From September 13 to 20, 2026, twenty-four seekers set out on a memorable Chinmaya Inspiration Yatra XXIII (Devi Yatra) organized by Chinmaya Mission Niagara and guided by Vivekji.

Traveling through the American Southwest, the group experienced Red Rock Canyon, Death Valley, Valley of Fire, Zion National Park, Horseshoe Bend, Glen Canyon, Sedona, and the Grand Canyon. The scenery was spectacular, but this was definitely not just a sightseeing trip.  The spiritual roadmap for the week was simple and powerful: Slow, Step, See, Smile, and Serve. Through satsang, silence, contemplation, Hanuman Chalisa, hiking, reflection, and plenty of time in nature, the yatris were invited to move from learning the teachings to actually living them.

Seva was woven into every part of the journey. The Nutrition Team kept everyone nourished, the Transportation Team kept the RVs moving, the Medical Team supported health and safety, and the Accommodation Team helped address special needs. The Publication Team captured photographs and daily reflections so the other yatris could put their phones away and truly INJOY the experience.  The yatra was thoughtfully organized, yet flexible enough to go with the flow, which made space for both discipline and spontaneity. There were early mornings, long drives, hikes, laughter, unexpected moments, and a lot of learning along the way.

Under Vivekji’s guidance, the Devi Yatra became a shared spiritual adventure rooted in presence, reflection, seva, and the reminder to slow down enough to truly see.