Pandit Dasa has lived through the depths of losing a multimillion-dollar business to the heights of spirituality as a monk.
As an inspirational speaker and author, he’ll aim to lower stress and raise productivity in the workplace with an exploration of the “Principles of Mindful Leadership” on April 25 at the Bronco Student Center, Ursa Major.
Dasa, who is the latest speaker in the Kellogg Distinguished Public Lecture Series, preaches the practice of mindfulness to help people lower stress and anxiety, increase focus and productivity, and develop positive perspectives. He has spoken at a TEDx conference and has been featured on PBS, NPR, the New York Times, and also writes for The Huffington Post.
In his book “Urban Monk,” Dasa writes about the turning point in his life: His family lost everything after its multimillion-dollar business collapsed. That was the catalyst for Dasa’s spiritual journey that would take him from Los Angeles to post-Communist Bulgaria to a monastery in Mumbai, India.
Dasa later spent 15 years in New York City living as a monk, and uses those experiences to help corporate workers, faculty members and students find a work-life balance.
He has conducted stress management workshops and meditation sessions at corporations and institutions such as Google, Bank of America, Intel, Novartis and USC.
A light dinner will be served at 6 p.m. before the lecture at 7 followed by a question-and-answer session. A book signing will start at 8:30.
The lecture is free and open to the public, but registration is required. For more information or to register, go to www.kellogglectures.org.