Meet The Team | Krishna West London

Shivanand Sharma

(Sankarsana Dasa)

I serve as Project Leader for Krishna West London and Vice-Chairman of the global Krishna West Council, as well as a researcher for ISKCON’s Bhaktivedanta Institute for Higher Studies. Originally from Trinidad & Tobago, I moved to London to pursue a degree in Actuarial Science, following which I took a sabbatical to study the philosophy and practice of Krishna Consciousness as a monk at the famous Radha Krishna Temple in Central London. Now a qualified actuary, I work as a consultant based in the UK. My current academic interests include Philosophy of Mind and Philosophy of Religion, and I am presently pursuing a doctorate in the Philosophy of Consciousness at the University of Birmingham. Some of my other interests include music and film.

I came across the teachings of Krishna Consciousness in my (typically turbulent) teenage years, and I have been studying them ever since. The philosophical tenets satisfy my intellectual curiosity about the nature of reality, and the devotion-oriented practices deeply satisfy my heart. I recently graduated, reading BSc Psychology and Education at University College London (UCL), and I intend to pursue further study in Psychology. I am particularly interested in adolescent mental health and developmental psychology. I am a member of the global Krishna West Council alongside Sankarsana. My other interests include photography, and cooking - I am most definitely a feeder!

Reshma Sharma

Born in London. Started out as an obsessive tennis player. Quit the dream to become another Agassi in lieu of pursuing a future in ecology. Was instead allured at university by the promises of molecular biology. Got a PhD for playing with parasite genomes. Realised that molecules aren't 'life.' Looked for a change of scene. Sped around for a few years as a biotech sales rep. Got bored and ended up listening to some Buddhist and Hindu characters on long trips. Quit job. Bought a wonderful campervan ('Rumi the Romahome'). Went on an adventure to learn farming. Not cut out to be a farmer. Stumbled onto a Hare Krishna community. Stayed longer than expected (way longer). Albeit not a pro tennis player, would take on anyone at table tennis (or 'ping pong').

Ramananda Dasa

Pradyumna Sepulveda

I have been in contact with the teachings of the Bhagavad-gita my whole life, and I'm very much interested in understanding their relevance in contemporary society. I grew up in Santiago de Chile, where I studied Biological Engineering. I was drawn to academical research in Neuroscience, and I later moved to London to continue studying in this field - I'm currently a PhD student at University College London (UCL) studying Cognitive Neuroscience. Specifically, I examine decision making processes and their mechanisms in the brain. Aside from this I like to explore the outdoors, especially by running or cycling. And I'm in awe of the powerful way that stories and narratives inform how we understand the world, so literature, cinema, music, theatre are, for me, important roads to explore the realms I can't reach by walking.

Disciple of Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Author of biographies of Indian saints: A Ray of Vishnu, The Seventh Goswami, Bābājī Mahārāja (co-author), Namācārya, Without Fear (Glimpses of Śrīla Prabhupāda). Professional editor, English teacher, lecturer. Practitioner of bhakti-yoga for more than 50 years. Started out as an Army brat living in Germany, Japan, and all over the continental United States. Later, became an English teacher and a member of the counter-culture. Joined the Hare Krishna Movement in 1971. Lived in Vrindavana, India, for 11 years, taught secondary school English, Philosophy and Bhakti-śāstrī. Presently living in the U.K., married to Sara (Sarad-bihari). Five Anglo-American children between us, currently spread out around the world. Likes writing, film, badminton, and mysteries.

Robert MacNaughton

(Rupa Vilasa Dasa)

Born in the UK. Over 40 years of bhakti-yoga experience in the US, UK and India. Professional background in Early Education and Hospice Care. I have four children and two grandchildren, and I currently live in the UK. My claim to fame: Bemused George Harrison in the UK's first Krishna restaurant 'Healthy, Wealthy and Wise'.

Sarad-bihari Dasi

Born in the UK. Over 40 years of bhakti-yoga experience in in the US, UK and India. Professional background in Early Education and Hospice Care. I have four children and two grandchildren, and I currently live in the UK. My claim to fame: Bemused George Harrison in the UK's first Krishna restaurant 'Healthy, Wise and Wise'.

Fulvio Del Prete

(Jagat Palana Dasa)

I serve as Project Leader for Krishna West London and Vice-Chairman of the global Krishna West Council, as well as a researcher for ISKCON’s Bhaktivedanta Institute for Higher Studies. Originally from Trinidad & Tobago, I moved to London to pursue a degree in Actuarial Science, following which I took a sabbatical to study the philosophy and practice of Krishna Consciousness as a monk at the famous Radha Krishna Temple in Central London. Now a qualified actuary, I work as a consultant based in the UK. My current academic interests include Philosophy of Mind and Philosophy of Religion, and I am presently pursuing a doctorate in the Philosophy of Consciousness at the University of Birmingham. Some of my other interests include music and film.

Born in Italy. Drawn to the teachings of Krishna Consciousness, I became a monk at the ISKCON Radha Krishna Temple in Central London, Soho Street, in 1987. I studied religion and philosophy at SOAS university, and I currently conduct research in Western philosophy and Vedanta.

Krishna West London

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