The Indo-Jewish Coalition, a joint body of the American Jewish Committee and the Indian Community in Atlanta, along with Isha Foundation are hosting world renowned spiritual teacher, yoga master and visionary and founder of Isha Foundation, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev on Wednesday, May 21st, 2008. The venue is the beautiful Ahavath Achim Synagogue located in the heart of mid-town Atlanta. The event is to include a discourse and a book release followed by book signings and is free and open to the public. This visit to Atlanta is a part of the multi-city US Tour that Sadhguru is conducting during the months of May and June. Besides Atlanta, he will be seen in Washington DC, the Bay area, and the LA area. The tour will end with the Inner Engineering Leadership Retreat at the magnificent Ritz Carlton in Dana Point, California. The new book, Midnights with the Mystic: A Little Guide to Freedom and Bliss, has received widespread coverage and acclaim, and has been endorsed by, amongst others, Deepak Chopra. Sadhguru has also authored Encounter the Enlightened and Mystics Musings previously. Tour schedule and further information is available on www.IshaFoundation.org.

Atlanta Indian community leader and member of the Indo-Jewish Coalition, Gaurav Bakshi, welcomed the visit by Sadhguru. “This is an incredible opportunity to be in the presence of one of the greatest spiritual beings the world has seen” he said. He adds “The Jewish and the Indian communities have much in common, and we are honored to have Sadhguru share his wisdom, and message of peace and compassion with both communities as well as with all the residents of Atlanta”.

Sadhguru is regularly heard speaking at global forums such as the World Economic Forum and the United Nations, and shares the stage often with the likes of Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Deepak Chopra and many prominent political, business thought leaders of our times. CEO’s of global corporations are dramatically awakening to the potential of what Sadhguru is offering. Indu Jain, Chairperson of the Times of India Group quipped “Meeting Sadhguru has been the most profound experience of my life”, and a similar experience was shared by Ravi Venkatesan, Chairman, Microsoft India “Meeting Sadhguru has been the defining moment of my life, changing my perspective on how to look at life and its challenges.”

Isha Yoga programs, designed by Sadhguru, allow individuals to take tangible steps towards their inner growth. Taught in its full depth and dimension, the programs provide methods for establishing oneself in a way of life that affirms wholeness and vitality. Tailored to suit individuals from every social and cultural background, the core of these programs provides powerful tools for inner exploration. Together, the programs and methods establish optimal health and vitality, enhance mental calm and clarity, and instill a deep sense of joy. They show that spiritual life does not deny worldly, social, and family responsibilities, but rather uses them as vehicles for personal growth and self-realization. Cheryl Simone, President, Atlanta Development Inc. who has also co-authored the upcoming book along with Sadhguru, found her life transformed after just a few months of having practiced Isha Yoga. She exclaims “Within three months of doing these practices, I was taken off of four prescription drugs for severe chronic ailments. I’m experiencing a heightened connection with other people and my sense of inner freedom continues to expand.”

Sadhguru is an eloquent and compelling speaker whose wit, wisdom, and piercing logic cuts through the complexity of today’s global issues in a refreshingly frank and pragmatic way. Sadhguru offers relevant & deeply revealing insights into modern social and economic challenges.

Though he stresses that inner peace and spirituality are essential to an individual’s well being, he does not shy away from the material world. Indeed, his participation at the World Economic Forum in 2006, 2007 and 2008 showed materialism and spirituality could co-exist.

His stress on a “gentler economy” and helping the business community — whose role he believes will become even more significant than politicians — to handle their new roles and responsibilities more carefully is something that is attracting attention. With activities and speaking tours all over the world, Sadhguru has a global audience.

Founded by Sadhguru in 1992, Isha Foundation plays a vital role in the well-being of the individual and the world. Set up as a non-political and non-religious organization, the Foundation does not promote any particular ideology, religion, or race but transmits inner sciences of universal appeal. Its inspiring outreach projects include, amongst others, Action for Rural Rejuvenation – enhancing living conditions in rural India, Isha Vidhya – offering quality education for rural children and Project GreenHands – reversing environmental degradation by mass tree planting.

From its powerful yoga programs for inner transformation to its public-service initiatives for society and environment, Isha activities are designed to create an inclusive culture that is the basis for global harmony and progress. This approach has gained worldwide recognition and reflects in Isha Foundation's Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations. The Foundation is supported by hundreds of thousands of dedicated volunteers in over 250 centers worldwide.

At the recent World Economic Forum, Sadhguru’s views regarding education, leadership, geopolitics, environmental concerns, poverty and others have been appreciated by corporate, social and political leaders. His incisive thoughts have brought into focus the role an all inclusive development of humankind as against pure economic development. He spoke, “What we need immediately is a more inclusive world, more inclusive economics, and above all an all inclusive human being. It is through the experience of inclusiveness that the necessary intention and action will happen beyond our limitations.” Sitting amongst world leaders, he redefined their role by saying, “Leadership is no longer about dominance and power but responsibility and vision born out of clarity of perception”.

Action for Rural Rejuvenation (http://www.ishafoundation.org/RuralRejuvenation)

A long-time vision of Sadhguru, Action for Rural Rejuvenation (ARR) is a pioneering social outreach program initiated in August 2003 in Tamil Nadu. ARR aims at providing medical relief and further bringing an end to human suffering in the remote villages of India - revitalizing its rural societies and thereby strengthening the very roots of the nation.

Within two years since its implementation, ARR has lit a fire in the hearts and minds of the rural people as they embrace this chance to restore their lives, culture, and heritage.

Central to this project are free Mobile Health Clinics. Currently operational in over 3,000 villages in the states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in South India, the Mobile Health Clinics visit a growing number of villages on a daily basis. They provide basic health care - dispensing free medicine and creating healthcare awareness under the guidance of qualified allopathic doctors who are also trained in alternative medicine and yogic health care. Alongside, the MHCs create awareness about HIV/AIDS, its prevention and treatment to the rural population where the awareness is abysmally low. ARR operates 20 MHCs.

Furthermore, to rekindle and revitalize the spirit of the rural population, services such as libraries, computer centers, yogashalas (community area to practice yoga), gymnasiums, playgrounds, and herbal gardens are established in every village. ARR is meticulously crafted to touch each and every aspect needed to restore and raise the human spirit and rejuvenate the marginalized rural population - physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually.

The successful implementation of the project has attracted international attraction to emulate the model in some of the third world countries. The first such international partnership is all set to begin in Sierra Leone, West Africa where the health components of ARR will be initially implemented in its villages.

Isha Vidhya (http://www.ishavidhya.org)

An Isha Education Initiative, Isha Vidhya is committed to raise the level of education and literacy in rural India and help disadvantaged children realize their full potential. The project seeks to ensure quality education for children in rural areas in order to create equal opportunities for all to participate in and benefit from India's economic growth.

With English computer based education, complemented by innovative methods for overall development and blossoming of each individual, Isha Vidhya Schools empower rural children to meet future challenges. Sadhguru's intention and goal is to start at least one English 'Computer Friendly' Matriculation School in each of the 206 taluks (regions) in Tamil Nadu within the next five to seven years. The schools are expected to benefit over 500,000 students when fully functional.

Project Greenhands (http://www.projectgreenhands.org)

An inspiring ecological initiative of Isha Foundation, Project Green Hands seeks to prevent and reverse environmental degradation and enable sustainable living. The project aims to create 10% additional green cover in the state of Tamil Nadu in southern India. Drawing extensively on people's participation, 114 million trees will be planted state-wide by the year 2010.

As a first step, a mass tree planting marathon was held on October 17, 2006. It resulted in 852,587 saplings being planted in 6284 locations across 27 districts in the state, by over 256,289 volunteers in just one day, setting a Guinness World Record. Another 25 million plantings are proposed for this year and work is on in full-swing.

This large-scale tree planting project will enhance biodiversity, protect the soil, restore ecological balance and provide livelihood opportunities for thousands across the state. Mass awareness campaigns are conducted to establish a culture of care for the environment. Starting from the geographical land area of Tamil Nadu, Project Green Hands seeks to inspire people around the world to keep this planet habitable for future generations.

This compelling plan reestablishes the power of individual action for large-scale change. The project is a massive effort in community building, encouraging supportive relationships between urban and rural societies, government and industry to shape the course of the world.


More information on Isha Foundation, Sadhguru, and the upcoming US tour is available on www.IshaFoundation.org or by contacting atlanta@ishafoundation.org / 770 356-4142