Sacred Community Podcast

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***  Recently, Ondrea's solar power system and backup generator both unexpectedly broke down. These systems are essential for her daily living, providing the necessary power for heating, cooling, water, and other vital functions in her off-the-grid home.  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 will be hosting two retreats this year, and registration is now live for the 2024 Spring Retreat at Just Love Forest outside of Atlanta, Georgia. Learn more and register for the retreat here: https://www.justloveforest.com/lovingawareness 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 will be hosting two retreats this year, and registration is now live for the 2024 Spring Retreat at Just Love Forest outside of Atlanta, Georgia. Learn more and register for the retreat here: https://www.justloveforest.com/lovingawareness 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/    

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   Music: Carl Golembeski SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu https://beverlyhsu.com   Other mentioned links: https://hanumanmaui.org https://kripa.guru

[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   Music: Carl Golembeski SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu https://beverlyhsu.com  

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   Music: Carl Golembeski SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu https://beverlyhsu.com  

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   Music: Carl Golembeski SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu https://beverlyhsu.com    

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   Music: Carl Golembeski SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu https://beverlyhsu.com