Spirituality and Gambling — What the Heck?!
A raw reflection on honesty, risk, and spirituality.
A few days ago, I wrote a blog titled "Gambling Since Age 9."
It was raw.
It was personal.
And it wasn't what most people expect from the founder of a wellness retreat.
I knew that when I hit publish.
And yet…
I wasn't prepared for how much it would stir —
in others, and in me.
The Reactions
People wrote back.
Some cried.
Some connected deeply.
Some shared their own stories of starting over.
But a few responses made me pause.
"Why would you write about gambling?"
Some were offended.
Some called it stupid.
One person asked:
"Why talk about gambling when you run a wellness retreat?"
Another almost scolded me:
"Why would you admit to being in debt?"
I Understand the Discomfort
I get it.
The word gambling carries weight.
It brings up:
- •addiction
- •recklessness
- •loss
And in a world where wellness is expected to look:
- •clean
- •calm
- •curated
this kind of honesty feels… out of place.
But Maybe That's the Point
This is me trying to live free.
Not by pretending.
But by being honest.
I'm not romanticizing gambling.
I'm trying to understand myself.
Because if I'm building a space for healing…
shouldn't that begin with truth?
The Truth I'm Not Hiding
Yes, I've been in debt.
Yes, I've borrowed from family and friends.
Yes, some months have been tight.
Yes, I've had nights where I wondered how I'd keep this going.
But I'm not ashamed of it.
Tired of Pretending
I've spent years trying to look sorted.
Trying to play the role of someone "successful"
while quietly struggling inside.
I don't want that anymore.
I want:
- •lighter living
- •honest conversations
- •real expression
Even if it makes people uncomfortable.
So… What Is the Opposite of Gambling?
This question has stayed with me.
Is it safety?
Is it certainty?
Is it never taking risks?
Because when I look closely…
Everything meaningful involves risk.
- •falling in love
- •quitting your job
- •starting again
- •building something from nothing
We just give some risks nicer names:
"faith"
"vision"
"calling"
"calculated decision"
And others?
We judge.
Building Aavya — A Different Kind of Risk
When I started Aavya, I wasn't chasing returns.
I wasn't thinking scale.
I just wanted to build something that felt right.
Three rooms.
A yoga shala.
A small space to breathe.
No hospitality background.
No roadmap.
Just instinct.
So yes — if that's gambling…
I'm still gambling.
But differently.
If You've Ever Started Over
This isn't just my story.
It's for anyone who has:
- •lost something
- •started again
- •questioned themselves
- •felt stuck between fear and courage
If you've ever wondered:
"Am I being brave… or just reckless?"
Then I see you.
Aavya as a Space
Aavya may be a small wellness retreat in Rishikesh.
But more than that…
It's a space where stories are welcome.
Where you don't have to pretend.
Where you won't be judged.
Come for a few days.
Or longer.
Or just for a cup of coffee.
However you arrive —
you're welcome.
In the End
I don't know if I'll ever stop taking chances.
But I've stopped pretending that safety is always wiser.
Because the opposite of gambling…
isn't always wisdom.
Sometimes, it's hesitation.
Sometimes, it's fear — dressed up as practicality.
So yes, I'm still taking risks.
But now:
Not on numbers.
Not on markets.
On things that matter.
- •beauty
- •connection
- •meaning
I'm gambling on life.
And if that resonates…
you know where to find me.
If this feels real to you, come experience Aavya.
Related reading from the Journal
- Founder's Note
Gambling Since Age 9 — A 45-Year Journey
I started gambling at the ripe old age of nine.
Read article → - Founder's Note
The Great Spiritual Dilemma
I don't know how to begin this without sounding like a hypocrite. Maybe I am one. Maybe we all are. Running Aa…
Read article → - Founder's Note
I'm Asking You to Be Undisciplined
I have attended fewer than thirty yoga classes in four and a half years of living in Rishikesh.
Read article →