Devaki joined Ananda Marga and got involved in Prout in 1978. Devaki was the name of the mother of Lord Krśńa, meaning divine expression, a goddess.
From 1982 to the summer of 1984 she joined a team of Girls’ Seva Dal (GSD, formerly known as Girls' Volunteers) with other activist women near Sheridan, Wyoming that included Vistara, Miirabaii, and Pramiila. Their focus was on developing strong individual and collective warrior spirits. That focus was apropos of that region where the US Army-Indian wars of the Little Big Horn and the Nez Perce War took place.
Along with being an active Ananda Marga group holding regular Dharmacakras and classes, much of their service work focused on the High Plains Alliance which opposed the extractive fossil fuel industry’s exploitation in the region and actively supported the indigenous peoples living on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation nearby in Montana. Initially Devaki and her son Cody (a baby at the time) lived with Jitendra and family until she found her own housing.
Devaki was a loving devotee of Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji and a committed and knowledgeable Proutist. Over the years she attended retreats (both regional and sectorial) as much as her personal circumstances allowed. She loved doing childcare at the retreats. She moved to Portland, Oregon in 1989 where she taught at the New Day School. She completed her graduate studies at Portland State University in 1996 and had a long career as a professional therapist specializing in addictions treatment and art therapy.
She retired in 2022 to devote the rest of her time, energy and resources to Baba’s Mission. Over the years she organized many events such as sisters’ retreats. And as is often the case, much of her heartfelt work was not acknowledged and when asked about it, she would just say “It’s Baba!” Many people did see, appreciate and were inspired by her selfless devotion and dedication!
Devaki served on the board of Women Proutists from 2010 to 2017 and she helped create the mission and vision statements and some early publications. Devaki contributed to the Women Proutists Rising Sun newsletter that was published regularly during those years. In the spring of 2016 she attended a gathering of senior Proutists within New York Sector at the Prama Institute near Asheville, North Carolina. That was the first of several meetings that eventually led to the establishment of Prout Alliance as a nonprofit tax-exempt corporation. Devaki was very active in that organization, serving as Chair on the Steering Committee, on the Materials Committee, the Communications Committee, and as Chair of the ad hoc Bylaws and Policy and Procedure Manual Committee. She also started the Prout Alliance Newsletter and served as the editor for the first few years.
Her service to the Prout and Neohumanism Mission was significant and helped establish an organization that will be able to long serve the important work before society.
Devaki and Bhuvanesh enjoyed a close, loving and spiritual relationship for 20 years. They first met through a shared love for jazz (she is a classically trained flautist and considered a career in the arts as a young person, and he is an accomplished drummer). Devaki also did artistic performances and workshops with Prakash during which her artistry, compassion and devotion were evident and beautiful. Devaki enjoyed yoga and meditation, working in the garden, walking in nature, and cooking delicious vegan foods.
She is survived by her spouse, Bhuvanesh, sons Cody and Starbuck, and five grandchildren.
A Devaki Nina Shapiro Scholarship Fund has been set up here.
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