Taking the Vedic Practices to the Next Level:
Exploring the Hidden Secrets of Rituals, Pranayama & Meditation with Jonas Masetti & Mana Shanenawa
Friday, 3/21
Vedic Practices: 2-5 pm | $40or $60 when staying for the Vedanta + Hapé Circle + Sacred Chants: 6-9 pm
Join us for an immersive exploration of Vedic practices, where ancient wisdom meets practical application to elevate your spiritual journey. This gathering offers a deep dive into the hidden layers of Vedic rituals, revealing their symbolic meanings and the energetic power they hold to align the body, mind, and spirit. You will discover how these sacred ceremonies act as portals to higher states of consciousness, connecting you with cosmic forces and your inner divinity. The session will also explore the transformative power of pranayama, or breath control, as a tool to purify the energy channels (nadis), balance the life force (prana), and prepare the mind for deep meditation. Through guided breathwork practices, you will learn to regulate your energy, calm your emotions, and cultivate inner stillness. As we move into the realm of meditation, we will explore techniques rooted in the Vedic tradition that dissolve mental chatter, heighten awareness, and lead to profound states of inner peace.
Acharya Jonas Masetti is a distinguished Acharya of Vedanta, dedicated to sharing the wisdom of the Vedic tradition. A direct disciple of Swami Dayananda, he spent four and a half years in India immersed in intensive study and practice. He also deepened his knowledge under Glória Arieira and other esteemed masters, refining his understanding of Vedantic philosophy.
The term “Acharya” refers to a traditional teacher who imparts Vedanta knowledge based on the sampradāya—the living lineage of masters and disciples. Jonas earned this title upon completing his studies in India, with his authority publicly validated in 2020, when the Prime Minister of India recognized him on national television as the Ambassador of the Vedic Tradition in the Americas. In 2025, he received the Padma Shri, one of the highest civilian honors bestowed by the Indian government. His teaching style blends classical elements—such as studying Sanskrit, reciting mantras, and delving into original Sanskrit scriptures like the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads—with accessible language for contemporary audiences.
Originally trained as a Mechanical Engineer at IME, Jonas built a successful career in the financial sector before answering the call to fully dedicate himself to Vedanta. Over the past decade, he has been instrumental in spreading Vedic teachings worldwide, making this ancient wisdom accessible across cultures through the Vishwavidya organization, which has already reached hundreds of thousands of people via lectures, courses, and retreats.
Beyond conveying the essence of Vedic knowledge, Jonas also embraces other ancestral cultures, especially those of Brazil’s indigenous peoples. After returning from India, he felt called to reconnect with his family’s native roots, participating in numerous forest medicine ceremonies and traveling through the Amazon, where he received the title Atutapi Mayru (Teacher of Medicines) from the Shanenawa family. He is currently in the midst of a five-year apprenticeship to become a Pajé, uniting indigenous wisdom with the Vedic worldview. He has also been blessed on the Red Road by the Lakota, guided by medicine man Vernon Foster Wakia un Manee—becoming a sun dancer and being adopted as a Kola, a warrior and brother in that family. Vernon Foster has served as his spiritual guide, teaching him about traditional Lakota medicines such as the Inipi and the use of white sage, and bestowing upon him the sacred Chanupa. In this way, Jonas’s work not only preserves the legacy of Vedanta but also honors the cultural heritage of indigenous communities, promoting unity among different spiritual traditions.
Mana Shanenawa, a respected wisdom keeper and healer from the Shanenawa people of the Amazon, will be joining Acharya on his U.S. tour as a special guest. As Jonas’s teacher in the ways of the forest and its sacred medicines, Mana carries deep ancestral knowledge of indigenous healing traditions. His presence will offer a unique bridge between Amazonian and Vedantic wisdom, enriching the journey with teachings, stories, and the sacred connection to nature’s medicine.