January 3 2025
A Beautiful Day of Connection and Growth at Govardhan Eco Village
Today was truly magical, filled with moments of connection, growth, and blessings that I’ll
carry with me for a long time. Last night, I was so exhausted that I passed out—I don’t even remember falling asleep, which is rare for me. My day started early when I woke up before my 4:15 AM alarm. I felt tired and a little groggy, but I made myself shower before satsang to feel refreshed and ready for the day ahead. Ragunath (the head of all the trainings) had mentioned the day before that devotees traditionally shower first thing in the morning to cleanse their “temple.” So, after a quick “temple cleaning” in my tiny bathroom, I headed to satsang, soaking in the stillness of the morning.
Before practice, I visited the cows, which always feels grounding and calming. In Hinduism, cows are sacred, and their connection to Krishna, who grew up as a cowherd, makes the experience resonate even more.
Satsang was thought-provoking, and sunrise yoga followed. It was challenging, but also rewarding—moving with the rhythm of the sun as it crept over the horizon felt like the perfect way to start the day. Afterward, I walked along the peaceful roads of the eco-village before eventually making my way to breakfast for some fruit.
Honestly, I usually don’t eat anything until about 5 PM (aside from pickles and seaweed, which is probably tied to my eating disorder). But with all the traveling, long days, and early mornings, I’ve realized fruit in the morning is necessary. Plus, it’s the only time I can get fruit here. My Ayurvedic doctor, Sunny D, always says it’s best to eat fruit on an empty stomach first thing in the morning, so this feels like a step in the right direction.
At breakfast, I connected with Maya, a talented artist from New York who happened to be on the same flight as me, and a beautiful young woman named Anjaneya Lila. She’s in her early 20s and has such a deep spiritual connection. Her father has been a devotee her entire life, and she grew up immersed in divine energy. Her name, Anjaneya, is another name for Hanuman (which she has a stunning tattoo of him on her arm) and Lila means divine play (a name i have recieved to honor my inner child... which probably explains why i feel so drawn to her).
When I shared my hesitation about putting my poetry book out into the world, she reassured me with so much confidence, saying the audience is already out there. She told me that if I feel called to write it, it means there’s a collective of people who need to hear what I have to say. Maybe that’s the Kali Kollective? Her words resonated deeply. That moment meant so much to me, especially when she opened up about her own struggles with bulimia and shared that her mother had been through the same battle. That shared vulnerability created such a genuine connection between us, and I left breakfast feeling supported and understood.
As if the morning hadn’t been blessed enough, we ran into Radhanath Swami as we were leaving. His warm greeting and kind presence felt like a divine blessing, setting the tone for the rest of the day.
Drumming lessons followed, and they were powerful. I’m starting to catch on, and there’s something freeing about the rhythm and energy of drumming—it feels like I’m tapping into a side of myself that’s been waiting to emerge. The group dynamic also adds a unique energy. One of my classmates stood out—not just for his dark, handsome looks, but for his dedication and focus on his journey. It’s inspiring to witness people so deeply engaged in their growth.
I love our teacher, and the small, intimate class makes the experience feel personal. My hands and wrists (especially with my carpal tunnel issues) have started acting up a little, which does worry me, but I trust there’s a reason I’ve been drawn to this instrument at this moment in time.
Lunch was filled with inspiring conversations with others in the 200- and 300-hour YTT programs. Everyone here is so deeply invested in their spiritual journeys, and it’s incredible to be surrounded by so much intention and focus.
Later, I finally paid for my 23-day healing retreat in Bali, which begins February 1. This feels like a huge step forward. Normally, I wait until the last minute to handle things like this, which creates so much anxiety and pulls me out of the present moment. Knowing that most of my itinerary for the next three months is planned feels like a weight has been lifted. Sure, I still haven’t figured out the last eight days of my trip after my Thai massage training in Rishikesh, but that’s months away—I’ll figure it out when the time comes.
I’ll admit, I probably overpacked—but with a trip lasting nearly four months, I think it’s understandable. If anything, it’s just more motivation to start using all the things I brought!
The day wrapped up with an evening kirtan in a beautiful temple dedicated to Radha and Krishna, followed by a simple but satisfying dinner. I feel so grateful to be here, surrounded by such an incredible group of people. I’ve already bonded with so many in the different programs since we share mornings, evenings, and meals together. It feels amazing to be in the company of people who are just as devoted—and wonderfully “weird”—as I am. Who else willingly travels across the world to sit in the dirt and sing to Krishna in the middle of an eco-village in India? These are my people—my soul family.
The bhakti community back home in the States is sweet and lovely, but this experience is on a completely different level. It’s exactly what my soul needed to get out of the everyday and dive deeper into the divine.
My heart feels full, but my body is beyond exhausted. I can barely keep my eyes open as I write this.
Goodnight, dear one. Love you. xo
With love & gratitude,
Eve (aka Kali Grayce)
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