Song of Gratitude–Cacao & Kirtan

A devotional ceremony of sacred cacao and song where music, dance, and nourishment become an embodied prayer of thanksgiving.

Join us for Song of Gratitude—a sacred Thanksgiving ceremony that invites you into the heart of Bhakti (the path of loving devotion) through the ancient, ecstatic power of song.

Following Lion's Song and Harvest Song, this third offering in our Kirtan series continues the lineage of heart-centered devotion and joyful remembrance.

Together, we gather under the New Moon in Scorpio—a time to plant seeds of transformation and renewal—as we give thanks for the seen and unseen blessings that have nourished us, and the fertile beginnings ready to emerge.

We gather to give thanks through embodied song—to the Earth, to the waters, to our families and friends, to the teachers who guide us, to the animals and plants, and to the source of life itself—the Great Mystery that moves behind all things, the universal heart we all share. With voices lifted in mantra and medicine melodies, we’ll weave a circle of connection, dance, remembrance, and joy.

We begin by sharing a cup of ceremonial cacao—a gentle heart-opener and ally for grounding into gratitude. From there, we’ll journey through a rich tapestry of sound: traditional Kirtan (call and response), soulful bhajans, medicine songs, and original heart songs—all inviting devotion, joy, and aliveness. Whether you sing often or haven’t sung in years, your voice belongs here.

Through sacred cacao, song, movement, and shared nourishment, we enter a space of gratitude and grace—where the heart remembers itself as home. The evening unfolds as living ritual: music and mantra as medicine, dance as devotion, and food as nourishment for body and soul.

This ceremony bridges the warmth of home and the expansiveness of the sacred, inviting you to rest into belonging, celebration, and love’s return to the heart of it all. Rooted in reverence, we’ll weave together Kirtan, dance, and shared nourishment into one embodied field of thanksgiving.

No particular belief or background is needed—only an openness to presence and a desire to connect through the heart. Come as you are. Bring your prayers, your grief, your joy, your wonder. Together, we’ll offer our gratitude as music and dance—a simple gift to the sacred thread that binds us all.

💖 What to Expect

✨ Warm, soulful welcome into sacred space
🕯️ Opening circle & communal drop-in
🌿 Guided grounding & intention-setting meditation
🍫 Ceremonial ritual of heart-opening cacao
🎶 Live Kirtan with beloved musicians John Flynn, Aaron Craelius, Mahan Rishi, Michael Blount, & friends—offering a vibrant journey through mantra, music, and dance
💞 Closing circle to integrate the vibration & seal the field in love
🥗 Shared vegan, gluten-free meal of nourishing food and heartfelt connection

Elana Stern, founder of Tantra Collective, opens and closes the space with devotional presence—guiding the group in meditation, intention, and embodied integration. With intuitive insight and reverence for ritual, she invites you into deep remembrance through the sacred technologies of Tantra and collective ceremony.

John Flynn, Aaron Craelius, Mahan Rishi, Michael Blount, and beloved musical collaborators bring the heart of Kirtan alive—offering a soul-stirring blend of mantra, medicine music, and ecstatic rhythm rooted in global devotional traditions. With the support of cacao, we open the heart space and create an atmosphere where joy becomes prayer and gratitude becomes song.

More than an event, this is a homecoming—a celebration of community, nourishment, and the sacred art of giving thanks. A place where hearts open, voices rise, and love becomes the language we share.

All are welcome. No experience with Kirtan, cacao, singing, or dance is needed—just bring your authentic self.

✨ Come as you are. Leave nourished—heart full, spirit bright, and song alive within you.

🌿 How to Prepare

This is a sacred celebration—come as you are, and get ready to be moved by song, to soften your heart, and to reconnect in joy.

What to bring:

• A cushion, backjack, or something comfy to sit on

• A water bottle and anything you need to feel at ease

• A small item for the altar if you'd like—something that holds meaning or reflects your intention

• Your voice, your presence, your dance, and if you’d like—an instrument to join the musical magic (drums, shakers, rattles, etc. are welcome)

• A light vegan, gluten-free meal will be offered; if you feel inspired, we welcome a healthy vegan dish to share.

What to wear:
Come in whatever makes you feel most radiant, comfortable, and you. Whether it’s ritual attire, flowing fabrics, or cozy clothes—there’s no dress code here, only authentic expression and a shared reverence for the sacred space we create together.

Tending your inner temple:
This is a space for aliveness and intention—so come lightly nourished, clear-minded, and open-hearted. For the most vibrant experience with cacao, we suggest arriving well-digested (a light meal two hours before works beautifully). Please avoid alcohol, intoxicants, and heavy meals beforehand to help you feel grounded, radiant, and fully present.

🍫 The Medicine of Cacao

Ceremonial cacao is more than chocolate—it is a sacred plant medicine that opens the heart and deepens our connection to self, spirit, and one another. Revered for centuries by the Mayan people, cacao invites us into presence, gratitude, and emotional honesty.

Our cacao comes from Lake Atitlán, Guatemala, lovingly cultivated by family farmers whose deep-rooted practices of reciprocal land stewardship honor the spirit of the Earth. Minimally processed to retain its natural nutrients as a superfood rich in antioxidants, minerals, and healthy fats, it is prepared with intention, honey, and warming spices to support the body while opening the heart.

In ceremony, this cacao becomes a gentle ally for transformation—nourishing body, mind, and soul, and guiding us home to the wisdom of the heart.

🙏 Giving Back

With the costs of this gathering tended, we give forward—offering to Raise a Village Foundation to honor the lineage of Kirtan and support children and families in need in India. By joining us, you are not only nourishing your own heart—you are also helping uplift lives across the world.

🔥 Your Facilitators

Elana Stern is a devoted guide in Tantra Yoga, walking the path of love and supporting individuals, couples, and groups in cultivating sacred connection, embodied presence, and lasting transformation. She was drawn to meditation as a teenager, studied Eastern Philosophy and Religion academically, trained with celebrity fitness icons in NYC, and earned Yoga Teacher certifications in both Vinyasa Yoga (Cindy Lee lineage) and Restorative Yoga. Her foundation is further enriched by training in Tibetan Buddhist, Transcendental, Vipassana, Mindfulness, and Sonic Meditation modalities, as well as Pranayama breathwork and Reiki techniques. Her journey expanded through advanced certification with Yoga Chitta—a Black-owned yoga school serving the BIPOC community-where she mentors yoga teacher trainees. After a life-altering kundalini awakening opened the portal to deeper energetic and tantric realms, she became a certified facilitator of Tao Tantra Arts (Mantak Chia and Osho lineages) and a graduate of the International School of Temple Arts (ISTA). With a vision for evolving consciousness in Philadelphia, Elana founded the Tantra Collective—producing monthly offerings for embodied spiritual connection—and ONE LOVE HUB, the city's co-created community for conscious events. With decades of practice in movement, meditation, and energy healing, Elana's teaching bridges the physical and the spiritual. She invites you into a deeper relationship with your body, your breath, your heart, and each other—where love becomes the path home to your divine nature.

John Flynn is a man of many paths—a physician in hospice and palliative care, a world traveler shaped by encounters with indigenous traditions, and a lifelong lover of music. From childhood folk songs to medicine music and devotional chanting, his musical journey has been wide and rooted in deep feeling. Music is a tool through which he connects with the heart, and guitar and voice are the primary channels through which he expresses that deep longing. His Kirtan offerings draw from diverse lineages but are rooted in a simple yearning: to remember what is sacred, together.

Aaron Craelius is a guitarist and cellist whose love of music began in childhood and has deepened over decades of exploration. With a passion for diverse musical traditions and world cultures, Aaron brings a mindful presence, sensitivity, and humility to every note he plays. He is devoted to creating heart-centered spaces for Kirtan and devotional music, and regularly hosts song circles with his family as part of their sacred communal practice. A longtime student and teacher of Tai Chi and meditation, Aaron weaves embodiment and stillness into his musical offerings—inviting others into connection, harmony, and inner peace.

Mahan Rishi Singh Khalsa began his studies of percussion at the age of eight years old. He began playing tabla at the age of 20 and continues to study with his teacher Shri Prashant Mishra in Varanasi, India. He also studies and plays bansuri flute, beginning his studies with the Venerable Amira Dvorah, and continues his studies in Varanasi and his teacher Professor Rajershi Kasudhan from Rajasthan, India.

Michael Blount ("Brotha Mike") was raised in North Philadelphia by community-active pastors. He developed an early passion for service and leadership while serving as a church drummer and children's leader, using rhythm as the core of his work to create safe spaces. This foundation propelled him into a career of strategic Afrocentric community service, starting with drum classes in a library basement that quickly scaled into after-school programs, eventually leading joyful rhythmic performances for crowds up to 20,000 at major festivals. Now the East Coast Branch Manager for the international rhythmic mindfulness company RhythmetriX, Brotha Mike integrates sociological sciences and practical psychology with his craft, upholding the principles and cultural torch passed down by his Philadelphia elders. He embodies the spirit of Sankofa, recognizing ancestral wisdom as the essential platform for the community's future.

❓FAQs

Do I need any prior experience with Tantra or Kirtan?
Not at all. This ceremony is open to all—whether it’s your first time or a longtime practice. Come as you are, and know you’ll be welcomed with open arms.

What kind of people attend?
All are welcome here. This is an inclusive, heart-centered space for humans of all backgrounds, orientations, and spiritual paths—whether you come solo, with a partner, as a parent, or as someone walking their own sacred path.

Is there an age restriction?
No, this is an all-ages, family-friendly event. Children are welcome when accompanied by a mindful adult. We simply ask parents to help maintain the sacredness of the space.

What should I bring?

• A cushion, backjack, or something comfy for floor seating

• A water bottle

• Optional: A meaningful object for the altar

• Optional: An instrument (drum, rattle, etc.) for rhythmic participation

• Optional: A healthy vegan, gluten-free dish to share as part of our communal meal offering

How should I dress?
Wear whatever helps you feel comfortable, grounded, and most like you. Ritual attire and expressive dress are warmly welcomed—but there's no right way to show up. We'll be barefoot or in socks, so dress in a way that lets you move freely and feel at home in your body.

How should I prepare?
For the most heart-opening experience, we recommend arriving lightly nourished and well-digested. A light, healthy meal a couple of hours beforehand is ideal. Avoid heavy foods, alcohol, and other intoxicants so you can fully feel cacao’s subtle medicine and be present with the circle. Most importantly, bring an open heart, your voice, and your prayers—we’ll provide the rest.

Is it important to arrive on time?
Yes. Doors open at 6:30pm, and we begin at 7pm. Please arrive early to check-in and help us hold the container from the start.

Are any intoxicants allowed?
This is a sober event. Alcohol and drugs are not permitted. We’ll be sharing ceremonial cacao to open the heart, inviting natural energy and presence to rise from within.

What about cacao?
Ceremonial cacao is a plant medicine similar to pure, minimally processed chocolate—prepared with intention and used in ritual to open the heart, deepen presence, and invite connection. Unlike typical chocolate, it’s unsweetened and crafted to preserve the plant’s natural compounds and energetic properties. In preparing the cacao for ceremony, we add honey and spices to enhance its flavor, warmth, and heart-opening effects—creating a nourishing elixir to awaken the senses and uplift the spirit.

Participation is always optional; if you prefer, tea or water can be substituted. The true heart of the evening is found in song, dance, and community.

Will there be intimacy, sensuality, or nudity?
No. While Tantra honors all aspects of the human experience, this is a devotional, family-friendly gathering centered on meditation, cacao, music, dance, and sacred song. The energy is heartful, expressive, and reverent.

Is parking available?
Yes. There is ample free street parking in the neighborhood. You’re also welcome to bike, ride share, or take SEPTA if preferred.

Where do I enter the venue?
Please enter through the courtyard door on Greene Street (past the lawn under the archway). Use the door code posted. Once inside, follow the signs upstairs and down the hall to the Parlor Room (on the right, just past the water fountain and restroom).

Why do I need to provide my contact information?
We ask for your real full name, email, and mobile number to share important details and help maintain a safe, intentional container. Incomplete or false registrations may be canceled.

Can I buy a ticket at the door?
Our events often sell out, so we highly recommend registering in advance. Early registration also helps us prepare the ceremony, sacred cacao, and nourishing food with care. If we reach capacity, a waitlist will be available.

Do I need to buy a ticket for my child?
Children are welcome! Kids under 12 may attend free with a mindful adult. We simply ask parents to help uphold the sacredness of the space, ensuring that all participants—of every age—can feel safe, present, and held in the ceremony.

Why is there a ticket charge for this event?
Each Tantra Collective gathering is a co-creation—held in the spirit of devotion, community care, and shared upliftment. Your contribution helps honor the time, energy, and artistry of our spaceholders, musicians, and facilitators, as well as the costs of venue, materials, outreach, and preparation.

We believe in reciprocity and the understanding that we rise together. Your contribution makes these offerings possible—helping to keep our gatherings sustainable, inclusive, and alive.

What is the COVID protocol?
Masks are not required, but we ask you (and any children) to arrive in good health and clean clothing. Please wash hands before entering and stay home if you’re feeling unwell. Your care supports the well-being of all.