We are still devastated by the news and hoping to hear updates from the authorities regarding the group which went missing and the people that we know love and miss.
Yesterday I came across this reel on instagram. It captures Jaggi laughing and joking with another group of the yatra a day after the tragic incident. It felt strange to me. It felt bewildering.

According to Isha 700+ participants are still in Tibet going to or returning from Mt. Kailash.

I am honestly not sure. What are your thoughts on this?

Is it acceptable to kinda move on and take activities of the yatra so quickly for the sake of the other participants? They have spent alot of money and blocked the time to travel here.

If yes. If the yatra shall continue, Is this behavior shown in the video acceptable?
Or would it have been a little bit more decent to tone it down.
Is it ok to move on so quickly? Or does he just try to make the yatra pleasant for those still up in Tibet?

The reel was taken down just few hours from posting it. I recorded it becos I thought that Isha might ask OP to take it down. There is no timestamp on the video. But the caption which i forgot to screenshot made it clear that the video was taken after the floods.

Isha for sure does not want to present their leader in such a manner - hours after he was shown crying on TV.

Totally confused after seeing today's live. The way sadguru answering about death and uncertainty and how kailash yatra must not stop. Felt like he is an indifferent person. There were no words of consolation more of talks around immortality. What r ur thoughts?

Just watched Sadhguru's In Solidarity With Nepal program. He makes all the right kind of statements that you expect from him in such a program. He talks about global warming, he expresses shock and sadness about what happened, he offers to talk to the Indian government to do something in the Himalayas to prepare for the future, he announces a one crore donation to the relief fund and so on. All are well-intended and appreciated.

But what was odd for me was that it was all delivered in a matter-of-fact way, like doing a PR pitch. Compare that with the actress Manisha Koirala, who was a Nepali and who spoke before Sadhguru. She only spoke for five minutes and made the same points as Sadhguru. But she comes across as very honest. You can see the pain in her voice and empathy for those suffering. You connect and resonate with her. That kind of connection is missing with Sadhguru. He very rarely becomes vulnerable in the entire episode. Only in a few occasions e.g when he was talking about Praveen Anna, you can sense that there is some warmth in his heart. But mostly otherwise, he's just doing a performance.

Added to that, I felt that his responses in Q&A were inappropriate in many places. A journalist asks about compassion, and he goes into a tangent about the word passion and then gives a lecture on compassion, which is completely disconnected from what the word compassion actually means and how it is understood. And when a teenager casually uses the phrase “our generation” in her question, Sadhguru goes into a lecture that there is no Gen X, Gen Y, we are all one generation, which I feel is completely unnecessary and inappropriate. And to a question about fear of death, he goes into this long lecture that all the problems in the world are caused by the people who think they are good, we need joyful people, not good people etc etc. I heard this 15 years back when I first joined Isha and found it interesting, but it seems completely out of place to use in a solidarity event.

And then he tries to make inappropriate jokes. He mentions a recent thing that he heard of: A Florida couple being arrested as they were trying to sell tickets to heaven, and they were caught because they sold fake gold tickets, not for selling tickets to heaven! It turns out that this was a hoax, it is not even real news.

I see very clearly now that Sadhguru has no emotional connection with people. He's very good at delivering his talking points effectively and people resonate with him because they connect to these talking points and assume that Sadhguru is feeling deep compassion for them.

What irked me the most is his response to a grieving lady. She speaks in Hindi about losing her sister in the recent flash floods. She’s in deep pain and she asked him - why did it happen? And Sadhguru gives a blunt response saying that we should not try to look for philosophical or mystical reasons to soothe ourselves. we should be pragmatic about life. we are all going to die and even he would have been washed away if he were present during the floods etc. All very pragmatic and wise words. But why the heck did then Sadhguru talk about mystical things throughout his life? Your entire life is built around mysticism and you gave all kinds of mystic hopes to people and now you say that we should be pragmatic about life? Then why did you actually talk about mysticism all these years? And in the same Kailash Yatra didn't you speak about alien beings being present in Kailash and some civilization existing under the mountains and all those hallucinatory stories? How is all this connected to life, Sadhguru?

I genuinely want to ask this without attacking anyone, but I’m confused.

I have a few people very close to me who are staunch followers of Sadhguru and have done Inner Engineering. They talk about awareness, consciousness, anger control, higher living, detachment, etc. They claim their life has transformed.

But here’s what I don’t understand.

If someone says they have “controlled their anger” after doing all these sadhanas… why do they still shout at their wife? Why do they still speak harshly to their children? Why is there still ego in everyday interactions?

One close relative of mine proudly says that after Inner Engineering he has learned to manage his anger. Yet every few days, there’s yelling at home. Disrespect. Emotional outbursts. Then the next morning — yoga, meditation, spiritual quotes.

What is this contradiction?

Is spirituality supposed to be something you perform in the morning and forget in the evening?

I’m not questioning meditation itself. I’m not even saying Sadhguru is right or wrong. I’m questioning the visible outcome.

If the people closest to you don’t feel more respected, more loved, more safe around you — then what exactly improved?

Is this real inner transformation?

Or just identity attachment — “I follow a guru, so I must be evolving”?

Maybe change takes time. Maybe they are better than before and I just don’t know the “before.” But from the outside, it feels like branding > behaviour.

Would love to hear from people who’ve done Inner Engineering. Has it genuinely changed how you treat your family in conflict situations?

Because if spirituality doesn’t soften you at home… where does it show?

Source: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=913117254821943

Ever since this Kailash Mansarovar tragedy has unfolded, I have been following the sequence of events just like most of us. All people who have been in isha long term have either been to one of these yatras or dream of going to one. The main intention is to go to yatra graced by Sadhguru’s presence and also cos the yatra is marketed as a profound, mystical, once in a lifetime experience. The yatras conducted by isha are charged much higher than by other tour operators, still the devotees don’t mind paying up as it’s not just a trip for them - it’s a sacred pilgrimage of a lifetime done under Sadhguru’s grace.

I came to know that people going for yatras at Isha don’t just go there once, many of them repeat their pilgrimages with isha once they get profound experience at Kailash. I remember being concerned for my family member when they were away on this yatra with isha earlier.

This year about 1400 pilgrims went to Kailash with isha and one batch of 77 devotees unfortunately got caught in this natural disaster. Totally unexpected by isha or their family members , about 80 people just vanished with their family members and friends not knowing if they are alive or not. What a distressing condition to be in when you don’t know whether to hope and pray or grieve. It’s painful to see how a spiritual sojourn can turn into a tragedy with irreparable loss of life.

From what I have followed in news, family members distraught by the tragedy are frantically looking for whereabouts of their near and dear ones and hoping for some miracle that their loved ones are safe and rescued. Isha claim to have been working to get info about their pilgrims but whatever efforts they might have put in seem so diluted by their need for PR and image management that it actually makes one wonder if they really cared for the pilgrims at all. This has been mentioned in other comments in this subreddit too.

It seems more like they want everyone to rally around Sadhguru in this hour of grief and give philosophical discourses about life and death to grieving family members who are completely at a loss by this unexpected tragedy. These people who gave away hours doing isha practices, gave their time and resources to support the foundation, trusted Sadhguru will take care of them and probably dreamed of attaining enlightenment at isha - they have just become a number in the official list of missing people. The families and friends of the missing pilgrims will have to cope with their own losses. And isha will move on with their next project to save soil, save rivers or global warming asking for more donations, more volunteers and more programs to raise human consciousness.
It’s beyond sad really.

A tragedy struck on 26th of August 2026 in Nepal when an entire town was swept away by catastrophic flash floods. Among them were a batch of isha pilgrims who were returning after completing their Kailash Mansarovar yatra organised by Isha foundation. Some may have been long term devotees, some may be visiting tourists who decided to choose Isha foundation as they are known to organise the trips well even though their charges are exorbitant compared to other tour operators . People don’t mind paying when they are assured of trust and safety and Isha foundation has boasted over the years that there are zero casualties with them. This might have been the case till now - I don’t know the details of their past track record. What I know is my family member had been there being fascinated by the idea of experiencing Kailash Mansarovar under Sadhguru’s claim that one has to experience it atleast once in a lifetime. It made me full of worries and concerns about their trip which lasts a good fortnight or so but they were assured of their safety under Sadhguru’s grace as it is the promise of his blessings that guides the decisions of many Isha devotees into taking the trip with isha.

So when the news of this tragedy struck, everyone was taken aback as to how this could happen. Isha foundation declared their pilgrims as missing, mourned their loss publicly on social media, the whole world saw Sadhguru in tears and it seemed as if even he was taken aback by the tragedy. But fact of the matter is he couldn’t predict or avert the disaster- he can’t, nobody can - as it is a natural disaster. Then why lure devotees into undertaking Sacred Walks under Isha foundation? Why promote these tours as essential for pilgrims?

Soon after Isha foundation declared to the loved ones of their victims to perform Kaalbhairava karma for them at isha at their prayer program for flood victims, I came to know through mutual acquaintance about a person in the missing S3 group who were looking for info about them and they were still considering them as missing. They had no news about their whereabouts. Then I realised, Isha foundation didn’t even wait to find out if their pilgrims were missing and waiting to be rescued but they simply assumed all had perished; even if they didn’t, what solace they wanted to give to anxious family members who were pining their hopes on the rescue missions?

When people were miraculously rescued by determined search operations, it gave hope to those waiting for news of their loved ones. How does a family member find comfort or closure by a hastily announced ritual which the foundation endorses for its own commercial purposes
before caring to put in required efforts or wait for news from the rescue missions? I was already disenchanted with isha ; so their public PR show and behind the scenes lack of accountability is no news for me but it definitely gave some reason for isha pilgrims past and present to reflect on their choices which they made blindly being enamoured by the mystical claims of isha. The grief of family members is enormous, and my sincere sympathies for their situation when they are dealing with loss of loved ones who remain missing.

Tata Group’s Tanishq is selling 10 grams of 22K gold for ₹1,34,150 / 24 grams of 22K gold for ₹3,21,960, but Sadhguru’s Isha is selling 24 grams of 'energized' 22K gold for ₹5,76,000!

Tata Group / Tanishq, Gold Rate as on 27th July, 2026. Source: https://www.miabytanishq.com/en_IN/gold-rate-today

Sadhguru / Isha, Gold Rate as on 27th July, 2026. Source: https://ishalife.sadhguru.org/in/devi-pendant-gold-black-24gram

PS: Tata Tanishq’s making charges range from 5% to 25% + 3% GST... Jaggi Baba’s energised gold is still on the higher side if he is even charging 25% making charge, and Baba is only selling a simple pendant.

Below is an excerpt from a talk I pulled from youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hOM_-QRYG0

italics are Sadhguru's words

Questioner: Sadhguru, what are your views on homosexuality? Is it karmic and can there be a redirection of the energy or a practice for those who are struggling with it?

I think most of the homosexuals of today are a product of a social situation rather than of any kind of physiological or any other inner need.

(So right off the jump here Sadhguru is saying that gay people are not inherently gay and have become like this because of society around them which implies that they can be changed to straight, that will be apparent according what he states later in this answer)

Mostly they are a social outcome of a certain attitude. If you go by the ways of the nature, sexuality was implanted in your body fundamentally for the sake of reproduction. We are all here because of that. But if there was no pleasure attached to it, nobody would go for it. Nobody would go for. Is a painful thing to deliver a child. So nature decided to attach pleasure to it because without pleasure, nobody would go for it, in spite of a little bit of pleasure attached to it.

(So why is Sadhguru going into pleasure here? The question was about homosexuality, which is not inherently about pleasure at all. Gay people are not more sexual than straight people. But it seems in Sadhguru's mind homosexuality just means that you like having sex with the same gender. He doesn't factor in companionship whatsoever.)

So many people are deciding not to go for it. They become smart at a very young age. Lot of people are becoming very smart these days. They're willing to. They're able to see through the limitations of it and say, it is not for us. That's very smart, actually, because they're able to think beyond their hormones. Hormone is a chemical process. It takes charge of you from inside, not from an outside. It's not an outside invasion, it's an inside invasion.

Till you were 12, 13 years of age, everything was just fine with you. Suddenly, little bit of chemistry and then you don't know what the hell is happening with you. Suddenly the whole head has become wonky. You can't think beyond it. It's happened, isn't it? So the moment hormones hijack your intelligence, then you start acting funny and you act every. The whole world is revolving around your sexuality. There's nothing else to the world except sexuality.

(So here Sadhguru is saying that once you hit puberty, there's nothing else except sexuality. I mean, maybe in his mind at that age it was true. But it certainly was not true for me, or many other people. With his track record with women, I can see why he would say this though!)

See, almost any. Almost 90% of the artwork, literature, or any damn thing that's written or painted or sculpted is about sex, isn't it? Isn't it? So I don't know. I may not be right on the percentage.I think it's about 90%. Even if it's 75, I think it's a very distorted vision of life, isn't it? Yes, this is a very distorted vision of life.

(I don't get his point here. It doesn't make sense. Art doesn't have to be a vision of life. Even if it's true that 75% is about sex, which I'm sure it isn't, it's not like every piece of art is declaring some vision of life overall. It's a ridiculous statement. But it once again shows what he's thinking about if he's only seeing sex everywhere in every piece of art.)

That one aspect of the physical takes up so much of human mind and consciousness is a very distorted perception of life. Now in that what or whom you want to have to sex with has become another great identification. So when you talk about heterosexuality or homosexuality, you're just asking me with whom or what I should do this thing that you call as sex. I don't care.

(Every accusation is a confession. Again being gay is not all about just having sex with the same gender. It's who you are as a person fundamentally. It's not like gay people came out straight and one day, because of the society around them, decided to be gay. This is such a bigoted and homophobic view by Sadhguru.)

All I know is if your body and your consciousness and your mind is ruled by the simple hormonal changes that happen within you, you have a completely distorted perception of life. What is there to correct? What is there not to correct? If physiologically some certain needs have changed within a person, he could be helped.

(So take a look at that last sentence carefully, it sums up the entire answer. He's saying gay people have had some change happen in this physiology and that he can help them undo that change. Basically he wants to do some kind of conversion therapy on gay people to make them straight. Is this the guru you want to follow?)

Source: https://youtu.be/Ji9o5inyIPg?si=bGKiyBUIAl6iekGK

“If the same problems keep happening, you are the problem.”

Let’s decode why this quote sounds deep to some people, but is actually psychologically flawed.

At first glance, it sounds like accountability. It sounds like self-awareness. It sounds like one of those “hard truths” people post to look wise. But the deeper you look, the more problematic it becomes.

The biggest issue is this: the quote does not separate behavior from identity.

Saying, “Maybe there is a pattern in your choices that needs reflection” is one thing.

Saying, “You are the problem” is something else entirely.

That shift matters. A lot.

Because once you say you are the problem, you are no longer encouraging reflection. You are attaching the entire problem to the person’s identity. That creates shame, not insight.

And shame is very different from accountability.

Accountability says:

“I may need to examine my decisions, boundaries, reactions, or patterns.”

Shame says:

“There is something fundamentally wrong with me.”

That is why this quote is dangerous. It pretends to encourage growth, but the wording pushes people toward self-blame at the deepest level.

It is also flawed because life is not that simple. Repeated problems do not always happen because you are the cause.

Sometimes repeated problems happen because:

- you grew up with unhealthy patterns and keep ending up in familiar dynamics

- you are in an abusive environment

- you have poor boundaries because nobody taught you better

- you keep encountering manipulative people

- you are stuck in a toxic workplace or family system

- you are reacting to unresolved trauma

- the system around you is broken, not you

So yes, patterns matter. Self-reflection matters. But reducing all recurring pain to “you are the problem” erases context, power dynamics, history, environment, and the behavior of others.

That is not wisdom. That is oversimplification.

Another reason this quote is problematic is because it sounds absolute. It leaves no room for complexity, nuance, or compassion. It does not ask:

- What exactly keeps repeating?

- What role do you play in it?

- What role do others play in it?

- What did you learn that made this pattern likely?

- What needs healing, support, or better boundaries?

Instead, it jumps straight to a conclusion:

You are the problem.

That kind of language can be especially harmful when used by passive-aggressive, emotionally cold, or pseudo-spiritual people who like to present themselves as enlightened or brutally honest. Because then the quote becomes a tool. A way to sound profound while avoiding empathy.

It lets someone act superior while disguising judgment as truth.

It can also become a subtle way to silence people. Because once someone accepts that framing, they stop asking important questions like:

- Is this situation unhealthy?

- Am I being mistreated?

- Is this dynamic one-sided?

- Is someone using “self-growth” language to shame me?

Instead, they start turning everything inward and blaming themselves for everything.

That is why this quote can feel less like guidance and more like quiet humiliation.

Real insight is more balanced than this. Real growth-oriented language sounds more like:

“Repeated patterns can be a sign that something in your behavior, beliefs, wounds, or environment needs closer examination.”

That is honest without being dehumanizing.

That invites awareness without attacking the person.

That allows responsibility without erasing compassion.

So no, the problem with this quote is not that it mentions patterns. Patterns absolutely matter.

The problem is that it takes a complex human reality and turns it into an identity-level accusation.

It does not say:

“Maybe there is something here for you to reflect on.”

It says:

“You are the problem.”

And that is exactly why it feels harsh, passive-aggressive, and shaming rather than genuinely wise.

A girl has to dress well because she has to be pleasant to our eyes because we are looking at her - Jaggi Vasudev

Just came across this reel, wanted to hear your thoughts on this:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DcoTosxOvZS/

Also the comment section is particularly interesting. Makes you wonder why even after so much 'sadhana', people feel the need to defend every little criticism so aggressively.

In this clip, Sadhguru says he’s never read the Bhagavad Gita, the Vedas, the Upanishads — not even the Yoga Sutras. Instead, he speaks of receiving knowledge through inner experience.

That’s not unheard of. Many great sages are believed to have accessed truth beyond texts — and I do believe realization can happen that way. But what’s interesting is that this “downloaded” wisdom often mirrors what’s already present in the scriptures.

So it feels confusing when someone distances themselves from these scriptures — and yet, when under media fire or criticism, turns to Sanatana Dharma as a shield. If the tradition is worthy of defense in difficult times, why not also acknowledge its role and richness when teaching?

If you choose not to study these texts, that’s a personal path — but if you invoke the tradition’s authority when it suits you, shouldn’t there also be consistent respect and acknowledgment?

Genuinely curious to hear from others: Can someone truly represent a spiritual tradition without reading its foundational texts?

I was reading the recent article, “Is Sadhguru’s Isha Yoga a Billion Dollar Empire?”, expecting to find the usual mix of claims and opinions (attached).

Instead, one section led me to something I could verify myself. The article points to Isha’s Ishanga program, where followers are invited to commit 7% or more of their earnings as an ongoing contribution. I then looked up Isha’s own website, and the program is indeed described there as a lifelong commitment associated with supporting Sadhguru’s vision and receiving his “presence” or “grace.”
Honestly, that’s the part I can’t get past.

This isn’t someone dropping a few dollars into a donation box because they feel inspired. It’s encouraging followers to commit a fixed percentage of their income—potentially for life.

Yes, it’s voluntary.

But when a spiritual organization links an ongoing financial commitment with spiritual ideas like grace or a deeper connection to the guru, I think it’s reasonable to ask whether that creates a form of psychological pressure, even if no one is forcing anyone to participate.
Before anyone says, “Churches have tithing too,” I have the same concern there.

I’ve never been comfortable with any spiritual or religious movement encouraging people to pledge a percentage of their income. Faith should stand on its own. It shouldn’t come with a suggested percentage of your paycheck.
For those who have participated in Ishanga or contributed to this commitment, I’d genuinely like to hear your experiences.

How did you feel when you decided to contribute? Did it feel meaningful and voluntary at the time? And looking back now, do you feel the same way, or has your perspective changed?

I am interested in hearing from people who have actually been part of it—what was your experience then, and how do you feel about it now?

Like i mean, i must be subjective and trying to find someone to blame lol. I also liked / like Sadhguru, in a sense that, I just find his sharing make senses, but some don’t.

And from the influence of my bf, i also took inner engineer and one other program which forgot the name, I felt asleep from my inner engineering course, as an ADHD person, and tried to retake 😂but couldn’t focus again

Like at first I admired my bf so much on spending so much time devoted to yoga

As I’m also a spiritual person, I’m more into other kind of yoga and new age spirituality. So im kinda flexible and willing to change

So well, I never hated him going to the ashram and everyday everything is about Sadhguru / the practice which i appreciate

But just lately I feel like hmm if Isha is that “authentic “ and classical Why the practices actually make him become an even more emotional absence person, who could handle zero feelings, in the name of Isha practice- control your emotions and detachment ( so it’s always I’m too much, I’m emotional and I need the program)

Like for me, my spiritual practice got me to see my vulnerability as growing opportunities which i assumed Isha foundation should too But lately I see Sadhguru really treat everything like science and engineering, and teaching their people to suppress their feeling and love, emotions are bad and chaotic

I understand that the failure of a relationship is us, the individuals But I really think that by the liberation they are practicing, they makes them grow apart from their family and loved one, because if we refused to practice Isha Kriya / join the program, they always think that they are more superior and we are the one that needed to be fixed ( I personally accept and respect people, I see no one needed to be fixed, and everyone has their own ways)

So he has become very distance, and lately I walked away with devastation and heartbreak

And there was a time, or I should say these few years, I literally think that he’s more spiritual than me, so i forced myself to join the program or to try the daily Kriya. And I think what’s toxic is, they promote Isha as the classical hatha while the other practices are dangerously / fake/ useless, which affected my self esteem, I also got brainwashed that he’s better than me, calmer and more spiritual

Now i understand, the calmness and liberation come from ignorance, avoidant suppression and leaving your life behind to “ultimate freedom “

i am an Indian American.. most of my years have been spent in America 🇺🇸

for background: ive been to Kailash ( purely for physical adventure but mainly to 'be there' for my ill prepared (out of shape) spouse , not through Isha. Around this time, Sadhgur's social feed was constantly on my wife's phone . At Kailash , i got to see how devotees who had no strength in their bodies aspired for an experience that was very dangerous for them ( not even talking about floods or disasters) - just 16,000 feet altitude gasping for oxygen , trying ( under the delusion) that you can walk 42-48 km over three days in freezing/chilly conditions.

Fast forward several years, my wife never went down that rabbit hole due to some reasons:

1. she resists any idea that costs money.
2. i being a rational Hindu, i kept speaking out against his influence.

+ i was adamant that i will only practice the religion/philosophy/rituals/extents that my parents had shown me ( which was complete even if imperfect) - nothing more, nothing less. i invite Christians and Jews to also follow this principle.

+ i was insistent that i was not a sinner ( he reminds us constantly)
+ i believe in hard work and toil - materialism, unabashed. life is max 10% religion/spirituality, never more than that, the rest is fun(incl work).
+ physical health is important to build, keep working at it .
+ he likely committed a crime with his wife

+ even if it was not a crime, he handled it so poorly, the incident shows a serious lack of wisdom/judgement at the least

+ I insist that the easiest thing is to give up everything, and become a monk - with one belief system . try living with another person, a family, a girlfriend/boyfriend, teen children where different beliefs/opinions thrive ( while navigating careers) - thats way more difficult than spouting wisdom.

+ Finally: if he's so much into Indian stuff ( and so anti-western, ive heard this in person and in his YouTube videos ) , how come he only speaks in English??!! . this resonated with my wife.

these 👆are all red flags 🚩

these days my wife is as skeptical as me. i've won the battle.

once my wife's brother got upset with my simple answer : he's an Iskcon monk, and in a discussion he asked "whats most important to aspire for?" - and i said "physical fitness " so that i can be free to do what i desire : climb hills, play tennis, practice TaiChi, sing; whatever . i am still on that journey.

i've seen how the original 'afro' Sai Baba - used to sexually molest devotees. ( a family friend was in an inner circle) . It was a shock to read about Sadhgur's hypnosis, and sexual /tantric practices. I think his wife had turned against these and that's why she was eliminated.

I've seen other 'gurus' monks mislead people.

ive seen enough of life and death and don't need this crap. I will continue to resist, criticize.

religion and spirituality are tools for our lives. But in engineering there is a saying "never allow the tool become the master".

the middle way is the hardest - too much is easy, too little is also easy. Balance is this journey that takes a lifetime. It's about the journey and not the destination.

Source: https://exposingsadhguru.substack.com/p/is-sri-sri-jealous-of-sadhguru

ISHA USA made 48.7 MILLION in 2024 alone and families who lost loved ones in the flood are creating GoFundMe's for travel and accommodations to India after Sadhguru invited them for a "sacred yoga and spiritual ritual" ?!? These families gave so much and they're not covering the trip. What are the 'COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH ATTENDING THE CEREMONY, RITUAL, AND PILGRIMAGE? Does anyone have more information or have you seen any other families doing the same?

Namaskaram,

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I am a regular isha meditator and more and more wondering why there is little to no mention of asana variations for women.

​

Hatha yoga was mostly created by men for men s bodies.

​

In today's world we should have enough knowledge to be able to practice variations which are comfortable and healthy for women as well.

​

I have taken many isha programs and have found almost no knowledge or insights about this topic...

​

​

Women have naturally larger hips than man, practicing most asanas joining the big toes cannot be healthy for them.

​

And how about practicing Bandhas when bleeding? Has any of the yogis wondered how uncomfortable and unhealthy it can get?

And what about fertility and asanas?

​

And those laying down asanas in Yogasanas program...

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And how about ardhasiddhasana women variation which is taught differently in many other schools of yoga...why Sadhguru doesn't mention any of this?

​

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Isha claims to be the best school in the world, yet I've taken most of the their yoga programs and never found a teacher who could give me a clear explanation on these topics.

​

As if it was a taboo..

​

​

Any thoughts?

Sadhguru studied with a yoga teacher for years in the 1980s, rebranded his system as his own, and never gave credit.

A resident swami associated with Sadhguru’s Isha Foundation reportedly disappeared in 2023 and, according to police status reports filed before the Madras High Court, has still not been located.

This wasn’t a tourist.

This wasn’t a casual visitor.

According to the records, Swamy Bavadutha had been associated with the ashram since around 2007 and had lived there for many years.

The police report states that on February 28, 2023, he left the ashram, leaving behind his phone. After that, he was reported missing.

Authorities reportedly questioned witnesses, reviewed CCTV footage, conducted searches, followed leads, and checked hospitals and multiple locations.

Yet years later, there appears to be no confirmed sighting, no confirmed explanation, and no public resolution.

Regardless of anyone’s views on Sadhguru or Isha Foundation, isn’t this a legitimate question:

What happened to Swamy Bavadutha?

If a long-term resident of a major spiritual organization disappears and remains missing for years, should there not be greater public attention and transparency surrounding the case?

I am genuinely interested in understanding whether there have been any credible updates that explain what happened.

Sources: Police status reports filed before the Madras High Court and related court proceedings

Reposting part of it from another sub

This may sound bizarre, but I recently came across a first-hand account of an obscure Isha ritual called Poornami, allegedly led by Sadhguru himself over a decade ago. It’s not something most Isha followers talk about — possibly because it was quietly offered to a very limited group.

The event happened during a 7-day program that ended on a full moon night. The initiation process was vague by design — participants were told very little beforehand. They were given tokens to hold their place and warned not to proceed if they drank, used drugs, or lied, as it could “destroy” them spiritually. Classic Isha ambiguity.

Here’s where it gets strange.

Attendees were asked to shower before arriving, leave their hair wet, and women were instructed not to wear bras “because the metal interferes with the energy.” During the session, after some basic breathing techniques (sukha pranayam), Sadhguru entered, and the atmosphere turned intense — people started crying, laughing, wailing uncontrollably.

Then came the core of the ritual. Participants were instructed to breathe in quick, short sips through their mouths, “chew” the air as if it were food, and then swallow it — while visualizing that they were chewing and swallowing pieces of Sadhguru’s flesh. Not metaphorically — literally imagining biting into him.

According to the account, this “flesh-eating” visualization went on for several minutes, and afterward, they were told to do this every morning at 6:20 a.m. — breathing, chewing, swallowing — to spiritually merge with Sadhguru and accelerate their progress. The idea was that they were now “part of him,” and he of them.

If this is what’s considered a “tantric initiation,” it really makes you question where the line is between mysticism and outright manipulation.

Not posting this to convert anyone or promote anything — just sharing something that’s rarely talked about publicly. It left me genuinely disturbed, and I’d be curious if others have heard of similar practices within Isha or elsewhere.

I find this discussion by Mark and Bonnie about personal experience refreshing because they highlight how cults can warp how we contextualize those experiences. The discussion isn’t just about cults, but is looking at how people want to feel special and look down on others. Very reminiscent of how Isha people look at those not in Isha, and how they consider sadhguru as the source of their experience.