Sapna’s Poetic Pilgrimage: God, Life, and Love

A Personal and Collective Journey

Through dance we can convey emotions and feelings, and Sapna found this inspired and helped her to write poetry to depict each part of the dance in story form in the the most eloquent way. She believed how dance is such an intricate art, it can be explained through words in the most simplest to deepest form.

Throughout her dance journey, Sapna found dance to truly be a poetic form itself. As each dance piece holds a meaning and purpose, and the pieces are acted out to tell a story. Kathak’s themes often revolve around the stories and legends associated with various Hindu gods and goddesses.

Performing dances of –

• Lord Krishna and Radha: The narratives frequently center on Krishna, particularly his divine love for Radha and his playful interactions with the Gopis (milkmaids). The stories and relationships between the deities, such as the love between Radha and Krishna, can symbolize the deeper connection between the individual soul (Atman) and the ultimate reality (Brahman).
• Lord Shiva: Shiva, the destroyer and transformer within the Hindu trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva), is also depicted, especially as the Lord of the Dance, Nataraja.
• Devi (the Divine Mother): Stories involving the Goddess in her various forms are also part of the Kathak repertoire.
• Ganesh Vandana: Kathak performances often begin with a Ganesh Vandana, a prayer or invocation to Lord Ganesha, seeking his blessings and the removal of obstacles.

These God Dances made her connect with the essence of the divine, and seeing and feeling the light of the divine so close, experiencing a sense of spiritual transformation and heightened awareness, it became a deeply personal and intimate experience. It led her to deepen her faith and relationship with the divine by reliving the power of each God through Dance to realizing its existence and richness within ourselves, what God can do for you, and God’s relationship with us can help us grow and transform in profound ways.

It’s the history of Gods which keep living on in us, and its wisdom teaching us.

What a beautiful way it is to turn dance into poetry from the pieces she danced into poetic words to describe each expression in its most profound way.

Sapna’s Poetic Pilgrimage: God, Life, and Love

In today’s world, many of us feel weighed down by expectations, material distractions, and inner struggles. We search for meaning, for peace, and for love that lasts yet often feel lost, disconnected, or overwhelmed. How do we rise above life’s challenges and rediscover our purpose?

This is the question that inspired me, Sapna Shastri, to take my own pilgrimage; a journey guided by God, life’s lessons, and love. Along the way, I discovered that faith, family, and spiritual practices like dance, meditation, and yoga could transform my pain into poetry.

That journey gave birth to my first book, Rise Above, Find the Sunshine: God, Life, Love: Poetry — a collection written to help readers find hope, healing, and connection in their own lives.

I’ve walked along long, dusty roads.
Spiritual teachers and Indian gurus taught me invaluable lessons about life’s connections, self-love, and self-discovery. For much of my life, I was immersed in the material world, but my family encouraged me to explore something deeper: spirituality and devotion. Their guidance led me to a new transformation, one that gave birth to my poetry.

Through poetry, I learned to express my emotions, feelings, and experiences in my own words and style. I became a seeker, a pilgrim always moving forward on a sacred path. In my book Rise Above, Find the Sunshine, I share expressions that emphasize God’s existence in all of us. God surrounds us, transforms us, makes miracles possible, and fills our lives with love.

This book helps readers see that life is eternal and beautiful, that every perspective brings wisdom, and that love binds us all. Even when love falters, we can never truly fail love itself. These poems trace a pilgrimage of faith, hope, and trust, guiding us toward new spiritual conquests.

One of my most meaningful reflections comes from Kathak dance, an art form rooted in Indian tradition. During performances, we journeyed through stories of the Mahabharata and Ramayana. We learned about mythology, symbolism, and God’s love stories through gestures, rituals, and expressions. Kathak taught me that life, like dance, is filled with joy, grace, playfulness, and even anger. It also showed me that we can rise above challenges with strength, calmness, and surrender.

My pilgrimage extended beyond dance into prayers, retreats, yoga, and meditation with Gurus. I discovered healing, a godly connection, and inner strength. Tested by life and health challenges, I surrendered completely to God. Through faith, I found renewal. This journey made me realize that we have always been in God’s hands, where anything is possible.

Writing became the final step of this pilgrimage. It became a celebration of Hindu gods and goddesses, the power within us, and the love that nurtures our souls. Poetry became my way to honor life’s meanings, celebrate love, and inspire others.

Now, I prepare for my next chapter: training as a teacher and coach to guide others in finding inner peace, shifting mindsets, and unlocking their potential. My goal has always been to serve, to share light, and to live in devotion.

We love because God loves us first.

We journey through life because God walked the path before us.

Ready to Begin Your Pilgrimage?

If you’re seeking inspiration, healing, and a deeper connection with God, life, and love, don’t forget to read:

Rise Above, Find the Sunshine: God, Life, Love: Poetry by Sapna Shastri.

May it bring you peace, light, and encouragement on your journey.