About Jadeine Shives

In 2001, Jadeine Shives (Chandra) ventured on pilgrimage to India, punctuating a more than decade-long quest for self-discovery and spiritual awakening. Together with her husband, Ms. Shives visited many of the holiest shrines and ancient temples throughout the country, the Maha Kumbha Mela being just the beginning backdrop for a myriad of experiences both blessed and terrifying. Bathing in the sacred River Ganges with thousands of holy men and millions of joyous celebrants, she was forever changed. Her mystical experiences from the heights of spiritual bliss in Allahabad to the burning of her ego and sanity on the cremation ghats of Benares have been immortalized in the pages of her memoir Digging a Well to Heaven … A Woman’s Odyssey into the Heart of India and the Soul of her Self published by Mystical Lotus Press. (www. MysticalLotus.com).

Fulfilling a Divine promise made during her travels, Ms. Shives founded the 1008 Wells Foundation in order to raise awareness for the need of fresh water wells and other drinking systems in the arid and isolated regions of India (www.1008wells.org).  She now travels extensively throughout the United States and abroad speaking of her mystical experiences and raising funds for the well projects of South Asia and other globally conscious activities.

The organization World Neighbors (www.wn.org) is one of the main recipients for the funds generated from her latest project. Their work in watershed projects, women’s empowerment programs, and micro-loans are helping to change the lives of thousands across South Asia on a village-by-village basis. In addition to her own work, Ms. Shives is a volunteer for World Neighbors.

Given the spiritual name Chandra by Gurumayi Chidvilasananda, Siddha Yoga Meditation (www.siddhayoga.org), she has been experiencing the joys of chanting, yoga, and meditation for almost fifteen years. Holding a deep and personal connection in her heart with her beloved Swami Muktananda (Baba), she credits the blessings of both Baba Muktananda and Gurumayi for the success of the Indian well projects. 

Since 1991, Ms. Shives has been studying yoga, meditation, Hinduism, and the great epics of the Vedic philosophy that is the rich heritage of India. In 2005, she earned a Masters Degree in Hindu Philosophies from the Hindu University of America (www.hindu-university.edu).  Ms. Shives received her certification in Ayurveda from The Ayurvedic Institute in 1995 through Dr. Vasant Lad and Dr. Robert Svoboda (www.ayurvedicinstitute.com). In 1996, she was awarded certification for an additional 250 hours of study in Ayurveda from the American Institute of Vedic Studies under David Frawley’s (Vamadeva Shastri) tutelage (www.vedanet.com).

Currently Jadeine lives with her husband, Tony, and numerous spoiled pooches outside of Orlando, Florida.  She is also Founder and President of the Mystical Lotus, Inc.