My first Spiritual Travel- Sadhguru’s Isha Yoga Centre @Coimbatore,India

I am writing this blog just as a seeker, as someone who has eventually developed that strong urge to explore beyond the physical world . I am not a follower of any particular spiritual ideology or Guru ji as such , though I respect them all.

I will be sharing my experience as what exactly I felt at Sadhguru’s Isha Yoga Centre and will try answering questions which generally bother people on this journey – Is there really something Divine there ? Will you automatically start meditating there for hours ? Is there any undesired commercialization ? etc.

#Since Photography was allowed only at selected areas inside Isha Yoga Centre, some of the photographs published here have therefore been sourced online .I am grateful to these parent sources.

Why Sadhguru ?

Talking of Spirituality, for most of the beginners, it all commences with the excitement of knowing the unknown and this mystic infatuation for Meditation /Spirituality stays for few days before one switches attention to something new ,something more exciting as the Meditation just doesn’t seem to work despite best efforts and hence one very conveniently concludes – "Life is anyways short , just go with the flow & enjoy your Pizza mate." I & the people around me too thought that I will go down the same lane.

But it didn't happen that way ! Here I was at Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev’s Aashram, after an year full of lengthy discussions ,some deep digging in books/write ups and watching lot of videos all related to this quest of ‘Going beyond the Physical World’.

As stated at the onset ,I am not associated with any particular spiritual group/institution as such and I will probably be happy to keep it that way , but of all the people that I heard,I read and I saw on various platforms, I was invariably drawn towards Sadhguru for whatever he talked , every single word just made so much sense.And after going through a few books of Sadhguru , I decided to take a leap of faith, which took me straight to Sadhguru’s Energy Centre.

Namaskaram Anna ! These polite words welcomed me as I entered the beautiful premises of the Isha Yoga Centre , Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev’s Meditation Centre at Coimbatore.

Help desk people at the main entrance were really very helpful and they quickly completed all the formalities and handed over an ID card which read ‘Nadhi’ (Cottage) besides my name .

On my way to my room at Nadhi cottage, I could feel the extremely soothing vibes as everyone there was so calm and smiling. After checking into my room, I immediately rushed through the instruction leaflet kept at desk, which had all the information about various activities that go on all throughout the day at the center along with the map.

Being fortunate and unfortunate

Soon after checking in , I got to know that it was Poornima (Full Moon Night) that day and hence a special pooja was scheduled in the evening at Linga Bhairavi temple inside the premises only.

Hearing that I felt really happy with the thought of participating in a special Pooja which I was not even aware of .

Sadhguru’s Magic Rahul ,Sadhguru’s Magic – I whispered to myself.

And since nothing could have gone wrong that day, so out of utmost excitement, I asked the obvious question ,"Will I meet Sadhguru ? Will he be there ?"

"No Anna", said the help desk guy very politely , "Though Sadhguru is in the Aashram today but yesterday only he met everyone at Satsang and since his diary is full of meetings/work assignments planned about months ago ,so your meeting looks unlikely."

Sad I felt .

But since there were still 3 more days to go ,so I was still little hopeful.

Amidst all such thoughts ,I headed straight to Linga Bhairavi Temple.Actually ,when you reach Isha Yoga Centre, your eyes just keep on looking for the two popular mystic energy spots- The Linga Bhairavi Temple & of-course ,the energy epitome Dhyanalinga besides the latest attraction- the 112 ft Adiyogi’s Statue (unrelieved by Honorable Prime Minister recently ) . One wishes to be there as quickly as possible & preferably at all the three spots at the same time which, at least as of now is definitely beyond my capabilities(but with Meditation,you never know).Such is the excitement ,especially after having read a lot about that mystic meditative energy around these spots.

Will talk of the Linga Bhairavi Temple first !

Around 7 pm ,on my way to Linga Bhairavi temple for special pooja , I crossed Dhyanalinga which was a little distant though. .As so much was happening within my 1st hour at centre , so my thoughts almost froze and I was just witnessing everything ,including Dhyanlinga without any judgement or feel,kind of numb you can say.

As I reached The Linga Bhairavi Temple , hundred of illuminating Ghee (Clarified Butter) lamps greeted me.It all looked so spectacular that I literally didn’t bat an eyelid for few seconds.As everyone calmly sat down and took their position, Pooja & Mantra chants started and I was actually feeling a rush of energy sitting there.

Linga Bhairavi , in the words of Sadhguru, is an extremely powerful feminine energy form which is very responsive for people seeking prosperity and well being.But there is spiritual side to Linga Bhairavi Devi as well. Infact, as per information that I gathered there from various people, people who find it difficult to mediate even when sitting right in front of Dhyanalinga, they are advised to first spend some time at Linga Bhairavi temple as the energy there helps you to focus ,especially during very initial days of meditation.

Dhyanalinga

Dhyanalinga ,again in the words of Sadhguru, is largest mercury based living linga (a form or a symbol )in the world which is the centre of infinite energy.In spiritual terms, at Dhyanalinga ,all aspects of life have been woven in the form of seven chakras energized to peak and locked by Sadhguru after 3 years of intense process Prana Prathistha.

Dhyanalinga is enshrined in a dome shaped structure full of earth colour and natural stone and is infact considered as the best spot to meditate by the centre inmates , where the energy of Dhyanlinga is said to naturally aide you in your Dhyan ( other name for Sadhna or Meditation).

So much has been said & written about the unbound energy around Dhyanalinga that for many, including myself , Dhyanalinga is the primary reason to visit Isha Yoga Centre, atleast for the first time.

Adiyogi

Needless to say , Shiva is among the most popular and widely worshiped Indian God but after going through some of the articles on how exactly talks about Meditation /Yoga started ,including few of Sadhguru’s write ups, I got to know that in Yogic Culture,Shiva is not known as God but as a first Yogi – the originator of yoga and as the first Guru (teacher) who actually experienced what we call ‘The Enlightenment’ for the first time and it is from there that discussions about Enlightenment,Yoga ,Sadhna etc started among Humans.

Hence ,as a mark of respect and as a reminder to the world to move towards liberation through exploring inner instead of outer world , Sadhguru has consecrated the 112 ft. tall face of Adiyogi which was unveiled by Honourable Prime Minister recently.

While I didn’t find anyone meditating in front or around Adiyogi’s huge face , but there was hardly anyone visiting Isha Yoga centre & not spending 5-10 minutes in the Adiyogi’s vicinity.

There are two Teerthakunds or the sacred water pools for purifying oneself within the Dhyanalinga complex – SuryaKund for men and Chandrakund for the women.

I,obviously, am aware of details of Suryakund only which in itself looks like a divine water pool with three Shivalinga’s immersed in water.Ideally, men are supposed to take a bath at Suryakund before going for meditation at Dhyanalinga or Linga Bhairavi temple.On the first day, I went there just for the sake of adventure but thanks to the energy that i felt there, I could not help but take the holy bath again & again,even just before check out.

The Strong Presence of King Cobra

Irrespective of where you are at Isha Yoga Centre, whatever direction you are facing , you can very strongly feel the presence of Snakes (read king cobra) in various forms – be it on lamps, on walls, on pillars, at SuryaKund,at DhyanaLinga . On inquiring I got to know that Sadhguru consider snakes,especially King Cobra as the most sensitive animal/reptile when it comes to Meditative energy. Sadhguru has also mentioned about this in his book Mystic Musings.

Besides, since the Velliangiri Hills, where Isha Yoga Centre is situated , is reportedly home to king Cobras.Since they are the original inhabitants of the place, so in a way Sadhguru has paid tribute to them.

Luckily , I too spotted a beautiful water snake, live one, swimming his way through lotus in the pool in between Nandi & SuryaKund.

My experience

First thing first, of all the locations/energy spots at Isha Yoga Centre mentioned above , Linga Bhairavi temple definitely needs another mention as I spent maximum time there , not exactly by choice though. I mean there is something really very magnetic over there, something very soothing and very very positive which just keeps on pulling you towards itself and you just can’t resist going there.

Sitting right in front of Linga Bhairavi Devi, I could actually meditate for the longest time. More than the duration, its the feeling that engulfed me while Meditating there.On one hand I was kind of blank,absolute calm while at the same very time I could feel extreme joy and the unfamiliar sort of power from within.Till the last day, I could not get enough of meditation at Linga Bhairavi Temple.That mystic feeling is still there with me.

As for the Dhyanalinga , I had read so much about it before going to Coimbatore that I had almost made up my mind in advance that as and when I will sit around Dhyanalinga , I will feel something out of the world,something really divine.But , honestly & unfortunately , I didn’t feel anything of that sort there. Yes, the whole ambiance around Dhyanalinga is very peaceful and calm with everyone sitting in Sadhna completely in peace and I too sat there again & again ,atleast 8-9 times in 3 days to have that out of the world feel which some people have written online, but probably I was not that fortunate enough. In fact,as I have mentioned above, I could feel the strange energy Goosebumps (giving a feeling of extreme joy ) at Linga Bhairavi temple and even while chanting mantras at SuryaKund too but not at Dhyanalinga.

Time to answer some questions as promised at the start of the blog :

1. Is there really something Divine there ?

Divine I don’t know but yes , I felt the extreme rush of positive energy at some spots, especially at Linga Bhairavi Temple.

2. Will you see something beyond physical there ?

At least I did n’t see or feel anything of that sort.

3. Will you automatically start meditating there for hours ?

Whole atmosphere of Isha Yoga Centre is such that Meditation is all that you think of while being there.

4. What exactly is taught at Isha Yoga Centre ?

There are a number of Yoga programs of varied duration going on there .Primarily ,introductory programs include Inner Engineering & Hatha Yoga while Advanced programs include Shoonya Intensive,Bhava Spandana & Samyama. Details about these programs are available here : http://www.ishayoga.org/en/advanced-programs .I didn’t join any program as such but one can still participate in a number of activities even without joining any program .Among various things that I saw & learnt over there , Aumkar meditation ( the correct way of uttering sounds “Aa” , “Uu” & “Mm” in tandem , find audio here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fG52gSt-fKI ) & the knowledge about various scientific facts hidden in Mahabharta were really worth mentioning. Besides, I have now got addicted to Nirvana Shatkam mantra & Brahmanand Swaroopa Isha sound ,mesmerizing they are,really.

5.Is there any undesired commercialization ?

No.This was one thing which few people have written online and infact it was also bothering me. But I am happy to write here that there is no culture of commercialization at Isha Yoga centre. No one asks you for donation anywhere , except for mere Rs.20 at SuryaKund which I think is legitimate going by maintenance required there.

6.Is it fine to travel with family ? What about food ?

There are absolutely no issues there.It's just that you go to such a place for a purpose,to spend maximum time meditating and hence kids can be little distraction otherwise stay is extremely safe and comfortable. You can book your stay at Nalanda or Nadhi cottages based on your requirement. As for the food, 2 meals are covered in your stay where you will be served simple & healthy South Indian food. For the compulsive foodies like myself,there is Peppervine Eatery inside the premises which offer various delicious dishes / deserts / fresh fruit juices at a nominal price.

On a Lighter Note

3 days were very well spent at Isha Yoga Centre ,though it would have been probably an altogether different experience if I would have met Sadhguru.

Nevertheless, many old questions got answered ,some new ones started juggling but just then , one phone call at the time of check out brought me back to the square one .It was my lovely wife Nishtha , "Coimbatore Silk Sarees are World famous " , she said. And I was supposed to understand the rest and act accordingly which I obviously did to make sure inner peace is maintained back home. :)

I hope you too enjoyed this spiritual journey.

Namaste & Take Care !!

You may read my other spiritual blogs here :

https://insideoutwithrahulyuvi.com/category/blog/spiritual/

Thank You !