At High on Love Bhakti Festival, we gather in sacred community to celebrate the ancient path of devotional yoga through music, mantra, and meditation.

Our festival is a sanctuary where hearts open, voices unite, and the divine spark within each being is honored and celebrated. We create this sacred container with deep respect for the ancient wisdom traditions we practice, while fostering an inclusive, safe, and transformative space for all souls called to this gathering.
 

Our Sacred Intention

We come together as a spiritual community, united in gratitude for our ever-present connection to the Divine. Whether you are a dedicated practitioner of Bhakti Yoga or simply curious about the path of divine love, our gathering offers a sacred space to explore, participate, or simply witness the profound beauty of devotional practice.

Here, all souls are welcome—regardless of background, experience, age, ability, or spiritual tradition.

Our Shared Commitments

Devotional Presence
We approach this gathering with reverence, mindfulness, and open hearts. We honor the sacred nature of our practices—kirtan, mantra chanting, meditation, and prayer—by bringing our full presence to each moment. We recognize that our individual practice contributes to the collective energy and spiritual experience of the entire community.

Cultural Reverence and Lineage Honoring
We acknowledge with deep gratitude that we walk an ancient path whose origins come from a culture different from many of our ancestral roots. We honor teachers of Indian ancestry and those from other backgrounds who have dedicated their lives to sharing this sacred wisdom. We approach these practices with humility, respect, and cultural sensitivity, recognizing that our knowledge is but a drop in a vast ocean of ancient wisdom, millennia deep.
 

Inclusive Sacred Space
Our festival welcomes all ages, abilities, bodies and spiritual backgrounds. We celebrate the diversity of our community while maintaining the sacred container of devotional practice. Children, elders, and all beings in between are cherished members of our spiritual family. We create programming and interactions that honor our multi-generational community.

Consent and Boundaries in Sacred Space
We honor personal boundaries as sacred. Physical contact, including hugs, hand-holding during practices, or any form of touch, requires clear and enthusiastic consent. We respect each person's comfort level with participation in group practices, understanding that some may prefer to observe rather than actively participate. We maintain appropriate boundaries in all interactions, recognizing that community is built on trust and mutual respect.

Mindful Expression and Communication
We communicate with kindness, compassion, and awareness. We speak truthfully and listen deeply, honoring both silence and sound as sacred. During kirtan, meditation, or in ceremonial spaces, we maintain the integrity of the practice by minimizing distractions and supporting the collective experience. We approach differences with curiosity rather than judgment, recognizing that each soul's spiritual journey is unique.

Sobriety and Clear Consciousness
To maintain the sacred nature of our gathering and ensure the safety of all participants, we maintain a substance-free environment. This includes alcohol, recreational drugs, and any substances that may impair consciousness or judgment. We honor the natural high that comes from devotional practice, sacred sound, and spiritual community.

Sacred Sound and Technology
We honor the power of sacred sound by maintaining appropriate acoustic spaces during musical offerings and meditation. Photography and videography are permitted with clear consent from all subjects. During kirtan, meditation, workshops, or other sacred practices, we ask that personal devices be put away to preserve the sanctity of our shared spiritual experience.

Land Acknowledgement and Environmental Stewardship
We acknowledge that the High on Love Bhakti Festival takes place on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Snuneymuxw People. We offer our deep respect to the original stewards of this land and recognize the long history that lives beneath our feet. May our gathering be one of reverence, gratitude, and continued learning.

In this spirit of reverence, we honor Mother Earth and the community of Gabriola Island by practicing environmental consciousness. We follow Leave No Trace principles, minimize waste, respect the natural surroundings, and treat the Gabriola Commons with reverence and care. We recognize our responsibility to leave the land more beautiful than we found it, honoring both the original stewards and future generations who will walk this sacred ground.

Staff, Artists, and Volunteer Commitments

Those serving in leadership roles carry additional responsibilities as guardians of our sacred space:

- Model the Path: Embody the principles of bhakti through compassionate action, humble service, and devotional presence

- Hold Sacred Space: Maintain the spiritual container through mindful stewardship of all activities and interactions

- Support Community Wellbeing: Prioritize the safety, comfort, and spiritual nourishment of all participants

- Honor the Teachings: Represent the wisdom of these traditions with authenticity, respect, and cultural sensitivity

- Practice Accountability: Take responsibility for actions and their impact on the community

Navigating Challenges with Devotional Heart

In any spiritual community, moments of discomfort, misunderstanding, or triggering may arise. We view these challenges as opportunities for growth and deeper understanding.

When difficulties occur:

- Pause and Breathe: Return to your center through conscious breathing or silent prayer
- Seek Support: Reach out to festival staff, spiritual guides, or trusted community members
- Practice Self-Reflection: Consider what the situation might be teaching you about yourself or your spiritual journey
- Approach with Compassion: Remember that everyone is on their own path of learning and growth
- Honor the Container: Work to resolve conflicts in ways that maintain the sacred space for all

Reporting and Support

Your spiritual safety and wellbeing are paramount to our community. If you experience or witness behavior that compromises the sacred nature of our gathering, please reach out to:

Festival Organizers & Helpers: Kristin and Tanner and support will be identifiable by their High on Love festival logo t-shirts
Email: highonloveteam@gmail.com
Emergency Contact: Tanner Ellingson (co-organizer) 778-700-6776

All concerns will be addressed with discretion, care, and respect for all involved. Our team is committed to maintaining the sanctity of our spiritual container while ensuring everyone's safety and wellbeing.

Our Promise to Each Other

As we gather in the spirit of bhakti—pure love and devotion—we commit to co-creating a space where:

- Every heart feels safe to open
- Every voice is honored, whether in song or silence
- Every soul is welcomed exactly as they are
- The ancient teachings are transmitted with integrity
- Love and unity are our guiding principles
- The Divine presence is felt and celebrated

Closing Blessing

May we know truth. May we know unity. May we know Divine Love.

We are eternally grateful for each soul who joins this sacred gathering. Together, we create a living temple of devotion, a space where the ancient meets the present, where hearts connect across all boundaries, and where the timeless practice of bhakti yoga continues to transform lives and communities.

In the spirit of service, love, and devotion,

The High on Love
Bhakti Festival Team