Mar2020

“This is a great time to address ourselves. If we put in enough effort, we can come out physically

fitter, mentally more stable, energetically stronger,

and spiritually with more potential.”

2 | Mar 2020

412 Tips from Sadhguru to Beat the VirusLearn 12 quick tips to reduce the chances of catching the virus and stay robust and alive during this time of crisis.

“Here is the answer to my question,” readers share…Have a glimpse of the Death book, and read some profound and unique excerpts from the Death: An Inside Story.

A First-Hand Experience of Being Quarantined after a Trip to SpainLocked up in a hospital, Nilma from Mumbai shares the horrors and hopes of life in quarantine.

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3 | Mar 2020

26Don’t seek enlightenment!Get in touch with the profoundness of Samyama.

How to Spot a Sadhanapada! 7 Symptoms!Learn about the Sadhanapada infection and its symptoms. You would want to catch this virus for sure.

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18 Sadhguru in Ashram and AroundEnjoy some moments with Sadhguru in pictures and more...

4 | Mar 2020

12 Tips from Sadhguru toBeat the Virus

5 | Mar 2020

Sadhguru: We are the carriers for the virus. Well, this is the problem, but it is also a great advantage because we are human beings. Right now we have to make up our minds, are we human beings or are we human creatures? If we are human beings, we should know how to be. If we know how to be, following the simple rules of not passing it onto the next person and the next person is very much possible... If you know how to be then social interaction is only by choice. If it is not necessary you can keep yourself to yourself. By not doing anything you can feel hugely satisfied that you have done something wonderful for the world.

#1: ‘Being’ Responsible Humans

#2: Building Immunity

Sadhguru: We need to understand the viruses are not interested in killing us because we are their habitat. They want us to live and want to live within us. If we die, they are disappointed. So, let us not disappoint them. Let us see that they live through us, and we produce the necessary antibodies and become capable of handling it, as we have become capable of handling everything else. To keep our immune system at a certain level of function and vitality, there are a few things one can do. For example, if you have been practicing certain type of Yogic practices like Surya Kriya, naturally your immune system would be up.

#3: Jeeva Legium/Raw Mango Sadhguru: There are traditional offerings like Jeeva Legium, our chyawanprash, that also build the immune system. This is also the fag end of the raw mango season. Don't wait for it to ripen, eat the raw mango. It is not a preventive or a cure for coronavirus, but it can up the immune system a little bit.

#4: Neem Sadhguru: For Indian people, the neem leaf is widely available. Every day have eight to ten leaves in the morning on an empty stomach and drink some tepid water or warm water and leave it for about 1 ½ hours. You will see in six to eight weeks' time, your immune system will be at least a few percentage points higher.

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Sadhguru: Turmeric is also available. Now they make what is called as nano-turmeric, where the absorption rate is way higher than normal turmeric, which also greatly enhances your immune system.

#5: Turmeric

Sadhguru: The “Yoga Yoga Yogeshwaraya” chant is about generating samat prana or ushna in the system. There is something called as ushna and sheeta, which in English language translates into heat and cold, but that is not what it exactly means. It indicates that direction, but it does not mean that. So if you generate enough samat prana and create ushna in the system, your immune system will function much better. So the chant will generate a certain amount of strength in the immune system, because it generates heat.

#8: Practice Isha Kriya

Sadhguru: Soak amla (gooseberry, nellikai) in honey overnight, along with some broken black or green peppercorns. Have about three spoons three times a day. It works best if that is the first thing that you take, when you are on an empty stomach. If you do this, in four to eight weeks, one can see significant betterment of one’s immune system.

#6: Amla with Honey and Peppercorns

#7: Chanting for Generating Ushna

Sadhguru: The basic mistake we have done is just this: we have no distinction between what is me and what is mine. What I gather can be mine, we are not disputing that right now, but it cannot be me. If I say this piece of cloth is me, then obviously, I have lost it. So, similarly if I say that this body, the content of this mind that I accumulated - what I know and do not know - is myself, then I have a problem. Well, it is playing havoc with your life on a daily basis, but in moments of crisis like this, it may show up in a strong way. For this we have a simple solution: Isha Kriya, a simple way of separating what is you and what is not you. It is available free for everyone to make use of. If you bring this much consciousness into you, as to what is me, what is not me, it will be very easy to ride through times like this.

7 | Mar 2020

#9: Physical Activity

Sadhguru: Mental distress is definitely one way of putting down the immune system. To stay fully spirited, joyful, and exuberant is also a simple way of making your immune system and the body to function much better.

A joyful, sensible, and responsible human being can deal with situations much better than those who are dead serious about everything. Especially if you are in panic, you are paralyzed. It’s very important that all your faculties are in place, that your body and your brain function and respond the way they need to.

Sadhguru: Now people are at home. If they just sit around, and through the day if they eat something or drink alcohol, they will make themselves much more susceptible. One simple thing is to stay physically active. This is a good time for us to use these few weeks to get fit. If you don't know anything else, at least simply jog on the spot every day at different times - maybe fifteen minutes at a time, five to six times a day. The body will try to handle things better.

Sadhguru: For human societies to remain safe, the important thing is we maintain physical distance from each other, social distancing, so that we don't spread it to the entire world. But spreading of the virus will inevitably happen over a period of time. It is just that don't want to create a peak that we cannot handle. Above all, the vulnerable populations like those over sixty years, those who have any kind of immune-suppressors, those who have had transplants, and infants below one year of age, are all at great risk. It is our responsibility to ensure that we do not create too many fatalities.

In our society, in our homes, our families, with our parents or grandparents, we must ensure no one gets anywhere within two meters of them. If you do this, we will ride this with minimum losses.

#11: Distance

#10: Keeping Yourself Joyful

8 | Mar 2020

#12Namaskaram Corona

Sadhguru: In this culture, when we see people, we always do namaskar. This is not just to stop the virus. “Namaskar” is a more sig-nificant way of addressing another human being. To the entity that you consider as divine, for another hu-man being - man, woman, child – or even if we see an elephant, cow or dog, we do the same thing. This allows you to really recognize the value of another life who is standing in front of you right now.

This kissing-the-cheek cul-ture, hugging culture - with-out any reason, simply just about anywhere - are all things we have imported in the last 10-15 years. But if you come to southern

Indian villages and small towns, you will see if they have to speak to you with-in a two-feet distance, as a mark of respect, they will always cover their nose and mouth. What is my trouble should remain with me, it should never come to you - this is the attitude. It is time to understand the value of this, especially considering the density of the popula-tion. Not only this coronavi-rus; every day we transmit something or the other.

I think we just have to bring this back that we cover our nostrils and mouth when we speak to someone with-in two feet, and stand away from people. These are all things which are well estab-lished in our culture.

A First-Hand Experience of Being Quarantined after a Trip to Spain

10 | Mar 2020

I travelled to Spain before the outbreak of Coronavirus. I returned to Mumbai via Lisbon, Portugal. However, since I had travelled through Spain I was quarantined. Airport authorities arranged transport for three of us senior citizens - myself, my husband and my sister-in-law to Seven Hills hospital, Andheri, Mumbai. My daughter who had travelled with us was allowed to go home for home quarantine.

When we reached Seven Hills, we found the block designated for the quarantine area had not been used for the past three years and only opened on the same day morning. We were shocked as it was not fit for habitation; no water in the flush, no lights in bathrooms, shabby beds infested with mosquitoes, etc. All staff had just come in, deputed from various other government hospitals, and were at a loss to guide us. To live in this seemed a nightmare. We were about six of us using that space at the moment! Numbers started increasing overnight and the din of the newcomers, who were also as much in a state of shock, gave us a sleepless night.

To our luck, thanks to the round-the-clock effort of the government agencies, BMC, government hospitals and others involved, the whole hospital was transformed. It was unbelievable! WiFi was provided. Fresh supplies of clean bed sheets, new towels, pillows, toiletries, dustbins, bucket, chair, bottled water, mosquito repellent was provided to all of us. Food, tea, coffee, biscuits all given in throw away packaging, all hygienic. Every few minutes staff came to inquire if we needed anything, if we had eaten. If any facilities were not working it was promptly attended to.

Our much-awaited test was done on Day 2 at 10pm! In the evening I had given up all hope of it happening that day but was surprised that the medical team had come from Kasturba Hospital to take the swabs so late in the night.

Once our reports came negative, we were allowed to leave for “home quarantine.”

The Seven Hills Lobby which was a nightmare when I walked in was

transformed into an MNC-like office with laptops, paper work moving in sequence, segregated screening areas, courteous doctors in white coats, masks and gloves, interns from various hospitals telling us about their deputations, etc.

I had a fractured wrist so I needed help to wheel my bag out. Out of courtesy I wanted to tip the helper. “NO TIPS,” he refused and joined his hands. I was so happy to see that humanity is alive. No tips, no influence, no shortcuts! I sincerely bow down to all the workers, doctors, nurses, administrative staff who are risking their health to fight the war against the unseen virus, and cheer and pray for each one of them. Kudos to the team!

For my Isha Yoga family: During this difficult time the Kriyas were my support. I did Shambhavi every day and the sleepless night was spent doing Sukha Kriya and AUM chanting softly. Sadhguru’s Live Darshan on the evening of 15th March was so valuable, as if every word was meant for me. Thank you!

- Nilma Shah, Mumbai

11 | Mar 2020

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12 | Mar 2020

Tangible tools to prepare myself for my eventual deathI am in an isolation ward getting tested for COVID-19, waiting for my results and have the Death book with me here. I had started reading it two to three weeks back and I'm almost four-fifths through. As I wait to see my result, it feels great to know more about what death is, how one can die properly and what needs to be done. I don't think anyone is scared of a virus per se, but it's death that we are scared of. I read about new deaths every day sitting here on my bed due to COVID-19. I see the healthcare staff buzzing around me, who look like they are staring at an imminent tsunami approaching - wondering if the wave destroys everything or breaks just before it hits the shore.

The book gave me tangible tools to prepare for my own death and gave me an assurance that in the worst-case scenario, I can at least instruct my family properly on how things are to be done if my time's up.

I think it takes the emotion out of it a little, so that you can just do what's needed to be done. I truly appreciate the straightforwardness with which Sadhguru has just laid open the many facets of death.

Sadhguru's photo on the book cover is just mesmerizing. Every time I look into his eyes, it awakens something deep in me, to be more aware of each breath I take and how fragile and short this happening of life is.

Priya felt a deep connection with the entire book.

Fear need not be part of dealing with deathLiz Hancock, Los Gatos, California relates deeply to the following passage from the book:

Priya from USA, who is in isolation in Solapur, Maharashtra, waiting for her COVID-19 test results shares:

13 | Mar 2020

“Fear is a consequence of a certain situation within you. When you try to handle fear, you are trying to handle the consequence. What is needed is taking charge of your physiological and psychological process, paying attention to the process of how we generate thoughts, how we generate emotions, how we conduct our body and how we manage our chemistry.”

I find these words particularly empowering at this time, as the world grapples to cope with a global pandemic. Death will come for us all, but fear needn’t be part of that process.

At a time where many are dying and there is much uncertainty, we still choose joy. What could be more simple? I feel it is a poignant reminder of the true purpose of having a live guru, especially in times like this.

Thank you Sadhguru for your powerful presence. We are truly grateful.

In Joy We Transcend Death

“When you become really happy, happy beyond words, when your joyousness transcends all limitations, you are ready to die.” Monica from the Netherlands shares: In my experience, it has not been so. For me the (few) times that I have really, utterly felt the deep question of “What is the use?” it has resulted in accompanying sadness and sorrow. This sadness then goes away, namely by the distractions of activity, where once again I can become joyful. But it’s a joy in “distraction.” And when I’m really joyful I forget about the question. So what makes the impact for me is whether I can experience both realities in parallel, simultaneously, and just see how it works.

14 | Mar 2020

When I remind myself of my mortality, my fear and worries become meaninglessSridevi from Oman shares:I had the opportunity to witness my father being cremated. It was a life changing experience for me. Witnessing someone whom I called “my Dad” being reduced to a pile of ashes in an hour’s time made a complete change in my perspective about life. I really became very intrigued about death and started to think about it all the time.

And there was an answer to my questions about death

“People think talking about death more openly, gaining more exposure to death, will help them overcome the fear of death. It is only partially true because it is in the way you do it. It need not work for everyone. Someone may watch people dying and get terrified, or someone else may watch a lot of people die and become callous…It is all a question of your awareness and how you look at it...Just reminding yourself constantly that you are mortal and you may die today will take away your fear of death.”

This simple everyday sadhana has made me realize that whatever I fear is just an illusion of my mind and not the reality. Whenever I am worried or in fear I just remind myself of this mortal nature of my life. It just makes my worries and fears meaningless.

The Life of a Ghost “In a way, everyone is a ghost. Whether you are a ghost with the body or without a body is the only question.”

Devika from Dubai shares:

The ‘Fairytale’ becomes ‘Real’And the ‘Real’ a ‘Fairytale’Life in its unimaginable states - so surrealSuch a small life me, What can I conjure up?But With Him what’s the fearWho taught me what can’t be imagined can be realAs a living one and as a dead one.

Learning How to Die WellJay Naidoo, Ex-Minister of Communication, South Africa. Jay was a part of the first Mandela Cabinet. He is an apartheid freedom fighter, and was recently in the ashram. He shares:

This paragraph is what I connect with the most. “I would like to teach the whole population a way where they can live beautifully, blissfully every moment of their life… If that is not possible, I would like to at least teach them how to die well, so that they can manage at least the last moment of their lives sensibly.”

15 | Mar 2020

People experience a lot of pain and suffering. For many reasons. Apartheid created much suffering for black people. Oppression, racism, discrimination, exclusion, caste — whatever the reason — it’s important to teach people how to transcend their suffering. That it should not disturb their inner peace. Like a lotus flower that grows and keeps its fragrance even in the most polluted stagnant pond. Once one understands the inner world is real and the outer world our illusion, then death will be a graceful exit to the next life.

Psychological Drama is not ExistentialSarra is in self-isolation in the UK for safety reasons. She shares:

“So taking one’s life is not really an option. This happens by mistaking the psychological drama for the existential life.”

It hit me because this quote is a perfect confirmation to the understanding that I arrived at by looking within myself two years ago. I had realized then that human suffering has been romanticized to the point that we think it’s the only way to live an intense life, that only if we suffer we know life. We write books, poems and songs that will find an ear to listen to. It’s a whole culture that has been created, and too many believe in it. This line from the book is a good reminder, once again, that there is a reality beyond the psychological reality acquired by the culture and the circumstances we grow up in.

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18 | Mar 2020

Locked but not Down

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20 | Mar 2020

Some Moments with Sadhguru

21 | Mar 2020

“This is not riding fast... it’s flying low”

Before the Corona virus outbreak took off in India, Sadhguru had to go to Mysore and Bangalore to meet some officials regarding Cauvery Calling. Since the Corona scare was already in the air, he was strongly advised to cancel these engagements and not use the air route. Sadhguru found his own way - he biked down to Bangalore instead of flying, yet he made it to the meeting in time.

So how did it happen?

Four hours odd for 400 plus km....

“This is not riding fast... it’s flying low, “ shared a professional rider who had ridden with Sadhguru during the Cauvery Calling campaign.

22 | Mar 2020

Sadhguru Takes a Biking Break in the Mountains

Before the complete lockdown, one morning Sadhguru decided to bike around the ashram, and drove around 40 km to a place nearby on his Honda. He was joined by Hormazd, who rode alongside him during Cauvery Calling. Here Hormazd shares a few words:

Sadhguru really loves motorcycles.

I saw the expression on his face when we ended our ride that morning. It was that of a naughty teenager who had tasted the thrill of speed.

As usual I was totally smitten.

Some great karma I must've done in this and past lives! Seeing him on a bike just takes me back to riding for pure happiness.

Another volunteer who was once in a car behind Sadhguru's bike shared, “Sometimes Sadhguru used to speed up and just vanish from sight. No amount of speeding could keep up with his bike!”

23 | Mar 2020

Sadhguru plants the arial roots of the Banyan tree that he planted 18 years ago!

24 | Mar 2020

With Sadhguru in Challenging Times

25 | Mar 2020

The daily live Satsangs with Sadhguru from 6:00 – 6:40 pm, are something that many people around the world are eagerly waiting for every day.

Eva Chandel from Delhi shares: “A week before the virus broke out, I searched frantically for tickets and booked a room at Nalanda (an accommodation at the Isha Yoga Center) and told Bipin, my husband that Sadhguru is calling us. We were booked for the 22nd but then we couldn’t fly. Yet the love that enfolds us all, even at home, is so overwhelming. It’s almost as if he is with us here all through this...

“I am overwhelmed with gratitude that I am in the ashram at this time...no other place could be so safe and loving...Sadhguru masterminded the whole safety and care routine, and drills for us – what can be a bigger blessing?” an ashramite shares.

26 | Mar 2020

“Don’t seek enlightenment!”

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Mar 1-8: Sadhguru led seekers on the path of responsibility in the sacred and electrifying space of Adiyogi Alayam for eight days. In this uniquely powerful Samyama program meditators transform into seekers – seekers on the path of liberation.

“You seek growth. You seek enhancement of life. You don’t seek enlightenment, because enlightenment is an idea for which you have no basis. And you will start imagining all kinds of things. You should not even think of freedom; you should look at what are the things that bind you, limit you and do not allow you to be a full-fledged human being. To start with, you can see what is it that doesn’t allow you to at least be joyful and peaceful. Basic stuff!” Sadhguru expounded what it means to be a seeker.

He further cautioned about having ideas about enlightenment: “Do not build up those things in your mind because you will become hallucinatory and unrealistic. You should only think in terms of identifying limitations and how to go beyond that. Then you will arrive at a new level of limitations and see how to go beyond that. This is all!” “It is in the nature of human intelligence to seek, to question, to enquire – to search. If this is taken away from human beings you would have, in many ways, reduced human beings into higher level animals,” Sadhguru said as he closed the Samyama, inspiring us to continue to seek and to not settle into any belief system. Another highlight of the last session was when Sadhguru showed a short video of Samyama 1995 – the first recorded video of Samyama

– for the participants in response to a question. “You can see how people were. Those were wild times. We were mainly looking for people who had the energetic resilience to work with me in the Dhyanalinga consecration. So, we turned up the fire,” he smiled. Sadhguru also took this moment to express his gratitude to all who have contributed in transforming Isha Yoga Center from a barren, empty land to a lush green space of international aesthetics. “Well, the Isha Yoga Center has come a long way from 1994. Thanks to the many tireless hands and crazy hearts which have worked endlessly. Some are here full-time, some are coming and going, some have gone elsewhere, some have passed on, but what they have done is living not just for us; it will be there for a very long time, for generations to come.”

29 | Mar 2020

How to Spot a Sadhanapada! 7 Symptoms!

As the second edition of Sadhanapada wound down with this Mahashivaratri, we bring you a guide on how to spot a Sadhanpada “sur-warrior” in the wild, including tell-tale signs that you are in the presence of alumni. You never know, this might just give you the nudge you have been looking for to apply for Sadhanapada in the future to focus on your growth.

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They are Transformed You know the transformation is real when your sibling sees it, like for Sai Rakesh anna, who shares, “My family had been unsupportive from the beginning. I invited them to experience the ashram. My sister was so inspired by the ashramites and my own transformation that she has decided to apply for next year.”

Fernando from Mexico, who was a gym junkie, shares about his transformation from building muscles to flowering in Yoga, “I was like a copper bullet before, but now I have become like a cotton ball - which is great, because a ball of cotton is much more receptive and playful than a piece of copper.”

Transformation occurred at all levels. More obvious ones, like the average number of halwa servings requested at Biksha hall, to the subtle ways people communicate issues. In the beginning, “Anna, half of that,” used to mean “half of that bucket.” Now it just means “half of that serving spoon.” “I used to be very particular about my personal space. But now, I do not even look up to see who just stepped on my toe,” shares Radek from Czechia.

All that focused Sadhana and Seva time did translate into noticeable change. “Friends and family see me and they immediately say, ‘Oh you have lost so much weight,’” shared Krishna Vamsi from Hyderabad. Or, even more dramatically, in the case of Baran from Australia, a fellow participant

from his IE last May spotted him in the ashram recently and said, “Baran anna, right! Wow, you look so different - your eyes, your face, even the way you walk!” They are Truly Busy Sadhanapada is for seven months. Well, it depends on who you ask: Sadhguru says, “Life is Sadhanapada.” But even the standard seven months is not seven months in the usual sense. Ajay shares, “In terms of passage of time, it feels like we just came this week; but in terms of life experience, it feels like three or four years!”

Abhiram shares the delight of his plight, “Time seems to fly when you leave your room at 3:30AM, only to show up again at 10:30PM. In fact, I saw my new roommate for the first time after a fortnight of him moving in; apparently, he was serving me in Biksha hall all those days and I never even knew! Because our seva schedules are so different and we never linger in the room.” Someone would ask a Sadhanapada, “Wow, akka, it must be great to have a room with a view of the waterfall in the mountains?” only to hear the response, “Mountains? I wouldn’t know, because I am never in my room during daytime!””

A lot of people have decided to stay longer, at least a few more months, and some indefinitely - as they didn’t want these intense seven months to end!

Real Sadhanapada Don’t QuitMidway through the program, as her body was undergoing a transformation, Vineeta akka went to the clinic. When the doctor asked, she said, “I feel tired and pushed to the limit. But that is ok. This is Sadhanapada, I am used to being at my limit and then breaking through it!” The whole thing is like a roller coaster that feels out of control. But you got on the ride, not only because you are tired of the mundane rounds, but also because this wild ride is held safe by the railings of Grace. If Tired, They Just Do More Sadhana“When you think you need more of anything,” says Baran from Australia, “just do more Sadhana. If your knee hurts in Ardhasiddhasana, just sit more.” If you think you are overdoing something, you are not, as there is someone who is pushing the envelope harder. You did seven pradakshinas on an Ekadashi, Fakuruddin anna did eighteen! (His target was 21 but a Seva meeting came up in the evening.) If you wake up at 3:30AM, Ravindra anna at 2:20AM. If you do 90 Surya Shaktis, Amit anna 108! If you ate seven rotis, well Baran anna…

Sadhana is always on; there is no time of the day when you are guaranteed not to hear a kaka-kriya. Mandalas (doing your practices twice for 42 days) have to be followed and

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Sadhanapadas go to great extents reorganizing their schedules — eating, sleeping or seva — to make the Sadhana happen. Then there is the symphony or ‘kakaphony’ of doing it together in review sessions! “I am sure I can make music out of them,” shares Xavier from New York.

They Shift from Competing to Inspiring One Another The vast majority of them come from desk jobs longing for some physical action. Then they arrive here, only to find that the body is taking time to adjust to the rigor of Sadhana, Seva, sitting, and yes, even walking!

“So if your knee hurts, know that it does for many of us. Just join the queue for the western toilet with the rest! If your ushna is too high, keep reminding each other to drink more water than you used to at home. Stomach troubles from the spicy food? Well, there is always non-spicy. We’re a mixed bunch of people with all sorts of shortcomings, but one thing is for sure that we all inspire each other to grow. Constipation or diarrhoea, we have company!” shared a few Sadhanapada volunteers.

For them, Every Day is a Surprise With over 700 of them in the program, the Sadhanapadas are placed in every nook and cranny of the ashram and beyond. In the farms, the cowsheds, the statue, the consecrated spaces, the halls, bullock carts, publishing,

IT, medical, legal, translations, rituals, construction... You have a skill, the ashram will use it. Praneeth, the Vedic scholar, teaches Samskriti kids Sanskrit. The only skill that couldn’t be used is that of our pilot, Chhatrapal.

Directed by the ashram, the program runs on its own fuel (well, almost), blurring the line between a volunteer and a participant. Whether you are booking a stay for your parents, or a taxi for them, or you take them to the Linga Bhairavi for a ritual, or to Biksha Hall for a meal, you will most likely find yourself being served by a Sadhanapada. The downside being that whispers travel very fast, and there is nothing they do not know… Well, except what they themselves will be doing tomorrow in the program… That’s always a surprise!

They Say “Yes” It is almost like a game. You hear a volunteer ask for support, “Anna, can you please...” and you say, “Yes!” not waiting for her to complete the sentence. Here we narrate a few real-life incidents observed on the field.

He Yan akka from China shares, “We were cutting vegetables in Akshaya, the kitchen. Once we were done, I washed my board and knife. The supervisor then added twenty more, those used by the others, for me to clean. I told him I washed mine and do not see why I have to wash others.’ He just said, ‘Akka, you are Sadhanapada!’ With that I was reminded that I am here

to transcend my limitations and do whatever is needed of me. I washed all the dishes joyfully and willingly. And was thankful for his reminder.”

Once while at the Adiyogi statue, after a Divya Darshanam, Sumonto from Delhi was getting Vibhuti prasadam, he shares, “Manjunath anna wanted support to clean the Yogeshwara Linga area. He is in Sadhanapada, and true to its spirit he recognized other Sadhanapadas by their tags, asked if they could help. Even though he didn’t know them, all six asked replied, “Yes” without hesitation. These are participants that went there to unwind on a Saturday night to get some fresh air and a walk but instead agreed to sweep and mop late into the night! The world could use more of that willingness, I thought.”

The security have a special relationship with Sadhanapada. Their duty has greatly increased, having to scan the tags of all of them. In the beginning there were minor altercations, which only later set the stage for an eventual playful rapport between the two. “I was once walking from my office. The security akka addressed me, “Sadhanapada anna, I need help to carry this water to the gate.” The bucket had a hole in it, we held it together and I got the side with the hole and by the end my legs were all wet. As we were coming into a more visible place, she cleverly said, “this is enough’’, and took the last few steps herself. Everyone knows “Sadhanapada, Anna/Akka” is synonymous with service,” shared Rakeshvara, Sadhanapada 2019.

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