BUILT ON VALUES, DRIVEN BY PURPOSE
- Ajuli Tulsyan
- 4 hours ago
- 5 min read
Seema Surana’s journey is a testament to the quiet strength of choosing the soul over the spotlight
Born into a traditional Jain family in Rajasthan and raised amidst the cultural tapestry of Kathmandu, Seema Surana was shaped early by a philosophy that would define her life—Ahinsa, the practice of non-violence.
As a young student with a brilliant mind for biology, she once dreamed of becoming a doctor. Yet destiny had other plans. Faced with the requirement to dissect a frog, she made a choice that startled many but liberated her spirit.
“Failing that practical was not a defeat,” she reflects. “It was a victory for my conscience. I chose compassion over convention.”
That decision, seemingly small in the academic world, became the first of many moments where Seema would choose alignment over approval.
A Different Kind of Strength
Pivoting to accountancy, she discovered an intuitive command over numbers. Logic came naturally, precision excited her, and for a time it seemed she had found her path. But life intervened early. As the eldest child, responsibility arrived swiftly. Married at twenty to Vikram Surana, she moved to Maharashtra and began yet another chapter—one that demanded reinvention.
Her background in athletics proved to be her silent armour.
“Sports taught me discipline and resilience,” she says. “You learn quickly that setbacks are not endings—they are training grounds.”
That resilience became vital as she navigated marriage, a new household in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and evolving expectations.
Her upbringing had prepared her in unexpected ways. Her father’s insistence on financial independence instilled ambition; her mother’s rigorous training in household management built adaptability. What once felt demanding became her foundation.
“I didn’t realise it then, but my mother was teaching me leadership—through responsibility,” she smiles.
Enterprise with Enlightenment
Despite completing her B. Com after marriage, Seema’s aspirations met resistance. The idea of starting a business in a small town was not immediately embraced. Instead of confronting the barrier head-on, she pivoted—this time inward.
Her fascination with what she calls “Living Science” led her to explore the human body, yoga, and breathwork. Within the Jain community’s Gyanshala, she began teaching children every Sunday—introducing them to Jain Sanskar and Preksha meditation.
What began as service became transformation.
“When you teach, you learn twice,” she says. “I discovered my voice while helping children find theirs.”
Public speaking, once intimidating, became natural. Spiritual teaching evolved into motivational guidance. She was no longer merely fulfilling roles; she was stepping into purpose.
Today, as co-founder of Ayush Paper and a spiritual mentor, Seema embodies a rare synthesis—business acumen anchored in inner awareness.
“Enterprise without consciousness is hollow. Spirituality without action is incomplete. I strive to honour both.”
Purpose Born in Crisis
During a deeply personal chapter of her life, Seema discovered a purpose that would extend far beyond her own journey. When Vikram faced a hospital emergency, she experienced first-hand the urgency and fragility of life—struggling to arrange a blood bag at a critical moment. That experience transformed her perspective permanently.
“In that moment, I understood the true value of blood—not as a medical term, but as life itself,” she shares.
What began as a response to one painful incident soon became a sustained mission. For the past ten years, with the unwavering support of friends and family, she has helped organise blood donation camps, collectively contributing over 1,500 blood bags. What started as her personal purpose has now become her family’s shared commitment.
“I am grateful to God for surrounding me with such beautiful souls,” she says. “When purpose becomes collective, it becomes powerful.”
Stillness in a Restless World
In an age that equates success with speed, Seema speaks of stillness as power.
“Women do not need to choose between ambition and peace,” she asserts. “Stillness sharpens ambition. It does not dilute it.”
For her, success has evolved. It is no longer measured solely in milestones or metrics.
“Success today means clarity of thought and strength of character. If my actions align with my values, I consider myself successful.”
Her days balance enterprise, spiritual teaching, and family life—but she consciously protects time for herself. Early morning breathwork, silent reflection, and mindful movement form her ritual of self-care.
“Me time is not indulgence,” she explains. “It is maintenance of the soul.”
Visibility with Purpose
Spiritual wisdom is often private, yet Seema chose to share hers publicly—through teaching and digital platforms.
“If knowledge can heal even one confused mind, it must not remain hidden,” she says. “Silence is sacred, but so is guidance.”
Her journey has not been dramatic in the conventional sense. There are no headlines of rebellion or grand confrontation. Instead, there is something more enduring—a series of conscious choices rooted in compassion, adaptability, and growth.
Published Author
Beyond enterprise and spiritual mentorship, Seema Surana is also a published author. Her book, Embracing the Lizard: A Guide to Meditation Tools and Techniques, distils years of study, reflection, and lived experience into a practical roadmap for inner clarity. The title itself is symbolic—inviting readers to confront and understand the restless, instinctive mind rather than suppress it. Through accessible meditation practices, breathwork guidance, and thoughtful reflections, she demystifies spirituality, making it tangible for modern lives weighed down by urgency and distraction.
“Meditation is not about escaping reality,” she explains. “It is about learning to sit with it—calmly, consciously, and courageously.”
The book is not merely instructional; it is an extension of her own evolution—a quiet offering to anyone seeking peace without renouncing ambition.
A Guiding Principle
When asked what advice she would leave for young women navigating identity, career, and inner peace, her answer is simple yet profound:
“Never silence your inner voice for external applause. Build competence, yes. Build independence, certainly. But above all, build character. The rest will follow.”
From refusing a dissection in a biology lab to guiding young minds in meditation halls, Seema Surana’s life is proof that courage does not always roar. Sometimes, it whispers—and changes everything.
Strength Behind the Scenes
Seema also speaks with deep gratitude of the pillars who shaped her journey. She credits her father for instilling in her the fundamentals of business and finance, and for standing beside her with constant guidance.
“My father gave me the confidence to understand money, enterprise, and independence,” she reflects.
She is equally thankful to a close friend who continues to encourage her forward—whether for a major milestone or the smallest intention.
“Sometimes, it only takes one person who believes in you to keep you moving,” she says quietly.
