Sacred Storytelling - bridging the gaps between the ages and faiths
Over the years I have developed relationships with people in the academic, Hindu, interfaith, and storytelling communities. I have made presentations in college classes, temples, churches, conferences, as well as arranged for college students and other groups to visit New Vrindavan.
For many years, my service was developing Krishna Conscious plays. Now my focus is in dramatic storytelling. A couple of years back I had the opportunity to tell Mahabharata stories to over 1000 people at the National Storytelling Conference in Pittsburgh. Many people approached me afterwards and the next day to thank me, and I had a chance to distribute Prabhupada’s books to some of them.
Benediction Moon has so kindly provided me with many boxes of books over the last several years. Their support has been invaluable. In turn, I am able to offer Srila Prabhupada's books as gifts or at reduced prices. And this certainly goes a long way in helping me in my preaching, being viewed as a resource, and developing lasting friendships.
Some of the programs I’ve given in colleges include:
The 60's Counter Culture & the Krishna Movement
Hare Krishna In America: The First Forty Years
The Bhagavad Gita and Dharma In America
The Roots of the Krishna Movement in India
Varnashrama Vs the Caste System: The true Vedic concept of social order
Stories from India's Classic Literatures: Mahabharata, Ramayana and Puranas
New Vrindavan: An Intentional Community In the Hills of West Virginia
A few appreciations:
“I have taken many field trips to religious sites with students, and not one was more informative than this one, and you can quote me. I really enjoyed the trip to New Vrindavan and the students have told me they did too.” Dr. D. Torbett, Marietta College
"Thank you very much for your performance. You created a long lasting impression on our minds." Koti SreeKrishna, Hindu Society of Cincinnati
"Your programs are spiritually uplifting and personally gratifying." Dr. Ishwar Harris, College of Wooster
“Thanks for your event of Stories of Ancient India. You did a great job…. I enjoyed the luncheon, the whole outside environment at New Vrindavan, and the sense one gets about being somewhere away from the world as it is... To me, it was a very peaceful place of sharing and efforts to spread good will to everyone… The stories you told in the midst of that environment seem to come alive, but I guess that is what you planned to happen…” M.B. - retired school principal in the local area
“Your service for our Church in February, was a nice, fresh, bright spot in the winter for the congregation and there were many, many compliments!”
R. B. UU Worship Associate
“The students and I are grateful for the time and attention that you gave us in explaining the Palace’s history and spiritual significance. We also thank you for the numerous stories you related to us at the Temple as a means of exploring the Hare Krishna faith.” Dr G. Tambasis, Wheeling Jesuit University
“On behalf of my ‘Religion 100’ students, I would like to thank you for hosting us at New Vrindavan. What an amazing experience! The students are still talking about it.” Dr N. Johnson, Mount Union College
For more info check out my blog and website, Sacred Voices.
If you would like to assist Sankirtana prabhu in his valuable preaching service by supplying him books so that once he opens the door to many students and interfaith groups through his sacred storytelling, he will be able to introduce them to Krishna more fully by giving them Srila Prabhupada's books, simply go here and enter "Sankirtana dasa" in the field "I would like books sent to..."