The Vegan Revolution and Beyond – Consciousness CookingPosted by Mangalaarti on April 3rd, 2011

Title: The Vegan Revolution and Beyond – Consciousness Cooking
Location: Urbanedgeyoga, 324 Bloor Street W, #1
Date: Thursday, Jun 23 2011
Time:06:30 PM till 08:30 PM
Event Fee : $10 ($7 for students) includes vegan dinner
Presented by : Devamrita Swami
Kirtan by : Badahari Dasa

Description : Devamrita Swami is a Monk, who has been travelling around the globe for over 40 years encouraging people to embrace an animal friendly vegan lifestyle, being more conscious of our environment, both material and spiritual. He is the founder of Institute of sustainability in New Zealand and is visiting us this summer for a special workshop. Join us as he takes us to a dimension beyond health and animal rights, the dimension of higher consciousness. He will present to us how the consciousness is a key ingredient of the food we eat and the people we become.

With the advent of the information age, more and more people are aware of the disastrous effects of an animal based diet on our health, enviornment and future. Meat production is responsible for majority of the green house gas emission and a greater pollutant than all the automobiles, not to mention the deforestation, animal cruelty, and a slew of other side effects. Thankfully thiis is making people think and we are seeing a wave of Vegan resturaunts, vegan clothes and footwear budding up in our cities. If not out of compassion for animals, people bite into the vegan pie out of concern for their own health. A Rise in awareness and a growing number of vegans around the world gives a sense of revolution, a Vegan revolution.
But is health the only reason for embracing a vegetable based diet ? Is compassion for animals the only reason to embrace a meat free diet ? Or is there more to it ? What about the question of consciousness ? We are what we eat, aren’t we ? Join us for an enlightening discussion followed by an uplifting Kirtan by Badahari dasa.
RSVP to reserve a spot.

[dms-bio]

Intelligent Life on Earth and Other Planets? What the Yoga Texts SayPosted by Mangalaarti on April 3rd, 2011

Title: Intelligent Life on Earth and Other Planets? What the Yoga Texts Say
Location: Multifaith centre, Koffler House, 569 Spadina Ave. Toronto, ON M5S 2J7
Date: Tuesday, Jun 21 2011
Time:06:30 PM till 08:30 PM
Event fee : $ 10 ($7 for students) includes vegan dinner
Presented by : Devamrita Swami
Kirtan by : Badahari Dasa

Description : Today we stand on the brink of another revolution provoked by the cosmos. Even the everyday man and woman want to know more about the Universe. Prestigious educational and government institutes have spent and continue to spend millions of dollars on the question – Is there intelligent life on other planets ? Yet everyone officially denies the existence of intelligent life beyond earth. Join us as Devamrita Swami, a monk, author and researcher shares with us what Yoga texts say about life on other planets.

At the turn of the millenium, the mountain of evidence for UFOs, abductions and the other kind of alien contact towers high…certainly the prospect of alien intelligence thrusts at us a ponderous agenda for spirited discussion and research – enough to overwhelm the modern brain. Encouraging readers to explore the yoga texts in his book Searching for Vedic India, Devamrita Swami explains ” When there is virtually nothing in western religion, philosophy, and science to accomodate extraterrestrialism, why reject a comprehensive, profound explanation ready at our fingertips – albeit from a vastly different culture and era ?”

Join us for an intriguing presentation by Devamrita Swami that will take us on a journey through space and time. Discussion will be followed by an uplifting musical meditation by Badahari Dasa. Don’t forget the vegan dinner.

RSVP to reserve a spot.

[dms-bio]

Longing for Love in the Land of DreamsPosted by Mangalaarti on April 3rd, 2011

Title: Longing for Love in the Land of Dreams
Location: York University, 4700 Keele Street, Room 321, Toronto, Ontario , M3J 1P3
Date and Time: Monday, Jun 20 2011, 06:30 PM till 08:30 PM
Event Fee : $10 ($7 for students) includes vegan dinner
Presented by : Devamrita Swami
Kirtan by : Badahari Dasa

Description : The basic principle of the living condition is that we have a general propensity to love someone. It’s very difficult to live happily without loving someone else. This propensity is present in every living being. Even animals like tigers, and birds have this loving propensity, and it is certainly present in the human beings. The missing point, however, is where to repose our love so that everyone can become happy. Join us for an enlightening discussion with Devamrita Swami who presents a unique perspective to the love question. He is a monk who has traversed the globe for over 40 years inspiring and enabling several people to experience a life of love.
The phrase often thrown around is ‘unconditional love’ and we all have our plans and dreams for how we will get this unconditional love or how we will satisfy our loving propensity. But living in a land of broken dreams, fulfillment of this longing seems only a distant mirage.

Is it possible to fulfill the loving propensity our heart craves for ? Do we know every trick or is there something more we can learn. Ancient knowledge of the east points that at the present moment the human society teaches one to love his country or family or his personal self, but there is no information where to repose the loving propensity so that everyone can become happy.

Through a unique blend of musical meditations, delicious vegan meal and insightful presentation we will take you on a journey to give you firsthand experience of the loving propensity that exists in each and every one of our hearts.
RSVP to reserve a spot.

[dms-bio]

Why Life and Death – The story of KarmaPosted by Mangalaarti on April 3rd, 2011

Title: Why Life and Death – The story of Karma
Location: Urbanedgeyoga, 324 Bloor St W, #1
Date: Saturday, Jun 18 2011
Time:06:30 PM till 08:30 PM

Why are some people born with a silver spoon in their mouth and others born into squalor and rags ? Why do two people grow up in the same circumstances, work equally hard for sucess, and still achieve completely different results? Why is one person born with low intelligence and another beautiful or with ingenuity ? People often throw around ‘Karma’ as an answer to these critical questions of life. Join us this evening as Devamrita Swami, a Monk for over 40 years, author of several books on Karma and a Yale graduate explains that these routine inequities – an inherent feature of the cosmos – are effects of the law of karma. Hear from him the story of Karma. It promises to be an evening of enlivening discussions, research and inner exploration.

By now, the Sanskrit term karma has gained almost mainstream usage in the West. While it’s chic to toss the word into conversations, the actual acceptance of Karma as a cosmic reality entails massive consequences. Indeed, the stuff of karma are consequences. That means reactions to every action – not just the ones we casually choose to weigh and consider. The law of karma regulates all actions and reactions of fully conscious individuals. Indeed, the stuff of karma are consequences.

Motivational speakers and great leaders often ask us to ‘believe in our future’ or ‘create our future’. Master the science of Karma and learn how you can leverage it to carve out a desired future. Discussion will be followed by a sonic meditation led by special guest Badahari dasa. A delicious vegan meal awaits all towards the end.
RSVP to reserve a spot.

[dms-bio]

The Gita Unpacked – Crucial Wisdom for the Urban MysticPosted by Mangalaarti on April 3rd, 2011

Title: The Gita Unpacked – Crucial Wisdom for the Urban Mystic
Location: Urbanedgeyoga, 324 Bloor Street W, #1
Date: Friday, Jun 17 2011
Time:06:30 PM till 08:30 PM
Speaker : Devamrita Swami
Kirtan By : Badahari Dasa

Description : Explore the Bhagavad Gita with Devamrita Swami, a monk and author who has practiced Bhakti Yoga for over 40 years and traversed the globe sharing his realisations from the Bhagavad gita with people from every continent in the world.

The urban eco-system poses very unique challenges for its ardent followers. From exceptionally high degree of mental stress and depression to a vanishing family concept, an urbanite often finds oneself alone dealing with life’s challenges. In a world where pills and parties seem the only way out, Krishna, the author of Bhagavad gita presents a recipe for an alternative lifestyle. Here in lies the roadmap for an anxiety free lifestyle, something we all yearn for but seldom achieve.

The lure of this stress free – happy lifestyle has attracted people from all walks of life to fly over to the far east in the hope to get a glimmer of sanity. That very ancient wisdom, a recipe for enlightened living for an urban mystic will be presented by Devamrita Swami in an easy to follow, interactive discussion format. The knowledge in this ancient yoga text is crucial wisdom for the urban mystic and relevant in every culture and time.

So bring your questions and join us for a fun filled evening. We will warm up with a brief meditation and dive into the presentation. We will also be serving a freshly prepared delicious Vegan dinner accompanied with a dessert for all of our guests.

RSVP to reserve a spot.

[dms-bio]

Reincarnation – Womb After Womb, Fact or Fiction?Posted by Mangalaarti on April 3rd, 2011

Title: Reincarnation – Womb After Womb, Fact or Fiction?
Location: Urbanedgeyoga, 324 Bloor Street W, #1
Date: Thursday, Jun 16 2011
Time:06:30 PM till 08:30 PM
Event fee : $10 ($7 for students) includes vegan dinner
Speaker : Devamrita Swami
Kirtan by : Badahari Dasa

Description : Is it possible that we have been traversing the Universe life after life?
Devamrita Swami, a monk, author and Yale graduate has explored the science of reincarnation for several decades and will be sharing with us his extensive research and deep spiritual insights. If you want to gain real control over your destiny, you must understand reincarnation and how it works.

Man’s eternal quest for immortality is so fundamental that we find it nearly impossible to conceive the thought of dying. Most of us seldom, if ever, think about death or what happens afterward, and if we do- then where do you start looking for answers? Some say that death is the end of everything. Some believe in heaven and hell. Still others hold that this life is only one of many we have lived and will live in the future. And there are many who accept reincarnation as an irrevocable fact of life. Reincarnation is not a “belief system,” or a psychological device for escaping the “grim finality” of death, but a precise science that explains our past and future lives- come out to the discussion to learn more!

Do we reincarnate instantaneously,slowly, or over a long period of time? Can other living beings, like animals, reincarnate in human bodies? Can man appear as an animal? Do we reincarnate forever, or does it end somewhere? Can we control our future incarnations? Can we be reborn on other planets or in other universes? Do good and evil actions play a role in determining our next body? What is the relationship between karma and reincarnation? All this and more will be discussed.

The discussion will be followed by soul soothing musical meditation by Badahari Dasa, an internationaly known spiritual musician.
To end the event- we will prepare, as always, an entirely vegan meal, including desert – to compliment your satiated spiritual and philosophical appetite!
RSVP to reserve a spot.

[dms-bio]

Yoga Psychology and happiness with Devamrita Swami, InSpirit 2010Posted by admin on March 26th, 2010

Title: Yoga Psychology and happiness with Devamrita Swami
Location: Urbanedgeyoga, 324 Bloor St W
Date: Friday, Jun 11 2010
Time:07:00 PM till 09:30 PM

Event fee $ 10 includes vegan dinner

Do you have inkling there’s more to life than your average everyday experiences? Come explore essential human quest for ‘happiness’ with an esteemed author and Monk Devamrita Swami who is visiting us from New Zealand for special Yoga lifestyle festival Inspirit. Not to mention the beautiful meditative chants (Kirtan) that he will introduce for us to experience a flavor of happiness not limited by time and space. To top it all we have a delicious vegan dinner and dessert for all our guests.
Yoga psychology – in knowledge and practice – aims at reactivating and cultivating within each individual the essential strength and introspective talents, the powers of self knowledge and self transformation that lay dormant within. Then we can walk in greater harmony with ourselves, others and our environment. Real happiness lies not in the race but in the harmony within.
We need to discover who we truly are, beyond induced convictions, acquired identities and false behavioral models that limit our potential and our deepest aspirations. A time to explore the deeper mysteries of life…

[dms-bio]

Kirtan Konnection with Badahari Dasa – InSpirit 2010Posted by admin on March 26th, 2010

Title: Kirtan Konnection with Badahari Dasa
Date: Saturday, Jun 05 2010

Venue : Yoga sanctuary Danforth, 95 Danforth Avenue, Suite 301, Toronto
Time:07:30 PM till 09:30 PM

Event fee $20 includes delicious vegan dinner

Let the calming waves of ancient melodies nourish your heart and soul. Relax in the glowing presence of a Monk as he chants some of the most ancient and powerful mantras in the universe. Relish delicious vegan desserts and dinner prepared by yogis specially for rejuvenating your body and mind. Join us this summer, Sat Jun 5 for an evening of Kirtan (Meditational music) and Mantra meditation with Badahari Dasa, a monk, Kirtan master and a musician for over 35 years who has performed at several spiritual concerts in every continent.

Badahari dasa has a degree in music and has released several music albums and trained many budding artists on classical Kirtan music and instruments. He will enchant you with his deep and devotional voice blended to the expert play of fingers on an ancient instruments ‘The Harmonium’. Accompanying him will be a group of expert musician yogis on eastern instruments like the hand cymbals and Mridanga-drum. Witness the transformation within as Badahari dasa explains the power of the mantras he will sing. A not to miss evening for all spiritual enthusiasts.

Kirtan connection is a unique opportunity to connect with the Supreme pleasure through the simple art of chanting ancient mantras with ancient monks.

InSpirit Mantra meditation – ancient chants and timeless musicPosted by admin on March 21st, 2010

Title: Mantra meditation – ancient chants and timeless music
Location: Room 321, Student centre, York University
Date: Tuesday, Jun 08 2010
Time:06:30 PM till 08:30 PM

Event fee: $5 (includes vegan dinner)

The sounds from our demanding jobs, classes, families and friends fill our lives and can exhaust our body, mind and spirit. Rushing through our busy lives, at every step we try to carve out a passage through this jungle of never-ending sounds we live in. Perhaps in those precious quiet moments you may have wondered what it means to be happy and at peace. Perhaps you have contemplated meditation and yoga to re-connect within yourself to experience happiness.

This workshop will present possibilities about how we can expand our pleasure beyond our present limitations. It will demonstrate how inner happiness can be experienced immediately by anyone, through the mystical power of transcendental sound vibrations. Mantra meditation deals with a pleasure principle that operates beyond the bounds of time and space and emanates from the very innermost part of our being.

This summer we present to you a rare and precious opportunity to experience Mantra meditation with Devamrita Swami, a Bhakti Yoga monk for about 4 decades who has introduced Mantra meditation to thousands of aspirants in every continent of the globe. He brings with him a life of meditation, travels, realizations and sacred sounds sung to classical instruments from ancient east.

Join us for an evening of heart inspiring Kirtan (musical chants), a delicious Vegan dinner, spiritual insights and some floor tapping!

[dms-bio]

InSpirit Karma Index – Measuring real growthPosted by admin on March 21st, 2010

Title: Karma Index – Measuring real growth
Location: Multifaith centre, 569 Spadina Ave
Date: Wednesday, Jun 02 2010
Time:06:30 PM till 08:30 PM

** Event is now FULL**

Event fee : $10 – includes vegan dinner (Free for CMA members)
Modern civilizations around the globe use sophisticated indices to make a quantitative assessment of the health of a nation/region’s economy and market. Their hope is to try and predict the future of a sector, industry, organization or nation based on some key indicators. Conventional corporate growth indicators like retention, net profits, and stock market index are now set to meet their match.
Recent series of events have started to shape money markets and corporations in ways never seen before. Corporations are beginning to stop and consider the long term impacts of their short term decisions. This thoughtful reflection has spurred an interest in socially responsible investing – a practice that has exploded in recent years and now encompasses about 10 percent of the $24 trillion investment marketplace.
Karma – a key indicator driving the long and short term health of an organization or nation – is almost never accounted for. Join us for an evening of intriguing discussion as Devamrita Swami, a monk, author and founder of the Institute of Sustainability, introduces the concept of ‘Karma Index’ to evaluate business decisions and measure real growth in the cosmic market place.

[dms-bio]