Your Creative Sparks:

• You can FACE frustrations, continue asking questions, and keep pursuing what INSPIRES you, despite a world that wants us to be different.
• Look inside your SOUL. The answers are there. The soul is an incredible strength-giver.
• SACRIFICE and PAIN can lead to this inward journey, where you discover that you are a SPIRITUAL being, more than just a body.
• The alchemy is FAITH and HUMILITY.

Welcome to an ethereal sanctuary, where we let time and space unravel a bit in order to access a spirit beyond it. In this episode, we travel to New Delhi, India to visit with Bina Ramani. Bina's home is an island, discovered on a wandering journey down a mud and rubble lane, amid pollution and bandits, dead end and jungle. Despite all of this, she saw magic in this place, a seed of a dream, a space that would offer spiritual nurturing and happiness. Betwixt raucous hammering and lilting bird songs, Bina shares the story of her radiant, multi-passioned life of integrity and service. A life which, much like the sanctuary around her, rose from the ashes of pain and sacrifice.

Your Travelogue

• At young age, Bina was discovered to have a natural talent for athletics and a deep passion for music and singing. However, her very traditional family put a stop to her dreams because they feared they would never be able to find her a husband. She carried that heartbreak for years. [2:02]
• Despite being essentially alone in life, with no degree or fine skills, one divine meeting and the poignant statement, "If you believe in yourself" opened the door for Bina to represent the Taj Hotel in an opportunity beyond her wildest dreams. [12:30] "Believe in Yourself" became her life's motto and changed her forever.
• Bina went on to become a popular fashion designer, entrepreneur, restaurateur, social worker, visionary and socialite. Then one day she witnessed a murder and faced grave danger as a corrupt political system tried to silence her. Looking deep in her soul and finding strength there, she developed a fearlessness that would serve her the rest of her life. [26:36]
• Bina still appreciates beauty and aesthetics and the conquest of good things, but underlying it is the cushion {"the best cushion in the world, that will never let you down"} that she is really a spiritual being. Her advice to multi-passionate people: Dream. Those who can dream are fortunate. Dreams make the future. Believe in yourself. Evil people are dreaming as well. That's an incredible education. And we are in the middle. [38:38]

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Bird in a Banyan Tree: The inspiring memoir of Bina Ramani, who did not give up in the worst of circumstances, and created a successful life for herself.
• Bina's newest endeavor is Malabar Secrets, a line of products based on the age-old knowledge of spice extract ingestion and aromatherapy. This is a brand that embodies ancient Indian craftsmanship, blending spices used for well-being for over a millennia. Launching soon!
• Compassionate Social Action Project with Jamie Jennings: https://www.gofundme.com/IHeartIndia.

Music for this episode was contributed by Daniel Munkus and recorded in the Hudson River Valley at Subtle Soup Studios. For more info, visit: www.subtlesouprecords.com.

Podcast management and creative copy provided by Sonya Louise of GO Solo Travel & Vision Quest.

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