Dec 2019

Compassion cannot choose. And that is why . A Peek Into Sadhguru’s Diary

Paying Attention at Skavlan? 4 Get to know what makes this 15-min chat show one of the most interesting shows Sadhguru has been invited for...

From Cowboy Boots to Ancient Roots 6 Read how something that happened during the Dallas Inner Engineering Culmination program created Isha history

Five Things That Made Isha INSIGHT 2019 Special 9 Find out the reason why the 8th edition of Isha INSIGHT brought palpable transformation among the participants, more than ever

One at Each Hole 14 Discover a special volunteering activity during Isha Golf Jaunt, and see how Isha Vidhya Schools came alive at Pune…

Sadhguru in the 18 Enjoy in pictures Sadhguru’s free fl owing presence at the Isha Yoga Center

  A Peek Into Sadhguru’s Diary

RFR Board Members Bond with the Farmers 23 Walk with the board members to Vellumani’s farm and be inspired Sadhguru’s love for the farmers

Sadhguru on How to Stop People from Killing 27 Themselves on Roads There is 1 death every 3 minutes on Indian roads. Learn from Sadhguru’s keen insights on this pertinent issue

“Why are onion prices making us cry?” 29 Wonders Sadhguru at ET Conclave 2019 A reality check! Sadhguru shows how to make a 5 trillion USD economy

9 Places in the Ashram - Down Memory Lane 30 Maa Gambhiri nostalgically shares anecdotes of the places in the ashram you may not know about

34 Hamza Saleh’s Heartrending Story Try reading it without tears welling up in your eyes!

   Paying Attention at Skavlan

“So here and now, what are you paying attention to? What can you sense now?”

Fredrik Skavlan implored Sadhguru. Fredrik, a famous Norwegian journalist, was anchoring Europe’s longest-running talk show called Skavlan, and his guest was Sadhguru. Shot at their studio in Chelsea, London, this 15-minute chat show with Sadhguru was full of tongue-in-cheek questions - humor and wit like no other show before.

   “People are always thinking Game of Thrones; and Dr. Lighthearted and full of ‘paying attention’ means Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, a witty banter, the show something magical should British fi refi ghter known ended with a segment called be happening, but the for her groundbreaking “Dilemmas” where Fredrik most magical things are psychological research on Skavlan asked Sadhguru happening right now. We decision making in life-or- to choose between various are sitting on a tiny mudball death situations. “dilemmas,” such as sweat called ‘Earth.’ It’s spinning or perfume, a year without in the middle of nowhere. Interestingly, all the social media or a year No one knows where this individual interviews on that without books, and a life creation begins, where it day eventually converged without golf or a life without ends. Here we are sitting on the theme of death. motorbikes. The studio and talking like this – isn’t Sadhguru’s timeless wisdom was fi lled with laughter as this a magical thing? And I on life and death off ered Sadhguru rocked the rapid- am paying attention. Even a glimpse into the magical fi re Q&A session with his though I am a microscopic nature of existence, which quick wit and humor. speck in this universe, sparked the curiosity of still I have an individual the guests and captivated The show airs primetime on experience. I can see this the audience. Friday evenings all across as “me,” see that as “her,” Scandinavia. It has a 50% and see that as somebody Sadhguru off ered a powerful audience market share in else. This speck should process right in the middle Norway and 40% in Sweden, be nothing actually, but of the show - “There is one with a total of over 2.5M this speck of a thing has thing everybody must do viewers per show. Fredrik’s individual experience, a before they go to bed - for a guests include the biggest sense of individuality, which few minutes, see their bed celebrities from Europe is such a tremendous thing,” as their death bed. Just see and America. was Sadhguru’s response that in the next one minute to what constitutes you are going to die. Have “paying attention”. you lived these last 24 hours the way you want, if this is On the show, Sadhguru was the last moment? Every day joined by Swedish models if they do it, they will come and singers Magdalena to their senses.” and Hannah Graaf (The Graaf Sisters); Kristofer Hivju, a Norwegian actor best known for acting in

   From Cowboy Boots to Ancient Roots

Dubbed as the “Lone Star State” and famous for its cowboy boots and country music, Texas became the center of spirituality on November 23, when over 3,600 people from 22 different countries were initiated into Shambhavi Mahamudra by Sadhguru.

   November 23… It Happened on

On this day, Sadhguru was commemorated by the City of Dallas as a token of their gratitude towards his relentless commitment and contribution towards human wellbeing, and November 23 was declared as “Isha Foundation Inner Engineering Day” in Dallas by the mayor.

Coincidentally (or maybe not), November 23 is also the day when Bhumi Pooja was performed for Isha Yoga Center, , in 1993.

And, it is also the day when the Dhyanalinga was off ered to the world in 1999.

      Five Things That Made Isha INSIGHT 2019 Special

   “Going by the experiences of the #2 participants, in my perception, Because We Missed this was the Sadhguru! best INSIGHT Incidentally, this was the program that fi rst time that Sadhguru was has happened not physically present for all so far,” shared four days of the program, Basis of Inner because of his increasingly one of the Engineering hectic schedule, so the program program architects worked architects. The essence of anything that much harder thinking through What made is off ered by Isha is best the many possible ways to received if one is connected enhance the experience and this program so to the source of it. And Inner learning for the participants. enlightening and Engineering is the best way Of course, there was also the enjoyable for to establish that connection. unseen hand that has always been behind the program, the participants This year, the majority so the whole thing worked — over 200 top of the participants had out wonderfully. decisionmakers already been initiated from companies into Shambhavi — two days before the program belonging to the began, 58 corporate leaders varied industries arrived at the ashram for in India? Here the shambhavi initiation. are some This could have happened because of two reasons: reasons: One, for years Sadhguru has been working tirelessly to inspire millions of people through YouTube videos and public engagements.

Two, our Sadhanapada volunteers followed up with the participants relentlessly, coaxing them like mothers to complete the Inner Engineering modules and to get initiated before the start of the program. #1    Sanjeev Sanyal, Principal Economic Adviser, Ministry of Finance, ; Author of “The Ocean of Churn: How 3 the Indian Ocean Shaped Human History”

# “‘We can’t compete in the Passionate Speakers With every customer to be a world’ - we got to stop having brand ambassador.” a Common Inspiration Balasubramanian Muthuraman, “Desire is always personal Former Chairman, whereas Vision is all- Tata Steel inclusive. Desire leads to incremental changes & Why did Tata Steel pay their improvements whereas employees all the salaries Vision can transform the till the date of retirement this attitude. Let’s do the as a part of the Voluntary whole situation. It’s time things that can make our Retirement Scheme? businesses move from business compete in the rest of the world.” individualistic desires to an all-inclusive Vision.” Raman Roy, – Sadhguru Tweet Chairman and Managing Director, Quatrro Global One strong intent that Services. (Better known as the entire lineup of the “Father of BPO” in India) successful speakers passionately displayed in their DNA was this intense aspiration to “You must remember a few do something larger things. One is, we are in a than oneself – it was country where employment stirringly inspiring. is not easy. Number two, we are in a state like Here are some key Bihar or Jharkhand where takeaways from our employment potential is speakers that connected even lower than the average “I will only do what excites them as one: in India. Number three, me. And I’m quite amazed many of our employees at how many things excite Deep Kalra, were unskilled or marginally me. There is so much that Founder and Group CEO, skilled; the opportunities is happening in the world MakeMyTrip Limited that they would get are very that one can do, one can small. Number four, we are contribute to, one can learn “We don’t have a mission the Tata Group; we just can’t from, and if I get excited, I statement. I only have send people away with the do it.” one vision – I want fi fteen-day salary looking only at fi nancial numbers.”    S. Somanath “We came across a quote Director, Vikram Sarabhai from . The Space Centre (VSSC) quote read, ‘They only live, who live for others; the rest “It is a story of are more dead than alive.’ We determination. When we both decided that day itself, started in 1960, America, ‘Let’s dedicate our lives beyond Europe, and Russia were “I, me, myself.” Let’s live for already going to the moon. others, let’s see what it is like.’ So you can understand the area where we work and So, we said, ‘Let’s build this diff erence existing between serve, I assure you, none of you would want to come and work. That guy coming out of the manhole, hugging you and saying, “Sahab, I can do money transfer to my family from this shop” is delightful.“

Lavanaya Nalli, project, let’s build this fuel Vice Chairman, Nalli Silk distribution for the country. Indian space technology Sarees Pvt. Ltd. Let’s do something for the and the European and country.’” American technology at that point in time — 50 years Rta Kapur Chishti, of gap. Those 50 years of Author, Sari Historian and technological gap have been Textile Scholar bridged in the last 50 years.” “We need to rethink how we Anil Bajaj, clothe ourselves. We need to Founder and CEO, Nearby rethink how we create our Technologies Pvt. Ltd. An homes. We need to rethink IIM-A alumnus “If there is one thing I’ve how we do our agriculture learned, it is that I’m and industry. Otherwise, if PayNearby’s unique solution happiest when I fi nd that we just go as we are going, helps thousands of mobile little intersection between labor workers on roads, as what I’m good at and what house help, factory workers, really matters. Whether it etc. to transfer their money, matters to the organization, even small amounts, without or whether it matters to the going to the bank. They world, or whether it matters just need to pay a minimal to the community… but transaction fee to a nearby what matters.” retailer (shopkeeper) connected with PayNearby. Aditi Walunj, almost every prediction says Co-founder, Repos that in about 25 to 50 years “Add value where no one Energy, Pune it will become very hard to wants to do anything! This live here on this planet for future generations.”    4# An Astonishing Live Case Study of Isha This interesting playful albeit pertinent exchange between INSIGHT Isha Home School Gen Z and Gen X participants (average “This place (referring to 5 age: 45 years) added a unique Isha) has made us,” said fl avor to the program, making wondrous Aditi Walunj, participants understand their an alumnus of INSIGHT future workforce better. 2017, who took the hall by #Delightful Face-to- storm when she shared her The exchange became so real electrifying journey, over Face With Gen Z that the participants started to the past two years as an ask questions as if they were entrepreneur. In just three “Even though we may be talking to their own children of months of the launch of instantly gratifi ed, it doesn’t the same age. “Why don’t you their product, her company mean we compromise our earn for yourself before you Repos created a footprint decision-making. We care ask for what you want?” Gen X in over 150 cities in the about the supply chain, the asked Gen Z. “You spoilt us; you country, got contracts environment, and the impact gave us what we want. Then to supply to the Indian companies are making,” Isha why this question?” quipped Border Force and one of the Home School (IHS) students the Home School student biggest international names off set some common wittily. Another participant in the industry. It’s a true misconceptions of Gen Z at asked the students, “Mom is story of guts, gumption, Isha INSIGHT 2019. housekeeping/room service; and growth. We feel this Dad is fi nancial support. When case study made people see For the fi rst time, four will you treat us as Mom and that what is exemplifi ed in students of IHS took to Dad?” The students admitted the form of life stories at the stage this year to that they are distracted with each Isha INSIGHT are not demystify perceptions and social media but warmly exceptions. These stories stereotypical concerns asserted that it does not dilute show us that the rules, about their generation, such the bond with their parents. when followed, can help as: laziness, recklessness, you and your organization lack of communication in This session was a delight leap to a diff erent level addition to being unfocused for all. of performance and and unambitious. a diff erent dimension of functioning.    One at Each Hole! One at Each

      Isha Golf Jaunt 2019 Standing Sadhana - from a distance was worth it and more than enough.” 18 Holes The misty morning of “I was at hole number eight and December 1, 2019, had Though it’s our volunteers’ Sadhguru came there. I was very 86 corporate leaders, way to off er themselves nervous; Sadhguru came and sportsmen, and celebrities towards making any Isha asked me my name and said, at the exquisite Oxford program memorable, there ‘Thank you for coming.’ I kept Golf Resort in Pune eagerly is a unique and interesting wondering why there was any waiting to join Sadhguru in activity at golf jaunts which need to thank me.” his favorite game of golf. deserves a special mention. The air was soothed by the There are volunteers, most “He is so humble. He drank gentle strains of Sounds of from very well-to-do social water from another golfer’s Isha. Several of them had and economic backgrounds, bottle thinking it was his. When been participating through standing at each of the he realized this, he went and the years and were fully eighteen holes for over four apologized saying, ‘Sorry I drank committed to the cause. hours under the afternoon up your “water”, I thought it was Among them was the noted sun, with a secret burning for me’. The player replied, ‘No cricketer Ajit Agarkar, a desire within them to catch Sadhguru, you purifi ed it,’ to long-time ardent supporter. a glimpse of Sadhguru, even which Sadhguru explained, ‘We This time we had Rakul if momentarily. Here is some are the same color, same fl esh, Preet Singh, a keen golfer volunteer-speak to give you and blood, then how did I purify and fi lm actress, join us in a peek into this unusual it?’ and he did a Namaskaram. support of Isha Vidhya as activity and its rewards: Such a humble, down to earth our brand ambassador. being! It was so inspiring to have “After reaching home, my witnessed this.” The players shared how son asked me, ‘Dad, what refreshingly diff erent they did you do for the whole “After Sadhguru had his shot found this event from day?’ When I showed him the from a distance, he came near other golfi ng tournaments, snaps with all the players/ where I was and got off from the and how eagerly they had winners, he said, ‘You were cart. He looked at me and said, waited for it. The sense of just standing in one place.’ ‘You are doing great work,’ and purpose that the day was I laughed to myself, gave clapped. It was the best blessing infused with was what him a peck on his forehead one can get.” lent it a unique, almost and said, ‘I really pray to meditative aura. Sadhguru, Sadhguru that you too will “Players were visiting (the a keen golfer himself, was just stand there like me hole) and playing, and every there throughout the jaunt, someday.’ Thank you all for one of them was appreciative attempting to play with as making it happen for me.” that someone can stand there many of the participating the whole day for a cause. players as he could. They “While on a break, I saw One player, Mr. Shirole, came loved it. Sadhguru playing at one up to me, thanked me for hole. I could barely see him, volunteering, and said to his but the way it was, was so playmates, ‘Hey guys, I want a powerful, that I can still feel photograph with her,’ as if I was a it. Sadhguru never visited my celebrity myself.” hole, but what he gave me

   Isha Vidhya Schools profound transformation Spontaneity and spunk that Isha Vidhya has are defi nitely in no short Come Alive in Pune brought about. supply at Isha Vidhya. For instance, one time a As part of our attempt to On one Skype call with player suggested to the make every Isha Golf Jaunt a younger bunch, Mr. students that it would a shade better than the last, Harish Thawani, a benefi t them to learn golf. we have started hosting Pat, they boomeranged, an “Isha Vidhya Experience steadfast supporter, “Will you come teach us?” Center” over the last couple announced a mini- thus managing to extract of years at this event. competition, promising a promise for a golf camp. Located at a golf hut where a prize to the student How’s that for spunk! players stopped by for who was fi rst to Or, when a student refreshments during the correctly answer 12 cheekily asked a volunteer game, the Isha Vidhya x 12. Our champions her age, and when she Experience Center brought answered, she retorted Isha Vidhya alive for our promptly chorused with “but you look so players by getting them to in unison, “144”. The young!” Good recovery. interact with students over players were stumped; Young Smarty! Skype calls to our schools. we were stoked. While they cheered, we The Experience Center “How joyful they all are!” beamed with pride. also displayed works of was an observation many a As did the kids, who art made by Isha Vidhya player made of our students. students that were much A passing remark. Yet, eagerly awaited their admired by the visitors. when noted against the promised prizes. The day ended with a backdrop of the materially prize distribution. impoverished, extremely trying home situations that The next day, December these children come from, it 2, Sadhguru received an was truly a testimony to the invitation to be the Chief Guest at an event to honor the winners of the 42nd Jamnalal Bajaj Awards. This ceremony was held at the beautifully refurbished Royal Opera House in . These awards are presented annually to those who promote Gandhian constructive activities in India and abroad.

   Sadhguru in the Ashram

              Eminent RFR Board Members Bond with the Farmers as a Prelude to the Board Meeting

   Dec 15, IYC: An ashram volunteer shares…

“I met Sadhguru for the fi rst time at the golf jaunt. I remember wondering that morning if he could really play golf well, and by evening I was in awe of his golfi ng skills,” said B. Muthuraman, former Chairperson, Tata Steel, who was in the ashram to attend the Rally for Rivers board meeting. Along with us was away from Isha drink the unfamiliar “One meeting led Justice Arijit Pasayat, Yoga Center. herbal concoction to another, and retired judge of the of coriander seeds here I am a proud Supreme Court of India, As we reached the and powdered member of the Rally who had come with farm, the board ginger boiled in for Rivers board,” his wife and daughter; members were given jaggery, Sadhguru he shared while we Dr. A. S. Kiran Kumar, a warm welcome was bemused were chatting on our former Chairperson, by a group of and benevolently way to Vellumani’s Indian Space Research farmers. As soon as explained the farm in Semmedu. Organisation; and Mr. they were seated, ingredients of the With the help of Narasimha Raju, retired Vellumani’s wife special Project Green IAS offi cer, former graciously off ered coff ee to them. Hands, Vellumani Secretary, Government hot and delicious “Ah!” one of them partially shifted to of . Mr. Sukku coff ee to all exclaimed and started agroforestry in 2012, Narasimha Raju’s wife of us, which was a to gladly sip it. and we were going and daughter had treat on that cold to see if it had really also excitedly joined and misty morning. All these farmers are worked for him us on this voyage to Seeing some board part of the Velliangiri or not. Vellumani’s farm in members looking Uzhavan FPO. Semmedu – fi ve km unsure whether to

   Sadhguru asked them to The farmers shared that the zest of a farmer. Everyone introduce themselves to because of the combined was surprised to see paddy the group and tell them bargaining power, resources, growing in the middle of pine how it has been for them and marketing and technical trees. “It is an experiment, but being members of the FPO, support from Isha, not only it is working. Just that they and taking up agroforestry. had their incomes multiplied, need to prune the branches After that what happened but also their sense of dignity frequently for the sun to reach was a sight to behold. Each had gone up quite a few the crop,” he said. “Actually, farmer got up, spoke in notches. Aided by agroforestry, the yield of paddy crop as an Tamil with full expression there was a signifi cant upward intercrop is higher than the for fi ve to ten minutes shift in the quality of soil, usual water and land-intensive each. Sadhguru himself and consequently, the yield methods,” said the farmer. translated most of it for increased from the land. Another expression of the board members. The Next, they were taken to the hospitality from farmer love and keenness with farm – again it was incredibly Vellumani - his family quietly which Sadhguru was humbling and sweet to see sneaked in the middle of all listening to them and Sadhguru giving them the these intense conversations translating for them was guided tour of the place and handed each of the guests so heartwarming. It was himself. He would lift the soil freshly cut coconut water. contagious, and soon every to show the organic content, After a yogic lunch at the board member’s face was explain intercropping, and ashram, the members met in lit with admiration for other interesting aspects of Nalanda, a yoga hall converted those farmers. agroforestry and farming with into an aesthetic boardroom by

   our volunteers, to review Convention to Combat that people have been and discuss the large- Desertifi cation (UNCCD), receptive and responsive scale implementation acknowledging the eff orts to the campaign shows of Cauvery Calling. and the demonstrable that they have found utility The board discussed model that Isha is and credibility in what they various interventions working towards.” are doing,” commented needed to overcome Justice Arijit Pasayat during policy challenges which Speaking on the need for the meeting. prevent growing, felling, an agricultural reform transport, and selling of for revitalization of soil The board also reviewed agroforestry produce. and water in the nation, the ongoing Waghadi Sadhguru said, “The most River Revitalization They were very happy to vital agricultural reform Program in Yavatmal, learn that in collaboration needed in the nation Maharashtra, which with the Government of right now is that a farmer Rally for Rivers has been Karnataka, Cauvery Calling should be liberated from implementing for the last teams are gearing up to a variety of controls and one year in collaboration start plantations in 54 be allowed to grow, fell, with the Government of rural taluks of Karnataka transport, and sell his Maharashtra. Later in which are in the river produce according to the the evening, the board basin. A. S. Kiran Kumar dictates of the market. attended a conversation said, “It is heartening to Government support is between Sadhguru and see the pace at which needed, but no controls Dr. Rajasekaran, a world- the Cauvery Calling are needed. This is vital renowned spine surgeon campaign has reached the for the revitalization at Ganga Hospital. The implementation phase. of soil, water, and agenda of the conversation The eff orts being made by agriculture in the nation was how to prevent the the Cauvery Calling teams and for ensuring that the unprecedentedly high to implement a project next generation takes number of accidental of such a large scale and to farming.” deaths on Indian roads. volume is commendable. I have been seeing the “We started Cauvery The next board meeting is support and credibility the Calling on a blank slate, scheduled for March 2020. campaign has garnered but in a short span of even internationally, time, it has created the from agencies such desired positive impact as the United Nations and results. The very fact

   Sadhguru on how to stop people from killing themselves on roads

   “Nearly one death strong pitch for Sadhguru happens every three to personally get involved in minutes on Indian roads. this project. Uyir is a people’s And for every death, there movement for road safety are at least thirty people that recently launched an who become permanently innovative project “Kutty disabled. Last year, there Cops” (child cops), making were 1,200,000 widows every school child a traffi c and nearly 150,000 policeman at home. orphans because of this. The World Bank has said Better road designs, that India’s dream of comfortable helmets and becoming a superpower is other riding gear designs evaporating on its roads. that are suitable to use in We are all trying to bring Indian weather conditions, an awareness, Sadhguru, scheduling a compulsory but I think, it’s becoming re-training of all licensees a big challenge. Watching on how to be on the road, how you have brought devising strict consequences about major movements like confi scating licenses if - people following on found using mobile phones river rallies, Youth and while riding or driving, were Truth, rural sports and among the interventions that the upliftment of the Sadhguru listed. He off ered rural people - Sadhguru, to extend support to the we would like to have movement in whatever way your advice on how to possible, within his hectic overcome this challenge,” schedule of 20-22 hours Dr. Rajasekaran, Chairman a day. of Uyir, brought out many such statistics to make a    “Why are onion prices making us cry?” Wonders Sadhguru at ET Conclave 2019

“‘What will take India you, why are you crying the condition of the onion to a fi ve trillion USD about onions? The next farmers is so terrible.” economy?’ While it’s a iPhone costs so much good aspiration to have, if more, but you never He reminded people that I look at what is happening complain. Over 300,000 60% of the rural people, in India right now, the farmers have committed who are largely farmers, mood is not exciting. suicide in the last 20 years. don’t even grow to their to Everybody is feeling the Can you even cry about even their full skeleton size heat of slow down, some farm prices? Is there because of malnutrition, are crying literally even humanity left, I am asking. so we must expand our before cutting onions What’s the problem with economy to include this because of the onion us! I want the onion price population if we want to prices…” Nikunj Dalmia, to be Rs. 200. You cry as sustainably reach the fi ve MD, ET Now, posed the much as you want because trillion USD goal. question to Sadhguru at the ET Conclave 2019 for an audience comprising hundreds of corporate leaders.

While elucidating what India needs to do to widen its economic base, Sadhguru shared a story on “Onion Tears” and explained that it is inhuman to expect farmers to sell onions at Rs. 35/- when they are left with only 30% of sellable crop this year because of copious rain. “When they have a 30% crop, you should have given them at least Rs. 120. All the Mumbaikers, I am asking

   9 Places in the Ashram Down Memory Lane...

On November 23, twenty- ashram. They have seen the since 1992, taking us down seven years had passed ashram grow from a bare memory lane and sharing since Bhumi Pooja was and barren land to a center stories of a few places in the performed in 1993 to mark with international aesthetics, ashram that mattered a lot the beginning of the Isha greenery, and beauty - and to them. Yoga Center. A few months Sadhguru’s reach expanding later on July 13, 1994, to touch over one billion “Much has happened over Sadhguru held the 90- people around the world. the years. Sadhguru has day Wholeness Program created beautiful living with 64 participants in It is heartwarming to hear spaces and Sadhana spaces a makeshift the stories of their triumphs, all over the ashram. We are hut – one of the biggest joys, and struggles about not left wanting for anything milestones in the history living in the middle of anymore. Yet, it was a of Isha. nowhere with a minimum of privilege to be with him in food and amenities. creating these spaces, to After the Wholeness be a part of his plan, and a Program, a daring group of First in this series, here we tool in making it all happen. seven or eight volunteers have Maa Gambhiri, one Here are some stories moved full-time to the of the fi rst fi ve full-time behind the places that we volunteers with Sadhguru loved and now cherish the memories of:

   As a result, we put up more sadhana in typical notice boards everywhere, Wholeness style. including inside each toilet saying, “God is here also” which stayed on for the #3: Leaning Tree – next few years! Wonder of Isha

#2: Western Side of This tree was proudly called T-Block – A Labor the “Leaning Tree of Isha” given the way the tree was of Love growing...more horizontal than vertical. It was one of During the Wholeness Sadhguru’s favorite places #1: Triangular Program, on His birthday, to hold meetings including Block – Rooms Sadhguru announced that those with important guests. we would do the concrete Without Doors and Parts of this leaning tree are work for the roof on the missing now, but still, you Window Panes western side with our own can see the leaning quality in hands. Without any masons the following photo. T-Block was the fi rst or sevadhars, all the concrete structure to go participants and Sadhguru up in the initial 14-acre ashram land. The ground fl oor of the north wing was the only constructed space in the ashram when the 1994 Wholeness Program began. Just 3 large rooms in a straight line. One barely habitable room was #4: Cactus Garden used by Sadhguru (sharing – A Tasteful Thorny common bathrooms with Love of Vijji Maa all the participants!) and the other two rooms without Vijji Maa, in her usual zest for any windowpanes, doors, gardening, took it upon herself or concrete fl ooring were to create a cactus garden. used as luggage rooms by In just a single day’s eff ort all of us. One tube light and a few helping hands, she labored from morning till tied to a pole provided the planted several varieties of late evening fi nishing the necessary light in the night. known and unknown cacti, roof in one day. I don’t The present garden was creating an unmissable the place to dry washed remember if we even had clothes, and one corner was a lunch break, but we were used for disposing garbage utterly delighted that we which was so bad that one were able to complete the day we found Sadhguru roof on the same day. After trying to clean it up. The a long day of hard labor, next minute, we all jumped the evening was celebration in on it and gave the entire time with no rest and place a thorough cleaning.    landmark on the ashram is still there, however, the mighty pleased with the few landscape. The remnants of stones have gone missing hundred rupees we made. this garden are just two plant over a period of time. varieties right behind the #7: Patti’s Room leaning tree. One of these #6: Wonderful plants fl owered two years Cum Store Room ago after remaining dormant Patti’s Kitchen The room adjacent to the for 15 years, making many of The old VRO (Volunteer kitchen, now the Security us nostalgic. Reception Offi ce) was our offi ce, was used to store fi rst kitchen cum dining room kitchen supplies, and this #5: Shivalayam with Patti as our fi rst full- is where our universal Patti time resident cook. This is the also slept. Once I saw a This was our special meeting place where Sadhguru would snake entering the room area, something like what join us for cutting vegetables from the window located the Chandrakund darshan whenever he was in the higher up. I ran out of the area is now but even more ashram. Vijji Maa would cook room and told Patti about it. than that. The impromptu us her specialty – Bisi Bele Nonchalant, Patti waved me satsangs, meetings, midnight Bath. Not to mention the off , saying, “Let it be, I will , games, many trials and experiments go (die) when I have to go!” It celebrations, etc., were held we were subjected to while is a delight to see Patti, now many were learning to cook 86, coming daily to meditate in the Dhyanalinga.

#8: Maatu Mane Yes, we too had a Maatu Mane (cowshed) with ten cows within a few years of

for the fi rst time. We used to here. This is the place where dispose of the kitchen waste Sadhguru gave his fi rst near the present Second darshan after Dhyanalinga Gate Security offi ce. Once being on this land. All of consecration. There was a while cleaning this place, those cows were donated stone placed right below the to our delight, we found by our meditators. Swami neem tree (much younger yellow pumpkins growing Pashupathi was one of the at the time) for Sadhguru, wild (from vegetable waste). fi rst caretakers and had his and later a few more stones We counted a total of 80 own cow, Saraswathi, who were fi xed in a circle around pumpkins. For the seven followed him everywhere this stone for others to sit or eight of us then living like a loyal dog. Sometimes, on during the meetings. The in the ashram, this was Sadhguru would ask some of whole place was surrounded like a bumper harvest. the brahmacharis to sleep in by yellow fl owers like a We promptly sold them in this cowshed. Fortunately, garland to the tree. The tree the local market, feeling    I didn’t have the fortune of to attack our belongings, has been one enriching being part of this sadhana! beddings - you name it journey of bumbling, and they were there. So tumbling, hilarity - and #9: Old Sadhguru declared a trek mostly, a celebration. into the forest to salvage the Meditation Hall hall. The next three days, A lot of hard work has the program continued with gone into creating this This thatched-roof all of us doing our sadhana space while Sadhguru also meditation hall with mud in the mountains amidst had to simultaneously fl ooring was fi rst set up to rain, sleeping in the open, deal with the biggest conduct the ‘94 Wholeness and eating fried gram and responsibility of his Program. The fi rst day of the Sanjeevini kanji. life – the creation and program started with heavy consecration of the rains, leaving us stranded ------Dhyanalinga which almost on the road for many hours. Many may not believe how took his life. Eternally Over the next few days, things happened then and grateful for having this the wind started picking up how Sadhguru, as the sole Being in my life. and, at one time, the entire earner, kept the whole structure was moving like place going. With a bunch a swing in the air. Alarmed, of inexperienced people to Sadhguru came rushing in deal with, Sadhguru showed and shooed us all out of the extreme patience in carrying hall. Till late night, Sadhguru us along. kept working on stabilizing the hall. From deciding amongst ourselves to eat just one Next came the attack of meal a day to save on costs, termites. Of course, we were to being soundly scolded by encroaching on their regular Vijji akka for taking such a haunt, and they decided step, and then complaining to Sadhguru about it, it

   Hamza Saleh’s Heartrending Story

   “It is wonderful So, after failing to fi nd God donate a dollar. But to get to see that Yoga in the religious books, I the book from Isha Shoppe, is breaking thought maybe God doesn’t I needed to donate and barriers of war and religion want me, maybe he doesn’t that was impossible to do to penetrate some of even exist; so I turned to from Syria. So, I managed the worst confl ict-torn live my life with full desires. to ask my brother who is regions of the world I made of myself a rock living outside the country to today. Compassion does star for a while, or even a donate for me and get me not choose and neither theater actor, an athlete the book. And, he mailed it does Yoga.” for a while, but nothing to me, and it was the most – Sadhguru gave me any fulfi llment or a precious gift ever. taste of life until I met Him. “The whole world has That book turned my turned their back on us. I was surfi ng the web, imprisonment into Syrians have no choice – checking some videos on liberation. The words either to fi ght the army or YouTube when suddenly He of Sadhguru changed throw themselves in the was on my screen speaking everything in me. I, along sea. That’s why we need to me. He was the fi rst with my wife, started compassion. We need Human who speaks truly to to change everything in support. We need people me — so logical, so true. He the house according to to take care of us. We need was saying the words that his book. And it was a Isha. We need guidance; were in my mind. He was wonderful experience to do we need another way – we answering so many of the Mahashivratri sadhana and need to fi nd a solution,” questions that were in me dance while celebrating it said Hamza in the YouTube and posing so many others. online with Isha. video “And Now Yoga | First Isha Yoga Program In Syria.” In that period, the war Then the time came when I Read below to know the was going very brutal in couldn’t stay home anymore, “smiling” Hamza a bit more. Syria, and because of the and I had to compulsorily Try reading it without tears circumstances, I was forced join the Syrian Arab Army. welling up in your eyes! to stay home and never This has prevented me from leave. If I stepped outside I getting outside the borders. Namaskaram, needed to make sure that But I was hungry for more. My name is Hamza. I am 38 no one could see me. It was After watching so many years old, married with no imprisonment, but even videos about sadhana and kids. I was born and raised worse because I did nothing practices that Isha off ers, I in Damascus, Syria, where to deserve that. The only needed to learn them. What I spent a lot of my years friends I had were my wife to do when I can’t leave the looking for God. I tried to and Sadhguru’s videos. country? “I need to bring fi nd him in the holy books, Isha here,” I thought. in the religious theories, I wanted to get his book, but nothing could quench Inner Engineering, but since That’s when the hard and my thirst. All the time, the I live in Syria every simple long journey began. I started God that I was searching for thing turns into something crying for help on Facebook was much bigger or wiser or impossible. I can’t pay a pages; some Isha volunteers even nicer than gods spoken penny through the internet replied to me, and they gave about in the holy books. because of the sanctions me some advice or some on Syria, and I can’t even

   books. A very nice lady living experience of living on a are closed in the face of a in Dubai sent me a printable Yogic diet. Syrian, especially now that image of Sadhguru, and I am in the army. So, now fi nally, I could have a picture And all this did happen! I have another challenge: of him in my house. Only by The teachers arrived it is to get more than 30 having his picture, things safely, and those fi ve days persons who would do the dramatically changed. were transforming. The Inner Engineering Online so way they conducted the we can get Isha teachers in I had an answer from Hatha program was amazing, Syria and get initiated. Or Yoga teacher Makarand. We especially the way wait until I am released from started discussing how to they took care of every the army, and that date is make Hatha Yoga happen single detail. yet unknown. in Syria, and each next step turned out to be harder and We could see what “simply I hope to visit the ashram in harder. The teachers agreed sitting” meant. The India one day, and celebrate to come without charging teacher sat for a whole Mahashivratri with Sadhguru any money, but I needed four hours unmoving. and do Bhava Spandana at least to pay for their Subodh and Makarand and Samyama, but yet more travel and stay. So, “How to were so inspiring - they to come! arrange more than $2000, showed us what Yoga especially when the average means, what Isha means, If this story has moved you salary in Syria is less than and what Sadhguru in some way, please do 100 US dollars?” I wondered taught them. They were watch the full video: “..And if it would be possible at all. so loving, humble; they Now Yoga” | First Isha Yoga “I need to convince people to even once arranged the Program In Syria” at do the program with me,” a participants’ shoes outside https://youtu.be/6upGRKtH40Y solution came upon me. the room while we were - A fi lm made by the Hatha practicing inside. Yoga teachers Subodh (in So, I started marketing for white shirt) and Makarand (in the program, created a We ate, danced, and yellow shirt) Facebook page, and looked laughed together like for people interested in one family. learning yoga, and willing to pay $100 for it. Also, I They gave us amazing needed to ensure that the presents - Surya Kriya, teachers have a legal visa for Angamardana, Nadi entering a WAR ZONE - and it , and Aum was a challenge! chanting. I have been practicing since then. Then I needed to fi nd Those practices have a place where we can transformed my life, but conduct the program. still, I need more. Fortunately, I managed to fi nd a place where we all, the I am not initiated yet, participants and teachers, so I found out from the could stay for fi ve days. teachers about the Isha We prepared a vegetarian Center in which food program to let the is a three hours’ drive participants have the whole by car. But all borders