A Quiet Path Through Grief

I am an IRS officer working with the Government of India as Principal Commissioner of Customs. For many years, I carried a hidden desire to learn music, either an instrument or vocal music. I was fascinated by how music is created and how it becomes so soothing to the ears. Yet studies, professional responsibilities and family commitments kept that desire waiting in silence.

Then a tragedy in my family left me shattered. I became disinterested in worldly things and, except for my family, nothing seemed to matter. During that time, Harsh Sir appeared on my Facebook feed, announcing his webinar. It felt miraculous. I grabbed the opportunity because I urgently needed a way to move through grief and sorrow, and because the old wish to learn music was still alive within me. I joined Foundation, and my batch began on July 5, 2026. Since then, there has been no looking back.

For someone who did not even know the Sa of music, taking the plunge was the hardest part. Harsh Sir and his team made everything else easier. Rishab Sir and Dr Hitesh evaluated all my videos. Producing my first breath was deeply exciting. For two weeks, my fingers and thumb hurt, but the pain disappeared just as Harsh Sir had said it would. I still remember keeping the television remote between my fingers and explaining to my family why I was doing it.

Harsh Sir’s mool mantra became the foundation of my journey: keep practising, keep showing up every day with the flute, and keep working. The day I played Hare Rama and Hum Honge Kamyab was the most beautiful day of this journey. Receiving five stars from my mentor strengthened my confidence. From then on, I trusted the process fully.

The changes within me feel miraculous. I now wake up at 5 a.m. without an alarm and practise the flute for an hour before physical exercise. I look forward to completing every assigned exercise and submitting it for evaluation. My mind has become calmer, and my grief and sorrow have reduced. My relationships have become more cordial, and I remain calm more often than before. Work now feels like a means of earning a livelihood, and nothing more.

The flute has become my life. Joining Diamond Lifetime is an expression of that commitment, and I look forward to mastering the instrument to the extent possible. Most of all, every note has a deeply personal meaning. I dedicate all my music to my beloved daughter, who left us untimely.