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S2 E95: Seeing the Divine: Lisa Prajna Hallstrom on Devotion, Doubt, and Anandamayi Ma
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In this profoundly moving episode of The xMonks Drive, Gaurav sits down with Lisa Prajna Hallstrom — Harvard scholar, spiritual mentor, and lifelong devotee of Anandamayi Ma.
Lisa shares the extraordinary journey that led her from a difficult childhood and academic pursuit at Harvard to a life of surrender, spiritual devotion, and divine grace. She speaks about discovering the teachings of Anandamayi Ma, her powerful Shakti experiences, and the moment she walked away from her marriage to follow a higher calling.
Together, they explore the nature of God, non-duality, the illusion of separateness, and the sacred power of presence. Lisa opens up about parenting as a spiritual path, healing intergenerational trauma, and the resistance she faced when choosing devotion over convention.
If you’ve ever asked yourself what it means to live in alignment with truth, or what it takes to truly let go and follow the Divine — this conversation is for you.
Themes we explore:
• What is presence beyond ego?
• Shakti, surrender, and the role of the guru
• Healing the past and transforming legacy
• Eastern spirituality through a Western lens
• Building a life around devotion to Anandamayi Ma
00:00 – Opening Reflections on Divine Presence
02:40 – Stillness, Surrender, and Spiritual Experience
05:10 – Early Life & Spiritual Quest
07:20 – Awakening Through a Guru
10:00 – The Search for Anandamayi Ma
12:00 – Harvard & Destiny Fulfilled
14:10 – Grief, Loss, and Divine Guidance
16:00 – Shakti Transmission & Anandamayi Ma's Grace
19:00 – The Depth of Presence vs. Executive Presence
21:00 – Divine Joy and Ma’s Lightness
23:30 – The Kingdom of the Mind and Oneness
25:35 – Victimhood vs. Gratitude
28:00 – Letting Go of Old Patterns
29:30 – Resistance from the World
32:00 – Parenting, Healing, and Generational Impact
34:30 – Spirituality vs. Religion
36:45 – Homecoming to India & Indic Wisdom
39:30 – Ma’s Early Journey & the First Ashram
41:00 – Universal Spirituality & Embracing All Faiths
44:00 – Jesus, Shakti, and the Transmission of Grace
46:45 – Western Spiritual Void & India's Wisdom
48:45 – Integrating the Spiritual and Material Worlds
51:00 – Wisdom & Devotion as Twin Wings
53:00 – India’s Spiritual Decline and Renewal
55:30 – Spiritual Service Through Work
57:30 – Surrendering the Fruits of Action
59:00 – Building an Ashram in America
🔗 Connect with us:
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inspirewithgrv
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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-xmonks-drive/id1549886334
Website: https://xmonks.com
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