BAPS Better Living

This episode of Dharmic Life on the BAPS Better Living podcast explores Dr. Tony Nader’s book The Power of Caring and why modern society, especially younger generations, faces loneliness, isolation, and numbness through distractions.  Joined by co-hosts Kashyap and Dhawal, the discussion engages Dr. Nader, a Harvard and MIT-trained neuroscientist, medical doctor, and leader of the Transcendental M...

In this episode of the BAPS Better Living: Inspired Series , we speak with Bawa Jain, Secretary General of the World Council of Religious Leaders, about his journey from a business family in India to deep involvement at the United Nations after his guru, Acharya Sushil Kumarji Maharaj, instructed him to stay in the U.S. and work with the UN.  Jain recounts building networks within the UN, chairing...

Life rarely unfolds exactly the way we planned. Careers shift. Relationships change. Expectations break. And sometimes, the hardest part is not what happened… but letting go of what we thought life was “supposed” to look like.  In this episode of Dharmic Life , we experience a discussion between Palak Shah and Rakhee Patel as they share personal reflections on navigating the unexpected turns life...

What does it mean to live creatively while staying grounded in purpose and spirituality? In the latest episode of BAPS Better Living – Inspired Series , we sit down with artist and UX/UI designer Jaykishan Patel for a thoughtful conversation about creativity, career, identity, and the values that shape the paths that we choose.  From sketching the Atlanta Mandir as it was being built during his ch...

In this episode of the Dharmic Life Podcast on BAPS Better Living, host Dhawal, Dr. Kashyap, and Rashmi discuss what organized religion really means and why it is essential for spiritual progress.  The talk delves into concerns that people have about organized religion, especially when relating to losing their individuality, falling into blind rituals, and the real scandals and hypocrisy that ofte...

What does leadership look like when it’s rooted in service? In the latest episode of the BAPS Better Living – Inspired Series , we speak with Dr. Angelina Mehta - a Gunnery Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Reserve and a Naturopathic Doctor who leads with both discipline and compassion.  Angelina’s journey spans two worlds that rarely intersect: the rigor of military service and the healing work of medi...

In this episode of BAPS Better Living Dharmic Life , we explore what it means to be spiritual amidst practices like yoga, meditation, retreats, mindfulness, and decluttering.  Feeling spiritual is different than being spiritual. Often, we see social media performances where liking posts, sharing quotes, and other outward “spiritual” aesthetics replace real action and consistent inner work.  But tr...

Amar Chollera is an entrepreneur and global business operator whose life spans multiple continents - from growing up in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to studying at UCLA and building a career across the U.S., UAE, and East Africa.  Through major life transitions - including the loss of a family member, stepping into greater family responsibility, navigating newly married life, and facing the uncertaint...

In Part 2 of Windows into Wisdom, Pujya Bhaktivardhandas Swami takes us deeper into a transformative insight - The self can be discovered through association with God.   Rather than constructing identity from the outside in, spiritual wisdom teaches that one’s identity is revealed through relationship - devotion, nearness, and alignment with the Divine.   Who we associate with shapes who we become...

In this episode of Windows into Wisdom , we sit down with Pujya Bhaktivardhandas Swami to explore a powerful spiritual question: are we truly the identities we have built around ourselves?   We often define ourselves by our career, roles, relationships, achievements, personality, opinions, or even our struggles. But these identities shift. They evolve. Sometimes they disappear.  If our profession...

In this episode BAPS Better Living: Inspired , we sit down with Dr. Hemali Patel - neurologist, educator, mother, and children’s book author - whose journey is rooted in resilience, representation, and spiritual grounding.  Hemali shares how she navigated the demanding years of medical training while staying connected to her satsang values, drawing strength and perspective through long hours, unce...

What does it mean to live your values with confidence in a constantly changing world?  In this episode of Dharmic Life by BAPS Better Living, Palak and Akshara share heartfelt reflections on how faith, family, and community shape not only what we believe - but who we become.  From childhood experiences of trying to fit in to watching their children embrace their Hindu American identity with pride,...

In this episode, we sit down with Roma Patel , Digital Risk & AI Lawyer, to explore how humility and self-awareness can help shape authentic leadership. Roma shares how humility isn’t about shrinking yourself - it’s about staying centered, clear, and aligned with your values, especially in competitive spaces like corporate law.  Drawing inspiration from her spiritual guide, Roma reflects on ho...

In this episode of Dharmic Life by BAPS Better Living , we explore a question many people quietly wrestle with: What do you do when you have achieved all the material success you had aimed for, yet still feel unfulfilled?  Join our hosts as they reflect on why achievements, comfort, and recognition alone are not enough to sustain lasting happiness. The conversation dives into the role spirituality...

In this episode of Inspired on the BAPS Better Living, Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt sits down with Darshan Patel - public servant, entrepreneur, and lifelong learner - for a thoughtful conversation on purpose, service, and intentional living. Darshan reflects how faith, family, and a commitment to serving others have shaped his journey through government leadership and entrepreneurship, helping him stay g...

In this thoughtful episode of The Dharmic Life Podcast, Palak and Akshara unpack a timely theme: our environment - what we eat, what we watch, and whom we spend time with - silently shapes who we become. Starting with a relatable story about kids and morning routines, they discuss the power of mindful consumption: how swapping junk for wholesome food (and curated, uplifting media) helps steady our...

In this episode of the Dharmic Life series by BAPS Better Living, co-host Dhawal sits down with Dr. Deven Patel to explore the transformative power of second chances - how forgiveness, gratitude, and spiritual wisdom can help us heal, grow, and rebuild trust in ourselves and others.  Through thoughtful conversation and personal reflections, they uncover how spirituality offers a deeper lens for un...

In this episode of Inspired on the BAPS Better Living Podcast , we sit down with Ria Soni - physician, social entrepreneur, and advocate for women’s health - to explore what it truly means to live a life of service in medicine and beyond.  From her early years growing up in the BAPS satsang community to her work in hospitals and rural villages, Ria’s journey is a testament to how values of seva (s...

In this episode of Windows Into Wisdom , Pujya Chaitanyamurtidas Swami explores a powerful shift in perspective - from striving for “balance” to embracing mastery of life’s deeper rhythms.  Why chase equilibrium when you can rise above it? Swamiji invites us to transcend the conventional idea of balancing work and peace - and instead cultivate a wholehearted, embodied mastery of every moment. Draw...

In this episode of Windows into Wisdom , Pujya Yogananddas Swami explores the essence of Karma Yoga - the art of living a life free from stress and frustration.   Can peace truly coexist with productivity? Can action be effortless yet meaningful? Drawing from timeless spiritual wisdom, Swamiji reveals how selfless service and inner clarity transform daily work into a path toward peace and fulfillm...

In this episode of Windows into Wisdom, Pujya Gnanvatsaldas Swami invites us to look within and rediscover the power of purposeful living. Through insightful reflections shared at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in San Jose, California, Swamiji challenges us to rethink our habits, redesign our mindset, and rebuild our lives with clarity and intention. His message inspires us to pursue not just s...

In this episode of the Inspired Series on the BAPS Better Living Podcast, we sit down with Biren Gandhi  - entrepreneur, author, and technologist - to explore how timeless traditions can serve as modern technologies for resilience and balance.  After a successful career in corporate America, Biren took the leap into entrepreneurship, building a startup in the fast-changing world of AI. Along the w...

In this episode of the Inspired Series on the BAPS Better Living Podcast, we sit down with Rina Jariwala, Chief Operating Officer of Fundbox, to explore what it means to lead with grit and purpose. With over 25 years of corporate experience, Rina shares how resilience, unity, and compassion have guided her leadership journey and continue to shape the way she empowers others. Now pursuing a master’...

Technology may add speed to your life, but values add direction.” In this inspiring talk, Pujya Brahmaviharidas Swami shares how to lead a purposeful, value-driven life in today’s fast-paced tech world. Blending spiritual wisdom with real-world relevance, he explains how virtues like humility, gratitude, and mindfulness can elevate not just your work, but your entire way of living, turning success...

In this episode of the Dharmic Life series on the BAPS Better Living Podcast, co-hosts Dhawal and Yogesh dive into the complex topic of anxiety—how it manifests in our everyday lives and how we can navigate it through a spiritual lens.  Drawing from personal experiences and heartfelt reflections, they explore how the fast pace of modern life, constant news, and social media contribute to rising so...