Apr 15 2025 31 mins
Do you live in anger and fear? Would you like to hear a story of healing? Today Lisa talks with renunciate monk and author Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati. Sadhvi has lived on the banks sacred Ganges River in Rishikesh, India, for the past 30 years. Originally from Los Angeles, and a graduate of Stanford University, she holds a Ph.D. in psychology. Seemingly having it all, she realized at the young age of 25, that she was not happy. Although she was married and excelled academically, she felt restless and was always wanting more. She had overcome childhood traumas, abuse, a severe eating disorder, and depression. She knew there must be another way.
Upon arriving in India, she had an unexpected and profound spiritual experience. She only went to India because her husband wanted to go. She left with only a backpack, thinking this would be a semester break. Suddenly, while standing on the banks of the Ganges River, she was overwhelmed with ecstasy. Several days later she randomly walked past a beautiful, clean ashram. It felt like an oasis to her. She was walking through it and heard a voice say, “You must stay here.” She didn’t see anyone, and she was a scientist, so of course she ignored it. One minute later, she heard the voice again, and still didn’t see anyone.
She was just about to ignore it again, when she remembered she made a promise to herself while on the flight to India. She asked herself to “keep her heart open.” The fact she was in India made no sense to her. She was not religious, and she was not spiritual, yet she always believed there would be a plan. This felt perfect and she knew this must somehow be aligned.
Sadvhi further shares her story about realizing that things were planned. Being a scientist, she does not believe in random events. Although she still believes in science, she was open to possibilities. She knew that if she didn’t want to stay in India, it would be very easy for her to return to the US. She ended up staying at the ashram and working with the spiritual teacher there. The ashram is dedicated to self-realization and awakening for all. The devotees there believe in the betterment of all and help to provide food for the hungry, empower women, and offer free medical care, as well as a spiritual path for anyone who is interested. They have yoga programs, philosophy programs, sacred ceremonies, all taught by example from the guru there. They focus on love and compassion for all.
Sadhvi is a bestselling author, a world-renowned speaker, a recipient of President Biden’s Award for a Lifetime of Service, and she serves on the United Nations Advisory Council on religion. Sadhvi’s latest book is “Come Home to Yourself.” This book is the edited version of the Q&A sessions that she teaches each night in the ashram. She is a vessel for wisdom to pour through her. She feels that the gift she was given was to come home to the truth. She wants to offer these powerful teachings as a way for each person to find the truth within themselves. We all have the answers within. We may just need to be reminded that we can end our suffering by coming home to ourselves. We don’t need to constantly be taught; we just need to be guided back into ourselves to find the truth. Info: www.sadhviji.org