Chinmayi Maxwell began practicing the Siddha Yoga teachings after receiving Shaktipat in a Shaktipat Intensive held at Shree Muktananda Ashram in 1987. Chinmayi has offered seva in many capacities, including as director for Kishor and Yuva Retreats, Family Satsang developer, and playwright for children’s programs. She currently offers seva as a home and visiting sevite in the SYDA Foundation.

Chinmayi earned a Ph.D in clinical psychology from the New School of Social Research and currently works as a clinical psychologist, author, lecturer, parent educator, and teacher. She lives in South Fallsburg, New York.