An interview with Dr. Bharat Sangani
Spending time with friends, raising children, learning something new, being in the spotlight? The areas of greatest happiness could serve as indicators of a person’s mission. It’s important to remember that a mission isn’t always tied to work and may not be fully realized through it.
Finding and living in alignment with your true purpose can be a transformative journey. Yet, many struggle with identifying their life’s purpose and aligning their goals with it. In this series, we aim to explore how individuals discover their purpose and create a life that reflects their authentic selves, leading to greater fulfillment and success. As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Christina Astra.
Christina Astra is an astrologer with 3 years of formal education in astrology and 8 years of experience. Her areas of interest also include art therapy, metaphorical cards, BaZi, and Feng Shui. From 2020 to 2024, she was the Lead Content Manager for an astrology app. She is also an aspiring writer, with her debut romance novel set to be published soon.
https://www.instagram.com/your_astrology_consultant_/
Thank you so much for your time! I know that you are a very busy person. Our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’ and how you got started?
In my childhood, I was a bookworm. I loved The Chronicles of Narnia, The Wizard of the Emerald City, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, and the works of Dumas, Jules Verne, and Jack London. In my mind, I would also develop stories featuring my favorite characters — something like fanfiction. However, I never wanted to write them down. What for? In my teenage years, social media and fanfiction websites hadn’t yet become a thing.
I first turned to writing as a way to relieve stress. During my university studies, I took a summer job as a sales assistant. It felt like a nightmare! As an introvert, I became easily exhausted from constant interactions with clients in the store. Also, I wasn’t a great salesperson and had little enthusiasm for persuading customers to buy products they didn’t need. To cope with the stress, I looked for a quick way to retreat into my own world. That’s when I started writing a science fiction story — and discovered that writing helped me find inner balance. The more I developed the story, the more I enjoyed the process! That’s how I ended up writing a series of sci-fi novellas.
I received a solid education in the humanities with a focus on civil service. However, by the time I graduated, I had realized that working in a state institution would be boring, as I am more of a creative and free-spirited person. So, I began looking for a job related to writing. My first job involved creating SEO texts. From the outside, writing articles with keywords like “facade house construction” might seem dull, but I was happy! I didn’t have to deal with tons of people and could instead focus on the texts. My subsequent jobs were much more interesting, involving social media management and writing articles for media outlets.
At some point, I realized I had outgrown that stage in my career. I enjoyed my job in marketing, but it didn’t fully satisfy my soul’s needs. I dreamed of writing complex stories, not ads. On top of that, I had a creative itch, nurturing an idea for a romance novel. So, I left my stable job, wrote the novel, and started looking for a job as a narrative designer in the gaming industry. Without the necessary experience, finding such a job proved to be very difficult, but I eventually succeeded! My sci-fi series helped a lot, as my first employer truly appreciated that I had written it. That’s how my hobby helped me land my dream job.
It’s worth noting that I’ve always been interested in psychology and esotericism. During a difficult period in my life, when I couldn’t understand why fate was playing such tricks on me, I came across an astrology school and studied there for three years. I viewed astrology as a hobby and a way to explore the world. However, once I entered the IT industry, I unexpectedly discovered that my knowledge was in high demand!
I started working not only on game scripts but also on creating content for psychology and astrology apps. Quite soon, I was offered the position of Lead Content Manager at an astrology app in a company where I loved absolutely everything. I worked there for four years and grew significantly as an astrologer.
What initially began as a way to cope with stress and a beloved hobby — writing and astrology — eventually led me down a path that I absolutely enjoy. I should note that a person’s natal chart reveals their soul’s purpose, and mine is connected to creating texts that inspire, offer comfort, help people understand themselves, and foster compassion and faith in higher powers. When I followed this path, circumstances fell into place effortlessly, and whenever I veered off course, I would immediately run into a brick wall.
None of us can achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person that you are grateful for, who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?
I believe that every person you meet in life contributes to your growth. Family and friends support you, teachers help unlock your talents, and critics push you to improve. People who have caused you harm can be your “dark teachers.” For example, when I was around 18–20 years old, I fell for a TV presenting course that turned out to be a scam, and the scammers disappeared with the money. Thankfully, the amount wasn’t large, and this experience made me realize that I didn’t actually want to work on TV. I’m an introverted person, and it would have been difficult for me to constantly be in the spotlight. At that moment, I probably just craved more attention, which led me to consider a TV job. So, “dark teachers” can also teach us valuable lessons, speeding up our evolution — even if in an unpleasant way.
You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
It’s not in my nature to stop at what I’ve achieved. When everything becomes too easy and predictable, I raise the bar to overcome new challenges. Stepping out of my comfort zone can be exhausting, but it’s what keeps life moving forward.
I’m always learning something new. As my experience with astrology has shown, you never know which knowledge will come in handy.
I try to go with the flow of events. However, when I set a clear goal, I pursue it relentlessly! For instance, when I finished my romance novel, I sent it to a publishing house I had always dreamed of working with, but I didn’t get a response. Undeterred, I sent it several more times — still with no results. Later, with a deeper understanding of astrology, I chose a favorable period to submit the novel again. This time, it worked! I signed a contract and am now eagerly awaiting its publication.
Ok, fantastic. Let’s now turn to the crux of our interview. Was there a defining moment or experience in your life when you felt a clear sense of your purpose? How did it influence the goals you set from that point forward?
Astrology helped me see my mission clearly and focus on what I truly wanted deep inside. Before that, I often asked myself: why do I keep writing stories that no one reads? Should I spend my time and energy on this when I could use my resources for more profitable pursuits? But when I saw in my natal chart that I was meant to share information with the world, it gave me confidence and strengthened my resolve. My chart also indicated that I should work with people in a consulting role. At the time, however, I didn’t take this seriously, as I had never considered consultations to be part of my career.
Let’s talk more about the soul’s purpose. This topic is particularly well-developed in Avestan astrology, which I began studying first. When we think about a mission or life purpose, we often imagine it as some grand accomplishment — like flying to the moon, discovering a cure for cancer, or something equally extraordinary. But that’s not necessarily the case. First of all, only a small number of people achieve something that changes the course of history. However, every individual has their own mission. Humanity is a single organism, and each person has a unique place in this vast system. The key is to find it.
The mission of the soul is centered around the qualities a person should develop and strengthen, as well as the area where they must primarily direct their energy. By following the right path, a person experiences inner satisfaction, and everything in their life falls into place.
For instance, some people are meant to nurture their caring and compassionate side, with family being the central focus of their lives. Others, by contrast, are destined to develop professionally and may feel depressed without career success. There are those who are born to fight for justice and challenge societal norms. And then, there are those whose soul’s purpose is simply to enjoy life, have fun, and energize others with their happiness.
What practical steps can someone take to begin uncovering their life’s purpose if they feel lost or unsure about their direction?
Of course, the easiest way to understand your mission is to consult an astrologer. If you prefer not to do that, I suggest answering the following questions for yourself:
- What did you dream about as a child? Childhood dreams are very important indicators because a child has not yet lost touch with their true self. However, they shouldn’t always be taken literally. For example, if you dreamed of becoming president, what does that dream mean? It might indicate that you want to make a positive impact on your country’s future; you’re also willing to take responsibility for the fate of others and fight for your goals. What’s important is that you’re not afraid to handle criticism and excessive attention. Let’s imagine that over time you’ve encountered obstacles that negatively affected your leadership qualities and confidence. Now, you work in a regular position and have been offered a promotion to a managerial role. But you’re afraid you won’t be able to handle it due to imposter syndrome. I believe that dreams of becoming president don’t appear without any basis. You may succeed!
- What makes you happiest? What would you do for free, or even pay for the opportunity to do? In an ideal world where you wouldn’t need to earn money, how would you want to live, and where would you focus your energy first?
- What do you learn easily and with pleasure? For example, you effortlessly remember information about fishing and keep it in mind for years, while a book on philosophy might be difficult to retain even after three readings. What are you able to teach others?
- What would you do if you suddenly had a free month? Would you focus on traveling, creating a passion project with like-minded people, spending time with your family, learning new things, improving your appearance, getting check-ups, or finding new ways to earn money?
- If you found yourself in a falling airplane, what would be your greatest regret? In what role would you prefer to leave this world: a guru with grateful followers, a head of a large family, a creator of a successful company, or an enlightened hermit? What kind of people do you respect the most?
How do you differentiate between external pressures — like societal expectations — and the inner calling that aligns with your true self?
I believe that once a person identifies their mission and understands what truly brings them joy, they can’t confuse it with desires imposed by others. The key is not to bend under society’s pressure.
I should note that overcoming internal blocks may be just as difficult. Being your true self may seem like a scary prospect. Sometimes it’s easier to be someone else, as it takes the responsibility of self-actualization off your shoulders. Working at a job you don’t like has its advantages, as you can blame all your misfortunes on it, endlessly dreaming of the moment when you will fulfill your dreams… and endlessly postponing it.
Choosing your true self takes courage. You may become more sensitive to failures, which are inevitable along any path. You might fear criticism of the work you’re truly passionate about more than of the things you’re indifferent to. If following your mission requires leaving your comfort zone, fear of change and inertia may hold you back. However, the further you stray from your soul’s purpose, the more difficult it may become to get back on the right path.
Also, it’s important not to be afraid of making mistakes. We learn from them, and they are crucial for our evolution. If you’ve gone off course, don’t beat yourself up! Instead, focus on understanding what lessons you can take from your mistakes and how they can help you become stronger.
Can you share an example of a time when you adjusted or abandoned a goal because it no longer aligned with your deeper sense of purpose? What did you learn from that experience?
When I left my stable job in marketing to write my romance novel, there were no guarantees that it would get published. Then, I struggled for a long time to find a job as a narrative designer. There were moments when I regretted leaving my previous job, especially since I was offered worse marketing positions. I thought to myself, ‘Why did I mess things up? What was the point?’ But now, I’m very happy with what I have, and without that difficult path, my life would be much worse. So, I believe that changing your life in the way you desire is worth trying, even if nothing works out for a while and you experience regrets.
What advice would you give to people trying to pursue their purpose while managing the demands of day-to-day life, such as work, family, and other responsibilities?
There is a societal standard for success: high income, a beautiful house, a family with children, and so on. Ideally, a successful person should even appear on one of Forbes’ lists. However, the first contradiction is that the world doesn’t need a billion popular bloggers or singers. The majority are regular people living their regular lives. What truly matters is how fully you’ve lived up to your own potential, not in comparison to the person on a magazine cover. For example, if someone’s calling is to work with children, they might become an exceptional teacher or daycare worker — someone the kids will remember for their entire lives. On the other hand, they might give in to family pressure and work as a lawyer in a prestigious firm, yet experience a sense of inner emptiness. I believe the true measure of self-actualization is how happy and fulfilled a person feels in their life.
The second contradiction is that some missions just don’t align with society’s ideal of comfort and success. For example, someone might experience multiple tragic divorces, remain single, never hold a steady job, or even face prison time — and society might label them as a loser. But for people with certain natal charts, such experiences could be crucial for their spiritual growth, giving them a different perspective on life, which is essential. Some people are born with profound health issues and are unable to live a typical social life, yet they play a crucial role in the spiritual development of those around them.
In rare cases, a person’s mission might even be tragic. For instance, someone could become a victim of injustice, a natural disaster, a workplace accident, or negligence — and their experience might spark public outrage and lead to changes in laws or societal norms. In such cases, their role in society’s evolution comes through their victimhood, however unfair it may seem.
It’s important to remember that missions can be fulfilled on different levels. What matters is not the scale of your achievements but whether you are living in alignment with your soul’s purpose. For example, your calling might be to develop your charisma and share your experiences with others, perhaps as a mentor. Let’s say you run a blog on YouTube or Instagram but criticize yourself for having only 1,000 followers instead of a million. So what? For your audience, your content might be invaluable, perhaps even more impactful than that of the blogger you envy. Someone might look forward to your posts more than the next episode of a popular TV series — and they may never leave a comment, so you’ll never know. Does blogging bring you joy? That’s the only thing that matters. Everyone has their own unique role in this world, so it’s important to recognize that and not be too hard on yourself by comparing yourself to others.
What are “5 Ways to Align Your Goals With Your True Self”?
1. Realize what you truly enjoy.
Spending time with friends, raising children, learning something new, being in the spotlight? The areas of greatest happiness could serve as indicators of a person’s mission. It’s important to remember that a mission isn’t always tied to work and may not be fully realized through it.
For example, perhaps your soul’s purpose is to bring beauty into the world, and you’ve loved drawing since childhood. You dream of leaving your office job to become a full-time artist. However, you might find that turning art into your main source of income takes away the joy and freedom it once brought, and you may prefer to keep it as a creative outlet. You might find greater harmony in maintaining a stable job with a good income while drawing only when inspiration strikes.
If you do believe you can turn your art into a career, take your time. Don’t rush into drastic changes. Instead, develop a clear action plan to navigate inevitable challenges and reduce potential frustration.
2. Realize what you’re strong at.
What comes naturally to you, without much effort? Is there a job you see as more of a form of rest and entertainment rather than work? However, there’s a pitfall here. From an astrological perspective, some people should focus not on developing their strengths, but on working through their weaknesses. This is a distinct and challenging path. While one’s strengths may not necessarily be the key to one’s mission, they can, at the very least, empower an individual in their self-actualization, and it’s important to recognize them.
3. Notice what others thank and praise you for.
You may not give much weight to what you do well because it comes easily to you. For example, you might have a fantastic sense of style and give others advice on how to dress beautifully. While you may quickly forget the advice you gave, for the person you helped, it can be priceless. When you receive positive feedback from the world, it may show you the impact you can make.
4. Think about how you’d like to be remembered.
Would you like to be remembered as a head of a large family, a respected doctor, or a traveler who’s visited every country in the world? Sometimes, a crisis or dangerous situation serves as an eye-opener, helping people reconnect with their true selves very quickly. When faced with the possibility of losing everything, they often realize what they would truly regret. However, experiencing a crisis isn’t essential for deep reflection — simply imagining such a situation can be just as insightful.
5. Think about what you would do for free.
Or even what you’d be willing to pay for just to have the chance to do it! If your mission is tied to your work, this can be one of the clearest indicators of the direction you should take.
What advice would you give to people trying to pursue their purpose while managing the demands of day-to-day life, such as work, family, and other responsibilities?
Keep in mind that you can follow your mission in any circumstances, whether you’re 16 or 60 years old. The soul’s purpose is more of a lifestyle than a series of specific actions.
Let’s say you dreamed of becoming an athlete, a rescuer, or a soldier when you were young, but now you’re 40, working as an economist and regretting that you chose the wrong path.
It’s important to understand the following:
Maybe your subconscious, back in childhood, was telling you that you had the ability to protect the weak, fight injustice, and take risks to make others’ lives better. And this can be done at any age, no matter what your job is. You could protect someone being attacked on the street, save a kitten stuck in a tree, challenge a boss who treats employees unfairly, or call out someone who insults others in your presence. By building up your courage you fulfill your soul’s purpose.
Let’s say the ideal job for you would indeed have been that of a professional athlete, but now it seems too late to make such a change. You might now find the greatest joy in fitness classes or playing football on the weekends — if so, dedicate more time to these activities. Gather your own team, or don’t be afraid to give advice to beginners at the gym. These efforts can bring a sense of fulfillment to your life.
How can our readers further follow your work?
I recently started writing a new book and registered as a self-employed astrologer. If you’d like to learn about your soul’s mission, feel free to reach out to me on Instagram.
Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health!
About The Interviewer: Dr. Bharat Sangani is a cardiologist and entrepreneur with over 35 years of experience, practicing in Gulfport, Mississippi, and Dallas, Texas. Board-certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiology, he specializes in diagnosing, treating, and preventing cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and hypertension. In 1999, Dr. Sangani founded Encore Enterprises, a national real estate investment firm. Under his leadership, the company has executed transactions exceeding $2 billion, with a portfolio spanning residential, retail, hotel, and office developments. Known for his emphasis on integrity and fairness, Dr. Sangani has built Encore into a major player in the commercial real estate sector. Blending his medical and business expertise, Dr. Sangani created the Life is a Business mentorship program. The initiative offers guidance on achieving balance in health, wealth, and relationships, helping participants align personal and professional goals. Now based in Dallas, Texas, Dr. Sangani continues to practice cardiology while leading Encore Enterprises and mentoring others. His career reflects a unique blend of medical expertise, entrepreneurial spirit, and dedication to helping others thrive.
Discovering Your Life’s Purpose: Christina Astra On How to Align Your Goals with Your True Self was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.