Greetings Reader,

Some say that spirituality transcends politics. In one sense, this is true.

At the same time, saying “spirituality transcends politics” is also a political statement. Everything is political, even things that transcend politics!

Yoga is the art and science of transcendence, of developing spiritual consciousness. It’s also a moral philosophy that calls us not just to refrain from harming others but to act for the benefit of others as well:

In his excellent translation and commentary on the Bhagavad-gita, Graham Schweig points out that the Gita is “essentially a book on yoga,” as evidenced by the fact that the word “yoga” or its related forms appears in the text 155 times—in over 20 percent of the Gita’s verses.

Krishna, the speaker of the Gita, consistently tells his friend, Arjuna, to become a yogi.

Arjuna, a warrior by training and temperament, thinks that becoming a yogi means going off to the forest to meditate.

But that’s not what Krishna is suggesting; Krishna also consistently tells Arjuna to pick up his bow and fight, making it clear that, in the yoga wisdom tradition, there is no contradiction between being a yogi and being a warrior.

And it’s the duty of a spiritual warrior to fight in defense of dharma: righteousness.

It’s so important that, when dharma is under attack, Krishna personally shows up to defend it. His instructions amount to an argument that a yogi should respond to an extreme political problem not by taking sides, but by fighting in defense of dharma.

This is precisely where we find ourselves right now: in the midst of an extreme political problem wherein dharma needs to be upheld and a new, transcendental conception of government needs to be established.

Which is why I’m offering

Dharma Rebellion II: Resistance and Renewal

A new 8-week Series - starting Wednesday, October 22^nd at 7:00 pm ET

Live on Zoom - recordings available for replay

Suggested donation $10-$15 per class (no one turned away)

CLICK HERE TO ENROLL

Across eight 60-minute classes, we’ll explore bhakti-yoga as both a spiritual practice and a political philosophy with real-world implications. Each week, we'll blend teachings from yoga wisdom texts like the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with historically proven strategies for both nonviolent resistance and how to set society up for a healthy transition after present-day authoritarians join their predecessors in the dust bin of history.

What you'll learn:

• A clear, accessible framework for bhakti as a cultural and social paradigm beyond partisan models.
• Actionable steps linking the four pillars of dharma to effective, nonviolent resistance.
• Lessons from historical movements of moral courage—and the spiritual roots that sustained them.
• How the Vedic system of varna-dharma can inform democratic renewal, climate action, economic opportunity, and social justice in a post-authoritarian America.
• The unifying story of the Dharma Rebellion—and how to live that story now in personal and community practice.

Who this is for:
​Yoga teachers, students, seekers, and spiritual practitioners who want to think deeply—and act conscientiously—at the intersection of spirituality, politics, and culture.

This course is being offered on a donation basis. The recommended donation is $10-$15 per class but any donations will be gratefully accepted and no one will be turned away.

Ready to join us? CLICK HERE TO ENROLL

If you have any questions about this series, just reply to this email.

Thanks - Wishing you all good fortune,

- Hari-k

​
​P.S.: Earlier this year I ran an 8-part series called Dharma Rebellion: Bhakti Yoga’s Vision of Spiritual Resistance tracing how bhakti-yoga’s worldview and values compare and contrast with today’s political ideologies—and why yoga wisdom doesn’t fit a simple left/right frame. This new series stands on its own—no prior course required.

If you would like to learn more about this "prequel" to Dharma Rebellion II and enroll to watch the recordings, CLICK HERE. You do not need them to benefit from this new series, but they’re available if you want the full backstory.