Daaji was up at 5 am and went to work at his desk in the office at home. After that, he went for a walk. He noticed some seeds of Citrodora equitetips and decided to collect them in order to grow them. He collected two large seeds from an oroxylum tree. Daaji came across a fruit on a banyan tree and remarked that it was the first time that he had seen fruit on this tree! How well he knows his garden is amazing to watch.&nbsp;&nbsp;Daaji invited Venkatesh from the purchase team, Satyan Chavare, along with his daughter Sai Chavare, for the morning meditation in his office in the stage building. Daaji reached backstage around 9 am and conducted the meditation from 9.02 am to 9.27 am. After the meditation, Daaji left.&nbsp; &nbsp;

In the evening, Daaji invited the Sansad team for the meditation session as they had requested a sitting with him since they were leaving tomorrow for Delhi. Prasun ji and Deekha Kohli had some conversations with Daaji.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Daaji spoke about Lord Rama’s journey in life, the Ramayana. Lord Rama met his death by drowning himself in the river. It has been given the name "Jalsamadhi,” but if it had happened in our time, we would have reported it in the media as a suicide. We adore him so much that we see it as a great act. That such a great man would face such difficulties endears him to us in some way.&nbsp;&nbsp;Much has been written about Lord Rama, but we kind of overglorify things. We should relativize it, understanding that in every life some challenges will occur. It is strange to see that we all face problems and miseries but despite them, we are not ready to relinquish our attraction towards being incarnated. Instead of trying to find a solution to put an end to miseries and so many lives. That is why the idea of moksha or liberation, occurred to us. But we started having this idea of moksha out of frustration, not out of love. It took birth due to our aversion to pain and not the attraction towards the higher states. And the moment your mind goes towards avoiding something, it will chase you.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;You cannot escape it. So you have to drop that too. So this is also a desire to do good in this life or do good somewhere else. Desires are desires.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Prasun ji asked Daaji about the departed soul of his mother. He mused on what connection remains after her departure and how his prayers and actions could be of help for her to attain peace in the afterlife.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Daaji replied, saying that wherever she may be, a mother’s soul will always bless her child. Our commitment to our mother must be carried out if there was a specific thing that she requested before her death. Because if we do not fulfil it, we begin to feel guilty about it, and it is difficult to forgive ourselves. Even if it is something that we find inappropriate, let us leave our discrimination aside for a while and do what she asked for.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Our physical actions would not really appease souls and bring them peace in the afterlife. But there are some spirits who keep their desires intact after their deaths. Say the person loves drinking alcohol or eating something specific to a huge extent, then they remain at a lower level after death due to their desire to keep indulging in their sensory gratification.&nbsp;&nbsp;They can absorb the feeling of being satisfied in the presence of their desired objects. This is why such spirits return to harass the world of the incarnated. They cannot express themselves, and we cannot understand their demands. Like children who throw a tantrum for a toy, they want it at any cost. They cry, roll around on the floor, and harass you until you give in to their demands. If they are given what they want, then they calm down.&nbsp;&nbsp;There are two types of good souls. They are unable to progress further for some reason. They are recycled. They try to find a womb that will fulfil that soul’s requirements. They wait for such a mother. Those who are liberated will go further in their journey. There are dimensions and levels in that state too.&nbsp;&nbsp;As long as they are not born again, loved ones will come back and protect you. You need to perform ritualistic prayers (shradh) once, not again and again. There is a lineage of your parents, going back hundreds or thousands. Whoever is there, we receive grace from God and receive further progress. We offer the water in a way in which our thoughts remain connected.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Somewhere in the middle of it all, some faculty members from the Heartfulness Learning Centre and from the Omega School, Chennai, both part of the large Heartfulness Group of institutions, came along with Praveen Dagdee, the correspondent and director of the Heartfulness Learning Centre at Kanha. Daaji then conducted the meditation session for all present from 6.28 pm to 6.49 pm.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Daaji showed the video on what happens at the time of death to the Sansad team and asked if they could telecast these videos.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;They requested to have a group photo with Daaji, and Daaji came outside to bid farewell to them after the group photo. He asked them to get regular sittings from trainers in Delhi. It is with hope that we see many of our new sisters and brothers leave after a memorable visit to Kanha, that their meeting with Daaji has seeded in their hearts the evolutionary path that beckons them into its fold.&nbsp; Every time on such visits, Daaji pours himself out with such generosity, care, and attention that it is truly moving to observe his absolute commitment to the movement in which he guides every single moment of his life dedicated to the work of Sahaj Marg.&nbsp;&nbsp;Daaji then went for a walk after the dinner. Marg brought a couple of practitioners to introduce them to Daaji during the walk. After that, Daaji went to his office, and Sanjay Sehgal showed Daaji a gift box design prototype being prepared for the upcoming Bhandara of Pujya Babuji Maharaj in April for Daaji’s approval.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;After completing a long day of work and meetings, Daaji finally went to his room to retire for the night. &nbsp;

Prasun ji asked Daaji about the departed soul of his mother. He mused on what connection remains after her departure and how his prayers and actions could be of help for her to attain peace in the afterlife.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Daaji replied, saying that wherever she may be, a mother’s soul will always bless her child. Our commitment to our mother must be carried out if there was a specific thing that she requested before her death. Because if we do not fulfil it, we begin to feel guilty about it, and it is difficult to forgive ourselves. Even if it is something that we find inappropriate, let us leave our discrimination aside for a while and do what she asked for.&nbsp; &nbsp;

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In the evening, Daaji invited the Sansad team for the meditation session as they had requested a sitting with him since they were leaving tomorrow for Delhi.

Kanha Shantivanam 5th April 2024

Daaji woke up very early and worked for a while in his office. He had some pain in his shoulder, to which a pain relief patch was applied. Sometime later, he called Elizabeth Denley on FaceTime to discuss an upcoming book. After 6 am, Daaji went to the Yatra Garden, where the Sansad TV team was waiting for him to record a session.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The interview started with the journey of the Kanha Shanti Vanam and how it was transformed from a dry barren land to a green oasis. It then shifted to the spiritual journey, Chakras, and points. During the interview, Daaji explained the significance of all the points in the Yatra Garden.&nbsp;&nbsp;When they all reached the Babuji Maharaja statue, Deeksha Kohli asked Daaji for a meditation session. With a gentle nod and a warm smile, he led them into the silent sanctuary of meditation, and many others present also joined in. After the session, one of the practitioners requested that Daaji make prasad as it was her birthday. He offered the prasad and lovingly distributed it to the abhyasis who were there with him. Then Daaji took the Sansad TV team for breakfast at the canteen along with his brother Bhupendra Chupal from Satkhol and Shri Sanjeev Sharma.&nbsp;&nbsp;After breakfast, Doc. Surekha came for physiotherapy treatment of Daaji’s back pain. After the treatment, Daaji had some rest, after which he came to lunch around 1 pm and sat in his office.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;An interesting exchange with his granddaughter occurred when she showed him her sunglasses! Daaji too put on his sunglasses at her behest, and there was a tender, sweet exchange that lit up the day. In that simple exchange, generations converged, bridging the gap between age and innocence with a warmth that illuminated the day. In the glow of their shared laughter, the world seemed to shimmer with possibility, each ray of light a testament to the enduring bond between grandfather and granddaughter.&nbsp;&nbsp;Later, Sanjay Sehgal met Daaji and shared some feedback from the Global Spiritual Mahotsav with Daaji. Daaji told Br. Sanjay regarding the visit of Sanjeev Sharma who was leaving Kanha that morning, and asked him to meet him before he left for the airport.&nbsp; &nbsp;

In the evening, Daaji came to the meditation hall office to meet the guests and practitioners. An elderly couple from Kanpur, a city in Uttar Pradesh, towards the northern confines of India, were waiting to meet Daaji. They wanted to offer a donation to the mission, and Daaji graciously accepted it. He offered them the Discovery sandal powder before they left and thoughtfully asked that they be taken in the car to the comfort dormitory where they were staying. A little boy named Kaushal greeted Daaji, and much to his delight, he was given the habitual toy car that Daaji had in good supply for little ones in his office. He then gave a sitting to those gathered there from 6:35 pm to 7 pm. After the meditation session, Brother Venkatesh from the purchase department introduced Satyan Chavare and his daughter Sai to Daaji. Daaji inquired how long they would be staying and said he would call them for meditation the next day. Sai Chavare asked Daaji a question on Bhakti.&nbsp;&nbsp;Q: While speaking with my parents about spirituality, I discovered that bhakti sounds rather nice. To reach a high level of spirituality, one needs to understand oneself as well, isn’t it? Is Bhakti enough? I'm not able to understand where it should start.&nbsp;&nbsp;Daaji: Yoga is the cause. Bhakti is the action. It is the outcome of yoga. Whether you dance and create bhakti or serve with the attitude of dedicating it to the Lord, that service can become bhakti. Likewise, when you meditate and are gifted with certain conditions, your consciousness is gradually awakened.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There is a difference between a bhakti, of an ignorant person, who gets emotionally drawn towards God. Fear and temptation are also used as a means to induce bhakti. That is a superficial sort of bhakti.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When we practice yoga, then the bhakti that emerges within us is a real one. It is untainted. So, having a multi-pronged approach is good. When there is an awareness that all your actions are dedicated to the Lord—not only meditation but every breath and every moment—is a dedication to God, then it is a state of true bhakti.&nbsp;&nbsp;Q: At the beginning of my practice, I noticed, as did my parents, that I was feeling very calm. Later, after a few months, I was back to how I used to be. When I was struggling with my practice, I was more focused. Sometimes I am told that age is a factor that affects our ability to focus and concentrate. Please shed some light on this, Daaji.&nbsp;&nbsp;Daaji: Well, you could begin by practicing more. And also, our conditions should change. Our condition, as you said, you were very focused. Sometimes, because of certain reasons, you become distributed. Something good happens, and then you are elated with joy; something bad happens, and you are sad and tense; it's natural. If you don't get stressed, for example, when something wrong has happened or a lion is attacking you, and you don’t get stressed, you will not be able to find a way out.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;If you are very peaceful, then what happens? You will be eaten up by the lion. So there has to be some natural response. All this fight, non-violence, self-preservation, all these things, I think, follow your heart at every moment, because no moment is the same. And unfortunately, yoga is misunderstood. Gita is also misunderstood as equanimity in all situations.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A little later, many others present in the office spoke to Daaji. Daaji then took leave from all.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When he reached home, he went for a walk in the garden. &nbsp;

When they all reached the Babuji Maharaja statue, Deeksha Kohli asked Daaji for a meditation session. With a gentle nod and a warm smile, he led them into the silent sanctuary of meditation, and many others present also joined in. After the session, one of the practitioners requested that Daaji make prasad as it was her birthday. He offered the prasad and lovingly distributed it to the abhyasis who were there with him. Then Daaji took the Sansad TV team for breakfast at the canteen along with his brother Bhupendra Chupal from Satkhol and Shri Sanjeev Sharma.

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Daaji called Elizabeth Denley on FaceTime to discuss an upcoming book. After 6 am, Daaji went to the Yatra Garden, where the Sansad TV team was waiting for him to record a session.

Kanha Shantivanam 4th April 2024

Early in the morning, Daaji was at his computer working on his book at 5:30 a.m. After an hour, he went for a walk. He picked up some roses and golden Champa flowers on his walk to use them for making a fragrant oil. He went to the kitchen after coming back home and showed his chef, Prasad, how to make rose water.&nbsp;After breakfast, Daaji watched a video on how to prepare cow dung for the air moisture method. &nbsp;

Daaji was very tired and went to sleep that morning. He woke up again at 11 am to visit a borewell that was being dug. Jeybal went with him. Daaji inspected the water flow and after returning home he had lunch. After working in his office for a while, he retired to his room.&nbsp;

In the evening, Daaji invited Sansad TV to record the interview. While the arrangements were being made for the interview for Daaji, Dr. Prasun Kumar Mishra ji, the producer, and Deeksha Kohli, the anchor, met Daaji inside his office. After a short discussion with them, Daaji conducted a short meditation session for them.&nbsp;A little later, Daaji joined Deekha Kohli for the interview, which lasted almost an hour. After the interview, Deekha Kohli presented a memento to Daaji, which consisted of a small state of Lord Krishna. For a brief while, Shri Sanjeev Sharma, OSD to the Minister of State for Communications of India, Shri Devusingh Chauhan, met Daaji. All the team members present there gathered around Daaji and sat with him.&nbsp;&nbsp;Daaji spoke about Lord Krishna and asked, Whenever you imagine Lord Krishna, who comes to mind?&nbsp;&nbsp;Even during his real life, while he walked this earth, no one recognized him. Even when he was compassionate and gave his Vishwaroop Darshan to all, Arjun told him to come back to his original form, for it was something that scared Arjun.&nbsp;Daaji said, “We must become desire-less. As long as desires exist, true surrender and devotion cannot happen. We cannot develop real love for God until our desires are there. We simply let life unfold. It is not that surrender makes us lazy or unable to act. We simply do our best at everything. Then we leave the rest to God, saying it is now in your hands, Lord. May thy will be done.”&nbsp;The anchor asked Daaji a question to Daaji, “What is better, bhakti or gyan?”&nbsp;Daaji answered, “Become childlike. Then you will be like the kitten, where the cat will come to pick you up in her mouth.”&nbsp;On a question regarding the importance of mudras, Japa, and mantras, Daaji explained that some specific hand gestures, or mudras,’ help with certain ailments. How they change the electricity patterns in the brain. They can be of immense use. As long as our mind is weak, it needs some support of japa or mantra. But if you are able to attend to your consciousness without such support, then why would you need it? Some people get addicted to the mantra, japa, or such things. People feel sort of guilty when they don’t perform the ritual practices, even when they are no longer needed. People fear that if they don’t do it, God will become angry with them. This is, of course, rather ridiculous when you realize that a higher level of awareness does not require the support of such practices. When you have the practice of Heartfulness meditation and cleaning, which are so efficacious, you no longer need all these things.&nbsp;To a question on visualizing the color violet during meditation, he replied that it is the color of Lord Krishna and the central region. It indicates the higher regions of spiritual work. Daaji suggested reading his book, Spiritual Anatomy, in order to understand this better. He said one has to go very deep into it; with every breath, one needs to practice more. We need to meditate every day, do the evening cleaning practices, read the philosophy and books of Sahaj Marg, reflect on the texts, attend Satsang and do constant remembrance.&nbsp;Daaji looked very tired, took leave, and went inside. &nbsp;

To a question on visualizing the color violet during meditation, he replied that it is the color of Lord Krishna and the central region. It indicates the higher regions of spiritual work. Daaji suggested reading his book, Spiritual Anatomy, in order to understand this better. He said one has to go very deep into it; with every breath, one needs to practice more. We need to meditate every day, do the evening cleaning practices, read the philosophy and books of Sahaj Marg, reflect on the texts, attend Satsang and do constant remembrance.

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After breakfast, Daaji watched a video on how to prepare cow dung for the air moisture method.

Kanha Shantivanam 3rd April 2024

As Daaji sat in the swing that morning, Nanak, Radha, and Laetitia came to greet him together. Little Nanak said, "Dada, it's Papa's birthday today." After offering Prasad, Daaji went to the new school construction site for a visit. Jeyabal wanted to show Daaji where he had planned to plant the mahogany trees in the gap between the coconut trees.&nbsp;&nbsp;Mr. &amp; Mrs. Sethi met Daaji before they left for the airport. Mrs. Sethi gave a couple of paintings to Daaji. Daaji then asked Kannan to get the painting that was in the living room and showed it to them. After a short discussion with all of them, Daaji began feeling the onset of a headache and came to sit on the swing. He had some green tea and watched a video on how to make jasmine essential oil. After that, he went to take some rest.&nbsp; &nbsp;

A late lunch later, he cut the birthday cake. Daaji then returned to work on his office computer. In the evening, he went for a walk, inspecting the water being sprayed in the backyard garden. Padmashri Shri Vijay Bhatkar, the Indian scientist who is known as the architect of India’s supercomputing called Daaji and they spoke for a little while. After dinner, Daaji spoke to a college friend from yesteryear and they had a conversation on the phone.&nbsp;&nbsp;It is interesting to watch the gradual flow of people towards Daaji as he becomes more and more known to the outside world as a true changemaker. This true spread of Sahaj Marg, wherein the soul recognizes the soft whisper of the Source that emanates from Daaji’s presence, is beginning to herald a new era of human potential. Daaji, in his silent transmission, simply lets it happen, and hearts flower in his presence as Grace falls on parched hearts like a much-needed rain after a hot summer. Who knows how many lives have gone by? &nbsp;

It is interesting to watch the gradual flow of people towards Daaji as he becomes more and more known to the outside world as a true changemaker. This true spread of Sahaj Marg, wherein the soul recognizes the soft whisper of the Source that emanates from Daaji’s presence, is beginning to herald a new era of human potential.

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After offering Prasad, Daaji went to the new school construction site for a visit. 

Kanha Shantivanam 2nd April 2024

Daaji had invited Mr. and Mrs. Sethi from Rajasthan, along with their son, for breakfast. He gave them a meditation session after breakfast. He then met an abhyasi from Kolkata who came to give him his daughter’s wedding invitation. Rajesh from the tool room came with his son Dinesh to meet Daaji for some work that was assigned to the functionary present there. A little later, many practitioners from West Bengal also met Daaji for a while. Shri Milind Patre from Pune and Dr. Shweta with her two children from Bangalore came to see Daaji. Daaji guided the young ones regarding their further studies.&nbsp; &nbsp;

In the evening, a brother from the UK called Daaji, saying that Swami Brahmavihari of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya was remembering Daaji and asked if it was possible to speak with Daaji for a few minutes. Daaji spoke with Swamiji briefly.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Around 6 p.m., Daaji met a few members of the American Telugu Association who had become avid meditators over the past couple of years. It was a lovely summer evening, promising some fresh evening breezes after a hot April day. Madhu Bommineni and Sunny Reddy, along with a few other members, spent some time with Daaji, after which he conducted a short meditation session around 6.10 pm. Daaji shared some ideas with them regarding what they could offer to those who sought Heartfulness.&nbsp;&nbsp;He suggested that we could offer the Heartfulness Gitopdesh programs, Heartfulness yoga training, Brighter Minds, Heartfulness Polarity, and other such techniques. If children could learn how to heal the fatigue and sleep-related issues of parents so that it could help parents sleep without the need to resort to medication, it would be an immense service to the community. He also suggested that traditional cooking classes could be offered. Daaji hoped that special attention would be given to the youth.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Daaji then signed and dedicated a recently released Heartfulness publication on Mudras for healing. This book was intended for Shri Prakash Shah, his friend from college who is now teaching Mudra healing at Kanha. Prakash Shah has been instrumental in editing the book on mudras, which was recently published by Heartfulness.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then Daaji took them for a walk in the garden. Seeing the splendor of his unusual garden, there were naturally many questions from the visitors. Daaji answered them and showed them around with obvious joy. They had planned to have dinner at Faustos, the Italian restaurant in Kanha. Much to the delight of many having dinner there, Daaji showed up with the group to have dinner there. &nbsp;

After dinner, Daaji went from table to table, saying hello to each other and spreading such good cheer! The staff and chef had a few words from Daaji, which lit them up no end. On his way back, several people lined up to get a glimpse of Daaji, and he managed to meet all of them. By the time he got back in his car, he had developed a slight headache. He has been recovering from his recent bout of recurrent vertigo and flu after the Global Spirituality Mahotsav, which cost him a high price to pay in terms of his own health and energy reserves. The gentle Kanha evening with a smaller crowd was easy to handle, and one could begin to sense that he appreciated the slowdown after the heavy rush, which somehow kept surging up and on in his life.&nbsp;&nbsp;A recent guest who had attended the Global Spirituality Mahotsav mentioned that she came from a lineage of spiritual gurus, and her father is the current leader of their tradition. This wonderful person stayed in Kanha for a few days, participating in the daily life here with great passion. When she saw Daaji meeting people and receiving several devotees in his home, she was moved to tears. She felt that while many seek Daaji as their spiritual guide in silent, intense meditation practice in his presence, there are always the few who still seek him for other mundane matters in their personal lives, unable to handle the pain and suffering. She said that her father faced this every day, and for decades she has watched how they surrounded him in a demanding stance, to which he acquiesced with a lot of love and care. She felt moved in her heart to see Daaji’s situation, which is multiplied several times over from their tradition, which does not have as many members as Heartfulness does. Her concern for Daaji was moving, as she saw her father in him, and she prayed for his health. It was a truly profound aspect of the Global Spiritual Mahotsav when we began to blend into one another's lives so seamlessly and became members of a vast human family with similar cares and concerns and similar loves and feelings.&nbsp;&nbsp;Daaji tries his level best and even more so to cater to the millions of demands by email and in person made to him. As more and more people clamor for his attention and guidance, it is vital to begin thinking about how our rightful living can be a contributing factor to his overall health and happiness as he serves without caring for himself. The joy of being the other son and not the prodigal one is a case of study by itself for the sincere heart, isn't it? &nbsp;

A recent guest who had attended the Global Spirituality Mahotsav mentioned that she came from a lineage of spiritual gurus, and her father is the current leader of their tradition. This wonderful person stayed in Kanha for a few days, participating in the daily life here with great passion. When she saw Daaji meeting people and receiving several devotees in his home, she was moved to tears.

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Daaji tries his level best and even more so to cater to the millions of demands by email and in person made to him.

Kanha Shantivanam 1st April 2024

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A live journal of blessed activities in and around Kanha with Daaji

Monday, March 2, 2026After an intense series of five back-to-back bhandara batches celebrating Pujya Lalaji Maharaj’s 153rd birth anniversary, beloved Daaji left the beautiful Shahjahanpur Ashram at around 11 a.m. The weather had just begun to grow warmer. As he departed, many felt the plenitude of the time and energy he had showered on the magnificent occasion of reviving the Shahjahanpur Ashram.As usual, there was no announcement of his departure. It carried that quiet dignity that often marks his travels. The familiar feeling arose as the cars left in close formation, with his black BMW at the head.The first halt was at Bareilly, about 70 kilometers from Shahjahanpur, where abhyasis had been waiting to receive him. Daaji offered prasad and ate the simple lunch they had lovingly prepared. Afterwards, he took some rest. Upon waking, he gathered those present and conducted meditation.Around 5 p.m., the journey resumed toward Rudrapur. Along the way, a small but touching scene unfolded. Abhyasis from Behri had been waiting by the roadside, hoping for a glimpse of beloved Daaji. Touched by their sincerity, Daaji agreed to a brief visit to the center’s small ashram nearby. He stepped in, quietly observed the space, and then continued the journey.Upon reaching Rudrapur, he requested a sister preceptor to conduct the session, and retired for the day.&nbsp;

Tuesday, March 3, 2026Rudrapur, UttarakhandThe morning began quietly at the center in Rudrapur. After the series of bhandaras at Shahjahanpur, Daaji took some much-needed rest, and sister Pratima Patel conducted the morning meditation.The day unfolded in a calm and restful rhythm. Daaji spent most of the day in repose. Then, as the afternoon softened into evening, Daaji stepped out for a walk through the green fields surrounding the center.Later in the evening, Daaji requested a sister preceptor to conduct satsangh for the abhyasis present.After dinner, Daaji briefly met the Rudrapur volunteers. They were happy to have the opportunity to spend a few moments with him. An eight-year-old boy was introduced to Daaji as a very industrious volunteer who helps irrigate the fields. Daaji smiled and gently said, “Please stop doing that. You must study. Otherwise you will remain irrigating the fields all your life. Study, and study well.”

Wednesday, March 4, 2026 It was the morning of the festival of Holi in India, a major celebration across the country and a public holiday. In the morning, Daaji distributed Holi gifts to a few of the Heartfulness volunteers and staff in Rudrapur who take care of the farm. Such gestures, though simple, carry his warmth and encouragement for those who serve quietly. He then left for Haldwani at around 8:00 a.m. HaldwaniAt Haldwani, a group of children had gathered and were standing in an orderly line to welcome him to the Ashram. After arriving, Daaji first offered prasad and then invited the children to come forward to receive it. At around 9:30 a.m., Daaji conducted meditation.As he left for his cottage, some of the children came forward with flowers to greet him, and Daaji graciously accepted one. As he was about to enter the cottage, he smiled gently, and gave a young child standing there the flower he had received.Later, Daaji had lunch with a few abhyasis from Rudrapur and then retired for some rest. At 3 p.m., he began his journey toward Naukuchiatal. NaukuchiatalBeloved Daaji arrived in Naukuchiatal around 4:30 p.m. A few members had gathered, and he spent some time with them in gentle conversation. Gradually, as word spread, the room slowly filled with more followers who came to greet him. After some time, Daaji retired briefly to his room and attended to work at his computer.Around 6 p.m., he conducted evening satsangh. The gathering sat together in quiet stillness. Later in the evening, Daaji stepped out for a walk and visited the ashram property, spending some time there before returning.At night, he came to the hotel restaurant for dinner and then went for a short walk. Later, he returned to his room and resumed working on his laptop.

Thursday, March 5, 2026 The morning began with a busy schedule in Daaji’s hotel room in Naukuchiatal. Around 8 a.m., beloved Daaji prepared for the journey toward Satkhol. As he was leaving, a few members of the local media gathered near the car and requested a few words about the purpose of his visit and the yatra. Seated quietly inside the car, with the window rolled down and microphones and cameras extended toward him, Daaji responded with his characteristic simplicity:“God Himself says that He resides in the heart of every human being. Yet our habit has always been to search for Him outside. It is very easy to keep God somewhere outside of ourselves. But when we truly place Him within, when we allow Him to reside in our own hearts, it begins to create a certain difficulty for us. That inner presence demands sincerity, attention, and change. That may be the reason why many people avoid meditation.“But if we look honestly, the entire essence of Sanatana Dharma can be understood in a very simple way. Think of the images we see in our tradition. Take Lord Shiva, for example. What is he doing in the paintings and idols of him? He is meditating. Hanumanji is portrayed as meditating. Lord Rama and Lakshmana meditated. Even Lord Krishna meditated before the battle of the Mahabharata began. If the great avatars themselves meditated, then why should ordinary human beings not meditate? Thank you.”Later, on the way to Satkhol, a group of local abhyasis in Bhavali were waiting along the roadside. Beloved Daaji’s car stopped briefly so they could greet him and offer their heartfelt respects before he continued on the journey.SatkholUpon arriving in Satkhol, Daaji conducted satsangh in the main meditation hall at the Heartfulness Himalayan Ashram. The evening satsangh was also conducted by Daaji at 6 p.m. An announcement was then made that satsangh in the days to come at the Satkhol Ashram would be conducted at 6:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 5:00 p.m.

As the journey continues into the hills, these travel diaries will share glimpses of the moments that unfold along the way, interactions with seekers, brief exchanges, and periods of meditation. Each halt along the road becomes a quiet reminder of the timeless message of turning inward and discovering the Divine already present within the heart. We hope you enjoy the journey and, as we all meditate each day and join in the satsanghs, wherever we may be on the globe, in these trying times,&nbsp; the gratitude of being part of the Divine egregore, which lovingly follows in the steps of the Beloved Master, becomes a priceless privilege for all seekers and lovers of God.&nbsp;

After the deeply fulfilling days of gatherings and Bhandaras in Shahjahanpur, where thousands of abhyasis from all over the world attended the most extraordinary spiritual event celebrating the 50 years of the Shahjahanpur Ashram, &nbsp;Beloved Daaji has now moved into the next phase of his journey through the Kumaon hills toward Satkhol. Early on in the journey, a few members of the local media briefly interacted with him to understand the purpose of the yatra. In his characteristic simplicity, Daaji spoke about the inward search for the Divine and the central place of meditation in Sanatan Dharma.

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God Himself says that He resides in the heart of every human being. Yet our habit has always been to search for Him outside. If even the great avatars meditate, then why should ordinary human beings not meditate?

Rudrapur, Naukuchiatal and Satkhol - 2nd to 5th March-2026

16 June&nbsp;After his brief stop in Iglas, Daaji proceeded towards Aligarh, arriving there in the late evening. Hotel reservations had been made in advance for Daaji and those traveling with him. A large hall within the hotel had been thoughtfully transformed into a meditation space, creating a serene environment for the upcoming sessions.In the evening, Daaji conducted meditation, after which he spoke to all. Here are a few translated excerpts from the speech.<ul><li>The Heartfulness method is a divine gift—the distilled essence of the Vedas,&nbsp;Puranas, and Gitas, especially the Bhagavad Gita. It contains within it the very spirit of all these scriptures.</li><li>Many avatars and saints have graced our land, each expressing truth in their own way. Lord Buddha spoke of nirvana, Mahavir Swami of the Jainism tradition said ‘reach the condition of kaivalyadham.’ Saint Kabir urged us to become ‘nothing,’ like a drop that merges into the ocean and becomes one with it. Lord Krishna told us to be like the lotus leaf, on which water does not stay, meaning, to live in such a way that no thought or action leaves an impression upon our consciousness.</li><li>But no one has shown the way to achieve all these states. Nowhere, except Sahaj Marg. Sahaj Marg says ‘meditate.’ But people misunderstand what meditation is—they think it means controlling the mind, developing thoughtlessness, or focusing and concentrating with the mind. All these meanings are wrong. How will you truly do that which you don’t understand?</li><li>As long as&nbsp;samskaras (impressions) remain, the cycle of birth and rebirth continues. So what to remove? Remove the samskaras that lie dormant in seed form. This technique is also in Sahaj Marg.</li><li>Yogic transmission works as a fuel; it connects our consciousness with the Divine consciousness, and so we can experience it. So we must keep in mind that ours is not an ordinary meditation—we are connected with Him via a subtle thread, through a flow of energy. Revere Him, welcome Him. Say, ‘I don’t know you, I don’t even know if you exist, but whatever it may be, I want to experience you.’ Meditate with this approach in the morning. Create a longing, surrender your condition to Him and then meditate.</li><li>After meditation, preserve the inner condition that develops. Remember it through the day. Even if work or activity makes you forget, recall it again and revive it from the depths of your heart.&nbsp; Enlivening the condition intensifies it. Try to become one with it even while working—then, your connection with Him will remain intact. The fragrance of spirituality will begin to permeate all your material work and actions. You will notice that any work undertaken in this spirit will naturally attain perfection; it will never remain incomplete or half-hearted. In this way, your actions will no longer leave impressions on the consciousness.</li><li>&nbsp;These threads of spirituality will begin to weave a new destiny for you—you will spiritualize your material existence. This all happens in a (sahaj) natural way and hence our path is ‘Sahaj Marg.’ Since we perform all actions with the heart, it is ‘Heartfulness.’ See it from any angle, and you will find it is a completely natural path.</li></ul>Later on, Daaji offered a few reflections on the importance of maintaining a meditative state even outside of formal sittings. He reminded everyone that ‘the true measure of meditation is how it changes our response to life.’ On his way back to his room, Daaji stopped at the garden lawn for a photograph with all the children of the abhyasis. He even took the littlest one in his arms! Afterwards, he retired to his room for dinner and continued working late into the night.

17 June The next morning Daaji woke up early and after breakfast, came down to conduct the meditation session. Afterwards, Daaji spoke briefly. Here are some translated excerpts from his speech.<ul><li>In business, for example, there is competition from others and anything can happen. But in spirituality there is no competition with anyone. In the material world, where success is not always guaranteed, we put in all our efforts, but in spirituality there is no one to stop you except yourself.</li><li>&nbsp;Lack of success in spirituality cannot be blamed on the Guru or God; we can only blame ourselves. So don’t allow yourself to be blamed; it will result in collecting more sin. To neglect our duty is a great sin.</li><li>&nbsp;Lord Krishna says in the Bhagvad Gita, ‘Understand your own responsibilities. Do not get involved with someone else’s responsibilities.’ And our greatest responsibility is to move ahead in spirituality.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>When we love someone, we must give them freedom. They are not your slaves or servants.</li></ul>So practice wholeheartedly. It must be a complete practice, with interest, not with&nbsp;majboori (helplessness or desperation). That little [Divine] flame which is burning within you, make it bigger, and immolate yourself in it.

Daaji’s Kasganj VisitOnce the session concluded, Daaji returned to his room, to prepare for departure to the next stop on the journey. Around 8.30 am, Daaji left Aligarh to proceed towards Kasganj, a stop en route to Badaun. On reaching Kasganj, Daaji conducted the meditation for all the abhyasis gathered there. After lunch and a short rest, Daaji then continued the drive to the Badaun. On reaching, Daaji went directly to the auditorium where the evening meditation was planned. After the meditation Daaji answered a few questions.Q:&nbsp;If someone who has been meditating regularly stops for a period of time and then resumes the practice, does their progress continue from where they left off, or do they have to start from scratch? &nbsp;Daaji: This is a technical question that lacks practicality. Some people meditate each day, but it doesn’t mean they have progressed. Some meditate for only 10 minutes and some for 2 hours. There is a difference between these. It’s like if someone forces a student to sit in class and says, ‘You never study, now sit here in front of me and study.’ Even if that student stays there for 8 hours he will not learn anything. Here too I observed in meditation that some people were restless, some were absorbed. Why this restlessness, when the aim of meditation is union with God? And when the moment of union comes [in meditation], what sort of restlessness is it that keeps you diverted and holds your attention? This is no longer meditation. So everything depends on the attitude and intention we have when we sit to meditate. The key thing is ‘how well you are in tune.’ That’s all.Q: The aim of meditation is to become loving. I don’t understand where this love in the heart comes from. I haven’t been able to develop that condition of love. Please guide me. Daaji:&nbsp;Sometimes, even I don’t have that love in my heart! [smiling] I too get angry. To get angry or irritated doesn’t indicate a lack of love in you. Observe this: we only get angry with the ones we love the most.&nbsp; So if someone gets angry at you, understand that they love you a lot. It depends on you how you take it, it’s your perspective. The mistake we make is in thinking whether the other person loves us or not. Forget that. If we love them, it’s enough. Don’t expect from others, or even from God.Q: Does the samskara of fear get removed during cleaning or does it continue to remain associated with a particular object? Daaji: When we do our cleaning in the right way, every kind of samskara is removed. If you are unable to remove something, pray to the Masters, they will do it.After the Q&amp;A, Daaji continued to speak for a short while, imparting more words of wisdom. He said,&nbsp;“Challenge the method. Don’t believe in it blindly; no benefit is derived from blind faith. So like a scientist, experiment with it. You might have done all kinds of worship and seen their results as well. We can also perform experiments in various methods of meditation. Not only Heartfulness, there are many other paths out there. Take each one, including Heartfulness, and follow it very sincerely for a week. Note your results, and then take up whichever method makes you feel best and keep following it. There is no need to anchor faith in the very beginning of any method. Like a true scientist, be fearless in your experiments.”After dinner, Daaji met with the youth of Badaun—a lively group ranging from adolescents to young adults. The atmosphere was light and joyful as Daaji interacted with them, asking questions, sharing laughter, and engaging in warm, friendly conversation.

18 JuneThe next morning, Daaji conducted meditation early. Post meditation, he took time to answer questions from abhyasis. He interacted with them peacefully, without any sense of rush or urgency, giving thoughtful responses and encouraging deeper introspection.Q:&nbsp;We get so easily distracted in our lives, and no matter how busy we are, we always manage to find time to attend to that distraction. So how do we curb this tendency? &nbsp;Daaji:&nbsp;Babuji Maharaj used to say ‘एक साधे सब सधै, सब साधे सब जाय’&nbsp;(When you focus your energy on one goal or one essential thing, everything else falls into place naturally. But if you scatter your attention trying to handle everything at once, you end up achieving nothing.) So make such a strong connection or relationship to that one essential thing, that all else [that is unnecessary] drops off automatically. This is not just the issue with today’s youth. Even the elderly entertain such fancies and whims, but they keep quiet about it lest they appear to sound foolish. No one here can say with pride that we don’t have negative thoughts. Even the women. So connect your hearts with God early on. Then there will be no distraction; everything will transform into duty.Q: Sometimes the practice is going on beautifully, but suddenly I encounter a low and I lose interest in meditation completely. Why does this happen and what should I do about it? &nbsp;Daaji: This high and low comes in every abhyasis’s life. At the time when you feel this ‘low’ take a sitting from a preceptor; everything will get fine-tuned once again.After this session, Daaji left for Bareilly.Stay tuned for more events from Daaji’s travels in Bareilly and Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh.

Many avatars and saints have graced our land, each expressing truth in their own way. Lord Buddha spoke of nirvana, Mahavir Swami of the Jainism tradition said ‘reach the condition of kaivalyadham.’ Saint Kabir urged us to become ‘nothing,’ like a drop that merges into the ocean and becomes one with it. Lord Krishna told us to be like the lotus leaf, on which water does not stay, meaning, to live in such a way that no thought or action leaves an impression upon our consciousness.

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Daaji’s next stops were Aligarh, Kasganj, and Badaun, where the devotion and sincerity of the abhyasis were truly remarkable in every location.

Aligarh, Kasganj and Badaun, Uttar Pradesh, 16th to 18th June 2025

14 JuneDaaji reached the Satoha ashram in Mathura around 7:30 pm. The newly renovated ashram is situated in a high-security, yet serene zone, just steps away from the sacred site of Lord Krishna’s birthplace. The ashram building now includes rooms on the first floor, a spacious meditation hall, and a dining area in the basement.The hall was already full of abhyasis who had been waiting patiently, yet eagerly for Daaji’s arrival. Daaji entered quietly and conducted meditation. Later, he retired to his room for work and rest.

15&nbsp;JuneThe morning meditation was scheduled for 7:30 a.m. The atmosphere was calm. Daaji took his seat in the hall and began the meditation. It ended around 8:15 a.m., followed by a short address in Hindi.Daaji spoke openly about the weight he experienced in this place — not physical, but subtle. This was the land of Lord Krishna’s birth, a place held sacred in the Hindu tradition. Yet Daaji noted that the history here was not peaceful. It was a birthplace surrounded by violence and trauma; Lord Krishna’s parents, Devaki and Vasudeva, were imprisoned, and several of his siblings were killed by Kamsa, the tyrant king. Lord Krishna himself was born in hiding, under threat. Moreover, many who tried to oppose Kamsa were killed. Little wonder then that Lord Krishna later on left this place and took up abode in a barren land like Dwarka in Saurashtra.Daaji said, “Wherever we see structures from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, when the Mughal invasion took place, it wasn’t just seven or eight people who died—millions perished. Just think how much tension and suffering must have gone into building those mosques.”Daaji clarified, “This land holds impressions of great pain, trials and tribulations,” he said, “and this too must be cleaned. Let us pray that all these impressions are removed forever. Perhaps that is why we have come together here in Sahaj Marg. And let us also pray that this atmosphere of tension that has built up may dissolve away forever.”

In the late afternoon, Daaji gave a 45-minute interview to Doordarshan, India’s public service broadcaster. The interview centered on the theme “Youth Challenges and Meditation.” The questions were direct, as were his responses. He spoke about the distinction between religion and spirituality, urging a natural shift toward internal transformation.“Meditation,” he said, “must take the central role. Even in the Bhagvad Gita, Lord Krishna advises meditation on the heart, because God resides in the heart.”Here are some excerpts from his interview translated from Hindi.<ul><li>Before changing the world, I have to change myself first. The expectation that ‘I expect the other person to change’ might bring dissatisfaction in my life. Sometimes, we are unable to change ourselves knowing full well what is good for us, then how can we change someone else—with love or with force? It is absolutely not possible.</li><li>What is consciousness?&nbsp;Is it this body? Is it the mind? Is it the intellect?&nbsp; Is it the ego? Is it the soul? Consciousness is expressed through the coming together of all these. If there is a body but no soul, there is no consciousness. If there is a soul but no body, consciousness cannot be expressed. The mind, intellect, and ego—all assist in expressing consciousness. So we can say that consciousness is a combined state, where soul, mind, intellect, ego, and body all come together.</li><li>To the people of Braj, once again my salutations. This is the land of Krishna. All of you must surely have the Gita in your homes. Study it. Learn something from it.</li><li>This is Krishna’s birthplace, or the place where he spent time. Do not be proud merely of that. In his time too, there were many people, but no one recognized him. Today he is not on this land, so how will you recognize him now? So the message he gave through the Gita—study it and adopt it in life. I see that no one has adopted it yet. I will give you only one example. Read Chapter 10, verse number 20. There he has given his address. He has said that “I am in your heart.” Have you ever peeped in to see where he is?</li><li>God dwells within. Do not wander here and there. Courage is needed to look inside. But when people dare to look inside, then what appears first? All the wrong that has been done, that alone is seen. That is why people are afraid to look within.</li></ul>After the interview, Daaji met with the President of the Krishna Janmabhoomi Trust, who had come specifically to welcome him. The interaction was warm and respectful. The Trustees then took Daaji to the Janmabhoomi (birthplace).At 6:30 p.m., Daaji conducted the evening satsangh at the Satoha Ashram, after which he retired for the day.

16 JuneDaaji rose early, and after light refreshments, he prepared for a special visit—one rooted in the sacred geography of both Lord Krishna’s life and Babuji Maharaj’s biography. A small group traveled with him by car, leaving before sunrise.Their destination was a quiet, almost-forgotten spot on the banks of the Yamuna River, where it is believed Lord Krishna was cremated. The location is marked only by a modest memorial, a single stone platform near the base of a railway bridge. At first glance, it appears ordinary, easy to miss. But its significance is known within the tradition, recorded in the biography of Babuji Maharaj, and preserved now through Daaji’s attention.Chairs had been arranged along the riverbank. Despite the overcast sky, a few abhyasis had gathered. As Daaji conducted a short meditation, the sound of distant thunder began to roll, and light rain started to fall as though the moment itself was being marked from above.&nbsp;&nbsp;From there, the group continued to the nearby village of Iglas, located in the heart of Uttar Pradesh. On the surface, it looked like many other villages—narrow lanes, modest homes, small temples—but there was something unique there: almost every household in Iglas belongs to an abhyasi.The villagers had prepared a tent next to their small local ashram. Daaji conducted meditation under the tent as rain fell steadily, soaking many of the abhyasis seated at the edges. But no one moved. The silence was deeper than the weather.After meditation, Daaji moved to a tiny room inside the one-room cottage used as the ashram. There, he remained for some time as abhyasis entered one by one to meet him. He gave each of them time, listening, exchanging a few words, or simply sitting together in silence. From Iglas, Daaji proceeded towards Aligarh, arriving there in the early evening.Stay tuned for more events from Daaji’s travels in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh.

Daaji spoke openly about the weight he experienced in this place — not physical, but subtle. This was the land of Lord Krishna’s birth, a place held sacred in the Hindu tradition. Yet Daaji noted that the history here was not peaceful. It was a birthplace surrounded by violence and trauma; Lord Krishna’s parents, Devaki and Vasudeva, were imprisoned, and several of his siblings were killed by Kamsa, the tyrant king. Lord Krishna himself was born in hiding, under threat. Moreover, many who tried to oppose Kamsa were killed. Little wonder then that Lord Krishna later on left this place and took up abode in a barren land like Dwarka in Saurashtra.

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Daaji’s journey through Uttar Pradesh reached a meaningful milestone with his visit to Mathura and Iglas, where he shared profound pearls of wisdom with the abhyasis gathered there.

Mathura and Iglas, Uttar Pradesh, 14th to 16th June 2025

13 JuneA significant highlight of Daaji’s travels in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh was the inauguration of the Bharatiya Gyan Parampara Kendra (Centre of Indian Knowledge Systems—CIKS) at Galgotias University situated in Greater Noida. CIKS is envisioned to blend India’s ancient knowledge systems and spiritual wisdom with contemporary science, innovation, and AI. In alignment with the Ministry of Education’s vision of embedding India’s intellectual heritage into higher education, this initiative marked a thoughtful step toward preserving tradition while preparing institutions for the future.Daaji’s arrival at the university was met with ceremonial fanfare. NCC cadets lined a red carpet, standing in formation. The university’s chairman, his son, and the family received him warmly. The welcome was formal, yet personal.The first stop was the inauguration of the Heartfulness Lounge—the first of its kind within a university in India. The lounge was designed as a dedicated space for students to learn and practice Heartfulness meditation. Fully air-conditioned and thoughtfully furnished, it featured instructional videos, a curated selection of Heartfulness literature, and weekly sessions led by certified trainers. Daaji offered prasad and formally opened the space.On stage, Daaji was felicitated by the university’s Chancellor, Shri Sunil Galgotia, and the CEO, Dr. Dhruv Galgotia, before the unveiling of the CIKS plaque. Soon after, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Heartfulness and Galgotias University, laying the foundation for collaborative research, educational programs, and outreach initiatives.In his inaugural address, Daaji highlighted how the essence of Indian knowledge lies not just in preservation but in integration—reviving the wisdom of the Vedas, Upanishads, and spiritual sciences while making them relevant to today’s students. He urged the younger generation to carry forward this legacy with scientific curiosity and experiential practice, particularly through meditation. His reflections beautifully emphasized that true knowledge must not remain confined to books but should transform minds, hearts, and ways of living—an echo of the very aim behind the new centre. Following the meditation session led by Daaji, a lively and engaging Q&amp;A unfolded. Here are a few excerpts from it.Q:&nbsp;My peers mock me, saying meditation is doing you no good, one can’t really focus during it, and tranquillity isn’t a real thing. I really want my loved ones to feel the peace I feel during meditation. How can I make them understand this? Daaji: Welcome to the world of struggles in life! If you try to convince others, it will always fail. Practice yourself; it’s for yourself. And once they start seeing change in you, the trajectory of your life, then they will be awed. My college mates in LM College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad, also made fun of me back in 1976 when I started meditating, but soon enough, when my professors began to notice the change in us (a group of 25 who were meditating in college), they began to meditate—including my dean, who is now 99 years old. If one compares the students back then who weren’t meditating, and their families now versus the students who were meditating and their families now, you will notice a big difference.I recommend you read a book&nbsp;The Biology of Belief by Dr Bruce Lipton which teaches how our lifestyle impacts our inner environment, our genetic manifestations, and how life changes simply by thought. It is our ancient wisdom packaged in a new style!For example, Dr Lipton researched how the external environment changes the genetic manifestation of the embryo while in the mother’s womb. He noted that when an expectant mother lives under constant stress, her sympathetic nervous system activates, diverting blood from the abdomen, lungs, and brain to the limbs. The fetus experiences the same effect, leading to poor brain and digestive development. With reduced blood flow to the frontal cortex, thinking weakens while the primitive brain dominates, making the child reactive and prone to ADHD. In Indian tradition, pregnant women were often sent to their parents’ homes to stay happy and relaxed. This kept the parasympathetic system active, leading to calmer and more intelligent children.Q:&nbsp;How can Heartfulness app help us become mindful, emotionally resilient and socially attentive leaders in this modern world? Daaji: All three aspects of life you mentioned are to do with your awareness. When Lord Krishna says in the Bhagvad Gita, “yoga karmashu kaushalam,” i.e. if you take meditation seriously and attain a state of yoga, all your activities in that state of mind will attain perfection. Meditation and cleaning are the means, it is up to you how to use them.Q: Some scriptures highlight desires as good, some do the opposite. How do you align western philosophies of existentialism, nihilism with Indian philosophies? Daaji:&nbsp;Everyone says ‘don’t have desires.’ But how would you proceed in life then? If you wish to eat, you go to the canteen and eat. When you go home, and your mother has cooked something but you say you only want pizza, then something is wrong. Passion, which leads to desires, cannot ever be destroyed.&nbsp; You cannot have compassion without passion. Love, hate, likes, dislikes—all carry energy, and energy cannot be destroyed, only transformed. If a desire arises in the heart, what to do with it?—transform it, and make it better. So desires are not wrong; what matters is how and for what we use them. Similarly, the mind is not bad—we have to just train the mind, and the only mental gym we have is meditation. Ego too is not always negative. If it pushes you to improve, it is helpful; but if it makes you feel superior to others, it becomes arrogance. Ultimately, it depends on how we use our desires, mind, and ego—it’s about perspective.After the talk, Daaji joined the chairman’s family and a few visiting professors from Singapore for a private lunch. Later in the afternoon, Daaji traveled to the home of a long-time preceptor and abhyasi family in Noida. Later, though the schedule was originally set aside for writing and recovery, Daaji decided to visit the Noida Ashram, where a large group of abhyasis had gathered in the meditation hall. Daaji conducted a brief session there and spent time with the abhyasis before returning home.Dinner was followed by a few short meetings with dignitaries who had come to consult on upcoming projects. The day closed late, but on a note of progress—calm, deliberate, and forward-looking.

14 JuneThe morning began quietly. After some light refreshments, Daaji decided to head early to the meditation hall at the Noida Ashram. By the time he arrived, several hundred abhyasis (practitioners) were already seated, waiting in silence. He conducted meditation without delay. A short interaction with the abhyasis followed.Here are some excerpts:Q: Of late, I do not feel very connected to the Master. Earlier, there used to be a pull towards him, but now I do not feel it, and it worries me why I do not feel this closeness or nearness anymore? Daaji: (smiling) That is your problem! There are many obstacles that come on the way in the form of tests. You have to find your own solutions to surmount certain problems, and that is where the success lies. Think of a metaphor—what would happen if you don’t let the butterfly struggle to break out of its cocoon, or the bird hatch out its egg by itself, or if you forcefully open a flower bud before it blooms on its own? Similarly, don’t let any master forcefully open it for you—you have to allow your inner flower [to bloom] with the warmth of your love and devotion: that is your business. Q: Daaji, you have taken Heartfulness to such great heights with so much efficiency. Is it possible for an abhyasi, at a human level, to become like you? Daaji: This work can never be done without abhyasis. I believe Babuji Maharaj was unfortunate—he, as such a great personality was there, but you all were not there. So, without abhyasis, even the Masters cannot do anything. Even Lord Krishna, Lalaji Maharaj, and Swami Vivekanand would say that it is indeed very sad that in spite of there being so much power in him [Babuji Maharaj], people do not recognize him and benefit from his being there. So, you see, those who could spread his message are here, but were not there back then. So the credit goes to all our sisters and brothers. (…) Our job is to keep working for the mission, not for rewards: just keep working, that itself is the reward.

After the session, Daaji left the ashram to visit a nearby apartment complex where many of the Noida abhyasis reside. Over the years, this residential cluster had become a close-knit spiritual community, with nearly every flat occupied by practitioners. One apartment had been prepared for Daaji’s visit. He was welcomed warmly by the abhyasi sisters who had prepared a home-cooked breakfast. Over the meal, the conversation moved across a range of topics—personal, spiritual, and practical. Soon, more abhyasis came in, one by one, hoping for a few moments with Daaji. He listened patiently, offered guidance where needed, and made time for as many as he could.Before beginning this journey, Daaji had mentioned something simple and clear:&nbsp;“On this trip, I want to meet abhyasis, as many as possible. This time is for them—to listen, to meditate together, and to simply be present with one another.” That’s exactly how the day unfolded.From there, Daaji left for an interview for the Speaking Tree (Times of India Group), a special section (both in print and online), which is dedicated to spirituality, philosophy, and self-development. On YouTube, this interview was one of their “Connect with Antaha-Karan” [Connect with Inner Instrument] series.The Speaking tree team was eagerly waiting to meet Daaji. They had a very interesting interaction right before the interview began. One of the team members mentioned that she had a meditative practice.Daaji asked her, “How do you meditate?”She replied, “With Shiv mantra, Devi mantras, visualization, guided meditation; I am a Shiv bhakt (devotee).”Daaji continued, “So, let’s talk a little bit: what is meditation?”She answered, “Anything that has your concentration is meditation, according to me.”Daaji questioned again, “What is its Sanskrit word?”She said, “Dhyaan.”Daaji elaborated, “How do you split this word?After a short pause, Daaji continued, “Dhy + yaan. Dhy [pronounced as ‘dhee’] is repeated twice in the Gayatri mantra. What is this ‘dhy?’ Divine wisdom, Ultimate wisdom. Yaan means vehicle. So the vehicle which transports you to divine wisdom is dhyaan (meditation). When we chant, the mind is busy, it is occupied; it cannot be transported. A busy mind can never be transported, whether you are meditating on Krishna or Shiva or your boyfriend. So in order to transport the mind, we have to use this vehicle, and you also need to fuel this vehicle. So how do you fuel this vehicle? Any vehicle needs to be fueled, right? So here, the fuel for transporting the consciousness has to be subtler than what you are propelling. Whatever fuel needs to push the consciousness has to be subtler than the consciousness, or else it will be a shock. Anything that sustains us has to be subtler than what you want to sustain. For example, if you want to go to sleep. So what is more refined, subtler than the consciousness? It is the subtle energy we call ‘prana.’ Prana is what supports our consciousness. In the Kena Upanishad, the sage says that all the koshas need nourishment; so what can support your soul?”She replied, “Soul food.”Daaji explained, “And what is that soul food? It is called ‘pranasya prana’ and that is the invention of Heartfulness where the Guru, with his grace transmits this pranasya prana or pranahuti [yogic transmission], and that works as the fuel for the vehicle to transport your consciousness. And your awareness suddenly shifts as if from the third gear to the fifth.”Another team member posed a question to Daaji: So, for receiving this pranahuti, is ‘patrata’ (eligibility, worthiness) necessary?Daaji replied, “Not necessary: if it was, you would never evolve.’She asked again, “But nowadays, why do gurus insist on it, that if you are not worthy, then the ‘shaktipata’ (energy transfer from guru to disciple) will not happen?”Daaji’s reply was crystal clear. Even before she finished her question, he replied, “To escape the responsibility. You see, to escape this responsibility you can blame anyone at any time—‘you don’t deserve it’ or ‘you didn’t do what I told you to do’ or ‘you didn’t follow the protocol.’ It makes you feel guilty and with this guilt and heaviness, you can never progress. A Guru’s job should be to not to add to what is already existing in the form of heaviness. She asked, “What is pranahuti [yogic transmission] like?” Daaji smiled and said, “Experience it. Shall we begin meditation?Daaji then led the meditation for them, and a short discussion later, the interview began.It was one of the most amazing interviews where Daaji talked about his life experiences, whilst shedding light on many spiritual concepts. Daaji was very happy with the way the interview happened. Daaji asked all the team to come to Kanha so that more interviews could be planned. In the late evening, Daaji left for Mathura by road—a two-hour drive from Noida. The destination was significant: the ashram located near Krishna Janmabhoomi, [the birthplace of Lord Krishna].Stay tuned for more events from Daaji’s travels in Mathura and Iglas.

Q:&nbsp;How can Heartfulness app help us become mindful, emotionally resilient and socially attentive leaders in this modern world? Daaji: All three aspects of life you mentioned are to do with your awareness. When Lord Krishna says in the Bhagvad Gita, “yoga karmashu kaushalam,” i.e. if you take meditation seriously and attain a state of yoga, all your activities in that state of mind will attain perfection. Meditation and cleaning are the means, it is up to you how to use them.

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The significant highlights of Daaji’s travels in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh were the inauguration of the Bharatiya Gyan Parampara Kendra (Centre of Indian Knowledge Systems—CIKS) at Galgotias University situated in Greater Noida and his visit to Noida Ashram.

Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 13th and 14th June 2025

11 JuneDaaji arrived at the Delhi airport in the afternoon where a group of abhyasis were waiting inside the terminal to receive him. Daaji then drove to the Gurugram Ashram, where many abhyasis had lined up to welcome him. Upon reaching the cottage, Daaji offered prasad to Babuji Maharaj and asked someone to call all the children to collect prasad from him.After a short while he had a quiet lunch and took rest. By 5:30 p.m., despite the punishing Delhi heat, over 3,000 abhyasis had gathered in the hall awaiting Daaji to conduct satsangh. A short Q&amp;A session followed thereafter.&nbsp;Q:&nbsp;What defines success in life? Is it the satisfaction of thoughts and fulfilment of desires? &nbsp;Daaji: Success to me is a relative thing. It keeps changing its meaning at every stage of our life. As a child, when you were four years old, what did you understand about success? Lots of trophies, chocolates and toy cars! As we grow, our goals change.And because of this changing of goals, and depending upon how fast you attain those goals, whether they are academic or professional goals, you feel either that you are successful or that you are not successful. So in every little field there is some goal established but it keeps transcending; it keeps on evading us. Always, we either wish to maintain our position or achieve higher targets—there is no limit to this.Spiritual success is something else—the more you lose, the better you become. The more you lose, the greater the success within you. It’s a paradoxical understanding. So, we must be able to integrate the material world (where we seek more and more of ‘more and more’) and the spiritual realm (where we seek less and less of ‘less and less’ or we seek more and more of ‘less and less’).And when you are able to integrate these, only then you can confidently say when you're breathing your last, that ‘now I am able to leave this world contentedly.’ Because, when you are successful in the material world while you're alive, you will feel happy, but when that final moment [of death] comes, you will say ‘Sigh! I have not been able to do anything all my life.’So, success lies in integrating the spiritual and material life. Even though you may not be successful in the material life as much, and if the idea comes to your heart that ‘enough is enough,’ at that time, consider that you have succeeded to some extent.Q:&nbsp;Daaji, I have just got married. What is the best way to move ahead happily into this new phase of life? Daaji:&nbsp;Both of you must respect each other’s parents—you have to respect her parents and she must respect your parents. Let it be a competition! If even the idea of ‘parayaapan’ [that these are not ‘my parents,’ they are my spouse’s parents] creeps in, life will be a disaster. Don’t think that you have come to live at ‘someone else’s house.’ Babuji used to say that women do not respect men; they already fester the habit of ‘ghrina’ [strong dislike, hatred, aversion] hidden away in their hearts—they are not able to love their husbands, for whatever reasons. I would recommend you to read&nbsp;The Wisdom Bridge. Master it.Q: Daaji, when we practise intensely, a craving for higher levels of experience creeps in, rather unknowingly. This is also a form of desire, and I am unable to overcome it. Daaji: It’s good you have that awareness. My attitude while meditating must be: “God, I have no expectations. Whatever wish to bestow, bestow, if not, also ok—I am sitting to meditate with love in my heart.” That’s all. No expectation even from God—then see how it changes your meditation. And once this idea sinks into your heart in an authentic manner, your progress will accelerate.

12 JuneDaaji’s day began early with satsangh at 7:30 a.m. The meditation hall was already full when he entered. Daaji walked in quietly, took his seat, and the meditation began without announcement. The room settled even deeper.&nbsp; After the meditation, he returned to his residence where breakfast was served, and many abhyasis gathered around him. Also present among them were several dignitaries, including Dr Himanshu Gupta (IAS, Director CBSE); the Director of AIIMS Delhi; Dr Rahul Malhotra with the Heartfulness Research team; and a delegation from IIT Delhi.Over breakfast, the conversation focused on education, research, and well-being. Dr Malhotra shared findings on how Heartfulness meditation affects heart rate variability. The discussion moved toward introducing such practices to children early on — not just to support academic growth, but to build emotional strength and mental clarity. Daaji emphasized the importance of early inner development to help children grow into balanced and responsible individuals.In the evening, Daaji conducted satsangh at 5:30 p.m. Afterwards, he responded to a few questions and engaged briefly with those present before returning for dinner.Q: You have mentioned that anyone can change our destiny because of free will. Today also a plane crashed causing many casualties. What about such scenarios? &nbsp;Daaji: A family who lost their dear one in a car accident asked a similar question. This afternoon a flight from Ahmedabad to London crashed: among the casualties was a preceptor couple who lost their lives. And naturally, questions do arise—whose fault was it? Who decides such a destiny? Was it in our karma? Not everything is in our individual karmas. Sometimes, others can also influence our karmas—it’s a perpetual thing. Destiny is closely related to cause and effect. Our limited understanding says ‘I am the only one causing an effect on my life.’ But anyone can change your destiny.&nbsp; So we have to be very careful how we prepare our trajectory and that’s where meditation comes into the picture. Many times our heart says things as per our own destiny, but sometimes you decide against it, out of greed, perhaps. If we follow the heart, one life should be enough for liberation.At dinner, Daaji met with representatives from Galgotias University, as well as several officers from the Indian government. They had come to discuss how Heartfulness could be brought into higher education. The conversation went beyond theory — touching on implementation, student wellbeing, and values-based learning. Daaji shared his view that true education must cultivate ethics, purpose, and self-awareness — not just academic output.

13 JuneDaaji conducted morning satsang with the abhyasis at the Gurgaon Ashram and after breakfast he left for the Galgotias University, located about two hours away in Greater Noida.

Daaji said, “Spiritual success is something else—the more you lose, the better you become. The more you lose, the greater the success within you. It’s a paradoxical understanding. So, we must be able to integrate the material world (where we seek more and more of ‘more and more’) and the spiritual realm (where we seek less and less of ‘less and less’ or we seek more and more of ‘less and less’).And when you are able to integrate these, only then you can confidently say when you're breathing your last, that ‘now I am able to leave this world contentedly.’ Because, when you are successful in the material world while you're alive, you will feel happy, but when that final moment [of death] comes, you will say ‘Sigh! I have not been able to do anything all my life.”

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Daaji’s Gurugram visit will be remembered as a beautiful opportunity where abhyasis could see him guide meditation sessions and share his pearls of wisdom. 

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