Humanitarian,
Health Activist &
Acclaimed Author
Explore the extraordinary life, charitable work, and teachings of Maya Tiwari
Fondly called Mother Maya, spiritual pioneer Maya Tiwari is an international teacher of Ayurveda and the founder of the Wise Earth School of Ayurveda, the first of its kind in North America.
Who is Maya Tiwari — My Story
A spiritual pioneer, Maya Tiwari serves humanity by awakening the spirit of ahimsa, or harmony, in every person whose life she touches. For thirty years, she has inspired and created change in human behavior, through education, outreach, and service to humankind. For thirty years, she has helped to nourish, nurture, and heal thousands of individuals, families and communities with Living Ahimsa. For more than two decades, Maya has been addressing large audiences of wellness, health and inter-faith conferences on topics ranging from Ayurveda and Ahimsa (inner harmony and our innate power to heal), to Self-realization.
Recognition & Accolades
Maya has been recognized on the worldwide platform for her tireless commitment to inspiring health, wholeness and peace. For her pioneering work in Ayurveda education, Maya received the prestigious Dhanvantari International Award in 2011. She is the recipient of AAPNA’s Rishi Award for her outstanding work in Ayurveda. For her dedication to creating inner harmony, health and wellness in the world, Maya was honored with the distinction of World Peace Leader by the Parliament of the World’s Religions. Maya is a seasoned keynote speaker, and was honored by her selection as the Keynote Presenter at the 2009 Parliament of the World’s Religions, in Melbourne, Australia. Alongside the Dalai Lama and great men and women of faith, Maya’s address had a dramatic impact on the consciousness of each of its participants.
Maya Tiwari’s Work
Maya established the Wise Earth School of Ayurveda in 1981, with the
vision of restoring the long lost Inner Medicine® principles and practices of Ayurveda, known as sadhana. Her global conferences and workshops has touched the life of more than 1 million participants. Author of several bestselling books in Ayurveda and self healing, Maya books are translated in several languages. She has been meticulously trained in the Vedas, Vedanta, Ayurveda and Sanskrit and the Vedic Chants by Sri Swami Dayananda Sarasvati, and in Asthanga Yoga and Patanjali Sutra education by Dr. Narasimha Rao, both belonging to the Veda Vyasa lineage.
Maya Tiwari’s Impact
In addition to her unique educational model, Wise Earth Ayurveda, Maya is also the founder of both the Mother Om Mission (MOM). Through MOM, her revolutionary work in spiritual healing education has served scores of at-risk communities in Guyana, India, and the United States, and hundreds of volunteer instructors have been trained to help serve these communities. Through her global Living Ahimsa: Peace Mandala work community organizers are taught to spread the profound practices that foster peace by shifting individual awareness, creating and protecting inner harmony as a first priority.
Maya served for two decades as a Vedic monk, belonging to India’s prestigious Veda Vyasa lineage. In 2010, Maya made the radical decision to renounce her monastic title and spiritual moniker-Her Holiness, Sri Swami Mayatitananda. This decision was made, as she puts it, “walk a simpler and more accessible life in service of the populations in need,” which she continues to do to this day.
“I love Mother Maya, not only because she bears the Buddha’s Mother’s name, but because she is a driving force for women’s empowerment and peace.”
— His Highness, the Dalai Lama
“By cultivating personal awareness of ahimsa we can find a common language that needs no words-a communion centered in the heart of oneness. If each one of us makes a commitment to inner harmony, we will surely succeed in achieving the ultimate goal of our human destiny-that of a spiritual freedom that unites us. Ultimately, it is the work of awareness within the individual person that will change the world for the better.”
Maya Tiwari, on Living Ahimsa philosophy
Guyana, Caribbean
Maya Tiwari was born into an illustrious family of Indian heritage.
Fashion Designer in New York City
The “Maya” boutique counted Jackie Onassis, Princess Diana, Nureyev, and Patti La Belle among its celebrity clientele.
Wise Earth School of Ayurveda
Maya pioneers the first school for Ayurveda studies in North America.
Mother Om Mission (MOM)
Maya established a nonprofit organization to serve at-risk communities in New York and and Guyana.
Parliament of the World’s Religions
Maya is is invited as a featured speaker at this prominent event in Melbourne, Australia.
Renouncement
Maya renounces her monastic title and spiritual honorific to walk a simpler and more accessible life in service of the populations in need.
Healing Cancer Warrior
Maya records a series of four interviews on her cancer healing journey for the radio show “Unlock Your Health”.