screen as the sole source of light is not ideal. Your room should be fairly well lit so others can see you. Uniform lighting on your face and upper body is best. An overhead light and desk lamp should be adequate if there is insufficient natural light during the meditation. If you are relying on natural light and the sun will be setting during the meditation, you may want to have an interior light on as well so you don’t disappear into the darkness. Being too close to a bright window can cause glare.

In addition to lighting considerations, choose a room or location in your home with a background that will be appropriate for an online meditation. This need not be your regular meditation room, but if possible, it should be free from significant noise or visual distractions to other attendees. Try to avoid areas that will have movement in the background such as whirling fans, or people, pets, or traffic passing behind you.

In general, we encourage you to leave your camera on to facilitate the experience of having a group meditation, but of course you may also turn your video off.

All participants are automatically muted during the online meditations so there will be no noise disturbances to other participants.

The leader’s sound level is checked before the service begins to ensure it’s loud enough. After that, the loudness depends on the participant’s equipment.

To address sound issues during meditations, we would like to advise that you connect an external, powered speaker that has its own volume control, or try another device to access the meditations. Or if you prefer headphones, then an external headphone amplifier would work.

Joining an online service late is different than at a Temple or group: there is no disturbance to other participants when you enter the Zoom meeting, so you are welcome to join an online service at any time, even if it is after the service has started. Of course we encourage you to join on time if you are able, but this is not a barrier to attending online services – it is absolutely fine to attend whatever portion of services you are able.

If you receive the error message “Host has Another Meeting in Progress” this generally indicates you are trying to join the meditation from the wrong calendar event.

Please double check that you are clicking on the correct event in the calendar at the time of the meditation (sometimes devotees can confuse 9am for 9pm in the calendar, for example).

If you would like a video preview box to show up before you enter the online services, there is an option in your Zoom settings called “Always Show Video preview”. If this is checked on, then every time you enter a meeting, a video preview box will open and give you the choice to turn your video on or off before you enter the meeting. Additionally, you can also turn on the option in your Zoom settings: “Always turn my video off”. This means you will always enter the meeting with your video off.

It is absolutely fine to join one of the online services together with your husband/wife/friend/family using the same device and Zoom account when you are meditating in the same room together.

Please dress conservatively and appropriately for meditations. Dress code for online meditations is the same as when you attend a group or temple service at a physical location. Please treat these sessions with the same respect and reverence.

Our one hour online meditation begins with group practice of the Energization Exercises, an opening prayer, a chant, a period of silent meditation, and concludes with Paramahansa Yogananda’s healing service and closing prayer.

Yes! Please have a copy of the scripture being studied with you and you will be able to participate as a reader. The service leader will explain how to “raise your hand” on Zoom and you will then be assigned a reader number. The leader will then call your reader number when it is your turn to read and the online usher will unmute you.

You can find the scripture volume being studied by referencing the  Calendar of Services.

It is absolutely fine to attend whatever portion of services you are able. If you can only join for the first hour of meditation, or only for the second half for the scriptural study portion of the service, you are welcome to leave early or join late.

The altar pictures you see while participating in an online meditation are from  the SRF Encinitas Temple or the SRF Lake Shrine Temple.

We will continue to add new service times to our calendar as quickly as we can while maintaining the quality of the services provided. We eagerly look forward to hearing from all participants about which times and services they would like to see on the schedule in the future, and additionally which services and times they can volunteer to help lead and support.

Wonderful! We’re so glad you would like to serve and help with SRF’s online services. Please visit the SRF Volunteer Portal to review the available volunteer positions and apply.

The SRF Online Meditation Center is supported solely through your donations. We invite you to contribute on our donation page.

The TeamUp calendar software that the SRF Online Meditation Center uses allows users to sign up for daily agenda emails.  You can sign up for these automated emails via the calendar on our website here: onlinemeditation.yogananda.org/pt/calendario-de-servicos/ .
Please visit the Calendar Settings on the top right of the calendar > Preferences > Daily Agenda and then insert your email address.