Meet Darshana Bala | Communications & Culture Strategist | Holistic Growth Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Darshana Bala and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Darshana, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I am from Malaysia, a beautiful multicultural country in Southeast Asia. My upbringing is heavily influenced by Malaysian and Indian/Sri Lankan culture, as my ancestral roots trace back to South Asia. Family, community, culture, spirituality, and human values form the foundation of who I am as an adult today.

When I was a child, my late grandparents were my first spiritual teachers in Vedic wisdom. I also grew up being a part of a multi-faith, spiritual, and humanitarian organization, the Sri Sathya Sai International Organization. The organization’s Guru and founder, Sri Sathya Sai Baba, has played an influential role in my life overall.

Being Malaysian meant that I grew up with friends and family that come from different races, cultures and backgrounds. I learned very early that these were strengths, and not a hindrance to unity. This has shaped the way I see the world: I choose to celebrate diversity while respecting individuality in others. It has given me an instinct for inclusion and a deep belief that harmony is built not through sameness, but through honoring the richness of our differences.

I was also a child that was given many interesting opportunities growing up. Apart from being a child TV anchor, I represented Malaysia as a delegate to the first international children’s conference on the environment in the UK, acted in a national stage play (an adaptation of ‘The King and I’, a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical), and co-hosted a documentary on the effects of war on children (that was aired at an international audiovisual festival).

The exposure to global issues and arts gave me an advantage growing up, widening my horizons, increasing my capacity for compassion and empathy. It gave me space to experience the world through the eyes of others. This exposure has deeply influenced and shaped who I am as a person today.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My first ever ‘job’ was as a television anchor as a child on a local Malaysian TV show in the late 90s called “Golden Kids News”. I can still remember my first paycheck (which was promptly deposited into an education fund created by the producers of the show for me!). I believe this led me to the career path I eventually ended up on: strategic communications and PR.

I have over 17 years of experience working with impact-focused organizations from various industries globally, and six of these years include co-owning a strategic communications consultancy headquartered in Malaysia (Illuminairre Consulting). Some of the causes I have contributed to through my communication expertise include wildlife conservation, global youth development, human and labor rights, social entrepreneurship, and leadership.

I’m also one of Malaysia’s only certified Ikigai Tribe coaches, a (former) mentor for the Asian Federation of Advertising Associations, an industry expert on communications and media for TalentCorp Malaysia’s Advisory Panel, a founding member of the Strategic Communicators Collective (USA), and an alumni mentor for Monash University.

While work has always been a significant part of life, I was constantly seeking something more – depth, meaning, purpose. Spirituality plays a central role in my family, and like many others, I always struggled to understand how to bring these two parts of me together: the strategic thinker and problem solver, and the spiritual seeker of silence and stillness.

It wasn’t until I began the slow and honest work of healing childhood trauma in my thirties that I truly started to practice spirituality as a way of living and being, honoring both soul and strategy; spirit and structure.

I believe in being spiritually grounded in the realities we live in, where what we discover translates into applicable, practical tools we can implement everyday. Beyond the ‘feel good’ reels and quick fixes that social media offers, I am consciously creating a spiritually guided, reality-rooted life.

And this led to an evolved way of working today, a way that blends science, spirituality, and strategy. Lumen and Root, a holistic growth consultancy, was born from this deeper knowledge that we can live, work, and lead in ways that are consciously guided and rooted in reality.

Grounded in Vedic/Eastern wisdom and modern science, it blends spiritual depth with practical strategies for current times.
Over the years, I have worked with clients from more than 10 countries in different continents on their personal healing and growth journeys rooted in reality, consciously guided by spirituality.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
A week long trip to the South Bay can be packed with a lot of fun and relaxing activities! Some things I would recommend for folks to try out in the area:

1. Visit the beaches
California is known for sun and sand, and I think South Bay has some pretty amazing beaches to rest, relax, and enjoy with friends. Unlike the more well known beaches people usually flock to, Redondo and Torrance Beach feels more open, spacious, and community-friendly. While it tends to get a little more crowded in Hermosa and Manhattan Beach, taking a stroll along these areas are also an experience I would recommend.

2. Food is amazing
There is much diversity and quality in the South Bay, especially with establishments that have been around for decades. I love the Riviera Village in Redondo Beach, and you can find everything here from laid back bars and cafes, to incredible international cuisines. Some places I would recommend to check out – The Craftsman for drinks, Vida Modern Mexican & Tequila for some good fusion Mexican meals, Banana Leaf Redondo Beach for some authentic South Indian meals, and Bettolino for Italian.

Torrance also has a variety of cuisines to try – check out Yum Thai for some good Thai food, Pista House for some of the best briyani I’ve had, SoCal Vibes for a night of games and drinks with friends, and Bossa Nova for flavors from Brazil.

3. The great outdoors!
We have beautiful hikes in the South Bay! I recommend checking out hiking trails in the Palos Verdes area for some truly unforgettable memories.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to give a special shoutout to two individuals who have been very supportive in helping me connect with community and like-minded individuals here in the South Bay:

1. Sarah Kuruvilla of Vedic Vibes Healing
I first met Sarah at a soundbath session that she hosted as a fundraiser for mental health services earlier this year. She was so welcoming and kind, and took extra effort to introduce me to her community of wonderful people here. I also had an opportunity to offer a fundraiser workshop through Vedic Vibes Foundation, a platform that directly funds wellness services for foster youth aging out of the system, veterans struggling with PTSD, and individuals rebuilding their lives in shelters. Sarah and members of this community are conscious leaders, all whom focus on doing good and sharing the love where they can.

2. Gloria Hebert of Aybear Services
I met Gloria through Vedic Vibes at one of their monthly fundraisers. She has a heart of gold, and goes out of her way to make you feel welcomed. Gloria even gave me counsel and support while I was working towards building my own business – as a fractional CFO and finance professional, she shared generously with me.

These two wonderful souls have truly helped me feel more welcome and included here in the South Bay area.

Website: https://www.lumenandroot.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearelumenandroot

Linkedin: https://www.instagram.com/wearelumenandroot

Image Credits
Darshana Bala