RETREAT TEACHERS / MUSICIANS
KRISHNA DAS
Few figures in modern spirituality, particularly in the West, have impacted the hearts and minds of contemporary seekers as Krishna Das has.
A devotee of the North Indian Saint, Neem Karoli Baba (Maharajji), Krishna Das has played an enormous role in popularizing the traditional practice of kirtan in the West, and has evolved into an accessible teacher, although perhaps a reluctant one, and a spiritual friend to many along the way.
Layering traditional kirtan with instantly accessible melodies and modern instrumentation, Krishna Das has been called the “Chant Master of American Yoga” (NYTimes).
With a remarkably soulful voice that touches the deepest chord in even the most casual listener, Krishna Das, known to friends, family, and fans as simply, “KD,” has taken the call-and-response chanting out of yoga centers and temples and into concert halls, becoming a worldwide icon and the best-selling western chant artist of all time.
In a recording career spanning more than two decades, he has released 16 acclaimed full-length albums, his music serving as an easily approachable gateway to the devotional traditions of the East, and his voice serving as a conduit to the yearning that is the wellspring of all spiritual paths. His album ‘Live Ananda’ (released January 2012) was nominated for a Grammy in the Best New Age album category.
ACHARYA SHUNYA
Having walked the Vedic path herself—from darkness to light, from emotional bondage to spiritual freedom—Acharya Shunya brings her humanity and insight to her teachings, awakening hope in troubled hearts and making profound Sanskrit source texts relatable and applicable to daily life.
Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Acharya Shunya is recognized as a modern mystic, sharing her insights at institutions such as UCSF, UCLA, Stanford, Kripalu, Omega, and the World Ayurveda Congress.
Her work invites all to awaken to their inherent wholeness and embrace a path to spiritual freedom.
An acclaimed author, Acharya Shunya has published three modern classics—"Sovereign Self", "Ayurveda Lifestyle Wisdom" and "Roar Like a Goddess"—each translated into multiple languages and celebrated for their depth and relevance.
DAVID NICHTERN
David Nichtern is a senior Buddhist teacher who has been practicing and teaching meditation for over 40 years. He is also a Grammy nominated / Emmy Award winning composer/producer/guitarist, and a successful entrepreneur, business consultant and life coach.
David is the author of the critically acclaimed Awakening From the Daydream: Reimagining The Buddha's Wheel of Life and Creativity, Spirituality & Making a Buck.
He has been featured in The New York Times, FOX News, Netflix's animated series The Midnight Gospel, Huffington Post, The Buddhist Geeks podcast, Duncan Trussell Family Hour podcast,You Made it Weird podcast with Pete Holmes, and many others. David also hosts his own Podcast based on his book "Creativity, Spirituality & Making a Buck".
David is the Founder & CEO of Dharma Moon mentoring individual students both in person and online, and leads meditation teacher training programs around the world.
He has produced multiple records for and periodically tours with Grammy nominated kirtan performer Krishna Das.
NINA RAO
Nina Rao learned traditional chants (bhajans) from her grandfather in a village in south India when she nine years old. The chants quietly stayed with her until she rediscovered chanting with Krishna Das in New York in 1996.
As Krishna Das' business manager / assistant, Nina tours with KD, playing cymbals and singing with him. In 2007, she recorded the track 'Nina Chalisa' on Krishna Das' CD "Flow of Grace - Chanting the Hanuman Chalisa".
In January 2013, she released her debut album, "Antarayaami - Knower of All Hearts".
Her 2nd album "Anubhav" was released in 2018 entirely crowd-funded.
Nina participates in the "21 Taras Collective" Project with collaborators Lopon Chandra & Genevieve Walker aiming to bring the 21 Taras alive through mantra, music, and devotion.The melodies support and uplift your practice, aiding in your memorization and integration of the Sanskrit mantras devoted to each Tara.
NINA:
"This Kickstarter is a pre-sale of my new album entitled BHUMI DEVI – EARTH GODDESS.
We are in the final stages of mixing and mastering, but before releasing the music into the world across streaming platforms, we wanted to share with you the opportunity to own the tracks and receive special rewards this once.
It's been awhile since I released my second album “Anubhav” which was so generously supported by you through Kickstarter in 2018. Over these past years new chants have emerged and taken shape by singing them with you all online and in-person around the world at kirtans and workshops. In autumn 2025, we recorded the album live in the studio together with all the musicians and choir – together in friendship and community in service of the Chant."
RAGHU MARKUS
Raghu Markus has been involved in music and transformational media since the early 1970s when he was program director of CKGM-FM in Montreal.
In 1974 he collaborated with Ram Dass on the box set "Love Serve Remember". In 1990 he launched Triloka Records and Karuna Music in Los Angeles, California.
Triloka established itself as a critical leader in the development of world music and for 17 years was home to such artists as Krishna Das, Hugh Masekela, Walela, Jai Uttal and transformational media projects that featured Ram Dass, Deepak Chopra, and Les Nubians. "
He has been the Executive Director of the Love Serve Remember Foundation since it's inception in 2009 and has been an associate producer for on-line and television events for Ram Dass and Oprah Winfrey as well as Eckhart Tolle.
In 2016, he co-founded the BE HERE NOW NETWORK, where he hosts the Ram Dass "Here & Now" podcast as well as his own "Mindrolling" podcast.
He is the Producer of "Becoming Nobody" a Ram Dass documentary feature film that was released in 2019 and most recently co-authored the book "The Movie of Me, The Movie of We" with long time collaborater Duncan Trussell.
MARISA RADHA WEPPNER
Known for her authentic self-expression, humorous yet grounded, Radha empowers others to embody their soul’s wisdom, bringing a real-world mix of eastern spirituality and western psychology to her students for remembering, empowerment and transformation.
Her life is dedicated to the study of yoga, specializing in Yoga Psychology, Bhakti Yoga, Yoga History + Philosophy, Yin Yoga, Yoga Nidra, Meditation and Self-Awakening Yoga.
As a lover of "the wild and free", she has taught at festivals all over the world, like Burning Man, Bonnaroo, Ram Dass Legacy Retreats, the Entheowheel, Symbiosis Gathering, Eclipse Festival, WTF, Udaya Live, Wanderlust, the Women & Leadership Conference, and Sun Valley Wellness Fest.
As a passion project that weaves together her love of music, yoga and community, she is the co-director and producer of Yogafort for Treefort Music Fest.
JOHN PATTERN
John is a multidisciplinary artist/music producer, creating music for healing and reconnecting with the higher self.
He is also a licensed psychotherapist specializing in a holistic approach to trauma, addiction, and overall mental health. He blends his therapeutic work with his musical background by incorporating sound as an integral part of the healing process
Love Serve Remember Foundation created Soul Land Records as a natural repository for the new music being created in dedication to and inspired by Ram Dass, who was an avid music listener with tastes spanning across many different genres – but always oriented towards touching that innermost place, that “Soul Land.” It is our intention that Soul Land Records may grow to serve our mission of spreading the teachings of Ram Dass through music.
John comes to us through his creative, inspiring, uplifting, musical genius that was recognized by "Soul Land Records" and subsequent to his recordings / creations such as "My Heart Song" and a special release featuring more of his original music that includes popular Ram Dass "Words of Wisdom" and or meditations.
ARJUN
Arjun is a musician - meditation teacher - composer
A dedicated explorer of consciousness and spirituality, Arjun brings over three decades of practice to his otherworldly soundscapes, guided meditations, and storytelling.
He is highly acclaimed for his unique hybrid of East-meets-West rhythms, has spent 21 years touring worldwide as a tabla player with Krishna Das, and has collaborated with artists including David Darling, Belinda Carlisle, Mark Egan, and John Densmore and Robby Krieger of “The Doors”.
He has immersed himself in ancient wisdoms such as Taoism, Tibetan Buddhism, Hinduism, and Shamanism - including Siberian, Old Norse, and Druid traditions. he has also explored modern frameworks such as The Gateway Experience and Vortex Healing.
His lifelong passion to directly experience consciousness and the diverse pathways of spirituality has revealed a unifying center that transcends belief.
It is from this place that his work is born and connects with listeners on the path.