Interview Interview

Devotional Mysticism and Plant Teachers: Light Holders Through Winter

~presented by Rukmini Walker & Ashley Elenbaas

Winter is the darkest season of the year. While darkness is often seen as burdensome, it is rich with gifts necessary for those on a spiritual path. In this video, herbalist Ashley Elenbaas and director of UrbanDevi, Rukmini Walker, take a deep dive into the dark and fertile caves of winter and darkness and how we can get the most out of this season. Plants such as Angelica, Mugwort, and Pine are explored as plant allies to help guide the work of deep winter dreaming and bringing our consciousness of light into these dark spaces. Please click here or on the video image below.[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk_dWtxZszA[/embed]   

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Interview Interview

Devotional Mysticism and Plants - Part 2 - The Rose

This week we have the second episode of Devotional Mysticism and Plant Teachers. In this series, Rukmini Walker, and Ashley Elenbaas explore plants' rich history, their connection to ancient and modern mystic traditions, their inclusion in myths, sacred texts, and their use as spiritual aides in ceremony and in healing. They hope to inspire their listeners to see the plant world with a greater sense of wonder and reverence and inspire greater love, gratitude, care, and compassion for these plants and our own spiritual journeys. Please click here to enjoy these talks and we welcome your questions, comments, and insights!    

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Conversation, Interview, spotlight Conversation, Interview, spotlight

Struck with Wonder and Gratitude!

I gave a class at New York's Bhakti Center on gratitude and the aspects of wonder from the Srimad Bhagavatam - wisdom for  higher state of  mindfulness and for a grateful attitude. In the image below, the transition from lower to higher state is by staying engaged, curious and maintaining a sense of wonder.
To listen in, please click on this link or on the video image below.
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All the best,
Rukmini Walker
*Connect with Rukmini through her Patreon Community: Patreon.com/RukminiWalker Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rukmini.walker Urban
[embed]https://youtu.be/f33a8LU7Y3U[/embed]
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Conversation, Interview, Personal Conversation, Interview, Personal

Ultimate Life Hacks from the Bhagavad Gita

In our April Urban Devi* Ladies Syama Sangita Devi Dasi takes us on a journey into Sri Krishna's main teachings of this sacred book.
Born and raised in NYC, Syama Sangita has performed stand-up comedy on hundreds of stages in Canada, U.D., U.K., and Hong Kong. Wanting to take her craft to new heights, she decided to combine her love for humor and love for Eastern Spirituality, and founded The Hopeful Hindu (http://www.thehopefulhindu.com/), a speaking company that combines stand-up comedy and ancient spiritual wisdom from the East. Aastha currently lives in LA and works for Jay Shetty, creating conscious media content for the world.
To listen to these incredible and inspiring stories, please click on this link or on the video image at the bottom of this post.
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All the best,
Rukmini Walker
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*Urban Devi is a monthly interactive women’s discussion circle that seeks to make spirituality accessible to women in the 21st century. For more information, please follow Rukmini on Facebook, or go to the Bhakti Center NYC online programs.
[embed]https://youtu.be/b96-LkvD2k0[/embed]
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Conversation, Interview Conversation, Interview

The Heart of the Sacred Feminine - The Dance of Intimacy (Session 3)

Ashley Liteckly Elenbaas of Sky House Herbs has invited me to share a series of talks with her exploring the Divine Feminine, Srimati Radharani. So far, we've had three discussions, and we're planning to continue them every couple of weeks.
I hope you find these conversations as engaging as I do!  To listen in, please click on this link or on the video image below.
All the best,
Rukmini Walker
*Connect with Rukmini through her Patreon Community: Patreon.com/RukminiWalker Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rukmini.walker Urban Devi: urbandevi.com Bhakti Center: https://bhakticenter.org/
**Maha Mantra to recite on Tulsi Japa Beads: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hara Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_6tsOjpuik[/embed]About Ashley ElenbaasAshley is the proprietor of sky house herb school and apothecary. She  teaches people about plants, lead wellness workshops and retreats, and spend copious amounts of time in the garden.To join Ashley you can find her on the following media platforms.Subscribe to this channel to stay up to date with new videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqHW…Sign up to my mailing list to stay updated on free webinars, virtual garden and herb walks, and other free content: http://www.skyhouseherbs.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashley.litecky Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skyhouseherbs/  #SkyHouseHerbs #AshleyElenbaas
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Interview Interview

The Role of the Feminine in Bhakti Yoga (Session 2)

In this interview, Rukmini Walker & Ashley Litecky Elenbaas explore the role of the feminine in Bhakti Yoga. 
To watch, please click on the video image below.
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[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILRBEc3kIGc&t=657s[/embed]

About Ashley ElenbaasAshley is the proprietor of sky house herb school and apothecary. She  teaches people about plants, lead wellness workshops and retreats, and spend copious amounts of time in the garden.

To join Ashley you can find her on the following media platforms.

Subscribe to this channel to stay up to date with new videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqHW...Sign up to my mailing list to stay updated on free webinars, virtual garden and herb walks, and other free content: http://www.skyhouseherbs.com/ Say hi on social:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashley.liteckyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/skyhouseherbs/  #SkyHouseHerbs #AshleyElenbaas

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Interview Interview

The Heart of the Sacred Feminine: An Introduction to Bhakti Yoga & the Goddess

In this video Ashely Elenbaas and Rukmini talk about Bhaiti Yoga and the Goddess!  To watch, please click on this link or on the video image below.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ko5rYTH12GU[/embed] 
About Ashley ElenbaasAshley is the proprietor of sky house herb school and apothecary. She  teaches people about plants, lead wellness workshops and retreats, and spend copious amounts of time in the garden.

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To join Ashley you can find her on the following media platforms.Subscribe to this channel to stay up to date with new videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqHW...Sign up to my mailing list to stay updated on free webinars, virtual garden and herb walks, and other free content: http://www.skyhouseherbs.com/ Say hi on social:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashley.liteckyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/skyhouseherbs/  #SkyHouseHerbs #AshleyElenbaas

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Interview Interview

Understanding and Overcoming Challenges and Obstacles in Our Devotional Lives

On June 20th, hosted by the Bhakti Center in New York City, Dinatarini Devi Dasi joined the Urban Devi Ladies Sanga as a special guest.  Dinatarini shared how we can understand and overcome the challenges and obstacles in our devotional lives by seeing the Grace of the Absolute therein.
Through the mercy of the Lord, our spiritual masters, those on the path of bhakti, and in forming close friendships with like-minded souls, we can utilize such challenges to effect positive growth in our spiritual lives.
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To listen to a recording of this special class, Please click on this link or on the image below.

Dinatarini devi dasi was born in Washington DC and grew up in South Florida. In 1970 she met devotees of the Hare Krishna movement at a rock festival and received a Bhagavad-gita from them. This seemingly chance meeting changed the trajectory of her life. She joined the temple in Tallahassee, Florida later that year and was initiated by Srila Prabhupada in 1972 in Dallas, Texas. Over the years she has served the mission in India, the UK and North America in a wide variety of capacities. In 1974 she met her devotee companion, Yamuna devi, and they served together for the next 37 years until her passing in 2011. Dinatarini devi is the author of “Yamuna Devi—A Life of Unalloyed Devotion,” and the soon to be released “Yamuna Devi—The Study of Seva Puja.”

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2m1cWm0YLI[/embed]

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Interview Interview

Manjuali Devi Dasi ~ A Life Shared on the Bhakti Path

On February 28, the monthly Urban Devi sanga featured Manjuali Devi Dasi sharing her personal reflections, daily actions, and the gifts of fellowship of the bhakti path.  She revealed how contemplative prayer, daily practice, and an enthusiasm to meet life’s daily challenges with awareness, support our quest for self-realization and a loving relationship with the Divine. She shares her insights from a life dedicated to bhakti on how to trust our inner guide and, at the same time, embrace guidance from our teachers and great saints. Personal stories of exchanges with her teacher, Srila Prabhupada, are woven into the tapestry of her presentation.

Manjuali Devi Dasi began practicing Bhakti Yoga in 1971. She was initiated by Srila Prabhupada in May 1972 in Los Angeles. She and her late husband Jayatirtha das were sent to England to manage the Krishna Temple in 1976 by their Teacher. Manjuali worked for many years as a Media Librarian for The Times of London. Later, Manjuali moved to the southwest of UK, and worked in the field of Psychotherapy and Counseling for an educational awarding body, producing training films and other educational material. Manjuali is a Bhakti practitioner and active in interfaith dialogue, environmental and social causes in her community.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_j8vsAY0uo&list=PL5_lI5D7jbgALtBJYLqrdJ_ipqyuB3T0c&index=8

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Interview Interview

Where Devotion Meets Sustainability

a conversation with Radhanath Swami

In the opening session of Eco-Bhakti in Action, spiritual teacher Radhanath Swami and ecological activist Gopal D. Patel discuss how to translate eco-wisdom into tangible action. To watch the session organized by Yale University's Ecology Forum in partnership with the Bhakti Center, NYC and Princeton University Hindu Life Program, please click on this link.  

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Interview Interview

Prabhupada Memoirs with Rukmini Devi Dasi

~an interview with Rukmini Walker

Jagannatha Kirtanananda Das in a conversation with Rukmini Devi Dasi explores the beginning of her spiritual life at the age of 16 and the pastimes with her spiritual father Srila Prabhupada.

To listen to this special interview, please click on this link or on the image below.[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jg4p9-UKXaE&feature=youtu.be[/embed]

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Interview Interview

What I have to offer never belonged to me

Presented by Jahnavi Harrison

Here's one of those tiny jewellike meditations by Jahnavi Harrison. Just right to center and focus your day. We live by the wisdom of realized devotees, like Jahnavi, on the path of Bhakti. We can try to imbibe her mood of offering to Krsna, so that we can come to find our own.

Click here to listen in to this BBC Sounds episode, Pause For Thought:

'What I have to offer never belonged to me'

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p08gg4wn?fbclid=IwAR0i5SyvzYLBjS8-Oc4DhTOBS7pvML5AbjUF2u6DwwwfhfMg5R-NpNFzyIM

 

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Interview Interview

Namastay Healthy with HAF: Chef Divya Returns for Ayurvedic Principles in Italian Cooking

-Presented by Chef Divya Alter of Divya's Kitchen

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Watch HAF’s latest Namastay Healthy Webinar as Chef Divya Alter of Divya’s Kitchen returns to show how you can use Ayurvedic principles in Italian cooking. Divya will prepare a “Steamed Artichoke with Olive Tapenade” dish and explains how to make it, how to eat it, and the health benefits of the ingredients used.

Click here to watch Divya's cooking demonstration or on the image below.

Divya Alter is a certified nutritional consultant and educator in the Shaka Vansiya Ayurveda tradition. She is the co-founder of Bhagavat Life, the only Ayurvedic culinary school in New York. She and her husband launched North America’s first Ayurvedic chef certification program and Divya’s Kitchen, an authentic Ayurvedic restaurant in Manhattan. Divya is also the author of What to Eat for How You Feel: The New Ayurvedic Kitchen (Rizzoli, April, 2017).

Download the recipe from this video: https://www.hinduamerican.org/wp-cont... 

Find more of Divya’s recipes divyaalter.com

Visit Divya’s Kitchen in NYC divyaskitchen.com

Follow Divya on Instagram @divyaskitchennyc @divyaalter @bvtlife

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsOo58CJklQ[/embed] 

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Interview Interview

How I Prepare for Life's Final Exam with Krsnanandini and Family

An Interview by Anuttama Das, ISKCON GBC Strategic Planning Team

My dear godsister, Krsnanandini is a guru to us all. She has been dealing with advanced cancer with grace, deep gratitude, and meditation on her sweet Lord Krsna.  Krsnanandini was recently sent to hospice care as her cancer has become unmanageable and she must now prepare herself, her family and her greater ISKCON community for her departure. Please pray for her, and hear from her as she clears the path for us all to follow.Please listen to the conversation facilitated by her longtime friend Anuttama Das as they explore and appreciate her lifetime of service to her spiritual master Srila Prabhupada. Her family also shares their realizations of walking this path of bhakti and surrender with their illustrious mother.

Please click here or on the video image below to listen to the talk.

All the best,

Rukmini Walker

https://www.facebook.com/gbcspt/videos/3623958104298937/?eid=ARCEyIR7Q_AVqlvo4yPfDGGmBMaZLcgU1LVLrp8P3ZdgNMg7fxU9-73zL-uOZCI4WNZHFhJQPsgv77_-

Krsnanandini Dasi was brought to Krsna consciousness by her mother as a young teenager along with her other siblings. Her mother was a simple woman and a devout Christian who deeply resonated with the Bhakti perspectives given by Srila Prabhupada in his writings. But when she came to the local temple along with her children, ready to join the community there, she faced bigotry and racism. She was treated as a troublemaker and was turned away.She took her children and put them in the car. She didn’t know where to turn, but somehow by the grace of God she was given the intuition to drive all the way to Dallas, Texas. When they arrived there, to their surprise, Srila Prabhupada himself was there visiting. She explained her situation to the temple president there, that she and her children were not welcome at the temple in their hometown of Cleveland. Srila Prabhupada out of his great compassion, then gave initiation to her and her children as well.About their work:Founded in 1996 by Krsnanandini Devi Dasi and her husband Tariq Saleem Ziyad--an orthodox Muslim, The Dasi-Ziyad Family Institute is a non profit organization born of necessity. Seeing the urgent need for relationship skills and tools because too many families were experiencing divorce and family disintegration, the founders realized that there are skills that people can learn and commitments they can make to transform weakened families into strong, healthy ones and to transform hopelessness and defeat into hope and success.They began providing relationship skill-building classes and workshops, communication and conflict resolution seminars and parenting classes. Couples requested their help. Initially, they provided these services on a volunteer and donations accepted basis. Gradually, by demand and request, the services provided by Tariq (TSZ) and Krsnanandini (KDD) accelerated. Curricula were designed, youth projects implemented and counseling services increased.Learn more about Krsnanandini here: http://btg.krishna.com/krishnanandini-devi-dasi   

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Interview Interview

Feminine Energy on the Bhakti Path - an Interview with Rukmini Walker

In this Wisdom of the Sages podcast, Raghunath Cappo and Kaustubha Das interview Rukmini Walker founder of Urban Devi.

Bhakti pioneer and Urban Devi founder, Rukmini Walker was our guest on Sunday morning. She has a fascinating history and a ton to share. We'll be speaking with her about the early days of the Bhakti movement in the West, her women's discussion group Urban Devi, how the feminine side of spirituality is something for us all, and much more.

Please click below to view the interview.[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4bdbTGEwB4[/embed] 

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Interview Interview

The Power of Vulnerability

An interview by Balaram Perez with Rukmini Walker

In early June, I was interviewed by Balaram Perez at the beautiful and historic Bhaktivedanta Manor in England - the Manor house that was donated by George Harrison.  The interview was on the power of vulnerability, Bhakti Yoga, healthy relationships between men and women, parenting and much more.  I hope you enjoy it! ~ All the best, RukminiTo watch this interview, click here or on the screen shot below and it will take you to the youtube page for the Inspire Show at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp5LGX7sMKo&feature=youtu.be [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp5LGX7sMKo&feature=youtu.be[/embed]

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