Sipping my afternoon coffee, watching the emblematic Kirk Douglas in the equally emblematic and symbolic Spartacus on the BBC, and considering that I was, for a fleeting moment, close enough to a wet, miserable yet oddly comforting English December of my formative student years, I noticed the interview notes lying on the side desk. They had been waiting for the right moment, the moment when festive nostalgia had fully settled in.
It might sound nakedly corny to readers expecting complexity and convoluted language. But this is real. No show-off journalism. Just a conversation that needed space to breathe.
There he was: Rajesh Ananda. A modern guru. Gently reminding us of something that rushing social beings, hostages to superficial commitments, have almost relinquished, even as a cliché. Festive times, he says, be they Christmas or any other celebration, are not a single day of sentimentality or rushed spirituality.
They are the beginning of a journey, one that teaches love, peace and harmony as daily practices, not seasonal gestures. Spirituality, he insists, should not be pushed aside, but crowned king of the holidays.
I spoke to Rajesh, who now spends much of his time in Cyprus, on the occasion of World Meditation Day, celebrated on Sunday the 21st of December, the longest night of the year. The Indian Embassy in Nicosia marked the day with FISU workshops and spiritual exercises.
Are you really a modern-age guru in the traditional sense of such a deeply spiritual term?
Yes. Guru means the dispeller of darkness. Gu means darkness, Ru means light. A guru is someone who takes you from darkness to light. Meditation originated in India, but modern teachers like myself have helped extend the benefits of this ancient practice and adapt it to contemporary life.
What does a guru represent at a time marked by uncertainty, spiritual disillusionment, depression, but also narcissism that goes beyond healthy individualism? Are you a guide, a healer, a therapist?
I am all of these things. I have had the profound experience of teaching thousands of people worldwide. Even my voice reflects the peace that everyone can access when they move beyond the surface of the mind and turn inward. We are taught to live externally. Meditation, in contrast, is an inner journey. It builds a foundation that remains steady amid the contradictions of modern life.
Do you feel that societies are lost in materialism and are relinquishing a sense of purpose?
Yes, but materialism and spirituality are two sides of the same coin. There is nothing wrong with wealth, as long as we are not attached to it and use it wisely. Wealth and accumulation are often confused, but they are not the same.
What does this kind of spirituality offer in terms of finding direction in life?
When you go beyond the surface and dive within, you realise there is much more to life than you ever imagined. You move beyond social and family conditioning and discover your authenticity and uniqueness. This discovery is deeply satisfying and joyful, and it naturally leads to a deeper experience of God and the universe.
Some people are concerned that organisations like FISU have a religious nature that might pull individuals away from their faith. How do you respond to such arguments?
I want to fill up churches, not empty them, but fill them up with people who understand themselves beyond conditioned belief. I don’t say ‘believe’, I say ‘experience’. Meditation gives you that experience. The stronger your personal faith becomes, beyond imposed structures, the happier you are. This is self-actualisation leading to self-realisation.
What does faith mean to you, especially in relation to Christianity and Christmas?
Faith and belief are pillars of life. When practised correctly, faith leads to belief. I was born into a Christian family, so I love Christmas because, for at least one day, the world slows down and love, peace and harmony come to the surface. Today, I would describe myself as a universalist. I pray with Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus. Religion is often a necessary stepping stone toward experiencing the divine. Meditation, however, is a direct path, without dogma or conditioning.
Is guru spirituality rooted in Hinduism and other Eastern religions?
No. Our teachings allow people to draw from any religion or educational background. We aim to move beyond polytheism and even concepts like the trinity, to discover the true self as one, through self-realisation.
What would you advise people going through spiritual hardship?
Go within. You cannot experience God with the mind alone. Only when the heart opens and love flows through you, which meditation cultivates, do you understand how the divine works. Hardships are life’s most profound lessons. When embraced, they expand our vision and capacity.
You now spend a great deal of time in Cyprus. How do you see Cypriots in terms of spirituality?
I have visited over 80 countries, worked in many and lived in several. I now live between the UK and Cyprus. One of the greatest joys of living here is the warmth of the people. Cypriots are among the kindest and most altruistic I have encountered. They care for others deeply. Spending time here aligns with my life, my love, and my ability to serve humanity fully. It truly feels like a blessing.