Sacred Community Podcast

Sitaram Dass: Mantra, Devotion, and Grief - A Live Meditation Recording

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
 

Laura Johnson, PhD: Eco Grief

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
 

Live Q&A: Ram Dass Stories by Kripa and Durga Stef [with spanish translation]

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/
 
 

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.
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

Pavan Das: conciencia amorosa meditación con traducción al español de Durga Stef

[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/
 

Sitaram Dass: Exploring the Hanuman Chalisa - Multilogical Thinking

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
 

Bodhi Be: A Doorway Into Light -Dying and Living Fully

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 ourown 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 onDoorway 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 thatincludes a natural green burial ground, sanctuary, park, ceremony hall and community gatheringplace.
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.orgFacebook: @ThedeathstoreInstagram: @thedeathstoremaui
 
Music: Carl Golembeski
SCP Logo: Beverly Hsu https://beverlyhsu.com
 

Dassi Ma & Rita Green: Serving Ram Dass and Siddhi Ma

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
 
 

Recorded Workshop- Navigating Uncertainty with Vasu Jon Seskevich

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