When I first heard about the Isha Foundation, I thought that it is like any other spiritual center that teaches lifestyle changes and the art of yoga and meditation. I have explored their website and videos that narrated how the Isha Foundation is instrumental in feeding children, caring for elders, and working at the grassroots in rural India through their charity.

I was also wondering what ‘Isha’ could be. Irrespective of the definitions the foundation offered. When I stepped into Isha at Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, I sensed what Isha is. It is a world where people perceive it not just by listening, watching, and getting mesmerized by the influences of others, but they are exploring it themselves.

For me, I sensed Isha- as the creator and destructor of the universe- Eesha, or Eshwar- the lord Shiva the moment I witnessed Adi yogi, a gigantic 120 ft. bust size statue at the entrance. Isha sounded to me like a place where one should explore the mystical magic and hidden secretes within them and around, looking inwards.

Let me take you through Isha, which I understood and perceived.

I headed southward from the hotel I was boarding at Kalapatti main road in Coimbatore in a cab. Red Taxi offers reasonable driving compared to local taxis. It took me an hour and a half early in the morning to reach Isha yoga centre, which is 32 Km away from my stay. Had I travelled in my vehicle, I could have parked it inside the premises. Private cabs should stop at a specified place where visitors should walk to reach the centre.

The Soil

A sprawling 150-acre Isha foundation stands majestically at the foothills of Velliangiri mountains, next to Nilgiris Bioreserve reserve.  Isha welcomes visitors with posters on ‘Save the Soil’.  Throughout my tour and stay at the Isha Centre, I was critical in observing whether the center is making any efforts to this extent. To my surprise, except few dustbins and trays to gather the garbage, I did not see a piece of plastic sheet or bag. How does Isha manage?

No visitor is carrying water into the yoga centre, as the Ashram made every effort to place water throughout its premises. Ashram management placed containers for drinking water, which is purified. When asked about the need to carry food or water to sustain the tour, the cab driver said that there are cafes (as many as four) and drinking water in plenty. When I visited one of them after touring the places within the ashram, I found wooden chairs, and tables everywhere, and the food was served on paper plates and disposable biodegradable paper cups. I found no piece of garbage or waste littered on my way to the places. The path leading to various places within the center, ponds, and the bath centres within the premises is well structured and maintained to the extent that it is hard to find any dirt.

The Silence

When I visited Isha, on 6^th December 2022, it was Ayyappa season, and Ayyappa devotees on their way to Sabari Mala flocked in hundreds. Unlike their usual practice of chanting Ayyappa names, they were quiet and well-disciplined. I did not see them spraying turmeric, Kumkum, coconut, flowers, and particularly plastic carry bags. I did not find anybody for that matter talking loudly and verbally. I found non-verbal communication taking the central role in explaining things through signboards, notices, wall writings, and of course, gestures. I found people talking to visitors in a low, gentle tone only when it is mandatory, addressing men as Anna (brother) and females as Akka (sister).

Spirit to Foster Your Inner Strength

On reaching the yoga centre, men can have a dip in Surya Kund and women can dip in the holy waters of the Chandra Kund. By paying Rs. 20/, one can enter the respective Kund specified for men and women.  It is difficult to translate the state of blissfulness and the energy one gain after having a dip in extremely cold water in silence, where you take at least 20-30 steps within the pond to touch and pray to the lord shive, placed at the centre of the Kund. Except for the sound of the water gushing in on the top of the Kund as a waterfall, you hear nothing. I did not feel slippery while walking through the pond touching Shiva Ling and was not afraid of the extreme silence. Lady volunteers who guided me through this path enquired whether I suffer from any ailments and whether it is acceptable for me to have a dip in the water that is extremely cold. To my surprise, when I climbed down 35 stairs to reach the pond well aired and ventilated. and embedded 30 ft. below the ground level, I was enthralled at the sight of the Kund. I emerged out of the pond with happiness I could not measure.

Dhyana Linga and Linga Bhairavi

A young Gujarati boy in his early 20s volunteering there met me at the entrance, close to Adi yogi drove me through Linga Bhairavi- the female goddess’s face, not the idol. With her eyes wide open and with a glowing, circular-shaped decorative tilak on her forehead, Linga Bhairavi was glowing in the early hour’s winter morning. The tender sun rays were just passing through her cheeks adding more glow and color. The Devi who is not adoring glittering jewels or accessories, you come across in many Indian temples is very simple, serene, and natural in her appearance. While female priests offer her the chanting, devotees follow them in the backdrop of mild drumbeats and instruments offering the support to produce divine music. I could see myself seated and moving rhythmically, by the hymns and the music.

Dhyana Linga is a gigantic Linga placed in a dark hall and lighted only with mud, and metal lamps with oil. helps you remain silent within you and outside to focus only on ‘Om’ that you utter silently with complete control over the air you inhale and exhale.

Final Thoughts

I could see individuals as volunteers living in a world where materialism plays a little role. I could develop the inner strength- a state of fearlessness to lead a life, come what may, thanks to the three elements I witnessed, experienced, and perceived. I got the strength to make a satang pram- by lying inward on the floor, with my hands completely stretched up, touching my forehead, nose, chest, stomach, waist, legs, and feet, bowing in front of her, and could get up without any support.  A place that emphasizes the importance to maintain soil purity and the importance of mental health. One can see, feel and experience spirituality without any borders, languages, regions, or cultures.