January 2011 FOREST FLOWER

CONTENTS
Main Article
Zen Speaks
Time to Break the Shell
4
23 Zen Speaks: The Road Begins Here
Musings
7
May 2011 FOREST FLOWER 3
Sadhguru on the Illusion of Individuality
This Month: Granola Crunch
22
Isha Recipes - For Healthy Living
Stop Standing in Your Own Way
The End of the Path
Limitless Ignorance
10
13
Upcoming Programs and Events
Kailash Manasarovar Sojourn
Bring the Devis Grace into Your Home!
Isha Yoga Program Highlights 21
9
8
Sadhguru on Breaking the Pattern of Self-Sabotage
Shekhar Kapur in Conversation with Sadhguru
Krishna Embarks to Retrieve His Gurus Son 2
Leela Series
The path of the playful Part XXI:
16
17
15
A Touch of Humanity
News & Happenings
The Wave Hits Mysore
The First Tribute
New Isha Blog Online Now
18
Sadhguru Offers First Inner Engineering in His Home Town
Bhumi Pooja for the Aadhi Yogi Aalayam
Next Yantra Ceremony with Sadhguru in July
20
Baba Ramdev Visits Isha Yoga Center /
Sadhguru Speaks at Baba Ramdevs Yoga Camp
SADHGURU
When Shiva is asked, Who is a yogi? How can
you recognize him? He says, The one who, when
he opens his eyes, sees nothing, and when he closes
his eyes, sees everything, is a yogi. Does it mean to
say I am supposed to lose my vision and just become
hyper-imaginative? No. It simply means that
whether these windows are open or closed, it is the
same thing for a yogi. If when you open your eyes,
you see something, you are missing everything. If
you see something when you open your eyes, you
take in the impressions of this something and
that will inhabit your consciousness. Once these
impressions inhabit your consciousness, it becomes
incapable of seeing the many dimensions of creation.
So when you open your eyes and you see nothing
or no-thing then, when you close your eyes, you
see everything. If when you open your eyes, you see
some things, then when you close your eyes, these
same things will haunt you from inside.
The nature of the existence is such, whether it is the
elements, chemicals, worms, insects, birds, animals,
the plant life, and humans who think too much of
4
May 2011 FOREST FLOWER
Time to Break the Shell
Sadhguru on the Illusion of Individuality
If you do not get out of your shell,
you are just a nut.
Sadhguru
themselves, rightfully [laughs] they all grow one
out of the other. They all exist out of each other and
through each other; they just exist together.
Each creature, however small it may be, even a little
ant, is as egoistic as you are. Step on his kingdom
and see they all come and bite you because they
dont have any lesser ego than you. The size of the
body does not determine the size of the ego you
know that. [Laughter] Because the moment the false
idea of individuality has been created, the rest of the
rubbish will grow according to how inattentively or
how unconsciously one is living.
All other creatures [other than humans] just have
a uniform consciousness; they dont have a choice.
You will see a certain uniformity in their behavior.
All red ants are at one level of consciousness, black
ants are at another level of consciousness; the bees
are at another level of consciousness, wasps at
another level of consciousness you cannot make
it more or less. It is only human beings who are
capable of being more or less conscious. This is a
possibility of great things and this is also a possibility
of a disastrous life. All possibilities are like this. An
airplane can fy; an airplane can crash. Anything
that has a possibility has a fipside to it if you do not
handle it right.
Just about everything in your life which seems
like a possibility is also a possible disaster. Right
now, though you have a carpet and a little bit
of concrete between you and the earth, Mother
Earth sees you as just an outcrop of herself. When
she decides, she will suck you back; dont have
any illusions about it. Whatever you may think
of yourself, she will suck you back because she
experiences you as a part of herself.
Even now, if you lose connection with everything
that she is, she is just water, air, earth, fre, and space.
This is what she is, and this is what you are; but
you think you are different. You need to understand
this thought is not unique to you either. If you
could build a body, it is because the earth has a
body. If you can have blood circulation, the earth
has its own circulations. If you have thoughts, so
do the planet, the universe, and the creation. It is
just that when you are too full of your own stuff,
you dont get to perceive the larger thought of the
creation and the Creator. If there was no thought in
the creation, how would you get it? You are just a
small manifestation in this creation. It is this thought
which, when used compulsively or recklessly,
separates you from the existence. It is this thought,
when employed irresponsibly, that makes you think
you are a separate creation by yourself.
Today morning, the sun came up wonderfully.
The planet is spinning on time. And not just this
planet every planet and satellite in this solar
system is actually spinning on time. Everything
happens on time and wonderfully well; not just
in this solar system everywhere in the universe.
In the whole cosmos of these billions of galaxies,
everything has been in order it is a successful
day. [Laughter] But just one lousy little thought
is worming through your mind right now and
you say, This is a bad day. Nothing bad has
happened except your lousy thought, [laughs]
and this lousy thought has become bigger than
the whole cosmic exuberance of creation. This
means you are too full of yourself, isnt it so?
When some disastrous event happens in this cosmos,
I will let you know, so that you will have enough
reason to be miserable; till then, you have no reason,
you know? If there is any great disaster happening
in the cosmic space, I will let you know; then you
can call it a lousy day. Right now, it is just one lousy
thought worming through your brain because you
are so horribly identifed with your own nonsense
that you can miss a limitless cosmic space and be
entangled in this one lousy thought.
All thoughts are lousy. If you perceived something
fantastic
1
, there wouldnt be a thought in your
head in that moment. So there is some good news
for you and some bad news for you. Let me tell
you a little joke. A patient went to a surgeon, for
a surgery. The doctor said I have some good news
for you and some bad news for you. So the patient
asked, Whats the bad news? He said, See, this is
a very complex surgery. Even the medical text says
only one out of hundred survive this surgery. The
patient just wilted away in fear. So what is the good
news? The doctor said, Well, the last 99 surgeries
that I did, all of them died. [Laughter]
5
1
Refers to perceiving something beyond the normal sense perception
May 2011 FOREST FLOWER
Now, I will put it the other way round. The bad news
is, not many people have broken this shell. The good
news is that if you are willing, we will break it. I
said we. For sure we will break it because usually,
those who broke the shell left; very few stayed back
for a lifetime; very few ever came back. I didnt
come back to break your shells
2
.
For some reason, somebody fxed me in such a
way that I had to come back. This is the third time
around
3
; so I have seen every kind of nut. There
is a phenomenal experience behind this. [Laughs]
The Inner Engineering promotion in New Delhi
happened like this: we just had a walnut with a
string attached to it with a quote which says, If
you do not get out of your shell, you are just a
nut. [Laughter] I think this is coming elsewhere
also. Our British meditators protested, This is very
insulting; Sadhguru cannot say such things. If you
dont get the humor, youll get a tumor. [Laughter]
When you laugh, your shell breaks to some extent,
isnt it so? It again forms but at least at that moment
it breaks. If it doesnt open up at all, your brain
is as good as a tumor. It causes more trouble than
tumors, believe me. Tumors can be fxed with a
surgery sometimes. Your brain is more cancerous
than any cancer; [laughs] more trouble than any
cancer; it will torment you through your life if you
dont keep it well.
Shell breaking is very simple if the nut is willing.
Actually, right now as you sit here, everything in
you is in interaction with everything else. It is only
the shell of your thoughts and emotions which is
making you think and believe that you are a separate
entity. If you dont understand this, just hold your
breath for two minutes you will know. Without
interaction with this planet and its atmosphere, you
cannot exist for a moment. And it is not just about
this planet.
Every subatomic particle in your system is in constant
transaction with the whole existence, with the
whole cosmos, with things that are and things that
are not. There are dimensions of the atoms the basic
building blocks in your body that are constantly
transacting with the empty space; otherwise you
cannot exist. So the shell is easy to break because
it doesnt really exist. The shell is an illusion that
you have created. You are the working of this
magnifcent creation and the source of creation but
you build a shell and think you are a nut. [Laughs]
So mysticism we invent all these words because
we have enshrined ignorance mysticism exists
only because ignorance is. I have become a mystic
because you are a mistake. [Laughter] Otherwise, I
am just a normal guy. [Laughs] Because you have
made a mistake with your perception, the one who
perceives everything as it is looks like a mystic. It is
as good as calling him a freako someone different;
not normal. Well, you wouldnt say abnormal,
you would say paranormal thats bad enough.
[Laughter]
Now, you are inebriated with your own thought
and emotion this is the biggest problem. So all
the sadhana, all the spiritual process, is essentially
to give you a distance between these worms of
thoughts, which make you believe you are a nut,
and yourself. If you are out of this inebriation, you
will see, there is only one way to be to be here
and to throb with the process of life. If you throb
with this process of life, you will throb with the
whole cosmic pulse there is no other way. There
is nothing mystical about it because life happens in
many different dimensions. It is everybodys right
to know it, to have access to it, but you are too
inebriated with thought and emotion.
Never before, survival on this planet was so
organized, so simple and easy. You can just go to
a store and buy everything that you need. If for
example a cougar in the jungle tells his family,
Lets have dinner, it doesnt mean, go and sit at
the table; food will come from the refrigerator; sit
and eat. No. You have to go, smell around for
something, plan a whole deal, and act; you may get
it, you may not get it. For every other creature, it
is like this. It was so for us also for a long time.
Only now, survival is so organized and so simple.
Once survival has been taken care of, this is the
time to break the shell and know life in its larger
possibility. If after having all these comforts and
6
2
Sadhguru refers to his coming back for another two lifetimes after his enlightenment (to establish the Dhyanalinga)
3
Refers to coming back for three lifetimes after his enlightenment to fulfll his Gurus will, the consecration of the Dhyanalinga
May 2011 FOREST FLOWER

Q: I have a tendency to sabotage myself when
things are going really well. Can the Shambhavi
Maha Mudra help me break this pattern?
Sadhguru: [Laughs] So you like to play solitaire;
you want to be your own opponent. There is
suffcient life happening around to play with, you
dont have to play with yourself. When you are
by yourself, it is time to tend to this one [refers
to oneself] to grow, to evolve not to create
competition inside. If you play a double game
inside of you and it manifests itself well, you will
become sick; you will become schizophrenic.
The sadhana that has been given to you has been
given to you only after a certain fundamental
preparation that makes you see that this [yourself]
is an individual. An individual means, it is not
further divisible. This is just one, you cannot make
two out of it; but people are always busy trying to
make two out of it. You said, I sabotage myself.
But usually, people will say, Im doing great, but
my ego comes in. Where is that ego? Their ego
comes in, their soul comes in, their consciousness
comes in, their super-consciousness comes in
they have become many characters in one, which
is not safe. There is only one here just you.
The frst and foremost thing is to establish that
there is no other factor, Everything that is being
generated as an experience within me is my
doing. We have suffciently established this in
the programs that you have gone through. When
we say, It is my karma, it means It is my doing.
My life is my making; it is not somebody elses
making. It is not something else infuencing
me; it is me. This is very important. If you do
not establish this one factor, you will go on
playing these games for the rest of your life with
yourself. Life will pass very quickly. Only if one
is miserable, it is a long life. If you are blissful, it
is a very short life, you know?
The sadhana is designed to establish the
individual, to strengthen and stabilize the
individual, so that there are no two inside; there
is only one. Once this happens, these games
will recede. Initially, you have to start with a
commitment. No matter what, the next one year,
you are going to do it. No matter if it doesnt
give anything to you, no beneft just do it.
Dont everyday look at Whats happening? Did
this happen, did that happen? No, just do
it. Just do it, okay? Im not advertising for any
product [Laughter]
Excerpted from a talk by Sadhguru
wellbeing, you dont make it, there doesnt seem
to be a hope anywhere in the future, isnt it so?
Everything has been taken care of; this is the time.
No, I cant pay my bills; I cant do this, I cant do
that. That rubbish is always there because even if
I give you a million dollars, tomorrow you will still
have more bills; you are capable of that, arent you?
[Laughter] So this is the time to do it. When flling
the belly is not such a big issue, this is the time to
do it. This time in our life should not pass without
knowing life in its profoundness. Once survival is
taken care of for you, you cannot go on without
knowing life in its full depth and dimension.
Excerpted from a talk by Sadhguru
Stop Standing in Your Own Way
Sadhguru on Breaking the Patern of Self-Sabotage
May 2011 FOREST FLOWER
8
Shekhar Kapur: Sadhguru, lets go into madness, the
promised land, you know [Laughs] If I was to
convince my friends to follow this path, what do
I tell them whats there at the end of the path?
[Sadhguru laughs]
Sadhguru: In the present context, it could be scary.
Shekhar Kapur: Okay, even if its scary.
Sadhguru: See, for example, everybody can relate
to Shiva the way they want; that is why these
many forms. Shiva is Bholenath
1
, an innocent
child; you can play with him whichever way you
want. He is a fery god. He is Neelakantha
2
. He is
Sadashiva
3
. And he is a million other things. But
essentially, the word Shiva means that which is
not. So, what is that which is not? Why are we
looking at that which is not? That which is not is
the basis of creation. It is the empty space of the
existence which is the womb of creation. So, we say
Shiva is the basis of everything. This is the highest
level of physical sciences expressed in a beautiful,
dialectical format. So, Shiva is that which is still,
and that which is not. Out of that pops creation
because he came in touch with a certain energy
which we refer to as Shakti. Whenever Shakti just
passes by, he roars. Some call it Big Bang. We
call it, He rises as Rudra. He roars and creates his
frst form, which is an ellipsoid. From that springs
all creation. The physical sciences are 100% in
agreement with this today.
The End of the Path
Shekhar Kapur in Conversation with Sadhguru
8

1
An aspect of Shiva as easily pleased, credulous, innocent Lord

2
One with a blue throat

3
Literally Pure Shiva, an aspect of Shiva that refects absolute stillness
May 2011 FOREST FLOWER

9
They [modern scientists] say it is a dark energy.
Shiva has always been referred to as the Dark
One. So, what we refer to as Shiva is just that
which is not. We are not talking about a god who
is sitting up there. But why the form? The form
is because the frst yogi is also called Shiva, because
he realized Shiva [or that which is not]. We dont
see any difference between what is perceived and
the one who perceives it. So, when we say Shiva,
one moment we will refer to the frst yogi, the aadhi
yogi, whom we worship for all the knowledge he
has given us and the next moment, we refer to
that aspect of Shiva which is limitless, boundless
nothingness. We seamlessly move from this to that
because this is a dialectical culture. This is how life
is. Life is constantly fowing from logic to illogic,
illogic to logic, masculine to feminine, feminine
to masculine. People who think their lives out are
always in confict. They are not able to fgure out
the nature of life. They are not able to experience
life, because they are trying to stick onto one thing.
This is like standing on the right bank of the river
and thinking the left bank is wrong. If you try to
eliminate the left bank, you will eliminate the river
and the right bank too.
We dont refer to the basis of the existence and the
one who knows the union of being with existence as
separate identities, though they are two. Life is not
happening separately. Everything is intermingled
with everything.
9
Q: Why is Shiva, the Mahadeva, known as
Bholenath, the Ignorant One?
Sadhguru: Shiva is the height of ignorance
because knowledge is always a limited thing.
How much ever we know, it is still limited
knowledge. But ignorance is limitless. That
is why we called him Bholenath he is the
Ignorant One; he knows nothing. And you too
know nothing, just bits and pieces of assumption
that keep the drama going. If you truly see,
I know nothing, the drama will close. If you
simply see, I do not know anything at all, you
will naturally become meditative.
You know, my father says about me, He was
such a dull boy. I dont know what happened;
suddenly, he has become a genius. [Laughter]
Why he thought that I was a dull boy is, when
I was four years of age, I realized one thing
that I know nothing! Nothing means absolutely
nothing. Because I knew nothing, I had to pay
attention. If you know nothing, whatever you
see, engages you. If they gave me a glass of water,
I dont know what water is, so I would sit here,
staring at this water for hours. I remember a
certain day when I was looking at a dried-out
eucalyptus leaf with incredible attention and my
father thought that I have gone crazy because
I was just paying attention. When you know
nothing and you look at something, how can you
shift your attention? Only because you assume a
lot of things, you go around in the world without
paying attention.
So Bholenath means he is childlike. Shiva is
always seen as a very powerful being; at the
same time as not so crafty with the world. Not
that he is stupid but he does not care to use
intelligence in petty ways. You will always fnd
that the most intelligent people are very easy
to take for a ride because they cannot subject
their intelligence to petty things. People of a
very low level of intelligence which is crafty and
shrewd can easily outsmart an intelligent person.
In terms of money, in terms of society this kind
of intelligence means something. But it doesnt
mean anything in terms of life.
Excerpted from a talk by Sadhguru
Limitless Ignorance
May 2011 FOREST FLOWER
10
1
Traditional offering to the Guru
A Touch of Humanity
Krishna Embarks to Retrieve His Gurus Son 2
What happened so far: Towards the end of his time
as a brahmachari, Krishna offers his Guru Sandipani
as a guru dakshina
1
to bring back his son who had
been captured by pirates. Krishna and his brother
Balarama manage to get onto the pirate ship. Krishna
makes friends with the navigator. The chief pirate
sees the two boys as good human merchandise and
orders that they should be treated well.
They were given good food and were taken good
care of. Krishna went about freely in the ship, trying
to make friends with everybody. Panchajanya
watched this he didnt like friendship. Friendship
was a danger to him. He wanted the whole ship to be
constantly on alert and in fear of him. When he saw
that people started talking to Krishna and laughing
with him, he said, This is too much. You come
into my cabin. You must sit in this hold; dont go
out. Krishna sat with Panchajanya and started long
conversations with him. Unwittingly, Panchajanya
couldnt help answering the boys questions. He got
involved in conversations and arguments with him.
Two bodyguards were constantly with Panchajanya,
Hukku and Hullu, real giants of men who always
carried cattle whips. If anybody was off the way, he
was punished by this whipping.
Krishna made inquiries about the next destination.
Bikru, the navigator, told him it was Kushasthali,
which is now called Dvaraka, which happened to
be an island at one time. Our master would like to
sell you there. But if you dont fetch a good price
there, we will take you to the next port which is a
much longer journey, to Puri. There defnitely you
Leela Series
The path of the playful
May 2011 FOREST FLOWER
11
will fetch a good price. And that is where we sold
Punardatta, Sandipanis son. Krishna said, Thats
fne. I would like to be sold there too.
In the meantime, a young carpenter named Raddhi
who was working as a crew member on the ship
happened to sleep off on his job because he was not
well. The report went to Panchajana, who did not
take such things kindly. Raddhi was dragged on
deck. Panchajana wanted to make an example of
this, so he asked Hukku to take the cattle whip and
give Raddhi six lashes. Six lashes from this giant of
a man left bleeding wounds on the boys back who
just passed out and was dragged away. Krishna saw
this; he did not like the situation. When the night
set in, Krishna and Balarama went to the carpenter
boy. Krishna took Raddhis head into his lap, and
with some of the little quota of drinking water that
was given to them and a piece of cloth, he cleaned
his wounds and applied some medicine that was
available on the ship. Both of them sat there with
him till he fell asleep.
Next day morning, this news spread around among
the crew. All the crew very stealthily came and
watched this strange event. Such a thing had never
happened on this ship that one human being reached
out to another, expressing love and care. Everyman
for himself that was how they had always lived.
But these two boys, not caring what punishment
would invariably come, were nursing this young
carpenter till he fell asleep. The next day, another
boy of 17 happened to steal something, so he got
the same kind of punishment 12 lashes. His whole
back was ripped off. Again, Krishna and Balarama
cleaned the boys wounds with their small quota
of drinking water. He was in such pain, so they sat
with him through the night.
Then, this huge hulk of a man appeared Hullu. He
saw this and couldnt believe that these young boys
dared to sit with this boy who had been punished
and nursed him. He said, What are you doing?
Krishna said, Were just putting him to sleep. He
said, You cannot do such things. Krishna said,
Who says so? Our master, Panchajana, says so.
Krishna said, But this is what I do if somebody is
in pain, I reach out. Your master cannot stop this.
Hullu, even though he was a great hulk of a man,
didnt have answers for something like this. He was
used to people being terrorized the moment they saw
him. But here, there was a young boy who looked
up at him, smiled and talked to him, and asked him
questions about the fundamentals of his job. Hullu
didnt know what to do. He said, Come with me. Let
me take you to the boss. Talk all this with him; its
beyond me. So he took both of them, Krishna and
Balarama, to Panchajana. Panchajana was furious,
What were you doing? he asked. Krishna said,
We were just helping him to sleep. Is there any
problem about that? You dont do such things on
my ship, said Panchajana. Krishna replied, If I see
suffering, I reach out. This is my dharma. Nobody
can stop me from doing that. Panchajana looked at
this boy and said, What is this dharma nonsense?
I am the law on this ship. I say no. No. Krishna said,
That doesnt go with me. Wherever I am, I follow
my dharma. I reach out to people no matter what
the law is. Panchajana said, It looks like you need
some treatment. But then he looked at the boys;
they were such good merchandise. If he whipped
them and stripped off their skin, they would not sell
well. So he said, Hullu, just lock them up in the
hold. Give them food. Dont let them out. There is
no point using the whip on them. We will lose the
price. You dont destroy your own merchandise. So
they were taken and locked up in a wooden cage at
the bottom of the ship.
The crew didnt know what to make out of these
two strange people who were so puny and small
compared to them but went about doing things
in their own way. Never before had another man
dared to stand up and speak in front of Panchajana,
not follow his orders and survived to see the next
wink of the eye. But somehow, these two boys had
survived this. So slowly, among this illiterate crew,
stories started spreading that there is something
about them. It looked like they were not real human
beings; they were spirits. Especially for Hullu, one
of the whip men who was brought up in desert lands
with all this spirit business, it really put the fear of
evil spirits in him. He sat down and prayed that
these evil spirits who had come on the ship should
not touch him.
Later in the night, Bikru, the navigator, came
down to the hold and told Krishna, We are
May 2011 FOREST FLOWER
12
1
Refers to Sadhgurus previous incarnation as Sadhguru Shri Brahma
1
Sadhguru Shri Brahma
changing direction; we are not going to our original
destination. We are going much further away.
Krishna wanted to go to Puri because Punardatta,
his Gurus son, was there. But now, Panchajana
had decided to change course and go somewhere
else. So he told Bikru, I want to get out of this
cage. I will break it and come out. Bikru said,
Dont do such a thing. If you break the cage and
come out, it will mean death penalty. But Krishna
said, Find some way to open this lock and let me
out by morning. If you dont, Im going to break
the cage and come out anyway; death penalty or
otherwise. Because if youre going to take me to
some other port, what will I do there? I want to
go to Puri.
By morning, Krishna had broken out of the cage
and the carpenter whom he had nursed slipped in
and fxed the cage as it was. Krishna and Balarama
freely walked about the deck. Panchajana came
to know that these two boys were out and asked,
Who let them out? People said, Nobody let them
out. So they broke the cage? That means death
penalty. Money or no money its enough. Lets
put an end to these two fools. Did they break the
cage? Hullu went to inspect the cage and saw it was
not broken. The cage was intact. The lock was right
there as it had been, but the boys had just come out.
He got totally terrifed. These are defnitely some
evil spirits, he thought. In total terror, he went
to Panchajana and told him, The boys have not
broken the cage. The lock is still intact. They have
just come out. Panchajana also felt a little tremor
within himself.
Let me tell you a story. About 7075 years ago,
in the present town of Coonoor, a hill station,
Sadhguru
2
had a little ashram; it is still intact. The
British established a cordite factory there that
means explosives so Coonoor was a high security
area. There was a little railway station. Because
of all these revolutionaries and freedom fghters,
there was a general ban on any Indian walking in
that area. But Sadhguru
3
, who didnt know such
rules and boundaries, just crossed the railway
station because it was a shorter way for him. One
day, they arrested him because repeatedly, he was
breaking the rule, and they put him behind bars. He
just walked through the bars and went away. They
didnt know what to do with him. Never again they
touched him. Nor was he interested in the cordite
factory. He just walked through the bars, simply
like that. But Krishna used the carpenter. He doesnt
mind these things
To be continued
May 2011 FOREST FLOWER
13
Popular yoga guru Baba Ramdev made his second
visit to Isha Yoga Center on 30 March 2011. He
was welcomed with a pada pooja (a traditional
way of washing the Gurus feet), chanting by
the Samskriti children, and an intense display
of Kalaripayattu in the Veerabhadra Akhada (the
recently opened Kalari).
A resident of Isha Yoga Center shares: Baba Ramdev
started the sathsang with a shloka about Isha.
He quoted many texts to explain the meaning of
Isha the formless divine which pervades the
universe. He also shared his dream and vision of a
self-reliant, corruption free and prosperous India. He
spoke of his initiative Bharat Swabhiman Andolan,
an anti-corruption campaign to re-establish the lost
glory of India and to present it as the spiritual capital
of the world. Though he was not speaking the native
language of the audience, his humorous yet serene
way of expression and frequent quotes from the
scriptures captivated us for that one hour.
Early the next morning, Baba Ramdev and Sadhguru
addressed the people of Coimbatore at the VOC
Ground during a yoga camp conducted by Baba
Ramdev from 5 to 7:30 a.m.
Baba Ramdev spoke of the need for social spirituality
and the necessity to introduce spirituality into the
mainstream of society. On the invitation of Baba
Ramdev, Sadhguru was present at the closing of the
program. He spoke of the wonderful work that Baba
Ramdev was doing in introducing yoga to people and
added jokingly that thanks to Baba Ramdev, people
who had never seen the sun rise were now waking
up well before the sun.
Sadhguru also stressed the importance of introducing
at least one drop of spirituality into the life of
every individual, saying that spirituality was an
absolute necessity in todays world of technology
and expansion. The discourse was punctuated with
frequent applause from a crowd of over 1000 people.
Of course, Sounds of Isha closed the program with
their signature tunes. The event was telecast live on
Aastha Channel.
Baba Ramdev Visits Isha Yoga Center /
Sadhguru Speaks at Baba Ramdevs Yoga Camp in Coimbatore
May 2011 FOREST FLOWER
14
Immediately after the spirited closing of the Chennai
Isha Yoga program on 27 March, Sadhguru jetted off
in his typical nomadic way traversing the country
from south to north.
While Sunday night saw him amidst over 16,000
effervescent Tamil people, Monday saw him in
Jalandhar, Punjab, addressing a public crowd of
over 5000. There, the Nanhi Chhaan Foundation,
an initiative of MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal,
organized the Divine Confuence where
spiritual leaders spoke about the tragedy
of female feticide. In Sadhgurus words,
Rather than enshrining the feminine,
the people are resorting to shameful
brutalities against her. It is time that we
value her as an essential ingredient in our
lives. Also present at the event were Sri
Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal, the 69
th

Shankaracharya
1
of Kanchi Math
2
, Akal
Takht
3
Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh,
and Jain representative Dr. Lokesh Muni
of Ahimsa Vishwa Bharati
4
.
On 29 March, Sadhguru visited the Vasant
Valley School, a co-educational private
high school in Delhi, to engage the 12
th
standard
students, teachers and parents in a lively Q & A
session. The day ended with an intimate dinner
get-together with some of the most infuential
members of the Delhi community.
On the following day, on the invitation of the
Government of Punjab, Sadhguru headed to Mohali
for the high voltage cricket World Cup semi-fnal
between India and Pakistan. However, on the
From Chennai to Punjab to Delhi to...Cricket!
Sadhguru Militates against Female Feticide
1
Head of a monastery in the Advaita tradition
2
Hindu monastic institution in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, allegedly established by the Adi Shankaracharya in the ffth century BCE
3
Literally The Seat of the Timeless One; one of the fve temporal physical religious authorities of the Sikhs
4
An NGO with the goal to promote non-violence, peace and spirituality
May 2011 FOREST FLOWER
15
The offcial blog of Isha Foundation was launched
recently at blog.ishafoundation.org. A blog (or web
log) is a personal website or a shared online journal
where one records happenings, opinions and links to
other sites. From happenings in Isha centers across
the world to Sadhgurus latest events and talks, this
blog gives you the latest updates with videos, photos,
and sharings. It also features Sadhgurus weekly blog
known as Sadhguru Spot.
The blog is an interactive medium. You can
contribute too, by sharing the beautiful moments
happening through Isha. Send your sharing/photo/
video to blog@ishafoundation.org.
New Isha Blog Online Now
way, endearingly persistent Isha volunteers in
Chandigarh insisted that he stopped and conducted
a sathsang for them. Sadhguru spoke about the
Ananda Alai Wave of Bliss in Tamil Nadu, and
his vision of a spiritual revolution by bringing one
drop of spirituality into every persons life. After
inviting them to the ashram, Sadhguru continued
his journey to the Mohali Cricket Stadium.
Before the match, in an interview on the golf course
to the Hindustan Times, he said of the cricket players,
They shouldnt play for India. They shouldnt play
for the nation. They shouldnt play for diplomacy.
They must just whack the ball to the boundary.
The Indian Team and especially Virender Sehwag
who got India off to a blazing start must have taken
this advice to heart. No wonder India won by 29
runs against Pakistan and a few days later with 6
wickets against Sri Lanka the Cricket World Cup!
May 2011 FOREST FLOWER
The Wave Hits Mysore
Sadhguru Offers First Inner Engineering in His Home Town
The 15
th
of April dawned bright and pleasant for
the city of Mysore with the promise of wonderful
possibilities to come. Sadhguru was in Mysore, a
town which had seen him through his youth, and
his frst Inner Engineering program in the city
would begin that evening.
The Sri Suttur Veerashimhasana Math, or in short
Suttur Math, which was hosting the event, was abuzz
with anticipation as the program arrangements
were revved up to a feverish pitch. The whole
atmosphere turned electric with Sadhgurus arrival
at the program hall. Right on Day One, Sadhguru
initiated the participants into the Isha Kriya a
very simple, but highly potent practice which can
be taught by anyone.
On the second day of the program, the metaphorical
roller-coaster ride the participants were taken on
picked up speed. Infused with Sadhgurus unerring
mix of humor and deep insights, the meditators-
to-be could not help but being lifted out of their
preconceptions about life.
The participants were surprised with an extensive
games session which, as many of them shared,
made them feel like kids again. Later in the day,
during Sadhgurus talk, time seemed to cease for the
participants, immersed as they were in his words.
Before long, the most momentous moment for
them had come the initiation into the Shambhavi
Maha Mudra. As Sadhguru led them through the
process, an explosive silence permeated the entire
venue. After the session, one of the participants,
Krishnamurthy, shared, It was a wonderful
experience being with Sadhguru and the energies
pouring out of him. It was really fortunate that we
were initiated by Sadhguru on a pournami [full-
moon] day. Simply observing the changes in myself
from being involved in the sessions is phenomenal.
The program came to an end with Sadhguru
thanking the Suttur Math residents, volunteers and
staff who had gone out of their way to make this
program possible. The last act of the night was by
Sounds of Isha who stepped up the voltage of the
already electric atmosphere in the hall with Alai,
Alai, Alai the Ananda Alai song. Participants and
volunteers cheered, danced, clapped and jumped
with the joy of receiving what could mark a new
beginning in their lives.
A participant, Rinku Naren, summed his program
experience up in the following words, The last 3
days were a blessed time for me and am sure for
every person present there. To be in Sadhgurus
presence, to breathe the same air as him... I am
blessed is all that I can say! Its up to me now to
use the knowledge imparted by him... Not an easy
task but I know that he is with me and available to
me at all times. The Isha Yoga - Inner Engineering
program has touched me in more ways than I can
comprehend at this moment... I only know that
it will unravel in the coming days. Thank you,
Sadhguru! The rest of the participants obviously
agreed. Given the enthusiasm and intensity with
which they had gone through the program, they are
on the best way to allow the seed sown into them to
unfold in all its color and fragrance.

21 April 2011, a seemingly ordinary day, marked a
milestone for humanity, with the commencement of
the construction of the Aadhi Yogi Aalayam. When
fnished, this 50,000 sq. ft. meditation hall and
28,000 sq. ft. mandapam will be an offering and a
promise to the world, a space where one can receive
powerful initiations into a spiritual process.
Traditionally, in India, before constructing a new
building, a bhumi pooja is performed upon the earth
on which the building will constructed.
Under the scalding rays of the mid-morning sun,
hundreds of people were welcomed onto the site
with Aadhi Yogi chants sung by the Samskriti
children. The bustle of excitement surrounded one
massive stone, which was engraved with a conjoined
sun and moon, symbolizing the ultimate union of the
dualities. Soon, Sadhguru entered the scene, striding
briskly to the stone. Amid gestures and signals, the
foundation stone was properly positioned.
After washing the rock, Sadhguru playfully hopped
atop a table to smear the carved sun with vibhuti,
and the half-moon with kumkum before adorning
the stone with a mala.
Everybody then sat down for the Guru Pooja,
which was followed by a short address by Sadhguru.
As brahmacharies subsequently distributed the
prasadam that Sadhguru had blessed, Samskriti
children chanted Yogeshwarya, Mahadevaya a
perfect tribute to the Aadhi Yogi.
Sadhgurus message on the Bhumi Pooja of Aadhi
Yogi Alayam (translated from Tamil):
Within myself, I have always been bothered that the great Aadhi Yogi is not being held
on the right kind of pedestal that He deserves in this world. With this in mind, we are
creating suitable tools not just as a sign of gratitude, but also to make the knowledge
and technology He has given to the world available to more and more people. We want to
start this in many other places in the world, but the frst step is happening at the foothills
of these mountains.
This is only the frst step. We stand here today with a promise within us that we will make
His footprint happen all over the world.
- Sadhguru
The First Tribute
Bhumi Pooja for the Aadhi Yogi Aalayam
17 May 2011 FOREST FLOWER

18
Just one visit of her temple near Isha Yoga Center, one taste of her Presence and Grace
can be enough to have us spellbound. For all those who are longing to invite this
whimsical and compassionate Devi into their own private living and ofce spaces and
make her part of their lives, Sadhguru has created Linga Bhairavi yantras.
Tese very special yantras ofer the immense benediction of creating a consecrated
space in your home.
Te Linga Bhairavi Yantra and the Linga Bhairavi Avighna Yantra are unique and
powerful energy forms, especially and specifcally designed and consecrated by
Sadhguru.
While the Linga Bhairavi Yantra is geared to create a situation of inner and outer wellbeing
in your home, the Linga Bhairavi Avighna Yantra is designed to create a situation of
personal and material wellbeing in larger spaces, especially business locations, ofces,
hospitals, or any other commercial, public or private building, as well as residential
estates of more than 3000 sq. f.
One who earns the Grace of Bhairavi neither has to live in concern or fear
of life or death, of poverty, or of failure. All that a human being considers
as wellbeing will be his if only he earns the Grace of Bhairavi.
- Sadhguru
Bring the Devis Grace into Your Home!
Linga Bhairavi Yantra / Linga Bhairavi Avighna Yantra
Linga Bhairavi Yantra
May 2011 FOREST FLOWER
19
Since we got the Yantra, we have experienced
tremendous wellbeing on all levels: our physical
health, emotional stability, spiritual growth as
well as material growth. Te Yantra works in
miraculous ways to enhance your life as you
become more and more devoted to the Devi.
Purnima Rathod,
Director, Endoscopy Asia, Mumbai
Afer the Avighna Yantra has come to us, lots
of opportunities have come our way. Whatever I
wished for, the Devi kept granting it. Every little
thing is happening in our favor.
Shanthini Suresh,
Acupuncture Physician, Erode
The next opportunity to receive a consecrated Linga Bhairavi
Yantra or Linga Bhairavi Avighna Yantra in a special ceremony with
Sadhguru is on 14 July 2011 at Isha Yoga Center.
For more information on the Yantras and on how to receive one, please contact us:
Tel.: +91-094438 35000, +91-094432 51234 Email: yantra@lingabhairavi.org
Linga Bhairavi Avighna Yantra
May 2011 FOREST FLOWER
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21
Program Highlights
These programs are conducted in English, unless indicated otherwise. Current at the time of print, however subject to
change. For full program schedules and updates, please visit our website www.ishafoundation.org.
Date Program Place Contact
2 - 5 June 2011
Inner Engineering
Retreat
Residential Program
Isha Yoga Center,
Coimbatore, India
0422-2515421
maa.karpoori@ishafoundation.org
6 - 26 June 2011
3-Week Sadhana
Residential Program
IIIS, USA
+1-931-668-1900
registration.iii@ishafoundation.org
9 - 12 June 2011
Shoonya Intensive
Residential Program
IIIS, USA
+1-931-668-1900
registration.iii@ishafoundation.org
11 - 15 June 2011
The Inner Way
Residential Program con-
ducted by Sadhguru
Isha Yoga Center,
Coimbatore, India
For general program-related inquiries
(excluding registration, confrmation or
payment): 99449 31964
15 Jun - 3 Jul 2011
(Two travel plans)
Himalayan Dhyan Yatra Indian Himalayas
9488 111 777
info@ishakailash.com
23 - 26 June 2011
Inner Engineering
Retreat
Residential Program
Isha Yoga Center,
Coimbatore, India
0422-2515421
maa.karpoori@ishafoundation.org
26 - 29 June 2011
Bhava Spandana
(English / Hindi - Ladies)
Residential Program
Isha Yoga Center,
Coimbatore, India
0422-2515300
programinfo@ishafoundation.org
7 - 10 July 2011
Inner Engineering
Retreat
Residential Program
Isha Yoga Center,
Coimbatore, India
0422-2515421
maa.karpoori@ishafoundation.org
8 - 10 July 2011
Inner Engineering
conducted by Sadhguru
Bangalore, India
94808 36603, 94808 36604
bangalore@ishafoundation.org
15 Sep - 3 Oct 2011
(Two travel plans)
Himalayan Dhyan Yatra Indian Himalayas
9488 111 777
info@ishakailash.com
6 Jul - 21 Aug
2011 (In ten 15-day
batches)
Kailash Manasarovar
Sojourn
Nepal, Tibet
9488 111 777
info@ishakailash.com
15 - 22 Dec 2011
Mahabharat
Residential Program
conducted by Sadhguru
Isha Yoga Center,
Coimbatore, India
94449 02058
mahabharat@ishafoundation.org
May 2011 FOREST FLOWER
22
Isha Recipes
For Healthy Living
Ingredients:
kg Cashew nuts
kg Dried grapes
kg Oats
kg Sweetened condensed milk (e.g. Milkmaid)
kg Ash gourd seeds or pumpkin seeds (dried)
kg Dates (cut into small pieces)
4 Coconuts (grated)
l Sunfower oil
50 g Cinnamon (powdered)
GRANOLA CRUNCH
Method:
Put all ingredients, apart from the condensed milk, in a large bowl and mix well.
Spread the mixture evenly on an oiled tray.
Pour the condensed milk over it.
Place the tray in the oven and bake at 100 C for approx. 15 20 min. Stir mixture regularly with a
spatula until it is evenly golden brown.
Allow to cool, break into pieces, and store in an airtight container.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Note:
Granola makes for a nutritious breakfast, especially for children. Stored dry and airtight, it
keeps for three months.
Tasty Tip: Add coconut milk and serve!
May 2011 FOREST FLOWER
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