LIVING WITH THE DEVAS

Reawakening Our Relationship with the Conscious Universe

What if the universe is not empty?

Retreat Concept

A two-day immersive retreat in White Rock with Jeffrey Armstrong | Kavindra Rishi, exploring one of the most fascinating dimensions of the Vedic worldview:

Who are the Devas, why should we connect with them, and how can we begin to experience the universe as a living, conscious reality?

The Vedic tradition does not describe an empty, mechanical universe. It describes a cosmos alive with consciousness, intelligence, relationship, and Divine Persons.

The Universe Is Alive

We live surrounded by forces we depend upon every day—sunlight, air, water, fire, nourishment, intelligence, creativity and abundance.

But what if these are not simply impersonal forces of nature?

The Vedic worldview reveals a universe populated by conscious beings—the Devas and Devīs—who participate in maintaining the intricate order of the cosmos.

For two days, Jeffrey Armstrong will guide us into this ancient and often misunderstood understanding of reality and explore how we can consciously reconnect with the Divine Persons who share our universe.

The Big Questions

This retreat will explore:

Who are the Devas and Devīs?
Why are they so often misunderstood in English as “gods” or “demigods”?
What roles do they play within the Vedic understanding of the cosmos?
Why would humans want a relationship with them?
How do the Devas relate to Bhagavan, Brahman, Paramatma and prakriti?
Can the Devas hear us or respond to us?
How do mantra, offerings, yajna and sacred sound create connection?
How can we distinguish genuine spiritual relationship from imagination or superstition?
Is there a particular Deva or Devī with whom we naturally feel an affinity?
How can we bring this relationship into everyday life?

THE RETREAT JOURNEY

DAY ONE — DISCOVERING THE LIVING UNIVERSE

You Are Not Living in an Empty Universe

Jeffrey introduces the Vedic vision of a conscious cosmos and explores how radically different it is from the modern materialistic worldview.

Participants will discover why nature is not merely something to use or observe, but something with which we are in constant relationship.

Meet the Devas

An illuminating introduction to some of the great Divine Persons of the Vedic tradition, including:

Surya — illumination and vitality
Agni — sacred fire and transformation
Vayu — breath and prana
Shri Sarasvati — wisdom, speech, music and inspiration
Shri Lakshmi — abundance, beauty and flourishing
Ganesha — beginnings and the removal of obstacles
Hanuman — courage, seva and devotion
The Navagrahas — the planetary Devas and the patterns revealed through Jyotish

Rather than simply learning names and stories, participants will explore what each Deva represents within the living order of the universe.

Why Connect With the Devas?

Every day we receive.

We receive sunlight.
We receive air.
We receive water.
We receive food.
We receive inspiration.
We receive the conditions that make life possible.

The deeper question becomes:

What do we give back?

Jeffrey will explore the ancient Vedic principle of yajna—sacred reciprocity—and how gratitude, offering and relationship change the way we experience the world.

DAY TWO — BUILDING THE RELATIONSHIP

How Do We Connect With the Devas?

From Ritual to Relationship

A special morning experience exploring the practical language of connection:

Mantra.
Sacred sound.
Light.
Flowers.
Offerings.
Fire.
Gratitude.
Presence.

Participants will learn why these practices exist and how simple sacred actions can become expressions of genuine relationship rather than mechanical ritual.

A practical exploration of how relationship develops.

Jeffrey will discuss:

Mantra and sacred sound
Making offerings
Creating a simple home practice
The significance of murti and darshan
The role of sacred places
Nature as a place of relationship
Dreams, intuition and synchronicity
Jyotish and the planetary Devas
The importance of discernment

The focus is not on superstition or asking the universe for favors.

It is about learning how to participate consciously in a sacred universe.

From Transaction to Relationship

Many people first approach the Devas because they want help.

Prosperity
Health
Success
Protection
Knowledge
The removal of obstacles.

But the deeper relationship asks a different question:

Not simply, “What can the Devas do for me?”

But, “How can I participate with them in living a life of dharma?”

This is where relationship becomes transformative.

Which Deva Calls to You?

Participants will explore their own natural affinity with different Devas and Devīs.

Are you drawn toward:

Wisdom and creativity? — Shri Sarasvati
Beauty and abundance? — Shri Lakshmi
New beginnings? — Ganesha
Courage and seva? — Hanuman
Illumination? — Surya
Transformation? — Agni

This session gives participants a personal doorway into the teachings.

CLOSING EXPERIENCE

Living in a Sacred World

What changes when the universe is no longer experienced as lifeless matter?

How might we relate differently to:

the Sun
water
fire
food
plants
animals
our bodies
the Earth
and one another?

Participants leave with a simple personal practice designed to continue the relationship beyond the retreat:

WHY THIS RETREAT IS DIFFERENT

This is not simply a lecture about Vedic mythology.

It is an invitation to reconsider what kind of universe we actually live in.

Participants will leave with:

A clearer understanding of who the Devas and Devīs are
A decolonized understanding of terms often mistranslated into English
A practical way to begin developing a relationship with the Devas
An understanding of mantra, offerings and yajna
A deeper appreciation for the conscious forces sustaining life
A simple personal practice they can continue at home

Ideal Audience

This retreat will appeal to:

Students of Sanātana Dharma
Yoga practitioners and teachers
Students of the Bhagavad Gita
Jyotish and Ayurveda students
Those curious about mantra and Vedic ritual
People seeking a deeper relationship with nature and the cosmos
Anyone fascinated by the Vedic understanding of consciousness

No previous study is required.

Includes all workshop materials, brunch & snacks 2 days. Dinner is not included but we will could share a meal at a local restaurant.

About Jeffrey Armstrong Kavindra Rishi

ICCR Distinguished Indologist | Award-winning author | Poet | Philosopher | Vedic Astrologer

Jeffrey Armstrong Kavindra Rishi is the founder of VASA — Vedic Academy of Sciences & Arts, co-chair of VFA — Vedic Friends Association, and a scholar on the British Board of Dharmic Scholars.

With more than 45 years of Vedic study, practice, and global teaching experience, Kavindra Rishi brings the wisdom of a traditional Vedic lineage into clear, modern language. His teachings weave together Bhakti, Jnana, Karma, Mantra, and Tantra Yoga, while also illuminating the psychology of Yoga and its relevance for contemporary life.

This is a rare opportunity for in-depth study with a master teacher from within the Bhakti tradition.

Learn more: jeffreyarmstrong.com/press

With gratitude,
Sandi & Kavindra Rishi
vasa@jeffreyarmstrong.com

Dec 5-6, 2026 | Living With the Devas Weekend Workshop w Jeffrey Armstrong