A Glimpse of Grace: My 'Wise' Weekend with Sister Shivani

Some evenings etch themselves into the soul, and tonight was one of those. I had the privilege of attending the Inner Freedom event in Toronto, hosted by the Brahma Kumaris association, with the radiant Sister Shivani. And as if that wasn’t special enough, it happened to fall on Janmashtami, the most auspicious day to celebrate divine love and the birth of Krishna himself. Could there be a more perfect alignment?

The excitement within me was so strong that I arrived at the venue much earlier than most. Because of that, I found myself seated right so close to the stage — a perfect spot to feel the energy of a spiritual leader. Little did I know that this placement would gift me a moment I will treasure for a lifetime.

When Sister Shivani walked in and greeted the audience, her eyes scanned the hall. And then, for a brief yet eternal second, her gaze locked with mine. She looked straight into my eyes, nodded, and in that instant, I felt a special transmission of something beyond words — a sacred energy, a heartfelt moment, a silent recognition. It was as if her soul said to mine, I see the divinity in you. Ain’t I a lucky girl? Out of 5000+ gathered, to receive that spark of connection felt like the universe whispering to me: you are exactly where you are meant to be.

In this lifetime, I have been fortunate to meet several spiritual leaders up close. Each encounter feels like a karmic gift. Tonight reaffirmed what I have long believed: I must have done something right in a past lifetime to be blessed with these opportunities!

Her sessions, delivered in Hindi and English, were infused with wisdom and humour, her signature style that makes profound truths so accessible. One message in particular struck me deeply — her reminder of how we have become slaves to our mobile devices. We scroll, check, and respond almost on autopilot, often unaware of how much control the little screen has over our peace of mind. As she spoke, I found myself nodding. I see my cell phone not as a master but as a tool — something to use consciously, not something that dictates the rhythm of my life. She also reminded us about the way we speak, that our words should be fewer, softer, and filled with sweetness. Every sentence is like an offering, she said, and when spoken with gentleness, it carries peace instead of conflict. She went on to share something even deeper: the importance of becoming truly independent with our emotions. No one should have the power to disturb our inner state; our happiness must come from within, not from how others treat us.

What I admire most about Sister Shivani’s teachings is the way she balances lightness with depth. She has a gift for weaving humour into her talks, making the heaviest concepts feel simple, practical, and almost playful. Tonight was no exception. Laughter rippled through the hall even as we absorbed life-changing insights.

As I walked out of the venue, divine love was in the air, and I carried a piece of it in my heart. My heart felt lighter, my mind clearer, and my soul energized. I am grateful that I attended her sessions this weekend. The memory of that precious eye contact, the wisdom shared, and the collective energy of the gathering will stay with me for a long time. 

Sometimes, blessings arrive in quiet, unexpected ways, such as a nod, a smile, a word of truth that lands at just the right moment. Tonight, I was reminded that grace is always around us; we just need to be present enough to receive it.

#SisterShivani #BrahmaKumari #InnerFreedom