Mridanga class.

After previous retreats, participants have returned to their home communities refreshed, educated and inspired. They’ve begun attending the morning program and studying more regularly, and their local leaders have commented on their progress and transformation.

“Some of the participants who joined Krishna consciousness later in life said they especially appreciated it,” Akuti comments. “Because otherwise they would never have learned all these things.”

As well as the New Devotee Training Retreat, which is given twice a year, Bhakti Bhavan will be offering an Advanced Teacher Training Class from April 11th to 16th. Taught by experienced educator Laxmimoni, the course will be open to both women and men, and will provide all the skills needed to give a well-organized and informative spiritual class or seminar, become more effective in book distribution, or simply share Krishna consciousness with others.

The Ashram also offers a Japa workshop for more focused chanting of the Holy Names, a Bhakti Sastri scriptural study program, and occasional weekend retreats.

Meanwhile, with demand increasing for the New Devotee Training Retreat, Akuti and Laxmimoni hope to offer it more often in the future, if they can find a way to work around the challenge that taking three weeks off from work or university presents.

Retreat participants chant with Akuti at Santa Fe Community College

They also hope that women who attend the retreat will be inspired to start similar programs in their home communities.

“We’re not going to be around much longer,” Akuti says. “So we’d like to give what we have received. Because the movement changes, and things are lost and watered down. So if we can pass Krishna consciousness onto others the way we received it, maybe it will be imbibed, and will stay around for some time.”

To enroll/inquire please contact Laxmimoni Dasi at laxmilinda@gmail.com or call 386-462-2528.

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