Speakers and Participants
With the presence of esteemed teachers, scholars, researchers, experts, leaders and practitioners from various spiritual traditions at the conference, the conference promises to offer a rich and diverse range of knowledge to deepen the understanding of spirituality and its transformative potential.
As each individual, rooted in their respective paths, are known to provide invaluable experiential knowledge and insights into the transformative power of spirituality, their presence will add a practical dimension to the discussions, allowing for a holistic exploration of the subject matter.
The conference also aims to create a dynamic and inclusive environment that fosters collaboration and cross-pollination of ideas. Participants from different backgrounds and traditions will have the opportunity to engage in dialogue, exchange knowledge, and challenge preconceived notions. This diversity of perspectives enriches the conference experience, creating a space for intellectual growth and mutual learning.
Teachers, Leaders, Experts, and Practitioners
Brighuji
Brighuji is a spiritual explorer and teacher, living a life of austerity and preaching the message: “helping others is helping the great self”. Brighuji dedicates his life to the well-being of others, personally counselling and helping many. He dedicates himself working for MCCR to shed light on Ancient Wisdom in light of modern science to help serve society to thrive spiritually. Driven by his quiet, undisturbed devotion for The Divine, and sincere compassion for humanity, he dedicates himself in public service and spiritual improvement of others.
Presentation time: Oct 10th, 2023 at 3:00 – 3:40 pm EDT
Yogi Surajnath, guru Budhnath ji
Yogi Surajnath, guru Budhnath ji, was initiated into the Nath school of Gorakhnath by nādī guru Yogi Budhnath ji in Trimbak; and received Nath kundals from Dada guru Yogi Bijnath ji in 1992. He is from the Maaṭh of Yogi Surajnath, guru Budhnath ji, is at Pimpri Gawali, Dist. Ahmednagar, Maharashtra. He is the author of “Insight into meditation and yoga” and co-authored with Bhagavan Nathji (Ian Duncan), his sincere disciple, “Gorakh Sabadi, The Sayings of Gorakh Nath”.
Presentation time: Oct 11th, 2023 at 10:50 – 11:30 pm EDT
Dr. Stanley Krippner
Dr. Sthaneshwar Timalsina
Yogi Subhash Mittal
Dr. Kavitha Chinnaiyan
An initiate in Śrīvidyā and nondual Śaiva Tantra, she is a disciple of Śrī Caitanyananda Natha Saraswati (Haran Aiya) and has studied Tantra, Advaita Vedanta, Yoga and Āyurveda with teachers across the globe. Known for her clear, humorous and incisive teaching style, she makes time-honored traditions practically accessible through the amalgamation of science, biology, technology and esoterism.
She is the author of Shakti Rising (2017), which won the Nautilus Gold Award for Best Books of 2017, The Heart of Wellness (2020), Glorious Alchemy: Living the Lalitā Sahasranāma (2020), and Fractals of Reality: Living the Śrīcakra (2022), which won the Nautilus Gold Award for Best Books of 2023.
She is the founder of Svatantra Institute: https://svatantra.institute/
Dr. Zana K (Keto Doctor)
Dr. Zana K is a distinguished surgeon affiliated with the Royal London Hospital, with expertise in surgical procedures and patient care. Complementing her medical profession, she is also a successful entrepreneur, managing a diverse property portfolio spanning across the United Kingdom. With a deep-rooted passion for promoting healthy lifestyles and overall wellbeing, Dr. Zana K is a dedicated advocate for the keto diet. Over the years, her dedication to this dietary approach has positively impacted the lives of countless individuals, helping them achieve optimal health and wellness through a ketogenic lifestyle. Dr. Zana K’s multifaceted contributions in the healthcare industry and property sector demonstrate her unwavering commitment to improving lives and fostering prosperity in various domains.
– 4:50 pm EDT
Dr. Golam Rabbani
Dr. Golam Rabbani is an ethnomusicologist with a research focus on Baul spirituality and creative industries. He has been invested in research and teaching for more than fourteen years and is a faculty member at Toronto Metropolitan University. Bauls are itinerant and household spiritualists and heterogeneous communities in Bangladesh who express their various schools of thought through songs and performances. Dr. Rabbani received training in Baul music from Baul gurus and has been involved in Baul communities in various capacities since childhood. He holds a Ph.D. in Cultural Studies from Queen’s University, Canada, and his doctoral research examined Baul spirituality and music industries. One of his recent research endeavours examines the possibilities of making Baul spirituality applicable to Canadian and North American workplaces, especially in creative industries.
Dolly Baruah
Dolly Baruah is a motivational speaker, social worker, bhakti yoga practitioner, and founder of the #RememberMeToo Movement, and is working on founding an organization by 2024 that seeks to create a better everyday life for the community.
Yogi Rāmadāsa (Ronald Madeo)
Yogi Rāmadāsa has been practicing and studying Yoga for over a decade now. He took his first teacher training in 2014 and has been teaching ever since. He can do headstands, handstands, and many other challenging poses but his main focus is studying the Yoga Shastras (scriptures) like the Mahabharata and the Bhagavat Purana, all the while sharing the wisdom within. Yogi Rāmadāsa completed his 500 hour Yoga Teacher Training in India and has been studying with many teachers in the Bhakti Yoga tradition both in the US and India since 2016. He also has a love for sharing the practice of Kirtan (group chanting of sacred mantras). Expect to see him to open and close a class or workshop with him on the harmonium encouraging the class to sing along. Yogi Rāmadāsa loves sharing and practicing the many physical benefits of yoga, all the while encouraging students to look deeper into the more valuable philosophical elements. He believes in living the practice of yoga through applying the teachings to our life, actions, words, food, discipline, and goals. If you’re looking to have a deeper understanding of Yoga beyond just your practice on the mat. His latest project is running a Nonprofit Bhakti Yoga Ashram out of Syracuse, New York with his wife and serving the community by freely sharing the wisdom of the Vedas for the benefit of all!
Rizwan Virk
A graduate of MIT and Stanford, Rizwan Virk is a successful entrepreneur, video game pioneer, film producer, venture capitalist, computer scientist. He was the founder of Play Labs @ MIT, and is currently a PhD candidate at the College of Global Futures and faculty associate at the Fulton Schools of Engineering @ Arizona State University. He is the bestselling author of books such as Wisdom of a Yogi: Lessons for Modern Seekers from Autobiography of a Yogi, The Simulation Hypothesis: An MIT Computer Scientists Shows Why AI, Quantum Physics and Eastern Mystics Agree We Are in a Video Game, Startup Myths & Models: What You Won’t Learn in Business School, Treasure Hunt, Zen Entrepreneurship and The Simulated Multiverse. Virk is currently also a venture partner at Griffin Gaming Partners, one of the largest video game VC funds in the world, and has invested in many successful startups including Discord, Theta Labs, Upland and Tapjoy. His startups have created software used by many of the Fortune 500, and video games played by millions, including Tap Fish and games based on Game of Thrones, Star Trek, The Walking Dead, Grimm and Penny Dreadful.
Darren Roberts
Darren Roberts, a seasoned Lead Pastor, has a profound life journey marked by resilience and transformative healing. Overcoming a thirty-year addiction to cocaine and heroin through a dedicated exploration of Holy Plant Medicines, Darren stands as an inspirational figure in the realms of spiritual and holistic wellness. His educational background is vast, encompassing extensive studies into diverse healing modalities, with a significant focus on the rise and fall of Western Civilization. Darren’s deep understanding of Western Sickness empowers him to guide individuals on the path to overcoming its detrimental effects, showcasing his dedication to facilitating transformative healing. In his role as Lead Pastor, Darren expertly conducts medicine ceremonies, delivers enlightening lectures, and leads educational initiatives within his community. He shares his passion for spiritual growth and knowledge, rooted in profound studies of the Upanishads and the Holy Bhagavad Gita, long before his journey with plant medicine. Darren’s relentless pursuit of knowledge spans various fields, including Buddhist and Sanatana philosophies, as well as quantum mechanics, embodying his commitment to understanding and enlightenment. Currently, he immerses himself in an in-depth exploration of consciousness and the Yoga sutras, exemplifying his unwavering dedication to this transformative spiritual path and its resonance in his life.
Dr. Partha Biswas
Dr. Partha Biswas is a certified yoga and meditation trainer, who serves as a Spiritual Advisor and Chaplain at Northeastern University and Brandeis University respectively. Over the years, Partha has learned to synthesize the world of Science and Spirituality. In the world of technology, he serves as a faculty member at Tufts University and a Director of Engineering at MathWorks. Partha carries a Bachelor’s degree from the Indian Institute of Technology, and a PhD from the University of California, Irvine. Despite having high-profile responsibilities under his belt, he strives to live a very simple and humble life of devotion toward God. He strongly believes that when we take upon responsibilities of life as a service to God, we can tangibly experience God’s presence even in so-called mundane affairs of life.
Prabhuji Nityananda Pran das
Prabhuji Nityananda Pran das is a dedicated Bhakti-yoga practitioner with over two decades of experience. Alongside his expertise as a certified empathic communications trainer, he also offers guidance as a parenting and relationships coach. Renowned for his skill in simplifying intricate philosophical concepts through the art of storytelling, he has captivated audiences for years. For over seven years, Prabhuji Nityananda Pran das has immersed himself in the study of the Ramayana, enriching his understanding of this timeless epic. He generously shares his insights and wisdom through a weekly study group and via engaging short clips on his YouTube channel (Nityananda Pran das).
Samantha Perry
Samantha was born in 1979 in Asheville, North Carolina, and, unfortunately, due to circumstances of impoverishment and abuse, both she and her brother were placed under state care at the age of 5. However, a providential turn of events saw them being adopted by a compassionate couple from Pennsylvania merely two years later. Upon reaching 18 years of age, she enlisted in the United States Navy and served honorably for four years before commencing her higher education at Pensacola State College in Florida, concurrently embarking on a career in zoology. Over the course of a decade, Samantha garnered experience in the field, working extensively with both wild and exotic animals. Subsequently, she transitioned into public service, serving steadfastly within the health department where she continues to contribute her efforts today. Despite enduring numerous traumatic life events, including a painful marriage, she exhibited resilience and sought her inner truth. Her transformative journey began through engagement with “Ayahuasca”, propelling her swiftly into a deep spiritual practice known as sadhana, culminating in a profound reconnection with her guru from a previous incarnation. As her sadhana progressed, it lead to a pivotal realization of the Self on her 42nd birthday. In this state, she attained a level akin to that of her spiritual master, Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi. Presently, Samantha resides in Ocala, Florida, where she prioritizes her role as a householder, caring for her son, and maintaining a full-time position as a dedicated public servant. During her moments of respite, she indulges her passion for nature by hiking in the forest. Additionally, she finds joy in cooking and engaging in melodic renditions of Sanskrit or Buddhist chants.
Dr. Rubaiyat Jabeen
Rubaiyat is a founding member of The Institute of Divine Illumination (IDI), a non-profit educational organization committed to facilitating the exploration and understanding of the wisdom that emphasizes the ever-connectedness of all. Moreover, IDI fosters meaningful dialogues, empowering individuals to derive purpose and forge profound soul-deep relationships. Since her formative years, Rubaiyat has had a proclivity for self-exploration and an insatiable yearning for spiritual connection. However, it was in the later stages of her life that she fully embraced her spiritual path, Guided By The Profound Wisdom Of Divine Illumination. Rubaiyat’s current career as an educator began in 2004. She completed her PhD in Education from Queen’s University, Canada.