Interview With Author Selvan Srinivasan
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Author Selvan Srinivasan, lives in Hyderabad with his wife, daughter and two grandchildren. He is the Co-founder and Chairman of Hyderabad’s leading mental health services providing organisation, PFP Psychological Services Private Limited. He is a mentor guiding participants through an online program called Awareness Journey. He also teaches a course in Alternative Therapies to post graduate psychology students in a college in Hyderabad. He is a practitioner of energy medicine and a writer.
He has written and published three books so far and is on the pathway to write and publish the entire series “Tales from the Awareness Journey Series” which would have six fiction novels, each accompanied by a self help workbook over the next two years.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
When the idea of “Inner Alchemy” first took shape in my mind, I was conscious of the challenge that self-help books often face – the unconscious resistance that readers may experience when faced with a slew of instructions. It’s a natural response; we’ve all grown up with elders telling us what to do and what not to do all our lives. I wanted to circumvent this resistance by presenting the guidance in a different, more palatable form.
“Inner Alchemy” is a not your typical self-help book; it’s a light, entertaining story. I recognized that in the modern urban setting, people might be put off by a book that feels like another set of instructions. So, I chose to tell a story that almost everyone in such a setting could instantly relate to. Ayushi, the protagonist, represents the struggles and experiences that many individuals face in their day-to-day lives.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I usually travel to some faraway destination while writing my first draft and return for the more cumbersome and time-consuming process of editing and rewriting. For this book, I went on a four-month sojourn to some of the most breath-taking places in the US. These included the banks of Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, the Potomac River in Maryland, Tybee Island on the East coast, and San Diego on the west coast. Since it was a long trip, I managed to write the first draft of not only this book but also my next book.
I was away from my home in Hyderabad and, therefore, free from all my daily routines. I used to be a meticulous planner during my corporate years, but now, although I make plans in my mind and sometimes even write it down, I allow intuition to carry me through and do not have any rigid timelines or disciplines.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
As I continued on my journey, I met numerous spiritual mentors who profoundly impacted my personal evolution. My initial guide was Rishi Prabhakar, the creator of SSY, but I didn’t stop there. I immersed myself in a variety of spiritual teachings, including The Art of Living by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Reiki (3rd Degree) in the Mikao Usui tradition, as well as courses in Duality and Transcendence by Jeffery Allen, Creative Manifestation by Eckhart Tolle, and Energy Medicine by Donna Eden. These experiences enriched my spiritual quest.
My reading choices also reflect the wide range of my spiritual influences. The works of Paramahamsa Yogananda, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, and various Indian authors deeply resonated with me, while Western writers like Barbara Ann Brennan, Louise Hay, Stephen Covey, and James Redfield added more dimensions to my journey. This blend of Eastern and Western spiritual philosophies highlights my eclectic approach to embracing and understanding diverse spiritual perspectives.
What are you working on now?
“Inner Alchemy” is the inaugural piece of a series I’ve titled “Tales from the Awareness Journey series.” The narrative unfolds in the bustling city of Hyderabad, India, against the backdrop of the challenging year 2021. Ayushi, a young software professional, grapples with the complexities of urban existence when her life takes an unexpected turn.
The pivotal moment occurs when Ayushi encounters Ranjan, the architect of an online transformative experience known as the Awareness Journey. Intrigued by the promise of profound change, Ayushi decides to enrol in this mentoring program, setting the stage for a significant shift in her life’s trajectory. Ayushi, a character inspired by numerous real-life students from my mentoring program, meets Ranjan, also known as Oogway in the tales. Oogway, a fictional version of myself, becomes a guiding force in Ayushi’s life.
The Awareness Journey comprises six modules, each spanning a month of daily online mentoring, including guided meditation audios, training videos, texting, and video calls. Each novel in the series corresponds to a specific module, and “Inner Alchemy” is associated with the first one, “The Happy Place Module.”
Over the next two years, I plan to publish the remaining five novels in this series, each continuing the transformative journey that begins with “Inner Alchemy.” The unfolding narrative promises readers not just a story but a holistic experience that blends entertainment, wisdom, and self-discovery.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am a very introverted person mostly focussed on writing, individual mentoring and energy healing. I am still searching for ways to promote my books and am not happy with my own efforts or outcome so far.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
As a mentor, my advice is the same for everyone. Learn to be aware of your state of mind and come back to your “Happy Place Within” before doing anything important. Everything else will fall into place with ease when you operate from a grounded and present state of mind. Read my book to find out how to do this with utmost ease.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Life can be smooth, easy, peaceful, and joyful despite the chaos and turmoil surrounding us. You only need to learn a few skilful things, as Ayushi did in the book, to transform your life. In fact, you need not learn too many things; you need not even embark on a journey into Awareness as Ayushi did. You can just enjoy reading a nice storybook, and while you are at it, you may find at least one easy tool that you can try out then and there and adopt it in your life.
This alone can bring about unimaginable improvements in your life situation, inspiring you to venture deeper. “Inner Alchemy” is not just a book; it’s a companion on your journey towards a more balanced and fulfilling life. So, I encourage you to seize the opportunity and order the book on Amazon. Its pages hold not only entertainment but also valuable guidance, offering a path toward a holistic, well-rounded life that many seek.
What are you reading now?
I am reading the PhD thesis of my daughter Aarathi Selvan on Mindfulness in Psychological counselling practice.
What’s next for you as a writer?
My task for the next two years is clear as I have already mentioned before. After that I have no idea what I would continue writing about but I am sure something will come up. It always comes up from the realm of my intuitive mind. One year ago, I had no clue that I am going to write and publish three books, it just happened!
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I will choose from the books written by Eckhart Tolle, Barbara Ann Brennon, Donna Eden and Luise L Hay.
Author Websites and Profiles
Selvan Srinivasan Amazon Profile
Selvan Srinivasan’s Social Media Links
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