Laya is a sophomore at Stanford University, where she studies computer science. She loves to go on hikes, meditate, read books, and play the piano. She is experienced in the full-life cycle development of multiple apps and is passionate about developing solutions in the overlap between mental health and artificial intelligence.

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Laya Iyer

<h4
  id="h-laya-iyer-is-in-her-second-year-of-computer-science-at-stanford-university-california-she-talks-about-what-motivated-her-journey-as-a-young-researcher-and-encourages-other-young-people-to-take-up-research">
  <strong><mark style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); color: #faa83b">LAYA IYER</mark>
    is in her second year of Computer Science at Stanford University,
    California. She talks about what motivated her journey as a young
    researcher, and encourages other young people to take up research.</strong>
</h4>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<p>
  My research journey began as a freshman in high school. I spent my first year
  noticing the enormous amounts of social, academic, and athletic pressure that
  was put on students in my districts, including self-induced pressures. Since I
  understood the implications that societal and academic pressure can have on
  the mental health of students, I wanted to see if there was a way to help
  mitigate these effects. So, in order to help the people around me, I created
  an app and I evaluated the efficacy of my app so as to contribute to the
  broader wellness-research community.
</p>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<div>
  <figure>
    <img decoding="async" width="700" alt="" class="lazyload has-img-center"
      src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/dive_research_young2_700x584_6ce4cf6738.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-13T10:23:52.124Z" />
  </figure>
</div>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<p>
  I have been around research from a very young age – inspired by a mother who
  pursued her Ph.D. when she had three girls under 3. This molded my mind into
  an inquisitive one. Developing a sense of curiosity helped me to be excited
  about solving problems and opened up a world of possibilities and ways of
  thinking.
</p>

<p>
  But I didn’t just stop at questioning, taking actionable steps to soothe my
  curiosity. It helped make me feel like I had a bigger purpose – giving back to
  people around the world. Helping people by proposing ways to solve problems,
  and evaluating solutions fulfills me and keeps me going through difficult
  experiences.
</p>

<p>
  When I was a sophomore in high school, my school days were academically
  intense, taking three advanced science classes at once. After school, on the
  swim team, I would practice for three hours, feeling both mentally and
  physically exhausted. But, when I came home, I was rejuvenated by working on
  something that satisfied me, that I was genuinely curious about. One of the
  best things about research is that you can work on anything you are passionate
  about and develop your ideas in that area!
</p>

<p>
  After setting up my research question and getting the study approved through
  an institutional review board, I began to collect data. For me, the most
  exciting part of there search experience is seeing all the data come in, then
  analyzing and drawing patterns among the numbers. In the analysis phase, the
  data come together like pieces of a puzzle. Eventually, you have data that
  either support your initial thought process or reveal something new.
</p>

<p>
  Being a young person in research, you also provide fresh and new perspectives
  to professionals who have been working in their field for a long time. This
  introduction of a unique perspective often helps solve complex, unsolved
  problems; or at least tests out new ideas for problems that have existed for
  an extremely long time. Contributing to a larger foundation of research work
  is a gratifying experience, as your research informs the next generation of
  researchers in your area.
</p>

<p>
  Every step of the way in the research process – whether you just want to be
  involved in the ideation phase or you really enjoy analyzing the data – you
  benefit from dipping your fingers in. If you have the opportunity to work in
  research, leap at it and flourish!
</p>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<div>
  <figure>
    <img decoding="async" width="700" alt="" class="lazyload has-img-center"
      src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/dive_research_young3_700x584_5a269171ff.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-13T10:25:21.346Z" />
  </figure>
</div>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />

Dive into research young!

Laya is a sophomore at Stanford University, where she studies computer science. She loves to go on hikes, meditate, read books, and play the piano. She is experienced in the full-life cycle development of multiple apps and is passionate about developing solutions in the overlap between mental health and artificial intelligence.

Liaa is a sophomore at the University of Texas, majoring in Economics and Computer Science. She enjoys running, reading, and baking. She’s passionate about making mental health resources more accessible, has created two mental wellness apps, and has conducted research to explore the ways in which technology can help make the mental health journey more accessible and personal for all. 

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Laya Iyer and Liaa Kumar

<h4>
  <strong><mark style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); color: #ff6900">LAYA IYER</mark>
    and
    <mark style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); color: #9b51e0">LIAA KUMAR</mark>
    have completed their first year of college in the US. They share their
    experience of how starting college can be as smooth and enriching as
    possible.</strong>
</h4>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<p>
  New beginnings are great. They’re a chance to start afresh and chart a new
  course in any direction you choose. Change brings excitement and challenges,
  opportunities for growth and new experiences. Moments of transition also
  create much needed moments of reflection and allow you to re-prioritize and
  adjust your direction in life.
</p>

<p>
  Starting college last fall was our most recent new beginning. It was dizzying,
  exciting, and a little disorienting. You are away from home for the first
  time, trying to find a new and different sense of home. You’re figuring out
  your place in the world, figuring out what parts of your identity you want to
  hold onto, what parts you’ve outgrown, and what kind of person you want to
  grow into. We’ve learned a lot from our first semester of college life, about
  each other, ourselves, and the world around us.
</p>

<h3>
  <mark style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); color: #fcb900"><strong>Here are 10
    tips that have worked for us.</strong></mark>
</h3>

<h4>
  <mark style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); color: #9b51e0">#1. <strong>Be kind to your
      body.</strong></mark>
</h4>

<p>
  Every single one of your 600 odd muscles, 200 bones, and 37 trillion something
  cells work tirelessly day in and day out to keep your body functioning.
  Imagine those tiny workers, pumping your blood, and fending off potential
  illnesses, all so you can laugh, dance and <em>live</em> every single day. The
  kindest thing you can do for them is eat some fruits and vegetables once in a
  while and make an effort to be physically active. Fresh air won’t hurt you!
  Listen to your body, learn to recognize when it’s tired, hungry, and thirsty.
  Make it easy for your body to stay strong and resilient. Be kind to your body
  and it will be kind to you.
</p>

<h4>
  <mark style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); color: #ff6900">#2. <strong>Prioritize your
      sleep.</strong></mark>
</h4>

<p>
  College is great because life is <em>so full</em> of people, activities,
  thoughts, ideas. It’s tempting to skip a few hours of sleep so you don’t miss
  a single second of it. But adrenaline only lasts so long, and unless you want
  to be perpetually exhausted or unfocused during the day, you’ll always benefit
  from enough sleep the night before. Not to mention that learning to make good
  choices for yourself, especially in the face of tempting alternatives, is a
  valuable exercise in prioritizing yourself and setting boundaries. That said,
  staying up late enough to see the sunrise is a rite of passage in college;
  just consider saving it for the weekend.
</p>

<h4>
  <mark style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); color: #9b51e0">#3. <strong>Find your own
      pace.</strong></mark>
</h4>

<p>
  Life is not a race, it’s a marathon. Although it may seem like things and
  people around are moving at lightspeed, the most important person you’re
  competing with is yourself. Everyone is working toward their own destination,
  and if you spend all your time trying to accomplish someone else’s goals you
  might end up in a place you never wanted to be in the first place. Take some
  time to figure out what it is that <em>you</em> want and what to do to get
  there. Don’t be afraid to challenge and push yourself, but don’t feel like you
  have to impress anyone or live up to their expectations. Taking things at your
  own pace, even if that means slowing down once in a while, will take you much
  further than trying to sprint to the finish line.
</p>

<h4>
  <mark style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); color: #ff6900">#4.
    <strong>Create your own life, don’t wait for someone to tell you what to do with
      it.</strong></mark>
</h4>

<p>
  If you don’t know what your purpose or direction in life is yet, that’s okay!
  Explore, be curious about the world, and be willing to learn something from
  every person you meet. Ask questions and create opportunities for yourself.
  People often talk about “finding themselves,” but if you don’t know what
  you’re looking for, how will you know when you’ve found it? Take time to
  figure out what kind of person you want to be and what direction you want to
  move in. It’s a powerful first step toward creating the kind of life you want.
</p>

<h4>
  <mark style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); color: #9b51e0">#5.
    <strong>Stay true to yourself and your people will find you.</strong></mark>
</h4>

<p>
  You’ll be meeting many new people all the time: in classes, the dining hall,
  the hallway, and at clubs. Some of them will become great friends, others will
  be friendly acquaintances. Be open to meeting new people from different
  backgrounds, and you’re guaranteed to meet people with whom you click.
  Surround yourself with people who inspire you, challenge, and encourage you to
  be the best version of yourself.
</p>

<h4>
  <mark style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); color: #ff6900">#6. <strong>Call
      home.</strong></mark>
</h4>

<p>
  It’s all too easy to get caught up in the newness of everything. Remember the
  people who have taken care of you and helped make you who you are. Check in
  with them, even when nothing’s wrong. They want to know how you are. When
  you’re busy building all these new relationships, don’t forget to take care of
  the ones you came to college with.
</p>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<figure class="block-image">
  <img alt="starting-college2" class="lazyload has-img-center"
    src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/starting_college2_cef80e0f30.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-11T11:11:08.722Z" />
</figure>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<h4>
  <mark style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); color: #9b51e0">#7.
    <strong>Refrain from judging, instead try to learn from the people around
      you.</strong></mark>
</h4>

<p>
  You will meet people from a variety of backgrounds you are not familiar with.
  It’s important to be compassionate and understanding and give people the place
  to be themselves. It’s a wonderful opportunity to be inspired and learn more
  about the world. Be curious and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
</p>

<h4>
  <mark style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); color: #ff6900">#8. <strong>Make sure to
      connect with yourself.</strong></mark>
</h4>

<p>
  Whether it’s through journaling, meditation, or going on a short walk, make
  sure you check in with how you’re feeling. Even the most extroverted person
  needs some downtime to recharge and reflect, so give yourself that space and
  time.&nbsp;
</p>

<h4>
  <mark style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); color: #9b51e0">#9.
    <strong>Develop healthy coping mechanisms for stress, anger, and sadness.</strong></mark>
</h4>

<p>
  During your transition, you will be facing a lot of emotions that you haven’t
  experienced before, or you are experiencing alone. Practices like meditation,
  relaxation, and journaling are very helpful, so don’t be afraid to use them.
</p>

<h4>
  <mark style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); color: #ff6900">#10. <strong>Give yourself
      the space to learn and grow!</strong></mark>
</h4>

<p>
  It’s okay to make mistakes. Mistakes are part of being human, but what’s
  incredibly important is to learn from your mistakes and apply yourself in the
  next situation.
</p>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />

10 tips for starting college

<h4><span style="color:hsl(30,75%,60%);"><strong>LIAA KUMAR</strong></span><span style="color:hsl(120,75%,60%);"><strong> </strong></span><span style="color:hsl(0,0%,0%);"><strong>and</strong></span><span style="color:hsl(120,75%,60%);"><strong> </strong></span><span style="color:hsl(30,75%,60%);"><strong>LAYA IYER</strong></span><span style="color:hsl(120,75%,60%);"><strong> </strong></span><strong>explore the relationship between peace and our connection with the natural world.</strong></h4><p style="text-align:justify;">It’s an unlikely story: a lush, ecological paradise in the middle of a desert. Kanha Shanti Vanam, the global headquarters of the Heartfulness Institute, emerges from the barren landscape like a mirage. A few hundred sprawling acres of dense forest, rich soil and an abundance of greenery is situated, almost improbably, just forty kilometers outside the bustling and smog-filled city of Hyderabad.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">In Kanha, the trees arch gracefully overhead as they hang heavy with fruit ripe for plucking;&nbsp;stars sweep across the night sky, undiluted by any light pollution. The breeze is gentle and scented sweetly by the gardens bursting with colorful flowers weaving amongst the rows of endangered plants. Amidst it all, there is a striking sense of peace, simplicity, and profound connection with the natural world all around you.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Kanha opened its gates in 2017 with a world-changing vision: to create a modern model of a sustainable spiritual life guided by innovative technology in conservation and ecology. It’s a global center of spirituality unlike any other, built to be a refuge not only for the soul but for nature as well, allowing people to tune into their inner and outer worlds. Looking around,&nbsp;it’s easy to forget that before the ashram was introduced to the world as a fertile sanctuary, it was home to nothing more than endless acres of dry and barren land. So how did a physical and spiritual oasis take root here?&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify;">The first obstacle to transforming the land was enriching and nourishing the soil’s fertility. This was achieved by implementing a combination of traditional farming techniques<i>.&nbsp;</i>This emphasis on using natural farming methods and treating the Earth gently is rooted in the ethos of Kanha. Over the past few years, it has yielded incredibly fertile soil that is a sanctuary to the crops and gardens.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify;">By the time we arrived in the summer of 2022, Kanha was in full vibrant form. We had planned our visit primarily as a spiritual retreat, to recharge, reflect, and connect within ourselves. We did not anticipate the surprising role that nature and connecting with our surroundings would play in our spiritual growth that summer.&nbsp;</p><figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/Sustaining_soil3_5930772343.jpg"></figure><p style="text-align:justify;">Mornings in Kanha often began with a walk, as we explored new parts of its beauty each day. But more than just morning strolls, each outing was an eye-opening lesson on the true nature and culture of Kanha. Each morning brought with it a new understanding of how powerful nature could be, and how monumental change could be created through peace and compassion.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify;">We began with the hydroponic farms, where the initial water constraints of the area and an emphasis on prioritizing natural techniques led to Kanha becoming a leader in innovative farming techniques. Kanha is currently home to seven hydroponic farms that are able to grow vegetation year round, without the use of any fungicides or pesticides. This culture of agriculture was vastly different from anything we had experienced in the States. We had grown accustomed to the same fruits and vegetables being available year round, which meant depending on imported produce that had been treated by pesticides and various treatments at every stage of its life cycle. Here the attitude towards produce was slower and much more purposeful. In Kanha, the natural course of the seasons determined what would grow when, and cuisine came in and out of season in time with what was growing. When you’re here it’s almost impossible to escape the draw of the ecosystem all around you. Every part of life in Kanha is intimately connected to the nature that surrounds it, even when it comes to mealtime!&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify;">As we continued to explore, we learned that the trees lining Kanha’s pathways had been rescued from various construction and road-widening projects around the city. The Heartfulness Tree Conservation Center and the Heartyculture Nursery worked tirelessly to cultivate rare and endangered plants that were on the verge of extinction. Over six acres of land are dedicated solely to this cause, providing plenty of space for the two hundred thousand fragile saplings to take root.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Like many things at Kanha, it’s an ecological project rooted in a spiritual purpose. There is a real socio-cultural, educational, and environmental value in preserving biodiversity, but there is also a spiritual one. Every unique species of flora and fauna holds irreplaceable, intrinsic value. They each play a small part in contributing to the natural balance of the larger ecosystem and thus, in preserving biodiversity, we also help to create greater harmony and balance in our natural surroundings.</p><hr><h4 style="text-align:center;"><span style="color:hsl(30,75%,60%);">Protecting our ecosystems and doing our best&nbsp;</span><br><span style="color:hsl(30,75%,60%);">to preserve the natural world are increasingly important missions&nbsp;</span><br><span style="color:hsl(30,75%,60%);">for all humanity as the effects of climate change become ever present.</span></h4><hr><p style="text-align:justify;">That feeling of balance emanates past the garden walls of Kanha and into the rhythm of day-to-day life. Life revolves around the values of simplicity, spirituality, and connection. Everything is conserved and used to its fullest extent, from water to food waste to energy. People are mindful that when they take a full plate, they return an empty one. Water is collected along roadside canals when it rains, used in homes, and then returned to the Earth to nourish new plants in their growth. Early morning meditations were often accompanied by a chorus of birdsong, the sounds of different endangered species of birds or the pitter patter of rain during monsoon. Understanding and experiencing the different parts of these sustainability efforts created a profound sense of harmony, connection and ultimately peace within us.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify;">We are not the only ones to have observed this connection between sustainability and peace; in fact, it is an ongoing area of research. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589811622000210?via%3Dihub">Hiroshima University</a> recently conducted a study which displayed the interconnected nature of “environmentalism and Positive Peace, as well as how improvements in one area can aid improvements in the other.” As we continue to tune into the natural world around us, helping it to grow and thrive, we find profound connections to something within us as well.&nbsp;</p><figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/Sustaining_soil2_920c9592d4.jpg"></figure><p style="text-align:justify;">Protecting our ecosystems and doing our best to preserve the natural world are increasingly important missions for all humanity as the effects of climate change become ever present. The fact remains that abundant natural resources and secure ecosystems around the world are cornerstones of stable and healthy communities. Sometimes, thinking about the overwhelming work ahead, it can feel like a losing battle. But as we envision the world we want to live in and leave behind, we look at Kanha as a symbol of spirituality and sustainability. And most importantly, a reminder of the powerful changes that can take place when a community comes together to create peace.</p><hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">Illustrations by ANANYA PATEL</h4><hr><p>&nbsp;</p>