National, 23rd October 2026— Thousands engaged with Revered Daaji (Kamlesh D. Patel) – Guide of Heartfulness & President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission, during his 15–20 October visit to London, bringing together members of the public, parliamentarians, academics, business leaders,faith communities and civil society.
Daaji’s first UK visit since 2024 also marked the introduction of Heartfulness UK’s new 44-acre sustainability and community initiative in Bexleyheath, Southeast London. This initiative is envisioned as a long-term community asset bringing together green spaces, ecological restoration and biodiversity, wellbeing, education, volunteering and community engagement.
It draws inspiration from Kanha Shanti Vanam, Heartfulness’s 1,400-acre global headquarters near Hyderabad, India, where formerly degraded land has been transformed into a regenerative environment integrating ecological restoration, water conservation, education and communitylife.
During a visit to the site on 16th October, Daaji met local volunteers and community representatives, including Jim Dickson - Member of Parliament for Dartford; Cllr Rags Sandhu - Bexley’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Leisure and Culture; and Cllr Frazer Brooks - Deputy Mayor of Bexley. Daaji also planted a weeping willow tree, symbolically marking the beginning of this new chapter for Heartfulness in the UK.
The initiative was introduced publicly the following day at Awakening the Light Within.
More than 1,400 people gathered on 17 October for Awakening the Light Within, a morning of meditation, music and reflection exploring inner transformation, wellbeing, relationships, technology and stronger communities.
The programme featured celebrated sitar artist Jasdeep Degun, accompanied on tabla by Rajvir Bhachu, followed by conversation and collective meditation with Daaji.
Distinguished participants included Baroness Patricia Scotland of Asthal, former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth; Lord Krish Raval of Hertsmere; Lord Uday Nagaraju of Bloomsbury; Aarti Holla-Maini, Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs; and Dr Mehool Sanghrajka MBE, Managing Trustee of the Institute of Jainology.
Lord Krish Raval of Hertsmere welcomed Daaji to London and spoke about the transformative potential of Heartfulness’ work. “It is enough to be in thesame building as
Daaji… his presence in our country is a profound privilege. We are deeply grateful that he has chosen to spend this time with us in London,”he said.
Lord Raval also praised the Heartfulness community’s work across the UK, noting that regular free sessions, workshops, retreats and online gatherings create“natural bridges in silence and reflection,” bringing together people of different faiths, cultures and backgrounds.
Baroness Patricia Scotland of Asthal,former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, described Heartfulness as “not just inspiring… vital… hopeful… healing,” and reflected on her visits to Kanha Shanti Vanam, “If you look back at the beginning of Kanha, everyone said it could not be done. Thiswas a desert… But it was restored with faith, with love, with determination, and with people. 20 million people now advocate Heartfulness. And Heartfulness really comes down to one word, and that is love.”
Daaji invited guests to look beyond external pressures and reconnect with the deeper source of calm within. He said, “In our life troubles are at aphysical level, mental level, ego level, and subtle body level. What happens when we go to the centre of ourselves, by going to the innermost depth of our heart? It is possible with a little practice; a little interest will take us there.”
