Shobhit Singh, the CEO, Stone Sapphire India Pvt Ltd, remarkable journey from monkhood to entrepreneurship is a story of transformation, purpose, and perseverance. Born in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, Singh was drawn to philosophy and spirituality early on. A deep spiritual calling led him to an ashram in Rishikesh at the age of 26. There, he immersed himself in religious study and completed a Vedic management program. “I believe I was destined to walk the spiritual path,” he tells ET Panache.
Family responsibilities eventually brought him back to worldly life. And although to outsiders, business and spirituality doesn’t seem like an obvious fit, Singh is adamant the former can only benefit from the latter. In a chat, he talks about embracing change and building success with purpose.
What inspired you to become a monk, and what was that experience like?
My mother has always been a deeply religious person and from childhood, I was drawn to mythology and philosophy. In primary school, which was a convent, my favorite subject was moral science, and my favorite teacher, and more than a teacher, a guide was the teacher who conducted those classes—the Mother of the school. After completing my studies, I signed up for a course on Vedic Management, post which I became a member of the Maharishi Organization at their Rishikesh Ashram - better known as 56 Kutia, and popularly known today as a place where the famous Beatles stayed overnight in the 1970s.
What led you to transition from monastic life to entrepreneurship? Was there a defining moment when you knew it was time to leave the monastery?
During my stay at the Ashram, I realized that spirituality is not merely rituals or seclusion or leaving the ‘Sansaar’—it is a way of life that can and should be integrated into our everyday life, in our every role. Inspired by that realization, I felt compelled to rejoin the mainstream and observe how spirituality could be lived and practiced in the corporate world as well. With that realization, I started a business with some friends and began a new journey, this time with a different approach.
How did your mindset shift when you moved from a life of simplicity to the business world?
Surprisingly, there was no change in mind-set. I was still a student of spirituality, whether in the Ashram or in business. Spirituality instills values such as openness, humility, positivity, empathy, receptiveness, and reflection—all of which are necessary in business too. I just took these values with me to my entrepreneurial life.
What principles from monastic life do you apply in your business?
The fundamental values of spirituality—openness, humility, positivity, empathy, introspection, and receptiveness—are deeply embedded in my business practices. These principles influence how I lead, establish relationships, and make decisions.
How has meditation or mindfulness influenced your leadership style?
Each individual has a 200% life—100% inner (spiritual) and 100% outer (material). Meditation is the secret to driving your inner life and increasing your spiritual quotient. Now, even contemporary management understands the significance of "spiritual quotient" or they call it “SQ” in leadership. It makes you more centered, clear, and conscious in personal as well as professional life.
What advice do you have for entrepreneurs struggling with purpose and meaning?
My advice is simple. Start with your inner journey. Just start. No matter what age you are, which ork profile you handle,believe me, it is going to be beneficial immensely. Start by exploring spirituality in yourself. First step is introspection. The minute you start that journey, your point of view shifts—and so does your life. Purpose and meaning are not out there; they're found within.
What would you say to someone who thinks business and spirituality are incompatible?
Spirituality is not a method of life that can be left behind in temples or monasteries to practice alone. It's not a dogma, nor a rulebook to follow. It is way of life an approach to respond.
Family responsibilities eventually brought him back to worldly life. And although to outsiders, business and spirituality doesn’t seem like an obvious fit, Singh is adamant the former can only benefit from the latter. In a chat, he talks about embracing change and building success with purpose.
What inspired you to become a monk, and what was that experience like?
My mother has always been a deeply religious person and from childhood, I was drawn to mythology and philosophy. In primary school, which was a convent, my favorite subject was moral science, and my favorite teacher, and more than a teacher, a guide was the teacher who conducted those classes—the Mother of the school. After completing my studies, I signed up for a course on Vedic Management, post which I became a member of the Maharishi Organization at their Rishikesh Ashram - better known as 56 Kutia, and popularly known today as a place where the famous Beatles stayed overnight in the 1970s.
What led you to transition from monastic life to entrepreneurship? Was there a defining moment when you knew it was time to leave the monastery?
During my stay at the Ashram, I realized that spirituality is not merely rituals or seclusion or leaving the ‘Sansaar’—it is a way of life that can and should be integrated into our everyday life, in our every role. Inspired by that realization, I felt compelled to rejoin the mainstream and observe how spirituality could be lived and practiced in the corporate world as well. With that realization, I started a business with some friends and began a new journey, this time with a different approach.
How did your mindset shift when you moved from a life of simplicity to the business world?
Surprisingly, there was no change in mind-set. I was still a student of spirituality, whether in the Ashram or in business. Spirituality instills values such as openness, humility, positivity, empathy, receptiveness, and reflection—all of which are necessary in business too. I just took these values with me to my entrepreneurial life.
What principles from monastic life do you apply in your business?
The fundamental values of spirituality—openness, humility, positivity, empathy, introspection, and receptiveness—are deeply embedded in my business practices. These principles influence how I lead, establish relationships, and make decisions.
How has meditation or mindfulness influenced your leadership style?
Each individual has a 200% life—100% inner (spiritual) and 100% outer (material). Meditation is the secret to driving your inner life and increasing your spiritual quotient. Now, even contemporary management understands the significance of "spiritual quotient" or they call it “SQ” in leadership. It makes you more centered, clear, and conscious in personal as well as professional life.
What advice do you have for entrepreneurs struggling with purpose and meaning?
My advice is simple. Start with your inner journey. Just start. No matter what age you are, which ork profile you handle,believe me, it is going to be beneficial immensely. Start by exploring spirituality in yourself. First step is introspection. The minute you start that journey, your point of view shifts—and so does your life. Purpose and meaning are not out there; they're found within.
What would you say to someone who thinks business and spirituality are incompatible?
Spirituality is not a method of life that can be left behind in temples or monasteries to practice alone. It's not a dogma, nor a rulebook to follow. It is way of life an approach to respond.
