Dr. Samani Pratibha Pragya
Visiting Professor
Religious Studies Department
Florida International University
Miami, Florida, USA
Dr. Samani Pratibha Pragya is a scholar in Jain Studies, specializing in Jain Yoga, Comparative Religion, Comparative Philosophy, Meditation & Spirituality, Nonviolence, Sanskrit, Prakrit, Hindi Languages, and the Jain Terapanth lineage, to which she belongs as a Samani (saint). As a senior disciple of Acharya Mahashraman, her current research focuses on the history and methods of modern Jain meditation and yoga.
Education
Ph.D. in "Prekshā Meditation: History and Methods" from SOAS, University of London, 2017
M.A. in Study of Religions from SOAS, University of London, 2006
B. A in Arts, from Rajasthan University, 1985
Research and Publications
Presented papers at various conferences.
Published 13 research articles on Jain religion, yoga, and spirituality in reputable research journals and book chapters.
Awards
2005: Postgraduate Dissertation Prize from the Centre of Jain Studies for MA dissertation at SOAS.
Professional Experience
Visiting Research Fellow at SOAS, collaborating with Professor Flügel on the Jaina-Prosopography project. (2018-2021)
Established JVB Jain World Peace Centre, London in 2018.
Spiritual head of JVB Jain World Peace Centre, London(2003-6, 2011-23).
Initiated a rural development project in Tamkor, Rajasthan, establishing Mahapragya International School (2007)
Advocated for underprivileged girls' education in Jhunjhunu district.
Notable Engagements
Led Preksha meditation sessions for Indian Prime Minister Vishvanath Pratap Singh during dialysis at Bombay Hospital in 2000.
Conducted relaxation sessions for the late Indian Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao during insomnia and high blood pressure illness in 2001.
Guided relaxation practice for Indian Vice-President Krishan Kant after an arm injury in the same year in 2001.
Provided two weeks of Preksha Meditation training to the Indian Army in Assam Rifles battalion in 2000.
Met with H.H. Dalai Lama at Delhi in 2001 and H.H. Pope Francis at Vatican in 2015, 2017. 2019.
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