Volume 6 / Issue 11 November 2018

Nothing
As all aspired to conquer
the finite that ever multiplies
The seemingly foolish Me let
the infinite conquer me.

I remain innocent to the

Powers and Pleasures of a king
or conqueror. But revel in
the Ecstasy of Abandon.
Unmindful that I have been
invaded by the Infinite.
A force that destroys your
person and all the attendant
concerns, to render you
to be Blameless, Sinless, Homeless.
Not just less than someone
but a boundless – Nothing

Grace & Blessings

 EDITORIAL

Dear Readers,
As the first leg of Youth and Truth In our Sharing Experiences section, we
lies behind us, it’s time to recap the bring you an exceptionally perceptive
whirlwind of Sadhguru’s energy- and articulate account of how “Living in
packed interactions with students Devi’s Presence and Grace” can impact
across the country. The response was all areas of one’s life.
truly overwhelming, with thousands
Also in this issue: “War Looms Large”
of questions by inquisitive youngsters
over the opponents of Mahabharat. In
pouring in. The events were filled
the News & Events section, apart from
with deep explorations and heated
the flurry of “Youth and Truth” events,
debates, dance and laughter, and a
we cover “Kashi Krama,” an exploration
thirst for more. With no question off-
of India’s spiritual capital; Isha Outreach
limits, some of the hottest topics were
receiving a national award for their
politics, spiritual process, sex, and love.
rural sports initiatives, and Sadhguru’s
Our Lead Article “Love Matters” engagements at the UNESCO in Paris
combines three of the most popular on and around Gandhi Jayanti, in an
questions by students about love, effort to create a culture of peace. We
from “who is the right one” to the top off our offerings for this month
relevance of matching horoscopes with a classical Diwali sweet recipe,
and unconditional love. A warm, all- presented with an interesting twist in
embracing love is one of the qualities terms of health, nutrition, and taste: a
many devotees experience in the mouthwatering “Palm Jaggery Mysuru
presence of Linga Bhairavi Devi. In Paaka.” Enjoy!
“Decoding Devi’s Third Eye,” Sadhguru
The Editorial Team
reveals, probably for the first time in
this way, what the mystical, mysterious
Third Eye actually is. Suffice to say
here that the reality is not quite as the
common depictions may lead you to
believe, even in terms of location.

Contact the Editorial Team:

Isha Forest Flower, Isha Yoga Center, Velliangiri Foothills, Ishana Vihar Post, Coimbatore – 641114
forestflower@ishafoundation.org
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96770 16700 – subscriptions.FF@ishafoundation.org
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2 | ISHA FOREST FLOWER November 2018

CONTENTS

LEAD ARTICLE MAHABHARAT

Love Matters 04 Part 48: War Looms Large 09

LEAD ARTICLE
Love Matters 4

MUSINGS
Decoding Devi’s Third Eye 7
What Happens When You Skip Your Kriya? 8

MAHABHARAT
Part 48: War Looms Large 9

NEWS & EVENTS

Youth and Truth – Cross Country 11
Kashi Krama – Sadhguru in the City of Light 17
National Award for Isha’s Sports Outreach 18
Sadhguru at the UNESCO – Creating a Culture of Peace 18

SHARING EXPERIENCES
Living in Devi’s Presence and Grace 19

UPCOMING PROGRAMS & EVENTS

Isha – Program & Event Highlights 20

ISHA RECIPES
Palm Jaggery Mysore Pak 21

ZEN SPEAKS
Walking in the Rain 23

November 2018 ISHA FOREST FLOWER | 3

 LEAD ARTICLE

Love Matters
Of the many questions that came up during Youth and Truth, those around love and relationships were on the
top of the list. Here are three of them that were particularly popular.

Who Is the Right One?
Questioner: How do you know that the person you
are with is the right one for you? Is there such a
thing as a soul mate?  in this world, the first and foremost thing is to bring
Sadhguru: Who is the right person? I do not want
to take away all the romance from your life. But
let me tell you this: There is no right person on
this planet. If you put your heart into something,
something may become wonderful. Is it the right
thing? There is no right thing. No one ever found the
right person anywhere. If you get into this kind of
unrealistic mindset, you will soon be disappointed.
There is no right person. Instead of asking yourself
if this is the right person, first of all, you need to see
if you are the right person. There are no right people
on this planet. If you understand that you have your
nonsense and they have their nonsense, we can
adjust the nonsense and go on.
Relationships are formed for various needs.
There are physical needs, psychological needs,
and emotional needs; there may be social needs,
financial needs – various kinds of needs. When you
are going to someone with so many compulsive
needs, you are going as a beggar, and a beggar
cannot choose. If you really want to make a choice
yourself to a place where your experience of life
is pleasant by yourself. If you are really wonderful,
things will happen in every way. In terms of career,
in terms of marriage, in terms of relationships, the
best will happen to you because you made yourself
like that. Instead of trying to work on someone else
and fix them, work upon yourself and make yourself
so wonderful that everyone wants to be with you.
This whole thing about finding a “soul mate” is
a very American idea, as if God made one more
person just for you. But these days, every couple of
years, he seems to be making one more person just
for you. That means obviously, God is making too
many mistakes with you. First of all, I do not like
to use the word “soul,” but now that you uttered
it… If the body needs a mate, understandable.
Maybe psychologically, you also need a mate,

4 | ISHA FOREST FLOWER November 2018

understandable. Emotionally, you need a mate. The
soul does not need a mate, nor was some person
made perfectly for you. This creation makes all
kinds of unique idiots. If you understand you are one
kind of idiot and the others are different kinds, you
will understand their nonsense because you know
you got your own stuff. If you think you are perfect
and God has chosen you and he has made another
person perfect somewhere else, you are heading
for a disaster.
Even today, after 5000 years, people are still
adulating and worshiping Krishna as the greatest
lover, but his wives were dead unhappy with
the guy. You are not going to find any perfect
person. If you invest a deep sense of involvement,
something wonderful may happen. Because of
your involvement, not because the other person is
fantastic. Even if you choose a fool, if you involve
yourself, it can turn out beautifully. Even if you
choose the smartest person in the universe, it could
be a disaster. Do not think in terms of being “made
for each other.” The genders are opposites. You
choose the opposite because you do not want them
to be exactly like you.
The reason why a boy is attracted to a girl and a
girl to a boy is because they are different. But after
sometime, you slowly start expecting they are just
like you. This is a serious mistake. If there was one
more person just like you at home, could you live
there? You are glad they are different. No one on
this planet is like you, and that is good. Do not look
for sameness. Because of the difference, you tango,
not otherwise.
How Important Are Matching Stars?
Questioner: Sadhguru, we are told that one has to
match horoscopes before a wedding, or a girl who
is supposed to wed a tree first before she can marry
the guy, and things like that.
Sadhguru: I like this idea of marrying a tree. I am
married to trees, you know. [Laughs] I think it is
a good idea; a very stable partner. In today’s life,
getting someone so rooted is a rare thing. Matching
horoscopes means stars are being matched, but
how do you match these two idiots? Only if they
take responsibility for each other, if they show some
sense of involvement and invest their lives in each
other, then something wonderful may happen. If
you try to match them, no matter what you do,
nothing is going to work out. This is why for most
people, love affairs and marriages are beautiful only
for some time. After that, it is one big anxiety or
non-stop friction – simply because people are trying
to match each other. You cannot match people. No
November 2018
two human beings are the same. It will not work
that way. It is just that if you hold the other person’s
wellbeing above your own, then everything will
work out. If your life is about extracting happiness
from someone else, it will become bitter over a
period of time.
…if you hold the other person’s wellbeing
above your own, then everything
will work out.
If your life is about sharing the joy that you are, then
everything will work out. It does not matter what
the stars say. Once you have come here as a human
being, you are supposed to create your own life.
Human beings are the only creatures on the planet
who can structure their own lives. If you want to
give that up and allow inanimate things like planets
and stars to decide your future, it is a tragic way
to exist. Please take your life into your hands. How
silly is it if a third person, who may not even know
you, is going to tell you whether you will live happily
or not with your husband or your wife? No matter
what kind of fool you marry, you must take up the
responsibility to live well. And that is the only way
you will live well.
Does Unconditional Love Exist?
Questioner: Sadhguru, is unconditional love truly
possible?
Sadhguru: Your experience of love means you feel
a certain sweetness of emotion within yourself.
Maybe someone stimulates it in you, but essentially,
it happens within you. You are using the other
person as a key to open up an experience within
you. Why are you using a key when there is no lock,
when there is no door, when there is no barrier? It is
just that you are a push-start machine right now. If
you owned an Ambassador twenty-five years ago,
two people had to push it for it to start. Now all the
cars are self-start, which is a technological upgrade.
Would you like to upgrade your technology so that
you are on self-start? Being on self-start means that
if you wake up in the morning, you are overflowing
with joy, love, and exuberance, by yourself. You do
not need anyone to stimulate you. If you would
like to be a self-start machine, then you must
come to me.
If someone is stimulating love in you, that is fine.
But it is very important that you are a self-start
machine. Otherwise, after some time, you try to
extract happiness from the other person. That is
ISHA FOREST FLOWER | 5
when love affairs become tedious and horrible,
because you are trying to extract happiness from
the other person. Life should be like this: When it
comes to joy, love, and exuberance of life, you must
be the source of it. Other things are shared in life.
There are two ways to enter into a relationship:
One way is because you want to extract something
from someone. Another way is because you want
to share something with someone. If you are out to
share, your life will be good. If you are out to extract,
when they close the tap, it is going to get nasty.
You have seen people who thought they were
absolute lovers, how terrible it becomes for many
of them. Not because there is anything wrong with
them. Simply because they started off on the wrong
footing, thinking “this person is the source of my
joy.” They are not. Whether it is joy or misery, the
source is within you. It is for you to decide. If you
are a joyful human being, they will also want to be
with you. If you are a miserable human being, they
will endure you for some time.
Shall I tell you a joke? On a certain day, Shankaran
Pillai was walking in a park, around sunset. He saw
a young, pretty looking woman sitting on a stone
bench. He went and sat down on the same bench.
After some time, he moved a little closer. She moved
a little away. He allowed a few minutes and again
6 | ISHA FOREST FLOWER
moved a little closer. She moved a little away. Again
he moved closer. Now there was nowhere else to
go for her, because she was at the end of the bench.
She pushed him away. He waited for two minutes,
just so that the sun gets to the right angle. Then he
went down on his knees and he said, “I love you. I
love you like I have never loved anyone in my life.”
You know, women are fools for love. The sun was
setting, the ambience was right, and she yielded to
him. Nature took over. Things happened between
them. Then he looked at his watch – it was eight
o’clock in the evening. He got up and said, “I need
to go.” She said, “Where are you going? You said you
love me!” He said, “My wife is waiting. I need to go.”
For a whole lot of people, I love you is like an “open
sesame” – you want to get something. Maybe
your needs are physical, psychological, emotional,
financial, social, or whatever else. You have needs
to fulfill, so you use this mantra, and it works, at
least half the time.
It is important that you know the joy of being
loving. You need sweetness of emotion if you want
to take really big steps in your life. If you do not
have sweetness of love in your heart and you try to
take big steps in the world, particularly in India, you
will end up frustrated.
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November 2018

Decoding Devi’s Third Eye
Sadhguru throws light on Linga Bhairavi’s Third Eye, and how she can even have one if she does not have an
Agna chakra – or does she? Read on to find out.
Questioner: Namaskaram, Sadhguru. You
mentioned that Linga Bhairavi Devi is made up of
three and half chakras – Muladhara, Swadishthana,
Manipuraka, and half of Anahata. At the same time,
one of the names we use to refer to her is Trinetrini,
“the one with the Third Eye.” If the Third Eye is
linked to the Agna chakra, then does Linga Bhairavi
have an Agna chakra as well?
Sadhguru: The Third Eye does not have a physical
location as you think. Because you have two eyes
here, you assume the Third Eye has to be located
somewhere in the middle. It is not like that. It is
just that these two eyes can see only that which
stops light. You can see an object only because it
is stopping light. Suppose the object became such
that light passes right through, if it was entirely
transparent, you would not see it.
The only reason you are able to see what is around
you right now is because the air is transparent. If
the air stopped light, you could not see anything. So,
with these two eyes, you can see only that which
is physical. Even within the physical dimension, you
cannot see everything that is physical. With these
two eyes, you can see only the grossest aspect of
physicality. You cannot see the air because it is not
stopping the light, though it is physical in nature.
Anything beyond physicality cannot be viewed with
these two eyes.
The moment you begin to see, experience, and
perceive something that is beyond physical nature,
then we say your Third Eye has opened. The
November 2018
MUSINGS
depiction of Devi’s Third Eye is only a symbolism.
It is just that because the Agna is connected with
knowing, generally, the Third Eye is depicted as
being between the other two eyes. But actually, it is
not in any one place.
Suppose I go to some place and I notice some kind
of energy, something happening there, the first
thing I do is close my eyes, activate the fingers, and
hold my left hand with the palm facing downward,
just to see what is happening. Suppose you do
not know whether something is hot or cold, you
will also hold your palm over it to feel it. So does
it mean your Third Eye is in your finger? Yes, at
that moment, in a way. But the Third Eye has no
physical location. It is not a physiological happening.
It is a perception.
When we are talking about perceiving that which is
not physical, do not try to establish this Eye as being
at a particular spot in the physical body. That which
is not physical does not have the compulsions of
being here or there. It can be here and there. When
you address that which is not physical, you should
not think in terms of where it is. When you are
talking about a dimension that is not physical, here
and there does not apply to it. Once something is not
physical, space does not apply to it. Only physicality
needs space and location. That which is not physical
has no location, no geography to it. So, does Devi
have a Third Eye? For sure. Is she three and a half
chakras? Yes.
ISHA FOREST FLOWER | 7
What Happens When You Skip Your Kriya?

Questioner: Sadhguru, I observe that when I miss my kriya1,

I fall back into my old compulsions, and they take over me.
I know there is transformation in me, but how can I make
those changes permanent?
Sadhguru: The kriyas are not about permanent change –
they are about continuous change. Only in death, there is
permanence. Life must be changing continuously. Kriyas
assist a continuous process of change. Every day, you must
be stepping into something new – that is a good life. Even
when I was very young, people would ask me, “What will
you settle down into?” I said, “Only once, I will settle down –
into the earth. Till then, I’m not settling.” Because settling
down means you are looking for permanence. If you are
looking for permanence in a transient life, you will create a
hallucinatory life.
The reason why so many people have lost control
over their thought process, are going crazy, or are in
a constant state of mental diarrhea is because they
are trying to create permanence. Permanence means
stagnation. Stagnation means death. This is not the way
of life. When your existence is not permanent, how can
transformation be permanent? You must constantly move
forward, not backward. You know, if you drive a car with
automatic transmission, there is “R” for “reverse” and
“D” for “drive.”
You must put yourself on “drive,” not on “reverse.” There is
nothing wrong with the reverse gear – it is just that trying
to look back, your neck may break. Since you do not have
eyes in the back of your head, it is easier to drive forward. If
you are doing your kriya, you are rolling forward. If you are
not doing your kriya, you are rolling backward. That means
you just have to do it.

1   Refers to Shambhavi Mahamudra or Shakti Chalana Kriya, energy

processes that one can get initiated in, in the Inner Engineering
program or Shoonya Intensive, respectively.

8 | ISHA FOREST FLOWER November 2018

 MAHABHARAT
SERIES
Mahabharat
The Pandavas and Draupadi completed their thirteen years of exile. Still, Duryodhana is not willing to return
their kingdom. The Kauravas launch an attack on the Pandavas but are forced to redraw, humiliated by Arjuna.
The conflict is about to spiral into a full-fledged war.
A Last Push for Peace
Sadhguru: The war was inevitable. A few last-ditch
efforts were being made, though there was really
no hope of peace. What individual human beings
say or do at a time like this is the truest of them in
their whole lives. In comfortable situations, people
could make you believe all kinds of things. In an
emergency situation or a moment of crisis, you will
know who is who – who can take how much, and to
what extent they will go. Whether they like it or not,
the situation will suck them in. That will produce
a different kind of people. A crisis manufactures
people. Those who you thought are no good,
may stand up like giants; those who you thought
are great may whimper at the first moment –
all kinds of things can happen. But it is in the pre-
crisis situation, when crisis is inevitable, where you
will actually see what someone is made of.
November 2018
PART 48
War Looms Large
In the last peace negotiations, Yudhishthira said,
“I have no wish to be the reason for this war. If
everything else fails, I will accept just five towns to
make peace. Let Duryodhana give me Indraprastha,
Vrikaprastha, Jayanta, Varanavatha – these hold
memories for us. The fifth one, let it even be a
village of his choice.” Duryodhana said to his father
Dhritarashtra, “Hear me clearly, my lord, and
all of you: I will never return the kingdom to the
Pandavas – not all of it, not five towns, not five
villages. I will not even give them a needlepoint
of land.”
Draupadi said, “I want war! Krishna, I want war, and
nothing else but war. A bloody war to avenge what
I suffered on that terrible day, and for the thirteen
years after. I want every Kaurava killed. The elders
who sat by, not lifting a finger to help me when I
begged them to – I want to see them dead. I know
Yudhishthira has always been for peace, at any cost
ISHA FOREST FLOWER | 9
to himself and his family. But when I hear Bhima,
Arjuna, and Nakula talking of peace today, I can
hardly stand it. I want neither peace nor friendship
with the Kauravas. If you love me at all, Krishna, if
you ever felt sorry for what happened to me, make
sure there is war between the Pandavas and the
Kauravas. I must see my enemies lying dead on the
field as carrion for jackals and vultures.” That’s her.
Dhritarashtra sent Sanjaya to convey a message of
peace to Yudhishthira: “My lord, you have not heard
the whole message I bring to you from the king:
‘Man’s life is brief, Yudhishthira. Why let it end in
shame? Why allow yourself to be remembered as
the Kuru who spilled the blood of his own kinsmen?
Don’t lead your life into this war. That will be the
end of you, regardless of whether you win or lose.
What does an earthly kingdom count for anyway,
Yudhishthira? For a man of dharma like you, it would
be better to live on the kindness of Vrishnis and
Andhakas or Yadavas than fight this war against
your own blood.
“‘The desire for material possessions is what steals a
man’s judgment from him. A man like you, a seeker
of truth, should burn every vestige of desire in his
heart. The longing for wealth and power is a shackle
on the spirit, an obstacle on the path to salvation.
Few men can renounce it – you are one of the few,
Yudhishthira, prince of dharma. My last word to
you is, give up your anger. Forget everything that
happened and return to the forest. Spend the rest
of your life in quest of nirvana, and win undying
fame and joy for yourself. Or else, live with Krishna
in Dwaraka; live off the alms of the Yadavas. They
will see to your every need and comfort. You have
walked the high road of dharma for so long – why
leave it now for the alleyways of sin? I beg you, forget
the bloodshed you are planning. Live in peace.’”
Obviously, this effort towards peace was bound to
fail. Inevitably, they hurled themselves towards war.
It was decided they will fight the war on the field
of Kurukshetra, where Parashurama, in the earlier
generation, had slaughtered hundreds of Kshatriyas,
creating pools of blood. The armies assembled. The
Kauravas had eleven akshauhinis, or we could say
battalions, in modern terminology. The Pandavas
had seven. So the ratio was 7:11. In this war, two
key people did not take sides: one was Rukmi,
Rukmini’s brother; the other one was Balarama,
Krishna’s brother. Because of their relationship with
Krishna, they kept out of it.
Barbarik Loses His Head
A warrior from the south arrived on the battlefield.
His name was Barbarik. No one had seen him
10 | ISHA FOREST FLOWER
before. With only three arrows in his quill, he came
to battle. Krishna and others were there, and pre-
battle preparations were underway. People asked
him, “How come you have only three arrows?” The
warrior from the south said, “With one arrow, I can
kill all the Kauravas. With one arrow, I can kill all the
Pandavas. So, three is more than enough for me.”
When Krishna heard this boast, he said, “Why don’t
you show your skills?” He pointed to a banyan tree
with thousands and thousands of leaves, and he
said, “Let me see how many leaves you can pierce
with a single arrow.” With a single arrow that
had the necessary occult empowerment, Barbarik
pierced every leaf on the tree. And eventually, the
arrow went down and hovered around Krishna’s
feet, under which was a fallen leaf – it was waiting
to pierce that.
Krishna said, “That’s very impressive. On whose side
will you fight?” Barbarik said, “I will always fight
on the losing side. From day to day, I will see – if
the Kauravas are losing, I will fight for them. If the
Pandavas are losing, I will fight for them. Anytime I
see a particular army is losing, I will fight for them.”
Krishna saw that if this guy is on the other side,
you should not win – that would be the formula
for success. Because if this guy is on your side and
you start winning, he will go and join the other side.
So, Krishna said, “If I ask you for something, will you
give it to me? I want you to remove the head of one
warrior.” Barbarik said, “For you, I will do it. Tell me
who it is.” Krishna went into his camp, brought a
mirror, and held it in front of Barbarik.
Barbarik knew he was done in, but he had given
his word. He made one request: “Yes, but I came
all the way from the south to see this great war.
The warrior that I am, I don’t want to miss this
spectacle.” So Krishna said, “That’s okay. You remove
your head – I will see to it that your head can see
and speak.” Then Barbarik took his sword, removed
his own head, held it by the hair, and gave it to
Krishna before his body fell down. They placed the
head on the battlefield, at a vantage point where
he could see everything. And it so happened that
when the war began, anytime he saw something
cowardly, something funny, Barbarik would laugh
so uproariously he would unnerve a lot of soldiers.
Just his laughter would create such a disharmony.
To be continued.
November 2018
 NEWS AND EVENTS

Youth and Truth – Cross Country

After TNAU/Coimbatore, Anna University/Chennai, and Mount Carmel College/Bengaluru, which
we covered in the last issue, the Youth and Truth movement continued a rousing momentum and
accelerated from south to north.

Satsang on Chamundi Hill

Mysuru, 14 Sep: Local meditators
gathered just below the rock to imbibe
Sadhguru’s presence at the auspicious
site of his enlightenment, known as
“Sadhguru’s spot.” Later, Sadhguru put
out a tweet about the significance of
this space for him, saying, “Chamundi
Hill – not just a hill or a mound of
earth. It has been a very part of my
life. 36 years since that fateful day that
I went up this glorious hill and never
came down.”

Motorbiking in Mysuru
Mysuru, 14 Sep: As part of the Youth and Truth tour in
Mysuru, Sadhguru zipped through the city with fellow
bikers, starting from the Mysore Palace. Sadhguru
tweeted, “On two wheels in Mysuru after over 3 decades.
Mysuru has always been a motown and we literally lived
on a motorcycle. Even getting off it was a sacrilege.
Getting on once again was great.”

November 2018 ISHA FOREST FLOWER | 11

 ‘Romantic Rendezvous’ with Kaveri
Mysuru, 14 Sep: At the end of the bike rally,
Sadhguru arrived at the bank of the Kaveri River
at Meenakshipura, for an off-beat event with
students of the College of Horticulture in Mysuru,
who grasped the opportunity to explore their
Swachhata Hi Seva Movement Launch with PM Modi
Sadhguru speaking during live telecast with the PM
IYC, 15 Sep: Sadhguru was invited to speak at
the launch of the Swachhata Hi Seva Movement,
which was headed by Prime Minister Narendra
Modi. The launch was set to boost the nationwide
public participation in the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, a
movement that aims at fulfilling Mahatma Gandhi’s
dream of a clean India. The PM interacted via a video
conference with various stakeholders, including
school children, jawans, spiritual leaders, members
of cooperatives and NGOs, media persons, and local
government representatives, from 17 locations
across the country.
12 | ISHA FOREST FLOWER
Youth and Truth questions with Sadhguru. Sadhguru
related his “romantic rendezvous” with Kaveri and
the movement to revitalize her, which was initiated
with the Rally for Rivers last year.
Following an introduction by PM Modi, Sadhguru
spoke about the importance of this movement. He
put out the following statement: “Cleanliness is
not a discipline. It’s an expression of love & regard
for all lives around us. I beseech everyone to join
me in this special Swachhata Hi Seva Movement &
Shramdaan to make Bharat clean,” which was later
retweeted by the PM himself.
November 2018
 Youth and Truth at Regional Institute of Education Mysore

Mysuru, 15 Sep: The Youth and Truth

event at RIE Mysore happened in an
absolutely celebratory way. Seating
arrangements had been made for
2500, but several hundreds more were
crouching on the sides and back of the
hall. Sadhguru first had a session with
one of his former school teachers from
Demonstration School (associated with
RIE), where Sadhguru had studied for
two years. This throwback to his school
days was followed by the regular Q & A, in
which Sadhguru took questions from the
student panel, social media, and audience.

Youth and Truth at Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB)

Bengaluru, 16 Sep: Although the event was

planned only for the students of IIM Bangalore,
students from other IIMs had also travelled down
to be a part of the event, not to mention a few
from other colleges in Bangalore, as well as some
working youngsters who had also managed to
sneak in.
Touching on a particularly popular subject at
the Management Institute, Sadhguru stated, “If
money is the only value, male is the only value;
I want you to understand this. Today, in the
name of feminism, unfortunately, a whole lot
of women are desperately trying to be like men.
Making subtler aspects of life significant is vital
for the rise of feminine.”

Meeting Traditional Weavers of Pochampally

Hyderabad, 17 Sep: A
vast variety of India’s
weaves are on the verge
of extinction. Sadhguru
took time out to visit the
weavers of Pochampally,
Telangana, who are still
keeping the craft of
handloom weaving alive,
which is an important
part of Bharat’s rich
cultural heritage.

November 2018 ISHA FOREST FLOWER | 13

 Tea Shop Conversation with Vijay Devarakonda

Hyderabad, 17 Sep: Sadhguru and Vijay

Deverakonda met in Hyderabad for an off-
beat event of Youth and Truth in the rustic
setting of a traditional tea shop. The popular
Telugu film star started off the conversation
with a whimsical question: “How do you
have an answer for everything? And most of
it makes sense.” Sadhguru countered, “Hey,
what do you mean, ‘most of it…,’” to which
the crowd erupted into laughter. A very open
and witty conversation unfolded on what it
means to live fully and be happy, on love and
relationships, to name a few topics.

Youth and Truth with Law Students at NALSAR

Hyderabad, 18 Sep: Youth and Truth

forayed into Hyderabad with an
event at NALSAR University of Law.
What ensued was an animated
exchange between Sadhguru and the
argumentative students of law, on
several issues pertaining to law and its
enforcement in the nation today.
The question of “standing for the
national anthem” sparked a fiery debate.
Sadhguru clearly expressed his points
to the passionate students, saying that
it is a shame if, for a simple symbol of
nationhood which is 52 seconds, people
are not willing to stand up. By the end
of this exciting and highly entertaining
event, most of the rebuttals had been
burned by the truth.

Youth and Truth at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay

Mumbai, 20 Sep: The Youth and Truth event at

IIT Bombay saw a massive queue of students, all
eager to enter the venue and explore truth with
Sadhguru. The session also featured a performance
by Mohit Chauhan, who was accompanied by
Sounds of Isha, and a Kalaripayattu display by Isha
Samskriti children.
Over two thousand students were completely rapt
by the discourse with Sadhguru. Unwilling to let
him go after the event, hundreds of them swarmed
around the mystic, eager to delve deeper, and an
impromptu interaction with Sadhguru ensued.
14 | ISHA FOREST FLOWER November 2018
 Youth and Truth at Sir JJ College of Architecture
Just playing…
There are private spaces
in my mind where I agree
with all and sundry. But
there are public spaces in my
mind where I could debate
all that anyone says or thinks.
This is not a Contradictory
Existence, just that deep down
I never took sides of any sort.
Though I stand stoutly for all
that I take up. Don’t you go
thinking I am in a confessional mode
Just playing with you, as deep
down in this me there is really
Mumbai, 21 Sep: Sadhguru addressed students from both Sir JJ College
no you and me. Just playing…
of Architecture and Sir JJ School of Art, one of the pioneering institutes
Love & Grace,
of fine art in India.
This Youth and Truth event was truly one of its kind, as mysticism met art
and architecture. The talented students even gave live demonstrations
of various art forms, and Sadhguru tried his hand in calligraphy.

Youth and Truth at the Banaras Hindu University

Varanasi, 24 Sep: Truth rang through the

distinguished halls of Banaras Hindu University
in the spiritual capital of India, Varanasi. Being a
teaching University, the questions that came up
were as diverse as the students’ fields of study,
spanning from unemployment to women in India,
from the uniqueness of Kashi to showing emotions,
from feminism to Illuminati.

Youth and Truth at Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi

Delhi, 25 Sep: The Youth and Truth movement also
included the famously valiant students of JNU in New
Delhi. Sadhguru addressed some burning questions,
ranging from politics and research to overcoming strong
dislikes and relationship mechanics.
Contrasting Sadhguru’s younger days as a rebellious youth
with a communist inclination to the common perception
of Sadhguru’s political orientation today, one of the
student panelists asked the provocative question, “Has
Sadhguru turned right wing now?” To which Sadhguru
gave a strikingly cool reply, saying, “I don’t belong to any
wing. But when people elect... whether I agree or I do not
agree with it, I will bow down to people’s will, because
that’s what democracy means.”
November 2018 ISHA FOREST FLOWER | 15
 Youth and Truth in ‘The Abode of Clouds’

Shillong, 26 Sep: Sadhguru’s next stop was at the

North-Eastern Hill University in Meghalaya, where
the “earth meets the sky.” Young students dressed
in traditional attires showed off the rich cultural
diversity of the Northeast in a grand reception for
Sadhguru, which was accompanied by the ethnic
beat of Khasi drums. Curious youngsters of the
University had a volley of questions, and quickly
grew fond of Sadhguru, unwilling to let him go,
even after time was officially up.

Youth and Truth Meets Design in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad, 28 Sep: The students at the

National Institute of Design were so on fire
that the exploration of questions on life and the
spiritual process extended from the main event
into an interactive Q & A session outdoors.
After meeting these inspired design students,
Sadhguru tweeted, “Every step has become half
a step for a large part of humanity, because the
fear of suffering has crippled them. May every
step the students of NID take in life, be a full
stride always.”

Last Stop: Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA)

Ahmedabad, 29 Sep: One of India’s premier

management institutes, IIMA, hosted the last
session of Sadhguru’s month-long college tour.
The event turned out to be an energy-packed
culmination of the first leg of the Youth and Truth
movement. After the main hall was filled beyond
capacity, the audience overflowed into two more
classrooms. Students were seen rocking to the
exuberant music by Sounds of Isha, standing up on
their seats to get the best view of the Isha Samskriti
performance, and intently following the gripping
exchange of skepticism versus mysticism.
Sadhguru assured that this is only the end of the
first phase of Youth and Truth. The movement
is set to continue, grow stronger, and reach
further, to offer everyone the possibility to
“unplug with Sadhguru”!

16 | ISHA FOREST FLOWER November 2018

Kashi Krama – Sadhguru in the City of Light
Varanasi, 22–23 Sep: With the Kashi Krama, this participants to keep the “accessories” aside here,
year saw a special Sacred Walks edition, as a few of and he elaborated that by “accessories,” he means
the participants got to explore some secret lingas. what people normally call their “life,” i.e. their
Sadhguru summed up the unique nature of this family, career, money, wealth, relationship, dog –
ancient city “older than time” in the following words: the mentioning of the latter earned many smiles.
“The creation of Kashi is the most phenomenal
Sadhguru went on to say, “We are in Kashi, so I hope
effort in building structures of consciousness ever
it’s all right with you if I refer to your family as an
made on the planet – it is immensely elaborate and
accessory. If I say this in Isha Yoga Center, I could be
scientifically perfect.”
in a little bit of trouble, but we are in Kashi – place
Kashi Krama participants got to attend the Mangala to live and die. Those who did not manage to live
Arati at the Kashi Vishwanath temple during here, they come here to die.” Sadhguru went on to
Brahmamuhurtam and also visited the Mrityunjay reiterate the importance of constantly being aware
Mahadev temple and Kala Bhairava temple. On one of our mortality. He also spoke about the glorious
late afternoon, the yatris were also taken around origins of Kashi, ten thousand years ago, with many
different ghats in boats that were rocking on the hundreds of enlightened beings creating thousands
waves of the overflowing Ganga. of temples or energy structures.
A small group of people got the rare opportunity to A volunteer related her experience, saying, “Kashi
see hidden and mysterious lingas in Kashi. Most of Krama was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,
these lingas are located 25–30 feet underground, and having Sadhguru’s presence with us on his
and exude different qualities. The participants enlightenment day was simply overwhelming.”
were captivated by the mystical stories behind
the consecrations and origins of these lingas. “This
was the most profound part of the yatra,” shared
an overwhelmed participant later, with tears
in her eyes.
On 23 September, Kashi Krama participants and
any other meditators who were able to make it
to Varanasi on that day were treated to a satsang
with Sadhguru on his enlightenment anniversary,
in this unique energy space that Kashi represents.
What better place to go down to the foundations
of human existence, life and death. Sadhguru
conducted a powerful process, which was related
to the core of the city’s energy structure. He urged

November 2018 ISHA FOREST FLOWER | 17

 National Award for Isha’s Sports Outreach
Sadhguru at UNESCO - Creating a Culture of Peace
Paris, 2 Oct: On Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth
anniversary and the International Day of Non-
Violence, Sadhguru was invited to speak on “A
Dialogue on Peace, Neuroplasticity and Education”
with Gregoire Borst, Professor of Developmental
Psychology and Neuroscience, at the UNESCO
Headquarters in Paris. Sadhguru’s insight was
the center of the conversation, as he articulated
perspectives on memory, intelligence, and the brain,
from a yogic perspective.
18 | ISHA FOREST FLOWER
Delhi, 25 Sep: Sadhguru received
the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan
Puraskar, on behalf of Isha
Outreach, under the “Sports for
Development” category, from the
President of India, Shri Ram Nath
Kovind. The award was conferred
in recognition of Action for Rural
Rejuvenation, which brings sports
and games to rural India (as a way of
community building), and also hosts
the annual Gramotsavam sports
festival in Tamil Nadu. Sadhguru
dedicated the award to rural folks
and Isha Outreach volunteers, who
made sport an integral part in the
lives of millions. He expressed his
wish for the nation to emulate the
transformation that this initiative
has brought about in rural Tamil
Nadu, on a physical, social, and
economic level.
Sadhguru was in conversation with Mr. George
Papagiannis, Chief of Media Services for United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO). The conversation in Paris
was aired live on the UNESCO Facebook page.
Sadhguru clarified what yoga essentially means and
how it can be used to address the global challenges
faced today including UNESCO’s founding
commitment after World War II that never again
should the world be at war.
November 2018
 SHARING
EXPERIENCE
Living in Devi’s Presence and Grace
A Linga Bhairavi yantra recipient shares his experience of what difference Devi has been making in their lives,
since she, rather unexpectedly, entered their home.
It’s hard to understand a science we don’t fathom,
easy to speculate a science we don’t understand,
but simply appropriate to share the experiences
of applying that science, as it becomes a reality
in one’s life!
Linga Bhairavi Devi came into our lives on December
11, 2015, unplanned and forcibly. It wasn’t that we
weren’t inclined to her grace, since her creation
in January 2010, but we were totally swept off
our feet by her unusual entry in the form of Linga
Bhairavi Yantra, initiated together as a couple, on
that fateful new moon night in the winter of 2015.
In retrospect, her sudden move felt natural, as if
a formidable presence rightfully forced her way,
without bothering for permission, and showering
immediate and abundant blessings, by aligning
our lives towards taking responsibility for creating
wellbeing and rubbing it off on anyone who
allowed contact.
A logical mind looks for easy or complex
explanations for the happenings of life. If it can’t find
one, it imagines one, thus avoiding an immediate
feeling of stupidity or helplessness. It seems easy
that way, but is hallucinatory! It’s not easy to gauge
the simplicity of allowing a ritual and devotion to
invoke one’s intelligence in living life, amongst
the amalgamated complexities of human distress.
Learning to surrender to the simple daily ritual
instructed for performing the process with Devi has
very easily catapulted the experience of life from
constant “hamstering” to a smooth, effective, and
lubricated way of living.
It’s not that suddenly all the challenges of
an unaligned body, improperly applied mind,
November 2018
incongruous life energies, disappeared in a jiffy,
but, the sweetness of slowly learning to surrender
one’s ignorance, allowing the initiated presence of
a linga to be imbibed, observing the fallacies and
limitedness of one’s knowledge, recognizing the
restlessness towards the uncertainties of living,
slowly learning to accept the pride and prejudices
we love to cling on, becomes radiantly visible
with her association, and it serendipitously leaves
us in a space of eased seeking, gentle strides, and
gleeful demeanor.
Needless to say, we feel her benediction, as we
learn to conduct the affairs of our lives, sometimes
smoothly, at other times passing the necessary
tribulations, but the guided presence of Devi remains
an obvious blessing beyond normal recognition. A
yantra seems to be a simple tool, calibrated towards
creating wellbeing, under the aegis of the energies
of the form, created by someone who understands
this esoteric science!
We may be city slickers, trained to be suspicious
of tradition, lest we get gypped, but we are also
city slickers who recognize the value of a tool/
device/machine/yantra that helps lubricate the
sophisticated human system, and stumbling upon
one, are bound to unlock its value, by applying it in
our daily lives, lest we forget how fragile we are!
Garfield unhesitatingly expounded: “Hard work
never killed anyone; but why take a chance!” We’ve
learnt not to take a chance, and seek out the
blessing & grace of Devi, in guiding our daily lives,
without any excitement, passion or faith!
– An Isha meditator
ISHA FOREST FLOWER | 19
 UPCOMING PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Date Program Place Contact

Isha Life Health

4 Nov, Obesity Treatment Solutions (opp. 044-28885333 / 83000 45333
25 Nov 2018 Program Spencer Plaza), programs@ishalife.org
Chennai – India

Inner Engineering
+994-12-505 60 01
10 Nov 2018 (Public talk with Baku – Azerbaijan
russia@ishafoundation.org
Sadhguru)
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Sadhguru)

Isha Life Health

11 Nov, Joint and Musculoskeletal Solutions (opp. 044-28885333 / 83000 45333
24 Nov 2018 Disorders Treatment Spencer Plaza), programs@ishalife.org
Chennai – India

Angamardana Isha Yoga Center,

13–15 94437 00982 / 83000 83111
Velliangiri Foothills,
Nov 2018 (at IYC, Nalanda) hathayoga.iyc@ishafoundation.org
Coimbatore – India

16–18 Dombivili, 98218 55526

Guru Pooja Training
Nov 2018 Mumbai – India mumbai@ishafoundation.org

Isha Yoga Center,

22 Nov 2018
Shivanga Sadhana Velliangiri Foothills, 83000 83111
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Initiation (Gents) Coimbatore & info@shivanga.org
4 Jan 2019)
local centers – India

Isha Yoga Center,

22–25 INSIGHT: The DNA of 83000 84888
Velliangiri Foothills,
Nov 2018 Success with Sadhguru leadership@ishainsight.org
Coimbatore – India

Isha Yoga Center,

27–30 94890 45164 / 83000 83111
Inner Engineering Retreat Velliangiri Foothills,
Nov 2018 ieretreat@ishafoundation.org
Coimbatore – India

Isha Rejuvenation,
27 Nov – Isha Yoga Center, 0422-2515464
Ayur Rasayana Intensive
1 Dec 2018 Velliangiri Foothils, isharejevenation@ishafoundation.org
Coimbatore - India

15–16 Inner Engineering 080-39591221

Bengaluru – India
Dec 2018 Completion with Sadhguru sadhguru-in-bengaluru@ishayoga.org

Live in a Consecrated Isha Yoga Center,

94890 45136 / 94890 45133
22 Dec 2018 Space – Yantra Ceremony Velliangiri Foothills,
yantra@lingabhairavi.org
with Sadhguru Coimbatore – 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 November 2018

 ISHA RECIPE

Palm Jaggery Mysore Pak

INGREDIENTS 6. At the same time, heat the ghee in another pot.

Once the mixture thickens slightly, gradually
add hot ghee, stirring continuously. It will form
1 cup gram (chickpea) flour (besan)
small bubbles.
1 ¼ cups ghee
7. When the mixture starts to leave the sides of
1 ½ cups palm jaggery (karuppati)
the pan, remove it from the flame and pour it
1 tsp. dry ginger powder into a greased tray or plate.
8. Allow it to cool a little, then cut it into the
METHOD desired shape and size (e.g. rectangles). Once
completely cooled, carefully remove the pieces
1. Melt ghee in a kadai. Add gram flour. Carefully and store them in an airtight container.
fry the flour until the raw smell goes away,
making sure that the flour does not change
color. Take it out and spread it in a pan. Health benefits of palm jaggery:

2. Break the palm jaggery into pieces, put it in a

pot and pour water over it until the jaggery is • Rich source of minerals
fully covered. • Improves digestion
3. Heat the palm jaggery mixture. Once the • Rich in nutrients
jaggery is completely dissolved, strain the syrup. • Boosts your energy
4. On medium flame, condense the palm jaggery • Cleanses the system
syrup until it forms a single thread. Add dry
• Relieves respiratory ailments
ginger powder and mix.
• Cools the body
5. Gradually add the fried gram flour to the jaggery
syrup, stirring continuously, making sure no
lumps are formed.

November 2018 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 the Registrar of Newspapers for India under No. TNENG/2013/53333 WPP license no : TN/PMG (CCR)/WPP–446/2017–2019
Registered with Patrika Channel Egmore RMS under Registration No. TN/CH(C)/492/17–19. Published on 2nd of every month – November 2018

If you do not know how

learn to Swim. If did walk

to walk upon water, best you

upon water, where would you Swim….

24 | ISHA FOREST FLOWER November 2018