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  • OP LIVE ONLINE PROGRAM

July 17 – September 18, 2022

Japa Meditation and Bhakti Immersion:
Calm your Mind and Open Your Heart

Rukmini Chaitanya

10 WEEKLY SESSIONS, Sundays, 11:00am – 1:00pm ET 

Course Description:

Do you desire to live a more heart-centered and intuitively-guided life?

Do you find yourself wishing to spend more time in your heart and less in your head? 

Do you aspire to look at yourself, the world, and those around you through a more loving lens? 

This 10-week course is approved by Yoga Alliance for Continuing Education credits and is designed to be highly practical and transformational, drawing from the tools of Bhakti Yoga (the yogic path of devotion), specifically Japa Meditation ― the repetition of the name of the Divine.

The practice of Bhakti Yoga calms the mind and cultivates love deep within the heart. This practice generates peace of mind and unconditional, unwavering love; both of these are necessary ingredients for successfully navigating challenging times. When you raise your own vibration through Bhakti Yoga, you elevate yourself and those around you.

This carefully-curated course is designed to help you experience deep transformation within yourself through the nine modes of Bhakti Yoga. Each of these modes, in their own way, forges the path for the highest successes and spiritual attainments.

Join us for a practical, transformative, and devotion-filled experience that will dive deep into Bhakti Yoga and by association the art of meditation itself. This course features a number of incredible guest speakers and includes 1-on-1 support for students with their spiritual diaries and individual spiritual journeys with the added opportunity to give weekly feedback!

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As you continue to deepen your divine love and devotion, this creates a powerful type of one-pointed focus. This centered focus creates the fertile ground from which you can grow and blossom to your full potential of a meaningful, fulfilling, and loving life. Furthermore, this focus helps you to foster concentration in all aspects of your life, increasing your daily energy and general feelings of contentment and joy.

If you have been shielding your heart, or if your heart needs healing, Bhakti Yoga can help you to gently open it to the abundance, opportunity, and prosperity that is waiting to become manifest n your life. When Divine Love flows readily into you and through you, your heart is open to possibilities that were always there and only missed by you due to mindset, poor timing, and lack of knowledge. If you’re already leading your life with an open heart, these practices will help you expand and experience even deeper transformation. 

All levels are welcome. No experience necessary. 

In this 10-week course with Rukmini Chaitanya, you’ll uncover these essentials for establishing or deepening your Japa meditation and immersion into Bhakti: 

  • The power of Japa, or the repetition of the Divine Name: its many benefits for focus, energy, and a happy state of mind; plus, how to practice Japa and how to maintain the practice on your own time outside of the course.
  • The 9 modes of Bhakti: Sravana (hearing the Divine name); Kirtana (singing of the Divine's glories); Smarana (remembrance of the Divine at all times); Padasevana (serving the Divine's feet); Archana (workship of the Divine); Vandana (prayer and prostration unto the Divine); Dasya Bhakti (servant sentiment with the Divine); Sakhya Bhakti (friendship sentiment with the Divine); Atma-Nivedana (self-surrender to the Divine).
  • Practical tips for the application of the 9 modes of Bhakti, the cultivation of its practices in all aspects of your life, and the maintenance of it through the community you build with your fellow students during the course.

New topics explored in this course will cover…

  • Health and lifestyle for meditation — with a deep dive into how to determine a peaceful and healthy diet that supports your meditation.
  • Karma Yoga and meditation — how incorporating the Yoga of Action, known as Karma Yoga, will help create the clarity of mind you need for a successful meditation practice.
  • Hatha Yoga meditation — exploring the activation and manipulation of kundalini shakti, the serpent-coiled energy that is key to enlightenment, with the use and thorough understanding of the 7 chakras.
  • Bhakti Yoga meditation — with a focus on converting raw emotions and using it as fuel for devotion and intensive meditation.
  • Experiences in meditation — featuring a discussion on typical (and atypical) meditation experiences, helping you to transcend and evolve higher and higher in your meditation.
  • Amazing guest speakers — that will offer their own insights to help deepen your understanding of course material.
  • 1-on-1 support — the opportunity to work individually with Rukmini Chaitanya on one's spiritual diary and weekly feedback!

What people are saying about Rukmini Chaitanya…

"Rukmini brings the ancient knowledge alive with clarity. The teachings are rich, practical and enjoyable. Presently I am attending Rukmini's Japa, Gita and Vedanta course. All of them fit together like a well painted picture, with details that are gems of wisdom."
- Debica
"The Japa Meditation class taught by Rukmini Chaitanya helped me to establish a regular meditation practice with purpose. Rukmini is a gifted and passionate instructor who truly cares about student understanding and progress. The online community of my classmates was also very supportive and instructive. I enjoyed this course immensely."
- Pia Bonaparte
"This was a great course. Rukmini Chaitanya is a great teacher. I was very impressed with her knowledge of Bhakti and her easy way of presenting it."
- Susan Bushe
"Rukmini was my yoga philosophy teacher, meditation instructor, and karma yoga supervisor for three months. I cannot say enough good things about her teachings and her worldview. Take the course. You owe it to yourself and to the world."
- Christopher Holvenstot
"I have been taking several different courses including japa meditation since its inception from Rukmini Chaitanya since the beginning of Covid . That’s when I started japa meditation for the last 18 months . It’s been beautiful and very helpful for my spiritual growth and to regain calmness and grounding in life. Rukmini Chaitanya is a wonderful teacher and keeps our interest in our practice. She is very clear and engaging in her teaching. A lot of my classmates have kept taking lessons from her. She always introduces other interesting speakers in our classes and widens our understanding. The most important point is that she allows enough time during class to answer our questions on zoom and engage us in sending emails to her during the week which keeps learning active. Thanks Rukmini Chaitanya!"
- Winnie Chan
"The teachings were practical and easy to incorporate into my busy daily life. Another great Japa course. Interesting and clear information from Rukmini and a range of different speakers. The group meditations were potent and the group dynamic uplifting. Very helpful in keeping up with sadhana."
- Debica
"It was a great course, deep and understandable at the same time. Rukmini lead us to profound meditation, always starting with the basics and guiding us towards light and understanding... Thanks a lot for this amazing experience!"
- Fabiola Lopez
"Rukmini is such a knowledgeable, enthusiastic, engaging, clear, and loving teacher. She went out of her way to bring in absolutely incredible guest presenters. It is a real privilege to take her classes. I am so very grateful and will continue joyfully to take more of her classes!"
- Jill Rapperport Reiss (Vidya Devi)
"Rukmini Chaitanya is very knowledgeable and even if you don't know much about the topic, she will transmit her passion and engagement to you."
- Rita Rapella (Omkari)
"Rukmini absolutely surpasses any expectation we could ever have! I take these courses back to back because of the value it adds to my personal life!"
- Courtney Steadman
"I love the beginning meditations and learned so much about intention and having a good posture improves concentration and helps to quiet my mind. I have improved and even increased the hours I dedicate to Sadhana. Thank you!"
- Sattva (Susan) Daniel
"The Japa Meditation course was informative and inspiring. Rukmini Chaitanya is an excellent teacher. I really learned a lot and benefitted from the course."
- Mark Aaron
"I felt more committed to my Japa meditation after this course."
- Victoria
"The Japa Meditation course with Rukmini Chaitanya is transformative. She has helped me to keep Japa meditation an important part of my day and each class has a peaceful, beautiful flow to it. As well all of the people in the class have become like a little community. Further Rukmini Chaitanya has invited the most incredible guests to help enlighten us…everyone from Sound Healers to Scientists to other Swami’s…I highly recommend this course!"
- Victoria
"The Japa course was a huge surprise for me. I thought I already “knew” a lot about Japa since I’ve practiced it for years; however, I was so wrong! Rukmini Chaitanya has an incredible ability to delve into the depths of any topic (I’m taking several of her classes) and, not only make them understandable, but enjoyable and entrancing. Where she comes up with the various aspects that she explores is beyond me. Though I never make the live classes, she goes out of her way to make us “late viewers” feel part of the class. She manages to integrate chanting and meditation and content seamlessly. It is obvious that she lives what she teaches. In short, she is an inspiration to me. During these difficult times, she has served as a lifeline to my spiritual life, and I will forever be grateful to her."
- Mary Rice
"I have been taking Rukmini Chaitanya’s Bhakti and Japa meditation class for almost a year now. The teachings on Bhakti were new to me and have opened up new possibilities in my meditation practice. Rukmini Chaitanya’s teaching style is clear, accessible, humble and full of new insights and wisdom."
- Tink McDevitt
"Japa meditation course has enhanced my understanding and practice for Japa Meditation. Rukminiji is very inspiring, well knowledgeable and experienced teacher. I liked the variety of learning this course offers like Japa Meditation, Kirtan singing, stories to illuminate teachings and lectures from expertise. Thank you for teaching and inspiring us with this knowledge."
- Malini Muraleetaran

Additional Information:

Offered as 10 weekly sessions on Sundays from 11:00am – 1:00 pm ET on July 17, 24, 31, August 7, 14, 21, 28, and September 4, 11, 18.

This program is offered live through Zoom webinar with the availability for students to interact through Q&A with the presenter.

For enrolled students, a video recording will be available after each class in the event you miss a class or would like to review the content.

It is possible to register and take the course at any time. You can catch up on any classes you miss with the recordings.

Requirements and Recommendations:

  • No experience necessary. This program is open to beginners as well as advanced practitioners.
  • Viewing Device: Desktop or laptop computer will provide the best experience, although you can also connect via a tablet or smartphone.
  • Internet connection: High-speed broadband wired or wireless is best.
  • Video: Download Zoom to your computer, or install the Zoom app to your device. For interactive group sessions, a webcam or integrated camera will allow others to feel more connected with you.
  • Audio: Headphone speakers are recommended. If you wish to participate vocally, a headset with a microphone will be ideal.

Rukmini Chaitanya

Rukmini Chaitanya is a senior staff member of the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat Bahamas, and the personal assistant to Swami Swaroopananda, the Acharya, or spiritual director of the Ashram. She regularly teaches the Bhagavad Gita during the Sivananda Yoga Teacher training as well as other courses on the Bhagavad Gita, Vedanta, positive thinking, meditation, and yoga philosophy.

Rukmini Chaitanya is known for her enthusiastic and inspiring teaching style as well as for her devotion to the lineage and the scriptures. She is dedicated to each of her students and has an innate desire to share knowledge with them. She brings a great deal of clarity to every topic and is highly appreciated for her capacity to unfold complicated topics and present them in a coherent and pure way.

Contact Us

8:00am – 7:00pm EST
Reservations

(US and Canada only): 1-866-559-5167

Reservations & Inquiries

(all countries): 1-416-479-0199

Local calls

(from the Bahamas): 242-363-2902

E-mail

nassau@sivananda.org

Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat Bahamas Paradise Island, Nassau, Bahamas

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