Afternoon with Sri M (in Berkeley)!
Come to an afternoon w/ spiritual guide, social reformer, and educator Sri M!



















Sri M was born as Mumtaz Ali to a Sufi Muslim family from Kerala.  At age 9, he received spiritual initiation from a yogi who appeared in his backyard.  By age 19, he ventured off to the Himalayas in search of a true Master, eventually finding Maheshwarnath Babaji—the very same yogi he encountered in his boyhood.  After extensive training and travel with through the Himalayas and parts of Tibet with his Guru Maheswarnath, he met his Master’s Master, the legendary Sri Guru Babaji (also known as Sri Mahavatar Babaji) who had re-introduced Kriya Yoga into the world more than a century prior through the instrumentality of Lahiri Mahasaya.  Sri M’s phenomenal life story is captured in his fascinating autobiography Apprenticed to a Himalayan Master, which has sold millions of copies internationally.

Receiving instructions to return to the plains and start a family, he left the Himalayas after three and a half years to prepare for his life’s mission.  His Master periodically instructed him to visit holy sites across the Indian subcontinent to familiarize himself with the diversity of spiritual traditions.  Along the way, he’s met spiritual teachers and saints from all traditions, including Neem Karoli Baba, Lakshman Joo, and J. Krishnamurti while becoming conversant with the teachings of most major religions.

Sri M emphasizes that spiritual evolution should go together with regular daily life, and encourages aspirants to see the world around them as their touchstone for inner practice.  “Go to the core.  Theories are of no use,” he says, and his central message encourages transcending the outer shells of religion to get at the inner mystical core which nurtures innate goodness regardless of race, caste, or creed.  In recent years, he’s also met with religious leaders like The Dalai Lama and Pope Francis to bring out their voices in support of interfaith peace and harmony.



After establishing a number of residential schools for children across South India as well as a holistic health center and an interfaith initiative called Manav Ekta Mission (or Human Unity Mission), he also recently completed a 500-day, 4,600 mile walking pilgrimage from the Southern tip of India to the northernmost state of Kashmir.  The Walk of Hope had a mission of interfaith harmony, equality for all, sustainable living, women’s empowerment, community health, and education.  With daily meetings with local leaders and communities, his message has touched millions of lives across the regions he’s walked through and continues to transform lives with many concurrent ongoing projects.



When he’s in India, hundreds and thousands of people show up to meet him wherever he goes.  Yet he’s graciously agreed to come to a humble living room for an afternoon of meditation, talk, Q&A, and light meal.

And you’re invited.  RSVP below!