The Path to Inner Peace: Dr. Archika Discusses Meditation and Spirituality

Dr Archika Sudhanshu

An interview with Dr. Archika Sudhanshu, a renowned spiritual leader, meditation guru, and humanitarian, known for her impactful teachings on the Gita and deep devotion to Lord Shiva

In this enlightening interview, we delve into the wisdom of Dr. Archika, a revered spiritual leader and meditation guru.

Known for her profound teachings on the Gita and unwavering devotion to Lord Shiva, she shares insights that inspire countless individuals on their spiritual journeys.

Can you share your spiritual journey and what led you to become a meditation guru and a teacher of the Gita?

Archika Sudhanshu:  Since my birth, I was surrounded by a deeply devotional atmosphere, where everyone around me was wholeheartedly engaged in spiritual practices.

My grandfather was a devout man with unwavering discipline, memories of which are etched in my heart to this day.

My father, who is also my guru, His Holiness Sudhanshu Ji Maharaj, played a pivotal role in shaping my spiritual values more profoundly.

Under Gurudev’s guidance, I grew up gaining a deeper understanding of holy scriptures and spirituality. Gurudev not only taught me the essence of devotion but also awakened in me a deep yearning to serve others.

My spiritual upbringing inspired me to pursue a PhD in Meditation and Yogic Science. I have always believed that spirituality and science are deeply connected, and together, they can create a profound impact on people’s lives. For me, it was a medium through which I was able to serve people to the best of my ability.

However, over time, I realised that I could support and uplift others at a broader level. This thought ignited a deeper desire within me to dedicate myself fully to the service of society by helping countless individuals find peace, clarity, and purpose in their lives.

In this journey, Lord Shiva and Krishna have become my anchors. With their blessings, I have progressed in my spiritual endeavours. As a seeker, I frequently make pilgrimages to the holy Kailash Manasarovar, where the sadhakas accompanying me have felt the presence of Shiva during sadhana.

Similarly, making the holy Bhagavad Gita the foundation of my life has helped me to find solutions to the challenges I face. My purpose is to encourage and guide people to have clarity, wisdom, and courage, irrespective of the hardships they come across in their lives, through my Gita discourses.

Moreover, aiming to preserve and promote India’s rich cultural heritage and eternal values, Gurudev at a recent event announced the setting up of 10 Gurukuls and 108 Bal Sanskar Kendras.

As the convenor of these Bal Sanskar Kendras, I will be responsible for instilling cultural values, moral character, and strong foundational principles in children across India.

For girls and women, various programmes are being run where they receive free quality education, vocational training, and assistance for higher studies. Nari Abhyudaya Abhiyan and Kanya Atmnirbhar Yojna are special projects aimed at girl and women empowerment.

I would say that I am just following the path being shown by my guru and ishta. This gives me a great sense of fulfilment, and I hope to add new milestones to this beautiful journey.

How do you approach the concept of meditation, and what techniques do you recommend for beginners?

Archika Sudhanshu: Meditation enables you to listen to your inner voice even when surrounded by the noise of life.

It is a simple act of connecting yourself with your true self. You no longer feel lonely, as your entire being is filled with eternal bliss, peace, and purity.

Meditation does not ask you to silence or avoid your thoughts; instead, it helps you understand them and watch them pass, without getting lost in them.

This method, known as Sakshi Bhav or the attitude of being a detached observer, is ideal for beginners. By simply closing their eyes, they just need to sit in a relaxed posture and observe their breath. This alone will have a calming effect on them.

Pranayama is another simple yet powerful way to meditate. It is a gentle breathing practice where they inhale, hold their breath for a few moments, and then exhale slowly.

With every inhale, they should feel peace and joy entering their being; with every exhale, they should let go of tensions, sorrows, and worries.

This practice strengthens them from within and opens the way for the benevolent sacred energies of the universe to flow into their lives. Regular practice will make them feel aligned and connected to these positive energies.

Mantra meditation is also recommended for beginners. They can chant any sacred mantra, for example, Om, loudly or in their mind. On practising it regularly, they will experience reduced stress levels, better focus, sleep quality, and awareness.

Mindfulness is another form of meditation where one carries out each task or activity with complete awareness. It is the practice of immersing yourself completely in the present, setting aside all thoughts of what has already happened or what lies ahead. This method doesn’t leave any room for distraction.

I would also like to clarify that there is no need to complicate things in the name of meditation. You can do it anywhere, anytime. You just need a calm place where you can spend some time in peace with yourself.

In addition, doing meditation at a spiritually significant place adds more value to your practice, as such places hold high spiritual energies that have accumulated over time due to past spiritual practices, ceremonies, or events.

As a humanitarian, what initiatives have you been involved in, and how do they align with your spiritual teachings?

Archika Sudhanshu: Currently, I am leading healthcare, education, women’s empowerment, and environmental protection programmes as the Vice President of Vishwa Jagriti Mission (VJM).

Bal Kalyan Yojna is aimed at providing free, quality education, mid-day meals, and healthcare to children from marginalised families.

Over 2,000 children, including many girls, are currently studying in VJM-run schools located in Faridabad, Delhi, Kanpur, Surat, Ranchi, Rukka, and Khunti.

Nari Abhyuday Abhiyan is a women-centric initiative meant for empowering girls and women socially, economically, educationally, and ideologically.

It also provides self-defence training and regular workshops in yoga and meditation to support their holistic growth and development.

Through Kanya Aatmnirbhar Abhiyan, around 1,600 girls are receiving formal education. In addition, we provide them with vocational training under the Kaushal Vikas Yojna, where over 150 girls enrol in various courses each year.

I am pleased to share that more than 400 girls are now leading self-reliant lives after completing these programmes. We assist them in accessing government loan schemes for higher education, launching self-employment ventures, and securing job placements.

VJM also ensures nutritious food for over 1,000 senior citizens living in our old-age homes and also for students of our gurukuls under Annapurna Yojna.

My NGO, Dr. Archika Foundation, is working towards empowering disadvantaged communities. The NGO undertakes transformative initiatives in affordable quality healthcare, nutritious food distribution, women and youth welfare programmes, and environmental conservation efforts.

Karuna Sindhu Hospital is another ambitious initiative where anyone can access quality healthcare at affordable prices.

In collaboration with VJM, the hospital regularly organises free eye check-ups and treatment camps in Delhi. Over 1,20,000 people have benefitted from these eye care services so far.

Nar Sewa is Narayan Sewa. Guided by this principle, all these humanitarian efforts demonstrate a deep spiritual dedication to serving others with kindness and selflessness.

I want every individual to become mentally and emotionally resilient so they can deal with any daunting situation on their own without losing their balance or cool. Spirituality is a foundation that keeps you grounded and centred during hardships.

We, at VJM, strongly believe in two ideals – daya (compassion) and yaad (remembrance). When we reverse the Hindi word daya, it becomes yaad. It is our organisational value to have compassion for everyone, and while carrying out our every task and duty, we must continue to remember the Supreme Power, for He is the one whose grace sustains, guides, and fulfils every noble endeavour.

This is the foundation of our mission. By lifting those in need, the values of love, harmony, and inner clarity naturally unfold along the spiritual path.

What challenges do you see people facing in their spiritual journeys today, and how can they overcome these obstacles?

Archika Sudhanshu: I have come across many people who are serious about their sadhana but, due to various reasons, find it challenging to continue.

Some of them give up midway, as there is no one to guide them. Moreover, the pressure of personal and professional responsibilities sometimes breaks that continuity.

In their spiritual journey, some find it difficult to change their behaviour. Though the words of spiritual leaders or motivational speakers have a positive impact on them, they are not able to apply their teachings for long.

Their struggle to make time for spirituality continues, indicating weak willpower. The lack of a strong spiritual practice acts as a barrier to their growth, especially internal growth.

Another challenge is distraction. Amidst the noise of the fast-paced digital world, it seems difficult to pause and truly connect with oneself. Impatience also obstructs a person’s spiritual progress, as they expect quick results.

They must understand that spiritual growth is not magic that will change everything in the blink of an eye. Moreover, unresolved emotional pain, past trauma, or inner conflicts can hinder progress and make the journey feel overwhelming.

Stress and negative emotions continue to occupy their minds. As a result, whenever they try to meditate, the same cycle of negativity begins to appear in their mind and thoughts.

This can be addressed with the help of positive affirmations. Writing down positive affirmations and repeating them in the morning as you wake up and before sleeping at night gradually reprogrammes the mind towards peace and positivity.

Spirituality is a quiet journey inward – one that helps you connect deeply with your true self. You start moving forward in your practice as well as in your life through the regular act of self-introspection.

In this process of transformation, meditation combined with yoga serves as a powerful support to boost morale and willpower.

Anyone seeking growth in their spiritual journey must create space for self-reflection, mindfulness practices, breathing exercises, and journaling. The guidance of a guru or spiritual master will provide more clarity in this. Being patient and committed will help them achieve their goal of inner peace and awareness.

What are your future aspirations for your teachings and humanitarian efforts? Are there any upcoming projects you are particularly excited about?

Archika Sudhanshu: I wish to see everyone genuinely happy. It is my heartfelt desire to support others in healing, rediscovering their inner self, and living life with greater compassion and clarity.

All the welfare programmes currently underway must reach everyone, as my goal is to touch and improve every life in every possible way.

From education and quality healthcare to gender equality, women’s and youth empowerment, and environmental conservation, there must be meaningful impact, equal access, and lasting change at every level of society.

The establishment of 10 Gurukuls and 108 Bal Sanskar Kendras is VJM’s next ambitious project. It is Gurudev’s vision to introduce and connect our youth and future generations with India’s rich cultural heritage and eternal values.

I will be serving as the convener of the Bal Sanskar initiative. These Sanskar Kendras will function in both online and offline modes and will be connected to local temples.

We will also provide a curriculum specially designed for parents so that they can instil these values in their children at home. This will help ensure wide accessibility and active participation from children and their parents across diverse regions.

As an organisation, we aspire to instil cultural values, moral character, and strong foundational principles in children. VJM envisions this as the beginning of a cultural renaissance that will nurture young minds and usher in a spiritually awakened Bharat.

How can individuals cultivate a deeper connection with Lord Shiva and incorporate that devotion into their lives?

Archika Sudhanshu: Samarpan aur dhyan – surrender and meditation. These two will guide you on your journey to meet the Divine Shiva.

Completely surrendering yourself to the Almighty Shiva, meditating upon Him will help nurture a profound connection. Shiva’s life itself embodies the sacred harmony between the mind, body, and soul.

Shiva shows how one can remain unaffected by internal and external factors. There may be traumatic times, challenging moments, or painful events, but we have to maintain our calm and restraint.

We can be surrounded by people with whom we don’t get along. Still, we must hold on to our inner goodness and use wisdom to deal with any situation or person. We can cultivate this kind of awareness by awakening our kundalini energy.

Shiva teaches us to remain detached even while living in this materialistic world. For Him, everyone is equal. He holds compassion for every living being, whether they are humans, animals, birds, nature, deities, or negative entities.

Devotion is not just in rituals but in living life like the Adiyogi Shiva. When we carry Him within, the soul becomes pure, and our existence becomes worthy of serving humanity.

What advice do you have for individuals seeking to deepen their spiritual practice or connect more profoundly with their inner selves?

Archika Sudhanshu: Consistency and commitment are the prerequisites if you wish to strengthen your spiritual practice. I must emphasise that there are no shortcuts on this path.

You must give it your time and effort. The blessings and guidance of a guru can do wonders in this pursuit. However, if you do not have a guru, you can take Lord Shiva as your guide and begin with prayer, yogic practices, and mindfulness.

Make self-introspection a regular habit. You can study our great scriptures like the Vedas, the Puranas, and the Upanishads. Especially, studying the holy Bhagavad Gita brings clarity on duty, morality, and spiritual enlightenment.

By embracing its profound teachings, you can make significant progress in your life. Apart from this, your effort should also go into knowing yourself, your inherent qualities, and your nature.

Remember, each day of practice contributes to your inner evolution. With unwavering commitment and patience, you will move towards deeper spiritual and emotional growth.

Is there anything else you would like to share about your work, your vision for the future of spirituality, or the importance of compassion and service?

Archika Sudhanshu: I see a world rooted in peace, unity, love, and mutual respect. Today, when the constant threat of wars and violence looms in the world, spirituality emerges as a strong ray of hope.

Meditation, yog, and other mindfulness techniques help promote positive emotions by addressing the root causes of inner negativity or weaknesses.

The inner peace cultivated reflects in a person’s behaviour, impacting their mind, thoughts, words, and actions, and also their relationship with others. The compassion, love, and understanding we build within can ripple outward to heal communities and inspire change.

My goal is to guide people to help themselves first before they lend a helping hand to others. Because only from a space of inner strength and clarity can we truly serve the world with heart, purpose, and lasting impact.

Dr. Archika’s teachings resonate deeply, offering guidance and solace to those seeking spiritual growth. Her dedication to the Gita and Lord Shiva illuminates paths of devotion and self-discovery, leaving a lasting impact on all who encounter her wisdom.

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