Board of Directors

Dr Bhuvan Awasthi is a cognitive neuroscientist, with research expertise in the science of human consciousness, emotions and decision making. Dr Bhuvan has degrees in consciousness studies, cognitive science and life sciences from Australian and Indian institutions, as well as yogic and spiritual training from the contemplative traditions of India. In recent years, he has worked across North America (USA, Canada), South America (Uruguay), Europe (UK, Denmark, Russia), Asia (China, India) and Australia with various organisations. 

Over the last two decades, he has been applying cognitive, behavioural and neuroscience research for evidence-informed practices in spirituality and mind-body interventions. His research on meditation, consciousness, cognition, emotion and well-being has been disseminated via international peer-reviewed outlets (journals, conferences), workshops and public talks. 

Dr Bhuvan is based in Ottawa, currently working as a Senior Behavioural Scientist with the Canadian Federal Government. 

Dr. Sanjeev Bedi is Professor of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering at the University of Waterloo for the past 28 years. At University of Waterloo he was a key player in the design and implementation of the Mechatronics Engineering program. Since its inception in 2003, Mechatronics program has evolved into a premier program of the Faculty of Engineering. In addition, Prof. Bedi has authored many research articles and supervised graduate students, many of whom are leading their own initiatives in different universities and companies all over the world. Prof. Bedi has been involved with SHEN from the very onset and is proud of its goals and achievements.

Dr. Sami Rafiq is a professor of English at Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India. She is a translator, writer, poet and novelist who celebrates human values. Sami Rafiq had her education from St. Mary's Convent Naini Tal and Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya, Gwalior. Her undergraduate and graduate studies are from Aligarh Muslim University in India.She is the founding editor of Cloverleaf: Journal of Education in Evolvement and All Encompassing Spirituality, http://cloverleaf.spiritualeducation.org/.

Jivasu is a pediatrician who went on to study integrative mind-body medicine at Harvard Medical School and Acupuncture in Sri Lanka and Canada. Based on his transformation, his work focuses on the bio-psychological architecture of what he calls ‘Soma. The Soma framework explores the scientific basis of healing traumas, living in our somatic self, and attaining complete health and transformation. 

 He has extensively studied the intersections of biomedicine, acupuncture, meditation, and neuroscience. He synthesizes a vast array of insights into an easily digestible, simple, and scientific language that addresses how to accelerate human evolution and growth by harnessing the innate powers of the body and the brain. He has taught yoga, meditation, mind-body medicine, and acupuncture worldwide, including at McMaster University, Canada, and Rishikesh, India.

He is the author of:
Soma: Harnessing the Powers of the Body to Attain Complete Health and Transformation, Soma Parenting- to raise healthy, happy, and successful children in a turbulent world, Soma of- Artificial Intelligence, Love and Relationships, Somatic Personality, Sensuality, Aging and Old Age, Death and Dying and Meditation

Dr. Vijay R. Solanki is a 1976 graduate of dentistry from the University of Toronto. He has been in private practice in Kitchener, Ontario for 22 years. Born to devout Hindu parents in Johannesburg, South Africa, he was sent to India at the age of 11 years to escape the oppressive system of apartheid. Eight years in India formed a basis for his interest in the universal message found in Indian scriptures. Married to Brenda L. Hutton in 1971, the couple have four lovely children...Jay, Raj, Ram and Jyoti.

Spiritual Heritage Education Network (SHEN) comes at a time when the world has shrunk to a truly Global Village. Instant communication and supersonic travel have made the once remote cultures of the world take a closer look at each other and indeed a gradual reappraisal is under way of one's value systems to accommodate the larger global human community. SHEN will help this worthy cause leading to a world full of respect for all life and harmony amongst the 5+ billion humans inhabiting our Planet Earth.

Dr. Solanki is spiritually inspired by the teachings of Brahmarishi Vishwatma Bawra

Dr. Shiv D. Talwar is a founding member of Spiritual Heritage Education Network Inc. He also has served on its Board of Directors as its president since its very inception in year 2000.

Shiv received his undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering from Punjab University in India, Master’s in civil engineering from Lehigh University in Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. from the University of Waterloo in Ontario. During his professional career, he taught at Thapar College of Engineering in Patiala, India and served as the Coordinator of Civil Engineering at Conestoga College in Kitchener, ON, Canada.

Shiv's education in spiritual and ethical direction began informally in India on early morning walks when his parents used to engage him in discussion on such matters. This informal introduction was followed by some excellent formal education in scheduled courses at school. It is still continuing, thanks to his spiritual mentor Late Swami Vishwatma Bawra.

This education continues to enrich his life and shape his values in a significant way. Shiv researches, develops, delivers and promotes education in the wisdom underlying the religious and scientific heritage of humanity to cultivate the spirit of inclusion and love for all existence. Shiv’s work is intended to be used for raising consciousness for the care of each other and that of the planet on which we live.

Sanjiv Talwar is an international senior financial executive with over 25 years of experience in multinational banking institutions in Canada, Europe and Asia. Mr. Talwar focused on the use of advanced quantitative techniques for value generation, integrated risk and capital management as well as e-commerce. In addition to Spiritual Heritage Education Network Inc. (SHEN), Sanjiv currently is on the advisory board for Banyan Investment Group. Dr. Talwar holds a PhD in aerospace engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Sanjiv joined the Board of SHEN in May 2018 after participating in its activities in various capacities over the years. With his background of aerospace engineering, Dr. Talwar is particularly interested in participating in the process of developing education to globalize the human mind on a meaningful, scientific and solid ground.