LIVE with The Famous Dr AL and Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati

EPISODE TITLE: From Hollywood to the Himalayas: A Journey of Divine Transformation with Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati

GUEST: Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, PhD

HOST: Dr. Allen Lycka

Introduction

In this deeply moving episode of How to Live a Fantastic Life, Dr. Allen Lycka welcomes Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, a Stanford graduate and Vedic monk who traded Hollywood success for a spiritual life in the Himalayas. For 28 years, she’s lived in Rishikesh, India, overseeing numerous humanitarian initiatives and guiding seekers on their inner journey. Awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by President Biden, Sadhvi shares how a spontaneous trip to India changed everything.

From Stanford to the Sacred Ganges

Sadhvi recounts her early years of external success shadowed by internal suffering, trauma, and dissatisfaction. Though pursuing a PhD in pediatric neuropsychology, she struggled with addiction, depression, and eating disorders. A spontaneous journey to India and a moment on the banks of the sacred Ganga River catalyzed a profound spiritual awakening. In that moment, she saw herself—and the world—as divine.

Experiencing Divine Wholeness

Her enlightenment began with the realization that she was not broken, tainted, or unworthy. The divinity she witnessed in the river was not separate from her—it was within her. This realization was the first of many transformative moments that shifted her identity from body and ego to soul and spirit. Sadhvi shares that true wholeness doesn't come from shopping, relationships, or success—but from connecting with the Divine.

Service as a Spiritual Practice

Sadhvi discusses the humanitarian work her ashram undertakes: free schools, vocational training for women, residential homes for children, environmental and medical outreach, and global interfaith water initiatives. She emphasizes that this service is not separate from her spiritual life but a natural extension of it. When we see the world as one family, service becomes not just a duty—but a joy.

A Message the West Needs: Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam

Drawing from the Vedic teaching Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, Sadhvi stresses the idea that “the world is one family.” This ancient principle urges us to see ourselves as part of a sacred, interconnected whole—not only among humans but including the Earth, animals, water, and trees. In our differences, we can still find unity and purpose.

From Suffering to Freedom: Living a Fantastic Life

Sadhvi explains how shifting from the “Hollywood mindset” to the “Himalayan mindset” helped her move from suffering to joy. Instead of identifying with the body or societal expectations, she now sees life through the lens of soul and spirit. Every moment—no matter how small—is an opportunity for beauty, presence, and offering.

Resources & Final Invitation

Listeners can explore her journey in Hollywood to the Himalayas and dive deeper with her newest book Come Home to Yourself. Visit www.sadhviji.org, www.hollywoodtothehimalayas.com, and www.comehometoyourself.org. Also, learn about her humanitarian work at www.washalliance.org and www.divineshaktifoundation.org. YouTube & Instagram: @Sadhviji.

Bio:

Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati is a renunciate monk or sanyasi, living in an ashram on the banks of the sacred Ganges River in Rishikesh, India, nestled amidst the majestic Himalayan Mountains. Originally from Los Angeles, California, and a graduate of Stanford University, she holds a Ph.D. in psychology and has dedicated her life to sharing the profound wisdom from the ancient Vedic tradition of India. Sadhviji is a bestselling author, a world-renowned speaker, a recipient of President Biden’s Award for a Lifetime of Service, and she serves on the United Nations Advisory Council on religion

Social Media:

www.sadhviji.org 

www.instagram.com/sadhviji 

www.youtube.com/@Sadhviji