Indian American author Ishan Shivanand, founder of Compassion Unites and Yoga of Immortals (YOI), a cross-sector mental health alliance, has won Gold at the 2026 Nautilus Book Awards for his memoir, “The Practice of Immortality.”
The global awards program recognizes outstanding books that promote conscious living, social impact, and meaningful change. Shivanand won in the Spirituality of Eastern Thought category.
Now in its 26th year, the Nautilus Book Awards honor authors and publishers whose work advances thoughtful storytelling, personal growth, and positive social change.
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‘The 2026 winners exemplify the enduring power of books to influence thought, inspire action, and contribute to a better world,” the awards announcement stated. “Their stories and ideas resonate across cultures and communities, offering readers meaningful insights and pathways for growth.”
Shivanand was recognized as AI accelerates pressures on attention, work, and human identity worldwide, particularly for senior leaders navigating change without precedent, according to a media release from Compassion Unites.
“Many executives built their careers in environments where experience was a dependable guide. AI is changing the pace and shape of work so quickly that old playbooks don’t always hold. The result is a fatigue that comes from leading through a transformation they do not understand. The only way to succeed is by staying anchored, strengthening the practices that sustain clear judgment, and leading with steadiness and integrity even as conditions change,” Shivanand said.
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YOI has been the subject of six PubMed-indexed studies in collaboration with the University of Cincinnati, the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, and Rutgers University. Findings include reductions of 72-82% in anxiety, depression, and insomnia within eight weeks of practice.
Published in May 2025 by Hachette Book Group in the United States and by Penguin Random House in the United Kingdom and India, The Practice of Immortality is available in 15 countries and seven languages: English, Italian, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Hindi, and Marathi.
The Nautilus recognition follows Shivanand’s Literary Titan Gold Book Award in December 2025, marking his second international honor within twelve months.