Lineage

Aruna Lakkur Nāgappa Srinivasa Murthy (known as Aruna Shields) was born into a traditional Indian lineage. Her Nāga contemplative practice draws upon ancient wisdom oriented towards transformation, renewal, stillness, and the evolution of consciousness.

Half British and half Indian, she bridges Eastern and Western approaches to inquiry, non-duality, and inner development.

Her reverence for snakes arises from her Nāga heritage, which honours all beings and holds a distinct connection with serpents. Formative childhood encounters with snakes deepened this connection. Years of advanced meditation within the Transcendental Meditation tradition further shaped her contemplative path under the influence of Shankaracharya Svāmī Brahmānanda Sarasvatī, guiding her development as a Sidha.

Cinema

Born and educated in England, Aruna attended boarding school in Durham before studying at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London. During her studies she began a career in acting, working across British, French, and Indian cinema. She was also among the early women of Indian origin to enter mainstream fashion modelling.

In 2011, she stepped away from the film industry to enter a period of deep contemplative study and inner inquiry — a transition that marked the beginning of her path as a Spiritual Teacher within the Nāga lineage and the founding impulse behind the Secret Snake Society.