The Future of Spirituality: How Nazar Yasin is Merging Technology with Purpose

Technology is often blamed for increasing isolation and mental health struggles, however one entrepreneur believes it can be a force for good—helping people find meaning, purpose, and connection. Nazar Yasin, founder of Sol, the leading mental and spiritual health app in the U.S., has embarked on a mission to bridge the gap between spirituality and technology, redefining how we nurture our inner lives in the digital age.

Nazar Yasin, founder of Sol

A Legacy of Purpose

For Nazar, the drive to make a meaningful impact is deeply personal and rooted in family history. His grandfather played a pivotal role in founding the modern state of Libya, fighting against Axis forces during World War II before becoming the country’s Minister of Defence. Growing up with this legacy, Nazar was instilled with a powerful sense of duty: to contribute to society in a meaningful way.

But his path to purpose was not without personal hardship. As a child, Nazar endured a traumatic experience that left him grappling with profound existential questions. “Why did this happen to me? Am I a bad person? Do I belong here?” These deeply personal inquiries led him toward a lifelong quest for meaning—a journey that would later inspire his revolutionary work in digital spirituality.

A Vision for Global Change

Nazar’s early career took him into the world of technology and investment. From working at Goldman Sachs to leading one of the first unicorn social networks outside the U.S., he was at the forefront of global innovation. His investments spanned across India, Africa, and Latin America, where he championed underrepresented founders and emerging tech markets. Yet, despite his success, a larger question loomed: What is all this innovation for, if people are still feeling lost, anxious, and disconnected?

Then came COVID-19—a moment of reckoning for humanity and for Nazar personally. The pandemic took the lives of loved ones, including his wife’s parents and a close friend. It also exacerbated a mental health crisis among entrepreneurs he mentored. As he received calls from struggling founders, isolated and battling depression, Nazar was compelled to dive deeper into understanding the root of modern suffering.

The Science of Spiritual Wellbeing

His research led him to a compelling discovery: While the world has focused on physical and mental health, the missing piece of the puzzle is spiritual wellbeing—a factor that directly impacts happiness, resilience, and even physical health. Studies from institutions like Harvard Medical School confirm that engaging in purposeful activities and fostering a sense of meaning can significantly reduce anxiety, depression, and addiction.

Nazar realised that the digital revolution could do more than connect people socially—it could help them reconnect spiritually. This realisation led to the birth of Sol, an app designed to help users cultivate purpose, engage in meaningful reflection, and connect with like-minded individuals on their spiritual journeys.

The Three Pillars of Purpose

Research shows that there are three key actions that can help individuals feel more purposeful:

  1. Understanding and Harnessing Your Strengths and Emotions – Taking time to meditate, journal, or reflect on personal strengths helps individuals build self-awareness and emotional clarity. Identifying what truly excites and motivates you is the first step toward finding purpose.
  2. Engaging in Community and Contributing to Others – Acts of kindness, authentic conversations, and supporting others help create a sense of belonging and meaning. Being part of a community fosters purpose and wellbeing.
  3. Connecting to Something Greater Than Yourself – Whether through nature, volunteering, or aligning with a larger mission, tapping into something beyond personal gain enhances spiritual fulfilment.

Interestingly, he believes that passion often follows purpose—not the other way around. By identifying strengths and aligning with meaningful work, passion emerges naturally. He acknowledges that not all passions can become careers, but purpose can be pursued in various ways beyond professional life.

The Growth of Sol and Its Transformative Impact

Sol has rapidly become a lifeline for those seeking deeper meaning in their lives. Guided by research from experts like Dr. Lisa Miller, founder of the Spirituality Mind Body Institute at Columbia University, the app integrates neuroscience-backed insights into an accessible and engaging platform. Dr. Miller, along with other luminaries in the field, has contributed valuable expertise to the development of Sol, ensuring it is both scientifically grounded and universally approachable.

In just a year, Sol has grown at an extraordinary pace, not just in user numbers but in profound impact. “From an entrepreneurial and venture capital perspective, it’s been one of those rocket ship stories,” Nazar shares. “But from a human and purpose-driven perspective, the feedback from our users has been incredible.”

People describe Sol as life-changing. Some users have even credited the app with saving them from despair, helping them rediscover a sense of purpose when they felt lost. Universities have also taken notice, with institutions eager to integrate Sol into student wellness programs. The urgency is clear—60% of students report feeling desperately alone, and 40% have experienced thoughts of suicide.

As a father of two teenagers, Nazar is acutely aware of the unique struggles young people face today. “It’s really hard being a young person these days,” he says. “Our brains are overwhelmed with anxiety-inducing information—from global conflicts to fears about AI and climate catastrophe—all amplified by social media. And at the same time, we’re less equipped to handle this anxiety because traditional community safety nets have eroded.”

People are more disconnected than ever, living far from family and childhood friends, working remotely, and engaging primarily through screens. The loss of in-person connections and organic social support has left many struggling to cope.

The Redefinition of Spirituality

Amidst this disconnection, there is a renewed hunger for meaning. People may be moving away from organised religion, but they are seeking new ways to explore spirituality. Nazar understands this deeply. “It’s a story I’ve lived, and I hear it from so many others,” he says.

Yet, spirituality remains a misunderstood concept. “When people hear ‘spirituality,’ their minds often go in one of two directions: either it’s ‘woo-woo New Age’ stuff, or it’s something dark and mystical,” he explains. “But it’s neither of those things.”

To clarify, Nazar offers a powerful analogy: Spirituality is to religion what exercise is to sport.

“What do you call an activity that improves your physical fitness? Exercise. You can do it at home, alone or with others, and there are no strict rules,” he says. “If you organise that exercise into structured activities with rules, goals, and teams, it becomes a sport.”

Likewise, spirituality is simply the practice of strengthening one’s sense of purpose and connection. It can take many forms—meditation, affirmations, nature walks, or personal reflection—without needing to follow a prescribed set of beliefs. Religion, on the other hand, is a structured, communal expression of spirituality, much like how sports are organised forms of exercise.

A New Dawn for Spirituality

Nazar’s work represents a paradigm shift in how we approach mental and emotional wellbeing. Rather than seeing technology as a distraction from our inner lives, he envisions it as a tool that can guide us toward deeper self-awareness and fulfilment. His mission with Sol is to create a digital sanctuary—a space where people can engage in spiritual exploration without barriers of geography, background, or religious affiliation.

As society stands at the crossroads of rapid technological change and a deep yearning for meaning, Sol offers a hopeful vision: one where the digital world does not pull us away from ourselves, but rather helps us find our way back. Nazar Yasin’s journey—from personal adversity to pioneering a new frontier in wellbeing—shows us the power of purpose. In merging spirituality with technology, he reminds us that, even in the most advanced era of human history, our deepest need remains unchanged: to understand who we are and why we are here.

DISCOVER: www.getsol.app

About Author /

In 2006 I embarked on an incredible journey by founding Wellbeing Magazine. This magazine is not just a publication—it's a purpose-driven platform. It's been my mission to empower individuals with knowledge about holistic wellness, encouraging them to make mindful choices for themselves and the world around them.

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