Intro to Bhakti

date – saturday – april 6th

time – 10:00am – 6:00pm (lunch included)

speakers – Vasudeva Das, Champakalata Devi Dasi, Dina Bandhu Das

admission – sliding scale between $50 – $108

contact Vasudeva with any questions vasudeva@bhakticenter.org

Are you new to bhakti, or have you been coming to the Bhakti Center for a while now, and want to explore the teachings of bhakti in greater depth? Seek no more! This immersive one-day retreat is an introduction into the foundational concepts of bhakti-yoga.

What is the purpose of life? Who am I in my deepest essence? What is Divinity? What is the true meaning of yoga? What is bhakti-yoga? What blocks us from experiencing our truest self, and how can we live out our highest spiritual potential, even in our day-to-day life? In this one-day immersion we will explore these fundamental questions to open the doors of spiritual transformation through the timeless practices of bhakti-yoga. 

With the help of ancient bhakti-yoga texts such as the Bhagavad-gita, a group of seasoned bhakti practitioners will guide you on a journey inwards through essential wisdom talks, story-telling, reflective exercises, guided meditations, mantra meditation, and kirtan (sacred chants). 

• community of spiritual seekers
• warm and open atmosphere
• knowledgeable teachers
• authentic wisdom presented in a relevant manner
• inspiring talks
• interactive discussions
• guided meditations
• mantra meditation and kirtan
• delicious vegan lunch

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 is a bhakti yoga teacher, priest, writer, and community developer. She grew up with spirituality at the center of her life, and in her teens went on a quest to go deeper. After studying most of the world’s religious and spiritual traditions, and becoming a certified Jivamukti Yoga teacher, she spent many months in India studying the bhakti tradition. She lived in bhakti yoga ashrams from 2012-2024 going deeper in her practice and sharing with others through teaching and community development. She is a disciple (student) of His Holiness Radhanath Swami. She currently lives with her husband, Gopal Krishna, in the East Village and serves the Bhakti Center by leading community groups, wisdom courses, and retreats. She is publishing a Bhakti poetry book in the coming months.

Dina Bandhu das began exploring the Bhakti tradition as a teenager after discovering a recording of kirtan. He works as a hospital chaplain, offering spiritual support to people of all faiths and backgrounds. He received his chaplaincy training (clinical pastoral education) through the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE). He completed chaplain residency at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital in 2017, and has since served as a chaplain at Overlook Medical Center, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, and Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital. He regularly facilitates workshops and groups about the teachings/practices of Bhakti, approaches to spiritual care, and the intersection of creativity and spirituality. He also serves as a member of the Bhakti Center’s community care team.

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