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

Fred is a seasoned hotel industry professional with a background and experience in all aspects of the business. A charismatic leader with over 30 years of results and relationships built from progressive leadership roles in the hospitality industry, active academic and community board memberships.

He has held senior portfolios with Fairmont Hotels and Resorts which have included managing hotels from as small as 185 rooms to the largest hotel (1430 rooms) in Canada, Director of Acquisitions and Development, global Director of Training. In his career with Fairmont he was seconded to Avendra as VP and GM, to manage and develop operations in Canada. Avendra is the largest hotel purchasing company in North America. The company was founded jointly by Marriott Hotels and Resorts, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, Intercontinental Hotels and Club Corp. Under Fred’s management, a number of hotel/contract food service operations were added to Avendra Canada’s structure including HMS Host, Accor Hotels, Four Seasons, Centennial Hotels, and Silver Seas Cruise Lines etc.

Fred was promoted by Fairmont Raffles Hotels International to Vice President of Procurement worldwide. He set up a procurement/purchasing structure for Fairmont, Raffles and Swissotel in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Fred is a graduate of Ryerson University (Toronto, Canada) with a B.Comm and BAA in Hospitality and Tourism Management and has undertaken specialised skills development throughout his career at Cornell University (US), University of Guelph (Canada) and the in-house Canadian Pacific Hotels corporate training programmes.

He presently sits on the advisory committee for Ryerson University Hospitality and Tourism Program and is a member of innovation committee for George Brown College’ hospitality management Chef’s school. He is a board member and passed executive on the board of the Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association.

Fred is presently part of a North America hotel advisory group member called G7 Hospitality Inc.

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

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.