Projects around the world supported by Bhakti Fest
By Cheryl Depp
As Founder and Producer of Bhakti Fest, Sridhar Silberfein invokes the vibe of a master creator. With a rock star edge, his aim is to harmonize our world by elevating the voices of humanity. Through selfless service, known as “Seva,” the Bhakti Fest team of humble warriors offers an opportunity to awaken the mind, expand the heart, and connect to a collective consciousness.
LA YOGA: How are service, nonprofits, and the ideal of giving back integral to Bhakti Fest as a festival model and as a nonprofit organization?
SS: The original idea that happened when I was standing on the Woodstock Festival stage in 1969. Given the blessing of bringing Swami Satchidananda to make the invocation for 500,000 people, I, as a young yoga teacher, said to myself how wonderful it would be to bring all these folks together for a spiritual community gathering and in 2009, forty years later, Bhakti Fest was born.
Supporting nonprofits is an essential part of Bhakti Fest. Realizing funding for many charities was drying up due to slowdown in the economy along with many secondary nonprofits not receiving needed support, we initiated a submission process and located important foundations that were doing great work. Having been involved with charitable work for over 30 years, The Center for Spiritual Studies, Inc, the parent company of Bhakti Fest has raised significant amounts of money for Amma.org, Seva Foundation, Love, Serve, Remember, Food for Life Vrindavan, and others.
CD: What is the meaning of “Bhakti”?
SS: Bhakti is devotion to love. Shining within and without like the sun. We emanate pure love whenever and wherever we go, giving unconditional love to everyone, especially our personal relationships. Seen by us at a glance or momentary reflection, Bhakti’s refinement is embodied by the hugging saint, Ammachi.
CD: Could Bhakti be our sadhana?
SS: Through one’s daily practice or sadhana we dive deeper into the meanings of Bhakti. Those sweet moments of yoga, chanting, and meditation fill us with love and compassion, carrying us through difficult days.
CD: You’ve said, “Discipline is the key to our lives.” How is this practiced?
SS: Every day when we wake up we should be thinking of the Divine. Sitting in meditation, I give thanks to my parents, ancestors, past/present teachers and Gurus. I ask for forgiveness concerning any misdeeds, realizing karma associated with this life and past lifetimes is a powerful entity.
CD: What are your thoughts on “How can I best serve the world?” as it takes precedence over “How do I get a job?” spoken by Marianne Williamson.
SS: I believe all will come when love is paramount within. I’m constantly meeting yoga folks in LA who profess this or that after taking a few classes, but they awaken in a box, drive to work in a box, and eat out of a box. We may not understand that the real work begins as we peek our heads out of the box, saying, “Hey, I am a real person who wants to feel love and experience bliss!” In these moments I say, “Let’s do the real work.”
CD: Do you feel Bhakti Fest has potential through Seva to raise the consciousness of humanity?
SS: We are trying to make a difference with Bhakti Fest by working to give folks the most intimate experience of their lives. We offer four days filled with over 70 yoga classes, non-stop chanting, wisdom talks, a breath work hall, and a selection of the best vegan and vegetarian food anywhere. Through Seva we give funds to charities, knowing 95% will support feeding, clothing, and providing water for children. Our challenge has been talking with businesses in a foreign country about cleaning up their areas. Plugging away, we’ve made ourselves examples by adopting a highway system in the holy city of Vrindavan.
CD: Has this work moved you closer to enlightenment?
SS: Leading up to the festival, I work extremely hard with our staff led by my daughter, Mukti, Producer of Bhakti Fest. During the festival, my time is spent enjoying, reflecting, being pensive, leaving enlightenment up to the Buddha and Ammachi, I feel we get glimpses every day and we know that blissful state exists even as we’re kept in line by the powerful force of maya (ego).
CD: With this in mind, where do we go from here?
SS: “He who sees the inaction that is in action, and the action that is in inaction, is wise indeed. Even when he/she is engaged in action, he remains poised in the tranquility of the Atman.” from The Bhagavad Gita.
CD: Are representatives from the charities or nonprofits attending and going to be represented at Bhakti Fest?
SS: As part of the mix of Bhakti Fest, we have designated a section where designated nonprofits can set up a table, hand out information, and talk to attendees about their projects and concerns for the planet.
A portion of proceeds from Bhakti Fest are donated to the following causes:
Food for Life
Recognized by the Indian government, Food for Life is a humanitarian association working in the poorest villages in the area of Vrindavan. Just 120Km south of New Delhi, Food for Life works continuously, honoring the statement, “Invest in me. Send me to school. I will change the world!” Fflvrindavan.org
Love Serve Remember Foundation
Dedicated to preserving and continuing the teachings of Neem Karoli Baba and Ram Dass, Love Serve Remember Foundation offers a variety of means to connect, including: webcasts, private heart 2 hearts with Ram Dass, online courses, e-books, Words of Wisdom media library, and a social network available on RamDass.org. Led by Ram Dass and featuring a number of spiritual adepts, the Love Serve Remember Foundation also holds retreats in Maui: Ramdass.org
Yoga for Hope
Born out of City of Hope’s belief in the imperative role both complimentary and integrative therapies play in healing the whole person, the national initiative, Yoga for Hope continues to grow. Working to raise awareness in the prevention, treatment, and recovery of those battling cancer, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS, their program further donates a percentage of funds to Sheri and Les Biller’s Patient and Family Resource Center’s Supportive Care Program at City of Hope in Los Angeles: Cityofhope.org/giving/fundraising-events/yoga-for-hope
Ramana’s Garden
“Offering Assistance Programs to Children and their Families,” Ramana’s Garden, directed by Dr. Prabhavati Dwabha, is a grassroots rural development assistance project whose work is dedicated to the empowerment of women and children living in extreme poverty in the mountainous villages of Garhwal, Uttaranchal, India; and in Rishikesh, one of the spiritual hearts of India. In the last 12 years, Say Yes Now has worked to provide care to more than 1,800 children in 68 villages in addition to medical treatment for entire villages of 12,000 people: Friendsramanasgarden.org
Seva Foundation
Approaching life’s hardships by building partnerships that respect the cultures and traditional wisdoms they serve, Seva Foundation, now running for 30 years, focuses on solutions for people around the world struggling for health, cultural survival, and sustainable communities by believing, “Your compassion can change the world.” Seva.org
Share Your Care
Guided by His Holiness Radhanath Swami and headed by a team of doctors, Share Your Care offers their “Let not humanity suffer” philosophy by extending themselves to India’s impoverished: Shareyourcare.com
Women’s Earth Alliance
“Working at the nexus of environmental sustainability, economic development, and women’s leadership,” Women’s Earth Alliance (WEA) creates initiatives to train, connect, and empower the women of our future who are experiencing water, food, and energy hardships. Projects geared to foster self-reliance and resilience includes the Africa Program, Global Women’s Water Initiative, India Program, and North America Program: Womensearthalliance.org
