He’s been called a modern-day sage, a scientist of the soul, and a mentor to global changemakers.

Leo Rastogi—neuroscientist, bestselling author, Harvard-Oxford-King’s College alumnus, and meditation master—has lived as both a monk and a multi-country entrepreneur.

In this powerful interview, he opens up about his near-death awakening at age 12, his time in monasteries, his cross-continental academic and business journey, and why Cyprus holds a special place in his heart.

You experienced a profound near-death event at just 12 years old. How did that early experience shape your worldview and set the foundation for your lifelong journey into mindfulness and personal growth ?

The near-death experience really changed the course of my life. I was in a sports field accident and, for a few minutes, I had this very vivid experience of being outside my body. I could see everything—my physical body lying there, my parents, the doctor—almost like I was watching the scene unfold from above. But what struck me was that even though I wasn’t 'in' my body, I could still hear, see, and feel everything.

That moment triggered a deep curiosity in me: Who am I, if I’m not just this body? How is it possible to be conscious and aware without being physically present? Those questions opened the door to a much deeper spiritual quest. That’s really when I began exploring mindfulness, meditation, and the nature of consciousness.

It also made me realize just how fragile life is. Since then, I’ve felt a strong inner pull to live each day with presence—and with a genuine desire to serve however I can. Whether it’s through personal growth, helping others, or simply being more aware in daily life, that experience instilled in me a sense of urgency and meaning that’s shaped everything I do.

Your academic path took you from India to some of the world’s most prestigious universities like Harvard, Oxford, and King’s College. How did your diverse educational experiences influence your thinking and career choices?

 Yes, I’ve had quite a diverse educational journey—ranging from Computer Science and Business to Neuroscience, Psychology, and Philosophy. What this has given me is the ability to think across disciplines and see the world through multiple lenses. In the hard sciences, the focus is often on reductionism and definitive answers, whereas in the humanities and contemplative sciences, there’s a greater comfort with uncertainty—with sitting in the unknown and letting curiosity lead. I feel fortunate to have been trained in both modes of thinking.

Interestingly, my colleagues from the business and science worlds sometimes see me as a bit too philosophical or spiritual, while those in the spiritual or social science spaces think I’m too analytical or data-driven. So I often joke that I live on an island of integration—but it’s a place I’ve come to deeply value. That diversity has added richness, nuance, and depth to how I understand the world and make decisions.

This synthesized  perspective naturally carries into my work as an entrepreneur. I’ve built companies in tech, healthcare, personal growth, and the non-profit space—not because I’m attached to any one industry, but because I care deeply about the purpose behind the work. For me, the form is flexible, but the function is non-negotiable: it has to serve, it has to matter. Ultimately, it’s about balancing profit with purpose, and building ventures that are both impactful and sustainable

Beyond formal education, you immersed yourself in spiritual studies, even living in monasteries as a monk in Asia and Greece. What did these deep spiritual experiences teach you about life, leadership, and resilience?

My monastic experiences were truly a a profound chapter in my life. Stripped of distractions, I came face to face with the essential questions: Who am I? What really matters? I learned that life isn’t something to chase—it’s something to listen to. Silence became my teacher, and I discovered that clarity, joy, and even purpose often arise when we stop trying to control everything.

In terms of leadership, those years taught me that true leadership begins with self-mastery—being anchored, compassionate, and deeply present. And resilience? It’s not about pushing harder. It’s about returning—again and again—to what is true, to the breath, to the moment, especially when things fall apart.

Those spiritual experiences reshaped how I live, how I lead, and how I serve. And each day go back to inner silence in the heart to nurture and connect with my sense of purpose.

While pursuing such an introspective and mindful journey, you also built a remarkable business career, founding companies across more than 22 countries. What do you believe has been the key to harmonizing entrepreneurship with personal fulfillment?

For me, entrepreneurship has never been just about building companies—it’s been about building meaningful expressions of service. The key to harmonizing business with personal fulfillment has been anchoring every venture in a deeper 'why.' I’ve always asked:

Is this contributing something valuable to the world? Does it align with my values and inner compass?

My spiritual journey taught me presence, clarity, and patience—qualities that are incredibly useful in business. But more than that, it helped me see success not just in terms of growth or profit, but in impact, integrity, and joy. Operating in over 22 countries has shown me the importance of adaptability, but also the universality of purpose. People everywhere are looking for meaning—customers, teams, partners—and when your work flows from that place, it becomes deeply fulfilling.

So in a way, the monk and the entrepreneur in me aren’t in conflict—they’re in conversation. One grounds the other

In 2019, you founded the Minerva Group, aiming to build an ecosystem for holistic well-being and healthy longevity. What inspired you to create Minerva, and how does it reflect your vision for the future of human development?

Minerva was born out of a realization that the future of human flourishing requires a far more integrated approach—one that brings together science, spirituality, and systems thinking. By 2019, I had spent years building businesses and studying the inner life, and I felt a deep calling to create an ecosystem that could support holistic well-being and healthy longevity—not just for individuals, but for communities and the planet.

What inspired Minerva was this question: How do we live longer—not just in years, but in vitality, purpose, and connection? We wanted to go beyond fragmented solutions and instead build something that honors the complexity of human development—from cutting-edge diagnostics to ancient practices, from personalized health to planetary healing.

To me, Minerva is not just a company—it’s a living vision of what’s possible when you align innovation with intention, and purpose with performance. It reflects a future where well-being is not a luxury, but a foundational human right

As a mentor to leaders and entrepreneurs around the world, how do you guide individuals to stay grounded, mindful, and purpose-driven in an era where speed often overtakes meaning?

One of the core principles I share with leaders is this: speed without stillness leads to burnout, not brilliance. In today’s hyper-connected world, it’s easy to confuse movement with progress. So I encourage them to create space—for reflection, for silence, for reconnection with their deeper purpose. That’s not a luxury; it’s a leadership discipline.

I also help them develop what I call a ‘mindful architecture of action’—a way of making decisions and leading teams that’s rooted in presence, values, and long-term vision rather than just urgency or external pressure. It’s about aligning the inner and outer game.

Ultimately, I remind them that the most powerful leadership doesn’t come from doing more, but from being more—more awake, more intentional, more compassionate. When you operate from that space, you don’t just achieve more—you uplift everyone around you

You also have a special relationship with Cyprus. Could you share with us what connects you to Cyprus personally or professionally, and how the island influences your work or life philosophy?

I have a deep connection with this whole region of Greece and Cyprus, while in Greece I spent time I spent time in monasteries and feel a profound spiritual resonance—I’ve also had the privilege of forming deeply meaningful friendships in Cyprus, and some of them have grown into enriching business partnerships too. I’ve always appreciated the island’s unique energy, its blend of history, beautiful nature, culture, and heartfelt hospitality.

Spending time in this part of the world has continually reminded me of the power of simplicity, slowness, and connection. There’s a sense of timelessness and grounded presence that aligns beautifully with my life philosophy and work in well-being and human development. It reinforces my belief that wisdom doesn’t always come from speed or complexity—it often emerges from stillness, nature, and authentic human connection.