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Today you’ll get to meet Dr Nivedita Lakhera. Born and raised in India, at age 27, her life was derailed by a massive stroke, divorce and heartbreak. She found comfort in discovering words and colour. Her first poetry book “Pillow of Dreams” is an Amazon best seller and her second book is now available for preorder. I was intrigued by her views on ego, divinity and impermanence. – Andrew
What is your medical background?
I am an Internal Medicine physician and I’ve worked as a hospitalist for the last 10 years- which is my dream profession because I love inpatient medicine.
Did my medical school in India and internship, at Good Samaritan, Baltimore and residency at UIHC, Iowa City.
What is your side gig?
I don’t consider poetry and art as side gig but extension of my soul.
Next year I am going to dive in something that can be considered as side gig.
We can talk about those projects next year.
Where did the idea come from and what gave you the confidence to start?
I have been writing, dancing and was passionate about performing arts as a child.
Writing is like breathing for me if I don’t I would starve my soul off its oxygen.
Initially I wrote my book for my parents because they wanted to hold my words in their hands.
But soon a lot of people started connecting and healing via the book which subsequently made me write the next book and next book.
Confidence. I don’t know what that is.
I do things that bring me to alignment to universe, body, mind and soul, if I resist it, it’s pretty destructive to my peace so in that regards I am helpless.
Because I am not competing, because I don’t live in comparative state of living, I create from within and feel authentic towards all being around me.
So may be confidence I don’t understand but I understand authenticity, and trust of people in me is a response to that.
What have been your biggest wins?
The difference between validation and impact is huge.
Validation is for ego, it’s short term and doesn’t give you inner strength.
Impact especially towards healing is of unmeasured meaning, it’s divine.
I have lost myself in divine of universe so I seek no victory, but if my words can reach in time to those that need it most is important to me.
Else everything is temporary and transient- victory and losses – are reaction determined by what society perceived and knows at certain point of time – so for me that’s not relevant.
That’s one of the things I talk about in my third upcoming book – life currency, that people should create – mocking validation and rejection alike- for the right wondering soul may find its home it’s safe haven in that abode of creation.
What have been your biggest challenges?
Managing time, because there is so much to do!!
What inspires you to keep pushing through?
I am letting universe flow through me by being in synch with my purpose and it’s the gratification of being one with the soul of universe and realizing its positive impact on lives of others, that makes me want to keep writing.
What do you wish you knew before you started?
Nothing really …. there is absolutely no regret because I completely believe in flow of life.
What’s Your favourite quote?
“Self is self’s enemy, self is self’s friend”
Sanskrit verse from Bhagavad Geeta- uddhared atmanatmanam natmanam avasadayet atmaiva hy atmano bandhur atmaiva ripur atmanah
Where can people find out more about you?
About Nivedita
Born and raised in New Delhi, India, Nivedita Lakhera grew up in a very loving and supportive family.
She was fascinated and passionate about both science and literature growing up and pursued her medical school to care for those hurting via medicine.
However, at age 27, her life was jolted and derailed by a massive stroke, followed by a divorce, and then a heartbreak.
She turned to words and colors to rescue her soul. And, oh yes, they did rescue her. And now she wants to share them with everyone.
Pillow of Dreams- is her first poetry book, which became an instant best seller under amazon poetry and honored in international poetry festival in Macedonia.
It is now available on audio format in audible as well.
Her second book is now available on Amazon for preorder -“I am not a princess, I am a complete fairytale”.
She sincerely believes that, beyond the realms of time, class, opinion, birth, and religion, all of us are connected by the common threads of love, loss, joy, sorrow, betrayal, support, and friendship. And so a poem, a verse, a phrase, become a temple where anyone can visit and rest their souls before embarking on the next journey- A retreat and oasis of belonging and familiarity… that all hearts beat the same!
