Life & Work with Swara Nanda

Today we’d like to introduce you to Swara Nanda. 

Hi Swara, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was raised in a traditional, conservative Christian household. When I came of age, I really wanted to explore other approaches to spirituality. Music has always been an integral part of my life and sense of spirituality, so I grew up singing in Church, writing music for variety shows at my Church, and traveling with my youth group to perform. By my mid- 20’s, I became the principal music composer of guided meditations for a non-profit organization that offered transformational retreats, workshops, and classes in San Diego, CA. 

In the early 2000s, we moved our worldwide headquarters from San Diego to Denver, Colorado. In 2010 the organizational leader passed away and many people left the organization, including me. 

I became active in the local business networking community and co-created a successful home service business with my husband. All the while, I also continued to write meditation music and started to teach meditation as an Ordained Minister and the founder of Denver Meditation Center. 

In January 2020, I launched my first overnight weekend meditation retreat. While in the 2020 lockdown, I learned how to broadcast quality meditation offerings and hosted my first virtual meditation Retreat. 

I now offer online Sharing circles and meditations as well as weekend meditation retreats, featuring some of the meditation music that I’ve written over the years. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
This journey has been anything but smooth! When I participated in my first transformational meditation 10-day Intensive, I knew that I wanted to lead meditations. To make sure a powerful impact on people’s lives and to be a conduit for such reality-shattering wisdoms seemed like the highest possible calling – even better than being a Rockstar (which I grew up thinking I would become). But I was held back. Not time yet, said leadership. Still more work to do. 15 years later, not time yet, more work to do. 

I found the courage to leave the safety of my spiritual community and thought now would be my time. Then Spirit said, not time yet. First, you must become grounded and financially solid. Plus, the people aren’t ready. Ten more years of building financial stability and continuing to work on myself, I finally launched my first overnight Retreat, then the Pandemic hit. I thought people would come rushing to my online events, but they still weren’t ready. 

Each time I’ve been held back, I learned so much. I didn’t know that it was my ego that also wanted to be a meditation leader, wanting the power and adoration of others. I didn’t know that learning how to host transformational meditation experiences online would open the virtual doors to the World and increase my ability to help so many additional souls, beyond my immediate local. 

Each time I’ve been held back, I grew stronger and humble. While it’s never been on the timeline I wanted, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I see many transformational coaches who haven’t paid that kind of dues I’ve paid, and I can see the pitfalls they and the people they are guiding encounter. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in creating a safe space for people to transform. Through facilitated sharing circles, participants are able to talk about deeper topics, below the surface; the stuff we usually don’t talk about. After hearing 1,000’s of stories from people around the world over the course of 25+ years, I’ve learned a certain perspective: That we are all more alike than different. It’s important to talk things out. In sacred circle, the quality of sharing can equate to years of therapy. When everyone in the circle has shared, in a very poignant and vulnerable state of consciousness, we put really good music on and go into a meditative state. Music is the language of the soul and when the right track is played at the right moment, the Spirit within each of us becomes activated, engaged, and overtakes the mind into states of heightened awareness and consciousness. In this dynamic meditation, we are able to release repressed and denied feelings, creating an energetic opening for profound spiritual experiences. 

There are many modern Shaman’s who use plant medicine to achieve these states of consciences. What is unique to what I’m doing is that there is no need for the use of plant medicine to reach these altered states of consciousness. 

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memory must be sitting on my mother’s lap, with my head to her chest, hearing her voice the same way I would experience in the womb. In these moments, I was warm, held, safe, and wanted for nothing. 

Pricing:

• $55/monthly Membership
• $150 private readings
• $10 drop-in meditations
• $66 4-hour Sharing Circle & Meditation
• $333 Weekend Meditation Retreat

Contact Info:

• Email: swara@yogi-swara.com
• Website: www.denvermeditationcenter.com
• Facebook: @denvermeditationcenter
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT7dua_s9K1AGtNS6EM5OFQ
• Other: www.yogi-swara.com