Krishna Das
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Bring chanting into your daily spiritual practice to calm your mind, relax your body — and awaken to your essence of unconditional love.
The current state of our world is like a mirror, compelling all of us to deal with our inner fears and anxiety.
The universality of this crisis forces us to recognize our interdependence with everyone and everything on Earth.
Crises have always been happening throughout our world — but now ALL of our everyday lives are being directly affected.
How can we rally our inner strength to overcome the powerful negative emotions that arise in response to this situation?
During these long days in physical isolation, we’re finally becoming more aware of life’s suffering and separation.
The renewed sense of empathy we’ve needed for so long has finally arrived — it’s our chance to see ourselves and the world as always in need of more understanding, love, and kindness.
Join us for a powerful 6-week live video program with Krishna Das, the Western chant master whose music is known for lifting the heart to new levels of love.
Using his own powerful life stories, lessons from his life with his Guru and teachers, timeless spiritual philosophies, mantras, and chanting practices...
… Krishna Das will share how to gather strength so that no matter what happens in the outside world, you’ll be able to access that place of peace and inner connection within.
This allows you to engage with the world in a way that creates less suffering for yourself and others.
And as you’ll discover, everything you think of yourself, your life, and your world can transform — all by changing what you believe within yourself.
Difficult situations become less painful as you are no longer victimized by your own knee-jerk reactions.
The Power of Devotional Chanting
Devotional chanting, practiced in a wide range of wisdom traditions, has been used for centuries as a way to train people to find a deeper presence in their own hearts.
Chanting helps you stay focused... using the mantra as the object of awareness.
It coaches you to exercise your letting-go muscle — and develop the fortitude to release negative thoughts and emotions, the stories you believe about yourself, and anything else that takes you away... as each moment comes and goes.
What you think of yourself, your life, your work, your community, and our world can change — not by altering external circumstances you can’t control, but by transforming your thought patterns.
And when you do that, big and small challenges become less painful because you’re not as emotionally invested in them.
Even while this unexpected, massive global crisis is still on the rise, you CAN find your inner peace — with the help of a spiritual practice.
In this 6-week course with worldwide icon Krishna Das, you’ll discover:
- Powerful guided practices, including chanting, awareness of breath, repetition of the name with breath (japa), the Loving-Kindness (metta) meditation, and many heart-opening chants
- How to release your thoughts — and let go of the stories you believe about yourself and your life
- Respite from your overactive mind and anxiety around the global pandemic — and a much-needed reset
- How cultivating your spiritual practice can help you move through times of crisis
- Practices to help you let go of negative emotions, calm your monkey mind, and release yourself from everything else that takes you away from where you are right now
- How families, teachers, and cultures affect the way you think about yourself — and keep you caught in a worldview that doesn’t include Real Love and Real Happiness
- The power of getting accustomed to just being here, sitting with yourself
- Krishna Das’ experience in India that saved him — and showed him it was OK for him to be alive, and that maybe everything was going to be OK
- His Guru’s teachings on how to find God by serving others
- The 4 Immeasurable Qualities: Equanimity, Loving-Kindness, Compassion, and Sympathetic Joy
- How your spiritual practices can empower you to return again to the space within yourself where true love and joy live
What You’ll Discover in These 6 Weeks
In this 6-week transformational course, Krishna Das will guide you through the skills and competencies you’ll need to release negative thoughts and return to kindness, compassion, and love.
Transformative Chanting Practices Every Week
Krishna Das will share weekly practices to deepen your understanding of spiritual archetypes and devotional personalities through the lens of his own powerful life stories.
Each class will open with a chanting practice, and Krishna Das will introduce you to wisdom teachings — with plenty of question-and-answer sessions woven throughout.
The Power of Live Streaming Video
You’ll connect with Krishna Das and experience his teachings through live streaming video. This connection will be easy to use and will enhance the impact of Krishna Das’ teachings. Or you can easily connect just via audio if you choose — through your phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop.
Weekly Sessions Wednesdays at 4:00pm Pacific
This course will feature LIVE teachings, interactive training sessions, and experiential practices with Krishna Das. Each session will build harmoniously upon the previous ones, so you’ll develop a complete holistic understanding of the practices, tools, and principles you’ll need to let go of negative emotions and everything that takes you away from the moment you’re in right now...
Module 1: Meeting the Spiritual Path (May 13)
In this opening class, Krishna Das (KD) will share how his own moments of recognition started him on his spiritual path...
... and how YOU are likely becoming more and more aware of your own need and longing to find a more fulfilling way of living in this world.
Along the way, you’ll explore the true meaning of spiritual practice and why it’s so different from religious practice.
Krishna Das will also walk you through the causes of suffering and the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism.
In this first module, you’ll discover:
- What KD learned from his early life and hidden pain
- How to recognize what your dissatisfaction with your life means — and your desire to find a deeper, more meaningful way of living
- The Path of Yoga: including the concepts of Karma, Bhakti, Jnana, and Raja Yoga
- The books that have impacted KD’s journey, including Autobiography of a Yogi, The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, and Zen and Japanese Culture
- A guided practice: Awareness of Breath
- A short opening chant with KD
Module 2: A Life-Changing Meeting With Ram Dass (May 20)
As the path becomes real, you’ll begin to understand that real love exists in the world... and that, as KD puts it, somehow you’ve tripped and fallen onto the Path to that Love.
This week, KD will share how reading the epic poem Ramcharitamanasa rewired his brain for a whole different type of love...
In the story of Ramacharitamanasa, the individual soul has been kidnapped by the ego, held captive by the senses and the many distractions of the external world — until it’s rescued and returned to the presence of God.
KD will share how this striking story can apply to your life, too — opening you up to this new type of love.
In this module, you’ll also explore:
- How KD first crossed paths with Ram Dass — and how it changed his life and spiritual path forever
- Why KD knew he had to go to India in search of Ram Dass’ legendary guru Neem Karoli Baba (Maharaj-ji) — even though he’d just been offered a spot as the singer of a soon-to-be very successful rock band
- A powerful practice: repetition of The name with breath (japa)
- A brief-yet-transformative chant
Module 3: Going to India & the Power of Devotion (May 27)
This week, you’ll explore the ways you’re likely seeing the world through the lens of what Krishna Das calls “our Western neuroses” — the result of being born into a culture that often seems to only believe in sense pleasures and emotional love.
You’ll also discover one of the most revered hymns of the Indian devotional tradition, the Hanuman Chalisa — and explore how these 40 powerful verses can fill you with divine energy, remove obstacles on your path, and fulfill your true desires.
In this session, you’ll:
- Discover how chanting really works — and why Sri Ramakrishna taught that every repetition holds the potential of openness, awareness, and freedom
- Explore the wisdom of the Old Devotees: Dada Mukherjee, Tewari, and Krishna Kumar (KK) Sah
- Discover how Ram Dass’ stories of the legendary guru Neem Karoli Baba (Maharaj-ji) inspired Krishna Das to leave behind his rock-star dreams — and seek out this remarkable Being
- Hear the story of Shiva Puja with the Tewari family in Nainital
- Chant the Hanuman Chalisa along with KD
Module 4: Refuge & Shelter in the Heart (June 3)
What is the Path of Loving Devotion — and what does it mean for a Western person in a modern world?
This week, you’ll deepen your understanding of this path as Krishna Das shares devotional chants and stories that have brought this path to thousands of seekers…
The words of these chants are called the divine names — and as you’ll discover, they come from a place in your own heart that’s deeper than your thoughts and emotions.
From the repetition of the names, you’ll move more deeply into your own true nature — and gain a new understanding of yourself as you finally experience the grace of trusting your own heart.
As you chant along with Krishna Das, you’ll release thoughts and emotions that create suffering and pull you out of yourself.
In this module, you’ll discover:
- Powerful quotes from saints and scriptures that can deepen your journey
- How devotional chanting helps you directly experience the liberating power of faith, compassion, and surrender
- How to develop faith and confidence in your practice and your life
- How the practice of chanting can remove the obsession we all have with our small “s” selves — what Krishna Das calls “the movie of me” — as you free yourself from the negative emotions (fear, anxiety, and more) that stem from separation
- A series of uplifting chants, led by Krishna Das
Module 5: Kindness, Compassion & Grace (June 10)
At this point in your journey through this course, you’ll discover how to plant the seeds that will grow into a life of joy, happiness, and freedom from your Shadow...
This week, Krishna Das will share stories of his time with Maharaj-ji (Neem Karoli Baba) — and explore the many ways he taught and transformed his students.
KD will also share the story of how he once hurt his knee in India so badly he could barely walk — and how Maharaj-ji shared a Bible passage that taught him to surrender to the higher power and the deeper place within.
You’ll hear the story of how Krishna Das’ Guru continues to teach, train, and guide him — even now, 45+ years after He left the body.
In this module, you’ll explore:
- Krishna Das’ experience in India that saved him and showed him it was OK for him to be alive and that maybe everything was going to be OK!
- His Guru’s teachings on how you can find God by serving others
- The Hungry Hearts chant — and what we can learn about the spiritual practice of serving others from the story of its creator, Zen master and social justice activist Roshi Bernie Glassman
- The 4 Immeasurable Qualities and how they manifest in our lives: Equanimity, Loving-Kindness, Compassion, and Sympathetic Joy
- The powerful Loving-Kindness (metta) meditation and chanting practice
Module 6: Pujas, Prayers & Practice (June 17)
In your closing week with Krishna Das and your new community of seekers from around the world, you’ll synthesize everything you’ve been learning.
KD will share the subtle, yet deep nature of the real changes he’s experienced through committed practice — changes you can experience too, even after this course comes to a close.
As you’ll explore, it’s essential to consistently exercise your letting-go muscle — and discover how happiness allows you to remain fully engaged with whatever’s happening in the moment.
You’ll come to understand that your natural state is joyful, and not dependent on external circumstances.
In this final module, you’ll discover:
- The true meaning of grace and surrender — and how they help you recognize your life as your Path
- Powerful quotes from saints — including Ramana Maharshi, Ramakrishna, and Buddha — that you can apply to your spiritual life right now, and moving forward
- KD’s memorable and impactful “happiness story” featuring the Dalai Lama
- A discussion about grace versus personal effort
- A closing chanting practice with KD and your new global community
The Devotional Chanting Bonus Collection
In addition to KD’s transformative 6-week virtual course, you’ll receive these powerful bonuses to complement the course and take your understanding and practice to an even deeper level.
Kirtan Wallah
Audio Album From Krishna Das
With the release of his 14th album, Kirtan Wallah (one who sings kirtan), Krishna Das offers a Westward-leaning album, fully embracing his American roots in rock and country — while embodying the spirit of deeply devotional Indian chants. You’ll hear traditional melodies, bansuri flute, acoustic guitars, country swing, and so much more.
Trust in the Heart
Audio Album From Krishna Das
On his 15th album and newest full-length release, Krishna Das has woven together an elegant, uncompromising collection. The groove is restrained, sparse, and deep, creating the perfect space for the Divine Presence to manifest. KD offers the bare essence of kirtan — a calling out to the divine presence within ourselves.
Harmonium Tutorial Song: Govinda Hare/Pilgrim Heart
Video Teaching From Krishna Das
Follow Krishna Das’ mini video tutorial, as you learn to play KD-style chords on your harmonium. Designed for those who have some familiarity with playing music, this training session was recorded in his own living room.
What People Are Saying About Krishna Das...
“... feeling positive vibrations being spread around the universe!”
Listening to this in the hard time of the Coronavirus outbreak and feeling positive vibrations being spread around the universe!
— Harshit B.
“... heart-melting chants connect one with God...”
Each Krishna Das album is a masterpiece. Each word of prayer uttered is Divine itself — heart-melting chants connect one with God and ultimately make a person happier in their life.
— Nitin S.
“Whenever I feel down, sad, or overworked, he picks up my spirits...”
Krishna Das is one of my heroes. Whenever I feel down, sad, or overworked, he picks up my spirits, and moments later I am dancing, clapping, and chanting along. Pure bliss...
— Hugo T.
“... Krishna Das shows me another way to deal with misery.”
In the throes of depression, doom, and gloom, Krishna Das shows me another way to deal with misery. Open the heart and find love.
— Brian L.
“... bring my heart to new levels of love.”
Thank you, Krishna Das. You had me laughing so many different times. You sing and bring my heart to new levels of love.
— Cassandra V.
“... a remarkable voice that rejoices the spirit...”
Krishna Das has a remarkable voice that rejoices the spirit. I am very grateful.
— Anonymous
“... a revolutionary personal spiritual journey leading me to the source.”
[Krishna Das’] music helped me through a revolutionary personal spiritual journey, leading me to the source. It was all-encompassing love.
— Anonymous
“His kirtans... are haunting and hypnotic.”
His kirtans, chanted in the ancient Sanskrit language, are haunting and hypnotic.
— The Washington Post
“Brought immense peace at a critical moment in my life.“
— Ranjani
“[Krishna Das is] the Chant Master of American Yoga.”
— The New York Times
Join the Global Community
Enter Into Your Heart Space Through Devotional Chanting With Krishna Das offers some of the most advanced online teachings available, within a thriving, global community of learning and practice.
Join fellow students and practitioners to support and inspire each other as you integrate the teachings and practices Krishna Das will share in this powerful training.
You’ll be part of an international community that’s on the leading edge of a global movement of people manifesting a world grounded in principles of cooperation, harmony, and reverence for all of life.
Here’s What You’ll Receive
Six 90-Minute Class Sessions With Krishna Das
Experience a rare opportunity to be mentored by and learn from worldwide icon and bestselling Western chant master Krishna Das — from the comfort of your own home. Each class session includes a live streaming video option and guides you to discover specific skills and abilities to move more deeply into your true nature and embrace the Love within you. Course sessions are on Wednesdays at 4:00pm Pacific.
Six Video Recordings of Class Sessions
After each class, the video will be available for you to download or stream in high-quality format. You’ll never have to worry about missing a session, and you can watch anytime and anywhere — on any connected device and at your convenience.
Six Audio Recordings of Class Sessions
After each class, the audio will be available for you to download in high-quality MP3 format. You’ll never have to worry about missing a session, and you can listen anytime and anywhere — on any connected device and at your convenience.
Six PDF Transcripts of Class Sessions
In addition to the high-quality videos and MP3 audios, you’ll also receive the entire class transcription in PDF format after each session is completed. You can then review, print, and highlight the most important insights and practices you were given.
Interactive Exercises and Questions for Each Lesson
Between class sessions, you’ll have the option of completing related exercises, practicing new tools, and answering questions to accelerate your learning and integrate each week’s lesson.
Online Community
Our exclusive Facebook online community is the perfect place to continue your discovery process after each class. Here, you can continue the discussion about your course materials and interact with your fellow students to take your exploration to an even deeper level.
The Devotional Chanting Bonus Collection
- Kirtan Wallah
Audio Album From Krishna Das - Trust in the Heart
Audio Album From Krishna Das - Harmonium Tutorial Song: Govinda Hare/Pilgrim Heart
Video Teaching From Krishna Das
An Unprecedented Opportunity to Join the Enter Into Your Heart Space Through Devotional Chanting With Krishna Das Virtual Training
We feel honored that Krishna Das has chosen to partner with The Shift Network to offer this exclusive LIVE online training. This is a rare opportunity to interact directly with a worldwide icon and bestselling Western chant master whose deep wisdom, insight, and humanity are helping us heal and awaken ourselves and our world.
If you’re serious about taking a journey from challenge to kindness, compassion, and love, then you owe it to yourself, your loved ones, and our world to take this one-of-a-kind training.
If you’re ready to take the next step in evolving yourself, click the register button below to reserve your space now.
Your Satisfaction Is 100% Guaranteed!
Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed! If you don’t absolutely LOVE Enter Into Your Heart Space Through Devotional Chanting with Krishna Das — or don’t feel that it meets your needs — please submit your refund request form on or before May 27, 2020 and we’ll happily issue qualifying customers a refund.
More Praise for Krishna Das...
“... [Krishna Das’] heartsongs open the channels to God.”
Krishna Das is an example of someone whose heartsongs open the channels to God.
— Ram Dass, bestselling author and spiritual icon
“... chanting for hope when in sorrow, a sense of belonging when feeling adrift...”
I’ve met many people who regularly turn to Krishna Das’ chanting for hope when in sorrow, a sense of belonging when feeling adrift, and for the sheer joy of recalling the power of love. I’m just like that too.”
— Sharon Salzberg, world-renowned teacher and New York Times bestselling author
“... learning with Krishna Das is always a deep, heart-transforming experience.”
Working with and learning with Krishna Das is always a deep, heart-transforming experience. He is a treasure. His tender, loving, and all-too-human stories, his hard-won wisdom, his beautiful music and courageous devotion have continually invited me to open my own heart and live in a greater sense of mystery, grace, and love.
— Jack Kornfield, PhD, Buddhist practitioner, co-founder of Spirit Rock Meditation Center and the author of several bestselling books
“... a voice that could move a mountain to Dance.”
A fun, yet serious man with a voice that could move a mountain to Dance.
— Waylon Lewis, Founder of Elephant Journal
“... I feel like I’m... home.”
The music begins and, five seconds later, I feel like I’m... home.
— Jesse Kornbluth, Writer and editor of The Headbutler
“... Krishna Das put sacred Sanskrit mantras on the music map.”
Hailed as yoga’s “rock star,” Krishna Das put sacred Sanskrit mantras on the music map.
— Alan Di Perna, music historian, author, and journalist
“A living treasury of traditional kirtan.”
Krishna Das is immersed in the traditional kirtan lineage. He became a kirtan singer simply because of his devotion to his Guru. Plus his voice is extraordinarily rich and full. I recommend potential students work with him because he’s the real deal. A living treasury of traditional kirtan.
— Lama Tsultrim Allione, the first Westerner to be ordained as a nun by HH Karmapa 16 and author of Women of Wisdom, Feeding Your Demons, and Wisdom Rising
“... his outside voice and his inside voice... they feed me delicious holy food.”
Krishna Das is everything I love about life, with a deep wisdom and humanity, the deepest sweetest heart, great humor, brilliant insight, and plainspoken goodness. His spirituality and voice are both muscular and tender. He is pure India and Long Island, malas and plaids. I love his outside voice and his inside voice; they are the same and they feed me delicious holy food.
— Anne Lamott, Author, political activist, public speaker, and writing teacher
“He’s a real guy with real wisdom to share...”
KD is the perfect mix of insightful and funny, deep and accessible, kind and grumpy. He’s a real guy with real wisdom to share and a beautiful warmth that shines through in his music and his message. If you’re looking for an alternative to woo-woo love-and-lighters in thin, white robes telling you everything is sunshine and lollipops, KD is your man.
— Pete Holmes, Comedian, actor, writer, producer, and podcaster
“Any student who is called to work with Krishna Das is most fortunate...”
I’ve taught retreats with Krishna Das for years now; he is one of the most unfailingly generous and quietly talented colleagues and friends I know. He dips freely into a wellspring of steadily reliable spiritual and musical creativity that is rare in this world. Krishna Das also has the gift of being able to communicate that inspiration in his art so that we too can taste it and join him, singing our intense love of God and each other. Drawing on music from East and West, Krishna Das weaves stories from his lived experience of a path of growth in wisdom and understanding. Any student who is called to work with Krishna Das is most fortunate, for they will be learning from an accomplished artist and humble spiritual teacher willing to share the auspicious legacy of a lifetime of devotion.
— Trudy Goodman, Vipassana teacher in the Theravada lineage, and the founding teacher of InsightLA
About Krishna Das
Layering traditional kirtan with instantly accessible melodies and modern instrumentation, Krishna Das has been called yoga’s “rock star.” With a remarkably soulful voice that touches the deepest chord in even the most casual listener, Krishna Das — known to friends, family, and fans as simply KD — has taken call-and-response chanting out of yoga centers and into concert halls, becoming a worldwide icon and the bestselling Western chant artist of all time. His album Live Ananda (released January 2012) was nominated for a Grammy in the Best New Age album category.
KD spent the late ’60s traveling across the country as a student of Ram Dass. In August 1970, he finally made the journey to India, which led him to Ram Dass’ own beloved guru, Neem Karoli Baba, known to devotees as Maharaj-ji. Given the name Krishna Das, KD began to chant as part of following the path of Bhakti yoga, the yoga of devotion.
He took solace in music, finding peace and strength in both his Bhakti yoga practice as well as in such heroes as Ray Charles, Van Morrison, Steely Dan, and Bruce Springsteen (whom he laughingly calls “the Bodhisattva of New Jersey”). KD also co-founded Triloka Records, a California-based label specializing in world music, releasing such artists as Jai Uttal, sarod virtuoso Ali Akbar Khan, and legendary jazz musician/composer Jackie McLean.
In 1994, KD started to lead chanting at Jivamukti Yoga Center, NYC, with an ever-growing audience of yoga students that has led him to chant with people all around the world. In February 2013, Krishna Das performed at the Grammy awards in Los Angeles, which was streamed online to millions of viewers. The award-winning film One Track Heart: The Story of Krishna Das, which has been shown in over 100 U.S. cities and in more than 10 countries, is available on DVD everywhere.
KD’s 16th album, Peace of My Heart, released in October 2018 on behalf of the Kirtan Wallah Foundation, offers nearly two hours of deeply moving, meditative, and artfully restrained new recordings born out of a request from a yoga teacher who works with children on the autism spectrum. Forgoing the ecstatic tempo changes so common to temple-style kirtan, these five new tracks move slowly and deliberately. The song-to-song steadiness is both striking and soothing, and as emotionally impactful as ever.
“The chanting just hits you and you want to be a part of it,” KD promises. “That’s the point of this whole thing. That’s what cuts through all the ‘stuff.’ You get lit up. You don’t have to know what it means.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What’s a virtual course?
A: It’s a great way to engage live and pre-recorded teachings and each other from the comfort of your home! All you need is a computer, mobile device, or telephone. If there’s more than one person in your household taking the course, you’ll each need your own connection. We use Zoom videoconferencing to make it just like an in-person event, where you can ask questions and deepen your exploration of the course themes.
There’s no additional charge for connecting to Zoom with your computer or mobile device. Please note that dialing Zoom from your telephone is a toll call; your telephone service provider will charge you according to your existing long-distance calling plan. International access numbers are available.
“I’ve never seen a course so well put together ever...”
I had never participated before in an online course. The packaging, presentation, inclusion, and Facebook postings created a wonderful, safe cocoon within which to participate. I’ve never seen a course so well put together ever — not in all the years of taking college classes — and I had my doubts about doing an online course. The wealth of organization and ease of learning materials and support made this fun as well.
— Claudia F., Medford, Massachusetts
Q: Can I get benefit from the course if I miss the live classes?
A: Absolutely! You can download the recordings and transcripts of all course sessions from our online media archive, so you never need to worry about missing live calls. You can also engage the full community and leaders on our private online community group.
Q: Can you tell me about the private online community group?
A: We’ll have a private online community group for all course participants on Facebook that will support you in making connections with others, sharing insights, engaging in discussions, and completing homework assignments that can supplement your transformational journey. You’ll have the ability to share your experiences, projects, and growth throughout the course.
Q: Are there scholarships available for this training?
A: Yes, we always make a certain percentage of spaces available for partial scholarships, giving preference to those in developing countries or doing important but underpaid work to which they can apply the training material immediately. If you’d like to apply for a scholarship, please review our guidelines, which include a link to our online application form.
Q: What’s your refund policy?
A: Your satisfaction with The Shift Network and this course is our highest priority! We offer a satisfaction guarantee so that you can sample the course risk-free. The deadline to receive a full refund is May 27, 2020. To request a refund, please click on this refund request form and submit your request. Your refund will be processed within five business days and we’ll send you an email confirming your refund. However, we’d love to have a chance to address and resolve your concerns first. If there’s something we can assist you with, please email us at support@theshiftnetwork.com and we’ll be happy to help! (No refund requests accepted after the above date or with scholarship awards.)
Q: How can I reach Customer Support?
A: Please visit our Customer Support Center, where you should be able to find the answer to your question or the solution to your problem. And if you can’t, you can submit an online request form and we’ll get right back to you.
