From Struggles to Bliss: A Day of Transformation at Govardhan Eco Village
January 6th 2025
Some days unfold like a story—starting with struggle and ending in bliss. Yesterday was one of those days, a true shift, hard to put into words but filled with moments that touched my soul and left me deeply inspired.
It began on a rough note. The previous day had been emotionally taxing, even though it ended with a beautiful kirtan. My overall feeling that day was “defeated,” but after kirtan, I held on to the word “hopeful.” Still, I woke up yesterday morning with a pounding migraine that forced me back to bed after taking a pill. Missing satsang and asana felt disappointing since these are usually my anchors, my forms of self-care. But rest was what I needed, and I surrendered to it.
When I woke up again, migraine-free, I felt like a new person. I took a shower, put on a cute outfit, and got ready for the day ahead. Heading down to breakfast, I was greeted by the warmest welcome from my friends—especially Catherine, who had texted me earlier, offering to bring me anything I needed or support me in any way. That simple gesture of care meant so much.
Breakfast was my favorite. The papaya was so fresh, so sweet, and so pure—it reminded me how much I love the fruit in India. Everything here feels untarnished, unlike much of the food in the U.S. After breakfast, we set off on a walking tour of Govardhan Eco Village.
The tour was nothing short of fascinating. Learning about the history and mechanics of this self-sustaining village left me in awe. Everything here—water, soil, seeds, plants, even cow dung—is part of a massive ecosystem that supports itself. The vision of Radhanath Swami, who created this place, is breathtaking. What began as one man’s dream to serve the community has blossomed into a space that helps both people and the planet. Witnessing this made me want to be a better person, to find ways to contribute meaningfully to the world.
After the tour, we had a short mridanga practice. I had missed the previous day’s curriculum but was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I picked up the material. I don’t mean to sound cocky, but I felt impressed with my ability to catch a beat, keep rhythm, and learn complicated patterns quickly. It reminded me of how much I enjoy connecting with music.
Lunch was another highlight of the day. I sat next to a beautiful older woman named Gita, who is married to Kastuba, one of the philosophy teachers here and a co-host of the Wisdom of the Sages podcast. I’ve recognized Kastuba from years of being a big presence at the Bhakti Center in New York. Gita and I had a deeply meaningful conversation. She was genuinely curious about my story, asking me what it took for me to get here. She shared that she had once been a “mess” like me—her words, not mine—and assured me that there is hope.
Gita spoke about how my vata imbalance (too much dryness, lack of oils and fats) could be contributing to many of my symptoms. She said the tools for healing are being presented to me; I just need to put them into action. Her encouragement felt like a blessing, and our conversation reminded me that this journey is not just about the external work but also the internal, the way I nurture my body and soul.
After lunch, I had a few more meaningful conversations. Mikey, a 25-year-old Jewish boy from New Jersey, has been diving into spirituality with such eagerness and openness. We’ve had a few conversations over the past week, and I love seeing his excitement for this path. Later, I reconnected with Tyler, someone I had spoken to earlier during the walking tour. Our conversation had been cut short, but he made a point to circle back and finish it, diving into a deeper topic that left me with a lot to reflect on.
We spoke about one of the six pillars of bhakti yoga: don’t take anything personally. What a challenge, if I do say so myself. We talked about our past relationships and the realization that most of the time, it’s never really about you—it’s about the other person’s projections, struggles, or journey. That truth is freeing, but it’s not always easy to embody. My favorite part of the conversation was at the end when we hugged. Tyler gives the best hugs. It’s been a while since I’ve felt the warmth of an embrace like that. There’s something about the way he pulls the other person into his chest—it feels grounding and safe every single time.
After lunch, it was time for mridanga practice again. I was so immersed in conversations throughout the day that I didn’t get a chance to retreat to my room and write or rest. This time, we learned our first kirtan beat, which is a rhythm we can actually play during a kirtan. It felt like a step up from the practice drills we’d been doing earlier. Connecting the beats to the larger purpose of music in devotion gave it so much more meaning. Playing together with the group—incorporating kartals (hand cymbals)—was both challenging and exhilarating. It’s amazing how quickly we’ve all progressed.
After practice, Chief treated us to tea in the dining garden. We sat there chatting about life, Australia, and Greece. Trish, who lives in Crete, shared about her beautiful yoga and aerial studio and her retreat space with tents. She invited us to visit, and I told her I’d love to hold a retreat there. It feels like a dream that could absolutely become reality.
The evening program was a magical end to the day—a mini flower festival at the Krishna temple with Radhanath Swami (at the end of our trainings we will be attending the massive one in the Mumbai). Our group joined another led by Radhika Dasa, a popular kirtan artist from the UK. I had heard of him but never really listened to him before. His talent is undeniable, and the evening felt surreal. Radhanath Swami shared wisdom that touched me deeply, comparing us to flowers and reminding us to water the root of the plant to receive nourishment—that root being God. He spoke of kirtan as music plugged into the current of grace.
As the kirtan progressed, we began singing the Hare Krishna mantra led by Radhika Dasa and his band. Then, something magical happened—tons and tons of flower petals were showered upon the Krishna statue, and soon, they were showering all of us. Everyone was up, dancing, singing, laughing, and throwing flowers at each other. It was pure ecstatic bliss. I wish I had captured some of it for social media, but I’m so glad I was fully immersed in the moment. It’s an experience I’ll never forget. Singing and dancing was followed by prasad (a sacred offering of food).
Later, I called my parents and had a quick video chat with them. It felt good to see their faces and my sweet dogs, Ace and Margie. I do miss home a bit, but I’m so grateful to be here and excited for what’s ahead. It’s hard to believe I’m only seven days into this 3.5-month journey! Thoughts of Bali are already bubbling up, and though I may have packed a bit imperfectly (running low on razor heads, oops!), I’m ready for all the adventure to come.
By the end of the day, I felt a deep sense of peace and gratitude. What started as a challenging morning turned into a day of healing, connection, and inspiration. From the kindness of friends to the wisdom of elders, from nourishing food to soulful music, every moment felt like it was gently guiding me toward a state of bliss.
This experience reminded me that transformation often begins in the most unexpected ways. Sometimes, it takes surrendering to discomfort and allowing space for grace to enter. I’m learning to trust this journey, knowing that each step—no matter how small—is shaping me into the person I’m meant to become.
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna
With love and gratitude,
Eve aka Kali Grayce
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