Kamlesh D. Patel, who was born in Gujarat, India, had an early interest in meditation and spiritual development. As a pharmacy student in Ahmedabad in 1976, he met his Guide, Shri Ram Chandra of Shahjahanpur (Babuji), founder and first President of the Shri Ram Chandra Mission.
After graduating with honours in 1980, he travelled to the United States and practised pharmacy in New York City, while also devoting himself to the Raja Yoga philosophy of Sahaj Marg. He continues to flourish in both his professional and spiritual lives.
After Babuji’s death, Kamlesh continued to follow Parthasarathi Rajagopalachari (Chariji), the second President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission, and has held a series of more significant posts while also supporting the Mission’s global expansion. Due to Chariji’s declining physical condition, he was announced as Chariji’s successor in October 2011, and in August 2012, he was named Vice-President of SRCM with all powers of the President. Following Chariji’s death on December 20, 2014, he was appointed as the spiritual guide of the Sahaj Marg system and the third President of the Shri Ram Chandra Mission. He is affectionately referred to as Daaji.
Daaji and his wife are the parents of two sons. He is always on the go these days, leading meditations with yogic transmission for seekers all over the world and lecturing at the Mission’s various centres and ashrams, as well as to the general public through newspaper articles, TV, and radio. He is an essential role model for anybody seeking to grow as a human being and develop their awareness. As a spiritual catalyst with a perfect combination of the Eastern heart and Western mind, he is able to connect with individuals from all walks of life and backgrounds, with a specific focus on today’s young.