Heart of Consciousness · Bay Area
For anyone who has felt there's something more to this life.
Meditation and shakti transmission in a nondual tantric tradition stemming from Bhagavan Nityananda and Swami Rudrananda (Rudi). Taught by Acharya Purnata and Acharya Amrita most Wednesdays in Richmond, CA.
Classes are free and open to all. Donations help us continue sharing this practice.
Donate ↗Our open-eye meditation and shakti transmission classes are held most Wednesday evenings at Rudrakash in Richmond, CA. No experience required. Come as you are, with an open heart. Classes are free of charge, donation based.
Please email Acharya Purnata before your first class. He loves to welcome newcomers and acquaint you with the practice. Nothing to prepare; come with an open mind and an open heart.
Seating on chairs or cushions. Comfortable clothing. Classes are free; donations warmly received.
Email us to Schedule an Intro SessionClasses are free and open to all. Donations help us continue sharing this practice.
Donate ↗
Our practice is rooted in the nondual philosophy of Kashmir Shaivism: the recognition that all of existence is an expression of one divine Consciousness. Kundalini Sadhana is the path of awakening that force within us, guided by a living lineage teacher.
As our individual heart merges with the divine heart, our total unity with the Divine is revealed. In Sanskrit, "Heart of Consciousness" is samviddhrdaya, the potency by which the Universal Heart knows Itself and causes individuals to recognize themselves as That.
This practice is within the lineage of teachings of Bhagavan Nityananda of Ganeshpuri, Swami Rudrananda (Rudi), and Swami Khecaranatha.
The divine energy latent within every human being. When awakened through practice and transmission, it dissolves deep tensions, expands creative energy, and reveals our true nature as Consciousness.
The descent of grace: a direct conveyance of spiritual energy from teacher to student. It gives the student a concrete experience of the vital force that connects all things. The heart of our lineage.
Our practice includes both open-eye and closed-eye meditation. The open-eye practice (receiving transmission through the teacher's gaze) is a distinctive feature of this lineage, established by Swami Rudrananda and refined by Swami Khecaranatha over five decades.
All phenomena are expressions of one supreme Consciousness (Shiva). There is no separation between an individual and Divine; only the recognition of that unity, which is liberation.
Transmitted person to person for over 50 years: Bhagavan Nityananda → Swami Rudrananda → Swami Khecaranatha → Acharya Purnata and Acharya Amrita Devi. Alive and present every Wednesday in Richmond, CA.
Swami Khecaranatha emphasizes that the most important aspect of sadhana is one's direct experience and its integration into everyday life: relationships, work, creativity, and love.
The Bay Area kula, the community of practitioners gathered around Rudrakash, is part of the path. The support of fellow seekers, the shared field of energy in a room, the relationships that deepen over years of practice together: these are not incidental to the path. They are the path.
Our community includes longtime practitioners, newcomers still finding their way, and people from all walks of life. What unites us is a genuine longing for the Divine and the willingness to show up week after week.
Acharya Purnata is the lead teacher for Heart of Consciousness in the San Francisco Bay Area. He began his practice in 2010 following a spiritual awakening that drew him to Swami Khecaranatha, and deepened his commitment by taking vows as an Acharya in 2017.
He teaches most Wednesday evenings at Rudrakash in Richmond, CA, and is available by email for new students, first-time visitors, and anyone curious about the practice.
Acharya Amrita Devi began her sadhana by learning TM on Valentine's Day, 1970, and started teaching that practice in 1971. In 2007 her desire for further growth led her to Swami Khecaranatha, and as soon as she attended her first classes with him, she knew she'd come home. Swami Khecaranatha initiated her as a teacher in 2011 and as an Acharya in 2017.
In addition to teaching at Rudrakash, she has edited some of Swami Khecaranatha's books, assists him in managing programs, and handles the finances of the organizations in Berkeley and Hawaii.
My first meeting with Nathaji in 2010 changed the course of my life. By God's Grace, my heart spontaneously melted and opened, and I recognized Nathaji as my Guru. Two months later, I took vows of commitment to this practice and lineage, formally asking Nathaji to guide me in my spiritual journey. I'm profoundly grateful for the blessing and opportunity to learn, grow, and serve under Nathaji's unwavering and loving guidance.
Originally from NYC, I've been a professional editor for nearly 40 years, including editing several of Nathaji's books. In 2001, my husband and I relocated to the SF Bay Area to raise our two beautiful daughters. Our home now serves as the HoC Bay Area center, which Nathaji christened "Rudrakash," where we host weekly open-eye meditation class for the local community, and host Nathaji whenever he visits and teaches in California. In addition to this practice, I have a black belt in Shorin-ryu karate and have been an ardent student of dance since 2007, particularly Odissi classical Indian dance.
Swami Khecaranatha, initiated by Rudi in 1972 and one of the few remaining teachers directly trained by him, visits Rudrakash each spring and fall for multi-day intensive retreats. These are rare, intimate gatherings: a direct transmission from the living master of these teachings.
Multi-day retreat with extended meditation, dharma teaching, and personal guidance. Space is limited; early registration recommended.
The second annual visit. Many students find two intensives per year significantly deepens and accelerates their practice.
"Khecaranatha emphasizes that the most important aspect of sadhana is one's own direct experience, and that the teacher relationship is a support in bringing about the state of liberation."
View retreat calendar →Our center, named and blessed by Swami Khecaranatha, is a private home in Richmond that serves as the Bay Area heart of this practice, hosting weekly classes and Swami Khecaranatha's California retreats.
Classes are free and open to all. Donations are warmly encouraged and help us continue sharing this practice and lineage with the Bay Area community.
Donate ↗Nathaji will be in town and teaching at Rudrakash starting on Tuesday 4/14. There will be no Wednesday classes until 5/6.
Nathaji will offer a children's Long-Life and Blessing Ceremony on Saturday, April 18, at Soma Yoga, El Cerrito. All HoC community members will be invited to attend. 1:30pm–4:30pm.
Nathaji will be teaching a series of classes at our center. All are welcome to attend: