Phonetic Resonance - the electro magnetic vibration of the Sanskrit Language - applies to all areas, the endless width and breadth of the language, including mantras, scriptures, stotras, asana, ayurveda, Panini, and beyond.

In this workshop we will focus on this resonance, particularly as it concerns the area of asana names. We will review the sounds of the Sanskrit Alphabet, work on pronunciation with echoing long and short sounds, and chant asana names in Guruji's style of chanting as it relates to re-wiring the brain.

Shanta Bulkin met his teacher, Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati (Shri Ramamurti), in 1972 at Ananda Ashram. That fateful summer, the Guru's first words to him were: 'If you want to stay here you must study Sanskrit!' Shanta did just that. Fifty-some-odd years later, he still feels that promoting the Sanskrit language is his dharma.

Indira (Ann) Bulkin met Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati in the summer of 1971. The following spring, she became a full-time student at the Yoga Society of San Francisco. During that time, the Guru held Sanskrit classes for many hours a day, seven days a week. In the early 1980s, he named her the head of the Sanskrit Department at the YSSF.

Register for either the Entire Series or Individual Classes:

Jan 9
Jan 16
Jan 23
Jan 30
Feb 6

Join any time!

This ongoing weekly workshop series (via Zoom) explores the Laghu Yogavāsiṣṭha, a version of 6,000 verses abridged by the poet Abhinanda from the larger Yogavāsiṣṭha (36,000 verses). A popular classic of Advaita Vedānta philosophy, the Laghu Yogavāsiṣṭha is a beautiful poem in the form of a dialogue between Sage Vasiṣṭha and Śrī Rāma, tackling the problems of human suffering, of life and death, including the way forward in turbulent times.

This section will begin reading the sixth, and final, chapter of the Laghu Yogavāsiṣṭha, titled Nirvāṇa Prakaraṇam. In the concluding verses of the first chapter (Vairāgya Prakaraṇam), a disheartened Rāma laments the futility of worldly life. Sage Vasiṣṭha sees the young man's mumukṣutva, his intense yearning for liberation, the necessary qualification for receiving supreme knowledge, that Vasiṣṭha will now be imparting.

Join Professor Deven Patel for one or more delightful sessions. Teacher and students collectively work on translating the verses and discuss their meaning. These classes can be taken as a series of 5 sessions at a time (recommended) or as single sessions.

-- The ISEWU (Intl. Schools of East-West Unity) admits students of any race, color and national or ethnic origin. --

Deven M. Patel is a professor of Sanskrit and South Asian Culture in the School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania. He teaches courses in literature, philosophy, mythology, literary theory, and translation studies. Deven writes on the history and interpretation of literature and translates from Sanskrit to English. His published works include Text to Tradition: The Naiṣadhīyacarita and Literary Community in South Asia and Kavirājamārgam: The Way of the King of Poets (co-authored with R.V.S. Sundaram).

This ongoing series uses different critical Yogic teachings, with a focus on biomedical and neuroscience connections, from Vedantic, Jain and Buddhist perspectives. Each time, the stage will be set with an exploration of different meditation techniques, to create a readiness for Svādhyāya (Self-study) and Bhāvana (contemplation). Group meditation with other seekers creates a very special energy. Our meditation practices and understanding of things are enriched when connected with systematic exploration of ancient and modern ideas on consciousness, brain and learning.

Topics we may want to explore together over time will include:

1. Brain structure, function, chemistry and plasticity
2. Genetics, brain and ideas of karma
3. Embodied cognition, language and intuition
4. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and consciousness
5. Meditation and general mental health
6. Meditation and intelligence (creativity, insight and wisdom)

To join via zoom please click here.

Dr. Ken Pugh has been the Director of Research at Haskins Labs since 2009 and holds faculty appointments at both the University of Connecticut and at Yale University School of Medicine. His research program employs genetic, neuroimaging and cognitive methods to explicate the brain bases of typical and atypical language and reading development in children. At the age of sixteen, Dr. Pugh began seven years of training in the Jain monastic traditions and carries these experiences into his work on brain and cognition.

Gratitude and music share a beautiful truth — both bring warmth to the giver and the receiver. Join Kinnar Seen (sitar) and Naren Budhakar (tabla) for an evening of melody and rhythm in celebration of Life itself.

Preceded by Ashram Meditation Program in the MH beginning at 7:00 PM.

Naren Budhakar was brought up in the Indian classical music tradition and began performing Tabla at a young age. A disciple of Tabla Maestro Ustad Shabbir Nisar, Naren has played with prominent instrumentalists, vocalists and dancers including Pandit Birju Maharaj, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Pandit Jasraj and Shaed Parvez. He has performed at prestigious venues in the U.S. and Europe, providing Tabla accompaniment for various musical genres. He is also a disciple of Shri Aditya Khandwe, a virtuoso vocalist of the Gwalior style of classical Indian vocal music. Naren is co-director of the East-West School of Music at Ananda Ashram, teaching and performing regularly.

Kinnar Seen, a student of his illustrious father, Ustad Lachman Singh; earned a Master’s degree in Music receiving gold medals. Since the age of 14 he has performed at major music festivals around the world, representing India in Jamaica, Trinidad, and Morocco at the invitation of their governors, and performed even at the residence of John Lennon. Kinnar has presented lectures- demonstrations at leading universities including Harvard, Princeton, Brown, SUNY, and The Juilliard School. Recognized with numerous awards in India and abroad, he was described by The New York Times as 'a leading artist of India.' In 1986, Kinnar and his wife Payal, an accomplished vocalist, founded Sangeet Vilas — Kinnar School of Music, through which they continue to teach students in the Guru–Shishya (teacher–student) tradition.

Welcome to Ananda Ashram’s Thanksgiving Retreat, which includes morning and evening meditation programs -- beginning at 9:00 AM & 7:00 PM daily -- with fire ceremony and chanting for World Peace, Yoga-Vedanta scriptural studies and selected readings. We offer daily yoga classes and also open Sanskrit language classes. Evening programs will feature concerts and Kirtan.

Weds, Nov 26
8:00 PM Thanksgiving Eve Shaktipat Kirtan Concert in Gratitude

Thurs, Nov 27, Thanksgiving Day
Suggested Donation for Thanksgiving Day, Feast & Evening Program: $40 / included in Overnight and Day Guest Rates

5:00 PM - 6:30 PM Thanksgiving Vegan Feast - Lake House Dining Hall

7:00 PM - 7:30 PM Agni Hotra and Meditation with Hari - Blue Sky Center

7:30 PM - 8:15 PM Kirtan with Krishna Devi and friends - Blue Sky Center

8:15 PM Special Guest Program with Jivamukti Yoga Founders Sharon Gannon & David Life, Hari Mulukutla, Jamie Logan (animal rights activist), Katya Grineva (pianist)

Friday, Nov 28
8:00 PM Sitar and Tabla concert with Kinnar Seen and Naren Budhakar

Sat, Nov 29
8:00 PM (T)Hank(s)giving Concert with Hank Heaven & Naren Budhakar

This ongoing series uses different critical Yogic teachings, with a focus on biomedical and neuroscience connections, from Vedantic, Jain and Buddhist perspectives. Each time, the stage will be set with an exploration of different meditation techniques, to create a readiness for Svādhyāya (Self-study) and Bhāvana (contemplation). Group meditation with other seekers creates a very special energy. Our meditation practices and understanding of things are enriched when connected with systematic exploration of ancient and modern ideas on consciousness, brain and learning.

Topics we may want to explore together over time will include:

1. Brain structure, function, chemistry and plasticity
2. Genetics, brain and ideas of karma
3. Embodied cognition, language and intuition
4. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and consciousness
5. Meditation and general mental health
6. Meditation and intelligence (creativity, insight and wisdom)

To join via zoom please click here.

Dr. Ken Pugh has been the Director of Research at Haskins Labs since 2009 and holds faculty appointments at both the University of Connecticut and at Yale University School of Medicine. His research program employs genetic, neuroimaging and cognitive methods to explicate the brain bases of typical and atypical language and reading development in children. At the age of sixteen, Dr. Pugh began seven years of training in the Jain monastic traditions and carries these experiences into his work on brain and cognition.

Lakshmi, seated on a Lotus bloom,
Dispeller of all the want and gloom.
We chant your names in prayer,
For wealth, to attain and to share.
Bring fortune to homes, and peace to mind,
The truest riches that a heart can find.

Goddess Lakṣmī will be invoked in all her splendor in a celebration where spirituality embraces prosperity. During Diwali, the festival of lights, Mother Lakṣmī is worshipped, as described in the Purāṇas, the ancient Sanskrit texts. Please join us in the glorious setting of the Main House meditation room, where we will be graced by abundance.

This ongoing series uses different critical Yogic teachings, with a focus on biomedical and neuroscience connections, from Vedantic, Jain and Buddhist perspectives. Each time, the stage will be set with an exploration of different meditation techniques, to create a readiness for Svādhyāya (Self-study) and Bhāvana (contemplation). Group meditation with other seekers creates a very special energy. Our meditation practices and understanding of things are enriched when connected with systematic exploration of ancient and modern ideas on consciousness, brain and learning.

Topics we may want to explore together over time will include:

1. Brain structure, function, chemistry and plasticity
2. Genetics, brain and ideas of karma
3. Embodied cognition, language and intuition
4. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and consciousness
5. Meditation and general mental health
6. Meditation and intelligence (creativity, insight and wisdom)

To join via zoom please click here.

Dr. Ken Pugh has been the Director of Research at Haskins Labs since 2009 and holds faculty appointments at both the University of Connecticut and at Yale University School of Medicine. His research program employs genetic, neuroimaging and cognitive methods to explicate the brain bases of typical and atypical language and reading development in children. At the age of sixteen, Dr. Pugh began seven years of training in the Jain monastic traditions and carries these experiences into his work on brain and cognition.

Satsangs with Atmaji often include a darshan talk where he shares his wisdom on a variety of topics, as well as periods of silent sitting or guided meditations. The program will close with a Q&A session, a valuable opportunity for attendees to seek clarity about life's mysteries, challenges and any spiritual inquiries that can arise along the path. Bring your questions to Atmaji and open yourself to insight and transformation!

AtmaNambi, affectionately known as Atmaji, is an Enlightened Master from Tamil Nadu who has spent over 30 years guiding individuals toward a deeper connection with their inner Self. His teachings emphasize the transformative power of silence and meditation, and many describe his presence as a rare opportunity to experience profound stillness and clarity. His ashram, Upanisha Ananda Mandir, warmly welcomes sincere seekers from all walks of life.

He is also the founder of The Live Life Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to uplifting underprivileged and tribal communities throughout India.

To learn more, visit his website or follow his teachings on YouTube: @AtmaNambi and @theLIVELIFE_org.

9:00-11:00 AM & 7:00-8:45 PM

Programs are by Open Donation

Observing and honoring the Anniversary of Guru's Mahāsamādhi, his passing from the physical body, is to help one realize his continued spiritual presence.

Programs offered by Ashram Teachers:

9:00 AM Fire Ceremony and Meditation
10:00 AM Chanting of Hymn in the Shrine

7:00 PM Fire Ceremony & Meditation
7:45 PM Chanting, Selected Readings in Honor of Guru