Volume 6 / Issue 09 September 2018

Fluff
Fluffy plumes of Cloud
have no clue that they
are holding up the precious
water and light from
the parched, dark land.

Ignorance is not aware

that it is obscuring the
Spectacular possibility of
Enlightenment. Innocence
is not in the know that
the fluff of life is the
Dark cloud that is a
Possibility but not yet.

Substanceless fluff should

not deny you the
greatest of all Possibilities.

Grace & Blessings

September 2018 ISHA FOREST FLOWER | b

 EDITORIAL

Dear Readers,
The air was crackling with energy and themselves to live undercover and
exuberance when A-list actor Ranveer remain undiscovered for another year.
Singh and Sadhguru recently came “Why Acceptance Is Freedom,” another
together for a conversation. Ranveer topic Sadhguru addressed during the
not only lived up to his reputation as “In the Lap of the Master” program. On
Bollywood’s prime jokester, but also a culinary note, it’s avocado season in
raised some deep questions about life. South India! Ready to upgrade your
Our excerpt from their conversation diet with fresh, seasonal produce? Try
clearly shows that “Living Lightly” out our easy, nutrient-rich “Avocado
does not mean being shallow. Tomato Salad” recipe. Enjoy!
Anyone who has been profoundly The Editorial Team
touched by what Sadhguru has to offer
will come to a point where a deep sense
of gratitude arises, which naturally
leads to the question: “How to Express
My Gratitude?” Our Lead Article has
Sadhguru answer, straight from the
recent “In the Lap of the Master”
program at the Isha Yoga Center.
Check out our News & Events section
to stay on top of the gamut of recent
events. From Rally for Rivers milestones
to gossip with Bollywood stars, from
Guru Purnima to Swami Ramdev’s
ashram visit, we cover the highlights.
Also in this issue: In our Mahabharat
series, “The Pandavas in Disguise”
emerge from their twelve years of
forest exile, craft new identities for

Contact the Editorial Team:

Isha Forest Flower, Isha Yoga Center, Velliangiri Foothills, IshanaVihar Post, Coimbatore – 641114
forestflower@ishafoundation.org
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2 | ISHA FOREST FLOWER September 2018

CONTENTS

LEAD ARTICLE MAHABHARAT

How to Express My Gratitude? 06 Part 46: The Pandavas in Disguise 09

IN CONVERSATION WITH THE MYSTIC
Living Lightly 4
Ranveer Singh with Sadhguru

LEAD ARTICLE
How to Express My Gratitude? 7

MAHABHARAT
Part 46: The Pandavas in Disguise 9

NEWS & EVENTS

Sadhguru and the Forces in the Capital 11
Rally for Rivers – High-Level Meetings Roll Out Speedy Plans 12
Bollywood Stars Gossip with Sadhguru 13
Monsoon Season Draws Celebrities to Isha Yoga Center 14
Guru Purnima 15
In the Lap of the Master 16
Two Yogis and a Billionaire 16

SADHGURU SPOT
Why Acceptance Is Freedom 17

UPCOMING PROGRAMS & EVENTS

Kalabhairava Shanti 19
Isha – Program & Event Highlights 20

ISHA RECIPES
Avocado Tomato Salad 21

ZEN SPEAKS
For No Reason 23

September 2018 ISHA FOREST FLOWER | 3

Living Lightly IN CONVERSATION
Ranveer Singh in Conversation with the Mystic WITH THE MYSTIC

Here is an excerpt from the conversation between Ranveer Singh, one of India’s most popular and dynamic
actors, and Sadhguru. The event took place on 21 July 2018 in the buzzing IT hub of Bengaluru. Enjoy bits of their
lively conversation, in which they address even the most profound aspects of life – down to its very purpose –
with joyful exuberance.

One-Up vs. Doing Your Best

Ranveer Singh: What is your take on sports? How
should we inculcate young kids into sport? What do
you tell them – is it about winning?
Sadhguru: Winning is only a desire. The game is the
process. Or rather, the process is the game. If you
don’t conduct the process right, winning will just be
a desire. This is a culture where we always insisted
on process. But today we have taken this from
outside – we have become a goal-oriented society.
In the yogic culture, we say, “If you’ve one eye on the
ball, you’ve only one eye to find your way,” which is
very inefficient. If you use both your eyes to find the
way, depending upon the time and your strength
and capabilities, you will get to a place that you
need to get. You’re not concerned who is getting
where. The question is only, are you operating to
your full potential? That’s all it is in life. “I want to be
better than you” is not going to get you anywhere.
4 | ISHA FOREST FLOWER
The question is only, are you operating to
your full potential?
If I want to be better than someone, suppose the
one next to me is a lame person, I will walk a little
faster than him, and I think I’m doing great. It’s very
important a human being focuses upon himself or
herself and explores the full potential of who we are.
How someone else is doing is not your business.
You can enjoy what someone else is doing. But the
moment you’re concerned that they’re doing better
than you, or you want to be better than them, you
bring a whole lot of unnecessary emotions into your
life, which destroys you in every basic way.
Ranveer Singh: That’s lovely, Guruji! I say this all the
time. In entertainment, the media in Mumbai keeps
asking about competition. It’s not competition. I
September 2018
don’t want to be better than anybody. I just want
to do well myself. I just want to enjoy what I’m
doing. When I’m doing something, if I’m enjoying
that process, it’s very fulfilling for me.
Sadhguru: In our lives, if we do not do what we
cannot do, that’s not a problem. But if we do not
do what we can do, we are a disaster. If you’re
concerned about how to be better than somebody,
you cannot enjoy anyone else’s success, nor can you
enjoy your own success.
Ranveer Singh: You know Guruji, I feel all of these
things, genuinely. I don’t want to be better than
anybody. I want to enjoy my process, enjoy what
I’m doing, enjoy what other people are doing – I’m
just not able to articulate it.
Sadhguru: That’s why I’m here.
Definition of Success
Ranveer Singh: Which brings me to this question:
Everybody is trying to define success. I came across
a meaning that I really liked: It was “Success is
the magnitude of the beneficial footprint that you
can leave on society.” What is your take on this
concept? What is success? If we procreate, are we
successful? How do you consider yourself like “Now
I’m successful”?
Sadhguru: Well, procreation, we’ve done a lot in
the country. This definition that you mentioned will
make life absolutely utilitarian – even your success
should be useful. Well, a peacock is dancing. What
is the use of it? There is no use, and that’s what is
beautiful about it.
Ranveer Singh: To attract the mate, no? I thought…
Sadhguru: No, to your eyes… You shouldn’t get
attracted. The thing is – everything that’s beautiful
in the world, what is the use of it? This is why people
are asking this everlasting, dumb question: “What is
the purpose of life?”
What Is the Purpose of Life?
Ranveer Singh: Yesterday, I put a tweet out saying
I’m meeting Sadhguruji tomorrow – what should
I ask him? And eighty percent was, “What is the
purpose of life?” I was like, “Guys, just come up with
something else, please.”
Sadhguru: When you ask, “What is the purpose
of life,” essentially, you’re asking, “What is the use
of life?” There is no use. Even if you’re not born,
everything would be fine – believe me. Actually,
it would be better. There is no purpose. Life is a
phenomenon beyond these nonsensical logical
calculations about the purpose or use of this or
September 2018
that. There is no use. Life is a bigger phenomenon
than your intellect. Your intellect is just a small
part of this life. Unfortunately, you’re thinking life
is contained in your intellect. No – your intellect is
contained in this life process. It’s just one dimension
of intelligence. There are many other dimensions of
intelligence.
The entire universe is a living intelligence.
Today science is telling you what a bug knows, you
do not know. Here from Bangalore, every year, there
are dragon flies traveling all the way to the African
east coast, multiplying there, and again coming
back. Without any kind of navigation equipment
or anything. These tiny little insects are going all
the way to Africa and coming back. Could you do
it, without an instrument? Could you just follow
the waves on a log, go to Africa and come back?
Look at the intelligence in a small insect. Like this,
intelligence is all over the place. The entire universe
is a living intelligence. You have captured a little bit
too.
How to Keep Up the Energy?
Interviewer: Ranveer, here’s a question for you.
How do you manage to pull off that bundle of
energy?
Ranveer Singh: I don’t know. I think I’m really
excited about life. I’m really enthusiastic. I want
to do many things, have many experiences. I have
a zeal for life, a lust for life; I love it. I love people.
Everybody asks me this question all the time, “What
is the secret of your high energy,” and I really don’t
know what to say. You’re also like this, Sadhguru –
so full of life… I hope I can keep it up. I hope I don’t
get jaded with everything that I see around me.
Sometimes I get very disturbed. I watch the news
and it really gets me down. Do you watch the news?
I get depressed sometimes…
Sadhguru: The ostrich trick does not work with life.
Hiding from the realities of life is not an answer. So
do I get to watch the news every day? Maybe not,
but I keep up with the news in some way.
About your concern about, “will I be able to keep this
up” – well, it’s very much possible for every human.
Every human being is capable of living in a very
energetic way, throughout their life. But most of
them are sitting wrong, standing wrong, breathing
wrong, eating wrong, and they’re wondering why
it’s not working. It doesn’t work like that, in this life,
on this planet. Unless you do the right things, right
things won’t happen to you.
ISHA FOREST FLOWER | 5
 LEAD ARTICLE
How to Express My Gratitude?
During the recent In the Lap of the Master program at the Isha Yoga Center, a participant asks Sadhguru how to
show his gratitude to him. Read Sadhguru’s stirring response, peppered with some personal anecdotes.
Outward Show or Inner Process?
Questioner: Namaskaram, Sadhguru. With the
Guru that you are, my life has changed throughout.
I’m doing my sadhana; I’m doing Guru Pooja; I’m
doing volunteering as well. But beyond that, I
seriously don’t know how what’s the best way to
show my gratitude towards you. Please tell me.
Sadhguru: Gratitude is not something that you
have to show. You have to show gratitude to
people who are expecting it. Because they don’t
know who they are, what they are, what they are
worth, their lives get enhanced by nice things that
other people say. This is one thing I can guarantee
you – whatever nice things anyone says about me
does not enhance my life. Whatever terrible things
they say does not diminish my life in any way. So,
you are expressing your gratitude would be a waste
of this very precious material called gratitude. If you
keep this gratitude in your heart, it will melt your
heart. It will melt everything in you. You don’t have
to express it. If you hold it in your heart, it will melt
the very being that you are.
If you melt, you will naturally spread. What melts
cannot sit up like this – it naturally spreads. That
6 | ISHA FOREST FLOWER
is the best thing that can be done. But still you
are in a state of wanting to do something. It is like
this: People not only want to love someone – they
also want to make love. This is a new terminology
that has come up only in the last few decades.
People used to love. Now they make love. You have
a need to do something. Why should I waste this
opportunity? I was in Delhi, addressing the Indian
Air Force. There were Air Force educators. They are
running over three thousand schools across the
country. All the educators were there, and about a
hundred and odd children.
Surprising Encounters
When I left the venue and was just about to get in
the car, I saw these fourteen, fifteen year old girls,
hopping and screaming, “Sadhguru, Sadhguru,
Sadhguru!” I looked at them and said, “These little
girls, what are they screaming ‘Sadhguru’? Is it an
Air Force drill or something?” Then I walked up to
them and asked, “Hey, what are you screaming
‘Sadhguru’? How do you know me?” “Sadhguru,
we follow you. We listen to your talks.” “I’m sure
you’re bored.” “No, we love it, Sadhguru. You rock,
Sadhguru!” Fourteen year old girls are listening
to spiritual talks without being forced by their
September 2018
parents – this is fantastic. Instead of being on a
messaging system with their neighborhood boy,
they are watching me. I thought, “Now this is a real
breakthrough.”
Then, as if that was not enough, I came to Bangalore.
We had a Rally for Rivers board meeting. And after
that, I’m meeting someone in the garden: and three
boys – ten, eleven years of age – come to me and
say, “Sadhguru, can we take a picture with you?”
I said, “How do you know who I am?” They said,
“We’re watching your videos.” I said, “What? Your
mothers must be forcing you.” They said, “No, in our
school everyone, all our friends, watch your videos.”
I really could not believe it. I said, “Genuinely, in your
school, everyone knows me?” They said, “Yes, in our
class, everyone knows you. We all watch you. You’re
cool, Sadhguru.” I thought this is something. This is
fantastic. Ten year old boys are watching spiritual
talk, all by themselves? I thought our strategies
have worked, for sure.
From a Straw for the Dying to a
Living Experience
This has always been the plan, to make spiritual
process attractive. Not something for people who
are dying, where fear of death makes them say
“Ram, Ram.” Not that kind of spirituality. Those who
long to live well will seek spiritual process. Right
now, there are a few people here from Russia, many
people from China. We are yet to go to China. Russia
has been responding phenomenally. We have been
receiving invites from literally every country on
the planet. This has always been the goal: to make
spiritual process an ordinary process, a way of life.
The way people live should become spiritual.
Consciousness should not be something that is
preserved somewhere. Consciousness should
spread and live in the world. When ten-year-old
boys begin to watch spiritual talks, it is a good
thing. A minimum of a hundred talks will probably
be ready on video, in the next two months. I’m
going to speak in fourteen different languages. Just
yesterday, I met a very popular Tamil and Telugu
actress, and she couldn’t speak a word of Tamil. I
have taken lessons from her. I cannot speak a word
of Portuguese, but you will see my Portuguese
talks will become very popular. Chinese talks have
already become popular; my Russian talks are being
hugely appreciated.
A Global Phenomenon Arises
We are just about ready for a global burst. You
should not look at it as a big thing for Isha or
Sadhguru everywhere. That’s not the point. The
September 2018
point is young children are becoming interested in
the spiritual process. This is fantastic. So far, spiritual
process was considered as the last thing people
hang on to when they are dying, like a drowning
man hanging on to a straw. They lived their lives in
absolutely unconscious ways, doing stupid things all
the time. All they did was accumulate, accumulate,
accumulate – whether it comes to money, wealth,
or knowledge. They even accumulated their love
and their laughter without giving it to anyone. They
really stored up. And when they realized they were
going to die, and they saw others who died all went
empty-handed, then suddenly, they were saying,
“Ram, Ram, Ram.”
We are on the verge of a global burst.
When it happens, we need lots of hands.
Unfortunately, spiritually process has become like
this in the last few centuries, even in this country.
So, I’m suddenly super-charged after meeting these
three boys in Bangalore. Ten, eleven year old boys –
they even being interested in a Guru is a tremendous
thing. When I was ten, eleven, I definitely was not.
Well, I was, in different way. Because I met this man
who was physically super capable. He climbed up
a well like Spiderman. I got interested in him, not
for any spiritual purposes, but because I thought
he will make me into some kind of superhero. I am
glad all the antics I have been doing are working for
the children.
All the dead serious people liked me very much
before the Dhyanalinga consecration, because I was
just intense and focused – I had no time to look at
anything else. There was only one goal on my mind.
So they thought “Oh, he is a powerful yogi. If he just
looks at us, we shiver in our pants, so he must be
powerful.” Then I told them, I warned them. “See,
now this is done I never thought I will live beyond
this. But now that I’m still alive, it’s time to change
my whole persona. The way I look, the way I speak,
the way I conduct my life – everything is going to
change. Just hold on. I’m still the same Sadhguru –
just the drama will change.” They said, “No problem,
Sadhguru – whatever you do, we are with you.” But
when I changed, they all started wilting away. They
said, “Oh, Sadhguru has lost it. How he used to look
at us! Now he laughs and he smiles; he’s acting like
a joker all the time. Even dresses up in a saree1.” I
shouldn’t have told you.
1   Referring to Sadhguru’s colorful shawls
ISHA FOREST FLOWER | 7
Why So Serious?
So now our moment is coming close. We need
to conduct things right. We are on the verge of a
global burst. When it happens, we need lots of
hands. And if there are hearts full of gratitude, we
would like to put it to use. This is the time. If you
ever thought, even for a fleeting moment, that
you must do something – this is the time. To create
another movement like this is not easy. This is not
to brag about myself. This is not about me. This
is about the spiritual process. Never before has
hardcore spiritual process been as widely accepted
as it is now with us.
Because this is not a gospel, this is gossip, everyone
loves it. Gospel is a little “gas-spell” – since it is so
serious, it cannot be spiritual. When things become
so serious, it becomes a psychological process.
Seriousness is a psychological phenomenon.
Seriousness is not the quality of the life that you are.
If you are mistaking a psychological phenomenon
for a spiritual phenomenon, then you will become
dead serious, and you will produce gospel after
gospel. This has caused huge damage to humanity.
Too many have lost their life to spiritual process –
they were dead when they were alive.
This does not mean that you should just be fooling
around, without any involvement. Especially if you
want to play, it demands all your involvement. You
can go to your school or college without involvement.
You can go to the temple without involvement. You
can pray to God without involvement, because he
will not know. You can live with your family without
involvement – they will not know as long as you
say the right things. You just have to learn a few
mantras. When it comes to temple, home, society,
you just have to learn a few mantras. Five times a
day, you say, “Aum Namah Shivaya,” Allahu Akbar,” or
whatever you want, and God is fooled. Five times a
8 | ISHA FOREST FLOWER
This must become a living energy
on the planet.
day, you say, “I love you,” and your wife or husband
is fooled. Five times a day, you say, “Please. Thank
you,” and society around is fooled. But, to play, you
need total involvement. Five times a day won’t do.
It needs moment-to-moment involvement with
everything.
Be There or Be Square
When this global burst happens, which is coming
very soon, all those of you who ever thought, even
for a moment, I want to do something; I want to
contribute something; I want to give my time – this
is the time. Don’t build a golden monument for me
after I am dead. Maybe, I will create a situation that
you cannot create a monument, because you don’t
know where I went. I have still not decided on that.
But, we don’t want to be a monument. Do you want
me to become a monument for you? No. This must
become a living energy on the planet. It should live
in everyone’s hearts. When I was in London a couple
of months ago, a multibillionaire there said, “Why
don’t you build an ashram here? I will make sure
everything happens for you.” I said, “I’m not a real
estate person. I’m not going to build real estate
around the world. My real estate is in the minds and
hearts of people. We’re going to build that.”
If gratitude is bursting in your heart, keep it there.
Let it melt your stupid brains, which come in the
way. And anything that you ever thought you
should do, please do it in the next six months to one
year, because this is when it is needed.
September 2018
 MAHABHARAT
SERIES
Mahabharat
PART 46
The Pandavas in
Disguise
The Pandavas and Draupadi completed their twelve years of forest exile. The next challenge was to live undis-
covered for another year, that too among people, in a city. They had to come up with a smooth disguise.
The Significance of Twelve Years
Questioner: Sadhguru, both the Pandavas and
Rama were exiled for twelve years. Is there any
significance to the duration of twelve years?
Sadhguru: Twelve years is because that is the solar
cycle. It takes twelve years for anything significant
to happen in a man. It is true for women too, but
a little less noticeable. Every twelve to twelve and
a half years, everyone’s life goes through a certain
cycle. This is because of the solar cycles, which have
a lot of influence on your physiology, your mind,
your emotion, your energy, and your life situation.
People are not aware enough to notice what is
happening, because it is twelve years. In my life, I
clearly know when the next twelve-year cycle is
coming up. For anything significant to happen, you
have to ride one cycle. That is why all sadhana was
structured around twelve years. Whether you went
to a Guru or you went to the forest, it was always
for twelve years.
Today, people understand going to the forest as a
punishment. It is not a punishment but a learning
process. For the Pandavas and Draupadi, it was
twelve years plus one more year, just to make
sure they got the point. After the twelve years
were over, they were supposed to spend one
more year incognito. That meant they had to live
somewhere in a civilized place, but they should
not be discovered. It was very easy for them to be
caught. Five regal looking men and a phenomenally
beautiful woman – how can you hide such people?
Wherever they were, they would stick out. This was
September 2018
the most challenging part. If they were discovered
in this one year, they would have had to go into
exile for another twelve years.
Crafting New Identities
The priest Dhaumya and the sage Lomasa, who
were with them, planned out a strategy for the
Pandavas and Draupadi, how to spend this last
year without being discovered. As the thirteenth
year was coming up, Duryodhana sent his spies
to every country, to make sure that the moment
they arrive, they would be discovered. He was quite
confident that in one year’s time, his spies would
find them. The Pandavas and Draupadi could not
remain in the forest – they had to be in a town.
There were only two dozen cities, with populations
of a few thousand people. Duryodhana was very
confident to get them and send them back to the
forest for twelve more years. His spies spread out
everywhere, into every kingdom, waiting for the
Pandavas to show up.
On the advice of the sages, the five brothers decided
to go to Matsya, King Virata’s kingdom. When they
came near the city, they disguised themselves in
different ways. Yudhishthira disguised himself as a
Brahmana. Bhima disguised himself as a cook. Arjuna
disguised himself as a eunuch. He did not have to do
much, because he had become one. Urvashi’s curse
came in handy at this point – Arjuna’s masculine
body had transformed, and it was easy for him to
dress up like a woman. Nakula disguised himself as a
horse caretaker, Sahadeva as a cowherd. But it was
difficult to disguise Draupadi. How to deglamorize
ISHA FOREST FLOWER | 9
her and take her into the town in such a way that
she remains undiscovered? She dressed herself like
a maid, But still, her royal bearing and her beauty
could not be hidden. Everyone feared that she
would be discovered. Moreover, she was quick to
temper. If she got angry, people would immediately
know it was Draupadi, because there was a certain
flavor to her that was not common.
Outside the town, they sat down and discussed
the plan, how they would go separately, one after
another, with a few days’ break in between. They
decided to take different names. Yudhishthira called
himself Kanka; Bhima called himself Bhalava; Arjuna
became Brihanala; Nakula became Dhamagranthi;
Sahadeva became Tantripala, and Draupadi became
Sairandhri. In this disguise, they all moved into the
court, one after the other. First Yudhishthira went,
approached King Virata, and offered his services to
him. Yudhishthira’s biggest dream was to play dice
well one day. When he was in the forest, one day, he
met a sage by the name Brihadashva, who gave him
a secret mantra with which he could get whatever
number he wanted on the dice. Now, armed with
this mantra, he could win against anyone. Probably,
he had a dream of winning against Shakuni
someday. But now he went to Virata’s kingdom.
Dice game was such a passion in those days. There
was not much other entertainment, except fighting.
King Virata saw the skill with which Yudhishthira
could play dice. This was the best disguise for
Yudhishthira, because the word had spread
everywhere, what a horrible dice player he was.
Now, no one would believe that he could do magic
with dice. Had he been capable of that before, he
would not have lost his kingdom. Yudhishthira
settled into the royal court. Virata appreciated his
intelligence and wisdom so much that he became
an advisor to the king. Bhima found his way into
the king’s kitchen. He was a great cook and became
popular with the foodies in the palace.
Arjuna came and showed his skill as a dancer and
a singer, which he picked up in Amaravati, Indra’s
abode. With the gandharva Chitrasena as his
teacher, he was a magical dancer and an exquisite
singer. Because of that, he found his way into the
harem, where Virata’s daughter Uttaraa took him
as the dance teacher. After the usual checkup, they
found that he was really a eunuch, so they had no
problem to house him in the harem. He had the
body of a eunuch but the mind of a man. It took
some time for him to settle down in the women’s
quarter, among hundreds of women. Nakula found
his way into the king’s stables.
It is said that Nakula was magical with horses.
10 | ISHA FOREST FLOWER
They had such a rapport that suddenly, the king’s
stables rose to a different level altogether. The king
immediately noticed that the way the horses were
bred, the way they were taken care of, and the way
they performed, everything changed because of
Nakula’s relationship with the horses, because he
was the son of an ashvin1. Sahadeva found his way
to where the king’s cattle herds were managed. He
did miraculous things with the cows, and the herds
grew. He caught thousands of wild cows and bulls
and domesticated them. Virata’s wealth grew in the
form of cattle. And so, all the five found their places
at the king’s palace, but it was an explicit rule that
they never contact each other.
When they came into the city, they took their famed
weapons with them, including Arjuna’s Gandiva,
bundled them up with a rotting dead body from the
cremation grounds, tied it up all up in an old carpet,
and hung the bundle in a tree. Certain tribes had
this practice that they did not bury or cremate their
dead but hung them in trees for the birds to eat.
People would see that it is a dead body, and no one
would go near it. That was a kind of safety, so that
their weapons would not get lost. Draupadi was the
last one to enter the city. People saw this stunningly
beautiful woman, dressed in tatters, walking on the
street towards the palace. Men gathered around her
and stared at her. A woman of this kind of beauty
walking alone without a man seemed suspicious.
They asked, “Who are you?” Draupadi did not speak.
Then they started poking and pinching her. She was
in trouble. PART 45
The queen, who was travelling towards the palace
in a palanquin, saw Draupadi in distress and took
her to the palace. The queen was amazed that when
she took Draupadi to the palace and looked at her,
Draupadi looked like the queen, not her. The queen
asked, “Who are you?” Draupadi said, “I’m a flower
girl. I was doing hair and flowers for Draupadi. But
since the Pandavas lost their kingdom, I’ve been
unemployed. I am just wandering around. I have
five Gandharvas as my husbands. They are gone to
another land right now. And till they come back, I
need some refuge. They’ll be back in a year’s time.”
The queen saw the skill with which she could do
the flowers and she let her do the hair and she did
wonders with her hair. She thought this was a great
gift for her and kept Draupadi with her.
To be continued.
1   Divine horseman, a demi-god
September 2018
 NEWS AND EVENTS

Members of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police interacting with Sadhguru

Sadhguru and the Forces in the Capital

Delhi, 19-20 July: In his ongoing commitment to
empower India’s armed forces, Sadhguru addressed
the 3,500 educators and children at the Educational
and Cultural Society of the Indian Air Force Schools.
He covered topics ranging from competitiveness in
modern-day education and the source of human
suffering, and mentioned that Isha will prepare
a concept note for the Education Ministry on
educational reforms that should happen in the
country. The next day, Union Minister of State for
Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju opened up a conversation
between Sadhguru officers of the Indo-Tibetan
Border Police (ITBP). Guarding nearly 4000km of
mountainous terrain, the ITBP are some of the
fittest forces of India.

IAF expressed gratitude to Sadhguru, and the group captain exclaimed after the talk,
“Today is the happiest day of my life!”
September 2018 ISHA FOREST FLOWER | 11
Rally for Rivers – High-Level Meetings Roll
Out Speedy Plans

The RfR National Board’s third meeting discussed action points for the next 6-month phase.

Bengaluru, 21 July: The National Board of Rally for are: a large-scale afforestation project in the Kaveri
Rivers (RfR) had a meeting in which it welcomed River basin, and revitalization of the Waghari river
Mr. B. Muthuraman, Chairman of Tata Steel as its in Yavatmal, Maharashtra (the epicenter of India’s
newest member. Upcoming key focus areas for RfR farmer suicides issue).

Sadhguru meeting the Maharashtra government regarding an RfR project in the state

Mumbai, 8 Aug: The RfR team gave a Detailed Waghari river. Within just two days, CM Fadnavis
Project Report presentation to the Governor, Chief approved the DPR in principle and committed to
Minister and Environment Minister of Maharashtra implementing the Rs. 985 crore project in 5 years,
and other senior officials on the rejuvenation of the earning praise from Sadhguru for the speedy action.

12 | ISHA FOREST FLOWER September 2018

Bollywood Stars Gossip with Sadhguru

Bengaluru, 21 July:
Bollywood’s “cool dude,”
actor Ranveer Singh
chatted with Sadhguru
at India’s at the Indian
Institute of Management
Bangalore (IIMB) 2018
Leadership Conclave on
“Sensing the Future.”
Spontaneous and full of
energy, Ranveer posed
deep, quirky and personal
questions to Sadhguru,
and even coaxed him to
dance to the delight of the
audience. Sadhguru called
upon Ranveer to use his
popularity among youth
to help them become
inspired, balanced, and
clear-minded, to which
the actor responded, “I
would love to.”

Mumbai, 8 Aug: The most anticipated

conversation between Kangana Ranaut
and Sadhguru unfolded with the
outspoken actress firing bold questions
to Sadhguru and not hesitating to
contest with him on various issues of
the day. Sadhguru responded with witty
rejoinders and friendly jibes. For instance,
the following exchange had the audience
rolling…
Kangana: [Shiva] couldn’t even have biological
children with any of the women he was
married to. He –
Sadhguru: At least you can’t blame him for
the population.
Kangana: Sadhguru! I’m coming to something
very important! There is –
Sadhguru: I thought population was very
important.
Kangana: No, no, no. There is a theory that
Shiva is alien!
Their free-wheeling conversation touched
on where India’s spiritual culture has
really gotten it, the Bangladeshi refugee
crisis, mahasamadhi, and challenges
that face youth. Watch the full talk
on YouTube.
September 2018 ISHA FOREST FLOWER | 13
Monsoon Season Draws Celebrities to
Isha Yoga Center
Kangana in front of Adiyogi
Kajal Aggarwal with Sadhguru in front of shrine
IYC, 27 July:Actress Kajal Aggarwal attended the
Guru Purnima celebrations to be in the grace of
the Guru. In her interaction with Sadhguru, she
asked a round of quick questions and observed,
“You talk about how we are not the body, we are
not the mind. But body for me and my industry is
everything,” to which Sadhguru responded that this
is because the camera can only capture the body.
She thanked Sadhguru for teaching her “to always
choose a state of joy and never lose the ability
to wonder.”
14 | ISHA FOREST FLOWER
Kangana Ranaut interacting with
students of Isha Home School
IYC, 23 July: Popular actress Kangana
Ranaut, who is also a yoga practitioner,
stopped by the Yoga Center as a prelude
to her conversation with Sadhguru
on 8 August. The “Queen” had a
tour of the ashram and experienced
the stillness of Dhyanalinga and the
grace of Adiyogi, and thrilled Isha
Home School (IHS) children with her
surprise visit.
Subhash Ghai sitting and talking to IHS students
IYC, 25 July: A couple days later, IHS students had
another treat in the form of Subhash Ghai. The
renowned Bollywood film director later tweeted:
“I was overwhelmed by students of ISHA HOME
SCHOOL @ isha foundation Coimbatore today.
Shared my journey, knowledge & experience with
humour with positive power within me & spirituality
which has been the biggest battery charger in my
creative growth & as a person as well…
September 2018
Guru Purnima 2018 at Isha Yoga Center

The windswept evening satsang was live webstreamed in four languages and viewed live by over 200,000 people.

IYC, 27 July: This year’s Guru Purnima was unique
in that it coincided with a total lunar eclipse. 15,000
people flocked to the ashram to be in the presence
of Sadhguru on this auspicious occasion. Sadhguru
himself was ever-present throughout the day with
four events: a Nanmai Uruvam Ceremony, two
satsangs (one in Tamil, one in English), and at the
late night vibrant cultural performances, marking
the start of the eclipse.

Nanmai Uruvam Ceremony – An unforgettable scene – seekers

Guruvin Madiyil Satsang – “In the
Ishangas received a powerfully gathered before the mountains, the
Lap of the Master” in Tamil.
consecrated energy form. twilight sky, Adiyogi, and Sadhguru.

September 2018 ISHA FOREST FLOWER | 15

In the Lap of the Master

IYC, 28-29 July: The annual “In the Lap of the

Master” program drew around seven thousand
meditators who basked in the grace of the Master.
Afterwards, in a message to the participants,
Sadhguru expressed his gratitude to them and
wrote, “For me this is not a two day flirtation but
a lifelong commitment to make this possibility
available to you every moment of your life.”

Two Yogis and a Billionaire

IYC, 7 Aug: Swami Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna
paid an unexpected visit to Isha Yoga Center.
Welcomed at Adiyogi with garlands and drums,
Swami Ramdev then had a zooming motorcycle
ride with Sadhguru around the ashram premises.
Ashramites gathered for an evening satsang full of
laughter and devotion. Sadhguru praised the duo for
the simplicity with which they live despite the huge
success of the indigenous “desi” Patanjali brand
that has brought yoga and Ayurveda into people’s
lives. He said, “To run major businesses, you don’t
have to strangle yourself with a tie,” adding that
“what you are seeing here, I believe, is the future
of India’s business houses.” Acharya Balkrishna was
then invited to join INSIGHT 2019 as one of the key
resource leaders.

16 | ISHA FOREST FLOWER September 2018


Why Acceptance Is Freedom
In this Spot from the recent “In the Lap of the Master” program, Sadhguru speaks about how acceptance
facilitates a free flow of life. He dares us to try total acceptance, at least for twenty-four hours. Are you up for
the challenge?
If you look into your own mind, if you look into your
own persona of what you consider yourself to be,
normally, what you call as a personality is essentially
different levels of constipation. “I don’t like this.
I can’t stand this. I can’t do this. I can’t do that. I
only like this. I cannot like that” – different levels
of constipation. What causes this constipation?
Constipation in its physiological sense means
constriction of a tract. Here, it’s constriction of one’s
mind and consciousness, that it’s held; there is no
free flow of life. It’s restricted because your ability to
experience your life is only through the instruments
of your body and your mind. Either your body or
your mind being in some way constricted means
your ability to experience life also gets constipated.
This happens in many ways – you will be surprised.
Many of you think you’ve grown out of those things,
but when you were ten years of age, your mama,
your uncle, I mean. Your mama said something –
he called you an idiot. Now, you are fifty, but still,
forty years ago, he called you an idiot. It still bothers
you. When you see his face, “He called me an idiot!”
Like this, it goes on. The more concretized your
persona or your personality is, the more nicks and
wounds you carry upon yourself. And these are
not physiological wounds to heal. Because they
are self-inflicted wounds, these are being carried
as badges of life’s experience, so they don’t go.
September 2018
SADHGURU SPOT
Because of this, “I like this guy. I don’t like this guy.
I love this person, I hate this person. I can’t stand
this person” – all this has happened.
Within yourself, you must come to a total
sense of acceptance of everything.
Next twenty-four hours, you must do this: all these
mamas, friends, enemies, nonsense – you don’t
have to tell them, “I love you” – not necessary.
Within yourself, you must come to a total sense
of acceptance of everything. So, somebody said
something, somebody did something, somebody
stepped on your foot, somebody stepped on your
head, twenty-four hours – it’s a small prescription –
only for twenty-four hours, come to an absolute
acceptance of everything. Your mental things, your
emotional things, your bodily things, every damn
thing, and the social things – just simply accepting it
as it is. You don’t have to do anything with anybody –
just within yourself. If you just do this, life will
happen on a larger scale.
Love & Grace,
ISHA FOREST FLOWER | 17
Limited plots are Please Contact
Tamil - 9 487 55 222 8
available English - 9 487 55 222 9
18 | ISHA FOREST FLOWER September 2018
Kalabhairava Shanti - Yearly Death Ritual
Mahalaya Amavasya
8 October 2018 (Monday)
About the Kalabhairava Shanti:
Kalabhairava Shanti is a process established by
Sadhguru to create wellbeing for the deceased. This
process is conducted every year on the auspicious
new moon night of Mahalaya Amavasya at Linga
Bhairavi. It is specifically designed for departed
family members and loved ones, ancestors, and the
wellbeing of the family. This death ritual not only
facilitates the smooth transition of a being from
one stage of life to another, but also brings about
their spiritual evolution.
Requirements:
For the Kalabhairava Shanti, a photograph of the
deceased is required, along with the date of birth
and death. If you are unable to attend the process
in person, you can send an email with the scanned
photograph(s) of your departed relative(s) or
ancestor(s) (while they were still alive), along with
their dates of birth and death. If the exact date of
birth is not available, at least the birth year should
September 2018
“As we have responsibilities
for the living, we have
responsibilities towards the
dead.”
be given. If the year is also not available, then the
names of their parents (both father and mother)
will suffice. The process can also done in case of
abortions after 48 days or stillbirth.
Advance registration for years:
It is also possible to register in advance, so that the
yearly Kalabhairava Shanti process will be done on
Mahalaya Amavasya for the next 10 years.
For more details & registration:
Online registration: isha.co/kalbhairavshanti
Email: info@lingabhairavi.org
Phone: +91 83000 83111
Registration can also be done at all
local centers in Tamil Nadu.
SHRI YOGINI TRUST
Linga Bhairavi, Ishana Vihar (Post)
Coimbatore – 641 114 | www.lingabhairavi.org
ISHA FOREST FLOWER | 19
 UPCOMING PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Date Program Place Contact

Isha Yoga Center,

94890 45164 / 83000 83111
6–9 Sep 2018 Inner Engineering Retreat Velliangiri Foothills,
ieretreat@ishafoundation.org
Coimbatore – India

Isha Yoga Center,

8–11 Sep 2018 Bhava Spandana (Gents) Velliangiri Foothills, 83000 93555 / 83000 83111
Coimbatore – India

Isha Yoga Center,

13–16 Sep
Bhava Spandana (Gents) Velliangiri Foothills, 83000 93555 / 83000 83111
2018
Coimbatore – India

Isha Life Health Solutions

14 Sep 2018, Joint & Musculoskeletal 044-28885333 / 83000 45333
(opp. Spencer Plaza),
28 Sep 2018 Disorders programs@ishalife.org
Chennai – India

Isha Life Health Solutions

044-28885333 / 83000 45333
16 Sep 2018 Holistic Cancer Clinic (opp. Spencer Plaza),
programs@ishalife.org
Chennai – India

Isha Yoga Center,

18–21 Sep
Shoonya Intensive Velliangiri Foothills, 83000 93555 / 83000 83111
2018
Coimbatore – India

Isha Rejuvenation,
0422-2515464
19–25 Sep Isha Yoga Center,
Ayur Sampoorna isharejuvenation@
2018 Velliangiri Foothills,
ishafoundation.org
Coimbatore – India

Isha Yoga Center,

20–23 Sep 94890 45164 / 83000 83111
Inner Engineering Retreat Velliangiri Foothills,
2018 ieretreat@ishafoundation.org
Coimbatore – India

Isha Yoga Center,

22–25 Sep
Shoonya Intensive Velliangiri Foothills, 83000 93555 / 83000 83111
2018
Coimbatore – India

Isha Rejuvenation,
0422-2515464
26–30 Sep Diabetes Management Isha Yoga Center,
isharejuvenation@
2018 Program Velliangiri Foothills,
ishafoundation.org
Coimbatore – India

Isha Yoga Center,

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

Live in a Consecrated Space – Isha Yoga Center,

94890 45136 / 94890 45133
22 Dec 2018 Yantra Ceremony with Velliangiri Foothills,
yantra@lingabhairavi.org
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 September 2018

 ISHA RECIPE Avocado Tomato Salad

INGREDIENTS METHOD

2 avocados 1. Peel the avocado fruit and cut the flesh into
cubes.
1 tomato
2. Cut the tomato also into cubes.
1 bunch fresh coriander leaves
3. Chop the coriander leaves and add to the salad.
Virgin olive oil
4. Mix lemon juice, virgin olive oil, salt and pepper
Lemon juice
to make a dressing. Add it to the salad and mix
Salt to taste  it in carefully.
Black pepper (freshly ground) 5. Ready to serve!

Tip: Replace lemon juice with balsamic vinegar and coriander leaves with basil leaves for a
Mediterranean flavor.

September 2018 ISHA FOREST FLOWER | 21

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September 2018 ISHA FOREST FLOWER | 22

 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,
Anna Salai, Chennai – 600 002, TAMILNADU. Editor: K. SEKAR

September 2018 ISHA FOREST FLOWER | 23

 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 – September 2018

there is a porous net.

Between rest and activity

activity percolates into rest.

When committed to wellbeing of All

But none can take away my restfulness.

24
a || ISHA
ISHA FOREST
FOREST FLOWER
FLOWER September
September 2018
2018