Join the Hudson Valley Psychedelic Society, Forest Haven, and The N.E.S.T. for a monthly community gathering on the last Thursday of most months.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The month of March is one week earlier.
This event is designed to foster open dialogue, share experiences & build community support with the fascinating world of psychedelics.
This month, join us to receive a super sacred guest speaker to our N.E.S.T: Archarya Jonas Masseti who will be speaking about how Vedanta Can Help Overcome the Traps of Medicine Practices and sharing Vedanta Teachings & Sacred Healing Chants.
About Special Guest:
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.
This is a free event. Donations are welcome.
Please bring a healthy snack to share.