Volume 8 / Issue 10 October 2019

Manasarovar
Inviting ripple of the
Blue waters hold intrigues
of unfathomable sort.
Its profound depths have
been flirting with me but
I remained aloof to
its wooing not knowing
if I can grasp what is
hidden in its pristine blue
or could become absorbed
into its allure and depths.
The tease of the unknown
is magnetic, but am I dealing
with the Unknown or the Unknowable.

Grace & Blessings

October 2019 ISHA FOREST FLOWER | b

 EDITORIAL

Dear Readers,
When faced with an issue, what is your
first thought? Do you, like many other
people, try to figure out who was at fault,
other than you? In “How to Stop Being
a Victim,” Sadhguru analyzes the blame
game, and how to get out of it. Since
the responsibility for our life and the key
to success are ours, what can we do to
ensure that our plans materialize? In the
article of the same name, Sadhguru delves
into “Why Timing is Everything.”
Taking the right kind of action at the
right time is most essential, but why not
also get a little help from the Divine if it is
available? In the article, “Does Devi Know
What You Want?” Sadhguru explains
how Devi makes things happen in our
lives. Deities, temples, ashram, residential
buildings, even mountains – consecrated
spaces and entities are of many kinds.
Kailash is one such sacred mountain
that has drawn spiritual seekers from
time immemorial. This year’s Kailash
Manasarovar Sacred Walks saw Sadhguru
lead yatris through a powerful spiritual
sojourn, including intense meditative
processes on the banks of Manasarovar
and experiencing the vibrant mysticism
of Mount Kailash. Get glimpses of
outstanding moments of their pilgrimage
in our photo story. Participant Nikhil
Ailawadi shares his pilgrimage experience
in “What I Left Behind.”
The monsoons ushered in Sadhguru’s
mega motorcycle ride for Cauvery Calling,
which aims to create a replicable model for
river and soil revitalization. The Karnataka
leg of the campaign saw Sadhguru and
his bevy of bikers traverse the Cauvery
belt from its origin at Talacauvery to
Bengaluru, with many events along the
way. Follow their journey in our News &
Events section, as people from all ages and
strata of society stand up for the cause.
A couple of months earlier, over eight
hundred mostly young participants
embarked on seven months of
Sadhanapada. In this issue, a few of
them share their first experiences of a
potentially life-transforming journey
of sadhana and seva in the conducive
ambience of the Isha Yoga Center. When
one thinks about the epic of Mahabharat,
one imagines the grandiose setting in the
northern parts of the country. This time in
the Mahabharat series, Sadhguru provides
various anecdotes of southern influences
playing an integral role in this timeless
saga, and how they eventually sealed the
outcome of the war.
Each month, one of our Isha Brahmacharis
or Sanyasis shares their experiences of
what it means for them to walk On the
Path of the Divine. In this edition, Swami
Suyagna takes us through his life’s
trajectory from a skeptic to one who is
totally committed to whatever activity
he is put in, burning for the sacred path of
Sanyas. Enjoy the read!
The Editorial Team

Contact the Editorial Team:

Isha Forest Flower, Isha Yoga Center, Velliangiri Foothills, Ishana Vihar Post, Coimbatore – 641114
forestflower@ishafoundation.org
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2 | ISHA FOREST FLOWER October 2019

CONTENTS

LEAD ARTICLE MUSINGS

How to Stop Being a Victim 07 Does Devi Know What You Want? 04
MUSINGS
Does Devi Know What You Want? 4
Why Timing is Everything 5

LEAD ARTICLE
How to Stop Being a Victim 7

MAHABHARAT
Part 59: Little-Known Southern Influences  9

ON THE PATH OF THE DIVINE

Swami Suyagna10
Good Yagna1

NEWS & EVENTS

Kailash Manasarovar 2019 with Sadhguru 13
Cauvery Calling: The Karnataka Leg16

SHARING EXPERIENCES
Kailash – What I Left Behind 15
Life in Sadhanapada:
Moving Beyond Likes and Dislikes 19

UPCOMING PROGRAMS & EVENTS

Isha – Program & Event Highlights 20

ISHA RECIPES
Beetroot Lemon Salad 21

ZEN SPEAKS
The Swordless Sword 23

1
A certain process which is for everyone’s wellbeing

3 | ISHA FOREST FLOWER October 2019

Does Devi Know What You Want?
MUSINGS

Sadhguru says, “All that human beings consider as wellbeing will be theirs, if only they earn the Grace of
Bhairavi.” This naturally brings us to the question: how does Devi make this happen? Does she know our
deepest desires and wants? Sadhguru explains how things manifest in our lives with Devi’s Grace.

Questioner: In our daily lives, we have many 

aspirations, many efforts going on. Does Devi
automatically know what we want, and where we
are heading?
Sadhguru: If you buy yourself a bicycle or a boat,
will the bicycle or boat decide where you should
go? Wherever you want to go, it will enhance your
journey. Bhairavi is not interested where the hell
you are going. Bhairavi need not know where you
are going – she just enhances your ability to go. You
can go wherever you want. That is why I am saying
she is a machine. If we calibrate Bhairavi in such a
way that she takes you in one particular direction –
let us say to your mukti – then no matter where
you want to go, she will drag you and take you only
there. But even though she takes you towards the
highest possibility, if you go unwillingly, it will be a
miserable life for you.
"Bhairavi need not know where you are
going – she just enhances your ability to go."

But she is not calibrated in one direction. Bhairavi
will just enhance what you want – she does not
decide. It is very important that once you enhance
your ability to move, you must make it clear within
yourself where you want to go. If you keep changing
your destination every day, then the mistakes
that you make are big, because the machine has
enhanced you. If you are walking and you are
taking a wrong direction, you can turn around. If
you are flying an aircraft, you cannot suddenly turn
around – it will take a long turn. Once you have an
enhanced level of capability, it is very important to

4 | ISHA FOREST FLOWER October 2019

clearly determine where you want to go. Changing
directions every day would just waste life.
Do not think in terms of, “She’s going to give me
something.” Just connect with devotion. She need
not do anything. You just take care of her. What
has to happen will happen. The best way is not to
ask for anything. The best way is to simply see how
profoundly you can connect with that dimension. If
you ask, you will only ask from what you know. You
cannot ask for what you do not know. Asking for
what you know may look like development for now,
but it is actually a backward step.
For what you do not know to happen, you should
stop asking. If you simply connect with that energy,
things will happen. Whichever way it happens, it
is fine with us. For all these things to happen, you
should have established yourself in such a way that
what happens around you does not determine
the quality of your life. What happens around you
determines the quality of your work and what
you do in the world – it should not determine
the quality of who and what you are. Once this is
established, then you will see asking for something
is silly, because you are only asking for things that
you already know.
For something beyond what you know to happen,
the best thing is to understand that asking is not
Why Timing is Everything
We all want our actions to yield favorable results.
But this isn’t always the case, despite putting
maximum effort into our ventures. So, in addition
to intention, involvement, and intensity in action,
what determines the outcome of our endeavors?
Sadhguru explains.
October 2019
the way to exist. Asking is a very rudimentary way
to exist. There are better, more profound ways to
exist. The same with me – I do not sit and decide
anything. I take Shiva as my fifty percent partner
not because he does anything. He does nothing. I
do all the work. But he puts on the indicator which
way to turn. The driving is all mine, but just for
giving that simple direction, he gets fifty percent.
Where the blinkers are on, that is the direction I go.
I do not turn on the blinkers – the blinkers simply
turn on. Once the blinkers turn on, I know I need
to turn that way. This is an arrangement made for
dumb drivers.

"Should you drive the Divine, or should the
Divine drive you?"

So, do not become anxious about whether
something is going to happen or not. If it happens –
good. If it does not happen – very good. “Then, why
Bhairavi? Am I wasting my time with her?” Should
you drive the Divine, or should the Divine drive you?
If you understand that, then there is no issue. But
right now, you are trying to drive the Divine, which
is a silly way to exist.
Questioner: Sadhguru, at times, I see myself
relentlessly pursuing goals, with a kind of a go-
getter’s attitude. At other times, I am deliberately
very patient, and I wait for things to unfold in their
own unique and beautiful way. According to you,
what is the better approach?
Sadhguru: In terms of doing anything in the world,
we should know what we are doing. Capability,
intelligence, all these things are needed. But one
important aspect that people tend to miss, especially
when they are young, is timing. If you do not time
your actions right, even the best actions will go
waste. Those who do not know how to time their life,
will look at the astrological chart and say, “This is a
good time, bad time, auspicious time, or inauspicious
time.” There is no standard chart for this.

"If the timing is right, even a small action
will produce a huge impact."

ISHA FOREST FLOWER | 5
Timing is most important. This is something I
am constantly striving for people around me to
understand – the significance of timing. They
understand the significance of action. But most of
the time, they do not understand the significance of
timing. If the timing is right, even a small action will
produce a huge impact. If the timing is wrong, even
if you push hard, only little will happen. How do you
arrive at the timing? This is a complex affair. One
aspect is, you as a human being are not in the same
state of physical and mental competence 24 hours
a day. It is fluctuating all the time. When you want
to hit an important shot, you must be at your best.
You have to take care of this timing. It takes a lot of
experience and wisdom to get the timing with the
world. But at least with you, you time it. When you
are at your best, you do important things. When
you are not so good, you do not do it.
Recently, someone told someone else about his
experience of driving with me, many years ago. He
still remembered it since it so terrified him, because
my right leg is heavy. He said, “The way Sadhguru
was driving that day, I said, ‘Sadhguru, don’t drive
like this.’” On a particular day when I’m on, I know
today I can do anything, and I will do it right. On
another day, when I’m a little not there, then I know
today I step back and go a little more cautiously, like
everyone else. There is also timing with the rest of
the world, with outside situations. To hit the right
thing at the right time in outside situations takes
much more experience and observation. But at least
the timing with yourself must happen, that you are
at your best when you want to do important things.
 is important. Only if you think it is important, you
"On a particular day when I’m on,
I know today I can do anything, and
I will do it right."
 If you watch games like cricket or golf, you will see
Once you understand this, you will realize it is
extremely important to keep yourself at your best,
every moment of your life. Because every little
thing that you do, if you learn to do it with as much
attention as the so-called big things, then you will
see the cumulative impact of those little things you
do, over a period of time, will be so big. These little
things add up to something phenomenal, simply
because you took care to do them with absolute
intention, attention, and intensity of expression.
Before you realize all these things properly
within yourself and around yourself, one simple,
fundamental thing you can do is this: Do not
decide what is important, what is not important.
6 | ISHA FOREST FLOWER
Just pay the same attention to everything, and
apply yourself with the same level of intensity. If
God comes, same intensity; if an ant comes, same
intensity of attention and involvement. If you just
do this, everything will sort itself out.
Right now, the biggest problem with human
beings is they think, “This is important – that’s not
important.” “This person is great – that person is
no good.” “This is okay – that is not okay.” “This is
God – that is the devil.” In this, they are becoming
half alive. Because half the time, they are not there
(with what they are doing), because they think it is
not important. You are breathing right now. Is it not
important? You must do it with total involvement
and intensity. Then we will call you a yogi.

"Just pay the same attention to everything,
and apply yourself with the same level
of intensity."

Just do this one thing – there is no such thing as
important and not important. Whether you look at
your friend or at someone you do not like, whether
you are doing something that is socially important
or not so important, as far as you are concerned as a
life, every moment of your life is equally important.
Everything that you do is important. What is not
important, just do not do it. Why are you investing
your life in something that you think is not important?
Let’s say you are doing something silly. It does not
matter if I think it is not important. But you think it
must invest your life in it. Otherwise, why? If you
do this, you will arrive at the timing. It will take a
little time, but you will arrive at the timing, and that
timing is extremely important.
they always talk about the timing of hitting the ball.
It is not about the strength. One person hits the ball
wasting energy. Another person just flicks it, and it
goes to the same place. This is timing! That is true
in your life too. Timing is the most important thing,
because the time and the energy you have in your
life are limited resources. No one has endless energy.
No one has endless time. So, you have to time it
right. First thing is to start observing yourself. When
you are at your best, you must do things. And if you
observe yourself sufficiently, you will see you have
to be at your best every moment.
October 2019
How to Stop Being a Victim
Suffering, although seemingly inevitable, is optional and self-inflicted, is what Sadhguru explains in this
piece. While we may not have absolute control over the situations around us, do we have the power to
choose how we experience and respond to them? Read to find out.
Questioner: I come from a family with a stream of
incredible disasters. How to help people who only
suffer?
Sadhguru: Whoever is suffering – this may not
sound compassionate to you, but you must
understand this – do you want solace, or do you
want a solution? If you want a solution, there is a
certain way to handle it. If you want solace, I can say
comforting, nice things, but that is not a solution.
It makes you comfortable for a moment; the next
moment, it will be the same thing again. If you want
a solution, you need to understand, you are only
suffering your memories. You are not suffering life.
Your memories exist in two places – one is
your body, another one is your mind. Both are
accumulations that you created over a period of
time. It is like with the clothing you wear… Right
now, I am wearing lose clothing, so I am constantly
aware of it. Suppose I was wearing very tight nylon
clothes; after some time, I would not know which
my skin is and which my clothing. That is all that
has happened to you – you do not know which is
you, which is your body, which is your mind – it has
all become like you, because you are wearing it so
tight. If you have done Isha Kriya, you will know
October 2019
LEAD ARTICLE
this: “I’m not the body; I’m not even the mind.” If
you sit here, and there is a little space between you
and your body, between you and your mind – this is
the end of suffering.
You have only two kinds of sufferings: physical
suffering and mental suffering. If you maintain
a little distance between you and your mind, this
is the end of suffering. This mind is a tremendous
possibility, but most human beings are using it as
a misery manufacturing machine. I even see that
today, for whatever reasons, suffering seems to be
popular. When someone talks about pain, people
clap their hands; when someone talks about joy,
people laugh at them.

"Whether you are miserable or joyful
right now is entirely your choice."

Even when you were children, this happened to you.
Your parents were doing this to you unknowingly.
Probably you are doing this to your children. If
your children are jumping with joy and screaming,
you will tell them to shut up. But if they sit in one
ISHA FOREST FLOWER | 7

corner, you will ask them what happened. From
that time, they learn that suffering brings benefits.
But whatever benefits you get, if you are suffering,
what is the point? If you are joyful, you do not get a
damn thing – so what?
So do not romanticize your suffering – it is not a
great thing. And you are doing it yourself. Whether
you are miserable or joyful right now is entirely
your choice. Other people can create comfortable
or uncomfortable situations only on the outside.
Suffering is entirely your making. Other people can
create situations; they cannot make you or me suffer.
Suffering is your choice. You have heard the word
Buddha. When I say Buddha, most of you will think
of Gautama, the Buddha. Gautama is not the only
Buddha. There have been thousands before him and
thousands after him, and still are. Buddha means
just this: Bu means buddhi or “intellect,” dha means
“one who is above.” One who is above his intellect
is a Buddha. One who is in his intellect, is a non-
stop suffering human being. If something happens,
they will suffer; if nothing happens, they will suffer.
They know how to make everything into suffering.
If you were below the mind, you would not suffer
so much.
Other creatures do not suffer as much as you. For
them, if their physical needs are taken care of, they
are quite fine. If the stomach is full, they are good.
But you are not like that – hunger, you suffer one
way; indigestion, you suffer another way. Please do
not romanticize your suffering. You are not anyone’s
victim; you are a victim of your own making. This
may not sound very compassionate to you, but if
you want a solution, you must understand the
source of your suffering is you, and you alone. Other
people can only create situations. They may say or
do something, but whether you suffer that or not is
left to you.
8 | ISHA FOREST FLOWER

"Whatever you are right now and whatever you
are not, is fundamentally your responsibility."

It is like you were going on the street, and someone
called you names; let us say they called you an idiot.
You would boil within you, “Who is this fool who
calls me an idiot. He is a big idiot; he is…” whatever.
At 2:00 in the morning, you are lying in your bed,
twisting and turning, still thinking about this guy
who called you an idiot. He said just one word and
went away, and it has such an impact on you. Then
what he said must be true. Just about anyone can
cause misery to you. And if none of them are there,
you do it to yourself. Please, stop this. There is no
romance in misery. If you like a tragic life, then enjoy
it; do not complain. Some people like romantic
movies; some people like comedy; some people like
horror movies.
If you like misery, do it, but you must enjoy it. People
go to watch a Shakespearean tragedy because they
enjoy someone else’s suffering. If you like your own
suffering, enjoy it – that is left to you; that is not my
way. If you like it, it is up to you, but do not create
suffering and think someone else is doing it to you.
In today’s world, if someone is physically harming
you, you know what to do. Do not think someone
is mentally harming you. No one is mentally harming
you. They are doing what they know best. You are
harming yourself. Suppose I know only abuse. I will
stand here and abuse you endlessly. The filth is in
my mouth, not in your mind.
So do not get this victim syndrome. You are not a
victim of anyone except yourself. It is entirely your
own making. Until you see that, there is no way out
of it. This is the most fundamental thing you need
to see: Whatever you are right now and whatever
you are not, is fundamentally your responsibility.
Please make that happen.
October 2019
 MAHABHARAT
SERIES
Mahabharat
PART 59 Little-Known Southern Influences
In this part of our Mahabharat series, Sadhguru points out a number of examples how influences from the
South played a significant role in this immortal saga.
Questioner: Sadhguru, you said Barbarik1 came
from the South, and that the southern mysticism
had a big influence in the war. Could you elaborate
on that?
Sadhguru: Barbarik showed his skill. But fortunately
for the Pandavas, he could not use his skill in the war.
Krishna immediately recognized that this guy can
destroy. Barbarik came with such confidence, only
carrying three arrows, because he was dead sure
these three could handle the whole world. And he
was not willing to fight for just anyone – he would
fight for the losing side. He liked the game of war,
because he was sure he would win.
Southern mysticism played out big time. Because of
Ghatotkacha’s2 occult power, Karna lost the Shakti3.
Had Karna still had the Shakti, for sure Arjuna would
have died. Krishna actually said Karna could even
kill him. So southern mysticism was the deciding
Advertisement
October 2019
factor in the war. There are stories about how
Ghatotkacha’s mother Hidimbi was worshipping a
goddess and even doing human sacrifice to acquire
powers, which is part of her culture. She was from
the South.
And the food was supplied by the Udupi king. There
was a lot of support from the south, but the battle
was essentially about the northern kings. It was
they who were fighting. But the southern warriors
did not want to miss the action. They wanted to
see it; if not fight at least see how it happens. Even
after Barbarik took off his own head, with Krishna’s
blessing, he still saw the whole war, had a perfect
understanding of what happened there, and spoke
about it. Southern influences quietly played a role.
To be continued.
1
 reat warrior whom Krishna asked to give his head as Guru Dakshina
G
2
Powerful warrior; Bhima's son and Barbarik's father
3
Powerful magic weapon that Karna could only use once
ISHA FOREST FLOWER | 9
 ON THE PATH
OF THE DIVINE

Swami Suyagna
Good Yagna1

In this series, each month, one of our Isha Brahmacharis or Sanyasis shares their individual background,
observations, and experiences of what it means for them to walk this sacred “Path of the Divine.”
Here, Swami Suyagna retraces his journey with Sadhguru, from a hardcore skeptic to a full-time volunteer,
flute player, Isha Yoga teacher, ashram administrator, and Isha Brahmachari.

A Lure “Isha is organizing a tour of the Himalayas, but only

It happened in 1996. I was having lunch with one of
my colleagues in my office canteen. At some point
during the conversation he asked, “Hey! There is a
new yoga program in town from someone called
Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev. Want to try it?” “To hell
with all these yoga programs; I have done enough!”
I said. However, my colleague decided to give it
a try, and joined the 13-day class by Sadhguru. I
noticed a shift in him after the program. “You must
do this program,” he started to tell me afterwards.
He was a hardcore cynic otherwise and critical
of everything, and perhaps this was why he was
my friend. His appreciating the program so much
definitely intrigued me about Isha Yoga. But not
enough! Later, he found another way to entice me
to do the class.
1
A certain process which is for everyone’s wellbeing
an Isha meditator can register for it,” he told me
sometime in early May. I had always fancied visiting
the Himalayas, so this “Dhyan Yatra” seemed like a
good enough reason for me to give it a go, as I sat
for the 13-day class in June 1996. I liked the class,
but didn’t think too much about it. Later, again
upon my colleague’s insistence, I came to do Bhava
Spandana in the ashram in September – just before
we were going to leave for the Dhyan Yatra. It was
the first time I realized that there could be more
to life than I understood. Something phenomenal
happened within me. That was the first time my
logic was totally blown.
Within the next 10 days, we went for the Dhyan
Yatra with Sadhguru. We were 216, travelling
sleeper class in a train from Coimbatore to
Delhi. I was assigned to be in the compartment
with Sadhguru and Vijji Maa, and a few other

10 | ISHA FOREST FLOWER October 2019

brahmacharis. Sadhguru was very friendly with
everyone, and from time to time would go to each
compartment to meet all the participants. Once
back from Dhyan Yatra, I continued my life as usual.
The April Fool
In November of the same year, I came to the ashram
to volunteer for the Indian Hockey team program,
and stayed for three weeks. We went through a
powerful process with Sadhguru during the program.
It was after this program when I actually became
conscious that for no reason, I was helplessly drawn
to Isha and Sadhguru. I had been deeply influenced
by J. Krishnamurti, and had never thought of finding
a guru or joining an order. But suddenly my thought
process seemed to have changed. I wanted to
be at Isha full-time and walk the path, so I asked
Sadhguru. “Get your parents’ permission, and if they
are OK, be here in April,” said Sadhguru.
In order to prepare my parents, I made my sisters
and my parents do the program. They were all
touched by it. Since I am the only son in the family, I
wondered what their reaction would be when they
found out that I was going to Isha for good. It was a
blessing, however, that I had understanding parents,
and things happened for me rather effortlessly.
When I told them about my decision, my mother
seemed quite fine with it. My father shared with
melancholy, “I intellectually understand that this is
the biggest thing to do in life, so I don’t have the
heart to stop you, even though emotionally it has
not been easy to come to terms with your decision.”
I came to Isha full-time in April 1997. In May that
year, I did my first Samyama, and it was a wonderful
experience. Tears were simply flowing, and I was
bowing down to everything – from the grass
to an ant to anything that came in front of me. I
have no words to articulate the experience of my
first Samyama. I was initiated into Brahmacharya
in February 1998. Many powerful things happened
in those years around Sadhguru – from Vijji Maa’s
Mahasamadhi to the Dhyanalinga consecration.
I had always looked at Vijji Maa as somewhat
childish and intense. She was extremely attached
to Sadhguru, and I sometimes wondered how
Sadhguru’s wife could be like that. During the
Dhyan Yatra, I would see her at one time like a child,
another time intensely devoted – totally lost in a
different dimension. Her Mahasamadhi, therefore,
betrayed all my notions of spiritual evolvement.
After she left her body, we saw Sadhguru struggling
with the entire consecration process. One day I
remember he mentioned to us, “Looking at what
we have in hand, logically I see no other option but
October 2019
to merge with the Linga to make it happen. But
my heart says I am going to die as an old man.”
When Sadhguru fell right in front of me after the
consecration process, I held on to the voice of his
heart, and somehow felt that he would be with us
for a long time. To our immense fortune – HE IS. I
can never forget the day Dhyanalinga opened for
the public. It was such an overwhelming feeling to
see that Sadhguru’s dream had been fulfilled.
The Flute Whisper
During my first Dhyan Yatra in 1996, on our return
train journey, as I was about to get off at the Chennai
station, Sadhguru suddenly out of the blue said to
me – “Practice your flute properly!” When I came
to the ashram, he ensured that this little vocation
of mine was put to good use. A couple of days
before the first Samyama in Spanda Hall, Sadhguru
met a few of us, and guided us about what kind of
music to play for the evening satsangs. He asked
me to play a certain tune with my flute. I practiced
something based on his inputs but sat on the stage
feeling that it was nowhere near what Sadhguru
had been expecting. However, a few minutes after I
had been playing, I saw Sadhguru doing a “thumbs
up” to me from the dais. After the session, he again
mentioned how good that piece was. I was elated
to hear that feedback – it felt like I had received a
Grammy award!
The Joy and Expansion of Teaching
In May 1997, I went through the teachers’ training.
We were fortunate that those days, Sadhguru used
to be with us most of the times during the training
sessions. The teachers’ training was such a powerful
process in the “un-making” of me. Like all other Isha
teachers, I too had the fortune to see many people
transforming right in front of me, within just 13
days. I saw such transformations happening even
among hardcore prisoners. In fact, prisoners usually
resisted the yoga classes a lot more initially, but
ISHA FOREST FLOWER | 11
once they got involved, the transformation was also
far more palpable.
In terms of activity, teaching 13-day classes was the
best time of my life. In those 10 years of teaching,
not even once had I missed my schedule due to
ill health or otherwise. I experienced a lot of joy,
fulfillment, and expansion within me.
Sadhguru’s Very Life is a Teaching
The commitment with
which Sadhguru works is
unbelievable: He is never
late for any meeting,
never has he canceled
an appointment because
of his health or any
other personal issue.
Once I was travelling
with him for one of the
conferences in Goa, and
I knew that he hadn’t
eaten the previous day.
So when we arrived at
the venue, I wanted him
to eat first, as his session
had not yet been announced. Upon my insistence, he
sat down to eat. However, within 10 minutes, they
announced his session and were expecting him to be
on stage. Hearing this, Sadhguru immediately got up,
washed his hands, and literally ran to the program
hall without a moment of hesitation.
I have never seen him behaving like an important
person. I cannot forget this one incident, probably
in 1998, when Sadhguru was having dinner with
us in the Triangle Block. After finishing his meal, he
went to wash his plate. The sink was full of water, as
some waste food had blocked the drain. Next thing
I saw, Sadhguru simply put his hands in it, cleared
off the drain, and silently walked away. It was
unimaginable for me to see a guru getting into all
these so-called trivial things. He always bows down
and leads by example. His attention to details, his
compassion and inclusiveness are mind-boggling.
The Lows and Highs of
Administration Activity
In 2007, Sadhguru asked me to coordinate
the ashram administration. When it comes to
empowering people, there is no match for Sadhguru
– the way he empowers us is phenomenal. I was
empowered hugely in the next four years. Many
good things happened because of his support and
encouragement, but sometimes I made mistakes
too. One of the blessings of the admin activity was
12 | ISHA FOREST FLOWER
that I got to work very closely with Sadhguru and see
the multi-dimensional person in him. I was in awe of
his intensity, his undivided focus, his tireless tenacity,
and out-of-the-box approach to many situations.
The Silence
In all these years with Isha, I had never cared to
look at what was happening to me within myself
or with my sadhana – the only thing that mattered
was how to make things happen for Isha. So in
2011, when Sadhguru asked me to go into working
silence for one and a half years, I found this to be a
true blessing for me. It gave me space to look within
and bring clarity about why I am here. I realized that
it was true that at times I had been impudent and
stupid. This realization and introspection allowed
me to come out of all the conflicts and confusions I
had been facing within me over the years.
Slowly, I became more appreciative and receptive to
whatever Sadhguru has offered to us. For example,
a simple thing that Sadhguru repeatedly says – “You
are not happy because life is not happening the way
you want it” – became experientially alive within me.
A little while into the silence period, I felt at ease, and
discovered a new level of freedom within myself.
This sadhana brought a new perspective to life, and
renewed my level of intensity and focus towards the
path. “…And Now, Yoga” – the first line of the Patanjali
Yoga Sutras – became a living reality for me.
That Day – That Moment
Recently, I realized that I turned 50 – but I don’t
feel I have aged. In fact, I feel much more alive
and vibrant than I was even in my college days.
My journey with Isha and Sadhguru has been so
enriching and fulfilling that I would never exchange
what Sadhguru has given us in the form of Sadhana
and Brahmacharya with anything in the world.
Finally, I often recall the first thing Sadhguru had
told me when I came here full-time: “You should be
like a stone; we will throw you wherever we want.
Is that OK with you?” All these years, this has been
my guiding force – willing to be thrown in whatever,
wherever, and be fully involved.
My only longing is – I am waiting for that day
and that moment when I become totally free
from the need for any action, to simply be in
total freedom. Until then, willing to be thrown
anywhere, anytime, any number of lifetimes…
This is an excerpt of Swami’s sharing. Read the full
article on the Isha Blog.
October 2019
Kailash Manasarovar 2019
with Sadhguru NEWS & EVENTS

August saw Sadhguru embark on his annual sojourn to the Tibetan Plateau and soak in the essence of
Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, both of which hold immense spiritual significance. Follow their
trek that took them from the verdant valleys of Nepal to the snow-capped Mount Kailash in Tibet.

Sadhguru at Kalopani
Sadhguru led the group of
pilgrims through Kalopani, en
route to Mount Kailash. Kalopani
is a verdant valley nestled in
rich and exuberant nature.
Reveling in these pristine natural
surroundings invigorated the
pilgrims ahead of a demanding
trek on the following day.

Lunch in the Himalayas

Trekking in the fresh mountain air
for sure stimulates the appetite.
The trekkers enjoyed their freshly
prepared food on the slopes,
appreciating both the meal as well
as the sights and sounds, in the lap
of nature.

Reboot
The yatris (pilgrims) set up camp
for the day, with a Master who
knows no fatigue of the mind or
body watching over them. The
journey must be continued, and
rest is the foundation for a new
burst of activity. After a long day, a
night of restful sleep was welcome
before the yatris embarked on the
next leg of the journey.

October 2019 ISHA FOREST FLOWER | 13

Across Borders
A picture speaks a thousand
words; a child’s face is equal to
a thousand pictures. Nepalese
children offered Sadhguru a
colorful and heart-warming
welcome with flowers and
smiles.

A Sense of Oneness
One with nature, one with
themselves. Nature offers
a conducive atmosphere to
turn inward. Here, the yatris
were initiated into a powerful
process on the banks of Lake
Manasarovar as the radiant
sun rose, while Mount Kailash
glowed in the distance.

Lake Manasarovar
Sadhguru has a profound connection with this absolutely pristine, still waters of the lake, as
phenomenal lake, which is palpable to those the sun illuminates the skies, making for a
in its presence. Enjoy a panorama view of the spectacular sunrise.

14 | ISHA FOREST FLOWER October 2019

 Magnificent
Mount Kailash
The majestic peak of Mount
Kailash, often referred to as a
mystical library by Sadhguru,
stands tall in the golden sunlight.
If one has eyes to see what this
powerful mountain holds, it
unveils its various dimensions.
Kailash – What I Left Behind
Magnificent, pristine, and fantastic
in its beauty. Powerful, profound,
and intense in its presence.

Kailash – What I Left Behind

A participant of the 2019 Kailash Manasarovar Sacred Walks shares his experience.

“Nobody can go untouched by this,”

Sadhguru warned us in one of the
satsangs. And yet, the 47 of us they
fondly called A0 didn’t have a clue what
was about to hit us.
A0 [group] was a cultural confluence of
sorts, with people from all walks of life,
all ages and ethnicities clubbed together
as ONE. Forty-seven different life stories,
each with enough masala, drama, and
entertainment to be potentially made
into a Bollywood potboiler.
Despite the heads-up from the master,
we all struggled through the sojourn, like
we do through the maze of life, focused
on the mundane. “What’s for lunch
today?” “My head is hurting!” “Someone
took my place on the bus!” And so on.
All this until the first sighting of the south face of Now I know what I left behind is “me”.... There’s
Kailash. I remember how it revealed itself in all its something much bigger than you, me, and us out
glory while we waited for a change of bus on the there. The reverberations of THAT is the new me
banks of Lake Manasarovar. What followed was a since Kailash. I look at people now, and suddenly I
plethora of emotions. Tears here and smiles there. don’t see their life stories (remember, the ones that
Ecstatic chants and devotional hymns. As if for a can be made into a movie).
brief moment, like one collective being, 47 faces What I see instead is a pilgrim, a seeker, a part
mirrored one emotion each, of the many in my heart. of me....
And there it was, A0, as one pilgrim, beyond the – Nikhil Ailawadi, Isha meditator, Ludhiana, Punjab
mundane, beyond the differences, beyond the “me.”

October 2019 ISHA FOREST FLOWER | 15

Cauvery Calling: The Karnataka Leg

The past couple of weeks saw Sadhguru’s motorcycle ride across Karnataka and Tamil Nadu dominate
our timelines on social media as well as garner copious amounts of media attention. The journey focused
on spreading awareness about the campaign, aimed at planting 242 crore trees. Sadhguru’s magic on the
motorcycle directly translated to people from various strata of society converging to offer their support
to make Cauvery Calling a success!

Ready, Set, Go!

On 31 July, Sadhguru flagged off the Cauvery Calling
vehicles that traversed over 7000 villages and touched
over 270,000 farmers in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
They are educating farmers in the region regarding
agroforesty and the many benefits they can derive in
terms of economic well-being. Sadhguru said, “This is
a game changer in farmers' income and at the same
time it will revitalize the entire Cauvery basin's water
holding capacity, both in terms of groundwater and
the flow of water in the Cauvery river itself.”

Birthday on the Road

While Sadhguru Jayanti calls for great celebration
and fervor among us, Sadhguru celebrated the
better part of his birthday on the road. Sadhguru
arrived at Madikeri soaked to the bone, as the rain
wreaked havoc on him and his fellow motorists.
From Talacauvery, he was joined by popular
Kannada actors Rakshit Shetty and Diganth
Manchale. “In the time of crisis, you either lead
or follow the leader. I pledge my life for Cauvery
Calling. We are with you!” said Diganth at the
event in Madikeri, as he pledged his support to
the campaign.

Making It Happen
The volunteers relentlessly reached
out to farmers over 20 days leading
up to Sadhguru’s ride across the
Cauvery basin. The interest and
enthusiasm displayed by the farmers
in the Cauvery basin towards
agroforestry has been very inspiring
and encouraging.

16 | ISHA FOREST FLOWER October 2019


The Prime Minister of India,
Narendra Modi himself, extended
his birthday wishes to Sadhguru
and acknowledged the effort to
FREE INDIA of water crisis, with
Cauvery Calling.
In Conversation with the
Mystic with Pranitha Subash
With the stunning backwaters of the
Cauvery lending the backdrop and setting
the ambience, actress Pranitha Subash sat
down for a conversation with Sadhguru.
She was so inspired after her conversation
with Sadhguru that she hopped on a bike
and joined him for the ride until Mysuru.
October 2019
Mysuru – Royalty amid Motor
Mania!
In Mysuru, Sadhguru was flagged off by the
Maharaja of Mysore, Yaduveer Krishnadatta
Chamaraja. The ground thundered with a
roar as Sadhguru revved up the engine!
The heritage city of Mysuru, which also
happens to be the birthplace of our beloved
mystic, opened its doors to Sadhguru
and his cavalcade as the blue-clad bikers
roared through the streets of the gentle
city, causing quite a few heads to turn and
raising awareness along the way.
Bengaluru – Creating a Stir in
the State Capital
The Honorable Chief Minister of Karnataka,
Shri B. S. Yediyurappa extended his full
support for Cauvery Calling as Sadhguru
addressed an enthused Bengaluru crowd.
In his closing remarks, Sadhguru said,
every newborn in the city should be named
Cauvery, so that her importance remains
forever etched in the minds of the people.
After the event, the CM flagged off the
motorcade, as the bikers got ready to move
on to the next leg of the campaign.
ISHA FOREST FLOWER | 17
 Karnataka Forest Department to Contribute 2 Crore Saplings
The most notable contribution came from the sojourn, Sadhguru enjoyed the warmth and
Karnataka government with Chief Minister hospitality of the locals and left them with the
Shri B. S. Yediyurappa announcing during the resounding message that water is life-making
culmination event of the Karnataka chapter material. Inspired by his commitment, many
in Bengaluru that the Forest Department known names joined him in the campaign.
would contribute 2 crore saplings. During his

Influencers Heeding the Call

Cauvery Calling has also been on the

national airwaves, thanks to the support
pouring in from all quarters. National
Award winning actress Kangana Ranaut
made a noteworthy contribution of A life that's much larger than us,
Rs. 42 lakh towards the Cauvery Calling A life that's been flowing for millions of years...
campaign. Her contribution will support
farmers to plant 1 lakh trees in the And we puny creatures
Cauvery basin. She also urged everyone Have brought her down to her knees
to donate as per their capabilities, in order Misfortune of our generation
to save the Cauvery river. Superstar Shah
Rukh Khan made a passionate appeal Cauvery is Calling
to the people to act before it’s too late, Do you have a heart to hear?
and Minister of Environment, Forest and
Climate Change Shri Prakash Javadekar
called upon the masses to participate in
addressing India’s ecological challenges.

18 | ISHA FOREST FLOWER October 2019

Life in Sadhanapada:
Moving beyond Likes and Dislikes SHARING
EXPERIENCES

Over 800 participants from 32 countries came together to spend seven months in the consecrated space
of Isha Yoga Center for their inner growth. After an intense eight-day orientation where the participants
learned Hatha Yoga practices and revisited the fundamentals of Inner Engineering, they jumped right
into the intensity of ashram life.

Sadhanapada is an intense process of growth, carefully

crafted to constantly challenge one to grow every day.
The Sadhanapada schedule begins with a 4:30 a.m.
wake-up call and ends at 9:30 p.m. Along with the
daily yogic practices, seva (activity) is an integral
part of the Sadhanapada schedule. Involving and
immersing oneself into seva can be an enormously
transformative process, especially in the powerfully
consecrated space of Isha Yoga Center.

Before Sadhanapada, for me, sadhana just meant
hatha yoga and kriyas. Without my practices, there
was no sadhana. Now, everything has become
sadhana. Whether it is cleaning my room, helping
someone out, going through tough situations, or
even simply eating or sleeping, I try to see every
situation as a stepping stone for my growth.
– Maanasan, 21, Canada
I simply love the Sadhanapada schedule. This makes
my day so easy and efficient. I remember in our
first session with Sadhguru, he did ask if we were
ready to accept whatever is asked from us and do
it even though it may not make logical sense. I did
answer “Yes” to him, and now there is no turning
back on that. Slowly but surely, I am beginning to
rise slightly above my likes and dislikes.  so many ways.
– Indu Peruri, 34, California
I resigned from my job as a doctor to come for
Sadhanapada, but to my utter surprise, I was asked
to do the same things as seva here. I had struggles
and resistance about settling into the seva, but
now, things are gradually changing. When external
situations are not favorable, I simply use the Inner
Engineering tools. Earlier, it used to bother me
when people would come to me with endless
questions anytime and anywhere, but now I am
able to answer them with patience and a smile on
my face.
– Dr. Simi Das, 29, Assam
I have so much gratitude towards Sadhguru and
everyone here for letting me stay in a space like
this, for nurturing me, and allowing me to grow in
– Vaishnavi, 26, Telangana

“Do not do what you like – do what the world needs. Doing what you like is not freedom.
Likes and dislikes are compulsive.” – Sadhguru
October 2019 ISHA FOREST FLOWER | 19
 UPCOMING PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Date Program Place Contact

Isha Yoga Center,

1–4 Bhava Spandana 83000 93555
Velliangiri Foothills,
Oct 2019 (Ladies, English) iycprograms@ishayoga.org
Coimbatore – India
Inner Engineering
5–6 96549 93333
Completion with Greater Noida, Delhi – India
Oct 2019 sadhguru-in-delhi@ishayoga.org
Sadhguru
Isha Rejuvenation,
Isha Yoga Center, 0422-2515466
6 Oct 2019 Holistic Cancer Clinic
Velliangiri Foothills, op.rejuvenation@ishafoundation.org
Coimbatore – India
Isha Yoga Center,
6–9 83000 93555
Shoonya Intensive Velliangiri Foothills,
Oct 2019 iycprograms@ishayoga.org
Coimbatore – India
Isha Rejuvenation,
6–26 Isha Yoga Center, 0422-2515464
Yoga Marga
Oct 2019 Velliangiri Foothills, isharejuvenation@ishafoundation.org
Coimbatore – India

6–26 Isha Life Health Solutions, 99626 00735

Hatha Yoga (21 Days)
Oct 2019 Chennai – India programs@ishalife.org
Joint and
Isha Life Health Solutions, 70101 58845
13 Oct 2019 Musculoskeletal
Chennai – India programs@ishalife.org
Disorders Treatment

Isha Yoga Center,

17–20 Inner Engineering 94890 45164
Velliangiri Foothills,
Oct 2019 Retreat ieretreat@ishafoundation.org
Coimbatore – India

19–20 Diabetes Management Isha Life Health Solutions, 70101 58845

Oct 2019 Program Chennai – India programs@ishalife.org
Holistic Health Care
19–20 Isha Life Health Solutions, 70101 58845
for Children (including
Oct 2019 Chennai – India programs@ishalife.org
ADHD/Autism)
Isha Rejuvenation,
28 Oct– Isha Yoga Center, 0422-2515464
Ayur Sampoorna
3 Nov 2019 Velliangiri Foothills, isharejuvenation@ishafoundation.org
Coimbatore – India

Isha Yoga Center,

31 Oct– Inner Engineering 94890 45164
Velliangiri Foothills,
3 Nov 2019 Retreat ieretreat@ishafoundation.org
Coimbatore – India

Isha Yoga Center,

Yantra Ceremony with 84484 47708
11 Dec 2019 Velliangiri Foothills,
Sadhguru yantra@lingabhairavi.org
Coimbatore – India
Inner Engineering AM Jain College,
21–22 83000 37000
Completion with Meenambakkam,
Dec 2019 sadhguru-in-chennai@ishayoga.org
Sadhguru Chennai – India

Current at the time of print, however subject to change. For full program schedules and updates, please visit
www.ishaYoga.org/Schedule/Yoga-Programs
20 | ISHA FOREST FLOWER October 2019
Beetroot Lemon Salad
ISHA RECIPE

INGREDIENTS METHOD

2 Beetroots – washed, peeled, finely grated
½ cup Raw groundnuts – soaked
3" piece Raw mango – grated
2" piece Coconut – fresh, grated
½ Lemon
2 sprigs Coriander leaves – fresh
½ tsp. Black pepper powder
Salt to taste
For the seasoning
1 tsp. Oil
¼ tsp. Mustard seeds
¼ tsp. Split Bengal gram (dhuli chana dal)
¼ tsp. Split black gram, skinless (dhuli urad dal)
7-8 Curry leaves
1. Keep the grated beetroot aside in a deep bowl. If
you want the salad with less liquid, put the grated
beetroot in a clean muslin cloth and lightly squeeze
to remove the juice. This juice can be reserved for
later use in juices or salad dressings.
2. For the seasoning, heat the oil in a small pan; add the
mustard seeds, Bengal gram, black gram and curry
leaves. Sauté on medium heat for half a minute, and
as the grams begin to change color, remove from
heat and add this seasoning to the grated beetroot.
Toss well together.
3. Add the soaked groundnuts, mango and coconut to
the beetroot.
4. In a separate bowl, mix the juice of the lemon with
salt and pepper powder. Toss this dressing with the
salad.
5. Serve immediately, garnished with chopped
coriander.

Tip: Add the salty lemon dressing only immediately

before serving, to keep the beetroot crisp.
October 2019 ISHA FOREST FLOWER | 21
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 ZEN SPEAKS

Courtesy Zen Speaks

Published by: B. RAJESH CHANDER on behalf of ISHA FOUNDATION

Published from 117/50, Luz Church Road, Mylapore, Chennai – 600 004, TAMILNADU

Printed by: S. PRAKASH; at FINE DOTS, No.15, Boo Begum 3rd Street,
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Registered with Patrika Channel Egmore RMS under Registration No. TN/CH(C)/492/17–19. Published on 2nd of every month – October 2019

learning to serve with joy.

A man is a true Man only in

a | |ISHA
24 ISHAFOREST
FORESTFLOWER
FLOWER October 2019