Community - Kashi Atlanta

In Memoriam - Steven Womeldurf, "Jyoti"
Kashi mourns the passing of our beloved Jyoti, Steven Womeldurf. A longtime student of Jaya Devi and more recently Ma Jaya, Jyoti was a real pistol, adding his own flavor of panache to his years of service as an advocate for those living with HIV.

He served those with AIDS and HIV right through the last year of his life, even traveling to Cambodia in early 2006 in this capacity. On Saturday March 24, in a memorial service at Kashi Ashram, Ma Jaya interred Jyoti's ashes in the ashram's Ganga pond, along with the ashes of his uncle and nephew. He will be sorely missed.

The following appeared in the Gainesville Sun:
Steven Craig Womeldurf died peacefully and surrounded by the love of dearest friends, family and his beloved dog, Pooter, on Sunday, February 4, 2007. A sign in Steven's home reads "live for as long as you are alive." Indeed, Steven lived with vigor unparalleled and was filled with enviable chutzpah. Steven is survived by his long-time confidant and companion George Michael Owens, his dear friend Sandra, Murphy-Pak, who is like a sister to him, his esteemed friend and mentor, Terry Klenk, and his mother, sisters, brothers, numerous nieces/nephews, and by cherished friends from all corners of the globe.

We were beyond thrilled to have our Guru Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati come to Atlanta. The intensive culminated many months and hours of seva and preparation for her visit, and it was well worth it! During the weekend, Ma took us all to a place of emptiness and bliss.

The Atlanta satsang was also blessed to be able to host several of Ma Jaya’s sanyassen and gurubai during the weekend as Ma’s students from all over the country gathered in Atlanta for the weekend retreat. Click here to see more images from this event.

The Kashi Atlanta satsang hosted Swami Bhagavati Das, Ma Jaya's sanyassin and head pujari, during his trip to Kashi Atlanta February 21-22. Swami Bhagavati Das stayed at Agni House, one of Kashi Atlanta's residential ashram houses during his trip. He generously spent time with members and volunteers both before and after his workshop on the Art of Puja (moving prayer), and after his special darshan on the Bhagavad Gita on February 21st.

The following morning Swami Bhagavati Das performed a special intimate dawn fire puja. Swami Bhagavati Das stayed long after the puja, chatting and sharing Prasad (blessed food), and of course, helping with the clean up. Click here to see more images from this event.

Kashi Atlanta was blessed to host internationally renowned Kirtan Artist Bhagavan Das during his recent trip and performance at Kashi Atlanta on January 26-27, 2007. This was his last performance before returning to India for the first time in almost 40 years!

During his trip, Bhagavan Das shared intimate stories of the time he spent with his guru, Indian Saint Neem Karoli Baba. (Bhagavan Das was His first American devotee). He also shared his sadhana during that time, and numerous stories about his life while living with our guru, Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati over 30 years ago. Click here to see more images from this event.

Over 80 people joined Kashi members and residents in the January 2007 (much needed) Ten Day Yoga Detox. Kashi community members created soups, broths, ghee (clarified butter) and tea, as well as Detox packages, to help cleanse us physically, emotionally and spiritually for the new year. As part of the Detox, community members prepared, served, and helped enjoy a light, vegetarian Lungar (traditional Sikh meal) to break the three day juice fast. Click here to see more images from this event.

December 15, 2006:
Kashi Atlanta Holiday Caroling

This year's Christmas caroling event was as beautiful as ever. Fifteen yogis gathered and went to two of our annual caroling spots. Click here to see more images from this event.

Kashi Atlanta members, friends, and family gathered at the ashram's residences to celebrate Thanksgiving with many home cooked dishes and lots of laughs.
Click here to see more images from this event.

Kashi members gathered on September 9th for a sacred fire ceremony (puja) in honor of Neem Karoli Baba’s death (mahasamadhi) in 1973. Over thirty members participated in this ancient ritual and celebration of Baba’s yogic teachings.

Neem Karoli Baba is the guru’s guru of the lineage of yoga taught at Kashi Atlanta. He is most famous for the teaching “feed everybody”, meaning not only physical food, but direct and unconditional love. For more information on Neem Karoli Baba, see www.kashi.org. Click here to see more images from this event.

August 2-3, 2006

Swami Anjani Hosted by Kashi Atlanta Satsang

The Kashi Atlanta satsang hosted Swami Anjani Jaya Hanuman, one of Ma Jaya’s female sanyassin and Community Relations Director, of Ma's Kashi Ashram during her trip to Kashi Atlanta on August 2-3, 2006. Swami Anjani stayed at Hanuman House, one of Kashi Atlanta’s residential ashram houses during her trip. She generously spent time with members and volunteers both before and after joining us on Ma’s Street Meals, as well as after her special darshan entitled The Bhakti Path of Service and Devotion, on August 2, 2006.

The following morning Swami Anjani performed a special fire puja (ceremony) at dawn to Lord Hanuman. Swami stayed long after the puja, chatting and sharing Prasad (blessed food), and of course, living the teachings of Hanuman, helping with the clean up. Click here to see more images from this event.

July 30, 2006
Kashi Atlanta Celebrates Mukti and Rishi’s Wedding

Kashi Atlanta members Mukti and Rishi were married in a sunrise ceremony at Grayton Beach, Florida on July 30, 2006 by Jaya Devi Bhagavati, spiritual and executive director of Kashi Atlanta. Their spontaneous wedding was the grand finale of the satsang’s annual road trip to attend Jaya Devi’s intensive, “Igniting the Bliss of the Chakras” at Dragonfly Yoga at Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Over 20 satsang members made the annual intensive beach trip, staying together at Holmen’s Hangout at Grayton Beach Florida. Click here to see more images from this event.