50 Years of Spiritual Community
Kashi takes its name from the ancient city of Varanasi - also known as ‘The City of Light.’
What is an Ashram? Ashram comes from the Sanskrit āśrama, which is rooted in the verb śram, meaning "to exert oneself". We are a place for intentional living, dedicated to spiritual and personal growth. An Ashram is home of the Guru.
Community
Kashi Ashram is a living spiritual community where seekers come to learn, practice, and connect with themselves and the world around them. Whether for a brief visit or a longer stay, all who come share in mindfulness, service, and inner awakening. Guided by a board of directors and a spiritual order of Swamis and monks, Kashi has been a home of learning and love for generations. We are part of a global movement of intentional communities fostering spiritual, social, and environmental consciousness—and everyone is welcome.
Sacred Grounds
At the heart of the ashram flows our symbolic Ganga, a tranquil pond encircled by sacred temples, shrines and mandir honoring many of the world’s spiritual traditions (Hindu, Christian, Jewish, Sikh, Buddhist). Kashi’s temple grounds serve as a sanctuary, where the divine feminine is revered, and the land itself holds a palpable energy. All are welcome here—to rest, to renew, to nourish mind, body and spirit.
Lineage
At Kashi, we envision a world illuminated by unconditional love - where the heart leads, compassion flourishes, and service connects us. Our mission is simple yet profound: to embrace one heart at a time, offering pathways to an awakened life, as inspired by our Guru. In every gesture, in every moment, we seek to embody the love that awakens the soul.
Foundational Teachings
Neem Karoli Baba - Paramaguru
Neem Karoli Baba, lovingly known as Maharaj-ji, taught a path of unconditional love, devotion, and selfless service. As Ma Jaya’s beloved Guru and Kashi’s Paramaguru, his teachings continue to inspire our community to see the Divine in all beings and serve with an open heart.
Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati - Guru and Founder
Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati founded Kashi in 1976 as a spiritual community rooted in love, service, and respect for all faiths. A teacher, artist, and humanitarian, she encouraged spiritual practice expressed through compassion and care for others. Her teachings continue to guide life at Kashi.
In Memoriam - Founding Members
Spiritual Vows
The spiritual vows of our lineage at Kashi includes Acharya Swamis, Swamis, and Monks who are dedicated to guiding and supporting our community in its spiritual journey. They embody the teachings of our tradition through practice, service, and wisdom, serving as living examples of devotion and compassionate leadership. Together, they nurture the spiritual growth of all who come to Kashi with an open heart.
Our Board of Directors
The Board of Directors at Kashi provides leadership, oversight, and strategic guidance to support the mission and vision of our community. They bring a wealth of experience, dedication, and care, ensuring that our programs, operations, and resources serve the spiritual and communal growth of all who come to Kashi. Working alongside the spiritual body and staff, the board helps sustain and strengthen the foundation of our lineage for generations to come.
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Board President
As an organizational strategist, Ruth supports small nonprofits and small businesses in optimizing operations and building sustainable systems. She retired after 33 years of federal public service at the Department of Veterans Affairs, where she led national projects in information systems, enterprise operations, and web management, and was recognized with various national awards for innovation and leadership. Today, she applies her expertise in mentoring new leaders, leadership development, organizational development and strategic planning to strengthen community-focused initiatives.
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Vice President
Shiva Shambo Parker brings lifelong familiarity with Kashi together with deep experience in technology systems, technical support leadership, and organizational problem-solving. He currently serves as a Senior Network Engineer at Amadeus, following earlier roles in network engineering, escalation support, and technical sales and training, and holds multiple Cisco certifications, including CCNA and Cisco Certified Specialist – Data Center Core. He brings to the board a practical, systems-oriented perspective shaped by long experience in infrastructure, troubleshooting, and long-range technical stewardship.
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Treasurer
Joanne Butcher has helped shape the careers of more than 100 independent filmmakers as a Consulting Producer, guiding them through the business of fundraising, production, and distribution. She has played a key role in bringing over 27 feature films to audiences worldwide while empowering filmmakers to become confident industry professionals who can effectively work with investors, funders, and distributors. From first-time directors to multimillion-dollar productions, Joanne is a passionate advocate for diverse voices, helping storytellers build sustainable careers and bring impactful films to global audiences.
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Joshua Blakeslee Shinavier (Rudra) brings to Kashi’s board a rare combination of technical leadership, systems thinking, and deep multigenerational connection to the community. He is a software engineer, founder, and knowledge-systems researcher whose work centers on graph databases, knowledge representation, and complex information architecture. He currently serves as a Founding Advisor at Cognisee and Owner of Fortytwo Aero, and previously held senior engineering roles at Microsoft and LinkedIn. He brings to the board both technical depth and a strong commitment to Kashi’s long-term future.
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Ma Girija Kali (Joan O’Day) brings more than three decades of lived connection to Kashi, where she has been resident since 1993 and active member working from the west coast, more currently. A nurse who's primary population is pediatrics, has more recently provided home care for elders in their final years. She offers deep experience in caregiving, end-of-life support, and compassionate presence. Her background in music, performance art, community life, nursing, and patient care, brings the board a grounded perspective rooted in service, discernment, and care through times of transition.
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Anna Woodman (Supriya Devi Jaya) is a professional commercial interior designer by trade, with twenty-nine years’ experience in her field. She owns and operates her design firm which she started in 2003. Over time she has won national accolades and awards for her work and creativity, and for many years worked with Habitat for Humanity to assist in their model home development for new residents. Known as a leader in her field for her negotiation and project management skills, repeat clients have become a staple over time as they know that devotion and accountability is key to her successful projects. She continues to be a mentor not only in her field, but to many through yoga and practiced meditation groups.
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Swami Laxman Das, John Shinavier, has been ordained since 2007 and brings expertise in clinical psychology, life coaching, and holistic wellness to the Kashi Board. Swami Laxman is the founder and Executive Director of Under the Bridges and On the Street, nonprofits serving Los Angeles County’s homeless population. He has served on numerous boards for over 27 years. He holds an MA in Clinical Psychology and an MA in Communications and has over 1,000 hours of coaching experience helping individuals navigate career and life transitions, including as a death doula. His background in arts, social services, and mind-body modalities equips him to provide thoughtful spiritual guidance and strategic insight to the Board. Swami Laxman is a Registered Yoga Teacher and Kashi Acharya (master teacher in Kali Natha Yoga lineage).
Our Executive Administrative Team
The Executive Admin Team at Kashi ensures the smooth and effective day-to-day operations of our community. They manage programs, events, and communications with dedication and care, supporting both the spiritual body and the wider community. Their work helps create a welcoming and well-organized environment where everyone can engage, learn, and grow.
501c3 Religious Non Profit
Officially incorporated in 1978 under the name Kashi Church Foundation, Inc., our spiritually centered intentional community was created in 1976 by Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati (1941-2012) who sought to embody the words of her guru, Neem Karoli Baba, to “ serve everyone, feed everyone, and love everyone.”
With some organization restructuring since 2020, Kashi continues its spiritual programs, food pantry and welcoming those seeking respit on its temple grounds. As a nonprofit the organization is overseen by a board of directors and an executive management team, with spiritual program & stewardship guided by its council of spiritual elders. The organization regularly participates with numerous interfaith, charitable, and community building associations: Holistic Centers Network, Association for Spiritual Integrity, Indian River Cares Association, and Indian River Chamber of Commerce. Kashi Church is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Donations are tax deductible.