BECOMING A CHILD AGAIN: Play as a Doorway to Wonder and Divine Love - June 26th, 2026

What does it truly mean to “become like a child”? In this profound and playful talk, Swami Padmanabha explores the spiritual meaning of childlike consciousness, sacred play (lila), wonder, humility, and divine love. Drawing from Bhakti traditions, Christianity, Sufism, Sanskrit etymology, and everyday human experience, he reflects on why enlightened souls are often described as children, madmen, or divine drunkards — and what this reveals about the nature of reality itself. Far from encouraging childishness or escapism, this conversation explores how genuine spirituality invites us into deeper presence, creativity, simplicity, and openness to wonder. Topics explored in this talk include: • The difference between being childlike and childish • Why divine love is often compared to madness and intoxication • Sacred play (lila) and the idea of “infinite games” • Living in the present moment as a spiritual practice • Why the goal of chanting is simply to chant more • Wonder as a doorway into healing and transformation • Respect as “seeing again” with fresh eyes • Simplicity vs simplistic thinking • Learned ignorance, humility, and the limits of knowledge • Technology, distraction, and the modern crisis of meaning • Creativity, imagination, and spiritual growth • Seeing others — and ourselves — beyond labels and past mistakes • Enlightenment in Bhakti: from liberation to divine love (prema) Swami Padmanabha also speaks about how every aspect of life — work, relationships, suffering, business, spiritual practice, and even difficult emotions — can be reframed as sacred play when approached with presence, sincerity, and openness to the Divine. Rather than seeking escape from life, this talk invites us to rediscover the extraordinary hidden within the ordinary. “To be present in the present moment is the best present we can offer.” #Bhakti #Spirituality #Wonder #Lila #BhaktiYoga #Vedanta #Mindfulness #DivineLove #Consciousness #SelfRealization #Vaishnavism