Homecoming A Journey of Homecoming:

Vipul Shaha on Mindfulness, Nature, and Belonging

At the intersection of psychotherapy, indigenous wisdom, and environmental education lies the work of Vipul Shaha. Based in Pune, India, Vipul is the founder of Mindful Being, where he serves as a psychotherapist, educator, and nature facilitator.

But if you ask Vipul who he is beyond his titles, he will tell you he is a pilgrim.

“I have been a seeker for as long as I can remember,” Vipul shares. “My work is a natural extension of a personal path focused on understanding the nature of reality (Dharma) and cultivating inner silence. To the extent that I’m calm and rooted within myself, I can create spaces where others experience the same.”

What is the heart of your work, and what inspired you to begin it?

Vipul Shaha: “At the heart of my work lie awareness and connection, guided by a quiet faith in the unfolding of human consciousness. Through Mindful Being, I hold spaces where people can slow down and reconnect—with themselves, with one another, and with the living Earth.

This path has been shaped by three formative experiences: encountering Vipassana meditation as a teenager; living alongside an indigenous, land-based community; and working with children in a forest school. Each revealed the same truth—belonging to self, community, and land is essential to our wellbeing.

The Seeds of Awareness

At the age of 17, under the guidance of S. N. Goenka-ji, Vipul learned the foundations of self-awareness and “righteous action” at a Vipassana retreat which continue to guide his work with young adults today. Then, after graduating from Harvard, Vipul spent a gap year living with a land-based indigenous community in India. This experience offered him a blueprint for a more integrated way of living and learning. Finally, working as an environmental educator at a Krishnamurti Foundation forest school, he witnessed firsthand how “falling in love with nature” is the ultimate medicine for human wellbeing.

How does your work nurture a deeper sense of ecological belonging?

VS:  “My work invites people into relationship with nature—not as a backdrop, but as a living presence. Through forest walks, mindfulness-based retreats, therapeutic conversations, and learning journeys—sometimes held outdoors—I encourage people to listen again.

Inspired by Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing), and alongside therapists, educators, indigenous knowledge holders, and land stewards, I co-facilitate one of India’s first Adventure and Nature-Based Therapy programs.

When safety, care, and connection are created — with Mother Nature as a co-therapist — something profound shifts. It becomes a journey of homecoming: remembering that nature has always been our home, and that we are wired for connection.”

Can you share a moment or challenge that brought this to life?

VS:  “My niece Anvi has become one of my greatest teachers. Through her barefoot walks, her conversations with trees, her fascination with ants and moon cycles, I am reminded that intimacy with nature is our original language.

And yet, alongside this joy, there is grief. Many children today are separated from such experiences—by urban life, shrinking natural spaces, and systems that leave little room for wonder. Anvi’s presence continually asks me: What kind of world are we shaping for those who come after us? And how closely do my daily choices align with that vision?”

A Practice for You: The “Sit Spot”

If you are looking for a small first step toward ecological belonging, Vipul invites you to begin a simple ritual:

  • Find your ‘Sit Spot’: A tree, a rock, a stream, or even a quiet park bench that feels safe.

  • Visit regularly: Observe the changes in the seasons. Listen to the birds. Journal or create art.

  • The Goal: Over time, you may discover a quiet truth: you are not just in nature; you are interconnected with all of life.

Explore more: 🎧Listen to Vipul’s Guided Mindfulness Practices here.

What is the most critical lesson you have learned that should be shared?

VS:  This work is subtle—planting seeds and trusting they’ll bloom. Over time, I’ve watched relationships soften, health regain priority, and lives reorient toward meaning.

The key insight? Ecological belonging begins with belonging to ourselves. Humanity’s disconnection from nature mirrors our disconnection from ourselves. As Thich Nhat Hanh said, we’ve become “hungry ghosts,” endlessly consuming to fill an inner emptiness.

This work can’t be sustained through shame or fear. It calls for embodied experiences of interconnectedness, tenderness, and love—for ourselves, each other, and the living Earth.”

What small, first step would you encourage others to take in their own community?

VS: “Find a place in nature that feels safe and nourishing—a tree, rock, stream, or park bench. Visit regularly. Observe. Listen. Journal. Create. Let the seasons teach you.

Over time, you may discover a quiet truth: you are interconnected with all of life.

Connect with Vipul:

You can find Vipul on LinkedIn and his website, or reach out directly by email. He’s always open to connecting with kindred spirits, synergistic projects, and initiatives that align with mindful, nature-immersive, and relational ways of being. He is particularly eager to collaborate on nature-based programs that support youth and marginalized communities.

Ecological BelongingForest BathingShinrin-yokuVipul Shaha
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