Advisory Board

As an organization, the Spiritual Heritage Education Network Inc. (SHEN) came into existence on September 15, 2000, as Ontario Corporation Number 1434906. Members of our advisory board serve in an advisory capacity and are not legally responsible for the conduct of its business.

None of our directors receive any remuneration and serve purely for the love of humanity and the planet. Their lives are dedicated to promoting, developing, and delivering education to build bridges across the hearts and minds of diverse humanity.

This listing includes all those who are currently serving on SHEN's advisory board.

Dr Bhuvan Awasthi

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. M Darrol Bryant
Dr. M Darrol Bryant

Distinguished Professor Emeritus and currently Director of the Centre for Dialogue & Spirituality in the World Religions at Renison University College/University of Waterloo, he was educated at Concordia College (BA Philosophy & Political Science), Harvard Divinity School (STB, Theology), and the Institute of Christian Thought, St. Michael’s University College (PhD, Special Religious Studies). He taught at Waterloo Lutheran University (now Wilfrid Laurier) 1967-69 and Renison College, University of Waterloo (1973-2007). He is the author/editor of more than 25 volumes in the study of religion, most recently, the 3rd edition of Religion in a New Key and three volumes of Ways of the Spirit: Celebrating Dialogue, Diversity & Spirituality, Ways of the Spirit: Voices of Women, and Ways of the Spirit: Persons, Communities & Spiritualities.

Ever since his childhood on the plains of Dakota near a Native American reservation, Darrol had been keen to know more about his own Christian faith and the faiths of others. That passion has continued and deepened through his studies and through many opportunities to meet people of different faiths in their own settings -- e.g., in ashrams, temples, masjids and gurdwaras in India, in Buddhist monasteries in Korea, Sri Lanka and Japan, and in masjids in Egypt and Turkey. His hope is that SHEN can become a resource and a place of dialogue about the wisdom essential to a life of spiritual depth.

Diya Chowdhury

Diya Chowdhury is a third year PhD Candidate from Bangladesh at the School of Public Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo, Canada. After completing her undergraduate degree in Health Studies, she fast-tracked to a Ph D in the field of Gerontology and Geriatric Healthcare. She works with marginalized populations with a specific focus on social and health equity. Diya is driven by her passion to explore ways through which humans can achieve their fullest and truest potentials, while also living a life that provides meaning for her and others. Diya’s interests also lie in looking at the bigger picture in life and seeking out the path of both science and art to answer such questions.

Christine Grauer

A mother, an editor, a writer, a speaker, a life coach, a yogi, a runner, an avid reader, a home renovator, and a corporate nine-to-fiver, Christine's life purpose is to be an inspiring agent of deliberate change to contribute to a world where love and peace prevail and where people consistently act with love and compassion, regardless of external conditions. She achieves this through her mission of helping people awaken and master their inherent power so each can reach their greatest potential and live with resilience, happiness and love. Christine completed her Master of Science degree in Human Biology and Nutritional Science and a post-graduate Certificate in Adult Learning from the University of Guelph. She has spent her entire career in health sciences and adult education and training. She's been an avid spiritual seeker for the past 20 years and continues to be a fervent student of life. She completed Reiki Certification, Energy Codes training in Bioenergetic Medicine, Breathing for Better Health and Wellness training, and an intensive Spiritual Life Coach Certification program. Through extreme life challenges and her self-discovery and training, Christine has realized the essence of her Being. Regardless of external conditions, she walks her talk and lives each day with joy, vitality, unconditional happiness and love, and she is an unstoppable force in helping others to experience the same in their lives.
http://www.christineg.ca

Garima Kapoor


Garima is the Executive Assistant and Special Policy Advisor to the Assistant Deputy Minister of Income Security and Pension Policy at the Ministry of Finance. Her main interests are in understanding how various sectors of society (government, civil society and private industry, for example) can work together to improve the well-being of populations worldwide. She holds a Masters of Public Health from the University of Toronto, and is also an avid reader, dancer, and foodie.

Dr. Atif Khalil

Atif Khalil is an Associate Professor at the University of Lethbridge's Department of Religious Studies where he teaches courses on Islamic theology, mysticism, art and world religions. His main area of research lies in Sufi thought, with secondary interests in comparative mysticism, inter-religious relations and virtue ethics. His articles have appeared in Studies in Religion, the Journal of Islam & Christian-Muslim Relations, Sacred Web, the Oxford Journal of Islamic Studies, Philosophy East and West, and The Muslim World. He is also the author of the recently released Repentance and the Return to God: Tawba in Early Sufism (SUNY, 2018). 

Dr. Sami Rafiq

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/.

Dr. Sharon McCleave

Sharon received her undergraduate degree in osteopathic medicine in London, England.  She holds master's degrees in adult education, community music, and a PhD in sociology with a special interest in the social determinants of health.  After working in clinical practice for a number of years, she entered the postsecondary education system to teach  undergraduate anatomy, physiology, pathology, lifespan development, social inclusion, and mental health.  Sharon is a classically trained musician, and a multi-instrumentalist.  As a community music facilitator, she is passionate about combining models of health education, music engagement, and contemplative practice  for mental, physical, and spiritual wellbeing.