Join Nina Rao, acclaimed kirtan artist and devotee in the lineage of Neem Karoli Baba, in this heartfelt conversation with host Avi Gordon at Yogaville. Nina shares her journey from cultural rituals in India to discovering the depth of sadhana (spiritual practice) in New York through yoga, Krishna Das, and her guru Sri Siddhi Ma. Explore how consistent practice—through chanting, prayer, and mindfulness—fosters unconditional love, equanimity, and compassion in daily life. Topics include integrating practice into parenting, overcoming negativity, and remembering our interconnectedness.
Nina Rao first learned sacred chants as a young girl from her grandfather in south India, and the chants stayed quietly with her until she rediscovered this powerful practice with Krishna Das in New York in 1996. Since then she has been KD’s business manager and accompanies him musically. In 1998 she met her guru, Sri Siddhi Ma, in the foothills of the Himalayas and spent time with her regularly for 19 years, while Ma was in the body. Nina has been chanting regularly as her main practice, has recorded albums that are widely streamed and played around the world, leads chant events, studies and shares Veda chanting and, spiritual texts, is a hospice volunteer, is a podcast host for Be Here Now Network, goes on yatra/pilgrimage, and is a wildlife conservationist as chairperson for Saving Wild Tigers, and hopes that everyone will make a Homegrown National Park in their home by planting native species. Along with the 21 Taras Collective she has released a new album of 7 mantras in 2025. Nina co-hosted and released along with 10 women wisdom leaders, the audio course and program “Sita’s Gems”, lifting Sita Devi from victim to heroine of the Ramayana.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction and Origins of Practice
01:12 - Growing Up with Cultural Rituals
02:35 - Discovering Sadhana in Adulthood
03:42 - Unconditional Love and Inner Peace
05:06 - Chanting as a Child and Adult Insights
06:24 - Meeting Sidima at Maharaji's Ashram
08:45 - Prayer as Daily Practice
10:27 - Awareness of Obscurations and Honesty
12:02 - Building the Practice Muscle
13:28 - Practice for Enlightenment and Less Harm
14:52 - Digging a Deep Well (Sidima's Advice)
16:12 - Making Everyday Activities Sacred
18:15 - Allegiance to Practice and Remembering
19:22 - Practice for Compassion and Service
21:39 - Aspiration and Dedication in Practice
23:20 - Understanding Hearts and Self-Worth
25:06 - Acceptance and the Long Road
26:56 - Oneness Amid Separation
27:41 - Trusting Life's University
28:43 - Reflecting on Changes from Practice
30:02 - Evolving Family Relationships
32:31 - Vulnerability in Parenting
34:19 - Purpose, Mistakes, and Gratitude
35:58 - Negativity Bias and Sacred Life
37:18 - Precious Human Life and Interconnectedness
38:58 - Discovery Process in Gratitude and Parenting
40:03 - Allowing Children Their Own Path
41:31 - Nina's Recent Trip to India with Family
42:50 - Parenting with Honor and Acceptance
43:43 - Closing and Thanks
Subscribe for more inspiring talks on yoga, spirituality, and personal growth. #SpiritualPractice #Kirtan #NinaRao
If you enjoyed this, check out Nina Rao's website and music: NinaRaoChant.com
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