Sacred Community Podcast: Recent Episodes
Sacred Community Project
Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home of SCP interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at https://sacredcommunityproject.org
This second Q&A from the 2025 Sacred Community Retreat features a discussion on acting with kindness and the creative tension between acceptance and ambition and how it intersects with our careers, artistic pursuits, and spiritual lives. It ends with a few Ram Dass stories for good measure.
It also contains an in-depth discussion about cultural appropriation. This topic is a big one, and though the facilitators don't claim to offer any universal answers, as a group they explore the question from multiple viewpoints and cultural perspectives.
We are sharing it here because at SCP we don't shy away from systemic issues. In our retreat invocation we state, "We have come together to invoke the Sacred through our shared humanity. During this retreat, we each agree to attend to five things: ourselves, each other, the group, the world, and the shared Presence unifying it all. We do this as an act of devotion, knowing that God is manifest in all five." And, "We tend to the world by acknowledging we are not separate from collective sorrow, collective aid, or systemic influences associated with race, class, gender, sexuality, or ability."
Learn more about this year’s Sacred Community Retreat in British Columbia.
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
Sacred Community Project works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
Related Credits and Links
Podcast Host and Producer: Sitaram Dass
A/V: zander cole
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Podcast Intro Music: Carl Golembeski
Connor Burns leads a 20-minute meditation using the Zen concept of "just sitting" as a doorway into accepting the moment with an open heart and being in "relationship with the vastness of reality." This guided meditation from the 2025 Sacred Community Retreat ends with an invitation to continue with your own walking meditation.
Learn more about this year’s Sacred Community Retreat in British Columbia.
Connor Burns (he/him) is a psychotherapist (RCC) and holistic wellness advocate living in Vancouver, BC Canada. Connor's curiosity of the human condition started from a young age and has led to hundreds of hours of yoga and mindfulness trainings as well as over ten years of experience working with vulnerable populations and at-risk youth. In March 2025 Connor received Jukai from Roshi Joan Halifax at Upaya Zen Centre and was given the name Daitoku, meaning Great Devotion. Connor’s approach is integrative, somatic and attachment based, and influenced by his training with Dr. Gabor Maté's Compassionate Inquiry, Dr. Sue Johnson’s Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) and Jon Kabat-Zinn's Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. Learn More at www.connorburns.ca IG: @connorburnscounselling
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
Sacred Community Project works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
Related Credits and Links
Podcast Host: Lakshmi Abrol
Producer: Sitaram Dass
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Podcast Intro Music: Carl Golembeski
In this satsang from the 2025 Sacred Community Retreat, Vasu Jon Seskevich teaches the essence of Hanuman, sings the Hanuman Chalisa in English, and shares stories of his time with Ram Dass.
This year's retreat is August 13-16th, and Vasu will be joining a "wisdom panel" with Dassima from Hanuman Maui to share lessons learned from their lifetime of spiritual practice and friendship with Ram Dass.
Learn more about this year’s Sacred Community Retreat in British Columbia.
Jon Vasu Seskevich, a retired Registered Nurse, is a pioneering health professional in holistic healing, mind-body approaches and palliative care. He helped create Duke University Hospital's Stress Management Consult Team in 1989. In his clinical practice, he participated in NIH funded Mantra Meditation research and also had more than 40,000 hospital inpatient consults and taught hundreds of classes with staff. These skills and tools began and were nurtured by his ongoing friendship and mentorship with Ram Dass from 1975-2019. Learn more at: https://jonvasu.com/
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
Sacred Community Project works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
Related Credits and Links
Podcast Host: Lakshmi Abrol
Producer: Sitaram Dass
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Podcast Intro Music: Carl Golembeski
In this first Q&A from the 2025 Sacred Community Retreat, the facilitation team answers the question, "What does it mean to live spiritually and authentically in everyday life?" This episode features Lakshmi Abrol, Swapnil Abrol, Connor Burns, zander cole, Pavan Das, Sitaram Dass, and Beverly Hsu.
Learn more about this year’s Sacred Community Retreat in British Columbia.
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
Sacred Community Project works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
Related Credits and Links
Podcast Host and A/V: zander cole
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Podcast Intro Music: Carl Golembeski
Noah Hoffeld chats with zander about music as a sacred path of listening and explores the intricacies of what it means to play improvisational cello in kirtan. He also discusses time spent with spiritual teachers such as Ram Dass, Krishna Das, and David Nichtern, and he expounds on the essence of Loving Awareness.
Noah Hoffeld is a musician and meditation teacher known for his soulful cello playing and deep commitment to sharing the path of awakening. From 2016 until his teacher’s passing, he was a personal student of Ram Dass and, in 2016, while on retreat with RD at his home, he met and played with world renowned chant singer Krishna Das, becoming a member of his band.
A Juilliard graduate, Noah has been featured in performance with artists such as Pete Seeger and Natalie Merchant, on Grammy-winning and Billboard #1 albums, films like The Skeleton Twins with Kristin Wiig and Bill Hader, and with his cello and piano duo Bodhiheart. His work as a producer includes Anubhav by Nina Rao and his own album of songs Mobile Home, coproduced with Mark Plati (Bowie, Prince, etc). Mobile Home addresses issues from climate change and spiritual awakening, to the promises and perils of falling in love.
Wishing to pay it forward, Noah shares the heart-centered wisdom of his mentor Ram Dass with groups and individuals, along with the practices that help us to truly be here now.
Follow @noahhoffeld or visit livingthepath.com
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
Sacred Community Project works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
And join us at the fourth annual Sacred Community Retreat! https://sacredcommunityproject.org/salt-spring-summer-retreat
Related Credits and Links
Podcast Host and A/V: zander cole
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Podcast Intro Music: Carl Golembeski
"The dance of Krishna with the Gopis is a nectar-enriched tale that sparks delight from each turn of phrase. Every page is an Ambrosia-soaked rag, its absorbent capacity so overwhelmed it sweats honey; the slightest touch and Amrit rains down like a monsoon, watering the imagination and fermenting it with Nectar.
"It describes God, not as distant, punishing, or evenly placidly loving, but as Intimate Lover. Krishna is the All-Attractive Spell Caster from whom devotees swoon. It is said that many pleasures seem like nectar but turn into poison. With wisdom we learn to seek the medicines that taste like poison but turn out to be nectar. However, Krishna's Unadulterated Sweetness is the rare kind of pleasure that turns poison into nectar." — Sitaram Dass
In this episode, Sitaram Dass tells the story of Krishna and the Gopis, those gurus of devotion that dropped everything at the call of Krishna's flute. Accompanied by Swapnil Abrol on flute and recorded at the 2024 Sacred Community Retreat. This live track is featured on the album, Sacred Community Project Live (V.2).
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
SCP works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
Related Credits and Links
Podcast Host and A/V: zander cole
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Podcast Intro Music: Carl Golembeski
"Rasa Lila Duet" (song): Sitaram Dass and Swapnil Abrol
Sacred Community Retreat: https://sacredcommunityproject.org/salt-spring-summer-retreat
This recorded audio meditation is from the 2024 Loving Rock Training. Sitaram Dass leads a heart-opening visualization of merging with a being of unconditional love. This meditation was from the module on Dream Logic, and it led to a discussion about how intention and imagination can open us to "non-ordinary states of consciousness."
Find out more about the upcoming Loving Rock Training program and register before March 1, 2026. The This 70-hour introductory course unfolds from March through September, and is designed for compassionate beings who see service as a core element of their spiritual path and feel called to deepen their ability to be a “loving rock” for themselves and others on their spiritual journeys.
Read more about the course or sign up here: https://sacredcommunityproject.org/loving-rock-training
Sitaram Dass (K. Sandin, LCSW) (he/him) spent several years serving his beloved teacher Ram Dass on Maui, where he was shown the path of Bhakti, the yoga of service and devotion to God. He is a kirtan singer, social worker, author, and spiritual counselor. As the director of the Sacred Community Project, he works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices. His book, From and for God, is an intimate and contemplative collection of writings on the spiritual path. Connect with Sitaram Dass at http://sitaramdass.com
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
Sacred Community Project works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
Related Credits and Links
Podcast Host and A/V: zander cole
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Podcast Intro Music: Carl Golembeski
In this talk from the 2024 Loving Rock Training, Swapnil Abrol (he/him) shares his personal reflections from along the spiritual path. Starting from his first psychedelic experience, exploring different modalities of connection to being trained as a shaman, Swap offers insights on how to navigate alternate states of reality and integrate them into our everyday lives.
Find out more about the upcoming Loving Rock Training program and register before March 1, 2026. The This 70-hour introductory course unfolds from March through September, and is designed for compassionate beings who see service as a core element of their spiritual path and feel called to deepen their ability to be a “loving rock” for themselves and others on their spiritual journeys.
The twice a month classes support those who are committed to exploring and deepening their practice of being a loving rock, “So another person can push against you and pull against you, and you stay rooted in love” (Ram Dass).
Read more about the course or sign up here: https://sacredcommunityproject.org/loving-rock-training
Swapnil Abrol will be a guest teacher for the Dream Logic Module in the Advanced Course. He discovered the Bhakti tradition through a formal Amazonian shamanic apprenticeship. Through connecting with Maharajji, he found himself returning to his once neglected Hindu roots. Now following the path of Bhakti yoga, he deepens his practice through devotional musical expression. Also an active participant in the world of business, Swapnil enjoys learning new ways of bringing love and compassion into worldly situations.
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
SCP works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
Related Credits and Links
Host: Sitaram Dass
A/V: zander cole
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Podcast Intro Music: Carl Golembeski
Bala Yancey and Nivay Sahaye sit down with zander to chat about the Just Love Forest Ashram. They discuss the journey of its founding and highlight themes of: Listening to the heart, fostering community, reverence, spiritual practice, death, green burials, stewarding, sovereignty, and communing with nature.
Just Love Forest is a 716- acre conservation ashram in Poetry, GA that offers a unique blend of natural beauty, spiritual exploration, and ecological consciousness. In a time of constant noise, we enter the forest as a sanctuary and a teacher, returning more whole, more attuned, and more devoted.
Sitaram Dass will be leading a Loving Awareness weekend retreat with an optional week-long Forest Sadhana Immersion at Just Love on March 20th. Learn more at: https://www.justloveforest.com/iamlovingawareness
Bala Is a meditation teacher, forest-therapy guide, and founder-steward of Just Love Forest Ashram in Poetry, GA. Trained in mindfulness with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach and certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy, he weaves together devotion, ecology, and lived practice.
Nivay is a steward of Just Love Forest, where he tends the land as both sanctuary and mirror for the inner journey. His path weaves devotion to Hanuman and Neem Karoli Baba with practices of surrender, honesty, and heart-centered living.
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
SCP works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
Related Credits and Links
Just Love Forest: https://www.justloveforest.com
Podcast Host and A/V: zander cole
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Podcast Intro Music: Carl Golembeski
Connor Burns leads a short mindfulness meditation at the 2024 Sacred Community Retreat on Salt Spring Island in British Columbia.
Connor Burns (he/him) is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and emotional wellness advocate living in Vancouver, BC Canada. Connor's curiosity of the human condition started from a young age and has led to hundreds of hours of yoga and mindfulness trainings and more than ten years of experience working with vulnerable populations and at-risk youth. In March 2025 Connor received Jukai from Roshi Joan Halifax at Upaya Zen Centre and was given the name Daitoku, meaning Great Devotion. Connor holds certifications in Dr. Gabor Maté's Compassionate Inquiry, Dr. Sue Johnson’s Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) and Jon Kabat-Zinn's Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. connorburns.ca IG: @connorburns.ca
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
SCP works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
Related Credits and Links
Podcast Host and A/V: zander cole
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Podcast Intro Music: Carl Golembeski
After giving a talk on Loving Imperfections, Sitaram Dass leads a 40-minute Loving Awareness mantra meditation. This meditation was recorded on day 3 of the 2024 Sacred Community Retreat on Salt Spring Island.
Sitaram Dass (K. Sandin, LCSW) (he/him) spent several years serving his beloved teacher Ram Dass on Maui, where he was shown the path of Bhakti, the yoga of service and devotion to God. He is a kirtan singer, social worker, author, and spiritual counselor. As the director of the Sacred Community Project, he works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices. His book, From and for God, is an intimate and contemplative collection of writings on the spiritual path.
Connect with Sitaram Dass at http://sitaramdass.com
And follow his music on your favorite streaming service: https://hyperfollow.com/sitaramdass
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
Sacred Community Project works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
Related Credits and Links
Podcast Host and A/V: zander cole
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Podcast Intro Music: Carl Golembeski
Sitaram Dass discusses how to love imperfections without having to "jump through cognitive hoops" to do so. This talk was recorded on day 3 of the 2024 Sacred Community Retreat on Salt Spring Island, and it preceded a 40-minute Loving-Awareness mantra meditation.
Sitaram Dass (K. Sandin, LCSW) (he/him) spent several years serving his beloved teacher Ram Dass on Maui, where he was shown the path of Bhakti, the yoga of service and devotion to God. He is a kirtan singer, social worker, author, and spiritual counselor. As the director of the Sacred Community Project, he works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices. His book, From and for God, is an intimate and contemplative collection of writings on the spiritual path.
Connect with Sitaram Dass at http://sitaramdass.com
And follow his music on your favorite streaming service: https://hyperfollow.com/sitaramdass
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
Sacred Community Project works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
Related Credits and Links
Podcast Host and A/V: zander cole
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Podcast Intro Music: Carl Golembeski
In this talk from the 2024 Sacred Community Retreat, Sitaram Dass talks about Love, lessons learned from ram Dass, and mantra meditation as a form of "applied Bhav."
Sitaram Dass (K. Sandin, LCSW) (he/him) spent several years serving his beloved teacher Ram Dass on Maui, where he was shown the path of Bhakti, the yoga of service and devotion to God. He is a kirtan singer, social worker, author, and spiritual counselor. As the director of the Sacred Community Project, he works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices. His book, From and for God, is an intimate and contemplative collection of writings on the spiritual path.
Connect with Sitaram Dass at http://sitaramdass.com
And follow his music on your favorite streaming service: https://hyperfollow.com/sitaramdass
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
Sacred Community Project works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
Related Credits and Links
Podcast Host and A/V: zander cole
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Podcast Intro Music: Carl Golembeski
Swapnil Abrol discusses the nature of bhakti as unconditional love and asks the question, "What would you do if you really knew that you were infinitely loved just as you are?" Recorded from the 2024 Sacred Community Retreat in British Columbia. Learn more about the 2025 retreat this upcoming August 14-17 2025.
Swapnil Abrol (he/him) is an SCP board member and retreat facilitator. He discovered the Bhakti tradition through a formal Amazonian shamanic apprenticeship. Through connecting with Maharajji, he found himself returning to his once neglected Hindu roots. Now following the path of Bhakti yoga, he deepens his practice through devotional musical expression. Also an active participant in the world of business, Swapnil enjoys learning new ways of bringing love and compassion into worldly situations.
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
Sacred Community Project works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
Related Credits and Links
Podcast Host: Sitaram Dass
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Podcast Intro Music: Carl Golembeski
Swapnil Abrol discusses unconditional love, and why we perform the bhakti ritual of aarti. Recorded from the 2024 Sacred Community Retreat in British Columbia. Learn more about this year’s retreat this upcoming August 14-17 2025.
Swapnil Abrol (he/him) is an SCP board member and retreat facilitator. He discovered the Bhakti tradition through a formal Amazonian shamanic apprenticeship. Through connecting with Maharajji, he found himself returning to his once neglected Hindu roots. Now following the path of Bhakti yoga, he deepens his practice through devotional musical expression. Also an active participant in the world of business, Swapnil enjoys learning new ways of bringing love and compassion into worldly situations.
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
Sacred Community Project works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
Related Credits and Links
Podcast Host: Sitaram Dass
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Podcast Intro Music: Carl Golembeski
Sitaram Dass and Pavan Das tell stories about their time with Ram Dass and answer the question, "What did you have to let go of to be with him?" Recorded from the 2024 Sacred Community Retreat.
Sitaram Dass and Pavan Das were both caregivers for Ram Dass, and now they continue their spiritual path through service to others. They are both founding board members of the Sacred Community Project and retreat facilitators for the upcoming Sacred Community Retreat. Listen to Pav and Sitaram's live kirtan album, Sacred Community Project Live (V. 1)
And learn more about this year’s Sacred Community Retreat in British Columbia.
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
Sacred Community Project works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
Related Credits and Links
Podcast Host and A/V: zander cole
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Podcast Intro Music: Carl Golembeski
In this third Q&A from the 2024 Sacred Community Retreat, Sitaram Dass leads a discussion on transitioning from a spiritual retreat into our everyday lives and ends by answering an audience question on the nature of grief. He is also joined in the conversation by Pavan Das, Swapnil Abrol, and zander cole.
Learn more about this year’s Sacred Community Retreat in British Columbia.
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
Sacred Community Project works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
Related Credits and Links
Podcast Host and A/V: zander cole
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Podcast Intro Music: Carl Golembeski
Referenced is the poem, Eternity, by William Blake (1757 –1827):
He who binds to himself a joy
Does the winged life destroy
He who kisses the joy as it flies
Lives in eternity's sunrise
In this second Q&A from the 2024 Sacred Community Retreat, the facilitation team continues in the topic of practice and grace, discussing how to "bring the sacred into everyday," Guru Kripa, the steps of aarti, and the role and pitfalls of psychedelics. Lakshmi and Connor share some Ram Dass stories, and Swapnil tells his story of his training in the jungles of Peru. This episode features Lakshmi Abrol, Swapnil Abrol, Connor Burns, zander cole, Pavan Das, Sitaram Dass, and Beverly Hsu.
Learn more about this year’s Sacred Community Retreat in British Columbia.
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
Sacred Community Project works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
Related Credits and Links
Podcast Host and A/V: zander cole
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Podcast Intro Music: Carl Golembeski
Lakshmi's Art Prints: https://sacredcommunityproject.org/shop/emily-lakshmi-merrill
The Sacred Community Retreat facilitation team discusses the role of practice and grace on the spiritual path. Recorded from the second day of the 2024 Sacred Community Retreat, this episode features Lakshmi Abrol, Swapnil Abrol, Connor Burns, zander cole, Pavan Das, Sitaram Dass, Beverly Hsu, and a special guest appearance by Vasu Jon Seskevich.
Learn more about this year’s Sacred Community Retreat in British Columbia.
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
Sacred Community Project works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
Related Credits and Links
Podcast Host and A/V: zander cole
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Podcast Intro Music: Carl Golembeski
This three part series is taken from a lecture and guided meditation that Sitaram Dass gave at the Sacred Community Retreat at Just Love Forest in Poetry, Georgia. In Part 3, he applies the principles from his lecture on mantra and releasing struggle into a guided Loving-Awareness meditation.
Learn more about this year’s Sacred Community Retreat in British Columbia.
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
Sitaram Dass (K. Sandin, LCSW) (he/him) spent several years serving his beloved teacher Ram Dass on Maui, where he was shown the path of Bhakti, the yoga of service and devotion to God. He is a kirtan singer, social worker, author, and spiritual counselor. As the director of the Sacred Community Project, he works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices. His book, From and for God, is an intimate and contemplative collection of writings on the spiritual path.
Connect with Sitaram Dass at http://sitaramdass.com
And follow his music on your favorite streaming service: https://hyperfollow.com/sitaramdass
Sacred Community Project works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
Related Credits and Links
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Podcast Intro Music: Carl Golembeski
Just Love Forest: https://justloveforest.com
This three part series is taken from a lecture and guided meditation that Sitaram Dass gave at the Sacred Community Retreat at Just Love Forest in Poetry, Georgia. In Part 2, he gives a lecture on the Holy Names as a doorway to relating to life with a loving stance.
Learn more about this year’s Sacred Community Retreat in British Columbia.
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
Sitaram Dass (K. Sandin, LCSW) (he/him) spent several years serving his beloved teacher Ram Dass on Maui, where he was shown the path of Bhakti, the yoga of service and devotion to God. He is a kirtan singer, social worker, author, and spiritual counselor. As the director of the Sacred Community Project, he works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices. His book, From and for God, is an intimate and contemplative collection of writings on the spiritual path.
Connect with Sitaram Dass at http://sitaramdass.com
And follow his music on your favorite streaming service: https://hyperfollow.com/sitaramdass
Sacred Community Project works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
Related Credits and Links
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Podcast Intro Music: Carl Golembeski
Just Love Forest: https://justloveforest.com
This three part series is taken from a lecture and guided meditation that Sitaram Dass gave at the Sacred Community Retreat at Just Love Forest in Poetry, Georgia. In Part 1, he opens with a short meditation and lecture on cultivating a mind of ease that can release inner struggle.
Learn more about this year’s Sacred Community Retreat in British Columbia.
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
Sitaram Dass (K. Sandin, LCSW) (he/him) spent several years serving his beloved teacher Ram Dass on Maui, where he was shown the path of Bhakti, the yoga of service and devotion to God. He is a kirtan singer, social worker, author, and spiritual counselor. As the director of the Sacred Community Project, he works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices. His book, From and for God, is an intimate and contemplative collection of writings on the spiritual path.
Connect with Sitaram Dass at http://sitaramdass.com
And follow his music on your favorite streaming service: https://hyperfollow.com/sitaramdass
Sacred Community Project works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
Related Credits and Links
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Podcast Intro Music: Carl Golembeski
Just Love Forest: https://justloveforest.com
This is a recorded lecture from the 2024 Loving Rock Karma Yoga Training Program. In this lecture, Anna Le (she/they) shares the "microskills" needed to love and tend to suffering. She discusses how to be a steady and loving companion for others on their spiritual and life journeys, and she teaches practical skills such as attending, attunement, and reflective listening. You can learn more about SCP's Loving Rock training program here: https://sacredcommunityproject.org/loving-rock-training
Anna Le (she/they) is a Vietnamese-American, Bay Area native, and licensed psychotherapist. She is a Bhakta, student of Ram Dass, devotee of Neem Karoli Baba “Maharajji," and the spiritual support coordinator for SCP. She utilizes compassion-based practices, mindfulness, and various spiritual modalities through a trauma-informed lens to heal others. She is interested in alleviating collective suffering and aiding in collective liberation. She holds a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Sonoma State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from University California, Davis.
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
Sacred Community Project works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
Mentioned Links:
Reach out for spiritual support: https://sacredcommunityproject.org/spiritual-support
Join SCP's thriving online community: https://sacredcommunityproject.org/discord
In this audio recording of an event held shortly after the recent election, Sitaram Dass invokes the central scene of the Bhagavad Gita as a meditation on collective grief to inspire deep feeling, compassion, and right action for this time.
He breaks up the discourse with 6-minutes of original music and chanting that features: Jeanette Kangas (tabla) Clark Stacer (bass) and Hiromi Sieradski (vocals). Relevant links below.
Sitaram Dass writes about this lecture:
"In the Bhagavd Gita, Arjuna asks Krishna to drive him into the middle of the two opposing armies. Surrounded by millions of warriors on the eve of battle, Arjuna bears witness to the enormity of the ensuing devastation. He is overcome with grief, his legs tremble, his body quakes, and he cries out to Krishna for help.
The suffering is so unbearable that Arjuna desperately wants to leave the battlefield and live a life as a monk. However, Krishna emphatically instructs that this is a mistake. Arjuna's wisdom was in allowing himself to see and feel the reality of the world's suffering. His mistake was in trying to pull away. Krishna then instructs Arjuna on how we can all lean into the world's collective grief by acting out our dharma — our relational duty to the world.
Some of these practices involve widening our heart: Can we remember that the Atman, our True Loving Nature, is larger, deeper, and more stable than our grief?
Other strategies involve how to act in a world rife with grief: How does one engage with an open heart in the midst of crises and conflict?"
Sitaram Dass (K. Sandin, LCSW) (he/him) spent several years serving his beloved teacher Ram Dass on Maui, where he was shown the path of Bhakti, the yoga of service and devotion to God. He is a kirtan singer, social worker, author, and spiritual counselor. As the director of the Sacred Community Project, he works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices. His book, From and for God, is an intimate and contemplative collection of writings on the spiritual path.
Connect with Sitaram Dass at http://sitaramdass.com
And follow his music on your favorite streaming service: https://hyperfollow.com/sitaramdass
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
Sacred Community Project works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
Related Credits and Links
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Podcast Intro Music: Carl Golembeski
Jeanette Kangas: https://jkangasmusic.com and https://umpquavalleydrumlessons.com/
Clark Stacer: https://www.supraphonica.com
Hiromi Sieradski: https://heavenearthcircle.org and http://wondrousmoon.com
Geeta Updesh Photo used under Creative Commons License found here: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Geeta_Updesh.jpg
Related Article by Sitaram Dass published on the Be Here Now Network: https://beherenownetwork.com/the-dharma-of-our-times/
Sarah Anderson, LCSW, interviews her previous therapist, Kenneth Robinson, MS, MTS, for a conversation about psychological healing. This is a follow up conversation from their previous conversation: A Healing Relationship, and in this conversation they convey a synthesis between the psychological and the spiritual through topics such as ego loss, the constructed self, the inner child, vulnerability, and interdependence.
Sarah writes about this interview series: "My intention behind asking Kenneth to create this conversation with me was to demonstrate healing relationship. For me, the Western medical model too often objectifies "patients/ clients" rather than humanizing both healer and receiver. Sitting with Kenneth for eight years (with some breaks!) was transformative because I felt seen and heard in a new way, and my desire to help others was strengthened in this context of learning what it feels like to be truly safe in the world. Not that we can prevent death, pain, and injury to mind, body, and spirit, but it is our connection with others that contains these traumas and allows us to return home to love unconditionally."
Kenneth Robinson has worked for more than thirty years in the healing arts. He began as an addictions counselor, then as director of a family counseling center, and for the past twenty-five years as a body-oriented therapist and teacher. Throughout that time he has been a student of meditation and yoga, and for four years he studied Alaya Process, a transpersonal approach to healing. He has a masters in counseling from University of Tennessee and a Master’s in Theological Studies from Vanderbilt University. Beyond his practice, Kenneth is a poet, musician, and founding member of the kirtan group Chant Ram.
https://www.kennethrobinsontherapy.com/ Sarah Anderson combines her love of energy healing with psychotherapeutic skills in her clinical social work practice. A certified Jin Shin Jyutsu practitioner since 2001, she went back to graduate school in 2009 to receive her masters in social work with the goal of supporting others in remembering their wholeness. Sarah uses multiple approaches in her practice, including mindfulness, transpersonal therapy, trauma-informed cognitive behavioral work, and narrative therapy. She enjoys reflecting back to clients the aspects of their being that were never touched by trauma, while holding space for the grief process involved in remembering the ways they have lost contact with those aspects. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/sarah-w-anderson-keaau-hi/450152 The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
SCP works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Music: Carl Golembeski
In this Q&A from the 2024 Sacred Community Retreat at Just Love Forest, retreat facilitators Hari Scott Whitmore, Pavan Das, and Sitaram Dass tell stories about their time caregiving for Ram Dass. Their honest and heartfelt reflections are shared atop of the sound of the Georgia cicadas and peppered bird song.
For more retreat content or to learn about upcoming retreats, sign up for the email list, follow the podcast and YouTube channel, or visit the retreat page.
Hari Scott Whitmore began leading kirtan over ten years ago in Ram Dass’s living room, where he served as a personal caregiver. Over the years he has had the honor of accompanying many incredible kirtan wallahs including Krishna Das, Nina Rao, Devadas, and his bandmates in Kripa. During his time as the Director of Outreach for the Call and Response Foundation, he helped organize kirtans in prisons and recovery centers throughout the United States. This work is now carried out by the Sacred Community Project, of which Hari is a founding member. You can explore his offerings at https://harikirtan.com
Pavan Das (he/him) is a community organizer, multi-media artist, and nonprofit leader. His time with spiritual luminaries like Ram Dass and Thich Nhat Hanh informs his commitment to cultivating a lived spirituality through which to effect social change. His service projects aim to foster resilience and prosociality in individuals, groups and communities through the skillful application of contemplative and devotional practices. https://pavandas.com
Sitaram Dass (K. Sandin, LCSW) (he/him) spent several years serving his beloved teacher Ram Dass on Maui, where he was shown the path of Bhakti, the yoga of service and devotion to God. He is a kirtan singer, social worker, author, and spiritual counselor. As the director of the Sacred Community Project, he works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices. His book, From and for God, is an intimate and contemplative collection of writings on the spiritual path. Connect with Sitaram Dass at http://sitaramdass.com
And follow his music on your favorite streaming service: https://hyperfollow.com/sitaramdass
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
SCP works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Music: Carl Golembeski
This interview with Ondrea Levine was recorded on October 30th, 2023. Vasu Jon Seskevich and Sitaram Dass traveled to her remote off-the-grid home in the high desert of New Mexico for an intimate conversation about living with an open heart in the face of death and grief.
Stephen and Ondrea Levine were two of the pioneers of the modern conscious death and dying movement and touched the lives of thousands of people worldwide. Stephen died a medication-assisted death on January 17th, 2016 after many years of living with Alzheimers, and Ondrea was his caregiver in those final years.
They are the authors of numerous books, including Who Dies, Embracing the Beloved, and A Year to Live. https://levinetalks.com is a way for Stephen and Ondrea to continue their teachings and connect with an outside audience.
In the introduction to this interview, Sitaram Dass states, “Stephen and Ondrea spent their entire lives making friends with death, and as Ondrea approached the end of her life after experiencing the death of Stephen, I wanted to know what insight she might have to share.
“Her matter-of-fact transparency, immediate warmth, humility, compassion, and wisdom left me in awe, but also as if I had just met an intimate friend. This meeting was truly a gift, and I am excited to share it with you.”
HELP ONDREA FIX HER SOLAR POWER SYSTEM
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The sudden failure of these systems has left her in a vulnerable position, making it difficult to manage her health and maintain her home. A Gofundme was set up to help Ondrea repair her solar power system and generator, ensuring she can continue to live safely and comfortably in her home. Your support will make a significant difference in her life, providing her with the stability she needs during this challenging time.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-ondrea-fix-her-solar-system
Credits and Links:
Featuring:
Ondrea Levine https://levinetalks.com
Interviewers:
Sitaram Dass https://sitaramdass.com
Vasu Jon Seskevich https://jonvasu.com
AV Production and Filming:
Kiki Love Productions https://kikiloveproductions.com
Video Editing:
zander cole karlin https://zandercole.carrd.co
Intro Music:
Carl Golembeski https://www.instagram.com/mirarimusic
Archival footage used with permission from Levine Talks
The Sacred Community Project is an interspiritual collective working to awaken Sacred Community in the world. Through the eternal teachings of “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth,” SCP lowers the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through affordable, free, and donation-based offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. You can join and learn more at http://sacredcommunityproject.org
Ramananda John Welshons is interviewed by Free Landauer to discuss the path of meditation, grief, releasing guilt, and grace. Ramananda also shares some sweet stories about his lifelong friendship with Ram Dass, and he even shares one about SCP director Sitaram Dass.
Ramananda John Welshons is a highly respected contemporary spiritual teacher who lectures and leads meditation courses throughout North America. He has been a practitioner of vipassana (mindfulness) meditation and various forms of yoga for more than fifty years. In addition to his latest book, One Soul, One Love, One Heart: The Sacred Path to Healing All Relationships, he is also the author of Awakening from Grief: Finding the Way Back to Joy and When Prayers Aren’t Answered, two books that emerged from forty-five years of experience helping people deal with dramatic life change and loss. Learn more about John and his schedule of events, join a meditation class, or request a private consultation at https://onesoulonelove.com/
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to SCP interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
The Sacred Community Project is an interspiritual collective working to awaken Sacred Community in the world. Through the eternal teachings of “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth,” SCP lowers the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through affordable, free, and donation-based offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. You can join and learn more at http://sacredcommunityproject.org
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Music: Carl Golembeski
David Nichtern from Dharma Moon sits down with Greg "Aditya Das" Barbush to discuss mindfulness, the path of meditation, the concept of "suddenly free from fixed mind," the guru from the Tibetan Buddhist perspective, and the relationship between Bhakti Yoga and Buddhism.
David Nichtern is a senior Buddhist teacher who has been practicing and teaching meditation for over 40 years. He is the founder of Dharma Moon, a mindfulness-based education platform, and he mentors individual students and leads meditation teacher training programs around the world. He is also an acclaimed author and music producer, and regularly plays and produces records for American chant master, Krishna Das. Learn more at: https://www.dharmamoon.com/our-founder
Sign up for the Dharma Moon email list to learn more about upcoming retreats and online offersings and to receive the free ebook, The Art of Teaching Mindfulness, https://www.dharmamoon.com/ebook
Greg “Aditya Das” Barbush is a longtime contributor of the food service industry, a youth martial arts instructor, community volunteer, and certified mindfulness meditation teacher through Dharma Moon & Tibet House US. He has a passion for cultivating relationships with incarcerated individuals through spiritual support and letter writing and believes the best thing we can offer another human being is our own open heart. He is a spiritual support provider for Sacred Community Project and a contributing writer for the upcoming book, Loving Awareness: Awakening the Heart-Mind through the path of Grace. Learn more at https://sacredcommunityproject.org/loving-awareness-book
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to SCP interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
The Sacred Community Project is an interspiritual collective working to awaken Sacred Community in the world. Through the eternal teachings of “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth,” SCP lowers the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through affordable, free, and donation-based offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. You can join and learn more at http://sacredcommunityproject.org
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Music: Carl Golembeski
Connor Burns leads a short mindfulness meditation at the 2023 Sacred Community Retreat that was held on Salt Spring Island in British Columbia.
SCP is hosting two retreats this year- outside of Atlanta from May 24-27 and again on Salt Spring Island in British Columbia from August 22-25th. Registration is now live for both of them. Learn more and register for the retreat here: https://sacredcommunityproject.org/sacred-community-retreats
Connor Burns (he/him) is an educator and mental health facilitator living in Vancouver, BC Canada. Connor's passion for exploring consciousness started from a young age and has led to hundreds of hours of yoga and mindfulness trainings and more than ten years of experience working with at-risk youth. Connor holds certifications in Dr. Gabor Maté's Compassionate Inquiry and Jon Kabat-Zinn's Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. He is currently in a Master's of Counseling program. https://connorburns.ca IG: @connorburns.ca
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
SCP works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Music: Carl Golembeski
In this second part of Sitaram Dass's Loving-Awareness Meditation, he leads a partner exercise to carry Loving-Awareness into interpersonal relationship and the verbal mind. This was recorded during SCP's first Sacred Community Retreat in the summer of 2023 on Salt Spring Island in British Columbia.
SCP is hosting two retreats this year, and registration is live. Learn more about both the British Columbia and Atlanta, Georgia retreats at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org/sacred-community-retreats
Sitaram Dass (K. Sandin, LCSW) (he/him) spent several years serving his beloved teacher Ram Dass on Maui, where he was shown the path of Bhakti, the yoga of service and devotion to God. He is an experienced kirtan leader, social worker, author, and spiritual counselor. His book, From and for God, is an intimate and contemplative collection of writings on the spiritual path. Connect with Sitaram Dass at http://sitaramdass.com
And follow his music on your favorite streaming service: https://hyperfollow.com/sitaramdass
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
SCP works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Music: Carl Golembeski
Sitaram Dass gives a lecture and leads a mantra meditation on the essence of Loving-Awareness. This was recorded during SCP's first Sacred Community Retreat in the summer of 2023 on Salt Spring Island in British Columbia. SCP is hosting two retreats this year, and registration is live. Learn more about both the British Columbia and Atlanta, Georgia retreats at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org/sacred-community-retreats
Sitaram Dass (K. Sandin, LCSW) (he/him) spent several years serving his beloved teacher Ram Dass on Maui, where he was shown the path of Bhakti, the yoga of service and devotion to God. He is an experienced kirtan leader, social worker, author, and spiritual counselor. His book, From and for God, is an intimate and contemplative collection of writings on the spiritual path. Connect with Sitaram Dass at http://sitaramdass.com
And follow his music on your favorite streaming service: https://hyperfollow.com/sitaramdass
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
SCP works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Music: Carl Golembeski
This audio from Swapnil Abrol was recorded during SCP's first Sacred Community Retreat in the summer of 2023. Swapnil gives a talk on Bhakti Yoga and the the nature of unconditional love, and he follows this with traditional bhajans and English storytelling.
SCP is hosting two retreats this year- outside of Atlanta from May 24-27 and again on Salt Spring Island in British Columbia from August 22-25th. Registration is now live for both of them. Learn more and register for the retreat here: https://sacredcommunityproject.org/sacred-community-retreats
Swapnil Abrol (he/him) discovered the Bhakti tradition through a formal Amazonian shamanic apprenticeship. Through connecting with Maharajji, he found himself returning to his once neglected Hindu roots. Now following the path of Bhakti yoga, he deepens his practice through devotional musical expression. Also an active participant in the world of business, Swapnil enjoys learning new ways of bringing love and compassion into worldly situations.
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
SCP works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Music: Carl Golembeski
This video of Pavan Das was recorded during SCP's first Sacred Community Retreat in the summer of 2023 on Salt Spring Island in British Columbia. In this 30-minute meditation, Pavan Das guides a variation of Anapanasati to awaken the heart of Loving-Awareness.
SCP is hosting two retreats this year- outside of Atlanta from May 24-27 and again on Salt Spring Island in British Columbia from August 22-25th. Registration is now live for both of them. Learn more and register for the retreat here: https://sacredcommunityproject.org/sacred-community-retreats
Pavan Das (he/him) is a community organizer, multi-media artist, and nonprofit leader. His time with spiritual luminaries like Ram Dass and Thich Nhat Hanh informs his commitment to cultivating a lived spirituality through which to effect social change. His service projects aim to foster resilience and prosociality in individuals, groups and communities through the skillful application of contemplative and devotional practices. pavandas.com
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
SCP works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Music: Carl Golembeski
This audio from Sitaram Dass was recorded during SCP's first Sacred Community Retreat in the summer of 2023 on Salt Spring Island in British Columbia. In this talk, Sitaram recites a variation of the SCP invocation that opens every single SCP "Satsang Hang," and he discusses its importance and how Sacred Community is "Loving-Awareness practiced together."
In the introduction for this episode, zander, one of SCP's group facilitators and host of baby teeth podcast, speaks on their experience with the online Satsang Hangs and how the invocation creates a container to "enter into this practice of Sacred Community" through authenticity, presence, compassion, and a group intention to "nurture our souls."
SCP is hosting two retreats this year- outside of Atlanta from May 24-27 and again on Salt Spring Island in British Columbia from August 22-25th. Registration is now live for both of them. Learn more and register for the retreat here: https://sacredcommunityproject.org/sacred-community-retreats
To learn more and join one of SCP's online "Satsang Hangs," check out the SCP Discord and event schedule here: https://sacredcommunityproject.org/discord
The SCP Satsang Hang Invocation:
We have come together to invoke the Sacred through our shared humanity. For the next hour we each agree to attend to five things: ourselves, each other, the group, the world, and the shared Presence unifying it all. We do this as an act of devotion, knowing that God is manifest in all five.
We tend to ourselves by being mindful of our thoughts, feelings, triggers, and motivations and by leaning into authenticity, vulnerability, and courage. We tend to each other through attentive, compassionate, non-judgmental listening, by letting go of the desire to fix others or give unsolicited advice, and by leading with appreciation and curiosity. We tend to the group by ensuring that space is evenly shared and that everyone has an opportunity to offer their voice. We tend to the world by acknowledging we are not separate from collective sorrow, collective aid, or systemic influences associated with race, class, gender, sexuality, or ability. We tend to communal Presence by actively cultivating sacred silence and by holding our identities, roles, and ideologies lightly, so the soul can shine through.
With this invocation, we ask that the Universal Guru guide us as we enter into this Sacred Space together. We now invite in silence and encourage anyone who feels called to share, to share.
Sitaram Dass (K. Sandin, LCSW) (he/him) spent several years serving his beloved teacher Ram Dass on Maui, where he was shown the path of Bhakti, the yoga of service and devotion to God. He is an experienced kirtan leader, social worker, author, and spiritual counselor. His book, From and for God, is an intimate and contemplative collection of writings on the spiritual path. Learn more about Sitaram Dass at: sitaramdass.com
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
SCP works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Music: Carl Golembeski
In this second half of the interview, Sitaram Dass is interviewed by his good friend Hari Scott Whitmore for an in-depth discussion on the spiritual path.
Sitaram Dass (K. Sandin, LCSW) (he/him) spent several years serving his beloved teacher Ram Dass on Maui, where he was shown the path of Bhakti, the yoga of service and devotion to God. He is a member of the kirtan group Kripa and is a trained social worker, published author, and spiritual counselor. His book, From and for God, is an intimate and contemplative collection of writings on the spiritual path. Learn more about Sitaram Dass at: sitaramdass.com
Hari Scott Whitmore began leading kirtan over ten years ago in Ram Dass’s living room, where he served as a personal caregiver. Over the years he has had the honor of accompanying many incredible kirtan wallahs including Krishna Das, Nina Rao, Devadas, and his bandmates in Kripa. During his time as the Director of Outreach for the Call and Response Foundation, he helped organize kirtans in prisons and recovery centers throughout the United States. This work is now carried out by the Sacred Community Project, of which Hari is a founding member.
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
SCP works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Music: Carl Golembeski
Sitaram Dass is interviewed by his good friend Hari Scott Whitmore for a discussion on the beginnings of his spiritual path, his time with Ram Dass, and the Bhakti Path.
Sitaram Dass (K. Sandin, LCSW) (he/him) spent several years serving his beloved teacher Ram Dass on Maui, where he was shown the path of Bhakti, the yoga of service and devotion to God. He is a member of the kirtan group Kripa and is a trained social worker, published author, and spiritual counselor. His book, From and for God, is an intimate and contemplative collection of writings on the spiritual path. Learn more about Sitaram Dass at: sitaramdass.com
Hari Scott Whitmore began leading kirtan over ten years ago in Ram Dass’s living room, where he served as a personal caregiver. Over the years he has had the honor of accompanying many incredible kirtan wallahs including Krishna Das, Nina Rao, Devadas, and his bandmates in Kripa. During his time as the Director of Outreach for the Call and Response Foundation, he helped organize kirtans in prisons and recovery centers throughout the United States. This work is now carried out by the Sacred Community Project, of which Hari is a founding member.
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
SCP works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Music: Carl Golembeski
Hari Scott Whitmore gives a sermon at Southport Congregational Church in Connecticut. He discusses what he has learned on his path and beautifully summarizes the teachings of Love, Serve, and Remember that he learned from Ram Dass and Neem Karoli Baba.
Hari Scott Whitmore began leading kirtan over ten years ago in Ram Dass’s living room, where he served as a personal caregiver. Over the years he has had the honor of accompanying many incredible kirtan wallahs including Krishna Das, Nina Rao, Devadas, and his bandmates in Kripa. During his time as the Director of Outreach for the Call and Response Foundation, he helped organize kirtans in prisons and recovery centers throughout the United States. This work is now carried out by the Sacred Community Project, of which Hari is a founding member. You can explore his musical offerings on https://kripa.guru
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
SCP works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Music: Carl Golembeski
Priti Durga joins host Sitaram Dass for a conversation about service, devotion, dharma, family, death, and love.
Priti Durga was born and raised in India and moved to the United States at age 27. A devoted student of Ram Dass, she is on the board of Hanuman Maui, and she serves as an “End of Life” companion at hospices in America and is actively involved with non-profit shelters in India that serve the old, dying, and unhoused elders. Some of her sources of joy are chanting and listening to music, spending time in nature, and her two incredibly supportive daughters.
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
SCP works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Music: Carl Golembeski
Part two of Hari Scott Whitmore's interview with his tabla teacher and Indian classical legend Daniel Paul. Daniel is a captivating storyteller, and he shares about his time with masters such as Ali akar Khan and Zakir Hussain, the origins and history of Indian Classical music, and the inherent sacredness of tabla rhythm. Whether a lover of classical or new to the form, everyone can benefit from this episode and gain a deeper appreciation for this ancient and sacred art form.
Daniel Paul is an India Fulbright award-winning tabla drummer and graduate of the Ali Akbar College of Music, who for three decades has been accompanying many of today’s top kirtan singers on the international chanting circuit. From his long association accompanying Grammy nominee Jai Uttal and the exotic global vocalist Gina Salá, Daniel has also toured South America backing the soft prayers of Snatam Kaur and throughout North America contributing to the rocking chants of Dave Stringer and the Guru Ganesha Band.
Daniel has maintained a varied eclectic career from music director for the Off-Broadway play "Ghashiram Kotwal" to decades of informal kirtan in the jungles and beaches of Maui. From Carnegie Hall to the Waikiki Bandshell, in a cave under old Jerusalem, to the temples and all night music festivals of India, whether through kirtan, classical sitar and sarod, Kathak dance and bansuri flute recitals, or his "Rhythms of the Heart" workshops, Daniel continues to introduce new audiences to the magic of the tabla. Learn more at: https://www.tabladaniel.com/
Hari Scott Whitmore began leading kirtan over ten years ago in Ram Dass’s living room, where he served as a personal caregiver. Over the years he has had the honor of accompanying many incredible kirtan wallahs including Krishna Das, Nina Rao, Devadas, and his bandmates in Kripa. During his time as the Director of Outreach for the Call and Response Foundation, he helped organize kirtans in prisons and recovery centers throughout the United States. This work is now carried out by the Sacred Community Project, of which Hari is a founding member. You can find more information at sacredcommunityproject.org and explore his musical offerings on https://kripa.guru
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
SCP works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Music: Carl Golembeski
Host Hari Scott Whitmore interviews his tabla teacher and Indian classical legend Daniel Paul. Daniel is a captivating storyteller, and he shares about his time with masters such as Ali Akbar Khan and Zakir Hussain, the origins and history of Indian Classical music, and the inherent sacredness of tabla rhythm. Whether a lover of classical music or new to the form, everyone can benefit from this episode and gain a deeper appreciation for this ancient and sacred art form.
Daniel Paul is an India Fulbright award-winning tabla drummer and graduate of the Ali Akbar College of Music, who for three decades has been accompanying many of today’s top kirtan singers on the international chanting circuit. From his long association accompanying Grammy nominee Jai Uttal and the exotic global vocalist Gina Salá, Daniel has also toured South America backing the soft prayers of Snatam Kaur and throughout North America contributing to the rocking chants of Dave Stringer and the Guru Ganesha Band.
Daniel has maintained a varied eclectic career from music director for the Off-Broadway play "Ghashiram Kotwal" to decades of informal kirtan in the jungles and beaches of Maui. From Carnegie Hall to the Waikiki Bandshell, in a cave under old Jerusalem, to the temples and all night music festivals of India, whether through kirtan, classical sitar and sarod, Kathak dance and bansuri flute recitals, or his "Rhythms of the Heart" workshops, Daniel continues to introduce new audiences to the magic of the tabla. Learn more at: https://www.tabladaniel.com/
Hari Scott Whitmore began leading kirtan over ten years ago in Ram Dass’s living room, where he served as a personal caregiver. Over the years he has had the honor of accompanying many incredible kirtan wallahs including Krishna Das, Nina Rao, Devadas, and his bandmates in Kripa. During his time as the Director of Outreach for the Call and Response Foundation, he helped organize kirtans in prisons and recovery centers throughout the United States. This work is now carried out by the Sacred Community Project, of which Hari is a founding member. You can find more information at sacredcommunityproject.org and explore his musical offerings on https://kripa.guru
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
SCP works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Music: Carl Golembeski
Sarah Anderson, LCSW, interviews her previous therapist, Kenneth Robinson, MS, MTS, for a conversation about what constitutes a healing relationship. Although a conversation between two therapists, their discussion applies to all healing relationships, including friends, romantic partners, or between students and teachers. Their conversation touches upon universal themes of the human condition that blend the psychological and spiritual and range from trauma and safety to ecstasy and liberation. As Kenneth says, “Freedom is not a luxury; Ecstasy is not an indulgence.”
Sarah writes about this interview: "My intention behind asking Kenneth to create this conversation with me was to demonstrate healing relationship. For me, the Western medical model too often objectifies "patients/ clients" rather than humanizing both healer and receiver. Sitting with Kenneth for eight years (with some breaks!) was transformative because I felt seen and heard in a new way, and my desire to help others was strengthened in this context of learning what it feels like to be truly safe in the world. Not that we can prevent death, pain, and injury to mind, body, and spirit, but it is our connection with others that contains these traumas and allows us to return home to love unconditionally."
Kenneth Robinson has worked for more than thirty years in the healing arts. He began as an addictions counselor, then as director of a family counseling center, and for the past twenty-five years as a body-oriented therapist and teacher. Throughout that time he has been a student of meditation and yoga, and for four years he studied Alaya Process, a transpersonal approach to healing. He has a masters in counseling from University of Tennessee and a Master’s in Theological Studies from Vanderbilt University. Beyond his practice, Kenneth is a poet, musician, and founding member of the kirtan group Chant Ram.
https://www.kennethrobinsontherapy.com/ Sarah Anderson combines her love of energy healing with psychotherapeutic skills in her clinical social work practice. A certified Jin Shin Jyutsu practitioner since 2001, she went back to graduate school in 2009 to receive her masters in social work with the goal of supporting others in remembering their wholeness. Sarah uses multiple approaches in her practice, including mindfulness, transpersonal therapy, trauma-informed cognitive behavioral work, and narrative therapy. She enjoys reflecting back to clients the aspects of their being that were never touched by trauma, while holding space for the grief process involved in remembering the ways they have lost contact with those aspects. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/sarah-w-anderson-keaau-hi/450152 The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
SCP works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Music: Carl Golembeski
In this audio clip taken from a live-recorded SCP class on Lamrim- a thousand-year old practice from Tibetan Buddhism considered to be a complete path to enlightenment- Chris Beaudry provides teachings on the Refuge Vows.
Chris Beaudry is a father, husband and farmer from Saskatchewan, Canada. He is on the board of the Living/Dying Project and is a direct student of Lama Sonia Potie of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. He has also worked with many other teachers including RamDev Dale Borglum, Don Jose Ruiz, and Gabor Maté.
Chris has a year-long study course on Lamrim that starts on April 16th. Register and learn more here: https://www.livingdying.org/lamrim/
Chris is also one of the featured teachers at the upcoming Sacred Community Retreat, an interspiritual gathering rooted in the lineage of Ram Dass and Neem Karoli Baba and centering the teachings of Bhakti Yoga and Buddhism. Register and learn more here: https://sacredcommunityproject.org/sacred-community-retreat
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
SCP works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Music: Carl Golembeski
RamDev Dale Borglum speaks with Sitaram Dass about conscious dying, the death and dying movement that grew from the 60s counterculture, time spent with Neem Karoli Baba, and his lifetime friendship with Ram Dass.
RamDev Dale Borglum founded and directed the Hanuman Foundation Dying Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the first residential facility in the United States to support conscious dying and is the executive director of the Living/Dying Project. He is the coauthor with Ram Dass, Daniel Goleman and Dwarka Bonner of Journey of Awakening: A Meditator’s Guidebook, Bantam Books and has taught meditation since 1974. RamDev offers lectures and workshops on the topics of meditation, healing, spiritual support for those with life threatening illness, and on caregiving as spiritual practice. He has a doctorate degree from Stanford University. RamDev’s passion is the healing of our individual and collective fear of death so that we may be free. Learn more about RamDev’s work at http://www.livingdying.org/
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
SCP works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Music: Carl Golembeski
Sita Lozoff is interviewed by Sitaram Dass for a discussion around her work in prisons, the path of service, her lifelong friendship with Ram Dass, and keeping the heart open in the midst of hell.
Sita and Bo Lozoff started the Prison-Ashram Project with Ram Dass in 1973, which has grown into the largest interfaith prison ministry in the world. She is currently HKF’s Spiritual Director and has been cited for numerous humanitarian awards, including the prestigious Temple Award for Creative Altruism from the Institute for Noetic Sciences. Her sincerity and commitment have earned the respect of hundreds of thousands of people in prisons and others around the world who feel inspired to follow a similar path of living simply and joyfully caring about others.
Learn more at: https://humankindness.org/
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
SCP works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Music: Carl Golembeski
Stever Dallman, PhD joins Sitaram Dass for a discussion on the topic of Love. What does Unconditional Love mean? How do we practice it? What does it look like within an interpersonal relationship? How is Love an active and transformational force? How do we surrender to it?
Steven “Stever” Dallmann is a spiritual practitioner, writer, teacher, and licensed psychotherapist. In 2008 he founded the non-profit Liberation Institute in San Francisco, a community organization with an innovative model of offering mental health services to the entire community regardless of income. Stever currently resides and practices on the island of Maui in Hawaii, from where he continues to guide the ever expanding Liberation Institute and is deeply involved in Hanuman Maui (The Ram Dass Loving Awareness Sanctuary), Aloha in Action, and various community and writing projects.
Mentions:
Liberation Institute: https://www.liberationinstitute.org/
Hanuman Maui: https://hanumanmaui.org
The creation of Liberation Institute: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmIPXePdNQA&t=728s
The creation of the Hanuman murti at Hanuman Maui: https://sacredcommunityproject.org/digital-library/hawaiian-hanuman-murti
Loving Awareness (book): https://sacredcommunityproject.org/loving-awareness-book
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
SCP works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Music: Carl Golembeski
This is a live meditation recording from Sitaram Dass. In it, he uses the mantra, SitaRam, as an anchor to bring our devotional heart into the presence of grief. In this way, we are reminded that our hearts are capable of holding the entire human experience.
More meditations and workshop recordings are available on the SCP website here: https://sacredcommunityproject.org/education
Reach out for spiritual support here: https://sacredcommunityproject.org/spiritual-support
Learn more about Sitaram Dass at: https://sitaramdass.com
This episode of the Sacred Community Podcast is introduced by guest host zander from the baby teeth podcast. Check it out at: https://babyteethpod.com/
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
SCP works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
Music: Carl Golembeski
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu https://beverlyhsu.com
Sitaram Dass interviews Laura Johnson, PhD, for a discussion on ecological grief, the importance of “deep and slow” grief work, and whether or not Sitaram is allowed to fly. Show notes at bottom of the page.
Laura Johnson, PhD, is the founder of A Restful Space, offering personalized restorative yoga and community rest & eco-grief circles in Humboldt County, as well as her premiere self-paced online course, Yoga for Ecological Grief. She is passionate about yoga in a holistic sense as a relational and embodied practice for personal and collective healing and has been invited to present at the 2022 Sedona Yoga Festival as well as the annual Post-Capitalist Conference and Vipassana meditation retreats. She is also a freelance writer with essays and poetry published in places like LionsRoar.com, Science and Nonduality (SAND), Tikkun, Resilience.org, Taproot Magazine, Empty Mirror, and Deep Times: A Journal of the Work that Reconnects.
Laura is a 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher with advanced training by Samantha Akers of TheraYoga Method and certification in the Trauma Conscious Yoga Method (TCYM) and Yoga for Social Justice with Nityda Gessel of the Trauma-Conscious Yoga Institute. She is also a Geography and Environmental Studies lecturer at Cal Poly Humboldt, and she holds a doctorate in Geography with a specialization in Gender, Justice, and Environmental Change from Michigan State University, as well as an MA in International Studies and a BA in Journalism and Mass Communication.
Laura lives on Wiyot land in Eureka, CA, with her husband and young daughter, dog and cat, chickens and goats, and many plants.
Links:
www.arestfulspace.com
www.laurabjohnson.com
IG: @arestfulspace
Yoga for Ecological Grief online course: https://a-restful-space.teachable.com/p/yoga-for-ecological-grief
Show Notes:
00:00-8:43 Introduction by Sitaram Dass
8:43-17:20 Laura’s initiation into ecological grief
17:20-24:00 The relational worldview, and the importance of grief
24:00-31:30 Why is eco-grief important?
31:30-34:30 is Sitaram allowed to fly?
34:30-49:30 What narrative is occurring? The power of imagination and how it shapes our actions
49:30-56:00 Laura’s offerings
Teachers, Authors, and activists mentioned:
- Wendell Berry
- adrienne maree brown
- Pema Chödrön
- Heather Jo Flores
- Tricia Hersey (Nap Ministry)
- Thomas Hübl
- Chris Jordan (Albatross)
- Raj Patel and Jason Moore
- Octavia Raheem
- Daniel Quin
- Francis Weller
- Rev. angel Kyodo williams
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu
Music: Carl Golembeski
Preguntas y respuestas en vivo: Ram Dass Stories de Kripa y Durga Stef This is a live recording from a 5-day silent Loving-Awareness retreat led by Durga Stef and the members of Kripa (Hari, Krishna Prem, Pavan Das, and Sitaram Dass).
Esta es una grabación en vivo de un retiro silencioso de 5 días de Amorosa Conciencia dirigido por Durga Stef y los miembros de Kripa (Hari, Krishna Prem, Pavan Das y Sitaram Dass).
Kripa is a kirtan group born out of the love of Ram Dass, Neem Karoli Baba, Siddhi Ma, and Hanuman and inspired by their central teachings of “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.”
Kripa nació del amor a Ram Dass, Neem Karoli Baba, Siddhi Ma, and Hanuman inspirados en sus enseñanzas centrales de “Amor, Servicio, Remembranza y Verdad.”
Since 2008 Durga Stef has dedicated her energy and heart to building a community of conscious people, following in the footsteps of her teacher and spiritual leader Ram Dass, her approach to the spiritual process is grounded, transparent and very human. She has a master's degree from Harvard University and has been teaching yoga, training teachers and creating yoga schools for more than 10 years. She is a speaker and teacher at various national and international festivals.
Desde 2008 Durga Stef ha dedicado su energía y corazón a construir una comunidad de personas conscientes, siguiendo los pasos de su maestro y líder espiritual Ram Dass, su acercamiento al proceso espiritual es aterrizado, transparente y muy humano. Tiene una maestría en Harvard University, ha enseñado yoga, formado maestros y creado escuelas de yoga por más de 10 años. Es speaker y maestra de varios festivales nacionales e internacionales.
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values. SCP works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
Sacred Community Podcast es un centro interespiritual de las enseñanzas universales, "Amor, Servicio, Recuerdo y Verdad". Hogar de entrevistas del Sacred Community Project, grabaciones de talleres en vivo, charlas de dharma y meditaciones, cada episodio está cuidadosamente seleccionado para garantizar su alineación con los valores de SCP. SCP trabaja para reducir las barreras de acceso a las prácticas contemplativas y devocionales a través de ofertas gratuitas, basadas en donaciones y asequibles, apoyo espiritual y alcance en las prisiones. Obtenga más información y haga una donación deducible de impuestos en: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
Music: Carl Golembeski
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu https://beverlyhsu.com
Links:
https://sacredcommunityproject.org
https://kripa.guru
https://durgastef.com/
[with spanish translation] Pavan Das: 15 minute Loving Awareness meditation
This is a live recording from a 5-day silent Loving-Awareness retreat led by Durga Stef and the members of Kripa. In this 15 minute meditation, Pavan Das uses the example and presence of Ram Dass as an invitation into the essence of Loving Awareness.
Esta es una grabación en vivo de un retiro silencioso de 5 días de Amorosa Conciencia dirigido por Durga Stef y los miembros de Kripa. En esta meditación de 15 minutos, Pavan Das usa el ejemplo y la presencia de Ram Dass como una invitación a la esencia de la Conciencia Amorosa.
Pavan Das is a multi-media artist, mindfulness teacher, and nonprofit leader. He resides on Maui where he serves on the board of Hanuman Maui: Ram Dass Loving Awareness Sanctuary. His time with spiritual leaders, like Ram Dass and Thich Nhat Hanh, informs his commitment to fostering resilience and community through contemplative and devotional practices.
Pavan Das es un artista multimedia, profesor de atención plena y líder sin fines de lucro. Reside en Maui, donde es miembro de la junta directiva de Hanuman Maui: Ram Dass Loving Awareness Sanctuary. Su tiempo con líderes espirituales, como Ram Dass y Thich Nhat Hanh, informa su compromiso de fomentar la resiliencia y la comunidad a través de prácticas contemplativas y devocionales.
Since 2008 Durga Stef has dedicated her energy and heart to building a community of conscious people, following in the footsteps of her teacher and spiritual leader Ram Dass, her approach to the spiritual process is grounded, transparent and very human. She has a master's degree from Harvard University and has been teaching yoga, training teachers and creating yoga schools for more than 10 years. She is a speaker and teacher at various national and international festivals.
Desde 2008 Durga Stef ha dedicado su energía y corazón a construir una comunidad de personas conscientes, siguiendo los pasos de su maestro y líder espiritual Ram Dass, su acercamiento al proceso espiritual es aterrizado, transparente y muy humano. Tiene una maestría en Harvard University, ha enseñado yoga, formado maestros y creado escuelas de yoga por más de 10 años. Es speaker y maestra de varios festivales nacionales e internacionales.
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values. SCP works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
Sacred Community Podcast es un centro interespiritual de las enseñanzas universales, "Amor, Servicio, Recuerdo y Verdad". Hogar de entrevistas del Sacred Community Project, grabaciones de talleres en vivo, charlas de dharma y meditaciones, cada episodio está cuidadosamente seleccionado para garantizar su alineación con los valores de SCP. SCP trabaja para reducir las barreras de acceso a las prácticas contemplativas y devocionales a través de ofertas gratuitas, basadas en donaciones y asequibles, apoyo espiritual y alcance en las prisiones. Obtenga más información y haga una donación deducible de impuestos en: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
Links:
https://sacredcommunityproject.org
https://hanumanmaui.org
https://kripa.guru
https://durgastef.com/
This is an excerpt from the audiobook, Exploring the Hanuman Chalisa, a collection of live lecture recordings where Sitaram Dass explores each line of the Hanuman Chalisa, using sacred scripture, humor, modern psychology, and stories from his time serving his beloved teacher, Ram Dass.
In this particular audio, Sitaram Dass discusses different ways we can approach the idea of God in form. He expounds on the concept of "multilogical thinking" as a way to elasticize our ability to utilize seemingly-contradictory perspectives and worldviews, and he offers some guidelines on the "protective factors" to keep us safe, minimize harm, and stay aligned with reality as we explore these various beliefs.
The full 4.5 hours of audio is available everywhere music is sold or streamed. Get it on your favorite platform here: https://sacredcommunityproject.org/exploring-the-hanuman-chalisa
Learn more about SItaram Dass at: https://sitaramdass.com
This episode of the Sacred Community Podcast is introduced by guest host zander from the baby teeth podcast. Check it out at: https://babyteethpod.com/
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
SCP works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
In this episode, Hari interviews Reverend Bodhi Be from the Sufi lineage of Samuel Lewis and Hazrat Inayat Khan. Bodhi is the founder and executive director of Doorway Into Light, a nonprofit that provides conscious and compassionate care for the dying, their families, and the grieving on Maui.
Recorded in October 2020, Hari and Bodhi explore the spiritual power of "I am going to die, and I don't know when," Bodhi's friendship with Ram Dass, the environmental, spiritual, and social impact of outsourcing death to businesses and experts, and how to reclaim death back into the home, family, and community as an act of "village building."
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values.
SCP works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
About Reverend Bodhi Be:
Warrior of the heart, protector of the sacred
Reverend Bodhi Be is an ordained interfaith minister and teacher in the Sufi lineage of Samuel Lewis and Hazrat Inayat Khan. He is the founder and executive director of Doorway Into Light, a nonprofit organization on Maui, which provides conscious and compassionate care for the dying, their families and the grieving, and has been offering community presentations and trainings since 2006 in the fields of awakened living and dying and the care of the dying.
Since 2012, Doorway Into Light operates Hawaii’s only nonprofit certified green funeral home It also operates a storefront on Maui, ‘The Death Store’, an educational resource center and store providing education, support and counsel on a donation basis.
A Maui resident for 45 years, he and his wife have raised 5 children and are now helping to raise 3 grandchildren. An organic, off-the-grid homesteader in Hawaii for 26 years, he grows tropical fruit with his wife, children and grandchildren.
Bodhi is a funeral director providing before, and after-death care; an end-of-life and bereavement counselor and educator; a hospice volunteer; a teacher and trainer of death doulas; a speaker and workshop leader and a ceremonial guide. He hosts a weekly streaming radio show, ‘Death Tracks’, on a Maui station.
Bodhi guides memorials and funerals and leads grief rituals. He has facilitated grief support groups for teenagers at a local high school. He has trained hundreds of doctors, nurses, hospice staff, social workers, ministers, chaplains, therapists, artists and lay people in the spiritual, psychological, emotional and logistical care of the dying and the care of the dead, and for 4 years has taken dozens through a certification program to be death doulas. Bodhi has written a column called “Ask the Death Professor” for a local Maui magazine. He is a notary public, a coffin maker and a Reiki practitioner. Bodhi and his wife Leilah have been leading spiritual retreats in Hawaii and around the world.
Bodhi is currently teaching courses through the Esalen Institute of Big Sur. Entitled ‘We’re All Gonna Die,’ the course encompasses: cultivating a healthy relationship with our own approaching death, doing the work of preparing for death, learning skills for caring for a dying person(s) and for showing up for what’s dying in the world.
For many years Bodhi collaborated with Ram Dass, a neighbor, mentor and friend, who served on Doorway Into Light’s Board of Directors. Bodhi is continuing the work Ram Dass helped birth in the fields of conscious dying in America.
Doorway Into Light is currently raising funds to develop a new model of land stewardship that includes a natural green burial ground, sanctuary, park, ceremony hall and community gathering place.
A new book about Bodhi is out now and available at your favorite retailer: https://www.amazon.com/Facing-Death-Conversation-Reverend-Bodhi/dp/1953508251
doorwayintolight.org - ipuka.org Facebook: @Thedeathstore Instagram: @thedeathstoremaui
For this very special episode of the Sacred Community Podcast, host Hari Scott Whitmore interviews Dassi Ma and Rita Green. Rita served Siddhi Ma in India for over 40 years. Dassi Ma was Ram Dass’s primary caregiver for the last 15 years of his life and is now the president of Hanuman Maui: Ram Dass Loving Awareness Sanctuary.
This deeply touching conversation was recorded shortly after Ram Dass's death and places a special emphasis on portraying Ram Dass’s final moments, his trip to the Hanuman temple in Taos, NM, and the birth of the Ram Dass Loving Awareness Sanctuary. Learn more at: hanumanmaui.org
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values. SCP works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
This is a live recording from a 5-day silent Loving-Awareness retreat led by Durga Stef and the members of Kripa. In this 15 minute meditation, Pavan Das uses the example and presence of Ram Dass as an invitation into the essence of Loving Awareness.
Pavan Das is a multi-media artist, mindfulness teacher, and nonprofit leader. He resides on Maui where he serves on the board of Hanuman Maui: Ram Dass Loving Awareness Sanctuary. His time with spiritual leaders, like Ram Dass and Thich Nhat Hanh, informs his commitment to fostering resilience and community through contemplative and devotional practices.
The Sacred Community Podcast is an inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values. SCP works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
Other mentioned links:
https://hanumanmaui.org
https://kripa.guru
An inter-spiritual hub of the universal teachings, “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth.” Home to Sacred Community Project interviews, live workshop recordings, dharma talks, and meditations, each episode is carefully curated to ensure its alignment with SCP values. SCP works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through free, donation-based, and affordable offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more and make a tax-deductible donation to support our service projects at: https://sacredcommunityproject.org
About this episode:
With over 30 years of listening and speaking with people facing major changes in their lives, Vasu Jon Seskevich has learned that the biggest stressor one faces is "waiting and not knowing." We are in the midst of what will be remembered as one of the most uncertain times in our lives. For many, our capacity to navigate and sustain through uncertainty has been pushed to it’s limits.
Vasu is a lifelong student of meditation and practitioner of mind-body medicine, nursing and healing. He helped create the Duke University Hospital Stress Management Consult Team and has been a pioneer in integrating therapies that build resiliency. Now retired, he has seen over 40,000 patient consults throughout his career, helping people to skillfully navigate the sufferings and joys of life, right up to their last breath. Vasu's presentations are entertaining, insightful, and inspiring. He will share approaches crafted from his clinical practice, research, and friendship with Ram Dass. Topics covered include.
- Waiting and not knowing
- Listening with your heart without taking on the pain
- Practices to support quieting down worry
- Self-relaxation skills
- Strengthening our personal spiritual connection.
Ram Dass wrote these words about Vasu in 1996:
“I have known Jon Seskevich for more than fifteen years...
“In all the projects in which I have been involved with Jon, I have found him to be responsible, thorough and disciplined in his efforts. His recognition of the need for both a spiritual dimension in healing work and grounded, responsible social action in spiritual work have defined his career in nursing. To that career he has brought a creative energy for mind-body healing, meditative practices with stress reduction healing touch with traditional nursing practices and a spiritual perspective for patients facing traumatic illness.
“The integration of spiritual dimensions in his work is very personal for Jon. His own inner work takes the form of being fully present for both patients, fellow staff members, and offering a very warm heart-full human dimension to what are too often impersonal medical procedures.
“Jon is truly a brilliant example of compassion in action. He not only serves his patient community but seems tireless in his willingness to share and teach, and to explore innovative techniques for humanizing nursing for nurses and patients alike.”
Learn more about Vasu at https://jonvasu.com