Inner Wellness: Ram Chatterjee‘s Deeper Meaning of a Well-Lived Life
- Editorial Team
- Jun 22
- 12 min read
Interview with Ram Chatterjee | Six Senses Bhutan Country Director of Spa & Wellness Operations
At Calmfidence World, we uncover the secrets of visionary leaders who achieve success while maintaining balance and wellbeing. In this powerful conversation, Ram Chatterjee—wellness leader at Six Senses Bhutan reveals how ancient wisdom meets modern leadership, and how you can apply it to your own performance and wellbeing today.
Calmfidence: Ram, it's a true honour to welcome you to Calmfidence World. Our community of midlife entrepreneurs and conscious leaders see vitality, and sustainability.
You're not just an award-winning leader—you live the philosophy of conscious wellbeing, creating deep impact and inspiring sustainable living. You know how one can embody this balance — as you’ve been shaping wellness and hospitality for mostly three decades.
You are currently overseeing 5 iconic resorts as Country Director of Spa & Wellness at Six Senses Bhutan, where you fuse ancient healing with innovative programs. Beyond this, you are passionate wellness ambassador for World Digital Detox Day and Global Wellness Day, having received multiple awards such as Wellness Professional of the Year. So let’s begin.
Calmfidence: How did it all started? Were you always drawn to wellness or did you find your way into this field over time?
Ram: From a young age, I was deeply immersed in sports—football, cricket, badminton, gymnastics—you name it. I naturally gravitated towards leadership, often taking on roles such as school captain or sports leader. But it was through martial arts, particularly Kyokushin Karate, that I discovered real discipline and began to understand the profound connection between body, mind, and spirit. I earned a black belt and went on to represent my country in international competitions. Over time, I came to realise that true wellness goes far beyond the physical—it’s equally emotional, mental and spiritual.
Calmfidence: You’ve spoken about your Indian roots influencing your path. How did growing up in India shape your wellbeing philosophy?
Ram: Being born in India gave me direct access to some of the world’s oldest healing traditions. Spirituality wasn’tsomething you had to seek out—it was part of life. Practices like yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda were woven into daily routines. I became deeply curious and committed to learning more. Later, I trained in naturopathy, spa therapy, and integrative wellness. That blend of tradition and modern learning helped me develop a more complete, inside-out view of health.
Calmfidence: You’re now leading spa and wellness operations across five Six Senses resorts. How did leadership become part of your journey?
Ram: Leadership came naturally, but it wasn’t just about taking charge—it was about learning by observing. I paid close attention to my seniors: their strengths, their blind spots, the impact of their choices.
Good leaders ignite something in you. Poor leaders teach you what not to do—which can be just as powerful, if you stay open to the lesson. So I told myself early on, When I lead, I won’t repeat those mistakes. That awareness became my compass. When your objectives are clear and intend to do right things, you will land up in a good decisions. I have clear intention and always think about people who are associated with me and their growth, happiness and meaningful career. Those thoughts made me a natural leader and I can achieve more when I lead and not follow.
Calmfidence: You’ve pursued knowledge across many healing systems. What keeps you so committed to learning?
Ram: I’ve always believed that knowledge is power—but not just for the sake of having it. When you learn with purpose, you expand your ability to serve others. Every course, retreat, or ancient practice I’ve studied has helped me connect more deeply with people and myself.
Learning is an endless journey. There's always more to discover because knowledge is vast. The more you learn, the more you realise there is to learn. Personal growth influences thinking. As you improve and gain experience, your thoughts and ideas evolve. This ongoing change encourages you to explore new concepts. There's no final point in learning—it's a continuous adventure that promotes curiosity and development. Keep an open mind, embrace new ideas, and understand that growth is ongoing. Each step opens doors to new insights.
In wellness, there’s no ‘final destination.’
The more you grow, the more you realise how much more there is to explore. That’s both humbling and motivating.
Bhutan’s Unique Approach ToWellness
Calmfidence: Bhutan is known for its national happiness philosophy. Do you think Bhutan has a unique cultural richness in how it approaches wellness? Or can that be replicated elsewhere?
Ram: I’d say it’s a combination of many things. But nature plays the biggest role. The moment you land at Paro airport in Bhutan—
you’ll find yourself thinking, “Wow!” You feel grounded immediately. Bhutan is around 70% forest—lush greenery, clean air, quiet surroundings. That alone makes a huge difference.
And then there’s the people—gentle, kind, and genuinely hospitable. That energy has a calming effect. When someone treats you with respect, you naturally respond with grace. How often do we bow in our own cultures anymore? That humility is fading. Everyone’s trying to prove, “I’m better than you.”
Bhutan, with its strong Buddhist cultural influence and serene environment, can offer a conducive space for spiritual growth, much like a fertile soil supporting growth. The country's deep spiritual traditions and values create an environment that facilitates introspection and a deeper connection with one's self and the world. Bhutan's unique qualities, including its strong cultural values, respect for elders and children, and safe environment, are challenging to replicate elsewhere. These elements contribute to a sense of community and well-being that is difficult to find in other places.
When we shift our mindset to ‘I can learn from you,’ it becomes ‘we’ instead of ‘I’.
Here, in Bhutan, the leadership is inspiring too. The King leads by example. People follow from the heart. Everything—nature, culture, leadership—works in harmony. It’s a holistic, 360° system. Everything supports everything else.
Calmfidence: And you’re also an expert in naturopathy—how do you apply it? Is it different in Bhutan?
Ram: Naturopathy has always been there in many cultures. It's about natural healing and self-care. For example, the main principle of naturopathy is fasting. When you fast, your body naturally begins to heal and recover from illness.
Naturopathy is a form of alternative medicine. It utilizes a variety of practices considered 'natural' and 'non-invasive' with the aim of promoting self-healing. The core philosophy emphasises the body's innate ability to heal itself, often involving lifestyle adjustments and natural therapies to support this process. The approach typically focuses on treating the whole person, addressing physical, mental, and emotional aspects. There are other practices too—like natural living. In modern times, we have convenience, but living naturally has great benefits.
Naturopathy has a solution for almost every illness—through food, breath, nature, and lifestyle habits.
For example, sleeping on the floor is great for your spine. Eating on the floor, sitting cross-legged, helps with digestion and prevents overeating. In contrast, eating at a dining table may lead to unconscious overeating. These traditional methods keep you grounded—literally and figuratively.
Longevity, Biohacking, and Naturapathy
Calmfidence: Currently, there’s so much hype about longevity and biohacking. And yet you work with naturopathy, would you say it’s aligned?
Ram: I’d say it’s absolutely aligned. Longevity might be a trend right now—but the desire to live well and live long has always been with us. The real question is: How do we live long? The secret lies in having stress-free life. Now, stress is part of life, of course. But we need to know how to handle it.
That starts with simple, grounded practices—eating natural, regional, and seasonal foods, with enough fibre, protein.
Eating mindfully, not excessively, having a good sleep and daily physical, mental, and spiritual activity. Living a balanced lifestyle, incorporating practices like exercise, diet, and possibly meditation, that can lead to increased production of happiness hormones such as dopamine, serotonin, endorphins, and oxytocin. This balance contributes to both longevity and a reduction in suffering.
With a peaceful mind and healthy body, disease stays away. That’s true longevity.
Of course, modern practices like oxygen therapy, ice baths, and salt baths can complement this. These things enhance your wellbeing. But the true benefit is not just a long life—it’s a life without pain or suffering. That’s what longevity really means to me.
The Power of Rituals
Calmfidence: Yes—a long and purposeful life without pain or suffering. That’s exactly what our community of leaders and entrepreneurs is seeking. They want to grow and lead, but not at the cost of their health. For them, longevity is not just about age—it’s a performance strategy. They want to stay energised and sharp while building their business. In theory, it makes sense. But in practice—many still struggle.
We’re very curious to know—what exactly is your personal secret ritual to remain an impactful leader while staying calm?
Ram: My secret is simple. Imagine a duck—you see it gliding smoothly on the surface, but underneath the water, it’s paddling furiously. I’m like that. If you're strong inside, you don't need to show off. Real strength lies in calmness. The one who bursts out easily isn’t strong; true strength allows you to remain calm and centred, even when things are chaotic.
Calmfidence: So how do you actually do it? How does your day begin?
Ram: The first thing I do when I wake up is laugh out loud. It instantly sets my mood for the day. Then I pray and meditate for five minutes. After that, I do a few stretches and gentle twists—like animals do when they wake up.
Then I sing a bit, to elevate my mood. I don’t look at my phone immediately—I take some time to centre myself. Once I’m high in energy and grounded, only then do I check messages. That way, even if there's bad news, it doesn’t impact me as much. I stay in my positive mindset and focus on solutions.
The Pursuit of Happiness
Calmfidence: This positive mindset—were you always like this? Or did you train yourself?
Ram: I wasn’t always this positive. I developed this mindset through yoga, meditation, and self-realisation.
I learned contemplation — so I reflect each day on what I did, how I could have avoided conflict, how I could have spoken more kindly. That’s a form of Swadhyaya, or self-study. You challenge your thoughts, learn from them, and become a better version of yourself each day. That’s how I’ve become calmer and more balanced. I’ve moved from being reactive to being action-oriented.
Calmfidence: So yoga helped you develop that positive mindset and inner calm?
Ram: Absolutely. Yoga has played the biggest role in my life.
Following the yogic path really changed me. If you practise yoga mindfully, your life will transform. It’s not just physical—it develops you emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. You become a well-rounded person. Most people associate yoga only with asanas (postures), but that’s just a small part. Yogic philosophy is a life lesson.
Calmfidence: Many people chase success, get extraordinary results, but still ask, “Why am I not happy?”
Ram: Because they’re looking for happiness in the wrong place. People try to find happiness externally—through jobs, relationships, and financial rewards. But unless they are grounded within themselves, none of it brings lasting joy. To achieve happiness, it's beneficial to cultivate both non-attachment and a mindset of not expecting from others.
Non-attachment helps reduce the suffering caused by clinging to outcomes, desires, and self-concepts, while letting go of expectations can lead to greater freedom and peace by minimising disappointments.
Calmfidence: How do ambition and high performance fit into the picture? After all, Six Senses is a globally recognised brand—surely maintaining such exceptional quality requires a high level of performance behind the scenes?
Ram: There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be better than someone else. That ambition is natural to us. Having goals and striving for excellence is not the problem. The real issue starts when you don’t achieve those goals—and you fall into pain or suffering.
Putting too much pressure on yourself to be number one, at all costs—that’s where suffering begins. But even if you don't reach the top... what’s the problem? Learn. Adjust. Try again. That’s where true calm power lies.
The key here is to ask yourself: Why didn’t I achieve it?
The problem is when being the best becomes everything. Solution? Change your mindset for balanced approach. Maybe you’ll still get to the top, maybe not. But don’t suffer for it. That’s the mastery of true balance.
And here’s where spirituality becomes crucial—it helps you understand the fine line. If you fall short and can still smile, reflect, and say “I’ll do better next time,” then you’re on the right path. But if you're suffering, chances are your intention or approach needs to shift. Spirituality helps you accept setbacks without breaking.
Calmfidence: Is spirituality, then, about acceptance?
Ram: It’s about clarity. Seeing yourself and others clearly. Accepting people. Accepting differences. Accepting circumstances you can’t control. It’s not just sitting in silence—it’s emotional maturity. The more spiritually mature you are, the more grounded you become. You drive your life—instead of life driving you.
Calmfidence: Especially in Bhutan, the environment is so spiritual—and you’re surrounded by amazing nature. Do you offer transformational experiences in such a setting?
Ram: Yes, absolutely. We offer many programmes here, and they are deeply rooted in naturopathy, yoga, and Ayurveda. These ancient philosophies work together and are tailored to different needs and types of people. Bhutan is the perfect soil for this kind of transformation. Think of it like growing a plant—you need good, rich soil to grow something beautiful, something that bears nourishing fruit.
Here, the “soil” is already alive with healing elements. You’re surrounded by forests, mountains, monasteries—it’s a deeply sacred space. The energy of the land itself invites awareness and spiritual connection. So when guests arrive, they naturally feel grounded and connected. That makes it easy for us to co-create a wellness journey that is not only restorative, but truly transformational.
From Scrolling to Stillness
Calmfidence: We’re facing a new global phenomenon—digital overload. Everyone’s talking about digital detoxing, yet few truly manage to disconnect. You're known as an ambassador for digital detoxing—how can we navigate this?
Ram: It’s actually very simple. People often say, “That’s too easy to be true,” but it really is about control.
As long as you are using technology, you're in charge. The moment technology starts using you—that’s when you need a digital detox.
Look at us—we’re having this conversation through a digital platform, and I’m the digital detox ambassador! So yes, we need to use technology. There’s no avoiding it. But the real question is: how long are you using it, and how are you balancing it?
Taking intentional breaks is essential. Eye strain is real. And let’s be honest—mindless scrolling brings no joy. After 30 minutes of it, you're left feeling drained, maybe even a bit low. After long Zoom calls, for example, I always wash my eyes, do some eye exercises, and step away from my phone.
A few years ago, no one talked about this. Now, it’s becoming clear—the digital world is slowly taking over our lives. It also creates social isolation. Families sit together, but everyone is on their phone. That’s why balance is key. Use technology when it serves you. But when you're with your family, be with them. Even corporate culture is shifting—some offices now discourage calls after working hours. That’s progress.
Calmfidence: Yes, many people have the neck pain, the fatigue, the eye strain—yet they can’t disconnect. It’s like an addiction. They know it’s harmful, but they keep doing it. So isn’t the real issue deeper than awareness?
Ram: Absolutely. And that’s where you see the difference between smart and not-so-smart choices. Smart people invest in their wellbeing before the damage is done. They start exercising, eating well, maintaining balance—when they’re still young and healthy. And they live longer, happier lives.
Others, even if they “know” ignore it. They keep indulging in bad habits and eventually pay the price—maybe in their 40s or 50s—with illness, fatigue, unhappiness.
Some people can only learn through pain—that’s just the way it is. But others are visionary: they learn from the experiences of others, make intentional changes, and choose growth over suffering. If you know that a certain action is going to cause harm—and still choose to do it—then you’ve accepted the consequence. And that’s your choice.
What we can do is create awareness. The more we talk about this, the more people will listen. Some will change because they’re inspired. Others will only change once they’ve suffered. But everyone gets to choose. The ones who reflect, who choose consciously, are the ones who build better lives—longer, happier, and more peaceful.
When Inner Wellness Becomes the Guiding Light
Calmfidence: Wellness is such a broad topic today—physical fitness, mental health, emotional resilience... there are so many dimensions. What’s your personal mission within this vast field?
Ram: That wellness becomes a guiding light. Not just a luxury, but a way of life that leads to balance, harmony, and positive impact—globally.
Saying that, my personal mission goes beyond the physical. I’m deeply drawn to the spiritual roots of wellness, especially the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita. It was written over 6,000 years ago, yet it offers answers to modern life. I want to study it deeply—line by line, word by word. Not just to read it, but to live it. Alongside that, I’m also exploring the teachings of Patanjali and the Ashtanga Yoga philosophy.
Calmfidence: Such powerful perspective. So—before we close—what final advice would you share with our Calmfidence community? From wellness to wellbeing to longevity—what really matters?
Ram:
I believe in going deeper into wellness—what I call inner wellness. And for that, I’d like to leave your audience with a quote from the Bhagavad Gita, one of the most profound teachings I live by:
“Karmanye vadhikaraste ma phaleshu kadachana.”
This teaches the importance of performing the duty without attachment to the outcome. It encourages us to focus on our actions and leave the results to the divine. Because suffering often stems from attachment. So if you act with dedication, but without clinging to the result, you free yourself from unnecessary stress. This mindset leads to greater peace, happiness—and ultimately, a longer, more fulfilling life.
Calmfidence: That’s so beautiful. A timeless message in our modern world. Do your best, follow your vision — but let go of the outcome. Ram, we wish you all the best in your mission of spreading the deeper meaning of wellness—and thank you for sharing your multifaceted perspectives with us.
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