Raphael Penholati is an anaesthesiologist and trained in medical school, but now chooses Āyurveda and Veda recitation to connect with, care for and heal people.
By Sophia Ann French
Brazil-based Raphael Penholati is very clear about one thing — being a happy human being is his top priority. “I was always a very happy child. I come from a traditional family in Brazil, and we were not very rich or anything, but I had a great childhood,” says Raphael. He is an Anaesthesiologist, an Āyurvedic practitioner, and is now studying to become a Veda recitation teacher. Raphael was introduced to Indic Knowledge Systems while attending a residency programme in anaesthesiology. “I felt very stressed and consumed by work, so I attended a yoga class. This was just before the pandemic. I went to my first yoga class, and that led me to Indic knowledge. I was practising Aṣṭāṅga, and I really enjoyed it. I started practising for health and well-being, but soon, I wanted to deep dive into this new world of knowledge where everything was finally making sense to me. I went to a few yoga teachers and studied a little Vedānta and mantra. I studied Āyurveda and became an Āyurvedic practitioner. I heard about Shantala and did a few self-paced courses at Veda Studies. But now I attend the live events, and I am starting to shift my career from anaesthesiology to Āyurveda and chanting,” explains Raphael. He is currently attending the third Indica Veda Studies Teacher Training Programme and shares how he prefers natural healing and chanting for well-being. Excerpts from our conversation…
Sophia: What inspired you to study Veda?
Raphael: I had studied a bit of Yoga Sūtras, and the knowledge I received made complete sense to me. Qualities like always telling the truth and not harming each other really resonated with me. It was mind-blowing to me that all these teachings are centuries old and still make sense today. I resolved to study more, and when I saw Shantala for the first time, I felt she had everything that I looked for in a good teacher.
Sophia French: You have been practising Aṣṭāṅga before you started reciting Veda. You also have an affiliation with Āyurveda. When you started reciting Veda, how did that affect your existing spiritual practices?
Raphael: Actually, I took up Āyurveda after chanting. I love being a physician and taking care of people. I felt happy and comfortable working with Āyurveda and natural healing rather than traditional medicine. Reciting Veda made me appreciate learning — the experience of listening and repeating. I love the learning process more than the chanting itself, and I love being a student. Chanting has become my main sādhanā — it made me more aware, more focused and gave me direction.
Sophia French: Did you find adapting to Sanskrit phonetics and pronunciation challenging?
Raphael: It’s difficult. For example, we don’t have retroflex sounds in Portuguese. But the difficulty inspires me to be more present and concentrate. What really helps is the colour-coded phonetic guide that Shantala has created. I am a colour-code addict, so I love using the guide. It is very helpful to achieve precise pronunciation.
Sophia French: Can you tell us about the Indica Veda Studies Teacher Training Programme?
Raphael: I’m in love with the programme and the community. I have a deep admiration for Shantala — she makes her students eager for feedback. It is amazing how she built a community of people who are so ok with critique and honour everything that happens during class. I realised during the TTC that chanting is the study of Veda. The level of fine-tuning and attention to detail in the TTC is incredible. You really have to plan for this TTC and be present. Your chanting will change forever.
Sophia French: When did you first decide to follow the spiritual path?
Raphael: It was yoga that brought it to me. I always believed in something, but I was never religious. Veda led me to chant in front of statues of deities, and I feel the knowledge from Veda is very scientific. I feel it is real knowledge and not just something you believe or disbelieve.
Sophia French: Have you been to India? What does India mean to you?
Raphael: Yes, one time. I went to Tamil Nadu and visited the Ramana Maharshi Āshram. I walked around Arunachala, and I remember how much I loved that sādhanā. It is also why I like chanting. It really connects me with my body, and with other people who chant with me. It was the same feeling that I had when I went to India. True connection.
Sophia French: Which mantras resonate most with you, and why?
Raphael: Durgā Sūktam. Even before I knew the meaning and even before the TTC, it was this sūktam that deeply resonated with me. I’m a fan of the Goddess.
Sophia French: What would be your advice to people who want to practice and study Veda?
Raphael: Find a good teacher. I think it’s the most important thing one should do if they want to study and teach Veda.
To connect with Raphael, you can email him at [email protected]