Life Story
Aruna Lakkur Nagappa Srinivasa Murthy, better known as Aruna Shields, bridges the gap between between the East and West—her mother is British; her father, an Indian Guru and surgeon. Aruna comes from an ancient lineage of sages dating back to 3143 B.C.E, specifically the Naga (Cobra) lineage.
Aruna’s early life was far from ordinary. Aruna grew up in the English countryside and also spent time in India. A feral child, she felt more connected to animals than people. One of her first spiritual awakenings came while gazing into the eyes of a snake.
After earning an academic scholarship to study at Durham Boarding School, she attained a degree from Central Saint Martins University of the Arts, London. Aruna was then discovered by a UK acting agent launching a cinematic journey that would span the British, French, and Indian film industries. By 2010, Aruna had become a cultural phenomenon, the most ‘Googled’ name and fastest rising star in India (Google Zeitgeist).
At the height of her acting career, she made a bold and unexpected turn—leaving the spotlight to explore the depths of meditation and consciousness. Immersed in stillness, she became a Sidha, a highly advanced meditator; Sidha’s brains are studied by scientists for their rare brainwave coherence. During lockdown Aruna pioneered the first online group of Sidha’s who meditated together to reduce world stress.
Her life path also led her back to academia, where she studied psychotherapy, hypnosis, and mindfulness at master’s level, and developed a deepening interest in Vedic wisdom. Aruna blends psychology, meditation expertise and spiritual insights to guide others on a path of inner transformation.
To learn more about private consultations or groups with Aruna visit the about page.
Teachings
Love and respect for all beings
Life can transform from suffering to bliss
When we heal ourselves, we heal the world
Everyone is on a unique path to the same place
Our emotional wounds can be our biggest teachers
Anything we say or do to anyone else, we do to ourself
Kindness, non-judgment and compassion for self and others
Care for the body and what is absorbed through all the senses
All life is conscious and can be communicated with
Each being channels a unique perspective of consciousness (e.g. snake consciousness, cat consciousness, fly consciousness etc)
Equality - there is no hierarchy in consciousness
The universe is woven from threads of consciousness
When we experience the interconnection of everything it reveals the truth about reality
When we enter stillness and transcend, we discover our true identity, which is one with all there is
Everyone has a unique design linked to our purpose
We are eternal
Cinema
Aruna was cast by Des Hamilton in the gritty lead in Ao: The Last Hunter: The film was produced by French cinema chain UGC.
Headhunted by Tips Industries to play India’s version of a female Bond in feature film Prince. Aruna performed all her own stunts, including motor bike bungee jumping. The hit song for the movie Tere Liye has over 70 million views.
Other critically acclaimed lead roles include 'Nera', an artist's muse, in the arthouse feature Mr. Singh/Mrs. Mehta.
Film Clips
Click for lead role film clips
FASHION
Aruna became one of the first women of Indian origin to cross over into mainstream fashion and was asked to shoot for Vogue.
