Dear Blessed One,
As we step into a new year together, I want to take a moment to look back with gratitude at what has already unfolded through divine grace and collective effort. It has been a full and deeply energizing year for Divine Heart Center, not because of numbers or milestones alone, but because of the sincerity with which so many of you have stayed connected to the path.
Earlier in the year, we completed the reconstruction of the Holy Keshwar Mahadev Temple in Vrindavan. The temple had gone through significant dilapidation over time, and being able to support its restoration felt like a quiet but meaningful act of seva. Sacred spaces hold memory, devotion, and continuity, and it was humbling to play a small role in bringing life back to a place of worship.
Spiritually, the year was marked by movement and depth. We completed two pilgrimages to India: one to the Mahakumbh and another to Himachal Pradesh, where we had the blessing of visiting several powerful Devi temples. These yatras were moments of reconnection with the roots of the practices we follow and the energies that have supported seekers for centuries.
In the United States, we completed three meditation retreats: two of them open to all initiates and one senior-level Level 4 retreat. This Level 4 retreat was held in person for the first time, and it marked an important step in how the community is maturing and taking greater responsibility for its own spiritual growth.
Throughout the year, we also performed 54 Shiva Abhisheks at our Sudbury, Massachusetts center. These weekly ceremonies helped keep the space energetically alive and accessible. Alongside this, the Boston center remained open every Saturday, offering a steady place for practice, reflection, and connection.
Beyond Massachusetts, meaningful work unfolded in other regions as well. In Virginia, Master Gaurav conducted regular weekend sessions and supported new initiations, helping strengthen the growing community there. In July, we were also able to hold a session for the expanding group in Toronto and Canada. Similarly, in Vancouver, Master Anshita organized outdoor meditations and helped keep the momentum of Divine Heart Center alive in Canada.
We shared several teachings through YouTube and Instagram, continuing our effort to make spiritual guidance accessible and relevant. A Self-Realization podcast episode was also published on WakefulBeing, extending these conversations further. One offering that felt especially close to the heart was the release of the Divine Grace song, created with Veronica. It is a piece that brings together the spirit of Krishna, Radha, and Christ, reminding us that devotion and grace transcend form and tradition.
This year also saw 24 initiations across levels: 8 at Level 1, 8 at Level 2, 6 at Level 3, and 2 at Level 4. While each initiation represents a step forward, it is also a deeper commitment to sincerity, discipline, and inner work.
As we look ahead, there are plans for future retreats, events, and pilgrimages to India, along with some larger projects. By divine grace, these will unfold with everyone’s support and participation.
The theme for the coming year is love and camaraderie: how we take our spiritual progress seriously, stay ambitious and disciplined on the path, and at the same time weave in genuine care for one another, for each other’s growth and well-being. When love is present, both individual and collective progress becomes more natural.
I look forward to staying connected with all of you in the new year.
Aum Prem,
Shailesh