ISKCON Norge (Norway)
"ISKCON Norge" (International Society for Krishna Consciousness in Norway) is a religious organization (Trossamfunn), with its main center in Oslo and two further centers one in Bergen and one in Stavanger. ISKCON Norge Trossamfunn was established in 2008 and is part of the global International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Our main center in Norway is located in central Oslo which is not only the capital and the largest city of Norway but also its economic, geographical, cultural, scientific, political and administrative center. All three cities have universities with national and international students and host multiple cultural events.
ISKCON Norge has more than 1500 passive members and abound 100 active members which are regularly participating at our activities. Our members are of all age groups and have different ethnic background such as Indian, Croatian, Bulgaria, Russian and of course Norwegian. Together we are developing a caring community where inclusion, solidarity, spirituality and education are in focus. And together we organize activities which are open for everyone. We promote equity and inclusion by inviting individuals with fewer opportunities, migrants, different social subcultural groups, persons with special needs, minorities and foreign students to our activities. Thus, hundreds of guests and interested people visit us every year.
We place high value on youth and adult education. We believe it is one of the most important investments and it is critical to reducing economic and spiritual poverty and inequality.
The fundamental mission of our organization is to connect the wisdom of the ancient Indian philosophy with people in a way that this wisdom will bridge the gap between different sciences and arts and unite them in practical knowledge in all areas for the well-being of an individual. In this way our centers become places with the purpose of sharing values and helping people to live a healthy and meaningful life based on the ancient wisdom of India.
In our rented facilities in Oslo, Bergen and Stavanger multiple activities take place including yoga and meditation classes, festivals, vegetarian cooking classes, teaching of Vedic philosophy as well as healthy life-style or personal development. These courses and activities help participants to find balance and harmony in their lives, tolerance and solidarity towards others, as well as acting with care, love and compassion. Qualities which are essential both for one’s own inner peace and harmony as well as for peace in the world.
Activities and experience of the organization
ISKCON Norge is working in the fields of healthy lifestyle, personal development, inclusion and solidarity, values and wisdom of the East. We offer youth and people in general free learning experiences to help them in their personal lives and give them practical tools to apply in their daily lives. Over the years we have helped hundreds of people to give up drugs, overcome depression, give up suicidal thoughts and find respectable ways of life. We started one of the first vegetarian restaurants in Norway ‘Krishna’s Cuisine’ which is very popular, and which gives people a delicious vegetarian, healthy and climate friendly alternative.
Two years ago, we started a youth group where 5-10 youths meet regularly with their mentor Sanatani Cecilie Herrem Kiran. At these gatherings we are discussing topics according to their interest, focus on friendship and cooperation activities, have meditation and yoga sessions, give them responsibilities both for the community and their personal lives, and have a lot of fun together. We also had international exchanges where they gained intercultural competences and a positive understanding of being a European citizen. As soon as the pandemic situation has improved, we would like to meet physically more often again, because we can see that these meetings are important for our youth, for their well-being and for their personal development. Right now our meetings are on-line.
The youth of course also participate at our regular gatherings such as:
Sunday open-day programs which are open for everyone. At these popular programs which have been going on since the foundation of ISKCON Norge, we give free-of-cost presentations on a specific topic on Vedic philosophy and values, we have lively discussions afterwards, serve a free vegetarian feast, have meditation music and perform a vedic ceremony.
Every Wednesday evening, we have gatherings where we connect internationally with a group in Berlin and with international speakers. At these popular events we take turns in giving presentations. This helps participants to speak and express themselves in front of a group, develop self-confidence and self-esteem.
Our Women-empowerment group meets every second week. There we have both heart-to-heart discussions or do practical workshops, cooking, singing and have fun.
Another very successful activity is our online Vedic Kahoot Quiz. One of our members puts up weekly questions on a certain topic related to wisdom, values and philosophy.
Above these regular programs we also celebrate our traditional yearly ‘Scandinama’ at Norway’s National Day on 17th May. The ‘Scandinama’ has been going on since 2012 and has become a popular gathering not only for our members and the people here in Norway but also for friends from other parts of Scandinavia and Europe. It is a three-day festival and we invite national and international speakers to give seminars and workshops on different topics. In the evenings we arrange for meditation, music or dance, and we serve delicious vegetarian food to all members and guests. These programs have been very successful in bringing youth and other members together, since they plan and discuss the event together, work together, take care for the visitors and much more. It has shown to be a helpful way for the youth to take up responsibility, develop different competences and learn a lot of practical skills, too.
On top of that, we also promote intercultural experiences by offering inner-soul oriented trips and holidays to travelling destinations around Europe and Asia, mainly India.
Due to the pandemic all of our programs have been online for the last year, and our Scandinama event and trips unfortunately had to be cancelled last year.
Sanatani Cecilie Herrem Kiran
President of ISKCON Oslo
Sanatani Cecilie Herrem Kiran is the president of ISKCON Oslo. She finished her Bachelor of Education in 2006, and has since then been working as a teacher. She has many years of experience in schools with children, youth and adults. Furthermore, she is a successful mindset coach guiding people in their personal development. She has also been studying in India to become a teacher of Vedic philosophy. Furthermore, Sanatani has many practical skills and has been organizing big events like ‘Scandinama’ for ISKCON Oslo.