Pranam to Swami Kashi Muktananda Saraswati

Sandals representing the Guru

Pranam, or greetings and salutations to Swami Kashi! 

Congratulations to Brahmachari Shankar on taking a great big step on his spiritual path.  On Guru Purnima day, by the banks of the holy river Ganga, in the company of Swamis and Sadhus, Shankar traded in his yellow robes for ochre ones and was given a new name as he was initiated into Sannyasa or the role of Swami.

In his words, "There are few possible meanings for the name. One of them I like in particular was given by Acharya Swami Vishnu Tirtha: Kashi Mukta is one who was liberated while living in Uttarkashi. This refers to Swami Chaitanyananda my Guru. The Ananda or bliss that a person devoted to him gets is Kashi Muktananda. May I be worthy of this name."

Blessings and good wishes to you always, Swamiji!



Heart Pilgrim Yatra, October 2014

Image Source: Heart Pilgrim

Do you dream of seeing the Himalayas with your own eyes? 

Wish to experience "Sacred India" for your Self?

Let's join Brahmachari Shankar, on Heart Pilgrim's first Himalayan Yatra, October 4-17, 2014!

Too far-fetched?  Follow your heart! 

As Shankar points out in Hindi, "Sab Kuch Milega!"  Or in English, "Everything is possible!"



Heart Pilgrim, Brahmachari Shankar's New Blog

Shankar teaching the Bhagavad Gita

I'm so excited to introduce you to Heart Pilgrim, the new website and blog of Brahmachari Shankar!

Many of you have heard me refer to Shankar as "my favorite monk".  As a senior staff member of the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat in the Bahamas, he is my friend and fellow student, my revered mentor and my most beloved Sanskrit tutor.

We have shared many hours studying and chanting, serving the ashram, our teachers and guests, even updating and editing the Philosophy section of the Sivananda Yoga Teachers Training manual. 

Shankar's teachings reflect his intelligence, his devotion, and his sense of humor.  I enthusiastically encourage you to check out all he has to share!

Hot Kirtan from the Bahamas, Jai Uttal and Daniel Paul

Oh this is just awesome! 

Here's a great video of one of my favorite kirtan dynamic duos, Jai Uttal and Daniel Paul performing recently at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat in the Bahamas. 

Jai Uttal and Daniel Paul (The Maha Mantra and a Few Surprises)

Just in case you're wondering, they are as fun and friendly offstage as they are on! 

And hahaha - check it out!!  Jai is still using the clamp my Guru brother/Sanskrit teacher Brahmachari Shankar gave him a few years ago to hold his very well-loved harmonium bellows together! 

And if you look reeeealllly closely, there's a Ganesha sticker on it that I gave him!  Jai!! :-D