Shalaka Anish Kering is a visionary Brain Development and Memory Enhancement Coach, acclaimed author, and co-founder of Brain Universe. With a rich blend of IT experience and cognitive science, she empowers individuals through mental training. Her book Empower Thyself with 31 Scintillating Stars inspires transformative self-growth and intentional living.
The Literature Times: What inspired you to write Empower Thyself with 31 Scintillating Stars and what does the title signify?
Shalaka Anish Kering: The inspiration to write Empower Thyself with 31 Scintillating Stars stemmed from a long-held dream—not just to author a book, but to create something meaningful that could uplift, inspire, and make a genuine difference in people’s lives. I wanted each page to spark a positive shift in mindset and daily living. What truly catalysed this journey was my daughter’s foray into the literary world. She is an author of 3 books and has earned international titles as ‘Youngest Author in the World’ by ‘World book of Records, London’, for writing 2 books at the age of 6. Witnessing her passion, discipline, and creativity reignited my own desire to write with purpose.
The title symbolizes 31 chapters to empower your life. 31 luminous guiding lights—each ‘star’ representing a powerful idea, practice, or reflection—to help readers navigate life with greater clarity, confidence, and inner strength. It’s designed to offer daily doses of motivation and empowerment throughout the month, or whenever one seeks inspiration.
The Literature Times: How has your journey from IT professional to brain development coach influenced your writing and perspective on empowerment?
Shalaka Anish Kering: Transitioning from an IT professional to a brain development coach has been a transformative journey—one that deeply shaped both my writing and my understanding of empowerment. In the corporate world, I honed analytical thinking and problem-solving skills, but it was in the realm of brain development that I discovered the profound power of the human mind and its untapped potential.
Working closely with children and adults to unlock cognitive abilities taught me that true empowerment begins within—with awareness, mindset, and mental resilience. This shift in perspective naturally found its way into my writing. Empower Thyself with 31 Scintillating Stars reflects this evolution—it blends structured thought with emotional intelligence and neuroscience-based insights, offering readers practical yet profound ways to elevate their lives.
The Literature Times: Can you walk us through the structure of your book? How should readers engage with the 31 “scintillating stars”?
Shalaka Anish Kering: The book is thoughtfully structured into 31 chapters—each representing a “scintillating star” designed to illuminate a unique aspect of personal growth and inner strength. Readers are encouraged to engage with one chapter slow and steady, allowing space for reflection, action, and transformation.
Rather than passively reading, I invite readers to engage deeply—to embrace one chapter, take one conscious step, draw one empowering breath, and experience one truly empowered moment each day. Each star offers a blend of reflection, motivation, and actionable wisdom meant to awaken the reader’s inner strength and clarity.
It’s not meant to be rushed. Think of it as a mindful journey. Each star offers practical insights, inspiring thoughts, and gentle nudges to shift perspective and spark change. Whether read daily or at your own pace, the essence lies in experiencing each chapter as a personal moment of awakening and empowerment. The culminating effect is truly powerful.
The Literature Times: You emphasize the power of thoughts in shaping reality. How can readers practically begin to harness this power?
Shalaka Anish Kering: Absolutely—our thoughts are the architects of our reality. What we consistently think, we begin to believe, and what we believe ultimately shapes how we feel, act, and experience the world. Harnessing the power of thought isn’t just a philosophical idea—it’s a practical, life-changing tool available to each of us.
To begin harnessing this power, readers must first develop awareness. This means becoming consciously attuned to the inner dialogue running in the background of their minds. Start by noticing recurring thoughts—especially those that are limiting, self-critical, or fear-based. Awareness is the first step toward transformation.
Next, comes intentional reframing. Once a disempowering thought is identified, replace it with one that uplifts or empowers. For example, transform “I’m not good enough” into “I am learning, growing, and becoming better every day.” This isn’t about blind optimism—it’s about creating a more constructive internal environment where growth can thrive.
Readers can also practice daily affirmations, visualization, and journaling as tangible tools to redirect thought patterns. Writing down empowering beliefs or visualizing a desired outcome with emotion and clarity helps anchor these thoughts into the subconscious mind, where true change begins.
Equally important is surrounding oneself with positive influences—whether through uplifting conversations, mindful media choices, or books that elevate your thinking. When you fuel your mind with nourishing content, your thoughts naturally begin to shift toward optimism, clarity, and confidence.
Ultimately, the power of thought lies in consistency. Just as we train the body through regular exercise, we can train the mind through repeated positive mental habits. With time, intention, and gentle practice, readers can reshape their mental landscape—and in doing so, reshape their reality.
Empowerment begins from within, and our thoughts are the first and most powerful tool in that journey.
The Literature Times: Your daughter Anaisha is already an accomplished young author. How has mentoring her shaped your approach to education and self-empowerment?
Shalaka Anish Kering: Mentoring my daughter Anaisha on her journey as a young author has been one of the most enriching and enlightening experiences of my life. Watching her curiosity, creativity, and discipline unfold at such a young age has deeply influenced my own understanding of education and empowerment.
It reaffirmed my belief that children are capable of extraordinary things when they are nurtured with the right balance of freedom, encouragement, and guidance. Anaisha’s journey taught me that education is not merely about academic achievement—it’s about cultivating confidence, emotional intelligence, and a sense of purpose from within.
As her mentor, I shifted from being an instructor to becoming a facilitator—someone who creates a space for her to explore, express, and evolve. This shift greatly shaped my broader approach as a brain development coach. I began focusing more on empowering children and adults alike to tap into their inner potential, rather than simply absorb information.
Anaisha’s accomplishments reminded me that self-empowerment begins early—and that when we trust and invest in a child’s inner voice, we don’t just raise achievers; we raise self-aware, resilient, and inspired individuals. Her journey continues to inspire me to design programs, write content, and share insights that awaken this sense of possibility in others, regardless of age.
The Literature Times: What role does memory enhancement play in building self-confidence and clarity, according to your philosophy?
Shalaka Anish Kering: In my philosophy, memory enhancement is not just a cognitive skill—it’s a powerful foundation for building self-confidence, mental clarity, and personal empowerment. When individuals improve their memory, they experience a tangible shift in how they perceive themselves and interact with the world.
A strong memory fosters self-trust. Whether it’s recalling information in a conversation, excelling in academics, or remembering important tasks, the ability to retain and retrieve knowledge creates a sense of reliability within. This reliability fuels self-confidence—because when you trust your mind, you carry yourself with greater assurance.
Clarity follows confidence. When the mind is cluttered or forgetful, it breeds confusion, stress, and self-doubt. But a well-trained memory sharpens focus, organizes thought patterns, and enhances decision-making. It brings order to the chaos and allows the individual to approach challenges with calmness and control.
Moreover, memory training encourages discipline, mindfulness, and mental agility—traits that naturally elevate a person’s sense of competence and clarity. It’s not just about remembering more; it’s about thinking better, living more intentionally, and showing up fully in every moment.
Ultimately, memory enhancement empowers individuals to realize their true potential—not only by strengthening the mind but by unlocking the self-belief that anything is possible with the right mindset and mental tools.
The Literature Times: What has been the most memorable transformation story you’ve witnessed through your work at Brain Universe?
Shalaka Anish Kering: One of the most memorable moments in my journey at Brain Universe was serving as an assistant coach for the Indian memory sports team at the Turkey Open Championship in 2019. Representing India on the international stage alongside my six talented students was an incredible honour and a proud milestone.
Together, we secured two medals for India, a testament not only to their dedication and hard work but also to the transformative power of disciplined training and belief. Witnessing my students excel under pressure and bring laurels to the country was deeply inspiring and reaffirmed my commitment to unlocking human potential through brain development. This experience remains a highlight, symbolizing the heights that can be achieved when passion meets perseverance.
The Literature Times: You’ve led national-level memory sports initiatives. What do these competitions reveal about human potential and mental discipline?
Shalaka Anish Kering: Leading national-level memory sports initiatives has been a profound window into the vast potential of the human mind and the incredible power of disciplined practice. These competitions reveal that memory is not a fixed trait but a skill that can be honed and expanded through focused effort and mental training.
What stands out most is how consistent discipline, strategic techniques, and a growth mindset enable individuals to push beyond perceived limits—turning what once seemed impossible into achievable reality. Memory sports demonstrate that the brain thrives on challenge and that with dedication, anyone can unlock extraordinary cognitive abilities.
More than just recall, these contests highlight qualities like focus, resilience, and calm under pressure—traits that translate into all areas of life. Ultimately, they remind us that human potential is boundless when we cultivate mental discipline and approach learning as an empowering journey rather than a mere task.
The Literature Times: How do you balance spiritual philosophy with practical strategy in your book—and in your daily life?
Shalaka Anish Kering: Balancing spiritual philosophy with practical strategy is at the heart of both my book and my personal approach to life. To me, true empowerment lies in integrating the wisdom of the inner world with the demands of the outer world—bridging awareness with action, intention with implementation.
In Empower Thyself with 31 Scintillating Stars, each chapter offers not only an uplifting, soul-nourishing perspective but also a grounded, actionable takeaway. I believe that spiritual insights—such as mindfulness, gratitude, or inner alignment—become truly transformative only when they are applied in everyday life through conscious choices, habits, and mindset shifts.
In my daily life, I strive to live this balance by starting with stillness—through meditation, reflection, or journaling—and then moving into the day with clarity and purpose. Spirituality gives me the ‘why’; strategy gives me the ‘how’. Whether it’s mentoring others, writing, or parenting, I make room for intuition and compassion while staying anchored in discipline and practical steps.
This harmony of the spiritual and the strategic allows me—and my readers—to live with both meaning and momentum. It’s not about choosing one over the other, but about letting both guide the journey toward a more empowered, aligned, and fulfilling life.
The Literature Times: What message or thought would you like every reader to carry with them after finishing your book?
Shalaka Anish Kering: If there is one message, I would love every reader to carry with them after finishing Empower Thyself with 31 Scintillating Stars, it is this: everything you need to live a fulfilled, purposeful, and empowered life already exists within you.
True empowerment is rooted in balance—mental, physical, and emotional. It’s a harmonious alignment of these dimensions that cultivates lasting strength and resilience.
This book is not just a collection of thoughts—it is a gentle reminder that you are capable, resilient, and far more powerful than you often realize. Each chapter is a spark meant to awaken your inner light, shift your perspective, and remind you that true transformation begins from within.
I want readers to walk away with a deeper sense of self-belief and the understanding that even the smallest intentional step can create meaningful change. Empowerment is not a destination—it’s a daily practice, a mindset, and a way of being.
Carry this thought with you: You are your greatest source of strength. When you align your thoughts, actions, and spirit, you don’t just navigate life—you elevate it.
Remember, you are both the spark and the flame—the architect and the masterpiece of your own life. This means you hold the creative power to design your path and the radiant energy to bring it to life. Embracing this balance empowers you to navigate challenges with grace, pursue your dreams with clarity, and live with purpose every single day.
