Bhakti Night: Humanity and Spirituality

General Program Series Summary

Location

Lotus Room A (next to Govinda’s Lunch)

Cost

$5.00

Description

Welcome to Bhakti Night- an evening dedicated to the wisdom and practice of bhakti-yoga.

The evening begins with a soul-stirring kirtan, a musical form of meditation, where the air will resonate with melodious chants and the rhythmic beats of traditional instruments. As the sweet sound vibrations fill the room, you'll find your heart opening up, and any stress or worries gently dissipate, replaced by a profound sense of peace and contentment. The kirtan is followed by a talk on teachings from the ancient yoga tradition which is always thought provoking and even entertaining!

As the night draws to a close, we'll conclude with a delightful vegetarian dinner. Savor the sanctified dishes, lovingly prepared with devotion, and experience how food can be an offering of love and nourishment for the soul.

Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or a curious newcomer, this program promises an evening filled with spiritual bliss and inner harmony. We look forward to sharing this wonderful journey of devotion with you!

This Week's Event Summary

Facilitators

Svayam-Bhagavan Keshava Swami and Hari-vilasa

About the Facilitators

Svayam-Bhagavan Keshava Swami

S.B. Keshava Swami is a spiritual author, community mentor, dynamic teacher and worldwide traveler. In 2002, after graduating from UCL (University College London) with a BSc in Information Management, he adopted full-time monastic life to expand his knowledge, deepen his spirituality, and share these timeless principles with the wider society.

For over twenty years, Keshava Swami was a resident monk at ISKCON UK’s headquarters, Bhaktivedanta Manor. There he pioneered the School of Bhakti (www.schoolofbhakti.com), led the monastic training programme and drove forward national outreach projects. He has designed numerous courses on Vedic theology, lifestyle management, and spiritual self-development, and also authored ten books which bring the ancient wisdom into the modern context.

In 2022, Keshava Swami accepted vows of lifetime renunciation. Nowadays he is a globe-trotter, teaching in universities, corporate firms, government organisations and spiritual communities, bringing wisdom to the places which need it most. He continues to diligently study the Sanskrit texts, considering how to proliferate spiritual wisdom in a world that is suffocating from materialism.

Hari-vilasa dasa

Born and raised in South Africa, Hari Vilasa is a graduate in philosophy in linguistics and has been studying the Sanskrit wisdom texts, including the Mahabharata, for over ten years.

Program Summary

Join us for an enlightening discussion on integrating spirituality into everyday life. Svayaṁ-Bhagavan Keshava Swami and Hari-vilāsa will share perspectives on balancing lofty spiritual goals with our basic human needs and tendencies.

While the spiritual path points us to transcendent truths, it can sometimes feel removed from ordinary human experience. We may get caught up in divine ideals that seem to neglect our innate human nature. Yet spirituality also offers a sense of meaning and purpose that we deeply yearn for.

How can we honor the spiritual while embracing the human? Our guides will explore ways to blend otherworldly revelation with worldly living. Discover how spirituality can elevate our humanity when grounded in compassion. We'll cover topics like:

• Maintaining equanimity amid life's ups and downs
• Cultivating self-love and self-acceptance
• Finding divine purpose in simple daily acts
• Serving others while nurturing the self
• Integrating material and spiritual goals

This profound and practical dialogue will offer wisdom to illuminate your spiritual journey. Come with an open heart and mind ready to receive.

R.S.V.P. NOW!