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

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If you enjoyed this, check out Nina Rao's website and music: NinaRaoChant.com

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