FOUNDATIONS OF BHAKTI PRACTICE

date – saturdays – april 20th, 27th, and may 4th

time – 10:30am – 12:30pm  + 1:30pm – 3:30pm (lunch included)

teachers – Vasudeva Das, Champakalata Devi Dasi

admission – sliding scale between $50 – $108

contact Vasudeva with any questions vasudeva@bhakticenter.org

Each day of classes intertwines foundational philosophical concepts with practical and experiential workshops in bhakti-yoga. 

Topics include:

• Let’s serve — the what and why of bhakti-yoga, the yoga of divine service
• Let’s get real — entering the ultimate reality 
• Let’s make this personal — developing a personal relationship with Divinity
• Let’s listen — opening our hearts to hear spiritual truth (sravana)
• Let’s chant — chanting the divine names (kirtana)
• Let’s get together — entering spiritual community (sat-sanga)
• Let’s worship — using our senses in service to Krishna (puja)
• Let’s take it home — transforming our home into a holy place 

At the end of this course, you will be equipped with the essential knowledge and tools to practice the path of bhakti in your every day life.

Vasudeva Das, originally from the Netherlands, started his journey on the path of bhakti in 1997 Since then, he has lived as a monk for 16 years in various ashrams in India and Europe, engaged in intensive practice of bhakti-yoga and study of Sanskrit and Vedic bhakti texts such as the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad Bhagavatam. He received initiation in the bhakti lineage of Sri Caitanya in 2003 from his guru, HH Kadamba Kanana Swami. In 2016 he earned a BA in Vaishnava Bhakti Theology with honors from the University of Chester, UK. Vasudeva currently lives with his wife in the East Village, New York City, where he serves as the head priest and senior educator at the Bhakti Center. As a scholar of Sanskrit, he is engaged in various translation projects and also tutors individual students. Vausdeva’s main aspiration in life, however, is to constantly serve Krishna (God) and his devotees with a selfless and humble heart.

Champakalata Sakhi Devi Dasi is a disciple of His Holiness Radhanath Swami. She was born in Washington DC in 1989. She has a zest for life and has wanted to know God since childhood. She grew up as a dancer and actress and studied acting at Stella Adler Acting Conservatory before she fell in love with yoga and meditation and completed her 300-hr yoga teacher training through Jivamukti Yoga in 2011. At the same time she found Krishna Consciousness and met Radhanath Swami and planned a 17-month pilgrimage to India to solidify her spiritual path. After India, she moved into the DC temple and served there from 2012-2017 in the deity department, as sankirtan leader, and leading outreach initiatives. She received first initiation in 2015 and second in 2017. In 2017 she moved to Bhakti Center and has served as hospitality/reception manager, pujari, community group leader, drama/dance performances, Bhagavad Gita teacher, and mentor. She currently serves on the leadership team and as community care director. She loves chanting japa and kirtan, reading, dressing the deities, and going on pilgrimage. She is married to Gopal Krishna Das.

• knowledgeable teachers experienced in bhakti-yoga
• experiential workshops of bhakti-yoga practices 
• community of spiritual seekers 
• warm and open learning environment 
• personal reflections and group discussions

Refund window closes 3 weeks prior to training start date; all monies forfeited thereafter. Credit card processing fees apply.