Who we are
The Nataraj Foundation is a Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization incorporated in the State of Maine. As a private operating foundation, we conduct charitable and educational programs that support contemplative practices, inner peace, and cultural understanding. Programs are non-credit, intended for educational, cultural, and spiritual enrichment.
Rooted in Maine’s natural beauty: forests, mountains, lakes, rivers, beaches, and ocean, we draw on the landscape as a living teacher, aligning inner stillness with outer service. The name Nataraj evokes the cosmic dance of transformation; our work seeks that same rhythm of wisdom, compassion, and renewal.
Our programs integrate nature-based practice with the living instruction of Swami Gupta, a realized spiritual master. We preserve and present these teachings responsibly for broad public benefit, yielding structured opportunities for self-inquiry, awareness, and mindfulness that support growth toward a more peaceful state.
The Nataraj Foundation operates with nonprofit standards; contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law and support programs that cultivate mindfulness and human flourishing.
Our mission is to strengthen individuals through spiritual development, educational experiences, and cultural exchange.
Initiatives
Programs & Impact
Anchor programming in Swami Gupta’s teachings to foster contemplative self-awareness and steady practice for individuals within the community.
Facilitate meditation and breathwork practice days across Maine’s natural landscapes emphasizing direct meditative experience and integration of spirituality with daily life.
Host public talks, retreats, and small gatherings to deepen local engagement and organize community service.
Online Platform & Digital Archive
Record, edit, and publish Swami Gupta’s talks and Q&As as a permanent, well-indexed library on the Nataraj Foundation website. Social pages and livestreams operated by the Foundation preserve and share teachings as an open-access public educational resource.
Stream live events with clear topics, time-stamped summaries, and intuitive navigation.
Maintain an active media hub that routes to YouTube and Facebook for highlights, playlists, updates, and community messages.
Exchange & Infrastructure
Advance a central-Maine retreat center (meditation hall and supporting facilities) to enable in-person retreats and community gatherings.
Develop a two-way Maine↔India exchange: small-group visits, shared meals, songs/stories, temple and forest walks, community service, and charitable giving.
Foundation FAQs
What does the Foundation do?
We design and support educational initiatives aligned with our exempt purposes which include publishing online resources and facilitating Q&A sessions, retreats, small gatherings, nature walks, and public discourses focused on yoga, prāṇāyāma, meditation, and self-inquiry to deepen a participant’s connection with nature. Most programs are taught or guided by A. P. Mishra (Swami Gupta), a Himalayan mystic and realized spiritual master. We are also building a digital archive of his teachings for future generations and working to establish an outdoor retreat center, meditation hall, and related facilities to support broader community interactions and educational activities in central Maine.
How are funds used?
We steward funds to operate the Nataraj Foundation and advance our mission by fostering programs in spiritual development, educational experience, and cultural exchange. As a Maine-based 501(c)(3) private foundation we do not distribute earnings for private gain. Expenditures support public events, close-knit retreats, and online learning opportunities (e.g., satsangs with Swami Gupta). No earnings inure to any private person. Any compensation for services is reasonable and at fair-market value. We do not accept donations earmarked for any individual; all funds are applied at the Nataraj Foundation’s independent discretion to charitable and educational purposes. If a designated project becomes overfunded or impracticable, the Board may reallocate remaining funds to the closest charitable purpose. If the Nataraj Foundation concludes its work, remaining assets will continue to serve exempt purposes.
Do you offer scholarships or fee assistance?
Limited, needs-based support may be available for retreats and higher-cost events using objective, nondiscriminatory criteria. The Nataraj Foundation also offers free events for participants thanks to the generous donations from our supporters and participants.
Do you have a Conflict of Interest policy?
Yes. Directors and officers are bound by it.
How is the Foundation governed?
Governance is by a Board of Directors that can vary in size from 3 to 30. Officers include President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
What does Nataraj mean?
Nataraj roughly translates to “Lord of the Dance.” It expresses reality as a living rhythm aligned with the cosmic dancer who creates, sustains, conceals, and dissolves the world. This skillful dancer keeps ignorance underfoot to reveal freedom through grace and knowledge. As a classical symbol it holds opposites in equilibrium: motion with stillness, structure with flow, and fierceness with mercy forming a single stance of balanced compassion.
Data & donor privacy?
We do not sell or share personal data. Donation records are kept for receipting, compliance, and audit. See our Privacy Policy.
Are you nonpartisan?
Yes. We do not participate in or intervene in political campaigns, and any educational activity on public issues is insubstantial and compliant with U.S regulations. Our work is rooted in spiritual practice and learning, which transcends partisan divisions. We support discernment and personal responsibility, prioritizing lived insight, ethical conduct, and open discourse over slogans and political dogma.