The Sketch

Krishna Patel
3 min readSep 13, 2022

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“Sanctify yourself and you will sanctify society.” — Francis Of Assisi

A day in the making — BAPS Hindu Mandir, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Funny how it works, to convey one’s intent ought to be effortless, yet it’s one of the most demanding of endeavors. For this reason, the intimate process of writing produced here bears the truth of my (very limited) perception of life.

You see, time and time again we’re trapped in a matrix. A bottomless pit of self-indulgence, superficial communication and constant noise that pervades the modern world. As negative as it sounds, it’s the honest truth.

This blog is simply meant to be an organic extension to my spiritual journey. To turn away from the distractions and restore aim in the light, love, and virtue of the eternal divine. To operate in the world of potential. To aid in revealing illusions, desires, and attachments that keep us trapped in a lower vibration and on a lesser path. A lengthy journey — but one we must all commit too.

There are a lot of days where I’ve come close to starting this, this record, but it all boils down to one question — what changed?

Thursday, March 31st, 2022 -A trip to BAPS Hindu Mandir, Abu Dhabi

I’ll be frank, this trip was intended for recreation, sightseeing, and merely a break from my educational pursuit but in due time turned to a moment in time, etched with gold.

It’s said to write when inspiration strikes you. Well, I can’t recall anything more promising than this. The day represents a visit to the construction site of BAPS Hindu Mandir. A traditional temple encapsulated in the sand dunes of Abu Dhabi, resting on the holy waters of India, symbolizing two paradoxical worlds coming as one. A true beacon of inner-faith harmony! Sounds implausible, right?

I listened, in awe, as people from all walks of life gave insight on the history and upbringing of satsang in the UAE. Solidifying, that this temple is a true testimony of perseverance in the face of resistance. A literal hand in transformation, that will start a dialogue that we deeply need today! I learned here that the constraints of demands of our tangible world are hardly evident; it’s our spiritual awareness and philosophical wisdom that is lacking. The significance this project has for our world is a novel of its own, but at the most elementary level, this vision is greater than any other goal aspired by humanity.

So the question rises again, why this? why now?

Really, this is for my beloved spiritual guru, Pramukh Swami Maharaj. His life was the essence of a peaceful, transcendent and borderless world. To love and to be loved by millions no matter their class, creed, or religion. BAPS Hindu Mandir is simply an extension of his life’s servitude, personal practice, and divine beliefs. Now, his ideal is soaring. As each brick is consecrated, the memory of his smiling face emerges. A memory that becomes our treasure. This community, his vision, and our mandir; stays closest to my heart.

A day I felt a timeless silence, where I experienced so much in so little time. A moment I felt grounded and my purpose was realigned, to help play a small role in continuing his legacy of a harmonious world. A moment where 7,807 miles away from Tampa, I felt most at home.

That’s why today I dictate this chapter in my journey, into this project. I intend to use this space as a means to develop, to stay transparent, and as a tangible form of self-reflection for this new stage in my life. To ultimately align my actions to my guru. A space meant to become a sample of him, for him!

To thank him for an opportunity of a lifetime — to give a hand in harmony, to do seva at BAPS Hindu Mandir, Abu Dhabi.

Let’s begin at the end. Welcome. Or as the locals say, Marhaba!

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Krishna Patel
Krishna Patel

Written by Krishna Patel

My motto? "Lift as You Climb." Capturing stories through leisure and trusting that the quiet power of "Yes" can shift a "No" world.

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