Women’s Satsang: Chants & Stories By the Puja Table with Shyama Chapin

(NOTE: In April, we are meeting a week later than normal – on the 4th Sunday of the month)

April marks the birth month the beloved Ram Dass, who would have turned 93 this year. In commemoration of his life and teachings, we come together to celebrate. Shyama Chapin will join us, bringing a wealth of firsthand experiences from her years spent in India with the Satsang – a close-knit community consisting of luminaries like Ram Dass, Krishna Das, KK Sha, Siddhi Ma, and others. Drawing from her intimate connection to this spiritual circle, Shyama will regale us with enchanting tales from her time in India, offering glimpses into the teachings and joyful moments shared with these remarkable individuals. Additionally, she will lead us in soul-stirring chants, a heartfelt homage to Ram Dass for his birth month. Join us as we honor the legacy of a spiritual luminary through stories and melodies that resonate with the essence of love, compassion, and awakening.

Shyama Chapin has spent many years as a performing songwriter in New England and California. These days she loves most of all to chant the Divine Names and feels lucky and blessed to be able to center her days around this subtle and profound practice. She leads kirtan in New York City—her childhood hometown—and beyond, has been singing in Krishna Das’ Posse, live and on his recordings, for many years, and is featured in response vocals on a number of other chant recordings, including Diana Roger’s kirtan CD, Love Reigns. Alongside her own kirtan schedule, Shyama teaches harmonium to accompany chant practice and community kirtan to students in the New York metropolitan area. Her CD of original music, Road Songs, produced in 2003 by Bonnie Hayes, is available online. In 2016, Shyama began recording a double CD of chant music, Love’s Door, set for release by Vanaras Music in early 2017. Support the completion of the album HERE

See you there!

For those who identify as Women, whether CIS, Trans, or non-binary

Women’s Satsang Mission Statement

The Women’s Satsang has been formed to help cultivate heart connection and allyship among people within the Ram Dass Community who identify as women, whether cisgender, non-conforming, or non-binary women. As an autonomous group, our purpose is 

• to deepen into the teachings of Ram Dass and Neem Karoli Baba from a female perspective

• to foster connection and mutual empowerment within the Ram Dass Community, and 
• bring forward the wisdom of women for the benefit of all beings and the earth.

Our Values include:

• Lovingkindness

• Honoring relationality and inclusivity

• Allowing for ambiguity and mystery

• Celebrating the light as well as the dark, embodiment as well as ascension

• Blessing the web of interbeing that connects us all

• Respecting people over performances