As a teenager, some 40 years ago in his native India, Neil Bhatt began a systematic and continuous study of the Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads under the tutelage of the late Swami Chinmayananda, one of the most renowned scholars of the Vedantic philosophy of the 20th century.  For more than 25 years, Neil has taught regular weekly classes in the Vedantic philosophy for both adult and youth groups in various American cities where he has lived and worked as a professional Architect.  Since 1996, he has lectured often and widely in greater Richmond, Virginia, including the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia Commonwealth University, Strayer University, and numerous local churches. He is currently conducting Gita classes that members of the general public attend. The Chinmaya Mission has published articles by Mr. Bhatt as a “Brief Introduction to Bhagavad Gita”. His lectures render alive and exciting for everyday application and self-development the ancient wisdom of these classics of world literature.

By dint of his knowledge of history and current global events, recent scientific and scholarly endeavors, he weaves the colors of human aspirations and joys into what at first appears to be abstract philosophy of little relevance for 21st-century living.  Listeners attest to his riveting lectures being refreshingly new as the day delivered, and of practical application in the task of living fully and happily in society, community, family, and in one’s own soul.

Mr. Bhatt’s career (he is president and owner of njb Architecture) enhances his lectures' practicalness and immediacy.  He and his wife have lived and worked in Richmond, Virginia since 1996.