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 studiescognitive 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. 

Santwana is based in Basel, Switzerland and has lived in Africa, India and U.K before arriving in Switzerland; her life split between three counties and six cities. She speaks four languages. On a scholarship from India and the UK, she completed a Ph.D. at the Univerisity of Cambridge and a diploma in Business Management from London Business School. She published a paper from her PhD work that shed the first light on the working of tau protein, a major player in Alzheimer’s disease. Having worked in the Pharma industry at three of the top five global companies, she has extensive experience in diverse therapy areas, specializing in Neurosciences. About 15 years ago, she started her first novel and has published short stories and articles, and is working on her third novel. Her first novel is in the process of being published. She lives in Basel and also has a bachelor's degree in Hindustani Vocal music.

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. 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.

Faculty Testimonials

 

Dr. Bhuvan Awasthi

What a wonderful talk by Dr Bhuvan, such simplicity and ease

S, Europe

Dr Bhuvan, you explained the neuroscience of consciousness and spirituality in such simple terms. So grateful for your time. I learnt so much from you.

W, North America

Dr. Pradeep Kumar (Jivasu), MD

Jivasu combines science and wisdom, leading to self-knowledge and acceptance of who we are.

Liz Tudoreanu

Jivasu’s gentle and wise teachings explore life from Relationships to Self-Knowledge to End of Life.

Janet Glancy

Jivasu is a born teacher. He combines spirituality and neuroscience with passion, clarity, and humility.

Sheila Cress

Dr. Shiv Talwar

On Dr Talwar’s book entitled Global Action in Education: Contemplative Learning of Unity in Diversity

Global Action in Education

In his remarkable and comprehensive book envisioning the future of education, Dr. Shiv Talwar analyses contemporary education systems, showing how they lead to dissatisfaction within, strife in the world, and destruction of nature. Like an expert doctor of the human condition, he points out clearly how to cure the illness.

The cure from him is not a theoretical construct but a potent mixture of practice, philosophy, and science. Instead of following a reductionist model, he suggests seamlessly combining the domains of natural sciences, life sciences, social sciences, holistic sciences, and ancient contemplative wisdom. Such a union will initiate unity in diversity, wholesome growth in a person, and harmony among people and all living beings.

Jivasu MD, founder of Somatofulness Teachings

Thank you, Dr. Talwar, you have taught us “well.” You have given us a road-map and an action plan. Now it’s up to us to apply it and follow it. This “Good News” needs to be spread and practiced far and wide.

Yanni Maniates, MS, author, mentor, and Board chair of UNITY EARTH

This book captures the dynamic nature of evolution and transformation happening in the universe as well in our physical existence. This inspirational knowledge is very valuable for all educators participating in the movement of transforming global education.

Jagdish Kohli, PhD, author of Leaders Transform Education by Reflective Learning

Dr. Talwar brings extraordinary — if not unique — strengths to the development of this proposal. His thought is solidly grounded in the ancient Vedic wisdom of his native India. His keen sense of the need to overcome the “us versus them” thinking that pervades our world comes from having been a witness to the terrible communal violence that accompanied the partition of India in 1947. Trained as an engineer, he also brings to his work a scientific cast of mind and a profound curiosity about the relationship between science and spirituality. Years of study of religious and spiritual traditions outside the one he grew up with have broadened his perspective and deepened his conviction that all of these traditions share a common core truth.

Bob Chodos, Temple Shalom, Waterloo, ON

On Dr Talwar’s book entitled The Common Ground: A Unified Basis of Existence

The Common Ground

Shiv Talwar has written a remarkable book. It is entitled The Common Ground and “it envisions integrating humanity into a planetary family through meaningful education on the common ground of existence.” No small task. Talwar cites the UN Declaration on Human Rights that affirms that everyone has a right to education and that education should be free. But the education that Talwar envisions is rooted in the great wisdom traditions of humankind. So, you are in for an education that “expands consciousness … beyond the traditions we are born into.” It is about that “infinite and infinitesimal … spirit/energy … underlying existence”; it is a metaphysical journey.

Dr. M. Darrol Bryant, Centre for Dialogue and Spirituality in the World Religions, Renison University College, University of Waterloo

Dr. Shiv D. Talwar has gifted us with a lucid, brilliant, most profound book. The work is majestic, startling and literally revolutionary, opening the possibility of the next stages of an expansion of human consciousness through education.

The Absolute Splendour, the Common Ground, has been incarnated in human form, without our realizing who one is. ”The kingdom of God is within you,” said Jesus — Vedic tat tvan asi or That you are, or You’re it. This message, this education, will change the direction of planetary freedom, peace, prosperity and happiness.

Dr. Orest Bedrij, author of The Greatest Achievement: Miracle after Miracle the Easy Way

This book offers an education in and of itself - a deep read with wonderful explanations of our unified existence and the need to educate for "total fulfillment of the student". Dr. Shiv Talwar shares his vast knowledge and passion to teach and helps shine the light outside the walls of our conditioned boxes - helps break down those walls by pointing out how we are all connected and how, through education, we move toward harmonious living on this planet. Excellent!

John West, Lake Havasu Citym AZ

It is a gem of a book and one which brings people of different faiths together in the cause of a peaceful and harmonious world. This book has very powerfully brought out Dr Shiv Talwar's energy, commitment and enthusiasm towards spiritual education which have been addressed in his conferences in Kitchener in Canada in the last decade. It is books like these that can draw one out of the existentialist despair of our troubled times.

Dr Sami Rafiq, Professor of English, Ali Garh Muslim University, India

Shiv Talwarhas written a masterpiece on the unity of science & spirituality.

Books For Peace – International Awards 2020