Pune Techie Gautam Vaishnav Turns Rock Balancing into Meditative Art – No Glue, No Tricks!
Defying Gravity: How a Pune BTech Graduate Found Peace in Rock Balancing
In an era dominated by digital distractions and relentless connectivity, a Pune-based artist is helping people rediscover stillness—one balanced rock at a time.
Gautam Vaishnav, a 32-year-old BTech graduate in Computer Science, has transformed an unusual passion into a meditative art form. What began as a simple challenge—balancing a brick on its corner—has evolved into a profound practice that blends creativity, patience, and mindfulness.
From a Dare to a Life-Changing Passion
Vaishnav’s journey into rock balancing began in Maharashtra’s coastal Mahad region after he watched a social media post by his friend Chintan Vaishnav. Skeptical at first, he was dared to balance a brick on its edge.
“I struggled for 45 minutes, battling frustration and stress. But when I finally succeeded, I felt weightless—like a butterfly,” Vaishnav recalled. That moment of triumph ignited a passion that would redefine his life.
Today, Vaishnav is not just an artist but also a teacher, using rock balancing as a tool to cultivate focus, patience, and resilience.
The Science and Art Behind Rock Balancing
At first glance, Vaishnav’s gravity-defying stone sculptures seem impossible—rocks stacked precariously on narrow points without glue, magnets, or tricks.
“The only glue we use is gravity,” he quipped. The process demands absolute concentration, fine motor control, and an intuitive understanding of weight distribution.
Teaching Mindfulness Through Rocks
Vaishnav conducts workshops for diverse groups—school children, corporate professionals, and even visually impaired individuals.
“Teaching blind students was eye-opening. I had to close my eyes, feel the rocks, and guide them purely through touch. It was deeply moving,” he shared.
For children, rock balancing becomes a playful challenge that pulls them away from screens. “If you say, ‘You can’t even balance a rock?’ their competitive spirit kicks in,” he laughed.
For corporate workers, the practice offers a break from cubicle life. “They step outdoors, touch natural objects, and reconnect with the environment,” Vaishnav explained.
A Global Art with Ancient Roots
While still niche in India, rock balancing is gaining traction worldwide as an art form, therapy, and performance medium. Vaishnav believes its origins may trace back to the Stone Age.
“Early humans likely stacked stones for shelter or markers. What we do now is a refined, meditative evolution of that instinct,” he told PTI.
VIDEO | Maharashtra: Gautam Vaishnav, a BTech graduate in Computer Science and resident of Pune, discovered his passion for rock balancing after a friend challenged him to balance a brick on its corner.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 10, 2025
What began as a simple dare turned into a meditative art form for Vaishnav.… pic.twitter.com/tIX18m2Ew3
A Philosophy of Impermanence
For Vaishnav, rock balancing is more than an art—it’s a philosophy.
“It teaches that everything is temporary. You create something beautiful, then walk away. That, to me, is life,” he said, carefully balancing another rock.
Beyond stones, Vaishnav experiments with motorcycles, glasses, bricks, and flowerpots, crafting “unbelievable” formations that defy expectations.
His message is simple: “Pick up a rock and try balancing it in a way no one else has. In that moment, you create something unique.”
