An expression of a graceful Race.

The tiny hands come together

is no small grace
The little one’s welcome
Volume - 2 / Issue - 3 `15 Annual Subscription `180 March 2014

No Pain or Gain
I live a life where there is
No pain or gain
Even the butterfly or the bird
Cannot imagine to soar
As I do upon wind and rain
Or just the emptiness of the sky

As I am what I breathe
touch and cannot touch
I courted the Boundless
Ended up with the blessed Emptiness
I am for all and all is for me
I have no pain or gain

Grace & Blessings

Registered with the Registrar of Newspapers for India under No. TNENG/2013/53333
 Printed by: S. PRAKASH; at FINE DOTS, No.15, Boo Begum 3rd Street,
Editorial
Dear Readers,
In this month’s Lead Article, Sadhguru encourages us to laugh at our own stupidity. But not only

Anna Salai, Chennai – 600 042. Editor: K. SEKAR.

out of the blue and at random – he gives us “Three Things to Remember,” which turns a healthful
exercise into a life-changing one.

Even for those who do not have the necessary awareness, inclination, or opportunity to actively
work towards their spiritual growth, Sadhguru has created ways for them to passively benefit. In
our article “Tools to Touch Lives,” he speaks on the power and impact of rituals – provided that
certain parameters are maintained by those who perform them.

In “The Greatest Thing in Life,” Sadhguru responds to a meditator’s question on how to make
one’s Guru proud. Be prepared for a surprising Guru Dakshina. His answer is touchingly sweet,
and our short article “Ultimate Sweetness” picks up this theme of turning whatever we touch into
sweetness.

And there we are at this month’s subject of our Isha Hata Yoga series: “Honey.” Learn some little
known facts about how this naturally sweet substance impacts your system. But still – consume in
moderation. This leads us to a new edition and a new dialog partner in our In Conversation with
the Mystic series. Ad Guru Piyush Pandey heretically questions the very basis that his industry
furthers and thrives on. With the article “Spirituality and Consumerism – Irreconcilable Opposites?”
we bring you the first part of a stimulating exchange.

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

Published from 117/50, Luz Church Road, Mylapore, Chennai – 600 004 and
The concern as to what is right and justified in terms of consumption is certainly a legitimate one.
In our Leela article, “Dharma, by All Means,” a participant asks Sadhguru how Krishna, who all
his life talked about dharma, used deceit to kill many of the opposing warriors. Sadhguru not only
has the answer, but spices it up with vividly narrated incidents from the battlefield.

Recapitulating some of the event highlights in the month of January, we have Sadhguru and
a living legend in this field playing golf to make a rural child’s life, the Master conducting the
biggest program so far in South East Asia, and him back at the ashram, taking over 10,000 Tamil
meditators into his lap. Enjoy the read, munching on “Crunchy Ragi Pakodas,” if you please.

The Editorial Team

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forestflower@ishafoundation.org

2 ISHA FOREST FLOWER March 2014

Lead Article
CONTENTS
Three Things to Remember
A Life-Changing Exercise 4

Musings
Tools to Touch Lives
Sadhguru on Uncorrupted Rituals 6

The Greatest Thing in Life

Sadhguru on the Best You Can Do for Yourself and Your Guru 9
Ultimate Sweetness
Sadhguru on the Compassion of Creation 10
Isha Hata Yoga
Sadhguru on How to Enhance Your Sadhana
Part 3: Honey 11
In Conversation with the Mystic
Spirituality and Consumerism – Irreconcilable Opposites?
Sadhguru in Conversation with Ad Guru Piyush Pandey 13
Leela Series
The path of the playful – part LIII:
Dharma, by All Means 15
News & Happenings
‘Make a Life’ Golf Jaunt with Sadhguru
Wipro Chennai Marathon 2013 / Airtel Delhi Half Marathon 2013 18
Sadhguru Conducts ‘Mystic Eye’ in Singapore 19
Over 10,000 Participants Attend Guruvin Madiyil with Sadhguru 19
Upcoming Programs and Events
Isha Yoga – Program Highlights 20
Isha Recipes
This Month: Crispy Ragi Pakodas 21
Zen Speaks
Not Changing to Meet the Changes 22

March 2014 ISHA FOREST FLOWER 3

 SADHGURU

Three Things to Remember

A Life-Changing Exercise
The following is an excerpt from a darshan with Anyway, you are a limb of that which is the basis
Sadhguru at the Isha Yoga Center, Coimbatore, of existence – you are just not aware of it. Human
Tamil Nadu, India, on 29 January 2014. ignorance is such that each person becomes a world
by himself or herself. Every simple transaction
Questioner : Namaskaram Sadhguru. I am training becomes complex just because every human being
to become an Ishanga teacher. What does it mean is a creation by himself or herself. And not only
to be an Ishanga, and what do you expect from us? that – they consider themselves as bigger than
creation. Because they are so big, whichever way
Sadhguru: The word Isha means “that which
they move, they clash with something. Their
is the basis of everything.” Nothingness is the
everyday walking through life becomes a hazard.
basis of everything. If you look at the world as
What we want to do in the form of programs is to
various reverberations, then silence is the basis of ease this hazard – if not to absolutely remove it –
everything. If you look at the world as various forms, so that people can naturally find expression to their
then the formless is the basis. If you look at the ultimate possibility.
world in terms of measurements, then the limitless
is the basis. If you look at the world as something Wherever you go in the world, there are politics –
or everything, then nothing is the basis. Isha is that even here. I do not believe in putting anything
formless basis of creation or formless divinity. Anga down. If people got a lot of rubbish, why should
means to become a limb of that. I remove it? My intention is to make it into good

4 ISHA FOREST FLOWER March 2014

manure so that they can grow. For some time, they will not see you as a person – they will see you as a
will stink – I cannot help it. Where there are people, projection of Sadhguru. I do not make a long face. I
definitely things occur. If you think they should not do not sneer at people. People do all kinds of things
happen, you are ignorant of human nature. If you to me too, but I am going through life smiling and
are married, you will know – even if just two people laughing. Not because everything is fantastic around
are there, it is best to either live outdoors or at least me. It is just that I am fantastic within me. Since I
have two bedrooms, because it needs space. It once am fantastic, the world is okay.
happened – a psychiatrist who was doing a survey on
happiness in marriage came and visited Shankaran This is a simple exercise everyone
Pillai. He asked, “Are you married?” Shankaran must do. At the end of the day, sit
Pillai said, “Yes.” He asked, “Are you happily
in your bed and look back at the
married?” Shankaran Pillai said, “Yes.” Then the
whole day.
psychiatrist asked, “I mean, both of you are really
happy with your marriage?” Shankaran Pillai said,
“We are not only happy – after 15 years, we are
Look at how many times you
still romantic. Every week, we have a romantic became bigger than the universe.
candlelight dinner in a restaurant. She does it on
Fridays – I do it on Tuesdays.” Look at how many times you were
not conscious of your mortality.
It does not matter what happens as long as at the
end of the day, you can look back on your stupidity
and laugh at yourself – not at the other. This is a
Look at how many times you
simple exercise everyone must do. At the end of the looked at people and things
day, sit in your bed and look back at the whole day around you without any sense of
from the moment you got up, how you have been. involvement.
You will see, at least 90% of the time, you are quite
stupid. If you are just given a little responsibility, People see you as an extended limb of me – you
suddenly, you become so important. Look at how must live up to it. The most important thing is not
many times you became bigger than the universe. to look at people with two eyes that support the
You will see, most of the time, you are bloated. Look duality. “She is nice – she is not nice. She is good –
at how many times you became immortal, that is, she is not good. She is okay – she is not okay.
you were not conscious of your mortality. Look at She is rich – she is poor. This is all right – that is
how many times you looked at people and things not all right.” All this rubbish. You must learn to
around you without any sense of involvement. If see only with one eye, that everyone is the same.
you just watch these three things, you will see you Once there are people in front of you, your life is
will have to laugh through the night. Do not start no more about you. If you just bring this into you,
crying. If you learn to laugh at your stupidity, all the I will take care of the rest for you. If you learn to
rubbish you carry will turn into manure very fast, keep yourself aside, if you learn to keep your likes
and manure is very good for growth. and dislikes, your wants and your judgments aside,
if you simply stand there as an extended limb of
Being an Ishanga means understanding the reality me, I will take care of every aspect of your life.
of your existence. You are just a small limb of this
large universe. You are just a small limb of this large
nothingness. And there is another dimension to it.
When we call you “Ishanga,” you are a limb of Isha
Foundation, or in other words, an extended arm of
me. When you stand there as an Isha teacher, people

March 2014 ISHA FOREST FLOWER 5

Tools to Touch Lives
Sadhguru on Uncorrupted Rituals
The following is an excerpt from the “In Lap of Shiva and Parvati had settled in Badrinath because
the Master” sathsang with Sadhguru at the Isha of its hot spring. Their small dwelling was at about
Yoga Center, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, on 10,800 feet above mean sea level, so the climate was
8 September 2013. cold. One day, they went to have bath in the hot
spring. When they came back, there was a beautiful
Mysticism means exploring dimensions that are not looking infant outside their doorstep. Parvati always
yet in your understanding or perception. To explore had a problem with the fact that she could not have
those dimensions together, there are various types children because Shiva did not have human seeds,
of rituals, which are beautiful, but if not conducted and she being human could not contain his seed. Out
with absolute integrity, they can easily become of her desperation, she created Ganapati, and from
exploitative. Ritual means not just doing pooja. This what was left of six children, she made Karthikeya.
used to be a land with complex and phenomenal
rituals, but due to lack of integrity and misuse, these When she saw this wonderful baby at their doorstep,
rituals largely got wiped out. her maternal instincts took over and she went to
pick up the child. Shiva said, ‘”Wait. Don’t touch
For example, Kashi is the oldest living city on the
this baby. An infant that lands up at nearly 11,000
planet. Mark Twain said, “Benares is older than
feet MSL all by himself is not a good infant. There is
history, older than tradition, older even than legend,
nobody around; no footprints of the parents in the
and looks twice as old as all of them put together.”
snow. Why does this fellow land up at our doorstep
Even Shiva, the Adiyogi, got so enamored with this
by himself? Just throw him away.” Parvati said,
city that he did not want to leave it anymore. Earlier,
“How can you say this? This is the most beautiful
he used to live at Kailash and the surrounding region,
baby I have ever seen!” And she took the baby into
but then he married a princess. She needed better
the house. The next day, after coming back from
accommodation. So he came down to Badrinath,
their bath, the baby had bolted the door from inside
and built a small home there. But after some time,
and did not let these two people in. Parvati said,
he was dispossessed of his home.

6 ISHA FOREST FLOWER March 2014

“How can the baby bolt the door?” If a baby can land of Kashi, there are four gana sthanas, where these
up at 11,000 feet, the damn baby can do anything. four guys settled. Then he sent Ganapati – he never
Shiva said, “Well, we will have to vacate the place. came back either. Afterwards, he sent Kubera – he
Let’s move on.” Parvati said, “But this is our house.” never came back. Finally, he decided to go himself,
“It may have been our house, but since we let the and he did not want to go back either. All this is
wrong people in, it is not ours anymore. Let’s go.” being said to tell you how beautiful this city was.
They moved to Kantisarovar, which is at 12,700 feet. When Agastya Muni was asked to leave Kashi and
go south, he cried and wrote a heartrending poem,
This baby who locked himself inside and running into hundreds of stanzas, about the beauty
dispossessed Shiva of his home was Vishnu, who of the city and the pain of leaving.
thought, “What does it matter for an ascetic yogi if
he is here or there? It is all the same for Shiva, but There is a whole lot of science behind how they
for me it matters. I want to be here.” Shiva knew established certain aspects of the city. But Kashi is
that, and that is why they moved to Kantisarovar, not what it used to be anymore. It has become quite
close to Kedar. Later on, one winter got bad, even at a decadent place – filthy as can be. And above all,
Kantisarovar. From Kailash, he had come down to the superstructure of the city has been broken. The
Manasarovar, then moved to Badrinath, and later on center of Kashi was a powerful energy form, which
to Kedarnath – still the princess complained of the created a tower of light. So many sages and saints
cold and the desolation of the place. have talked about the tower of light, and about the
actual Kashi being an energy form above the city.
Shiva decided that in winter, they would move to
Even today, that part is intact, but the base and the
Kashi. Who would have thought someone could
main temple have been broken.
plan such a fabulous city 12,000–15,000 years ago.
It was a most fantastic plan – layers and layers of Even if you don’t go to Kashi yourself, just take
urban development. The highest level of talent a look at its old plan. It was such a complex and
in spirituality, science, mathematics, music, and geometrically perfect design. Today all that is
astronomy all gathered in one place. It became broken. There are no words to describe what a
the city of learning and of dispensing knowledge. bad state the temple is in and how it is managed.
Shiva enjoyed the intellectual vigor, the music, One thing is, there is a lot of armed police around
the company of people, and the way the city was
who are screening and searching everyone because
designed. He fell in love with Kashi and did not
half or three-fourth of the temple have become a
want to leave anymore.
mosque, and there is constant tension. Once you
have gone through that and you enter the temple,
There is a story of how, when Shiva was about to
come to Kashi, king Diyo Dutta did not want him to the priests will get you. Whether you sit or stand
enter the city because he knew if Shiva was there, there, they will be shouting for money like in the
he would not be the single point of focus anymore. old stock markets. Everything that can be wrong
He said, “A king can rule the city only if everyone about a temple is wrong there. But one aspect, you
looks up to him only. If you want me to rule the city, must witness if you have the opportunity – in the
Shiva should not come. If he comes, I will leave.” evening around 7:30, there is one particular ritual,
which is called Sapta Rishi Aarti.
Shiva sent two ganas to the city to see how to get
rid of this king. However, they fell so much in love After Shiva had transmitted yoga to the Sapta Rishis
with Kashi that they established themselves just and they all had become fully enlightened, he sent
outside the city and never went back. They did them to different parts of the world to spread this
not have the guts to go to Shiva and say, “We love knowledge. Before they left, they expressed their
the city too much.” Shiva sent two more – they anguish, “Now if we go away, probably we will
never came back either. Today, at the four corners never get to set our eyes upon you again, physically.

March 2014 ISHA FOREST FLOWER 7

How can we have you with us when we want you?” needs a lot of preparation. If you want a quicker
Shiva taught them a simple process, which lives on dissemination, there are external technologies and
to this day as Sapta Rishi Aarti, conducted by these processes – I would rather call them processes than
priests who may not know the science behind it, but rituals. We can make this happen to large groups
they stick to the process. I witnessed how they built of people. But it needs absolute integrity. Only in
stacks and stacks of energy, just like that. the last three years, we brought in rituals at the Isha
Yoga Center, because we have created people of
We could do this here, but this takes a different such integrity that no matter what is given to them,
kind of skill. These priests neither have the skill the focus of their lives will not change.
nor the energy, but they have a method – that is
what a ritual is. Even if it is conducted by someone Whatever external activity you do in your life, it
who is absolutely ignorant, if it is done right, it will is meaningful only if it touches people’s lives. If
work, because it is a technology. For priests who you can maintain integrity no matter what, we can
have no sadhana and no such energies of their own, offer you wonderful tools through which you can
what they build up in this temple in this one hour is touch people’s lives in a way that you have never
phenomenal. There are yogis who do such things – imagined possible. Once you have such access to
that is a different matter – but I have never seen another human being, your hands must be super
anything like that anywhere conducted by priests. clean. If you are sweeping outside, no one will ask
After this visit to Kashi, I have some respect for you, “Did you wash your hands?” It is okay if your
priests – at least they maintained the process. They hands are not so clean. Suppose you are serving
did not keep themselves well, but they kept well food, people would like to know if you washed your
what is of some sanctity to them, and it still works hands. Suppose you are inside the temple, we would
fantastically. And at night, there is the Shayan Aarti, like to know if you had a shower. Suppose you have
which is cute. If you get to witness it, you will know to conduct a surgery, we definitely want to know if
how loudly you have to put Shiva to sleep. your hands are cleaned and disinfected.

This is the power of the ritual – you can conduct The more access you have to another human being,
it for any number of people, even if they are the cleaner you have to be. If “What about me?” is
ignorant of it. In contrast, doing anything spiritual, the biggest question in your mind, you should not
meditative, is in a way safer and cleaner, but you have access to anyone. If this one question does
have to prepare the person. A ritual does not need not arise in your mind, you are free to touch any
preparation – you can do it for the whole town. being, and you should. Millions of people need this,
It may be a million ignorant people – still, if they because nothing has truly touched them. Without
just sit there, we can make them benefit. But unless being touched, the being will not be a being – the
the person who performs the ritual has a certain being will just be a body.
integrity, rituals become a tool for exploitation.

The best way to approach dimensions of the beyond

is through internal methods and processes, but it

Upcoming Episodes:
1 Mar 2014 Tarun Tahiliani
8 Mar 2014 Siddharth
15 Mar 2014 Shekhar Kapur
22 Mar 2014 Dr. Prathap Reddy

8 ISHA FOREST FLOWER March 2014

The Greatest Thing in Life
Sadhguru on the Best You Can Do for Yourself and Your Guru
The following is an excerpt from a darshan with phenomena are happening right here – one inside
Sadhguru at the Isha Yoga Center, Coimbatore, the other, all in one space, all in one time.
Tamil Nadu, India, on 21 January 2014.
Everything that you think is past, everything
Questioner: Sadhguru, pranam. I just wanted to that you think will be future is right here. If you
know, how should we conduct ourselves in the see everything the way it is, if the whole creation
outer and inner world so that our Guru takes pride reflects within you, if you can contain creation the
in us? way it is within you, you become the very source of
creation. That is the way to be, inside and outside.
Sadhguru: Your inner world – if you want to call But being in the world, we have to play some game.
it that – should only be a reflection of what is around Let us play a game that is of maximum usefulness
you. If you see something other than what is there, and meaning to everyone around us. If you reflect
it means you are contaminating the world with your creation just the way it is, there is no personal need
opinions and prejudices. Seeing everything just the to play a game and no compulsion to be a part of any
way it is – that is the way to be within. This may game. Whether you withdraw into a cave or plunge
be diametrically opposite to some moral theories into the marketplace, it is still a game. The only way
that say the outer and the inner should not touch to not be part of any game is to dissolve. That is a
each other, otherwise you would immediately get great thing to do, but when human beings attain
corrupted by everything around you. That is not to a certain clarity within themselves, they are of
true. You get corrupted by what is around you only immense value to everyone around, so it is good if
when you have opinions about everything. they hang around for a while and bring a little more
clarity to others.
You look at one thing as good, something else as
bad. You get attached to what you consider as good. Either you exist here as a piece of creation,
You desperately try to avoid what you consider as which is pretty good, or you become like the
bad, and of course that will rule you from inside. very source of creation, which is fantastic. But
This is not the way to be. Creation is made so that being a psychological case is not a good thing.
you see it the way it is, not to make it the way you To be just a psychological case, you need not
want to make it. This is an obscenity that humanity have put your mother through the trouble of
is committing upon the Creator’s creation. Such a delivering you. She could have delivered a file,
magnificent creation – what is there for you to do? and someone could have studied the case. It is not
Absorb it, if you can – nothing more – and even worth being a psychological case. If you consider
that is not simple because creation is phenomenally only your thoughts and emotions as your life and
multi-tiered. There are not just things; so many there is nothing beyond that for you, you are a

March 2014 ISHA FOREST FLOWER 9

psychological case. You must become a vibrant, of life to its ultimate possibility would still always
full-fledged life – that is the most important thing. be relevant. Ultimately, this is the purpose of all
life – to blossom to its fullest potential. Whether it
What we do is determined by what is needed. is a little plant, a tree, an elephant, an ant, a man,
These days, wherever I go, people recognize me as or a woman – the ultimate goal is to become a full-
someone who planted so many trees, educating so fledged life. You should not die as a psychological
many children, built so many hospitals, and so on. I case – a bundle of thoughts, emotions, opinions, and
squirm at the thought that this is what I am known prejudices – though this is what most people define
for. It is most unfortunate that most people cannot themselves through.
think beyond food, education, and things like that.
Touching the ultimate, rather than defining yourself
Suppose the country or the world was doing really through patterns of thoughts and emotions, is the
well – everyone had enough to eat, everyone was greatest thing you can do. If you do that, it means
well educated, everything was happening well – I am successful. You should strive to become an
what meaning would it have to start an Isha Vidhya absolutely full-fledged life. A full-fledged life does
school and to give a midday meal? Right now, when not mean going out and doing all kinds of exploits
the children have not eaten properly, the midday in the world. It means allowing yourself to grow
meal seems like a great blessing. It is a blessing only to full depth and dimension. Every human being
because of the cruelty of poverty. It is not a true should do this.
blessing. Only because we created human beings
without having the necessary food for them, serving The best thing that you can do for your Guru is
them a meal feels like a great thing. I don’t think it what is ultimately best for yourself. That is the
is. It is unfortunate that such things are still needed only purpose.
in the world.

Even if everyone had eaten well and they had

everything they wanted, enhancing the experience

Ultimate Sweetness
Sadhguru on the Compassion of Creation
The chant Jananam Sukhadam, Maranam Karunam share their present experience with everyone
essentially means, the beginning of life is sweetness – around them. If you are miserable, you try to share
death is compassion. Immortality would be a curse your misery. If you are angry, you will share your
that would be most difficult to live with. Imagine anger. If you are hateful, you will share your hate. If
we could not die and had to live here for 10 million you are loving, you will share your love. If you are
years! We want to live a full life, but still, the compassionate, you will share your compassion. One
great compassion of life is that it will end one day. way or the other, we exude whatever is our present
The greatest compassion is if one transcends the state to all life around us. The most important thing
limitations of time and space within oneself. It is the is to bring ourselves to ultimate sweetness within
burden of time what makes life into a grinding mill. us, so that whatever we touch turns into sweetness.
The most compassionate way to exist is to be here And that is the only thing a human being can do.
and be above time.

Once you enjoy the compassion of creation, you

yourself will be compassionate. Knowingly or
unknowingly, it is the want of human beings to

10 ISHA FOREST FLOWER March 2014

Isha Hata Yoga
Sadhguru on How to Enhance Your Sadhana
In this series, Sadhguru discusses various aspects through which you can take your yogic
practice to a whole new level.
cell count will go up. Once there is more oxygen in
Part 3: Honey
the blood, you will feel a burst of energy. Suddenly,
Honey is a substance whose chemical composition
everything will be more active – rejuvenation and
is very close to that of human blood. Especially
cell renewal will go up, and the level of inertia
for people who are doing yogic practices, it is
in your body and mind will go down. One of
good to consume honey. Depending on whether
the reasons why women tend to get more easily
you consume it raw, with cold water, or in warm
depressed than men is, they have a lower level of
water, honey has a different impact on the system.
oxygen in the blood stream. If the oxygen level is
We want to consume it in warm water because we
too low, depression easily sets in.
want the system to open up. You should never put
honey in boiling water or cook it, because some part Nature intends men to do more work, so they have
of honey will turn poisonous if it crosses a certain more muscle. More muscle means more oxygen
temperature. Therefore, the water in which you put is required. The red blood cell count of women is
it should be warm, not boiling hot. Honey should lower than that of men because women have less
not be given to children under the age of one. muscle mass than men, and consequently need less
oxygen. Therefore, women can survive without
Honey is good against anemia. Iron deficiency in the oxygen a little longer than men, even though the
blood is one of the causes of anemia. You will feel oxygen content in their blood is lower. Yoga is about
exhausted because when there is not enough iron in becoming conscious of all these wonderful nuances
the blood, the ability to carry oxygen through the of the body. The more nuances you become aware
body will be reduced. If you do not have enough of, the finer your life will become. Otherwise, it is a
oxygen, your heart, your brain, everything in your gross existence – simply eat, sleep, die.
whole body will function on a lower level.
If you have low blood pressure, and you get up
Building up oxygen in the blood is extremely quickly from sitting down, you will feel dizzy. Low
important. How healthy the body is, how easily blood pressure means not enough blood, but most
it rejuvenates itself, depends on a high level of importantly, not enough oxygen reaches the brain.
oxygen in the blood. Particularly women have to If you feel dizzy when you put your head down,
be careful about this because of their menstrual it is because you have high blood pressure. Either
cycles. Since they lose a certain amount of blood because of high blood pressure or due to lack of
every month, they tend to become anemic much oxygen you feel dizzy.
more easily than men. When the hemoglobin
Consuming honey evens out these imbalances.
content goes down, the ability to carry oxygen in
Pressure builds up depending upon the requirement
the blood will be reduced, which will make you
of the body. People think hypertension is a disease,
feel exhausted and dumb. If there is not enough which it is not – it is an adjustment that the body
oxygen in the brain, both body and brain do not makes. If for some reason, the body needs more
function the way they need to function. oxygen and other nutrients than it normally does, or
the blood is not of the quality that it should be, the
If you consume a little bit of honey in warm water
pumping system is trying to pump more. As quicker
on a daily basis, you will see, slowly the red blood

March 2014 ISHA FOREST FLOWER 11

circulation or more frequent servicing of the organs For a yoga practitioner, who is pushing the body in
is required, it is pumping harder and pressure is certain ways, keeping the circulatory system and
building up. Causes for low blood pressure could be the blood chemistry in balance is essential. Regular
that the system adjusted itself to pump low, or it could consumption of honey brings that balance and
be congenital, that the system is not strong enough makes you more vibrant.
to pump as it is needed, or there is some other issue
with the circulatory process or the chemistry of the Excerpted from talks by Sadhguru at the Isha
blood. Often, a combination of factors contributes Hata School of Yoga.
to this condition. Similarly with hypertension – it
creates a secondary layer of consequences, but the
first layer of consequence is hypertension itself – it
is a consequence, not a cause.

Isha Hata Yoga

21- day Residential Program at the Isha Yoga Center
Bilingual (English/Tamil) Date: 4 to 25 May 2014 Place: Isha Yoga Center
The 21-day Isha Hata Yoga program is an opportunity to learn various ancient and powerful
ways to transform body and mind.

Program Contents:
Upayoga
A simple yet powerful set of 10 practices that activate the joints,
muscles, and energy system, bringing ease to the whole system.

Angamardhana
A series of 30 processes to invigorate the body, and reach peak
physical fitness and mental health.

Suryakriya
An ancient and potent 21-step yogic practice, designed as a
holistic process for health and inner wellbeing.

Yogasanas
A set of powerful postures through which one can elevate one’s
consciousness and enhance one’s energies.

Bhuta Shuddhi
Literally “purification of the elements” – a process of purifying
the five elements within the human system.

For more information and to register for the program,

send an email to hatayoga21day@ishayoga.org

www.ishahatayoga.com

12 ISHA FOREST FLOWER March 2014

Spirituality and Consumerism –
Irreconcilable Opposites?
Sadhguru in Conversation with Ad Guru Piyush Pandey
In another edition of the “In Conversation with the Mystic” series, Sadhguru met with
ad guru Piyush Pandey for a session under the theme “Spirituality & Consumerism” on
6 January 2014 in Mumbai. Piyush Pandey has been named the most influential man in
Indian Advertising eight years in a row by The Economic Times. The following is the
first excerpt of their conversation.

Piyush: Pranam. Lots of you must be wondering else also got a new mobile phone. When it comes
what the hell I am doing here. When I was asked to to children’s products, I think the paranoia is at a
be in this conversation, I said, “I will do it, but what phenomenal level.
are you calling this session? “Sadhu Aur Shaitan”
[The Ascetic and the Devil]?” [Laughter] When I was young, no one stopped me from
climbing trees, no one gave me extra supplements
This is a great opportunity for all of us to learn. I am with my food, and people allowed me to do things
going to try and see if we can get the maximum out that I wanted to do. Today, we are feeding our
of Sadhguru. I don’t know when he is going to be children all kinds of things, which is paranoia to me.
with us again. The next stage of paranoia could be that mothers
will say to their sons, “Become a batsman; I want
Now, “Spirituality & Consumerism.” Is it versus you to be a Tendulkar, but I don’t want you to be a
or with each other? The first thing that I want bowler.” Why not a bowler? Have you seen Muttiah
to ask you – is consumerism actually driven by Muralitharan? He puts his fingers into his mouth,
paranoia? People buy six saris because they are bowls – the leather ball travels all over the ground
afraid that when they go to a party, someone else before it comes back to him again, and again he
there is wearing the same sari. People buy a new licks it. The little guy says, “But Muralitharan is still
mobile phone every three months because someone living – he has not died of any germs.” She says, “But

March 2014 ISHA FOREST FLOWER 13

I am scared of one more thing. Malinga is rubbing that every simple thing had a deeper meaning and
that ball on his crotch – I am paranoid that this is a deeper possibility. If you look at the percentage
1
an act that falls under Article 377 .” [Laughter] So of the U.S. population who are on antidepressants,
how can spirituality and consumerism co-exist? Is that is not a healthy society, which in many ways is
consumerism driven by paranoia? One would love a result of mindless consumerism. If we do not learn
to hear your views. from that, we are for sure mindless too.

Sadhguru: Whether it is consumerism or It is very important that human societies function

something else – any kind of “ism” will lead to out of their intelligence, not just out of external
a certain mindlessness. Mindless consumerism tendencies, which come and go. Pushing the
is definitely not towards human wellbeing. majority of society into that kind of a mode clearly
Consumption2 used to be a disease, you know? shows we are not interested in the wellbeing of
Even now, it is a kind of ailment. That is, we human beings – we just want to sell something at any
do not do what is needed in our lives – we do cost. And above all, if the over 7 billion people on
what is expected by others. People who expect the planet consume at the same level as an average
whatever they expect out of you, they themselves American citizen, statistics say, we will need four-
do not know a thing about their lives. If you live and-a-half planets. But we only have half a planet
to fulfil their expectations, obviously, your life will left. This means you have to keep half of the world
go off the track. Therefore, I feel the advertising population in abject poverty so that others can go on
industry should focus on creating a more conscious a consumerism binge.
consumer rather than mindless consumerism.
I think a more sensible way of living is possible. This
Mindlessness means simply doing something. Once does not mean you should not enjoy your life, or that
mindlessness sets in, society will go in cycles, not you should not have things. Everyone should have
really getting anywhere. There will be nothing what they need. But digging up the planet just for the
profound in that society. Everything will become sake of satisfying someone else’s opinion is simply
profane. Right now, we are rapidly going in that mindless. I am not trying to render an ecological
direction. This used to be a culture where every message. My concern is about human beings. This is
aspect of life had a deeper rooting and meaning. Even like the proverbial story of a man cutting the branch
simple things – how to sit, how to stand, how to eat – that he is sitting on. If he succeeds, he will fall. In
always had a deeper connotation. Because of this, no many ways, this is already happening. Especially in
matter what kind of rigors outside situations offered the Western world, the most successful people have
us in the form of invasions, famines, or whatever really tensed and agitated faces. This does not mean
came, the spirit of India lived on undisturbed. success is suffering. It is mindless consumerism that
leads to suffering.
If you take away this deeper rooting in human
beings and make them live out of a mall, they To be continued.
will get shattered easily. Until about 20 years ago,
the number of people who were psychologically
deranged in this country was extremely low. You
could say this is because it was not recorded, which
is a fact, but still, for one billion people, the number
of those who were psychologically deranged was
extremely small because of this deeper rooting,
1
Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, introduced during the British rule of India, that criminalizes
sexual activities “against the order of nature”
2
Archaic name for pulmonary tuberculosis

14 ISHA FOREST FLOWER March 2014

 Leela Series
The path of the playful –
Part LIII

Dharma, by All Means

The following is an excerpt from Leela, the path of the playful, a unique exploration with Sadhguru
into the mystical realm of Krishna, which took place at the Isha Yoga Center in September 2005.

Questioner: Krishna always talked about dharma to kill an unarmed person, but Jayadrada thought,
and adharma, but during the Kurukshetra war, he “Even if he is just 17 years of age, he causes too
used deceit to kill most of the great warriors, such much devastation.” He felt he must put an end
as Bhishma and Dronacharya. Did he not practice to Abhimanyu and attacked him. Abhimanyu
what he taught? picked up a chariot wheel and fought with that.
Jayadrada alone could not kill him, so he called
Sadhguru: What Krishna did in the battlefield was for support. Many of the Kaurava heroes gathered
not just deceit – it was absolute treachery. around Abhimanyu, which was totally against the
laws of the battle. They all surrounded the boy
There were intricate strategic formations in which and killed him.
the warriors fought. One such formation, called
chakravyuha, was almost impossible to penetrate, It was a rule of the war that when the sun sets, they
unless you knew its intricacies. Arjuna used to be must stop fighting. In the evening, when Arjuna
the only one who had this knowledge. When his came back to his camp, he saw his people mourning
wife Subhadra was pregnant with Abhimanyu, and realized that Abhimanyu had been killed in such
Arjuna spoke in the presence of his unborn son a way. In straight battle, only very few men could
about how to penetrate a chakravyuha, and even have defeated Abhimanyu. Someone described how
in his mother’s womb, Abhimanyu grasped it. they had surrounded him from all sides and slain
But Arjuna did not talk about how to come out him. Arjuna took a vow: “By tomorrow sundown,
of the chakravyuha. Many years later, when the I will have killed Jayadrada. Otherwise, I will kill
Kaurava army formed itself into a chakravyuha and myself.” Hearing this, Dhuryodhana was overjoyed.
was about to slaughter the whole Pandava army, He thought all they have to do was to completely
Abhimanyu, by then 17 years of age but already a protect Jayadrada, and Arjuna would die that night
great hero, broke like a furious arrow through the by his own hand, because he would stick to his
chakravyuha, because he knew how to penetrate it. word. Jayadrada was terrified. He wanted to quit
Bhima and Yudhisthira tried to follow him to save the battle and go home. Dhuryodhana told him
him, but when Abhimanyu went into the center, that this would not be good for their reputation. He
immediately, the chakravyuha closed again. In said to Jayadrada, “Don’t worry. We will deploy all
the middle of the chakravyuha, with no one else our forces to protect you.” Next day, they formed a
to support him, he killed many key people of the huge protection for Jayadrada so that he would not
Kaurava army. Then his chariot went down. All get killed. But from the first moment of the battle,
his weapons were broken. You are not supposed Arjuna started penetrating through the opposing

March 2014 ISHA FOREST FLOWER 15

army towards Jayadrada, because if he did not kill Arjuna’s anger flared up, and he said, “Yesterday,
Jayadrada, Arjuna would have to kill himself. when you, a great warrior, joined many others to
surround my son, a 17-year-old boy, and stab him
At the same time, Satyaki and Burishwara got into a from behind, where was your dharma? What are
fight. Satyaki, a close friend of Krishna and Arjuna, had you talking about now?” Ashamed of the act that
an old feud to settle with Burishwara, who was over he had committed the day before, Burishwara put
70 years of age but still a great warrior. Satyaki was his head down. He went next to his chariot and sat
supposed to protect King Yudhisthira. But overcome down in lotus posture.
by personal emotions, he left Yudhisthira’s side and
went towards Burishwara to attack him. When Satyaki became conscious again and looked around,
Arjuna saw that the king was left unprotected, he completely bewildered. He did not know what had
got concerned. But he could not divert his attention, happened. When he saw Burishwara sitting there,
since his own life was at stake. He continued to go his old emotions and rage took over. Burishwara’s
towards Jayadrada. Satyaki attacked Burishwara, severed hand, still holding his sword, was lying there
but after some time, Burishwara knocked down on the ground. Satyaki threw the hand away, picked
Satyaki from his chariot. Satyaki lost all his arms up the sword, and went towards Burishwara. Both
and almost fainted. Burishwara descended from his Krishna and Arjuna were screaming, “Stop! Don’t
chariot and put his foot on Satyaki’s chest. Krishna do this, Satyaki!” But Satyaki loped off Burishwara’s
saw this. Satyaki had been a staunch and a reliable head, while the latter was sitting with eyes closed.
lieutenant to him for many years. Krishna knew Krishna put his head down; he had not wanted this
his abilities and limitations, and that Satyaki could to happen. Arjuna was totally aghast about what
not defeat Burishwara. Satyaki had done. But Satyaki was exalted, because
he had been able to take revenge at last.
Krishna told Arjuna, “Burishwara is going to kill
Satyaki. You must get Burishwara first before he Day by day, as the war went on, all dharma was
kills Satyaki.” Arjuna said, “How can I do that? broken. First day, they fought by the law. Second
Burishwara is fighting with Satyaki; I shooting day, they started breaking the law, and by the 14th,
him now would be against the Kshatriya dharma.” 15th day, all law was broken. People did what they
Krishna told him, “Satyaki has come here only to wanted and killed each other at will.
fight for you. How can you let someone kill him
Arjuna continued to penetrate towards Jayadrada,
now? Save him.” Arjuna said, “No. It is against
but it looked like Jayadrada was out of reach for
the law.” Then Burishwara pulled out his sword
him. The whole Kaurava army had rallied around
in order to decapitate Satyaki. Again Krishna said,
Jayadrada to protect him. When Krishna saw that
“Your friend, who put his life at stake for you,
there was no way for Arjuna to defeat Jayadrada in
will be slaughtered now if you don’t reach out to
this situation, he used his magic and made a huge
him. Will you let him die like this? What kind of
cloud appear, so that it looked like it was sunset.
dharma is this?” All this time, Arjuna’s arrow was
Seeing this, Jayadrada was absolutely thrilled and
aimed at Jayadrada. When Burishwara was about
relieved, because he thought the battle was over for
to decapitate Satyaki, Arjuna turned and shot the
the day, and he had survived, which meant Arjuna
arrow at Burishwara. Burishwara’s right hand got
would die that day. The whole Kaurava army was
severed. He looked around and said to Arjuna,
exalted and shouted slogans of victory. Everyone
“How could you do this? While I was fighting with
had put their arms down. But the sun came back,
another man, you shot me from behind and severed
and Arjuna shot an arrow through Jayadrada’s heart,
my hand? Anyone who has Kshatriya blood in
and Jayadrada fell. One more deception.
him wouldn’t do such a dastardly act. I know you
wouldn’t have done this by yourself. This cowherd As if that was not enough, when Karna and Arjuna
with whom you are must have influenced you.” came to fight, Krishna interfered again. Karna and

16 ISHA FOREST FLOWER March 2014

Arjuna were evenly matched in their martial arts. that was built of lac and sulfur, and again cheating
For everything that Arjuna did, Karna had an them out of their kingdom. There was an endless
answer. But Karna had one special weapon, the astra, number of events that led to this war. Everywhere,
for which Arjuna had no answer. Karna aimed it at they used deceit without any qualms. When they
Arjuna’s forehead, and was about to shoot and kill were at an advantage, there was no dharma for
him. When Krishna saw this, once again using his them. When they were at a disadvantage, they were
magic, he made Arjuna’s chariot sink a few inches talking dharma as a tool to benefit from. But the
into the earth. The weapon knocked off Arjuna’s next moment, they were the same again.
crown and made him faint for some time, but it
did not enter his head as intended. Many times, Krishna said, “What they are doing is adharma;
Krishna did such things. This was much more than what we are doing is also adharma, but we are
just deception. doing it with an intention of establishing dharma.
They are doing it with the intention of establishing
What is the justification? It is not that his dharma adharma.” It is not a question of right and wrong. It
is higher and someone else’s is lower. What they is a question of purpose, and of whether you would
were facing in the war was colossal evil. The level of be successful within the limitations of the law or
injustice that Dhuryodhana, Shakuni, Karna, and all not. He did not say what he was doing was right –
the others created from day one was too high, from he knew it was wrong. But what he was trying to
the time they tried to murder Bhima by poisoning achieve was right. That is why he did all this.
him, and by tying him up and putting him in the river.
Then the game of dice, which was total cheating, and
the disgrace of trying to disrobe Draupadi in public.
Then trying to burn the Pandavas in the palace

March 2014 ISHA FOREST FLOWER 17

‘Make a Life’ Golf Jaunt with Sadhguru
The “Make a Life” – Isha Vidhya Golf Jaunt has This is the plight and possibility.
been conceived to increase awareness and to Make at least one life.”
raise funds for the education of children in rural
India. After the great success of the first edition The Isha Vidhya volunteers made this a day to
in December 2012 in Delhi, Sadhguru teed off the cherish for the golfers. Apart from the beautiful
second “Make a Life” golf jaunt on 4 January 2014 at decorations and live music during breakfast and
the Bombay Presidency Golf Club, Mumbai. Apart lunch, volunteers at the course ensured that this golf
from the healthy competition, contributing towards outing was an informative one for the golfers. Their
education and making a difference in the lives of placards carried information about Isha Vidhya’s
rural children was the ultimate goal of this game. many initiatives, so that the golfers learnt more
about the cause they are supporting.
The entourage consisted of 88 business leaders.
Among the notable figures who participated in Sadhguru wrapped up the golf jaunt with the
this friendly get-together of passionate golfers following words: “Seventy percent of India lives
were Akshay Kilachand of Kilachand Group, in the villages, and unfortunately, a large number
Rahul Divan, CEO of Rahul Gautam Divan & of our rural children are not fed properly. Even
Associate, Ashish Chemburkar and Rajen Gandhi their skeletal system has not developed fully. We
of the Bombay Presidency Golf Club. One of the certainly do not want to have an India of such
highlights was that Amit Luthra, one of India’s unskilled, uneducated youth. We as a nation have
finest golfers, and gold medalist at the 1982 Asian elbow room of 15 to 20 years to turn around many
things, and if we fail to do it in this period, it will
Games, joined the event.
be very difficult to do it later. If we inspire our rural
Here is Sadhguru’s message about the plight and children, India has a bright future.”
possibility that rural India represents today:
Isha Vidhya would like to thank Harishankaran
“I have known the pain of seeing bright, star-like (Vice-Chairman, Infrastructure Leasing & Financial
eyes of little children in our villages turn into dull Services Limited) and family who generously
hopelessness within a few years because of the donated two classrooms for Isha Vidhya. Isha Vidhya
unsaid fact that there is no way out of the hopeless also extends a special thank you to Sanjay Jain
social and economic pit. The innate intelligence in from Yatra Foundation, Australia, who sponsored
these bright, starry eyes can be harnessed towards scholarships for 170 children.
the making of the nation and of a better world,
or it will find expression in the form of violence,
addiction, crime, or terror.
18 ISHA FOREST FLOWER March 2014
Sadhguru Conducts ‘Mystic Eye’ in Singapore
With over 2000 participants, the one-day “Mystic and wonderful experience. Yet another said it was
Eye” event is the largest program conducted beyond expectations and that he is now asking
by Sadhguru in Singapore to date. Here is how himself, ‘Who am I?’ One more expressed he was
volunteers and participants described their very happy I convinced him to change his travel
phenomenal experience. plans to join the event. A younger colleague shared,
‘I am wide awake and laughing. Sadhguru’s oration
It was a wave of pure blissfulness. The participants is classy and his jokes too funny. What he says is
were blown away as Sadhguru enlightened them simple to understand. I am glad I came.’”
on what life could truly be for them if only they
are willing. He taught them yoga and meditation This feedback cut across age groups and professional
practices that they could practice on their own at backgrounds, and the appreciation for what was
home. At the end, Sadhguru blessed them with such offered at the event was unanimous, making it such
compassion that no heart left the hall untouched. a joyful experience – something the participants
would have never expected to experience in such
A volunteer who headed the online promotion for a large crowd.
the event shared: “An Executive Director came
looking for me at the end and just hugged me before Eyes were teary, faces were lit. Every soul soaked
he shared his feelings. Another friend said that in Joy.
she was speechless and thanked us for the divine – Jean, Isha volunteer, Singapore

Over 10,000 Participants Attend Guruvin Madiyil with Sadhguru

Throughout the third week of January, the Isha Yoga own systems, and how maintaining vak shuddhi,
Center was abuzz with devotees and meditators i.e., uttering the right sounds, can create the right
who had thronged here for a number of events. atmosphere within us for the spiritual possibility
The 15th of January marked the first Pournami of to blossom. Sadhguru also took questions by
Uttarayana and saw the initiation of close to 4,000 participants, for example about the role of a Guru,
participants into the Shivanga sadhana for men. who, as he explained, is not a person who gives a
Two days later, on Thaipusam, 6142 women came teaching or a philosophy, but one who dispels the
to Linga Bhairavi for a moving culmination of their darkness of ignorance within us.
own 21-day Shivanga sadhana. The 18th and 19th of
January saw 10,092 people attending the two-day On the second day, Sadhguru spoke about
program “Guruvin Madiyil,” the Tamil equivalent establishing a love affair with Shiva. Though it
of “In the Lap of the Master,” with Sadhguru. The may begin as imagination, over a period of time,
program included group meditations, discourses by it becomes a reality. In a love affair of this nature,
Sadhguru, and a wide variety of cultural displays, there is no question of failure. Sadhguru also called
from the daring Kalaripayattu performances by Isha attention to the immense need to make spiritual
Samskriti children to the vibrant and upbeat songs process accessible to all by creating Adiyogi spaces
of Sounds of Isha. in various parts of India and the United States.
He went on to explain that unless such powerful
In his opening talk, Sadhguru explained the very places come up where people can sit to meditate,
purpose of the program – to offer spiritual seekers and unless a culture of devotion gets established,
an opportunity to grow in the lap of Grace. He also an irreversible downtrend in society will set in
discussed the impact of sound, and in particular within 20 years.
of our speech, on our surroundings and on our

March 2014 ISHA FOREST FLOWER 19

 Program Highlights

Date Program Place Contact

Bhava Spandana
Isha Yoga Center,
2–5 Mar 2014 (Gents/English) 0422-2515300
Coimbatore – India
Residential Program

Begumpet, 94408 54389

5–11 Mar 2014 Inner Engineering
Hyderabad – India hyderabad@ishayoga.org

Basaveshwaranagar, 99014 68789

5–11 Mar 2014 Inner Engineering
Bangalore – India bangalore@ishayoga.org

Jayanagar, 96201 90104

5–11 Mar 2014 Inner Engineering
Bangalore – India bangalore@ishayoga.org

Thane West, 99676 51283

5–11 Mar 2014 Inner Engineering
Mumbai – India mumbai@ishayoga.org

New Delhi, Delhi – 99101 39202

5–11 Mar 2014 Inner Engineering
India delhi@ishayoga.org

Dahisar East, 90229 78995

5–11 Mar 2014 Inner Engineering
Mumbai – India mumbai@ishayoga.org

Inner Engineering
Isha Yoga Center, 0422-2515421
6–9 Mar 2014 Retreat
Coimbatore – India ieretreat@ishafoundation.org
Residential Program

Hata Yoga Isha Yoga Center,

16–18 Mar 2014 0422-2515300
Residential Program Coimbatore – India

Guru Pooja Training Isha Yoga Center,

25–28 Mar 2014 0422-2515300
Residential Program Coimbatore – India

Inner Engineering
Isha Yoga Center, 0422-2515421
27–30 Mar 2014 Retreat
Coimbatore – India ieretreat@ishafoundation.org
Residential Program
INSIGHT: The DNA of
Isha Yoga Center, 83000 84888
27–30 Nov 2014 Success
Coimbatore – India leadership@ishainsight.org
with Sadhguru

These programs are conducted in English, unless indicated otherwise. Current at the time of print, however subject
to change. For full program schedules and updates, please visit our website: www.ishafoundation.org.

20 ISHA FOREST FLOWER March 2014

Isha Recipes For Healthy Living
Crispy Ragi Pakodas (Finger Millet Fritters)

Ingredients
2 cups Ragi (finger millet) flour
1/2 cup Besan (roasted gram/chickpea flour)
2 cups Cabbage (shredded)
1/2 cup Capsicum (chopped small)
1 tablespoon Curry leaves
1/4 cup Coriander leaves
1 inch piece Ginger
1/2 cup Cashew pieces
1 tablespoon White sesame seeds
1/2 teaspoon Black pepper powder (or chili powder)
Salt to taste
Cold-pressed coconut oil for frying
1/2 teaspoon Chaat masala

Preparation Method
1. Peel and mince the ginger. Coarsely chop the coriander and curry leaves. Mix the veggies
and herbs – cabbage, capsicum, ginger, coriander and curry leaves – in a bowl.
2. Mix the dry ingredients – ragi flour, besan, cashew pieces, sesame seeds, salt, and black
pepper powder/chili powder – in a large mixing bowl.
3. Heat the oil for frying. Add 2 tablespoons of this hot oil to the dry mix. Now add the
vegetables to the dry ingredients and mix well. Add just enough water to form a dough.
Fry bite-size portions of this dough in hot oil.
4. Sprinkle with chaat masala before serving.

The health benefits and nutrition offered by ragi are immense. Ragi is a remarkable source of
protein and minerals and contains important amino acids. It has a high amount of calcium and
potassium and is a great source of iron. Ragi contains tryptophan, an amino acid that reduces
appetite. Ragi is known to relax the body naturally, and is thus beneficial in conditions of anxiety,
depression, and insomnia.

March 2014 ISHA FOREST FLOWER 21

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 Printed by: S. PRAKASH; at FINE DOTS, No.15, Boo Begum 3rd Street,
Editorial
Dear Readers,
In this month’s Lead Article, Sadhguru encourages us to laugh at our own stupidity. But not only

Anna Salai, Chennai – 600 042. Editor: K. SEKAR.

out of the blue and at random – he gives us “Three Things to Remember,” which turns a healthful
exercise into a life-changing one.
Even for those who do not have the necessary awareness, inclination, or opportunity to actively
work towards their spiritual growth, Sadhguru has created ways for them to passively benefit. In
our article “Tools to Touch Lives,” he speaks on the power and impact of rituals – provided that
certain parameters are maintained by those who perform them.
In “The Greatest Thing in Life,” Sadhguru responds to a meditator’s question on how to make
one’s Guru proud. Be prepared for a surprising Guru Dakshina. His answer is touchingly sweet,
and our short article “Ultimate Sweetness” picks up this theme of turning whatever we touch into
sweetness.
And there we are at this month’s subject of our Isha Hata Yoga series: “Honey.” Learn some little
known facts about how this naturally sweet substance impacts your system. But still – consume in
moderation. This leads us to a new edition and a new dialog partner in our In Conversation with
the Mystic series. Ad Guru Piyush Pandey heretically questions the very basis that his industry
furthers and thrives on. With the article “Spirituality and Consumerism – Irreconcilable Opposites?”
we bring you the first part of a stimulating exchange.

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

Published from 117/50, Luz Church Road, Mylapore, Chennai – 600 004 and
The concern as to what is right and justified in terms of consumption is certainly a legitimate one.
In our Leela article, “Dharma, by All Means,” a participant asks Sadhguru how Krishna, who all
his life talked about dharma, used deceit to kill many of the opposing warriors. Sadhguru not only
has the answer, but spices it up with vividly narrated incidents from the battlefield.
Recapitulating some of the event highlights in the month of January, we have Sadhguru and
a living legend in this field playing golf to make a rural child’s life, the Master conducting the
biggest program so far in South East Asia, and him back at the ashram, taking over 10,000 Tamil
meditators into his lap. Enjoy the read, munching on “Crunchy Ragi Pakodas,” if you please.
The Editorial Team
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2 ISHA FOREST FLOWER March 2014
 Volume - 2 / Issue - 3 `15 Annual Subscription `180 March 2014

is no small grace
The little one’s welcome
No Pain or Gain
I live a life where there is

The tiny hands come together

No pain or gain

An expression of a graceful Race.

Even the butterfly or the bird
Cannot imagine to soar
As I do upon wind and rain
Or just the emptiness of the sky

As I am what I breathe
touch and cannot touch
I courted the Boundless
Ended up with the blessed Emptiness
I am for all and all is for me
I have no pain or gain

Grace & Blessings

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