Thank you for tuning in to Dawn of an Era of Well-Being: The Podcast—now in our third season! 

In this exciting new season we will turn our attention to focus on the world’s religions and observe how religious traditions— and their diverse perspectives— can share an active role in bringing us together with common purpose. Too often in the past, religion has been used as a wedge, pitting us against one another; in the era of “Well-Being” we will see how various spiritual practices can also have the opposite effect of uniting us in harmony. In this fashion, it may well be that the ancient wisdom traditions will be at center of the paradigm shift which ushers in a new era! 

It has been argued, with good evidence, that Hinduism is the oldest ongoing spiritual tradition on this planet. Its distant and nebulous origins can be traced with some authority to the pre-Vedic period of the Indus Valley civilization, which takes it back to before 1750 BCE—though it probably goes back much farther, perhaps into what we consider “prehistoric” times. As the world’s third largest faith with close to one-and-a-half-billion practitioners, Hinduism is a significant force in world affairs both in current events and throughout history— Siddhartha Gautama was believed to have been an observant Hindu prior to assuming the role of The Buddha. 

In order to delve deeper into the fascinating and complex essence of Hinduism, we are honored to have joining us the renowned spiritual leader and motivational speaker, Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji, better known as Sadhviji. Originally from Los Angeles, Sadhviji is a graduate of Stanford University and holds a PhD in psychology. She has lived on the banks of the sacred Ganga river in the lap of the Himalayas for more than twenty-five years, the entire time engaged in spiritual service, wisdom teaching, sacred action, and deep spiritual practice. 

Sadhviji is currently based in Rishikesh, India. She is the author of the bestselling memoir, Hollywood to the Himalayas: A Journey of Healing and Transformation, which recounts the joys and challenges that she faced during her journey to enlightenment, and those who helped her on the way.  Now one of the preeminent female spiritual teachers in the world, Sadhviji serves as the Secretary-General of the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance, an international interfaith organization dedicated to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene; President of Divine Shakti Foundation, a foundation that runs free schools, vocational training programs, and empowerment programs; and Director of the world-famous International Yoga Festival at Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh—which has been covered in prestigious international publications and has been addressed by both the Prime Minister and Vice President of India.