Sahara Rose: A Trailblazer in Spiritual Growth and Joyful Empowerment
In the world of spirituality and personal growth, Sahara Rose stands out as a prominent figure. As the host of the immensely popular spirituality podcast, Highest Self, and a three-time best-selling author, she has garnered a significant following. Beyond her literary achievements, she is the founder of both the Dharma Coaching Institute and Rose Gold Goddesses, further cementing her position as a multifaceted entrepreneur in the field.
Deepak Chopra, a renowned figure in the realm of spiritual wisdom, has acknowledged Sahara Rose as “a leading voice for the millennial generation into the new paradigm shift,” underscoring her impact and influence on a broader audience.
At her core, Sahara’s mission is to guide others in discovering their dharma, their soul’s purpose, and unleashing their fullest expression. Her vision is to collectively raise the planet’s vibration, fostering a harmonious and enlightened world. With a diverse skill set that includes being an Ayurveda expert, inspirational speaker, DJ, and dance enthusiast, she approaches the spiritual journey with an emphasis on joy and fun, believing that true service arises from embracing one’s highest joy.
Sahara’s Ayurvedic Journey
At 21 years old, Sahara faced health challenges, weighing only 87 pounds and experiencing hypothalamic amenorrhea. Doctors warned her that her body was entering perimenopause and predicted osteoporosis by her 50s, along with the inability to have children. They prescribed various medications like hormone replacement therapy and antidepressants, but Sahara believed that the root of her imbalances required a deeper approach. Instead, she embarked on a journey of self-healing, which eventually led her to discover Ayurveda.
Ayurveda is an ancient Indian health system that focuses on the mind-body connection. As Sahara learned about the Vata Dosha, which represents the air archetype, it felt like she was reading her own diary. Not only did it explain her health issues, but it also described her personality perfectly. Embracing this wisdom in her life, Sahara noticed significant changes. Her sleep improved, her mind became less restless, and she gained clarity in her thoughts. She felt grounded, peaceful, and was finally able to digest food without experiencing pain.
For two years, Sahara immersed herself in Ayurvedic studies and started considering how to update this ancient system for modern times. While traditional Ayurveda discouraged the consumption of raw foods due to factors like contaminated soil and lack of refrigeration in ancient India, Sahara saw that modern nutrition emphasized the importance of fresh raw fruits and vegetables. As a result, she reformed certain Ayurvedic recipes to accommodate contemporary lifestyles and dietary practices.
Path of Transformation
Sahara writes books that others wish they had during their own journeys. When she needed to heal her body, she delved into studying Ayurveda, which later inspired her to write “Idiot’s Guide to Ayurveda” and “Eat Feel Fresh.” Her pursuit of sharing spiritual wisdom faced challenges, as she was initially rejected by 30 publishers. However, she persevered and ended up with two best-selling books, both with forewords by Deepak Chopra. As people expressed curiosity about her success, she decided to pen “Discover Your Dharma.”
Currently, Sahara is working on a book that chronicles her personal journey towards sensuality and embodiment after her divorce. She views life as a source of valuable lessons, which she passionately transmits to others through her teachings.
Empowering Others to Awaken, Raise Consciousness, and Fulfill Their Dharma
Sahara always knew she was born on this planet to help others, but she wasn’t sure how. Her parents had experienced tough times, like being refugees and immigrants, facing child marriage, female suppression, and political imprisonment. Because of this, she felt it was her duty to save the world.
During her younger years, she dedicated herself to volunteering with organizations and leading Human Rights campaigns as the president of her local Amnesty International Chapter. She also studied International Development. Through these experiences, she came to understand that changing the world required changing people’s thinking.
Instead of commanding people, she believed in raising their awareness and consciousness. If people could become more aware, they would naturally make better decisions, creating a fairer, more abundant, and beautiful world for everyone. This realization led her to a mission to awaken others to the wisdom within themselves.
Sahara believed that none of us are here by chance; each person has a purpose. She thought that being here at this specific time meant you were meant to raise consciousness and be part of a big shift. Your unique gifts, strengths, and interests are not accidental; they carry the purpose of your soul, your dharma.
Embracing the Human Experience
Sahara created the podcast she wished she had – one that was down-to-earth, relatable, inclusive, and enjoyable. For her, spirituality is not about disconnecting from the body but about fully embracing it. She believes that we are in these human bodies for a purpose, and the journey to higher consciousness is through embodiment.
In her podcast, Sahara chooses topics based on the meaningful conversations she has in her own life. She invites guests who have been both teachers and peers in her journey. The podcast is unfiltered and intentional, making it a huge success over the past 7 years. Listeners resonate with its raw and purposeful approach to spirituality and life.
Modern Ayurveda
Sahara’s passion lies in making Ayurvedic nutrition accessible, relatable, and relevant for the present time. She recognizes that the world has changed significantly since the ancient Ayurvedic era, which dates back 5000 years. Back then, refrigeration did not exist, so the recommendation in Ayurveda to avoid food cooked more than three hours ago made sense as it would spoil. However, in today’s world, adhering strictly to freshly cooking every meal right before eating and discarding any leftovers would be impractical and hinder people from fulfilling their responsibilities and life purposes (dharma).
To address this challenge, Sahara promotes the idea of meal-prepping as a helpful way to incorporate the six tastes of Ayurveda into one’s diet. By preparing a daily Six Taste Bowl, which she shares recipes for in her book “Eat Feel Fresh,” people can still enjoy the benefits of Ayurvedic principles without compromising their daily routines and commitments. This approach allows for practicality and convenience while embracing the wisdom of Ayurvedic nutrition to maintain balance and well-being in modern life.
Five Stages of Spiritual Discovery and Fulfillmen
Sahara offers practical guidance for individuals on their journey to discover their dharma through five stages:
Stage 1: Self-Awareness
- You realize there must be more to life than what you’ve been experiencing.
- You sense a deeper purpose but have no idea where to start or what it is.
- The need for a radical change becomes apparent, spurred by pain or feeling numb.
- This marks the planting of the seed of dharma.
Stage 2: Self-Improvement
- You make it a mission to better yourself physically and mentally.
- Adopting practices like yoga, reading self-help books, and meditation.
- Letting go of habits that no longer serve you.
- The seed of dharma is watered during this stage.
Stage 3: Awakening
- Your focus shifts from self-improvement to self-discovery.
- Realizing you are not just your body and mind, but a soul in a body with a mind.
- Exploring spiritual topics and practices like yoga, meditation, and energy healing.
- Your worldview undergoes a profound shift, and you engage in healing work.
- The seed of dharma begins to sprout.
Stage 4: Higher Consciousness
- You openly embrace your spiritual beliefs and practices.
- Sharing your journey with others, even on social media or with friends and family.
- Realizing that your current job may not fully align with who you are becoming.
- Continuing your spiritual growth through various means, like shadow work and ancestral healing.
- Understanding that life is happening for you, not to you, and taking control of your transformation.
- The dharma sprout starts to grow during this stage.
Stage 5: Stepping Into Your Dharma
- Embodying your true self, you connect with your deeper purpose.
- Recognizing your sacred mission and transitioning from a self-centered to a service-oriented mindset.
- Your spiritual practice becomes a foundation for healing humanity and the world.
- Transforming any aspect of your life that doesn’t align with your mission.
- Understanding that you are a channel for cosmic wisdom and serving the world through your highest joy.
- This is when you truly embody your dharma and the truth of who you are.
“You can read these all in more detail in Discover Your Dharma.”
Ancient Wisdom Unveiled
Sahara introduces a special deck steeped in the wisdom of the Vedas, which serves as a visionary tool to access your yogic intuition. Each card in this deck represents different aspects of yourself, portrayed by sacred figures and concepts deeply rooted in yoga and Ayurveda. The cards are adorned with beautiful ethereal artwork featuring original ancient statues, allowing you to gain insights into your present and receive guidance for the future. By using this deck, you can connect with your inner wisdom and unlock a profound understanding of yourself. It’s a unique way to tap into the timeless knowledge of the Vedas and enhance your spiritual journey.
Unleashing Authenticity
One of Sahara’s biggest challenges was overcoming the fear of haters. She was concerned about how people would perceive a spiritual author who also enjoyed twerking, DJing, and having fun. She felt pressured to fit into a specific box, thinking she had to wear all white and mala beads to be taken seriously. However, she realized that wasn’t her true self. When she embraced her full expression and shared her authentic self, her audience actually grew.
While some people couldn’t handle her twerk vibes, Sahara decided not to dim her light for those who haven’t discovered their own authenticity. Embracing embodiment became a cornerstone of her work, and she recently introduced the Certified Embodiment Coach Certification at the Highest Self Institute. Through her journey, she learned the importance of staying true to herself and accepting that not everyone will resonate with her, and that’s okay. By being authentic, she attracted the right audience who appreciated and connected with her true self.
Transparent and Inclusive Creative Process
Sahara believes in sharing from her heart and honoring her transitions while taking people along on her journey. Instead of waiting until the final product is complete, she includes her audience in the process. She offers a behind-the-scenes look at everything she creates, whether it’s hosting her Highest Self Weekend event or working on her new album.
By sharing these experiences with her audience, nothing feels like a sudden surprise. People understand the dedication and devotion that goes into all of Sahara’s creations. This approach fosters a deeper connection with her followers as they get to witness the passion and effort that she pours into her work. Sahara’s transparency and inclusiveness create a sense of community and allow her audience to feel a part of her creative journey.
Transcendence through Sound
Sahara is thrilled about creating her first-ever album, which serves as a transmission focused on sensuality and embodiment. She firmly believes that the future of communication lies in sound, as it allows us to feel on a deeper level through our bodies compared to thinking through the mind. This album is a beautiful fusion of her Persian lineage with inspirations from African, Brazilian, Latin, and Arabic cultures, all infused with intentional meanings and messages to help listeners embrace their fullest expression.
In addition to her album, Sahara is also excited to continue DJing around the world. She brings her unique Shakti Twerk movement to audiences, celebrating tribal beats, global grooves, and ancient melodies, all wrapped up in an ecstatic dance experience. For those interested in experiencing her DJ sets, they can find them available here.
Guidance for Spiritual and Personal Development
Sahara’s advice to individuals on their spiritual and personal development journey is to honor the creativity that flows through them. Recognize it as the divine gift bestowed upon you. Don’t wait for permission or approval from anyone, including your parents, to create what you are meant to be and do. Embrace your unique calling and purpose.
By saying yes to your dharma and following your creative instincts, you will unlock a path of unfolding and growth. The more you embrace and nurture your unique expression, the clearer your purpose will become. Trust in the process, and let your creative energy guide you towards a fulfilling and authentic life journey.
