The spiritual leadership of Dr. Shashi-ji Dwarakanath and the commitment of Chinmaya Mission are integral to the Spiritual Life program at Groton School. Dr. Shashi-ji’s care and attention to students help us fulfill an important aspect of our educational mission: inclusion and belonging. Founded in 1883 as an Episcopal school, Groton today brings together people of many spiritual and religious backgrounds to make up our beloved community. We express our Episcopal identity in our Chapel program and by embracing religious pluralism. Weekday all-school Chapel services are central to community life, and our weekend religious life program for boarding students invites the expression of many faiths, including Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, and Roman Catholicism, as well as the Protestant Christian tradition of the Episcopal Church.

Dr. Shashi-ji makes possible the full incorporation of Hindu practice into our Spiritual Life program and brings joyful, attentive guidance to the students who participate in Hindu services. Each week she brings to life the distinct rituals, chant, teachings, and prayers of the tradition. She engages students directly with sacred practices and texts, and draws them into personal reflection and discussion. The students regard Dr. Shashi-ji highly and deeply appreciate her teaching and guidance. Through their teenage years, we see students bring together their personal identities with family customs, cultural traditions, spiritual practice, and ethical teachings. Dr. Shashi-ji helps students be their whole selves and to fully belong while they learn and live on campus. As a Spiritual Life leader at Groton School, Dr. Shashi-ji plays an important role in fostering humane, compassionate, and conscientious students and citizens of the world.

The Rev. Allison Read
Chaplain and Director of Spiritual Life | Groton School
www.groton.org
P.O. Box 991, 282 Farmers Row, Groton, MA 01450