Mandrake

@Ajay0 and @zazen I tried to give you a deeper perspective so you don't look at "the West" as a single country, but you keep on clumping us all together. I already explained the case with Hungary. I don't see much reason to continue this. I have lived in India for several months and have found so many loving people there. Yet, I think India will never be really prosperous on all levels until it stops playing the victim (and being the victim is perfectly justifiable when we look at history) Jaishankar’s smug defiance toward the “collective West” isn’t strategic genius — it’s siding, in effect, with a bloodthirsty, expansionist, revisionist dictator. That path fuels a more unstable, lawless world where borders mean nothing, wars are rewarded, and global norms collapse — a world India will also have to live in. In such a world, China feels freer to grab territory in Arunachal or Ladakh, Pakistan has less restraint in stoking conflict in Kashmir, trade routes in the Indian Ocean become more vulnerable to coercion, and foreign investment dries up as India is seen as an unreliable partner. Short-term discounts on oil will be a poor consolation when the rules-based order is gone and the predators are circling. Yeah, many people say it's about the money, but I think his thirst for power and significance is really at the top. And there's never enough of it. He's a wannabe putin in their "level red" gang world. He hasn't got as much power, so he tries to compensate for it by finding his way into the news all the time. Regardless of the reason. Well, maybe except those Epstein files. I don't pretend to know, but...

What bothers me is the generalization. While India imports significant discounted Russian oil, it’s important to recognize that many European countries have been working hard to diversify their energy sources despite the challenges. The hesitation to cut off Russian energy immediately after the invasion isn’t just about economics or elections—it’s about infrastructure, energy security, and political divisions. The term “Europe” is often used as if all countries share the same stance on Russian energy—but that’s far from reality. Countries like Hungary and Slovakia, led by pro-Putin governments, have actively resisted EU efforts to reduce dependence on Russian oil and gas. Instead of seeking alternative supplies, they prioritize political loyalty to putin, working against the interests of democracy and European unity. We should all unequivocally condemn Russia’s invasion of internationally recognized borders. Turning a blind eye today doesn’t just harm Ukraine—it’s a dangerous precedent. Putin has already abandoned allies like Armenia and Assad’s regime in Syria when it suited him. Tomorrow, he could easily turn against countries like "neutral" India. China is watching to see what he can get away with, and is becoming bolder in its ambitions against Taiwan.

I used to see the West as one big hypocritical block too—colonial history, corporate greed, military interventions—it all fits a certain narrative. But over time I started realizing how overly simplified that view is, and how it’s actually being used now by populists to justify some really dangerous politics. In fact, we had to overcome vast differences between our "western" countries, and it's still and extremely difficult juggling act to stay united. Take Jaishankar, for example. He presents himself like this calm, intellectual statesman, but what he’s really doing is selling a revisionist story—that India is finally rising after centuries of humiliation, and that the West deserves to be put in its place. It’s not diplomacy—it’s a grudge masquerading as grand strategy. There’s a subtle revenge fantasy behind it, like we’re supposed to carry the pain of British rule forever and weaponize it into superiority. That kind of rhetoric, where you divide the world into “us” (morally superior victims) vs. “them” (forever colonial oppressors), is exactly the playbook putin uses to justify invading Ukraine and the future invasions he's planning. It’s propaganda designed to distract from internal problems and dismantle democracy. And it’s spreading. Trump did the same—blaming foreigners and allies alike while hollowing out democratic institutions. You even see this mentality in everyday behavior. Scammers often go after foreigners because they were raised to believe that "the West robbed us", and that Westerners are all rich and deserve to be cheated. It's a toxic mix of victimhood and entitlement—and it's not justice, it's just learned resentment. I personally felt this discrimination in Mysore and Jaipur while I was doing my own cultural research on a VERY tight budget. The tickets to the palaces were 5-10x higher for foreigners. Today, in "the greedy West", double pricing is very rare.

Nobody in Europe would want to invade Russia, even if it were easy. We’re done with revisionism and fighting over resources. Of course, there are always some minorities living in the past, but they are negligible. Moldova is the most vulnerable—that’s where Putin would continue if he had the chance. The others are more of a wild guess. I think he’ll ramp up the information war in Eastern European countries even further, aiming to weaken NATO and EU support.

Ajay, let me say first that I believe in unification of the world as a whole – something we won’t be ready for in the next 30 years. I hope for free travel and trade someday, which does not exclude having countries, preserving culture and differences. The “West” is not a single country or entity that wants to dominate the world. Russia can be democratic, transparent and prosperous, instead of viewing NATO as a threat. But right now, there’s something bleak about watching a real dictatorship grind on while Trump looks at it like a blueprint. Chomsky is a skilled writer who leans heavily on moral storytelling—casting the West as deceitful and the USSR as victimized. It’s emotionally compelling for some, sure, but historically thin. Yes, Baker floated the “not one inch eastward” line in a single early conversation in 1990. But that was in the narrow context of German reunification, not some sweeping promise to freeze NATO’s borders forever. Gorbachev knew that—and later said NATO expansion beyond Germany wasn’t even on the table back then. The actual agreement - Two Plus Four Treaty was signed by the USSR. It permitted a unified Germany in NATO, with clear limits on military deployments in the former East. No coercion. No deception. Just diplomacy, in writing. If you prefer, watch this video on the topic (Gorbachev is discussed after 18:18) https://youtu.be/7gxssycoxz0?si=QyRXGLuyi3_t0h_C

There was never such a promise. I've heard this statement many times, but there is no evidence to it whatsoever.

Jeezz

Here's a good analysis of Mearsheimer's interview - starts in the second part of the video

It's a bit tough right now, but Isha teachers might give private classes in your area. You can search by country or city here - https://isha.sadhguru.org/global/en/yoga-meditation/yoga-teacher-training/hatha-yoga-teacher-training/teachers-in-your-area Scroll down to the "Find a Teacher" section and use the search box. Two results came when I typed "Sweden". If they currently don't give classes, they should be able to give some honest advice, at least.

My experience is similar to what this guy shares about Surya Kriya. I do Shambhavi non-stop as well. Can't tell which practice is the one that makes the difference overall. As a sensation, Surya Kriya feels deeper. For many others it's the Shambhavi. Maybe the trickiest part is getting more and more focused in the moment to improve the subtlest alignment of your body. Especially when you don't feel like it and want to go on to the next thing in your day.

Don't go into Sadhguru's practices unless you want to do them long term. It's not a test drive.

@Milan Here is Shambhavi Mudra, good luck!

Like this one -

This is a free book by Ennio Nimis with specific instructions - http://www.kriyayogainfo.net/Eng_Downloads1.html

I'm new to Kriya Yoga. Does "Kriya Supreme Fire" have other names? I just started reading the book that Leo recommends, but it's a Russian version and something might have been lost in the translation. Thanks.