Reverend Bruce Shankar Fern IYM
Interfaith Spiritual Ministry & Counseling Services
About Reverend Bruce Shankar
The Minister
Reverend Bruce Shankar Fern is one of approximately 40 select ordained Integral Yoga Interfaith Ministers in the world.
The goal of Integral Yoga is to enable people of all faiths to realize the spiritual unity behind the diversity in creation and to live harmoniously as members of one universal family. This goal is achieved by maintaining a:
• Body of optimum health and strength;
• Mind well disciplined, clear, and calm;
• Heart full of unconditional love and compassion;
• Ego as pure as crystal;
• Life filled with Supreme Peace and Joy
Reverend Bruce Shankar is in the lineage of great spiritual teachers including Swami Satchidananda, Master Sivananda and Yogananda Paramahansa
The Humanistic Coaching and Spiritual Counselor
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Trained in Humanistic and Existential Counseling
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Studied with Dr. Doug Arbuckle, a leader in existential and humanistic counseling
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Psychotherapist; Boston VA Day Treatment Center
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Intake Specialist; ACCEPT Alcoholism Treatment Center
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Social Work Specialist: The Floating Hospital
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Counselor for first offender criminal youths in NYC Courts
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Introduced yoga as a therapeutic tool at Boston VA
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Specializes in Mindfulness-Based Coaching and integrating spirituality into coaching
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BA, Psychology from NYU and M.Ed.,Counselling from BU
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Published author and certified Yoga Teacher providing instruction in meditation and spirituality
In the business world, Bruce has been a VP, EVP, and President in financial services, technology, manufacturing, and management consulting, working both domestically and internationally, and is currently the President of Change-Ready Solutions which focuses on diversity, inclusion and innovation.
Chaplain, Putnam County SPCA
Reverend Fern is the Chaplain for the NY Putnam County SPCA. Our responsibilities include enforcing animal cruelty laws, housing animals we seize from unfit living conditions, providing essential medical care, and educating the community on how to treat animals humanely.
We investigate cases of suspected animal cruelty and, because our officers have “police powers,” we also address any existing links between animal cruelty and child abuse, elder abuse, domestic violence, and human suffering of all kinds.
Because we are given law enforcement powers by the State of New York, our officers put themselves in harm’s way each and every day conducting criminal investigations, making arrests, and working closely with other law enforcement agencies to keep our neighborhoods safe.
Reverend Fern provides chaplain services to the agency overall and especially to law enforcement officers who go through traumatic experiences and need counseling. His work with the Putnam SPCA is an extension of his dedication to supporting the physical, emotional and spiritual well being of animals and those who protect them.
I am honored to have received a senatorial award and congressional award in 2019 for my work with the Putnam SPCA (see the awards on the right)
Summary of Credentials
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Ordained Minister
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Chaplain, NY Putnam County SPCA
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BA in Psychology and Leadership from New York University
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M.Ed. in Humanistic and Existential Counseling from Boston University
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Certified in Change Management and Managing Interpersonal Relationships
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Certified Yoga instructor providing instruction in meditation and spirituality since the 80’s
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Board member, New York Integral Yoga Institute
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Published author and keynote speaker
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President, Change-Ready Solutions; past executive at MHT/Chase Bank, IBM, New York Life
"When the mind is calm, how quickly, how smoothly, how beautifully you will perceive everything."