To the community of Wisdom Seekers who convene for the offerings of The Deignan Institute for Earth and Spirit, to all our teachers and animators, our students and many participants who have given and received support and insight for creative Earth action during these recent and continuing seasons of challenge for all the living, we […]
~by Ananada Vrindavan devi dasi ———————————————– My favorite sounds of Autumn As we move from cool to cold Are the sounds of the geese against the sky As they make their way south to home They do not wait or think to stay ‘We’ll manage’ is not their mood They are up and away […]
~by Rukmini Podder Happy November! My favorite month of the year (not just because I’m a Scorpio) but because of the “in between” space it represents for me. The holiday season comes and with it – excitement and exhaustion. The year is nearly over – but there’s still a little more surprise left for me. […]
Last year, after hearing of the passing of our beloved Bhakti Caru Maharaj we posted this poem called, When Great Trees Fall, by Maya Angelou. My dear friends: the artist, Rukmini Poddar, created this beautiful and poignant video animation, with kirtaneer, Jahnavi Harrison reading the poem, along with music by Night Squall, Bowspirit, and Balmorhea. I […]
**To listen to the audio version of this piece, please click on the “play” button below: ~by Rukmini Walker This year as we joyfully approach Diwali, the beautiful festival of lights that ushers in the New Year for Hindus and other friends, perhaps we can pause to reflect. In this world, every light has its […]
My sister, Susan and her husband, George live close to Nature in Central Coastal Maine. They feel the pulse of the change of seasons more acutely than we do here in the cities. In close harmony, honoring the earth, the way we humans are meant to live and flourish. ~Rukmini ~by Susan Weiser Mason and George Mason […]
In honor of Srila Prabhupada’s disappearance day on Sunday, November 7, 2021. ——– ~by Rukmini Walker ——- Srila Prabhupada as Vijita-Sad-Guna One Who Completely Controls the Six Bad Qualities Srila Prabhupada in his pastimes and dealings with every strata of person in the many cultures he visited, exhibited the most exemplary divine qualities. His life […]
Here is a charming piece of creative writing by our dear friend and god-brother, Krsna Ksetra Swami. This style of writing is called, “ekphrasis”, in which a visual object or a piece of art is vividly described in words. See what you think… You might like to try writing one yourself! All the […]
~by Rukmini Walker To listen to an audio recording of this blog, please click here or on the play button in the image below. “The soul is dyed the color of its thoughts. Think only on those things that are in line with your principles and can bear the light of day. The content of […]
“Your True Self is who you objectively are from the beginning, in the mind and heart of God, “the face you had before you were born,” as the Zen masters say. It is your substantial self, your absolute identify, which can never be gained nor lost by any technique, group affiliation, morality, or formula whatsoever. […]
Photograph by Tatiana Kiseleva
Urban Devi is a community of women who gather to explore and excavate their identities as urban women living the spiritual life. An urban devi is in the world, but not of the world. She acts in the world to uplift, and shift the consciousness of those around her to a higher place of Bhakti, or love in action.