441. Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati

Sadhviji was raised in an American family in Hollywood, California and graduated from Stanford University. She was completing her Ph.D. when she left America in 1996 to come and live permanently at Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh, India. She has been living there for the last twenty-one years, engaged in spiritual practice and dedicated service.She was officially initiated into the order of Sanyas (monastic renunciation) in the year 2000, by her Guru, His Holiness Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji. Sadhviji is a renowned speaker who gives keynote addresses at large forums, on a wide variety of topics ranging from conscious business to science and spirituality to sustainable development to the keys of happiness and peace in life to all aspects of yoga. She has also been a featured speaker at the United Nations, Parliament of World Religions and many international conferences and summits. Her talks blend the knowledge and logic of the West with the insights, spirituality and wisdom of the East, and she is renowned as a spiritual bridge between the two cultures. At Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh, where Sadhviji lives most of the year, she gives daily spiritual discourses and satsang, teaches meditation, provides counseling and oversees myriad charitable and humanitarian projects and activities. Sadhviji is: Secretary-General of the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance, an international interfaithorganization dedicated to bringing clean water, sanitation & hygiene to the children of theworld. President of Divine Shakti Foundation, a foundation dedicated to bringing education and empowerment to women and children which runs free schools, vocational training programs and empowerment programs. Director of the annual world-famous International Yoga Festival at Parmarth which has been covered in Time Magazine, CNN, New York Times, Le Monde and other prestigious publications. Sadhviji has a Ph.D in Psychology and was the Managing Editor for the monumental project of the 11-volume Encyclopedia of Hinduism. Websites: Sadhviji.org (personal site) Sadhviji's TED talk @SadhviBhagawatiSaraswati (Sadhviji's Facebook page with announcements of events, videos, etc.) @ParmarthNiketan (Parmarth's Facebook page where they stream Sadhviji's satsangs live daily when she is in town.) Youtube channel with all of the videos of Sadhviji's lectures (and also a lot of other good stuff... Book: Vegetarianism: For Our Bodies, Our Minds, Our Souls & Our Planet Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded February 6, 2018. Second BatGap interview with Sadhvi. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:22 - A Trip to India for Vegetarian Food 00:08:12 - A Shift in Beliefs  00:12:17 - A Swinging Footbridge and a Vision of Truth 00:16:37 - A Profound Spiritual Awakening on the Banks of the Ganga River 00:20:51 - A Call to Stay in the Ashram 00:24:49 - The Inner Voice and Following Your Vow 00:28:26 - Seeking Permission to Stay at the Ashram 00:32:11 - The Phantom Higher Authority 00:36:18 - The Presence of Divinity 00:40:39 - A Mysterious Phenomenon 00:44:42 - A Confusing Journey in the Ashram 00:48:57 - The Importance of the Guru-Disciple Relationship 00:53:07 - Ego Development and Self-Identification 00:57:39 - The Ego's Desire for Spiritual Superiority 01:01:49 - The Role of a Guru and Discernment in Choosing a Genuine Guru 01:05:44 - The Nature of Guru's Offerings 01:09:47 - How to Identify a Genuine Guru 01:13:44 - Feeling the Presence of the Guru 01:17:42 - The Power of a Guru's Presence  01:21:24 - Providing Medical Care and Sanitation in India 01:25:23 - Service as Spiritual Practice 01:29:29 - Seva: Serving Your Way to Enlightenment 01:33:15 - The Importance of Sadhana in Spiritual Practice