Around 3 p.m. Ruby and Anthony met Daaji. As soon as he came to know they had not had their lunch, he directed his kitchen team to serve them food. After lunch, the couple spent time with Daaji discussing a few things.&nbsp;

Daaji’s day began with a walk early morning. On the way, as he lovingly attended to the surrounding plants,&nbsp;he also had a phone call with the former governor of West Bengal, Jagdeep Dhankhar. The dignitary has recently been nominated for the post of Vice President of India.


 Daaji had breakfast and spent some time alone on the swing. Soon he was joined by Sandhya Pandey and her kids from the USA, along with Uday Kumar’s son, Uma Nath. They gifted Daaji a few plants, after which he showed them the method of plantation using charcoal, vermicompost, and other ingredients.


 After a short treatment with the physiotherapist, Daaji went to rest.

Around 7.10 p.m. he went to meet the seekers who had gathered in the admin office. After listening to them and offering prayers, he conducted meditation between 7.35 p.m. and 7.55 p.m.

Daaji then left for his rounds of the Kanha ashram, supervising the cleaning activities and the ongoing preparations for Charaji’s birthday celebrations.&nbsp;


 He returned home with a freshly trimmed branch of the Ceiba Speciosa (silk floss tree) that he had picked up near the comfort dormitories. Cutting the branch into smaller pieces, he asked one of his associates to get them ready for plantation by soaking them in a solution made up of turmeric, cinnamon powder, aloe vera, and a tiny quantity of humic acid.


 One couldn’t help but wonder at the love and enthusiasm with which Daaji indulged himself in this little activity!

At 8 p.m. Daaji went to The Pearl to meet a few dignified guests. The guests included Osho’s disciple, Guru Mithreshiva from the Matangi Foundation, and M. Ravi and Swarnalatha Ravi, owners of the popular chain of restaurants, Vasanta Bhavan, in Chennai.


 Guru Mithreshiva expressed that they had begun to feel a positive shift in their hearts as soon as they entered the campus of Kanha. They were all very happy to meet Daaji, who shared glimpses of his Chennai days with them. He narrated how he had stumbled into Heartfulness and recollected his very first meditation session with Draupadi Agarwal from Ahmedabad.


 After&nbsp;a long discussion and dinner with the guests, Daaji asked the team in Kanha to give polarity&nbsp;to the guests. He also directed the volunteers to give them a demo of Brighter Minds, and a tour of the hydroponics unit and rain forests, the next morning.


 Daaji finally left for home&nbsp;around 9.20 p.m. &nbsp;

Daaji returned home with a freshly trimmed branch of the Ceiba Speciosa (silk floss tree) that he had picked up near the comfort dormitories. Cutting the branch into smaller pieces, he asked one of his associates to get them ready for plantation by soaking them in a solution made up of turmeric, cinnamon powder, aloe vera, and a tiny quantity of humic acid.


 One couldn’t help but wonder at the love and enthusiasm with which Daaji indulged himself in this little activity!

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Daaji had a phone call with the former governor of West Bengal, Jagdeep Dhankhar. The dignitary has recently been nominated for the post of Vice President of India.


Kanha Shantivanam 18th July 2022

As it was a Sunday, Daaji started from his residence at 7.20 a.m. to conduct group meditation. There were over 1,600 seekers gathered in the main meditation hall of Kanha, and the session lasted an hour. 


 After conducting meditation from 7.30 a.m. to 8.05 a.m., Daaji gave a short talk.


 With great pain, he shared his unhappiness at seekers randomly visiting his home without prior permission. Instead, if they had a valid reason to meet, he requested them to make an appointment and see him at his office in the admin building after 6 p.m. in the evenings.


 Daaji emphasized the need for discipline and receptivity. He discouraged parents from shouting, screaming and pushing their children to meet and greet him.


 In this context, he addressed the parents, “Don’t force your children; they don’t like it. It is inhuman to push your children and force them to walk toward me. You will pay the price later on because all of these will remain in the subconscious of your child. They resent such things. They may not oppose now, but you are already sowing in the child the seeds of opposition towards spirituality. Let them develop an interest in a very natural way.


 “You be the example by establishing some level of discipline. If you run around, then they will also learn the same habit. If you want them to be receptive, you should be receptive. How can you be receptive? Only when you are at peace within yourself. And when you are at peace within yourself, would you run around?”


 Daaji went on to conduct the wedding of&nbsp;Priyanshi and Durgesh from Ghaziabad, then left the hall.

At 9.40 a.m. Dr. Raghava&nbsp;Dutt Mulukutla, Dr. Kishore and Dr. Venkat met Daaji at his residence.&nbsp;Dr. Raghava examined Daaji and analyzed his recent reports, including the MRI scan and X-rays of his shoulder and neck. He informed Daaji that he would need to take another MRI scan to check for any pressure on the nerves of the neck, which could probably be the cause of his present symptoms of loss of balance. The doctor also suggested a neuro-examination. Daaji agreed to get the prescribed tests done the same week.


 After coffee, the doctors took leave and Daaji saw them off at the gate. He then spent 10-15 minutes on the swing, while Dr. Surekha treated him with physiotherapy.


 Daaji took a few mangoes of the Himam Pasand variety, peeled the skin and the pulp, and gave the seeds to Saravanan for planting. He nostalgically recollected that in his childhood, they used to boil and eat the gutlis [mango seeds], which tasted very good. He added that mango seed in powder form is good for weight loss and that it is available in the form of capsules now on the market.


 Daaji went to rest after that.

At 6.30 p.m. he left for his rounds of Kanha. After visiting the pond near Madhuvanam, he proceeded to the area behind the kitchen to check the cleaning work happening there.&nbsp;

Daaji met up with seekers who had taken prior appointments in his admin office. He spent the first few minutes listening to all that they had to share and then conducted meditation between 7.10 p.m. and 7.35 p.m. The session was deep and profound.


 After meditation, Daaji left for home.

<h2>
 Teaching Children&nbsp;
</h2>

 Daaji addressed the parents, “Don’t force your children; they don’t like it. It is inhuman to push your children and force them to walk toward me. You will pay the price later on because all of these will remain in the subconscious of your child. They resent such things. They may not oppose now, but you are already sowing in the child the seeds of opposition towards spirituality. Let them develop an interest in a very natural way.


 “You be the example by establishing some level of discipline. If you run around, then they will also learn the same habit. If you want them to be receptive, you should be receptive. How can you be receptive? Only when you are at peace within yourself. And when you are at peace within yourself, would you run around?”

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Daaji reflected, "How can you be receptive? Only when you are at peace within yourself. And when you are at peace within yourself, would you run around?”

Kanha Shantivanam 17th July 2022

Around 11 a.m. Luca Baldesi from Auroville, along with his friend Sunil Patrapati, met Daaji. Luca invited him to Auroville to give a talk. Daaji accepted the invitation and said he would speak on ‘The Evolution of Consciousness’.


 Thereafter, a deep conversation ensued between Daaji and Luca. Here are a few snippets:


 Is Knowledge Enough?


 Daaji said, “You have to practice so that you can reflect on it, understand it to support the knowledge. Knowledge has to be supported with experience, otherwise, it becomes hollow.


 “Aurobindo talks about consciousness from his perspective and personal experience. Other people may read about consciousness, but there is no actual practice to support this knowledge as an experience. And that is what is lacking – experience. You may have tremendous knowledge, but what happens as you evolve and your consciousness continues to change?


 “The problem is that you are satisfied and content with one level of consciousness; it gives you a lot of comforts. Moving from one level of consciousness to the next higher level of consciousness involves a change, a transformation. That means you have to move away from your comfort zone. No one likes that. A few exceptional beings might say, ‘Okay, let me move further.’ But in most cases, though people like to evolve, they feel uncomfortable because evolution means constant, continuous change.


 “We as human beings are hardwired, neurologically, to protect ourselves. That means we are not open to change. So evolution becomes difficult. But if you become flexible and accept everything as it comes then, as Babuji says, we become open to newer and newer changes. We need to welcome change, whereas usually, we feel disturbed by every little change in our lives.


 “People think that meditation is peace. It is not. It is peaceful when you accept these changes, otherwise, you will be at the wayside.


 “Consciousness is the same, whether Aurobindo talks about it or Babuji talks about it. Each one uses a different language as per their understanding. So we need to bridge the different understandings, that’s all. The merger is beautiful. Then acceptance is there, there is no contradiction. Once you build a bridge, there is no contradiction. Both are connected.”


 Education – Traditional or Spiritual?


 Referring to the Heartfulness Learning Centers, Luca wanted to know how spiritual education differs from the traditional system of education?


 Daaji said, “You cannot move away from the traditional education system. If you don’t study according to the present education system, you cannot pass with degrees. Money is also important.


 “So we offer spiritual practices to the students besides the traditional education. We try to increase their ability to observe and their level of intuition by creating a lot of interest, by inspiring them. And we offer these practices early in their lives: we guide them through relaxation before school begins. We also offer them the Brighter Minds program.” &nbsp;


 Sat-Chit-Ananda


 Daaji narrated a humorous anecdote from Babuji’s times.


 When someone asked Babuji about sat-chit-ananda, he replied, “Sat-chit-ananda is like a worm relishing cow-dung.”


 Daaji went on to explain, “The cow-dung is bliss for the worm. That’s exactly how a Yogi enjoys the blissful state of sat-chit-ananda. The way a worm enjoys cow dung, a Yogi enjoys consciousness. He is trapped, he is addicted to consciousness. That’s not freedom.


 “Babuji gave the example of children addicted to toys. As you grow up, you get addicted to computers and digital devices. Later on, you start entertaining yourself sensually. Just as a little child remains indulgent in toys, and teenagers in sensual gratification, a Yogi is addicted to consciousness.


 “Babuji says we have to go beyond consciousness. Try to find what supports consciousness. Don’t depend on answers from anyone. Because even if so-and-so say that consciousness is supported by x, y, z, what is the use unless and until you experience it for yourself? We are strangers to our own selves, let alone others.


 Experience Alone Can Teach


 Daaji quoted another instance from Babuji’s life.


 “Someone once asked Babuji, ‘Can you show me God?’ His brilliant answer was, ‘If I show you God, how will you know?’ So, the prerequisite is I must know something before I can approve or disapprove.”


 One of the guests asked Daaji, “How to know?”


 Daaji said, “Only your experience will tell you that this is it, there is nothing beyond it. Or you’ll come to know that there’s so much beyond all these things, and your journey continues infinitely. That’s the beauty of spirituality: there is no full stop.”

The discussion continued till 12 p.m. and then Daaji excused himself to go on an inspection of the Kanha premises. Daaji asked Sudhir Marwaha to accompany them and showed him all the places that needed cleaning up. Afterward, he returned home for lunch.

At 6.45 p.m. Daaji went to the admin office to meet seekers. He patiently listened to all of them and then conducted meditation between 7.20 p.m. and 7.50 p.m.

After meditation, Daaji discussed his health problems with the gathered group of doctors, including Dr. Kishore, Dr. Venkat, and Dr. Raghava Dutt Mulukutla, an eminent spine surgeon from UDAI OMNI hospitals, Hyderabad.


 Daaji explained that he had been experiencing a loss of balance recently. As a result, he had to take support even while getting up from the bed, and it would take him quite some time to get back to normal. He said he could handle vertigo with corrective maneuvers, but with the present problem of balance, he was finding it really difficult to go through the activities of the day.

Afterward, Daaji left for home. &nbsp;

<h2>
 Change and Consciousness
</h2>

 While talking about Aurobindo, Daaji said, “The problem with change is, that you are satisfied and content with one level of consciousness. It gives you a lot of comfort zone, but then to change from that level of consciousness to the next higher level of consciousness means a change, transformation. And that means you have to move away from your comfort zone. No one likes that. Very exceptional beings will say, ‘okay, let me move forward.’ Though they like to evolve, they feel uncomfortable. Evolution means constant continuous change.”

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Daaji said, “Aurobindo talks about consciousness, right? It is from his personal perspective and personal experience. Other people also read about consciousness based on a window, but there is no actual practice to support this knowledge as an experience.  And that's what Puducherry lack, experience. They can have tremendous knowledge, but what happens as you evolve and how your consciousness continues to change? 

Kanha Shantivanam 16th July 2022

The rains in Kanha have finally come to a halt. The sun continues to play hide and seek with the clouds in the sky. 


 Daaji went for a walk at 7 a.m. While the rain showers from the skies have temporarily ceased, he continues to shower the surrounding plants with his love and care.

At 10.45 a.m. Daaji visited the pond in Saireddyguda village, which is three kilometers away from Kanha. He went around inspecting the work and discussed the plantation drive proposed for that area with Saravanan and Satyan. He spent time planting six trees, including the Arjun tree (Terminalia Arjuna) and Mahogany.


 Daaji then slowly walked up to the top of the mountain&nbsp;created there and suggested names of the species to be planted as part of the plantation drive in that entire area. He distributed&nbsp;prasad to all the workers and returned to Kanha.


 Throughout the day, Daaji was busy inspecting&nbsp;various places on the premises. He checked out the pond near Madhuvanam, and from there he went to the pond behind the main kitchen of Kanha. He took a round of the entire area up to the Heartyculture&nbsp;dairy, inspecting each and every corner.


 Daaji was very sad to see the surroundings unclean, with waste materials lying here and there. He asked the team of workers and volunteers in each area to make sure everything was cleaned up. Daaji left the place with a sad heart, saying he would come back in the evening to check the progress of the work.

As promised, he revisited those specific areas at 6 o’clock in the evening. It had started raining once again, in spite of the bright sunlight, and this resulted in a wonderful double rainbow in the sky. The atmosphere was ethereal.

After a round of the ashram, Daaji returned home. He was accompanied by Nimo, the Iranian architect, and his wife.

At home, around 7.15 p.m., Daaji observed Nimo facing difficulty in breathing&nbsp;and suggested he do some pranayama. He called for Vishnu, one of the Yoga trainers at Kanha, and asked him to demonstrate a few breathing exercises. Both Daaji and Nimo joined Vishnu in the pranayama.


 Daaji conducted a short meditation between 7.30 p.m. and 7.50 p.m. Thereafter, he invited everyone to join him for dinner.

As promised, Daaji revisited those specific areas at 6 o’clock in the evening. It had started raining once again, in spite of the bright sunlight, and this resulted in a wonderful double rainbow in the sky. The atmosphere was ethereal.

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As finally the rain stopped, Daaji decided to spend some time and inspect the construction and plantation work. 

Kanha Shantivanam 15th July 2022

Daaji went for a walk at 6.30 a.m., inspecting the health of trees and plants around. He was joined by Sanjay Meherish and his family in his house at 8 a.m.


 Daaji conducted meditation from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. &nbsp;


 After breakfast, the group gathered in Daaji’s office and there was a discussion on&nbsp;the chapter ‘My Pain’ from The Complete Works of Ram Chandra, Vol. 2.


 Daaji mentioned that&nbsp;Babuji went through a lot of pain and sorrow, and he was fortunate to come under the umbrella of his Master.&nbsp;He stated that there should be restlessness in the seeker for a Guru and that they should be able to sacrifice several lives for the same.


 Daaji then asked&nbsp;Samarth Meherish&nbsp;to read the book and&nbsp;suggested that he develop the habit of reading regularly with the youth. He clarified that even elderly people could join the reading group if they wanted to and that all should be welcomed irrespective of whether or not they practiced&nbsp;meditation.

At 9.45 a.m., Narendra Bhura met Daaji along with Rasik Lal. The elderly gentleman had returned from a trip to South Africa and had brought along with him seeds of the African baobab tree. Daaji was very happy to receive the seeds. &nbsp; &nbsp;


 Physiotherapist&nbsp;Surekha Banda visited Daaji for&nbsp;his routine check-up and exercises around 10.40 a.m.

At 11.10 a.m., around twenty students from the THLC hostel met Daaji. They were from classes 9 and 10. Daaji walked them through relaxation and conducted meditation for about half an hour. After meditation, Daaji asked one of the students to read the chapter ‘My Pain’ from Babuji’s Complete Works, Vol. 2.&nbsp;


 After reading two paragraphs, Daaji asked the girl to pause for a few seconds and gently nudged the students to think over what Babuji had written. This pattern of reading, followed by silent reflection, continued for some time. He urged the students to cultivate the habit of reading and encouraged them to read this particular book whenever possible.


 Later, Daaji took all the students to his office and showed them the interactive courses offered on the Heartfulness website:


 https://learning.heartfulness.org/courses/realityinaction


 He played one chapter on his computer and then asked them to enroll for the entire course. He urged them to make it a habit to listen to the audios in their hostel for 10 mins every day after the 9 p.m. prayer for universal brotherhood. He also asked them to share their feedback after they had completed the online course.&nbsp;


 Around 12 p.m. Stanislas Lajugie and Venkat Sonnathi joined the group. Venkat updated Daaji on the new Heartfulness App.


 Daaji showed the baobab seeds to the students and asked them to count the seeds in each packet. He then showed them the images of the huge trees on his computer.


 Daaji inquired Stan about his presentation to scientists. In reply to what Stan shared, Daaji said, “It’s a very powerful argument when you say we are neurologically predisposed to negativity for self-defense and self-survival. Do you teach all that?”


 Stan clarified the method of learning. To validate the above argument, he said that the audience would be asked a question like: “Suppose out of the ten things that happened to you today, nine were good and one was bad. When you go back home and talk to your family or your friends, which one are you likely to talk about?”


 Daaji chuckled, “The bad one, not the good one. The good ones we forget.” The discussion continued on how the mind, in general, is inclined to absorb and retain the negative rather than the positive.


 Daaji gave an example, “Suppose your best friend stole your pen. You would remember it all your life!” He emphasized the importance of cleaning to let go of all the impressions.


 The discussion continued till 1.15 p.m., and later Daaji invited the entire group for lunch. After lunch, Daaji warmly bid goodbye to the students and retired to his room to rest.&nbsp;

At 6:30&nbsp;p.m.,&nbsp;P. Uday Kumar, IAS,&nbsp;Collector and District Magistrate of Nagarkurnool, met Daaji and joined him for a walk.

A few architects from Mumbai met Daaji at 7 p.m. and discussed a few construction projects.


 Daaji asked the group if they could all sit for meditation. Suddenly he sighted the mosquito&nbsp;control team of Kanha through his window: they were sitting and having a discussion with Sahaj Patel. Daaji immediately suggested they go out and meditate along with the team.&nbsp;


 Daaji introduced the members of the Kanha mosquito control team to the IAS officer and said they were trying hard to ensure Kanha is free from the menace of mosquitoes.


 Then he said to the team, “Today I will give you all a sitting, and you can continue your meeting after the meditation.” He added with a smile, “You will get better ideas after the mediation.”&nbsp;


 Daaji conducted meditation between 7.30 and 8 p.m. Afterwards he invited everyone to join him for dinner.

Daaji asked one of the students to read the chapter ‘My Pain’ from Babuji’s Complete Works, Vol. 2.


 After reading two paragraphs, Daaji asked the girl to pause for a few seconds and gently nudged the students to think over what Babuji had written. This pattern of reading, followed by silent reflection, continued for some time. He urged the students to cultivate the habit of reading and encouraged them to read this particular book whenever possible.

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Daaji gave an example, “Suppose your best friend stole your pen. You would remember it all your life!” He emphasized the importance of cleaning to let go of all the impressions.


Kanha Shantivanam 14th July 2022

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

The following day began with Daaji offering yet another beautiful meditation session in the early morning. After a profound Heartfulness meditation session that was telecast live on the Heartfulness channel, Daaji invited Mr. Linguswamy to give a talk. His talk revolved around his experiences with the Heartfulness meditation practice and its transformative effect. He expressed his gratitude to Daaji referring to him as a ‘real hero.’&nbsp;This was followed by a heartwarming Q&amp;A session with Daaji. His words resonated deeply with the eager practitioners, leaving everyone inspired and deeply moved.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Later that evening, Daaji welcomed a group of practitioners from the Baduga tribal community of Ooty, a beautiful hill station nestled in the Nilgiri mountain range. Their hearts were deeply touched as Daaji interacted with them personally. His gentle words and affectionate demeanor created an unforgettable experience for the community members. He ended the meeting with a promise saying, “I will come soon to Ooty,” filling their hearts with even more joy! He then posed for a group photo with them.&nbsp;Many dignitaries had come to meet Daaji in Tiruppur: Mr. V. Sundararajan, Chairman of Sky Group of Companies and the Founder Secretary of Vanam Foundation, Palladam, Tiruppur District; the Founder Director of the Coconut Farmers Producer Company; and Mr. K. R. Nagarajan who is the Chairman of the Ramraj Cotton Group of Companies and Vice President of the World Community Service Center.&nbsp;Daaji met with Padma Shri Dr. A. Sakthivel, Chairman, Poppy's Group of Companies and Honorary, Founder President, Tiruppur Exporters Association (TEA); the President of Federation of Indian Exporters Organizations (FIEO); and Mr. N. Thirukkumaran Managing Director, Ess Tee Group of Companies and General Secretary, Tiruppur Exporters Association (TEA). Daaji also met with Mr. Kumar Duraiswamy who is the Managing Director, Eastern Global Clothings, the Joint Secretary of Tiruppur Exporters Association (TEA), and also the Project Director, 'Vanathukkul Tiruppur' - Initiatives of Green Tiruppur; and the Convenor, Tiruppur Stakeholders Forum (TSF).&nbsp;&nbsp;After a brief discussion with them on varied initiatives Daaji then asked for the Brighter Minds demonstration to be presented to all the guests.&nbsp; Later they all joined Daaji for the evening Heartfulness meditation session, after which he gave a talk that touched every heart present in the audience. Daaji expressed his joy saying, “My stay here at DJ Park has been very productive and I admire your sacrifice for coming here despite so many inconveniences. Returning home you will notice even greater changes that will unfold in your day-to-day lives because of these three meditation sessions. Tomorrow I will be returning back home but my heart will always remain here and I intend to come back hopefully on the 11th November.”&nbsp;Touching upon the topic of peace, Daaji reminisced about Babuji Maharaj’s letter to the United Nations dated July&nbsp;8, 1957 where Babuji emphasized that world peace cannot be possible until individual peace is granted. Daaji said, “And who can grant this individual peace? No one, but yourself. It’s an individual attitude: a person under turbulence can remain unshaken and a person without any sort of problems remains stressful and anxious. Our path, the Heartfulness way is a direct gift from the Divine because through this&nbsp;pranahuti or transmission all willing practitioners are able to experience a minimum level of peace.”Daaji threw light on the intricacies of how attaining liberation during this lifetime can take us to that state of non-duality whose inherent quality is peace. He also differentiated the peace that one attains before liberation at the Atma chakra [2nd point in the heart region] and the peace experienced beyond the 9th point.&nbsp; He said, “There is no solution in asking or praying for peace. Liberation is in our hands: no God or Guru can grant it if we are not deserving. So our only job is to become deserving individuals.”Daaji also gave simple solutions as to how one can become deserving individuals. He then went on to reveal, “something that most people have not understood in the very first chapter of&nbsp;Reality at Dawn.” Daaji divulged the true interpretation of Babuji Maharaj’s very profound statement –&nbsp;Where religion ends, spirituality begins; where spirituality ends, reality begins; where reality ends, bliss begins.&nbsp;By linking the intricate concepts of God, divine experiences, desires and transcendence, Daaji clarified the meaning of this statement.

Daaji threw light on the intricacies of how attaining liberation during this lifetime can take us to that state of non-duality whose inherent quality is peace. He also differentiated the peace that one attains before liberation at the Atma chakra [2nd point in the heart region] and the peace experienced beyond the 9th point.&nbsp; He said, “There is no solution in asking or praying for peace. Liberation is in our hands: no God or Guru can grant it if we are not deserving. So our only job is to become deserving individuals.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Daaji spent the day at Tiruppur, conducting meditation and question and answer sessions and meeting dignitaries. 

Tiruppur 21st October 2024

Despite the heavy downpour from the previous night, the ashram was serene and prepared for the day's events. After the meditation session, Daaji solemnized three weddings in a simple ceremony.&nbsp;<ul><li>Disha and Abhishek</li><li>Astha and Kshitij</li><li>Garima and Sandeep</li></ul>

He returned to the cottage for breakfast, joined by a few guests, including Dr. Kannan, affectionately known as ‘Sanskrit Kannan’ within the Heartfulness community. Their conversation revolved around Dr. Kannan's ongoing study of Vedic texts in the light of Heartfulness teachings, a rich dialogue blending ancient wisdom with the spiritual depth of the Heartfulness approach.

Later in the day, Daaji embarked on the journey to the next destination – Tiruppur. By the time he arrived at the DJ Park Ashram in Tiruppur in the evening, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation and eagerness on behalf of the practitioners assembled there. While Daaji was conducting the evening meditation, it began to rain heavily. Many viewed this as a divine affirmation; as if the spiritual hierarchy above was rejoicing alongside the practitioners, their joy mirrored by the rain.&nbsp;&nbsp;

While Daaji was conducting the evening meditation, it began to rain heavily. Many viewed this as a divine affirmation; as if the spiritual hierarchy above was rejoicing alongside the practitioners, their joy mirrored by the rain.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Daaji spent his day solemnizing weddings, discussing Vedic texts and traveling to Tiruppur. 

Chennai and Tiruppur 20th October 2024

Daaji began his day early, looking forward to continue his journey to Chennai. He invited a few Heartfulness practitioners to join him for breakfast, where they discussed plans for the days ahead.&nbsp;His first stop upon reaching Chennai was the Heartfulness International School, Omega branch. There, Daaji launched several important initiatives and took time to meet with school officials. During his speech, he shared his vision to open more such Heartfulness schools across India, calling upon educators within and outside the Heartfulness community to contribute to this noble cause.&nbsp;In response to student inquiries about following one's heart, Daaji answered with his characteristic warmth and clarity, encouraging the youth to trust their inner guidance which is greatly enhanced when nourished by a sincere Heartfulness practice. He explained how a meditative practice strengthens this inner connection, allowing one to navigate life with a deeper sense of purpose. &nbsp;

From there, Daaji proceeded to the Babuji Memorial Ashram in Manapakkam, where hundreds of Heartfulness practitioners from Chennai and nearby centers lined the roads, welcoming him with love and devotion.&nbsp;&nbsp;Daaji enjoyed a hearty South Indian lunch and after a brief rest, he conducted the evening meditation. Several celebrities from the Tamil film industry had been invited to experience Heartfulness meditation by Mr. N. Lingusamy, a Heartfulness trainer and renowned movie director.Daaji inaugurated the Tamil Nadu Youth Seminar with the theme ‘Awaken Your Inner Potential’ with an inspiring talk after meditation. This was followed by an engaging Q&amp;A session with the young participants. Daaji encouraged them to embrace Heartfulness practices with dedication, urging them to research the effects of following one’s heart versus ignoring it. He emphasized that with a consistent meditation routine, they could develop a courageous spirit capable of navigating life's challenges.

As Daaji made his way back to the cottage, a large crowd gathered, each one vying for his attention. Daaji often lovingly reminds everyone that there is no need to struggle for this external attention. He has mentioned that true connection arises from cultivating an inner state of deservingness, where the deep silence of the heart prepares one to receive Divine grace. In this state, the flow of yogic transmission becomes natural and automatic. He gently but firmly asked everyone to leave, before retiring to the cottage for a quiet dinner.This day was filled with moments of deep connection, reflection, and inspiration, as Daaji continued to share the message of Heartfulness with all those who came to meet him.

Daaji inaugurated the Tamil Nadu Youth Seminar with the theme ‘Awaken Your Inner Potential’ with an inspiring talk after meditation. This was followed by an engaging Q&amp;A session with the young participants. Daaji encouraged them to embrace Heartfulness practices with dedication, urging them to research the effects of following one’s heart versus ignoring it. He emphasized that with a consistent meditation routine, they could develop a courageous spirit capable of navigating life's challenges.

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This day was filled with moments of deep connection, reflection, and inspiration, as Daaji continued to share the message of Heartfulness with all those who came to meet him.

Thiruvallur and Chennai 19th October 2024

The following morning saw Daaji rise early to meet more practitioners who with eager hearts had gathered at the hotel to greet him before he left for the venue. The day began with a group meditation, where Daaji, with his signature calm, shared what he had felt during the meditation in his heart. He beautifully explained how once we begin our yogic practice, it is crucial to bring it to completion. Often, it is the unfinished tasks that leaves us with the trauma of regret and guilt, which can be practically impossible to erase.His thoughts flowed like a calm river carrying a deep current of spiritual insight. Leading a holistic lifestyle has been a central theme in Daaji’s talks and work. He emphasized the importance of working on ourselves, making sure not to leave anything unfinished: for a sincere yogi, it is important to note that doing the right thing is a triumph, but neglecting to do the right thing at the right moment can be far more detrimental to one’s spiritual progress.The essence of Heartfulness is to live without creating unnecessary&nbsp;samskaras or mental impressions that weigh us down on our spiritual journey.&nbsp;Akarma, which translates from Sanskrit as action performed with pure love and without attachment, is the ideal state for a spiritual aspirant. The riddles of life – what to do, what not to do, and how to live in the best way – were unraveled by Daaji with ease, making the profound seem simple and achievable.Daaji spoke about the need for self-restraint and how living a life absorbed in divine remembrance can reduce the need for the evening Heartfulness Cleaning practice. When we are truly absorbed in the presence of the Divine, we think and perform actions without creating new imprints on our consciousness. This intensity of practice can help us lead a life of inner peace and harmony.Before leaving, Daaji said that he would have stayed a few days longer if he could have. However, he promised to return soon. He shared how a spiritual guide finds joy in being with sincere and absorbing hearts, ready to deepen their practice and apply the teachings of Heartfulness in their daily lives.

On his way, Daaji made a surprise visit to a Heartfulness trainer’s sari shop. By the time he reached Thiruvallur, Chennai had recovered enough from the heavy rains, and preparations were in full swing to receive him. Interestingly, the rain seemed to follow him, pouring down in Hosur and Vellore after his departure, as though nature itself was in tune with the spiritual energy he emanates. Several thousand practitioners from nearby centers had gathered there, their hearts open and ready to receive their beloved guide.After entering the cottage, Daaji went to his room for a quiet moment to offer&nbsp;prasad. [Sweets offered with an attitude of reverence and in remembrance of the Divine. The sweets are divinized by this infusion of love and reverence, creating an osmosis between what is offered and the one to whom it is being offered.]&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;After the prasad was distributed, the practitioners made their way to the hall for a meditation session while Daaji took some much-needed rest. Over high tea, Daaji met with a few practitioners, before making his way to inaugurate the Heartfulness International School in Thiruvalllur.&nbsp;This special moment was marked by the first official admission to the school, which was performed by Daaji personally. He then conducted another group meditation in the main hall, followed by a lively and engaging interaction with the practitioners gathered there. Later during dinner, Daaji met with more practitioners before retiring for the night.&nbsp;

Daaji spoke about the need for self-restraint and how living a life absorbed in divine remembrance can reduce the need for the evening Heartfulness Cleaning practice. When we are truly absorbed in the presence of the Divine, we think and perform actions without creating new imprints on our consciousness. This intensity of practice can help us lead a life of inner peace and harmony.

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Daaji’s day was filled with sessions and meetings with abhyasis and his travel from Hosur and Vellore to Thiruvallur.

Vellore and Thiruvallur 18th October 2024

On Thursday, October 17, Daaji conducted meditation after which the atmosphere felt charged with deep absorption. This was followed by an inspiring talk from Daaji.&nbsp;He said, “During this meditation, some new guidelines were pouring into my heart from above, and I’m simply awestruck witnessing those dictations, which were not in words but in gestures. One gesture was about when in our country, in our culture, when we were encouraged to touch our parents’ feet. We did&nbsp;Sashtang Namaskaram&nbsp;[a yoga pose where the body is balanced on eight points of contact with the floor: feet, knees, hands, the chest, and either the chin or forehead] to our parents, our elder sisters and brothers, our uncles and aunts, and guests who visited our homes. Babuji says that it is time to revive that tradition, at least within our Heartfulness community. This will trigger mutual love and respect within the family.&nbsp; &nbsp;“Imagine that you get up early in the morning and touch your parents’ feet very respectfully, with a lot of love and reverence. Even if you fought the day before, this very act will dissolve your pain, your guilt, and all the sadness that you may have carried in your heart. Try it, and see what happens.&nbsp;“Secondly, it is wonderful when both husband and wife are meditating, but it is even better when they practice meditation together every morning. In Indian society, we are used to women waking up early, performing household chores, and being very busy in the kitchen. Husbands should also get up early and meditate together with their wives beforehand. It will change the vibrations in the house.“Thirdly, Babuji wants us to exercise.&nbsp;“Contemplate on the stages of thinking to remembrance to frequent remembrance to constant remembrance to remaining absorbed in the remembrance of the Lord in all our day-to-day activities; and if you can go beyond just thinking, remembering, remaining absorbed, drowned in His remembrance, the next stage will automatically open up – being lost in the remembrance of the Lord.&nbsp;“Think over these steps, and how we can dive into that state of being lost in the remembrance of the Lord.”

When Daaji was leaving the meditation hall, Mr. Vinayagam lovingly invited Daaji to come to Chennai Silks [chain of retail textile shops in South India] where breakfast had also been arranged. Daaji accepted this invite graciously and visited a large Chennai Silks shop on the main road of Hosur, where many guests and hundreds of employees were thrilled by his arrival.&nbsp;Among those present, were dignitaries from the World Peace Trust, including two trustees of the organization, Mr. Viswanathan and Mr. Murthy. Daaji spoke with them about the intricate relationship between belief, experience, and the cultivation of inner peace. He suggested that while belief in God can be a starting point, true and lasting peace is attained through direct experience of the Divine. This experiential connection deepens one’s sense of peace and solidifies faith by replacing doubt with certainty.&nbsp;Daaji emphasized the importance of meditation and the shedding of old habits in the journey toward inner peace. He stressed upon the Heartfulness Cleaning practice, its pivotal role in helping us remove our weaknesses and negative tendencies, and the 9 pm Universal Prayer where we pray for peace, harmony and well-being of all in the world.&nbsp;Daaji also spoke about renunciation, suggesting that true peace may require letting go of even the desire for spiritual experiences. Clinging to these experiences, however blissful, can be a subtle obstacle to ultimate peace.This interesting conversation was characteristic of Daaji's multifaceted approach to peace, where he uses analogies that everyone can relate to, simplifying the otherwise complicated philosophical concept of God, and most importantly, suggesting solutions to experience inner peace without hurting anyone’s religious sentiments.&nbsp;

After breakfast Daaji conducted meditation for all the Chennai Silks staff members and guests, following which he browsed through various sections of the shop, happy to be shown around, asking the odd question now and then, much to the delight of the staff members who accompanied him.&nbsp;After this enlightening visit, Daaji proceeded toward Krishnagiri, which is part of the Hosur zone. Despite the intense heat, Daaji conducted a meditation session immediately upon his arrival at noon, and another one at 4.30 pm.&nbsp;When Daaji was leaving the meditation venue, he noticed around a 100 Anganwadi workers [associated with Govt. of India-sponsored child and mother care centers] who were wearing identical pink saris. He paused and inquired about their attire. They were thrilled to meet Daaji up close and interact personally with him. Daaji then invited them to have a group photo with him. This simple gesture touched their hearts in a very profound manner. It was indeed moving to witness Daaji’s heartfelt response to their affection.&nbsp;

Daaji left for Vellore and arrived there after a two-hour drive. He was received with police honors and escorted to the venue. The hearts of the Vellore practitioners, full of yearning, moved Daaji so much that he skipped going his room to rest saying, "I want to conduct meditation right away."&nbsp; After the session, Daaji retired to the hotel where he was staying.

“Contemplate on the stages of thinking to remembrance to frequent remembrance to constant remembrance to remaining absorbed in the remembrance of the Lord in all our day-to-day activities; and if you can go beyond just thinking, remembering, remaining absorbed, drowned in His remembrance, the next stage will automatically open up – being lost in the remembrance of the Lord. Think over these steps, and how we can dive into that state of being lost in the remembrance of the Lord.”

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Daaji’s day was eventful with his time in Hosur, visit to Krishnagiri and then finally, reaching Vellore. 

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