About Us
Background
Those seeking spiritual truth traditionally move to ashrams, places of spiritual shelter. A genuine ashram provides simple facilities for residents to have deep spiritual experiences in a loving and supportive atmosphere. Although such ashrams were often located in remote places, bhakti-yoga ashrams can flourish anywhere due to the powerful and flexible nature of this venerated yoga path.
The Bhakti Academy began in 2008 as a contemporary spiritual educational program providing students with an immersive spiritual experience in a traditional Vedic ashram. In today’s burgeoning Bhakti Ashram programs around North America, three fourteen-week terms are offered each year.
In Toronto, students reside in a simple but comfortable ashram setting within the historic ISKCON Toronto building and learn bhakti yoga by studying the Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam and other prominent ancient Vedic wisdom texts. Students also learn and practice japa and mantra meditation, kirtan and bhajans, cooking sanctified vegan/vegetarian food, and the overall mood of devotional service. Students also participate in the daily morning program as well as temple services and outreach.
Our Inspiration
The founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, popularly known as ISKCON, is His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada. The Bhakti Academy is based on his guidance and teachings of bhakti-yoga.
Srila Prabhupada sailed to the US in 1965 to introduce bhakti-yoga outside of India for the first time. Because of his authentic teachings based on ancient Vedic philosophy, before his passing in 1977 he attracted thousands of students and established over one hundred Vedic temples, ashrams and farms around the world.
Our Mission, Vision, Values & Mood
Mission
To attract, educate, and train future ISKCON leaders in a warm, family environment that teaches strong foundational practices in accordance with the “Seven Purposes of ISKCON,” imparted by our founder-acharya Srila Prabhupada.
Vision
To enrich hundreds of students’ lives with the sustainable insight and joy of Bhakti yoga that will stay with them for life. To have impactful outreach programs, systematic leadership training, and long-term devotee care that produce exemplary Vaisnavas.
Values
Our values include upliftment, respect, open and honest communication, integrity, teamwork, equality and diversity, teaching by example, humility and affection, loving kindness, non-violence, and a mood of service.
Mood
Our mood :
1. Sama-darsinah (equal vision)
2. Iccha (choice)
3. Ahimsa (non-violence)
4. Acharya (teaching by example)
5. Amanitva (humility)
6. Priti (affection)