For most of us, a good education, financial prosperity and a happy marriage are the keys to a successful life, but Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati had all of that and left to become a nun in the Himalayas. In this astonishing, inspiring and funny talk, Sadhvi shares the story of growing up in Hollywood, graduating from Stanford then having a spiritual awakening on the Ganges River while on a backpacking trip to India. She provides the powerful insights and simple lessons that have transformed her life from pieces to peace. A talk to share!

Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, PhD is originally from Hollywood, California. At the age of twentyfive, after graduating from Stanford and in the midst of getting her PhD, she traveled to India with a backpack, on a short adventure. The unexpected spiritual awakening she had on the banks of the Ganges river transformed her life. She has lived in Rishikesh, India for the past 20 years and is a renowned spiritual leader, speaker, writer and social activist. She is the President of Divine Shakti Foundation, SecretaryGeneral of the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance and Director of the annual International Yoga Festival at Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh, India.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx