CONTENTS

3 November 2011 FOREST FLOWER

Main Article
The Geometry of Existence
Sadhgurus Talk on His Enlightenment Anniversary 2011 4
Musings
Get Wise Before You Get Old
Sadhguru on Listening to the Life Within 7
Guru Pooja
An Invitation to the Divine 9
In Conversation with the Mystic
High Energy Living
Shekhar Kapur and Sadhguru 10
Leela Series
The path of the playful Part XXVI:
What is Dharma? 2 11
News & Happenings
Sadhguru in Singapore 12
A Mystic, an Actor, and a Book
Film Actor Anupam Kher in conversation with Sadhguru 13

Over 10,000 Attend Sadhgurus Program in Salem 15

Isha Arogya: Opening of the First Center
Combining Ancient and Modern Medicine Systems 16
Sadhguru Spot
Letter from Japan 17
Upcoming Programs and Events
Isha Yoga Program Highlights 18
Consecration of the Aadhi Yogi Aalayam 19
Mahabharat 20
Isha Recipes For Healthy Living
This Month: Fruit and Veggie Salad 21
Zen Speaks: A Mountain in a Mustard Seed 23
September 23
rd
29 years ago, it happened on
Chamundi [refers to the deep spiritual experience
on Chamundi Hills that changed his life completely].
This day happens to be equinox
1
, that means on this
day, the Earth is in a certain state of balance with the
rest of the solar system, particularly with the Sun.
My life has been many things peace of course, joy,
blissfulness, ecstasy, madness, but above all clarity
and balance have been the essential qualities. Above
all for sure balance. And the day I was born was 21
days to the equinox. Within the family, there is a
story how I was born 23 days later than what was
estimated by the doctors. In some way, it adjusted
itself that it was exactly 21 days to the equinox.
Why 21 days, or what is the signifcance of 21? In
the yogic science, 21 is a signifcant number because
it is a fourth of 84, which is the number of cycles
that the creation has been through. Accordingly,
the number of asanas is 84, and the number of
years that it takes for the moon to complete 1008
cycles around the planet is 84. There is a certain
4
November 2011 FOREST FLOWER
The Geometry of Existence
Sadhgurus Talk on His Enlightenment Anniversary 2011

1
Occurs twice a year, when the tilt of the Earths axis is inclined neither away from nor towards the Sun, the center of the Sun
being in the same plane as the Earths equator
SADHGURU
physiological signifcance to the numbers 84 and
21. This is why the Yoga Marga
2
is 21 days and
Shambhavi Mahamudra is 21 minutes. The three
basic nadis multiplied by the seven chakras is 21. So
there are various aspects, where the numbers 21 and
84 are very signifcant, physiologically.
Those of you who are given to wild imaginations,
dont become a numerologist now; dont start
calculating that every number will account for
something. That is not the point. Why I am
talking about this is, yoga is essentially about
understanding and aligning to the geometry of the
existence. The geometry of our system ultimately
means, everything in this body is just a question of
alignment to the geometry of the cosmos; ultimately,
the stability of the cosmos is only in this geometry.
The planet is going around the sun at an axial tilt
of approximately 23 degrees to its orbit; today, it is
the equator which is facing the sun. On other days,
it will be either the northern hemisphere or the
southern hemisphere which is pointing towards the
sun. In Dakshinayana
3
, the southern hemisphere is
facing the sun more than the north; but today, it is
exactly the equator which is facing the sun.
The geometry of the existence, the beauty and the
magnifcent nature in which it is created is such that
if you align yourself to it, the whole cosmos will
respond to you. When I look back at the various
events in my life, how everything happened just
at the right time and how the system gets aligned
to everything in the existence, it is too incredible.
The closer you look at how magnifcently creation
has been made, the more you cannot help bowing
down to it because of the sheer intelligence and the
perfection of creation. If you observe this, everything
else, all the things that human beings are doing, just
seem utterly silly and meaningless. If only human
beings get to have a look at how creation is made,
the dimension of intelligence, the profoundness of
what it is and how it is happening without a hitch
I dont think it can ever be articulated in words;
probably the only way to articulate it is in complex
geometrical forms.
By observing how the geometry of human
physiology is happening, one can clearly know just
everything about the existence. In recent times,
modern scientists have been looking at the ancient
texts of this country, particularly the Rig Veda and
the Shiva Sutras. Over 12,00015,000 years ago,
people in this country already knew what the speed
of light is. They calculated it to the microsecond.
Today, modern science says the speed of light is
186,282 miles per second. The yogis of the past
clearly calculated this, and they calculated in such a
way that it is far more incredible than the way the
modern science arrives at this number.
They looked at how the sphere of the Earth is; the
time that it takes for one revolution [of the Earth
around the Sun] so they calculated the orbit and
they arrived at 186,258 or something, the exact
number. Twenty-four miles per second different
from the modern science
4
and this is the more
accurate calculation. The yogis of the past just
divided the Earths orbit into 27 segments and each
segment has four parts. These segments are known
as the nakshatras
5
and the further four parts are
known as the padas. So the Earth takes 108 steps
around the Sun and the distance between the planet
and the Sun is 108 times the diameter of the Sun.
And the diameter of the Sun is 108 times more than
the diameter of the Earth.
So we included this geometry into day-to-day life.
If you wear rudraksh [mala], it is 108 beads. If you
count a mantra, it is 108 beads because as the planet
takes its 108 steps, you take these 108 steps too. The
idea is to align the system to the cosmic geometry so
that this and that do not feel different. When this
and that do not feel different, then we say this is
yoga because a union has happened.
5
November 2011 FOREST FLOWER
2
Intensive program offered at the Isha Rejuvenation Center to rejuvenate and revitalize the system
3
A period of six months starting from the September equinox to the March equinox
4
Speed of light according to modern science: 186,282 miles per second
5
Lunar mansions
6
November 2011 FOREST FLOWER
Sadhgurus Enlightenment Anniversary 2011
In The Masters Own Words
On Friday [23 September 2011], we had a number
of performances by the residents and students of the
Isha Yoga Center. The Samskriti children presented
a Bharatanatyam performance choreographed by
none other than Sonal Mansingh. It was the story
of the maiden Kanyakumari and how, when she left
her body, Shiva became so despondent, frustrated
and angry that he went up Velliangiri Mountains
and just sat. This is how the Velliangiri Hills
became known as the Kailash of the South. Initially,
the show was to take place in Spanda Hall, but
it was the frst of its kind by the Samskriti children,
so I thought it should be held nowhere else
but in front of the Dhyanalinga. In a matter of two
hours, the residents set up the stage and the lights,
and all watched the drama unfold under the
night sky. Sadhguru
- Excerpted from Sadhguru Spot of 28 Sep 2011
One can attain to this out of sheer surrender. The
modern mind thinks that is the hardest thing to do
but that is actually the easiest thing to do. Like this,
aligning the human system to the cosmic system
will naturally lead to a union which we refer to as
yoga. This is the basis, the fundamental on which
the yogic science has grown.
To give into the conspiracy of the cosmos is a
certain art. There is a science behind it, but it takes
a certain level of humility, devotion, and surrender
within yourself to give in to the cosmic conspiracy.
You cannot think it out. Every time I tried to
think it out, I always only went away from it and
some life situation knocked me back into place.
The compassion with which the existence has
treated me is just incredible; it always got me back,
no matter what.
Excerpted from a talk by Sadhguru
7
November 2011 FOREST FLOWER
It takes a lot of lifes experience to realize that many
things that we thought were very good, turned out
not to be good. When Krishna was asked, What
is the nature of truth? he said, What seems to be
like poison is the amrita, what tastes like amrita,
is the poison. It takes a lot of lifes experience to
realize this. Very few arrive at this without much
pain. For most, when they arrive at it, it is too
late, in the sense it anyway makes no difference
anymore. So the more you hasten your experience
of life, the better it is, because you realize sooner
that what you actually thought was great is not so
great. Has it happened to you? What you thought
was really great when you were 16, or when you
were 30, is not so great, actually. If you dont let
the experience happen at 30, it will happen to you
at 60. That is a terrible waste of life.
A husband and wife were driving. There was a
bit of a quarrel, as usual. In the excitement, he
lost control of the car, hit the median, and the
car turned over. In the next scene, they were at
the gates of heaven. They walked in and found
themselves on a fabulous golf course. Nobody was
there. Then the husband asked the wife, What
do you think, shall we play a round? She said,
Okay. So both of them teed off, got to the green,
he was just about to putt the ball, he looked
around at the beautiful landscape and suddenly, he
became a little irritated and despondent. The wife
asked, Whats the matter now? He said, If it was
not for your stupid health food, we could have got
here long ago. [Laughter]
So many tricks that your body and mind carry out
on a daily basis look like the thing at that moment.
After some time, you look back and see, they were
actually not very good; you could have done better
without them. There are so many things like this.
And we have created a whole social hype that you
are supposed to get excited about everything new,
everything you do for the frst time. You are not
supposed to look through anything. There was a
lady who went for a surgery. The surgeon came,
looked at her and then he very carefully read the
report sheet. Then the lady said, Doctor, Im really
scared. This is my frst surgery. He looked at her
and said, Dont worry, its mine too. [Laughter]
So, like someone said, experience is like a comb that
you fnd when you lost all your hair, or there is a
vernacular saying that you fnd nuts to eat when
all your teeth are gone. So nuggets of wisdom fall
upon you when they are digging your grave. No,
they must fall now. When you are young, when
you are healthy, when life is ahead of you, not just
Get Wise Before
You Get Old
Sadhguru on Listening
to the Life Within
88
November 2011 FOREST FLOWER
nuggets, a torrent of wisdom should fall upon you.
If this has to happen, there is no other way than
to bring clarity to your perception. If you dont
do enough work to bring clarity of perception,
wisdom is an accident. If there is no clarity of
perception, you will see things the way they are
not. Once you see things the way they are not,
unknowingly, you will live a ridiculous life. Ten
people may have joined your party, all doing the
same silly things and you all may feel it is the right
thing but one day, you will know. I only hope
that day is not the last day of your life. Even if you
only had three days left, you could at least enjoy
wisdom for three days.
Please get it right. Get it right as quickly as possible.
If you dont, then life around you and life within
you will wonder why you are around. The trees
will wonder, Why am I wasting my oxygen on
this guy? People around you will wonder, Why
are we required to waste our time and effort on
this man? So should you die? If you die, you will
pop up again. Death is not the end. At least now
[in life], you have an opportunity. Here you are,
this is the time to do it. If you die, next time
around, who knows what the situation would be.
One day, the managing director of a bank died.
After a week, the secretary received a phone
call. The person at the other end asked for the
boss. The secretary said, I am sorry sir, he died
a week ago. Oh, is that so, the other person
responded. Next day, somebody called and asked
again, and the secretary said, He died. Is that
so? Third day, again someone called and asked the
same question, so the secretary thought, Arent
you the same guy calling every day? I think I can
recognize the voice. Every day, youre calling and
asking, and Im telling you he is dead. The caller
replied, It doesnt matter. I just like to hear it.
[Laughter] Dont live in a way that people just like
to hear that you are dead. Thats not a good thing.
People are trying to gain experience. You
cannot gain experience. If you live with absolute
openness, experience will happen to you. If you
live with walls around you, experience will not
happen to you. Only if you let life happen to you,
experience will accumulate. If you are guarding
yourself against every little thing, there will be no
experience except that of defense. Defense against
what? You are defending yourself against life. That
is a good strategy if you have not come here to
live. But you are a piece of life that means you
have come here to live. Dont believe whatever
your mind says. Those of you who lost money in
the stock market or had a tiff with your husband
or wife today, if you feel like dying, just close your
mouth, and hold your nose for two minutes. Dont
conclude, try and see. There is something called
experience. Dont do what your mind says, dont
do what I say, do what the life within you says.
What does it say?
This one [refers to oneself] wants to live. Whatever
rubbish your mind is thinking up is not the reality;
this one wants to live. It wants to live means it
wants to experience the process of life so that
you can look through the process and you can go
beyond this process. If you do not look through
the process, you can never go beyond the process.
Either you are tangled up in the process or you
are insulated from the process. Both will not lead
to liberation. Liberation will only happen when
you are able to look through the process. If the
wisdom that people are expecting to happen to
you when you are 60, happens to you when you
are 16, you are sure to get somewhere. That means
you are able to look through the process of life.
You dont have to go through all the rubbish you
look through it. That means you are a candidate
for liberation.
Excerpted from a talk by Sadhguru
99
An Invitation to the Divine
Guru Pooja
November 2011 FOREST FLOWER
Guru Pooja is not about offering a fower, a fruit, and a
coconut this is a subtle process to create an invitation
to the Divine. We are doing it in the simplest format
because Isha is a very secular organization; we keep
rituals to the mildest level. There is a difference
between meditation and a ritual. Meditation is all
your own stuff; it is exclusive. But if we actively
participate in a ritual, everybody can be in the
same space; everybody can enjoy the same thing. If
performed properly, a ritual is a vibrant and fabulous
tool which supports everybody. A ritual needs
integrity, involvement, and inclusiveness. If there
is no integrity and inclusiveness in the atmosphere,
people can misuse it in so many different ways. So
there is a serious risk because generally in the society,
there is a lack of integrity and inclusiveness.
Guru Pooja is a tool, a certain method. It is not a
thanksgiving ceremony. Yes, there is a sense of
gratitude in it, but that is not what it is all about. It
is a way of creating a certain sacred energy geometry
which will naturally draw certain forces to it. You
must do the Guru Pooja in such a way that no matter
where I am, I must come; I should not have a choice;
that is only possible if you make yourself choiceless.
There is a very beautiful story in the Mahabharath. On
a certain day, Krishna was having lunch. Rukhmini,
his wife, was serving him. Krishna was a man who
had taken on the whole world, so he barely got home.
The chance of serving him a meal did not come often,
even for his wife; it was a privilege that she cherished
and valued. Halfway through his meal, he suddenly
got up and left without even washing his hands. She
said, Please, at least fnish the meal before you go.
He said, No, one of my devotees is in trouble; I need
to go. He went till the gate, stood there for a moment,
turned back and sat down to continue his meal.
Rukhmini asked, What happened to your devotee?
He said, He was sitting in the forest, chanting my
name, when a hungry tiger approached him. Krishna
had seen that this man was totally immersed in the
chant, calling Krishna with total involvement, and
when the tiger approached, immediately Krishna had
gotten up and left. He continued, As I went towards
the gate, the fool picked up a stone to protect himself,
so Ill let him do his business. This is the power of
choicelessness.
Guru Pooja is a device for you to make yourself utterly
choiceless. All these rituals are just that you give
yourself to a process and make yourself completely
choiceless. When you are like that, even the Guru does
not have a choice. You need to make it in such a way
that the Divine does not have a choice about you. It
is from this that many yogis said, maybe in different
ways, Shiva has no choice about whether to be my
partner or not. I have a choice to lose him, but he has
no choice. You must always keep him like that because
what kind of a fool would consider losing the Divine as
a choice? Only somebody who has just one brain cell
would; if you had two brain cells, you would clearly
see that losing him as a partner is not really a choice
it would be utter stupidity.
So Guru Pooja is such a tool. You must make it in such a
way that the party has no choice. The invitation is sent
in such a way that he has no choice; he has to be there.
If you create such power about simple things that you
do, then the beneft of sadhana will multiply manifold.

Excerpted from a talk by Sadhguru
10
November 2011 FOREST FLOWER
High Energy Living
Shekhar Kapur in Conversation with Sadhguru
Shekhar Kapur: Its very fascinating to see the energy
levels people who are practicing Isha Yoga have.
How does this happen?
Sadhguru: See, the energy that you have right now is
not only about the food that you eat. The sunlight, air,
and water that you take in are actually contributing
more than 60% of the energy that you have. I know
if I say this, it will be very controversial because we
always think that energy just comes from food. People
constantly calculate how much iron, how much
magnesium, how much of this, how much of that.
Shekhar Kapur: And every day, theres something
new. [Laughs]
Sadhguru: Yes. Im not saying that this is not needed.
Defnitely the chemical ingredients of the body
need to be taken care of. Im not trying to belittle
nourishment; it is defnitely needed. But that is not
going to determine your energy levels. Your ability
and effciency to transform food into a human being,
into energy and consciousness, is what makes you
who you are.
Now, when we create a machine, we are not just
trying to create big ones, we are always thinking
about being energy-conscious. At one time, you
were driving an Ambassador which gave you four
kilometers per liter, and this was okay. Now, it is a
crime because you understand, this is not the way
to live. Today, you want 40 kilometers out of a liter.
It is a question of energy effciency. There are various
types of sadhana, a certain internal maintenance,
through which your system can be managed in such a
way that no energy is wasted. It is very eco-friendly.
[Laughs] There are energy-conserving methods
through which you can generate a huge amount of
reserve energies within you. Even if you dont sleep
or you dont eat, it doesnt matter.
If I dont sleep for three nights, you will still not see
any difference in me; I will carry on. For example,
I travel to the United States, conduct a program
there for fve days, come back to India, and on the
same day, I start a fve-day program here. I dont
sleep in the United States because I am jetlagged
after travelling from India to the United States.
By the time my jetlag settles, I am already back in
India. So, again, during this program in India, I am
jetlagged, and not sleeping. This is not super-human.
We need to understand this: This is not about being
superhuman; this is about realizing that being human
is super. [Laughs] Being human is not a simple
thing it is something tremendous.
11 November 2011 FOREST FLOWER
Krishna is talking about action being appropriate
to the situation. He was very compassionate with
some, but absolutely ruthless with others. He killed
where he had to kill; he nurtured where he had to
nurture because he had no policy; he was just life;
he just dealt with life whichever way it needed to be
dealt with. He was an embodiment of peace, love,
and compassion. He tried to create peace, but when
on the battlefeld, he was a valiant warrior. When
he went to the courts of the kings, he was a great
statesman. When he was with his woman, he was
a great lover. When he was with children, he was
just a child with them. He was at home in any kind
of situation, with any kind of people because he did
not exclude any aspect of life. He was willing to play
it whichever way it came. That is what makes him
very, very special. It is not that other realized beings
were less enlightened than him. But not everybody
had the opportunity and the possibility of being so
multi-dimensional, for social and individual reasons.
This is one thing that people noticed about him:
Even when he walked into the battlefeld, until
the last moment, he strived to see how to avoid the
battle. But when it could not be avoided, he went
into the battlefeld with a smile and slaughtered
people. People around him asked him why he would
do even the cruelest acts with a smile. Even when
people hurled all kinds of abuses at him, when they
put him into various kinds of diffculties, he was
still smiling. Once, the emperor Jarasandha came
with a big army to Mathura and wanted Krishnas
and Balaramas life because they had killed Kamsa,
Jarasandhas son-in-law. Krishna and Balarama
knew that he would put the city of Mathura under
siege and torture all the people, so they decided to
leave their families and their place of living and run
away into the wilderness, in order to save the people.
In the wilderness, they went through all kinds of
physical hardship. Krishna went through all this with
great ease. Everything was a learning process for him.
He enjoyed the forest, he enjoyed the mountains,
and he taught Balarama various aspects about living
in the forest. Balarama was grouchy and said, Food,
drink, women nothing is there in this forest. Why
do we have to go through all this? And you claim you
are God. Why do all these diffcult situations keep
happening to us? Krishna said, These things keep
happening to us simply because we are living intense
lives, so everything that is life will happen to us. For
others, this does not happen, and see how poor their
lives are. We have to run into the forest to save our
lives. We have to struggle for our food. We have to
go here and there but see how vibrant our lives are.
All this is happening to us because we have chosen
to be vibrant. Much more will happen. Dont you let
it bother you! And he went through all this with
a smile. Even when Krishna had grown into a very
respected statesman and kingmaker, people came
and abused him. He took the abuses in his stride and
just walked through it with a smile. People around
him had their hands on the hilt, but Krishna said,
Dont bother; its okay. Without them saying all
these things about us, life would be so dull.
All kinds of people abused him in every possible way,
but he just went through everything with a smile,
untouched. His way of living, his understanding and
expression of life had so much more variety than any
other master in the past because he chose to be so
multi-dimensional, and he did not have the trouble
of having a thousand disciples sitting behind him. He
just lived his life. His life itself was a teaching. He did
not have to run an organization or some such thing.
He even refused to be a king because otherwise, he
would have been obligated to do things that he did
not want to get into.
Leela Series
The path of the playful
Part XXVI
What is Dharma? 2
One beautiful summer in 2005, fve people from
Singapore who had participated in Isha Yoga programs
in India invited Sadhguru to Singapore. Six months
later, they organized the frst (teacher-led) Inner
Engineering program in the city-state. A beautiful
journey had begun. In August 2009, eager volunteers
welcomed Sadhguru at Changi International Airport,
Singapore, for the very frst time. They hosted fve
events over two days, including private and public
gatherings. Upon the culmination of the events, the
volunteers wondered, When is Sadhgurus next
visit? It was not too far away. With just two months
notice, the volunteers began planning events for
Sadhgurus second visit in September 2011. Despite
everyone having full-time jobs, they managed to
plan and prepare for three days of special events
where they would introduce Sadhguru and Isha to
audiences. The day of his arrival felt particularly rich
as a large group welcomed Sadhguru once again.
The meditator sathsang was held on 10 September
2011 at The Chevrons. The air buzzed with
excitement as 800 Ishas walked in to be received with
great warmth by the joyful Singapore volunteers.
Everyone enjoyed Sounds of Ishas frst live
performance in Singapore. The musicians came from
as far as Canada, Isha Yoga Center in India, and more
regionally from Malaysia. The evening was flled
with laughter, insight, and joy. Sadhguru guided
the meditators to look within and work towards
what really matters to them instead of merely being
content with survival. His talk penetrated and gently
coaxed everyone to explore, question, and discover.
The following day, the global fnancial services
company UBS hosted a special lunch at its training
facility in Singapore. Sadhguru addressed an intimate
gathering of individuals from within the city-state,
Canada, the US, the UK, and India. In a light moment,
he talked about people giving too much attention to
the iPhone and not enough to the I. The attentive
audience posed pointed questions, which were
candidly answered by the Master. Later that day, the
National University of Singapores Cultural Center
flled up for Sadhgurus public talk. Everyone enjoyed
the event fully. One guest shared later, It felt like
Sadhguru was talking only to me, because what he
said was so relevant to my life! Before Sadhguru
concluded his talk, he initiated the audience into Isha
Kriya and encouraged everybody to share this one
drop of spirituality with others.
On the last day, Sadhguru addressed a group of
people at the Lee Kwan Yew School of Public Policy.
Students, faculty, and guests thoroughly appreciated
the wisdom of an inspiring leader who spoke about
being the change they want to see in the world.
The Singapore volunteers organized those events
with effortless grace, dedication, and love. Since
then, they have received many inquiries from people
asking how they can help in the future and how to
sign up for upcoming programs. The impact created
will help to make Singapore a more joyful place.
Sadhguru in Singapore
12
November 2011 FOREST FLOWER
13
Matunga, Mumbai, 20 September 2011, 7 pm The
Sri Shanmukhananda Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi
Auditorium was packed with over 3,000 people who
had been lucky to have emerged on time from the
massive traffc jam outside that still held another
300 invited guests in its clutches. The audience was
beaming with anticipation of an illustrious event
with a Bollywood actor, a mystic, and the launch of a
new photo biography about Sadhguru.
YOU A Spiritual Possibility the title could not
have been more beftting for a photo biography of
Sadhguru. Created after some deep research and
archive digging by Isha meditator Pallavi Guptaa, the
book is an attempt to depict the tremendous spiritual
potential that Sadhguru represents. YOU is a high-
quality production that features some rare and less
published pictures illustrating the different dimension
of his life from the possibility that this round-headed
infant held to the mystic that he is today.
Author Pallavi Guptaa won the hearts of the audience
with her sincere and ingenious introduction on how
Isha and Sadhguru had changed her life and how
this experience inspired her to write this book. The
audience was eagerly awaiting the encounter between
the highly respected Bollywood actor Anupam Kher
and Sadhguru.
Anupam Kher got a taste of Sadhgurus wit and
humor right at the beginning of their conversation
that was webcast to about 40 countries. As he
started off saying, This is me, Anupam Kher, in
conversation with Sadhguru, the Master went into
peals of laughter and retorted, I have not spoken
yet! Unperturbed, Anupam asked his frst question,
Why do spiritual Gurus have to grow a beard?
Sadhguru response, Oh, just because you lost your
hair, sent the house and Anupam into fts of
laughter. Anupam then jestingly mentioned that his
wife Kirron Kher, when looking at the photos in the
book, had said, What an attractive man, and so he
asked how Sadhguru deals with female adulation.
The Masters retort, Thats why I cover myself,
had everyone laughing again, before he added on a
more serious note, This is a very human ailment that
all the time, we have to recognize people by their
gender. [] I dont see any females or males; I just see
wonderful people, so I have no issues. Anupam then
took the conversation to another level, touching on
Sadhgurus work and that of Isha Foundation, what it
is that draws so many people to him, and what makes
Sadhguru different.
There was a very stimulation part of the discussion
when Anupam Kher brought up the aspect of
corruption in India. Sadhguru said that there is a
tremendous economic possibility at our threshold and
that if we handle the next 5 to 10 years right, we can
change the situation for those millions who are today
living in poverty and deprivation. This possibility is
being jeopardized by wide-spread corruption, not
just by a handful of politicians, but nationwide, he
added. Sadhgurus pragmatic insight and visionary
A Mystic, an Actor, and a Book
Sadhguru with Anupam Kher and the newly released
YOU photo biography
November 2011 FOREST FLOWER
perspective on the matter went down very well with
the audience. [See textbox]
The conversation then touched a variety of aspects,
from belief and God to the spiritual culture of
this land, to attention-defciency in children, to
awareness. A few people in the audience got to ask
Sadhguru their burning questions, such as how to
come to peace, happiness, and ecstasy in life, before
a very exuberant Mumbai evening with the Mystic
had to come to a close. Sadhguru then thanked the
audience and autographed many copies of the just-
launched book YOU A Spiritual Possibility. Scores
of television journalists then had a private Q&A
session with Sadhguru.
Matunga area saw many people leave the auditorium,
eyes bright with elation, after having had an electric
experience with the mystic the audio-visual
impressions of him live on stage in their minds, and a
drop of spirituality in their core.
14
November 2011 FOREST FLOWER
Instead of just calling it by one bad word
called corruption, we need to understand
we as a society need to try to move from a
feudalistic way of managing our lives to a
democratic way. [] In our psyche, we are
still feudalistic in nature, but we are trying to
run a democracy. Democracy will not happen
without an active sense of education as to what
democracy means, what is the responsibility of
living in a democratic society. [] We are still
a feudalistic society acting to be democratic. So,
many very, very corrupt people in the country
are bewildered, Why are people upset, Im only
doing this for my family! This is just a little bit
of misunderstanding about Einsteins Theory of
Relativity. You know, Einstein said Everything
is relative; they misunderstood, Relatives are
everything. [Laughter; ] You cannot move
this nation with policy, with rules. If you do not
make it a movement, if people do not connect
emotionally to what needs to be achieved, no
rules, no policy is going to work in this country.
[] Participating in the democratic process does
not just mean once in fve years you cast your
vote most people dont even do that but even
if you do that, that is not enough. Democracy
is an active sport; its not a spectators sport.
Democracy means you are the boss; you have to
be active about everything around you. If you
do not bring that consciousness, awareness, and
activism into people, it will not work. People
have understood the technology of how to stop
the nation bandh, hartaal but how to run the
nation, is a different technology.
Excerpt from Sadhgurus statement about corruption:
YOU
A Spiritual Possibility
Photo biography about Sadhguru
Available now on
www.india.ishashoppe.com
Over 10,000 Attend
Sadhgurus Program in Salem
15 November 2011 FOREST FLOWER
Earlier this year, Sadhguru conducted the frst few
mega-programs in major cities of Tamil Nadu;
each of these Sadhguruvudun Isha Yoga programs
was attended by over 10,00015,000 participants.
However, due to time constraints, the program in
Salem had to be postponed. When the new dates
were fnally announced, the overjoyed Salem
volunteers plunged into the preparations. Their
tireless efforts led to yet another successful program
and an opportunity for thousands of people to have
an experience of inner joy and bliss.
The program was preceded by a sudden torrential
downpour, which has almost become a customary
event before Isha mega-sathsangs and programs.
Volunteers quickly put up bunds around the hall
to prevent the ground from getting wet. After
the storm had subsided, the set-up of the venue
went on full swing after all, it is not every day
that Sadhguru conducts a program for over 10,000
people in your town!
On 30 September 2011, the frst day of the program,
when Sadhguru walked in, a certain stillness fell
on the waiting crowd. Many of them had heard
about Sadhguru from friends, family members,
and acquaintances, but none of it could have quite
prepared them for the actual encounter with the
Master. With his unique blend of wit and wisdom,
Sadhguru had the crowd rolling with laughter in one
moment, and falling into a deep state of introspection
and silence in the next. He closed the evening by
initiating the participants into Isha Kriya.
On the second day of the program, as the 10,000
participants took their seats, Sounds of Isha set the
mood with the sounds of guitar, ghatam and fute.
Sadhguru briskly strode onto the dais, and the session
began. The participants practiced the Isha Kriya and
step-by-step learned preparatory yoga asanas. As
Sadhguru illuminated the mechanics of the human
system, sprinkling the profound subject with jokes,
it did not seem like a program at all, but a joyful
symphony conducted by the Master. After lunch,
Sadhguru led an interactive session, answering
long-standing questions and showing the possibility
to experience life in a completely different way.
The night closed with Sadhguru blessing dozens of
baskets full of fowers, which were later distributed
to each of the participants.
The fnal day of the program, initiation day, started
with the participants being treated to an exuberant
medley of songs from Sounds of Isha that drew
the participants to their feet. Several preparatory
processes were conducted, and it was a sublime sight
to see over 10,000 people becoming silent as the
initiation approached. During the initiation process,
Sadhguru was seated on the dais, utterly still, while
thousands of people around him erupted into ecstasy
as the seed of Shambhavi Mahamudra was sown
into them. In the following session, participants
16
India has a long and renowned history of various
systems of traditional medicine. With a lineage
that dates back thousands of years and includes
such luminaries as Sushruta and Charaka, the
Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, and Siddha schools
of medicine have been appreciated the world
over for their understanding and insight into the
human system. While allopathy is now recognized
for its ability to promptly cure infectious diseases,
traditional systems of medicine are noted more for
their ability to strengthen the human bodys innate
ability to resist disease. Combining the strengths of
these two methods of healthcare therefore results
in an effective and comprehensive approach to
an individuals health an approach that is no
longer about just combating disease, but about
creating a sense of wholeness in the individual.
Isha Foundation is actively involved in combining
these two healthcare systems and making this
combination available to the public. Isha Arogya is
our latest endeavor towards this goal.
Isha Arogya, a holistic health center in Balaji Nagar,
Fairlands, Salem, was inaugurated in the presence
of Sadhguru on 2 October 2011. The center offers
complete healthcare with free consultation,
combining the allopathic, Siddha, Ayurveda, and
Yoga & Naturopathy health systems. A team of
two doctors, one for Siddha and one for allopathy,
are available for consultation. The center has its
own pharmacy stocked with Siddha, Ayurveda and
allopathic medicines, as well as a full range of Siddha
and Ayurveda personal care products for healthcare,
skincare, haircare and babycare products. Other
facilities include a laboratory equipped for blood
investigations and two therapy rooms for Ayurvedic
massages and treatments.
In the future, rejuvenating holistic programs like
Ayur Rasayana, Ayur Sampoorna, and Yoga Marga,
as already practiced at the Isha Rejuvenation Center,
will also be offered at the Isha Arogya Center. These
programs are carefully tailored and sequenced to
bring vibrancy and a proper balance to ones life
energies.
The center in Salem is the frst of many such centers
to be set up across Tamil Nadu. A second center
in Chennai and centers in Trichy and Coimbatore
are underway. The Isha Arogya centers seek to
introduce a new understanding of health into the
publics perception, where the wisdom of the Indian
medical systems and the technology of modern
medicines are blended together, thereby utilizing
the strengths of both systems. This is the beginning
of a movement for health in Tamil Nadu.
Opening of the First Center
Combining Ancient and Modern Medicine Systems
November 2011 FOREST FLOWER
were initiated a second time, after which Sadhguru
walked amongst the participants as Yogeshwaraya
was played, giving an opportunity for the newly
initiated participants to have his darshan from close-
up. Many of them were shedding tears of joy and
reaching out as Sadhguru walked past them. The
mood shifted from devotion to joy as Sounds of Isha
started playing the energetic Alai Alai. Sadhguru
raised the whole situation to a different pitch,
swaying and clapping, his eyes full of love, as he
walked back down the ramp, and then fell into his
own Alai Alai dance. The whole place became a sea
of people dancing, crying and laughing with joyful
abandon truly a Wave of Bliss.
17
Excerpted from Sadhguru Spot,
7 September 2011
Letter fromJapan
My life has always been arranging itself into 12 year
cycles, and at the beginning of a new cycle, there is
always the presence of the cobra in various forms.
Many times this has happened, and in such strange
ways that there is no way to logically articulate the
signifcance of its presence as a mere coincidence. It
is quite beyond logical articulation; it falls perfectly
into place in the overall scheme of life.
Many a time, I have made an error of judgment
through seemingly perfect logic. But always, such
erroneous actions are scuttled by him, and he
invariably puts me back on track. The advantage of
having him as my partner, and above all, the freedom
to be at reckless ease, is only because of the assurance
that his presence are the rails upon which my life
runs. Cannot go wrong or fail, you see. Life or death
I shall gracefully accept, as it is only his will.
The ashram exploded on 3rd Sept with a few
thousand people who had come from all over. Their
eagerness and love are absolutely overwhelming.
Next to Shivas grace, this is the greatest blessing in
my life the outpouring of love from people.
Now in Japan for the India-Japan Global Partnership
Summit. A wonderful event, full of possibilities for
both nations, but can be particularly so for India.
The Japanese participation was at its highest level
with their Prime Minister and four former Prime
Ministers participating. Cannot say the same for
the Indian leadership, though a few Indian states
did well to pitch for tremendous cooperation and
lucrative collaborations. There was almost negligible
participation from the southern states.
This summit is a signifcant event that can bring about
a great change in the way India does business. There
are a few ambitious and game changing proposals. If
the needed political will and deft handling happens,
Indian people could beneft greatly.
The relationship between the people of India and
Japan is not limited to mere trade and commerce.
I can proudly say that the earliest Indian export to
Japan was Buddhas teachings, which are still much
valued. Kalari, the mother of all martial arts, has had
an enduring presence in Japan through its various
manifestations.
The very gentle people of Japan could be the best
partners for India, not to mention the technological
benefts and the work culture of absolute devotion
that they have to offer. The tremendous calamity
that this nation faced in the recent past, and the
courage, resilience and dignity with which they
handled that situation, is commendable. It could
have shaken any nation to its core. The stoic silence
that you feel in the presence of Japanese people
speaks of a very different kind of strength. May the
people of India and Japan mingle in ways that are
benefcial to both the nations.
.As I fnish, can feel a mild tremor of earth
quaking. That is Japan for you.
Love and Grace,
Visit http://blog.ishafoundation.org/sadhguru-spot/ to get weekly updates by the Master himself!
Sadhguru Spot
Musings from the Master
November 2011 FOREST FLOWER
18
Program Highlights
These programs are conducted in English, unless indicated otherwise. Current at the time of print, however subject to
change. For full program schedules and updates, please visit our website www.ishafoundation.org.
Date Program Place Contact
5 - 8 Nov 2011
Shoonya Intensive
Residential Program
Isha Yoga Center,
Coimbatore, India
0422-2515300
programinfo@ishafoundation.org
9 - 15 Nov 2011
Inner Engineering
Technologies for
wellbeing
Visakhapatnam,
India
99856 72092, 98481 39097
vizag@ishafoundation.org
10 - 13 Nov 2011
Inner Engineering
Retreat
Residential Program
Isha Yoga Center,
Coimbatore, India
0422-2515421
maa.karpoori@ishafoundation.org
12 - 13 Nov 2011
Shambhavi Mahamudra
Program
Conducted by Sadhguru
Toronto, Canada
1-866-424-ISHA (4742),
416-670-3002, 416-878-9507
toronto@ishafoundation.org
18 - 21 Nov 2011
Guru Pooja Training
Residential Program
Isha Yoga Center,
Coimbatore, India
0422-2515300
programinfo@ishafoundation.org
23 Nov 2011
Yantra Ceremony
Conducted by Sadhguru
Isha Yoga Center,
Coimbatore, India
9443251234, 09443835000
yantra@ishafoundation.org
23 Nov 2011 Pancha Bhuta Aradhana
Dhyanalinga
Yogic Temple,
Isha Yoga Center,
Coimbatore, India
0422-2515426, 94878 95878
pba@ishafoundation.org
24 - 27 Nov 2011
Inner Engineering
Retreat
Residential Program
Isha Yoga Center,
Coimbatore, India
0422-2515421
maa.karpoori@ishafoundation.org
28 - 30 Nov 2011
Hata Yoga
Residential Program
Isha Yoga Center,
Coimbatore, India
0422-2515300
programinfo@ishafoundation.org
23 - 24 Dec 2011
Aadhi Yogi Aalayam
Consecration
Conducted by Sadhguru
Isha Yoga Center,
Coimbatore, India
Tamil Nadu: 94425 04620
North India: 98106 55004
Central India: 98201 35722
Karnataka: 99160 42295
Andhra Pradesh: 94417 79681
consecration.iyc@india.com
11 - 18 Feb 2012
Mahabharat
Residential Program
conducted by Sadhguru
Isha Yoga Center,
Coimbatore, India
94449 02058
mahabharat@ishafoundation.org
November 2011 FOREST FLOWER
While the construction of the Aadhi Yogi Aalayam is in progress, we still need your support,
either in the form of fnancial donations, donations in kind, or by raising funds for this cause.
For more information, please visit www.giveisha.org, send an email to
giveisha@ishafoundation.org, or call us at 0 94425 04655 or 0 89035 15627
Consecration of the
Aadhi Yogi Aalayam
Sacred Space for Self-Transformation
The Aadhi Yogi Aalayam is a sacred space created as an instrument to raise human
consciousness. That is needed for the most important thing to happen on the planet: the
blossoming of the human being. It is a tribute to the Aadhi Yogi, that one being who has
opened up the possibility for humanity to evolve beyond all limitations. This 82,000 sq.
ft. columnless hall, unique in its structure and design, will be an invaluable offering to
millions of people, and for generations to come. It will allow individuals to receive at least
one drop of spirituality in their lives and explore their full potential.
It will be a rare privilege to witness the consecration of the Aalayam, a process through
which Sadhguru will be transforming an empty space into a divine possibility.
Pre-registration is required.
For further details, please contact your zonal center:
Tamil Nadu: 94425 04620; North India: 98106 55004; Central India: 98201 35722;
Karnataka: 99160 42295; Andhra Pradesh: 94417 79681
consecration.iyc@india.com
Friday, 23 December 2011, 12 pm (noon) to
Saturday, 24 December 2011, 12 am (midnight)
Isha Yoga Center, Velliangiri Foothills, Coimbatore
For the very frst time in the history of humanity, we have the necessary capability, resource and technology
to address every human problem on the planet. The only thing that is missing is human consciousness.
If this one thing happens, we can create a truly beautiful planet. Sadhguru
Isha Recipes For Healthy Living
FRUIT AND VEGGIE SALAD
The popular saying An apple a day keeps the doctor away has been proven
scientifcally in several anti-cancer studies that reveal that a daily intake of the
fruit helps fght carcinoma. Polyphenols in apples, especially in the red skin,
are an effective antioxidant and together with the phytonutrients in the pulp,
they contribute to regulating blood sugar. Apples are a good source of dietary
fber. Recent research has shown that intake of apples can signifcantly lower
blood fats and can also help prevent heart disease. It has also been shown
that apple intake can be associated with a decreased risk of asthma. Apples
are better consumed as raw fruit than as juices. Apples are great for weight
management for one medium-sized apple taken approximately 15 minutes
before a meal helps reduce caloric intake at the meal by nearly 15%.
21
Did you know?
November 2011 FOREST FLOWER
METHOD OF PREPARATION
1. Chop the apple with its peel.
2. Peel the orange, remove the white pith, separate it into
segments, peel them and remove pips. Chop the segments.
3. Peel the cucumber and chop fnely.
4. Tear the spinach leaves into bite-sized pieces.
5. Place all fruits and vegetables in a deep bowl.
6. Whisk together the orange juice, honey, mustard paste,
pepper powder, and salt. Pour this dressing on the ingredients
in the bowl and toss well. Serve.
Note: Oil-free salad dressing for the weight-conscious.
Tip: Garnish with roasted cashews and raisins for added taste.
This month: Apples
INGREDIENTS QUANTITY
Apple 1
Orange 1
Cucumber 1 large
Fresh spinach leaves (palak) 2 cups
Orange juice 4 tablespoons
Honey 2 teaspoons
Mustard paste 1 tablespoon
Black pepper powder to taste
Salt to taste
2012 Isha Calendars
Available Now!
2012 Yearly wall calendars (single sheet)
Three versions: Dhyanalinga
Linga Bhairavi Sadhguru
A beautiful gift for your family and
friends, neighbors, business partners,
and clients
Company advertisements can be
printed on the Dhyanalinga and
Linga Bhairavi calendars

Forms can impress themselves upon your

consciousness; not just in your mental imagery -
they can impress themselves upon your very
energies. The photo itself could make a huge
difference for a person.
Sadhguru
For bulk enquiries, contact
R. Vijayakumar 09487895100
Venkatesh 09443151522
email: calendar.sales ishafoundation.org @