Daaji got some much-needed rest in the morning after the European Seminar ended, while practitioners either prepared to leave to return home or chose to stay for a few extra days to spend some more time with Daaji.

Daaji’s agenda included an afternoon trip to the House of Lords; in 2023, He was awarded the U.K. – India Triumph Award by C.B. Patel, Editor-in-Chief of Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice. This time, Daaji was hosted by Lord Raj Loomba and C.B. Patel for a special fireside chat at the House of Lords, which was conducted by Her Excellency, The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland, KC, Commonwealth Secretary General. Daaji first spoke about the importance of the Brighter Minds program, introducing Kapil to do a special presentation of the Brighter Minds program for a very impressed audience. Daaji was then interviewed by Her Excellency, who spoke about her own experience visiting Kanha Shanti Vanam and asked Daaji questions about meditation, Brighter Minds, and more.

Speaking on Samadhi, Daaji said, “And what is Samadhi? People often say, oh, you become a zombie. You don't feel anything. Somebody pierces you with a needle and you still are not stimulated by it with a pain signal. But that is not the correct understanding. We are all human beings, any pain will be perceived. Samadhi is a Sanskrit word if you split it into two, sam and adi. Sam means similar and Adi means the state that prevailed before the creation, absolute balance. So when we do arrive at such a state, it is called a state of samadhi.”

Speaking on pollution, religion & spirituality Daaji said, “So I wish you try meditation, because the root of everything is meditation. There are 17 SDGs by the United Nations. Air pollution, water pollution, land pollution, equal rights for women, education for children, and so many other things. At the root of it is one big pollution, thought pollution. The only way to clarify the mental tendencies is through meditation. That's the only way. I am not emphasizing the role of religion, because religions have totally failed. They have divided humanity to a large extent. Even within one sect, there are many fighting sects. The very purpose of religion, re-ligare, one that connects and unites, is failing. And we are seeing this today. Even within Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam, there are so many factions and they are ready to pounce upon each other and kill each other, under the name of religion. 

Spirituality is the only hope that I can see. Spirituality is experiential. Once you feel within, that dwells within me is also dwelling within others. And that is not information, that is your inner conviction through experience. And once you have an experience, you will be able to see the next step, that, oh, my experience is not enough. Knowledge is great. Experiencing that very thing and verifying it in my life is a better thing.”

After enjoying lunch and dessert, Daaji was escorted out of the House of Lords building and returned back to the InterContinental to rest before heading out to visit the home of two old friends from pharmacy school, Jayesh and Ila Patel. Daaji enjoyed an evening of laughter and great Gujarati food, then walked around the Patel home, admiring their garden and the farmland directly behind their house. It was a chilly evening, but Daaji seemed to be enjoying this quiet time in nature.

After the walk, Daaji took His leave and headed back to the InterContinental to rest for the evening.