The Ultimate Inquiry

S2 Ep2 : What can we do for a peaceful and joyous world shares Dena Merriam

What if karma isn’t about keeping scores but learnings? What if we hold much more sway over collective than we believe?   In this enlightening conversation, Pracheta Budhwar asks Dena Merriam some timeless and deep questions about existence, karma, world peace and more. Dena shares her profound insights on interfaith harmony, peace, karma, past lives, and the spiritual journey. Discover how love, compassion, and understanding can transform individual lives and global society, and explore the deep connections between spirituality, science, and collective consciousness. 🔔 Don’t miss future episodes — follow the show and turn on notifications! 📢 Enjoyed the video? Leave a review and share it with your friends.More about Dena Merriam :Website - Dena Merriam [https://www.denamerriam.com/]LinkedIn - Dena Merriam [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dena-merriam-b98639133/]Books recommended in the episode : The Physics of God by Joseph Sibelius Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda A World in Transition by Paramahansa Yogananda Chapters : 00:00 Introduction to Dena Merriam 01:58 The Evolution of Peace and Global Consciousness 06:10 Women’s Role in Peacebuilding 12:17 The Importance of Women Leaders in Shaping Society 17:04 The Impact of Patriarchy on Spiritual Narratives 20:04 Karma: Learning Through Life Experiences 29:55 Exploring Past Lives and Personal Growth 33:07 The Foundation of Existence: Love and Death 37:07 Reclaiming Joy in a Chaotic World 39:24 Countering Darkness with Generosity 43:41 The Karma of Nations 47:32 The Spiritual Energy of Places 53:47 Dena's Spiritual Journey and Discoveries 55:49 The Journey of Recognition and Past Lives 58:11 Exploring Past Life Memories 01:01:52 Understanding Karma and Its Patterns 01:04:54 The Nature of Reincarnation and Service 01:08:22 The Dangers of Past Life Regression 01:12:07 The Role of Children in Past Life Awareness 01:14:57 Blueprints for Future Lives 01:18:21 Creating a Vision for Humanity's Future 01:26:00 Concluding remarks

S2 Ep1 : Leaving mindful footprints | The Art of conscious travel with Shivya Nath

Can we explore with compassion and travel with awareness without losing the fun part ? In this episode of ‘The Ultimate Inquiry’, Pracheta Budhwar sat down with with impact entrepreneur and travel writer Shivya Nath. They covered a range of deeply relevant and personal yet universal stories of resilience, connection and hope. Unlock the secrets of mindful travel, sustainable living, and profound human connections in this captivating conversation. An episode filled with chilling anecdotes, inspirations drawn from across the globe and deep reflections about climate, belonging and much more. Most people follow the well-trodden path, but Shivya’s story of breaking free from societal expectations and choosing a life of slow, conscious travel is nothing short of inspiring. She shares the raw truth about risking stability, how to navigate uncertainty and societal pressures with resilience; the impact of responsible tourism on fragile ecosystems and local communities as well as and simple but powerful ways to travel more consciously. Why does it matter? Because our choices as travellers and consumers shape the planet. Shivya reminds us that sustainable travel isn’t just about the environment; it’s about respecting the people, their stories, and the land that sustains us all. Connect with Shivya's work at : Buy her latest book - Rootless and Restless [https://amzn.to/4tCF6sB] Shooting Star Blog [https://the-shooting-star.com/] Shivya's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/shivya] Shivyas' Newsletter [https://theshootingstar.substack.com/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shivya/] Stay connected with Podcast at : The Ultimate Inquiry Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theultimateinquiry/] Pracheta's LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/prachetabudhwar/] Spotify chapters : 00:00 Introduction to Shivya Nath 11:43 Navigating Parental Expectations and Societal Pressure 22:17 The Impact of Travel on Local Communities andSustainability 25:59 The Impact of Travel Writing 28:33 Conscious Travel: Making Mindful Choices 34:23 The Role of AI in Travel Writing 39:03 Environmental Responsibility and Governance 42:19 Hopeful Stories in Sustainable Travel 53:02 Empowering Women Through Community Initiatives 55:17 The Role of Women in Conservation 56:31 Personal Growth Through Travel 56:45 Liberating Experiences in Travel 01:03:06 The Impact of Travel on Body Image andSelf-Acceptance 01:07:26 Food as a Cultural Connector 01:22:04 Traveling as a Path to Empathy and Understanding 01:28:25 Inner Reflection and Future Adventures 01:35:14 Closing note

S1 Ep8 : Cultivating happiness | The art and science of it with Raj Raghunathan

Does befriending uncertainty brings emotional well being ? Can we unlock the secret to find the space of sustained equanimity? In this episode of 'The Ultimate Inquiry', Marketing professor and happiness researcher Raj Raghunathan explores with Pracheta Budhwar what truly drives emotional well-being at work and in life. He explains how emotions shape decisions, why uncertainty and even negative feelings are vital to fulfilment, and how conscious choices and not societal expectations - lead to real happiness. Raj also shares practical insights on workplace well-being and the books that have shaped his understanding of personal growth.Books referred in the episode : * If you're so smart, why aren't you happy? by Raj Raghunathan * Breath by James Nestor * Outlive by Peter Attia Chapters : 00:00 Introduction to Raj Raghunathan 01:11 Happiness in Academia 02:47 The Journey from Engineering to Happiness Research 05:29 The PhD Experience and Its Impact on Happiness 08:42 Influences and Inspirations in Psychology 11:24 The Pursuit of Happiness: A Personal Journey 14:06 Understanding Happiness: A Psychological Perspective 16:52 The Role of Emotions in Happiness 19:23 Collective Happiness vs. Individual Pursuits 22:01 The Misconceptions of Prioritizing Happiness 24:47 The Irony of Happiness in Modern Society 27:52 Cultivating Happiness: A Choice or a State of Mind? 41:10 Cultivating Happiness vs. Pursuing It 48:24 The Underlying Currents of Our Lives 53:09 Values: Constant and Overrated 58:28 Understanding Happiness: Joy, Contentment, and Beyond 01:04:33 Befriending Uncertainty 01:10:45 Workplace Well-being and Employee Happiness 01:15:19 Influential Reads and Closing Thoughts

S1 Ep7 : Spiritual awakening without dogma | Going beyond the mind

What if who you think you are has nothing to do with who you truly are? What if you don’t need to fix yourself—just stop identifying with your thoughts? In this powerful conversation, host Pracheta Budhwar sitsdown with spiritual teacher Jacqueline Maria Longstaff to explore what it truly means to awaken beyond the mind. Jacqueline shares her journey through Eastern and Western spiritual traditions, and how tools like meditation, astrology, and emotional integration can support inner transformation. This episode dives deep into themes like self-acceptance, surrender, suffering as growth, ego identity, and preparing for a conscious death. If you're on a path of healing, self-inquiry, or spiritual growth - this conversation is a grounded andheart-opening guide. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Jacqueline Maria Longstaff 02:55 The Journey of Self-Discovery 05:15 The Role of Gurus in Spiritual Growth 07:48 Astrology and Free Will 10:26 The Necessity of Suffering for Growth 12:34 Balancing Reality and Spirituality 15:07 Experiences Beyond the Physical Realm 18:10 Eastern vs. Western Approaches to Self-Realization 20:49 Understanding Projections in Relationships 23:35 Embracing Emotions as Part of the Journey 26:00 The Dangers of Spiritual Ego 29:12 Meeting U.G. Krishnamurti 31:36 The Nature of Surrender 33:57 Understanding Astrology and Emotions 36:36 Consciousness and Death 44:56 The Heart as the Center of Spirituality 46:47 The Importance of Consistent Practice 50:43 The Journey of Self-Acceptance 54:00 Awareness and Spiritual Growth 54:49 Understanding Our Roles in Life 57:04 The Role of a Teacher in Spirituality 01:00:00 Tools for Awakening and Meditation 01:02:46 Balancing Solitude and Community 01:04:20 Navigating Life Lessons and Awareness 01:07:37 The Importance of Not Taking Things Personally 01:08:45 Finding Your Own Path to Awakening

S1 Ep6 : Why humanity still matters in journalism explains Zaigham Murtaza

In the age of noise, truth has become the quietest voice.What if finding truth in the post-truth era begins with just humility & common sense ? In this episode of The Ultimate Inquiry, host Pracheta Budhwar sits down with journalist and author Syed Zaigham Murtaza for a deeply reflective conversation on truth, culture, and the evolving role of media. From his childhood in Amroha to his journey throughjournalism, Murtaza opens up about how community, literature, and lived experiences shaped his worldview. This episode is an invitation to question — how do we tellstories responsibly, and what does it mean to seek truth when everyone has their own? 🎧 Tune in for a thoughtful dialogue on journalism, ethics, and the human spirit. Chapters :   00:00 Introduction to Syed Zaigham Murtaza 01:41 Growing Up in Amroha: A Cultural Mosaic 04:46 Influences and Inspirations: Family and Education 11:02 The Pull of Home: Returning to Amroha 14:36 The Journey to Journalism: A Conscious Choice 18:55 Books that Shaped a Mind: Early Literary Influences 22:52 Reflections on Identity and Community 24:17 The Impact of the 90s on Social Dynamics 24:57 The Evolution of Religious and Communal Identity 27:13 The Role of Social Media in Shaping Narratives 31:46 Maintaining Objectivity in Journalism 36:25 The Loss of Dignity in Public Discourse 41:23 The Changing Nature of Community and Responsibility 45:46 The Essence of Journalism 47:07 Challenges in Modern Journalism 49:21 The Need for Ethical Journalism 51:30 The Impact of Reporting on Society 59:00 The Complexity of Truth 01:06:58 Inquiring into Human Nature and Conflict 🎧 Tune in for athoughtful dialogue on journalism, ethics, and the human spirit.