Laya is a sophomore at Stanford University, where she studies computer science. She loves to go on hikes, meditate, read books, and play the piano. She is experienced in the full-life cycle development of multiple apps and is passionate about developing solutions in the overlap between mental health and artificial intelligence.

Liaa is a sophomore at the University of Texas, majoring in Economics and Computer Science. She enjoys running, reading, and baking. She’s passionate about making mental health resources more accessible, has created two mental wellness apps, and has conducted research to explore the ways in which technology can help make the mental health journey more accessible and personal for all. 

thumbnail_Laya-Liaa.jpg

Laya-Liaa.jpg

Laya Iyer and Liaa Kumar

<h4>
 LAYA IYER
 and
 LIAA KUMAR
 have completed their first year of college in the US. They share their
 experience of how starting college can be as smooth and enriching as
 possible.
</h4>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />


 New beginnings are great. They’re a chance to start afresh and chart a new
 course in any direction you choose. Change brings excitement and challenges,
 opportunities for growth and new experiences. Moments of transition also
 create much needed moments of reflection and allow you to re-prioritize and
 adjust your direction in life.



 Starting college last fall was our most recent new beginning. It was dizzying,
 exciting, and a little disorienting. You are away from home for the first
 time, trying to find a new and different sense of home. You’re figuring out
 your place in the world, figuring out what parts of your identity you want to
 hold onto, what parts you’ve outgrown, and what kind of person you want to
 grow into. We’ve learned a lot from our first semester of college life, about
 each other, ourselves, and the world around us.


<h3>
 Here are 10
 tips that have worked for us.
</h3>

<h4>
 #1. Be kind to your
 body.
</h4>


 Every single one of your 600 odd muscles, 200 bones, and 37 trillion something
 cells work tirelessly day in and day out to keep your body functioning.
 Imagine those tiny workers, pumping your blood, and fending off potential
 illnesses, all so you can laugh, dance and live every single day. The
 kindest thing you can do for them is eat some fruits and vegetables once in a
 while and make an effort to be physically active. Fresh air won’t hurt you!
 Listen to your body, learn to recognize when it’s tired, hungry, and thirsty.
 Make it easy for your body to stay strong and resilient. Be kind to your body
 and it will be kind to you.


<h4>
 #2. Prioritize your
 sleep.
</h4>


 College is great because life is so full of people, activities,
 thoughts, ideas. It’s tempting to skip a few hours of sleep so you don’t miss
 a single second of it. But adrenaline only lasts so long, and unless you want
 to be perpetually exhausted or unfocused during the day, you’ll always benefit
 from enough sleep the night before. Not to mention that learning to make good
 choices for yourself, especially in the face of tempting alternatives, is a
 valuable exercise in prioritizing yourself and setting boundaries. That said,
 staying up late enough to see the sunrise is a rite of passage in college;
 just consider saving it for the weekend.


<h4>
 #3. Find your own
 pace.
</h4>


 Life is not a race, it’s a marathon. Although it may seem like things and
 people around are moving at lightspeed, the most important person you’re
 competing with is yourself. Everyone is working toward their own destination,
 and if you spend all your time trying to accomplish someone else’s goals you
 might end up in a place you never wanted to be in the first place. Take some
 time to figure out what it is that you want and what to do to get
 there. Don’t be afraid to challenge and push yourself, but don’t feel like you
 have to impress anyone or live up to their expectations. Taking things at your
 own pace, even if that means slowing down once in a while, will take you much
 further than trying to sprint to the finish line.


<h4>
 #4.
 Create your own life, don’t wait for someone to tell you what to do with
 it.
</h4>


 If you don’t know what your purpose or direction in life is yet, that’s okay!
 Explore, be curious about the world, and be willing to learn something from
 every person you meet. Ask questions and create opportunities for yourself.
 People often talk about “finding themselves,” but if you don’t know what
 you’re looking for, how will you know when you’ve found it? Take time to
 figure out what kind of person you want to be and what direction you want to
 move in. It’s a powerful first step toward creating the kind of life you want.


<h4>
 #5.
 Stay true to yourself and your people will find you.
</h4>


 You’ll be meeting many new people all the time: in classes, the dining hall,
 the hallway, and at clubs. Some of them will become great friends, others will
 be friendly acquaintances. Be open to meeting new people from different
 backgrounds, and you’re guaranteed to meet people with whom you click.
 Surround yourself with people who inspire you, challenge, and encourage you to
 be the best version of yourself.


<h4>
 #6. Call
 home.
</h4>


 It’s all too easy to get caught up in the newness of everything. Remember the
 people who have taken care of you and helped make you who you are. Check in
 with them, even when nothing’s wrong. They want to know how you are. When
 you’re busy building all these new relationships, don’t forget to take care of
 the ones you came to college with.


<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<figure class="block-image">
 <img alt="starting-college2" class="lazyload has-img-center"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/starting_college2_cef80e0f30.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-11T11:11:08.722Z" />
</figure>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<h4>
 #7.
 Refrain from judging, instead try to learn from the people around
 you.
</h4>


 You will meet people from a variety of backgrounds you are not familiar with.
 It’s important to be compassionate and understanding and give people the place
 to be themselves. It’s a wonderful opportunity to be inspired and learn more
 about the world. Be curious and don’t be afraid to ask questions.


<h4>
 #8. Make sure to
 connect with yourself.
</h4>


 Whether it’s through journaling, meditation, or going on a short walk, make
 sure you check in with how you’re feeling. Even the most extroverted person
 needs some downtime to recharge and reflect, so give yourself that space and
 time.&nbsp;


<h4>
 #9.
 Develop healthy coping mechanisms for stress, anger, and sadness.
</h4>


 During your transition, you will be facing a lot of emotions that you haven’t
 experienced before, or you are experiencing alone. Practices like meditation,
 relaxation, and journaling are very helpful, so don’t be afraid to use them.


<h4>
 #10. Give yourself
 the space to learn and grow!
</h4>


 It’s okay to make mistakes. Mistakes are part of being human, but what’s
 incredibly important is to learn from your mistakes and apply yourself in the
 next situation.


<hr class="vertical-space1" />

10 tips for starting college

<h4>LIAA KUMAR and LAYA IYER explore the relationship between peace and our connection with the natural world.</h4>It’s an unlikely story: a lush, ecological paradise in the middle of a desert. Kanha Shanti Vanam, the global headquarters of the Heartfulness Institute, emerges from the barren landscape like a mirage. A few hundred sprawling acres of dense forest, rich soil and an abundance of greenery is situated, almost improbably, just forty kilometers outside the bustling and smog-filled city of Hyderabad.In Kanha, the trees arch gracefully overhead as they hang heavy with fruit ripe for plucking;&nbsp;stars sweep across the night sky, undiluted by any light pollution. The breeze is gentle and scented sweetly by the gardens bursting with colorful flowers weaving amongst the rows of endangered plants. Amidst it all, there is a striking sense of peace, simplicity, and profound connection with the natural world all around you.&nbsp;Kanha opened its gates in 2017 with a world-changing vision: to create a modern model of a sustainable spiritual life guided by innovative technology in conservation and ecology. It’s a global center of spirituality unlike any other, built to be a refuge not only for the soul but for nature as well, allowing people to tune into their inner and outer worlds. Looking around,&nbsp;it’s easy to forget that before the ashram was introduced to the world as a fertile sanctuary, it was home to nothing more than endless acres of dry and barren land. So how did a physical and spiritual oasis take root here?&nbsp;The first obstacle to transforming the land was enriching and nourishing the soil’s fertility. This was achieved by implementing a combination of traditional farming techniques.&nbsp;This emphasis on using natural farming methods and treating the Earth gently is rooted in the ethos of Kanha. Over the past few years, it has yielded incredibly fertile soil that is a sanctuary to the crops and gardens.&nbsp;By the time we arrived in the summer of 2022, Kanha was in full vibrant form. We had planned our visit primarily as a spiritual retreat, to recharge, reflect, and connect within ourselves. We did not anticipate the surprising role that nature and connecting with our surroundings would play in our spiritual growth that summer.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/Sustaining_soil3_5930772343.jpg"></figure>Mornings in Kanha often began with a walk, as we explored new parts of its beauty each day. But more than just morning strolls, each outing was an eye-opening lesson on the true nature and culture of Kanha. Each morning brought with it a new understanding of how powerful nature could be, and how monumental change could be created through peace and compassion.&nbsp;We began with the hydroponic farms, where the initial water constraints of the area and an emphasis on prioritizing natural techniques led to Kanha becoming a leader in innovative farming techniques. Kanha is currently home to seven hydroponic farms that are able to grow vegetation year round, without the use of any fungicides or pesticides. This culture of agriculture was vastly different from anything we had experienced in the States. We had grown accustomed to the same fruits and vegetables being available year round, which meant depending on imported produce that had been treated by pesticides and various treatments at every stage of its life cycle. Here the attitude towards produce was slower and much more purposeful. In Kanha, the natural course of the seasons determined what would grow when, and cuisine came in and out of season in time with what was growing. When you’re here it’s almost impossible to escape the draw of the ecosystem all around you. Every part of life in Kanha is intimately connected to the nature that surrounds it, even when it comes to mealtime!&nbsp;As we continued to explore, we learned that the trees lining Kanha’s pathways had been rescued from various construction and road-widening projects around the city. The Heartfulness Tree Conservation Center and the Heartyculture Nursery worked tirelessly to cultivate rare and endangered plants that were on the verge of extinction. Over six acres of land are dedicated solely to this cause, providing plenty of space for the two hundred thousand fragile saplings to take root.Like many things at Kanha, it’s an ecological project rooted in a spiritual purpose. There is a real socio-cultural, educational, and environmental value in preserving biodiversity, but there is also a spiritual one. Every unique species of flora and fauna holds irreplaceable, intrinsic value. They each play a small part in contributing to the natural balance of the larger ecosystem and thus, in preserving biodiversity, we also help to create greater harmony and balance in our natural surroundings.<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">Protecting our ecosystems and doing our best&nbsp; to preserve the natural world are increasingly important missions&nbsp; for all humanity as the effects of climate change become ever present.</h4><hr>That feeling of balance emanates past the garden walls of Kanha and into the rhythm of day-to-day life. Life revolves around the values of simplicity, spirituality, and connection. Everything is conserved and used to its fullest extent, from water to food waste to energy. People are mindful that when they take a full plate, they return an empty one. Water is collected along roadside canals when it rains, used in homes, and then returned to the Earth to nourish new plants in their growth. Early morning meditations were often accompanied by a chorus of birdsong, the sounds of different endangered species of birds or the pitter patter of rain during monsoon. Understanding and experiencing the different parts of these sustainability efforts created a profound sense of harmony, connection and ultimately peace within us.&nbsp;We are not the only ones to have observed this connection between sustainability and peace; in fact, it is an ongoing area of research. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589811622000210?via%3Dihub">Hiroshima University</a> recently conducted a study which displayed the interconnected nature of “environmentalism and Positive Peace, as well as how improvements in one area can aid improvements in the other.” As we continue to tune into the natural world around us, helping it to grow and thrive, we find profound connections to something within us as well.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/Sustaining_soil2_920c9592d4.jpg"></figure>Protecting our ecosystems and doing our best to preserve the natural world are increasingly important missions for all humanity as the effects of climate change become ever present. The fact remains that abundant natural resources and secure ecosystems around the world are cornerstones of stable and healthy communities. Sometimes, thinking about the overwhelming work ahead, it can feel like a losing battle. But as we envision the world we want to live in and leave behind, we look at Kanha as a symbol of spirituality and sustainability. And most importantly, a reminder of the powerful changes that can take place when a community comes together to create peace.<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">Illustrations by ANANYA PATEL</h4><hr>&nbsp;

Sustaining the soul, nurturing the earth

Liaa is a sophomore at the University of Texas, majoring in Economics and Computer Science. She enjoys running, reading, and baking. She’s passionate about making mental health resources more accessible, has created two mental wellness apps, and has conducted research to explore the ways in which technology can help make the mental health journey more accessible and personal for all. 

large_Liaa-Kumar-scaled.jpg

medium_Liaa-Kumar-scaled.jpg

small_Liaa-Kumar-scaled.jpg

thumbnail_Liaa-Kumar-scaled.jpg

Liaa-Kumar-scaled.jpg

Liaa Kumar

<h4
 class="block-heading"
 id="h-liaa-kumar-lost-her-mother-to-cancer-when-she-was-a-teenager-now-she-s-helping-others-by-volunteering-at-kesem-an-organization-that-helps-children-of-cancer-patients-to-develop-resilience-confidence-and-lasting-feelings-of-joy-and-hope-her-story-of-grief-and-hope-will-touch-your-heart"
 >
 LIAA KUMAR
 lost her mother to cancer when she was a teenager. Now she’s helping
 others by volunteering at Kesem, an organization that helps children
 of cancer patients to develop resilience, confidence, and lasting
 feelings of joy and hope. Her story of grief and hope will touch your
 heart.
 </h4>

 <hr class="vertical-space1" />

 
 Life stopped being normal two weeks before my eighth grade graduation,
 when my mom was diagnosed with cervical cancer. At 13, I didn’t know
 much about cancer, and I didn’t know how to understand the heaviness
 with which the adults around me whispered, “Stage four.” My mother began
 chemo that summer and decided to undergo treatment overseas, in India,
 with the support of family. I went with her.
 

 
 As a kid, you take the idea of having a parent for granted. It’s a given
 that your parents will stick around, that they’ll always be strong,
 always be ready to take care of you. And even as I began to understand
 the gravity of my mom’s diagnosis, I believed more than anything that
 this was temporary. I knew my mom, she was indescribably strong, she was
 my rock, so of course she would be okay. She would be okay because I
 needed her to be okay. That’s what moms do. They look out for their
 kids. Always.
 

 
 That summer I spent a lot of time in small cold rooms, trying to
 understand the ways in which my mom was changing. No one warns you about
 how much cancer takes from the people you love. Her body withered, and
 chemo left dark streaks on her skin that ran up and down her arms and
 legs. She felt nauseous most of the time, and making sure she was eating
 enough became an everyday worry.
 

 
 I supported her body as we inched our way up and down the handful of
 stairs outside the hospital. Sitting across the floor from your mom, a
 row of orange pill bottles lined up between you, begging and bargaining
 for every pill or protein supplement that had to be taken, turns your
 world upside down.
 

 
 My mother and I became closer. In between the stress and sadness we
 watched movies, played card games, practiced tying her head scarf in
 different ways around her newly bald head, and talked. We did a lot of
 talking. Mostly we talked about what we’d like to do once this whole
 nightmare was over. Fly to Europe, visit a monastery in the Himalayas,
 finally go to the beach again. It was difficult to say goodbye at the
 end of the summer. It was difficult to leave her behind and face the
 idea of beginning high school without my mom, but even as I said
 goodbye, I knew it would only be a matter of time before she came back
 and everything would be normal again.
 

 
 Without my mom at home, I had to learn a lot of things on the fly.
 Suddenly, there was no one at home to wake me up in the morning, remind
 me to clean my room, do my laundry, or make my lunch. I learned how to
 grocery shop and the basics of housekeeping, and I missed my mom very
 much. The responsible parts of growing up aren’t much fun, especially
 when they’re all crammed into the span of a few months, and especially
 when it feels like the people around you don’t really understand what
 you’re going through.
 

 <hr class="vertical-space1" />

 <hr />

 <h4 class="has-text-align-center block-heading">
 The responsible parts of growing up aren’t much fun, especially when they’re all crammed into the span of a few months, and especially when it feels like the people around you don’t really understand what you’re going through.
 </h4>

 <hr />

 <hr class="vertical-space1" />

 
 I spoke to my mom a few times a week, on the rare occasions she wasn’t
 in chemo or exhausted from chemo. I felt like she was slipping away even
 through the phone, and I’d hold it closer to my ear as if that’d bring
 her back. The good news that kept me going was that she was doing
 better. A miraculous feat for someone who had been diagnosed so late. I
 knew it was temporary, she was going to get better, and she was getting
 better. Until she wasn’t.
 

 
 My mom passed away near the end of my freshman year, and it felt like an
 unsatisfactory end to a draining emotional affair. Grief is its own
 monster, but so is the entire process of losing a loved one to cancer.
 Most kids don’t spend their adolescence worrying about hospital bills,
 doctors’ appointments, or a parent’s white blood cell count. It can be a
 very isolating experience.
 

 
 Most people can understand loss, but not everyone understands what
 cancer feels like. So, at Kesem we remind the kids that they still
 deserve to be kids. We remind them they’re not in this alone.
 

 <hr class="vertical-space1" />

 <hr />

 <h4 class="has-text-align-center block-heading">
 At Kesem we remind the kids that they still deserve to be kids. We remind them they’re not in this alone.
 </h4>

 <hr />

 <hr class="vertical-space1" />

 
 I am so incredibly grateful that I’ve found this organization and these
 people, that I have the opportunity to help these strong, wonderful,
 amazing kids. And I am so incredibly excited that you may decide to join
 us. We’re gonna do great things this year! I can’t wait.