Sacred Community Podcast

Pavan Das: Loving-Awareness Meditation (30 minutes)

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

Sacred Community Invocation (Sitaram Dass)

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.
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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
 

Sitaram Dass: The Journey to Love (Part 2)

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: The Journey to Love (2020)

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: A Confirmation of Faith

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://harikirtan.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
 
 

Priti Durga: It starts at home

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
 

Daniel Paul (PT 2): Tabla and the Mood of Devotion

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
 

Daniel Paul: Music as a Path - Tabla, Indian Classical, and Tales of the Greats (PT 1)

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 and Kenneth Robinson: A Healing Relationship- ecstasy, transpersonal therapy, and healing childhood wounds

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
 

Chris Beaudry: Refuge Vows

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