From the tender age of seven, I knew that we each carry a spark of the divine within us. The
universe, in all its vast complexity, exists through our perception and being. This belief was not
merely taught to me—it was revealed in a moment of transcendence that has shaped my life ever
since.

It was during a pilgrimage to the Himalayas, a journey my family and I undertook on foot. For two
days, we climbed, our steps a meditation, our breaths a prayer. The mountain air grew thinner, but
my spirit felt increasingly buoyant as we ascended towards the heavens.

At the summit, nestled among the clouds, stood an ancient temple. Its weathered stones seemed to whisper secrets of the ages. Inside, I encountered the largest idol of the goddess I had ever seen—a vision of divine feminine power that both awed and beckoned me.

Drawn by an inexplicable force, I approached the priests who were engaged in a sacred ritual around the idol. One of them turned, his eyes meeting mine with a look of recognition that seemed to transcend time. He beckoned me forward, inviting me to light the diya—a small oil lamp symbolizing the light of consciousness.

With trembling hands but unwavering focus, I touched the flame to the wick. In that instant,
something extraordinary occurred. The temple erupted in joyous exclamations: “The goddess has
come with this child!” The priests’ voices echoed off the ancient walls, their words wrapping around
me like a mantle of destiny.

What followed was a deeply personal ceremony that made me feel special, blessed, and touched by the divine. The priests made me sit and started washing my feet—a gesture of profound reverence. They then placed a red sacred scarf on my head and put a red tilak on my forehead. Devotees began to place garlands around my neck and touched my feet, seeking blessings. As a child, I couldn’t fully grasp the significance of these events.

Soon after, the aarti began. The rhythmic chants and the scent of incense filled the air, creating an atmosphere charged with spiritual energy. I entered a trance-like state, and to this day, I don’t remember anything that happened during the aarti. When I came to my senses, I feltdifferent—empowered. From that moment, I knew that the goddess was with me, guiding and protecting me.

The high priest approached my mother, his eyes gleaming with divine insight. He declared me a chosen one, a blessed child, and entrusted her with the goddess Durga’s sacred scarf—a gift to be bestowed upon me on my wedding day.

That night, sleep eluded me. My mind grappled with the enormity of what had transpired, trying to recall the moments that seemed to have slipped through the cracks of ordinary memory. Though the details remained elusive, one truth crystallized in my young heart: I had been touched by Shakti—the primordial cosmic energy of the goddess.

For years after my awakening, I was blessed with mysterious powers of intuition and vision, though I didn’t fully understand them at the time. I vividly remember seeing Kali standing at my bedroom door, watching over me night after night. Despite being told it was just my imagination, I couldn’t shake the feeling that these experiences were real.

As a child, I would receive fragmented intuitions about events in my home. Too young to comprehend their significance, I often dismissed them, only to watch them unfold into reality later. These gifts were a constant presence in my life, guiding me in ways I couldn’t yet appreciate.

But as time passed, I lost touch with these abilities. I forgot about Kali’s presence, and her powers seemed to fade from my life. Without her guidance, I found myself wandering into dark spaces, lost and disconnected from my true self for what felt like an eternity.

Now, though the vivid visions and dreams have subsided, I feel her presence more strongly than ever. It’s as if Kali is whispering to me, urging me forward on this noble path of service. Her voice is a gentle but persistent reminder of my purpose, guiding me back to the light and inspiring me to help others find their way as well.

This calling to serve others isn’t just a choice—it’s a return to my true self, a reconnection with the divine energy that has always been there, waiting for me to embrace it once again.