From CEO To ‘Friend Of The World’: The Making Of Mohanji

A fairy-tale story followed by a tragedy, then the phoenix rises from the ashes. That, in a nutshell, is the story of Mohanji, a globally renowned humanitarian, philanthropist, and recognised spiritual leader. Born in Kerala on February 23, 1965, he pursued a postgraduate degree in literature and then moved to the Middle East, where he built a successful twenty-four-year career in senior management in the logistics industry. Along the way, he got married in 1992, and was blessed with a daughter in November 1995.

His rosy life took a turn for the worse when his four-year-old daughter, Ammu, died in a tragic road accident in August 2000. Mohanji described Ammu as a ‘divine soul’ who made him aware of a deeper love, beyond all human barriers. Her death left him totally empty and devastated. The years that followed brought more loss – the end of his marriage, loss of savings, failed investments, and job loss. Kidney trouble and a painful skin infection followed, aggravated by the desert heat of the Middle East. Forsaken by friends and family, he turned within.

After completing Ammu's final rites, he left for the Himalayas, which became his second home. Between three and eight each morning, he withdrew daily into a room with a single lamp, emptying himself by burning every aspect of existence– his grief, attachments, possessions, positions, relationships and finally his identity. He frequently sought silence in the Himalayas, away from the ‘world of noises’. Later, he had the revelation that this external silence was ephemeral, and that he had to find silence in the midst of noise. After intense practices, he found this state of silence, but it took him almost a decade to fully establish himself in it.

Along the way, he founded Ammucare Charitable Trust in 2003, inspired by the prophetic words of a saint: “Do something for the children of Mother Earth. You will have eternal peace. You will have glory.” In 2007, he received the ‘Power of Purity’ and ‘360 Degrees’ meditations during communions with Higher Masters. Devi Mohan also entered his life around the same time. She encouraged him to share what he had learned with a wider audience. Free meditation sessions began in Dubai that year. They married in 2010, and their daughter, Mila, was born the following year. The scope gradually increased as many across the world practised the meditations and followed Mohanji’s teachings. With this ever-growing scope and the demands on his time, he decided to quit his corporate career in 2012 to devote his life to selfless service.

With over two and a half decades of humanitarian work, Mohanji has inspired a global movement of kindness and non-violence by founding various charities and organisations, with an established presence on all continents and 90+ countries, registered in 23 countries, 3000+ activities in 50+ countries, and 10 dedicated Mohanji centres worldwide. Mohanji Foundation, headquartered in Switzerland, along with Ammucare, ACT Foundation, Himalayan Academy of Traditions, World Consciousness Alliance, Mohanji Youth Club, Early Birds Club, and World Tribal Alliance, to name a few, serve as platforms for people to express kindness and compassion through selfless acts that benefit society and the Earth.

Several contemporary spiritual figures have since conferred honorific titles on him, including Raja Rishi and Brahmarishi, though he identifies most with Jagat-mitra– ‘friend of the world’. PETA voted him the ‘Most Influential Vegan’ at the 2021 PETA India Vegan Food Awards. Similarly, the city of Frisco in Dallas, USA, officially proclaimed April 16th as Mohanji Day in recognition of his selfless service globally. Numerous organisations, including BRICS, have honoured Mohanji for his humanitarian contributions worldwide.

His philosophy, deeply rooted in the principle of ahimsa (non-violence), advocates humanity as the highest religion. His stated mission is to transform humankind into kind humans. He encourages authenticity and self-acceptance, and promotes pragmatism over doctrine. His core teaching, ‘Be You’, urges people to focus on experience rather than theory, to connect with themselves, to transcend their limitations, and to embrace their unique potential.

His life exemplifies how ordinary people can achieve extraordinary feats when driven by purpose, supported by commitment, consistency, and conviction.