Kanha Shantivanam 20th February 2024

Daaji conducted the morning group meditation from 7.35 am to 8.05 am in the Bhopal Ashram meditation hall. On the way to the hall, Daaji took time to greet and meet for a few moments with all those present. A few of them asked him to sign their copies of the Spiritual Anatomy, yet another few asked for a selfie, and a few of them expressed their concerns and joys to him.

A young practitioner named Sandeep requested that Daaji officiate his marriage ceremony. Daaji asked him, “When would you like to have the ceremony?“ The young man replied, “Whenever you say Daaji...”. Daaji told him that he would do so the next day itself.

The famous songwriter, Sameer Anjan, joined Daaji for breakfast, and the dining table was filled with fun and laughter with Sameer Anjan’s shayari (poetic verses) flowing freely and well. After breakfast, many people met Daaji. 

Daaji was presented the MoU by Gajendra Goutam Singh, the regional facilitator of Madhya Pradesh, and Neel Kelkar, the zonal coordinator there, which had been previously signed between the Heartfulness Institute and Rajya Anand Sansthan, of the government of the state of Madhya Pradesh, regarding ‘Anand Shivir-Kushalam’, a four-day residential training program for government officials of the Madhya Pradesh state government, in Kanha Shanti Vanam. Daaji read the MoU and understood more about this program from Neel Kelkar. Daaji then kept the original MoU with himself to be taken back home to Kanha Shanti Vanam.

Col. Dheeraj Singh Jamwal, who is a Heartfulness trainer in the Indian Defense Forces,  met Daaji and expressed gratitude for the benefits of Heartfulness Meditation to India’s defense forces, where he works, towards improving work efficiency as well as the much-required happiness quotient. He spoke with Daaji about nation-building with an idea to start a Yodha (warrior’s) academy where the children from a very young age would be nurtured with values. They would be trained to get into the Armed Forces, and after the training, they could choose the area they would like to move to. He then introduced his wife and daughter to Daaji. They all took a group photo with him

A little later, the entire room was filled with the family of the Bhardwajs from Indore. Daaji remembered Mitul’s daughter and inquired after her. Mitul’s mother replied that she had come to meet Daaji yesterday in Indore, but as Daaji was resting, she did not want to disturb you. Daaji, with a gentle smile, said, “Roohi was here and waited for me. You could have come and woke me up.”

There were many other lighter moments with the discussion on the Bhardwaj’s beard; they have grown. One of them said, “Daaji, did you know, Atul Bhai is growing his beard so long because you have promised him that you would visit his home when it grows longer.” 

Daaji started to smile, and the entire room was filled with laughter. After some time, they all took a group photo with Daaji and left for Indore.

The Honourable Deputy Chief Minister Shri Rajendra Shukla came to Bhopal Ashram to meet Daaji and discuss various initiatives. During the discussion, Daaji spoke to him about the Yodha Academy for Armed Forces training and also about Forest by Heartfulness. Daaji then asked if he had time for meditation and then conducted meditation from 10.35 am to 10.55 am. Daaji then formally presented him with the Spiritual Anatomy gift box. They discussed the MOU signing and agreed to do it after the event at Ravindra Bhawan later in the day.

Daaji went for a quick rest and, after an early lunch, left for Ravindra Bhawan, where the program on Paryavaran Sammelan (an environmental conference) was due to be organized. Daaji, who was accompanied by Sameer Anjaan ji on stage, was welcomed by Shri Shivraj Chauhan, the ex-Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. A little later, the Honourable Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Mohan Yadav, arrived at the stage, and he greeted Daaji.

Sameer ji was then asked to speak. He explained at length how a simple songwriter such as him had gained so much fame by God’s grace and just how much destiny had been kind to him to take him to Daaji’s loving bower of grace recently. Daaji’s talk was received with massive applause as he brought fresh perspectives and massive achievements of the Green Kanha initiatives to light. Later, all the guests present on the stage unveiled the Spiritual Anatomy book. 

After the event, many people clamored to meet Daaji. Daaji then left for the residence of Shri Shivraj Chauhan. Shivraj ji, requested that Daaji have lunch with them before leaving for the Van Bhawan (Forest Offices) where the MOU signing had been planned along with Shri Rajendra Shukla ji and the Forest Department of the state. The Madhya Pradesh Forest Department has allocated just over 2000 acres of degraded forest land to the Heartfulness Institute for rejuvenation under our Forests by Heartfulness initiative. After a brief discussion of the initiatives, the MOU was signed and exchanged between both parties. Shukla ji then requested Daaji to join them for a cup of tea. Daaji left for the Bhopal ashram from there after the formalities had been completed.

Umakant Sharma, a Member of the Legislative Assembly from Sironj in Vidisha district, was waiting for Daaji in the ashram. When Daaji reached the ashram, Umakant Sharma met Daaji and felicitated him with flowers.

In the evening, Daaji had a meeting with the members who have been involved with the matters of the Sahaj Gruh Nirman Society (Cooperative Society, Bhopal), which included

Pankaj Mathur, Ramkrishna Shrivastav, Prabhakar Das, Gajendra Goutam Singh, and Neel Kelkar.

Since Bhopal is the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, interaction with various departments of government has increased. More and more people seek to take up the Heartfulness practices. Thus, it was decided to plan property within the city, preferably close to the general movement of the public and government offices. 

A little later, Daaji got ready to conduct the evening meditation. On the way to the meditation hall, Daaji met a young couple who presented him with their newborn baby girl, asking him to name her. He named her ‘Shreya’.

Daaji conducted the evening meditation from 7.13 pm to 7.42 pm and then answered a few questions from those gathered there.

After dinner, Daaji went for some much-needed rest, as it had been a rather hectic day. 

Daaji has often expressed his disappointment at people giving him flowers. He feels that instead of cutting the flowers and wasting them, why don’t people bring plants that can be used for plantations? This goes a long way toward showing his commitment in every single way possible to bring about a lasting and true Green Revolution in this age and time.