Earth-conscious and being with earth

1. GEO SPIRIT RETREAT
EARTH CONSCIOUS
SELF-ENQUIRY, EXPERIENCING AND UNDERSTANDING

2. This is the Geo Spirit Retreat experi-
ences of Dr.. N. Sai Bhaskar Reddy
at Anmaspally, Kadthal, RR Dist, Te-
langana from 18th - 25 Oct ’17.
Being with Earth was the motive to
be conscious and get connected to
the earth.
GEO SPIRIT RETREAT

3. The day before Deepawali or festival of lights that is on Wednes-
day (18th Oct. ‘17), I planned to come to ‘The Earth Center’ at An-
maspally Village, Kadthal, RR Dist, Telangana, India. This place
is adjoining the wilderness of a reserve forest with few wild ani-
mals and great biodiversity. My wife and two sons have come
along with me to leave me here, and they returned back the next
day. I am grateful for their support
and was very happy.
For me Geo Spirit Retreat is a form of
freedom and experience the con-
sciousness of everything. This being
is a form of meditation. Observing the
environment in every detail and expe-
riencing nature. Consciousness with-
out attachment, sub-conscious think-
ing on common aspects and con-
sciousness of only breathing are the
three forms of meditation that I prac-
tice.
THE EARTH CENTER
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4. In the afternoon reached the Hillock at the Hanu-
man Temple. Walked up to the buddha statue
and spent sometime thinking about him.
This time of the year, I have been experiencing
nature at its best. From Deepawali the winter
cold just begins and the rainy season ends. As it
has rained well in this season, there is greenery
all around.
I explored the jungle and meditated for some
time on the rocks. It was so peaceful.
To see the beautiful sunset went to the hillock
next to the earth center. Was lying on the rocks
seeing the sunset and the two Pyramids about
two kilometers away. It was one of the most
peaceful evenings with the sounds of the birds in
the background and domestic animals returning
to their shelters.
While climbing down to return, saw two “Ralla
Kollu” of Chicken of the rocks. These were dark
in color matching the background of the rocks
color. They were walking instead of flying. It was
a pair, probably roost everyday night on the safe
hillock. They moved into the bushes and just flew
to reach the higher branches.
At the time of dusk returned to the mango tree
where my kids have pitched the tent. Removed it
and placed it on the flat rock next to the Amla
tree (Indian Gooseberry tree). It is on an elevated
place and was convenient to stay.
As it was the new moon night, it was dark.
Lighted the oil lamps made up of clay. Placed
them next to the Amla tree and prayed. The
Karthika Masam is just beginning in the same
evening and praying Amla tree and sleeping un-
derneath was considered auspicious. The tree
had lots of Amla fruits and with good density of
leaves. It was very clean underneath. I felt the air
too very fresh and there were not many insects
underneath to bother. This tree became one of
my favorite places during my retreat, especially
for sitting underneath the shade and writing. I
could focus well and write.
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5. Few lamps, I placed around the tent too. Mr.
Shankar from the village has come. He said that
he would stay with me all the nights that I would
spend here. Although he is from the village and
rarely slept in the open.
We had dinner and lit the campfire. Today is Dee-
pawali (the festival of lights) and the most peace-
ful night as there no crackers being busted here.
Shankar bought with him a very thick blanket
and I slept in it near the tent. The tent had two
layers, and with zips to close the openings, it
was very secure even from insects. The tempera-
ture inside was very warm. It was a warm night
and by 9:30 pm we both slept. I had a very deep
sleep.
Srinu a farmer was staying on the Manche (a hut
on stilts), especially during the nights. The wild
pigs were entering into the fields during the
nights and eating away the corn. He had a pow-
erful LED torch light. When the pigs enter they
make the noise while eating. He will ward them
off by shouting aloud. So in the night after mid-
night, I woke up once listening to the sounds.
The next day morning, I woke up early and
brushed my teeth using the Neem tree stick.
There are some cows and buffalos kept by the
farmers nearby. Got some fresh milk from them
and made tea. As the milk was fresh and pure
without adulteration, the tea prepared was very
good.
I left for meditation in the rocks for about two
hours in the jungle, i.e., till, 9:00 am.
Observed the plants, birds, flowers, rocks, etc.
A spider made its nest on the ground, with drop-
lets of water from fog it was fresh and beautiful.
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6. The dried purple flowers on the rocks.
The dried twigs of small forests appeared like
miniature temperate forest.
The dried twigs lying on the rocks
A natural rock garden with grass and small
herbs.
The Lantana camara plant is beautiful. There are
two varieties here. Its flowers provide nectar to
the insects and black color very small fruits in
bunches are sweet. The plants have small thorns
on the stems. They are the exotic species invad-
ing the jungles of India. The animals don’t con-
sume the leaves. Excess presence of these
plants degrade the health of the jungles over a
period.
They make jungles impenetrable too.
The Thangedu Chettu is a bush plant with
golden yellow flowers. It bark was used for tan-
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7. ning the leather. The flowers are especially used
in the floral arrangement for Bathukamma - Telan-
gana Floral Festival celebrated by women.
The rocks and plants together are always beauti-
ful. It is an harmonious relationship between abi-
otic and biotic. These rocks are witness to the
evolution of life around. They must be whispering
the stories of the life since millions of years to
these young plants. The granites in this region
are about 2500 million years old.
Went to a secluded place and did meditation by
listening to the sounds of nature.
I have selected a place with diversity of species
and few stones as a place for Geo Spirit. The ex-
cess stones and few weeds need to be removed
to make it convenient for sitting. This place is for
praying nature and meditation.
My curiosity was highest as a child. I saw some
miniature flowers which are part of the bloom,
that happens after the rains.
The wilderness with natural biota
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8. The bell shaped white flowers
The soil formation, algae and few small plants es-
tablishing the basic sequence.
The lizard is well camouflages with the back-
ground of the granite. It might have taken many
years for this evolutionary process. The environ-
ment or nature is older than life and so life
adopts to fit into the niche for survival.
Another variety of lizard is found which is yellow
in color and looked different.
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In nature everything is curious, scientific and
mysterious when it goes beyond
understanding. Sometimes ignorance helps
one to consider things around as art of nature
or mystery and appreciate its beauty as the
creations of the God. As a researcher I find
everything worth understanding and after
reaching a limit, I just start appreciating things
as they are. Everything on this earth is
beautiful and has value and space, one need
to accept the things as they are. Acceptance
is the highest form of being.

9. The pattern made by the algae on the rocks is a
beautiful pattern depicting the universe at a
micro-scale.
Some rocks appeared like the naughty boys hid-
ing in the bushes.
My shadow although virtual, always gave me
company and I never felt isolated in my life.
The Cattle and Egrets have a great relationship.
The insects bothering the cattle are eaten by
them and also the insects which come out of the
grass due to the disturbance of the cattle while
grazing are eaten. They sometimes take a free
ride on the cattle too. Friendship and symbiotic
relationship between two species is great to ob-
serve.
As I studied Geology it is easy to understand
how the granite tors form over millions of years.
They are the sculptures of nature created by the
elements of environment. Still many stones seem
to defy gravity and balance. A balanced person
in life is dignified and appreciated.
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10. The bonsai ficus plants surviving in the cracks of
rocks are great. They adopted a minimalist ap-
proach, living is more important than comparing
with others. Make the best use of every little re-
source and they look majestic. The size does not
belittle but highlighted it. It also increases the
value of the rock, and a feather in its cap.
Mini-flowers are the flowers of very small plants.
They bloom after the grains. The create the beau-
tiful gardens for the insects in the soil. For human
beings considering their size, however beautiful
they might be they could be insignificant. When
ever I saw them, they always inspired me by their
form and beauty.
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11. This is a small insect which traps the ants by cre-
ating a funnel of fine sand.
The Amla is a useful food and medicine in Ayurv-
eda. It is always clean. After eating it if one
drinks water, the water tastes sweet. Fortunate to
like under this plant.
There are many peacocks in the area. One day
underneath the Amla tree, I found a peacocks
feather. How come even after the feather de-
tached from its the tail of a peacock still creating
and make one remember and love the source
peacock. Love and admiration is beyond life.
Some symbols and parts have the potential to
spread the umpteen light infinitely.
Returned back to the camping site. I have
planned a Tiny tree house. In this regard, started
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12. working on the logistics. Left to Kadthal with Mr.
Shankar and inquired about the materials. Re-
turned back to the earth center. Designed the
plan for the treehouse at a big mango tree. This
place, I liked as it is cool all the time and had a
good view of the Jungle.
In the evening again went on to explore the wil-
derness in the jungle and returned back by 6:00
pm. Met few people, cooked the dinner and we
all ate.
There came a dog, it was so weak and recently it
gave birth to puppies. Shankar became very
emotional and said we should give it food. As in
the jungle there is not much full and it is already
week. It also need to give milk to the puppies.
Given it some food, it ate voraciously. With camp-
fire discussed for sometime before going to bed.
In the night saw a jungle cat called Janga villi.
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13. In the morning woke-up with lots of fog. It was a
chilly night. I was comfortable in the tent and did
not know the chillness. Had a cup of tea with
fresh milk given by Anjaiah. Started planning
about the hut to be constructed. First I designed
the tiny house next to the rocks. As there were
many bushes and rocks strewn around, it could
be a home for several creatures and not safe at
night. Next, I planned close to the Amla tree
where a flat stone is there, where I am camping
now. As it is on an elevated place, it was safer.
But during the daytime, as the Amla tree is small
in size and doesn’t provide enough shade, and
from the hot rocks the heat will be very high. Dur-
ing the summers too the rock radiates heat till
late night. So this plan was also abandoned.
I wanted to the Tiny Tree House with minimum
materials and to meet the basic needs only. Liv-
ing in nature is the greatest gift. I needed a small
place for one or two people to sleep during the
night. A place for cooking. Also space for group
discussions and sitting under and on the tree. Al-
though a Mancha with a small hut costs very
less, I don’t want to use the trees cut and used.
Earth is our only ultimate home. An house is only
a small space in time meeting the requirements
of a habitat partially.
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14. Finally, I went to see the Mango Trees. There was
this mango tree which yields very few mangos,
but it is tall and sturdy. The leaves were very
good, it had good foliage. Beneath the tree due
to the shade, there was less grass and, it was
clean. I made marking using the compass on my
mobile phone, tent pegs, and thread. Planned
the 12 feet x 8 feet structure. With a hut of 8 feet
by 5 feet hut on the top and a height of 4.5 feet.
This whole structure I.planned on the granite
stone pillars so that the termites won’t eat away
the wooden structure.
As it was the busy time people harvesting grains,
nobody turned up for the work. Until afternoon, I
waited. In the afternoon asked Shankar to take
me to Thatikuntal Maisamma Temple in the for-
est. It was about 10 km away from Anmaspally
village. Shankar asked Shekar his cousin to ac-
company. We three left by a motorcycle at
around 3:00 pm.
It was a dirt road and was slushy at few places
with small streams flowing. Or it also means we
were using the stream bed as the road.
As we reached inside could see the Teak Plants.
The biodiversity was healthy although the trees
were not so tall. Encountered some small water-
falls and pools of water. There was also alkaline
soils, and the place was slippery.
There was a beautiful place next to a small water-
fall with a pool, ideal for meditation. I sat there for
some time listening to the waterfall and sounds
of birds. I felt like staying there only. As it was get-
ting late, we started again.
The stream continued with cascading waterfalls
all along the route parallel.
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15. About a kilometer away from the temple, we kept
the vehicle underneath a Tamarind Tree. Now we
need to transect the rough path with so many
sones and streams. I started asking Shekar the
names of the plants and its uses. Every plant
was useful and related to the local people, and
nothing was a waste.
A wild lemon plant, the lemon. Its leaves had
very strong smell.
Wild paddy seen in the wetland area near the
shore of the tank.
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16. Soon reached the foreshore of the tank. As it
rained heavily, the water in the tank was full, the
path to the temple was closed.
The path became very difficult as we ap-
proached the tank. We slowly navigated our path
from the rough jungle on the banks.
Finally reached the bund where the Thatikunta
Maisamma Temple was located.
There was another makeshift temple too.
In spite of the difficulties in reaching, people still
come here with great reverence. An old man was
staying in one of the makeshift sheds. Took a co-
conut from him and went to temple for prayer.
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17. A huge very old tamarind tree on the tank bund.
There were some cattle, left in the jungle by the
villagers. As there are no major predators, they
are safe here. They don’t go home and continue
to stay here. Occasionally the respective owners
take them home. Having eaten good grass they
have grown well.
Saw a nest with two chicks. The chicks were very
small. They can’t lay the nest on a high branch to
prevent predation from kites and other big birds
nor they can’t lay at a low level.
The sun was setting, and it was a beautiful eve-
ning. We gain started our return journey.
Reached the earth center, had dinner with
Shankar. With campfire next to us discussed for
sometime before going to bed.
On the way saw the land taken from people for
the Pharma City. Considering the pollution
caused by the pharmaceutical industries in and
around Hyderabad, these are some of the highly
polluting industries. My PhD was on the industrial
pollution including the Phamaceutical industries,
which I have see and studied. Hope this beauti-
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18. ful area does not become another hell in the
name of development.
The day before I told some of the people to
come for the construction of the Tiny Tree House.
I was waiting, at around 10 am they have come.
Mr. Giri also came from Hyderabad. There were
eight people. For me, it took lots of time explain-
ing to them how the structure should be. Brought
the sticks and the granite stone pillars.
Groundbreaking for the Tiny Tree House. As I be-
lieve in Aspect and the elements of nature. Used
the compass for orienting the house. The whole
structure is facing East.
As per the planned layout, started building the
structure. I wanted it to be eco-friendly and low
cost, simple structure to meet the basic needs,
such as space for sleeping for about 2 people,
sitting place and place for cooking.
Also cleaned the sacred grove, which I have de-
clared. This is a small place with plants such as
Neem, Rela, Custard apple, Jeedi plant and few
others. Nice cozy place with small rocks and
comfortable to sit. This was opposite of the place
where I am constructing the Tiny Tree House.
Till 3:00 pm very little work was done. After
lunch, having see the beautiful structure shaping
up started working intensively. By 8:00 pm ex-
cept for the roof cover and floor almost all the
structure was constructed.
We all had tea on the rocks and requested some
of them to come tomorrow.
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19. Today morning Shankar wanted to go to Hydera-
bad on a personal work. The Mestri (Mason)
came in the morning to the center. We left to
Kadthal to bring some materials for the construc-
tion of the Tiny Tree House. Till afternoon almost
nothing happened. Returned to the Earth Center
and saw three more people waiting for work. The
two carpenters also arrived to lay the roof of the
hut. As the hut is underneath the tree, I don’t
want to spend much on the roof material So
brought the plastic sheets used for covering
gates as roof. Everyone started working. Also
brought lunch for them. We had lunch together.
The work is going on very slowly. But people are
showing interest and with enthusiasm they
worked. For them, this is a new design and never
tried.
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20. Till 6:00 pm the roof laying work happened. Sud-
denly it started raining with thunderstorms. We
all gathered inside and the new structure. We
saw that, there were no leakages, good the test-
ing also happened simultaneously. I was very
happy sitting inside the structure.
In the night, I was thinking deeply about the Tiny
Tree House and the improvements.
I requested Shankar to get one procliner ma-
chine in the morning . While I was waiting, I got a
call that one person who agreed to do the job.
Immediately with two workers, I left to the center.
There was not much work without the machine,
and four people were waiting there. At the Geo
sacred groove, I asked them to clear the stones.
This place is dedicated for nature. It has diverse
species of plants, and I wanted to install the idol
of Lord Shiva. In the presence of idols, people
with reverence will not misuse a place and also
will not cut plants. The fear of God also helps to
conserve nature.
While waiting for the procliner machine, I spent
some time with Gaddem Ramulu - The Shep-
herd. He is having about 50 goats which he
takes to the forest area everyday. He had been
doing since more than 50 years. He knows every
rock and climbs well. He had his own language
of communication and names for his goats. The
goats consider him as their leader and follow
and listen to him. He knows every species of
plant. He sings songs and dances, he is in bliss
always. I also learnt from him about the types of
species in the jungle.
The procliner machine arrived at 2:30 pm. Mo-
ram is a good soil formed from the weathering of
granite rocks. This soils withstand the erosion
and has compactness. With lots of quartz and
feldspar grains, it is very good for walking and
often used for earth roads. I wanted the access
to the Tiny Tree House convenient. So made a
heap with Moram soil. It had a slope for the con-
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21. venience of walking and reaching the Tiny Tree
House.
Also moved the boulders with the same machine
to create sitting places around the tree and other
places. The work continued for about 3 hours.
Bought some raw sand, found in an intermittent
stream accumulated during the recent rains.
Used it for construction of a sitting place be-
neath the Tiny Tree House. In the future wanted
to create a small room beneath the Tiny Tree
House for storage of things.
In the evening Dr. Indrasena Reddy an environ-
mental scientist arrived he wanted to spend
some time with me at the center. We went to the
village and discussed with the Pundit of the Ha-
numan Temple to come and do pooja for the
structure. The fire from lamps, smoke from in-
cense sticks, sprinkled kumkum and haldi makes
a place hygienic and sanctifies. Brought the Pun-
dit to perform the Pooja. To our surprise, the
lamp lit during the Pooja kept before the Tiny
house lasted till next day although it was in the
open.
We had a campfire after dinner and were dis-
cussing till late night on the environmental chal-
lenges, especially the impacts of The Pharma
City, which is planned by the government sooner
nearby.
After late night discussions, I slept in the Tiny
Tree House, Gave the camping tent to Dr. Indra-
sena Reddy. Surprisingly no insects were pre-
sent in the house and I had a very good sleep.
Next day morning, Myself and Dr. Indrasena
went for a walk in the jungle. We observed the
nature while brushing the teeth with neem sticks.
Cleaned the whole place again, removed the
strewn stones around. Made few sitting places
with the available rocks. Till lunch time we spent
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22. time at The Earth Center and left. Reached Hy-
derabad in the evening.
The Tiny Houses enables one to live in the envi-
ronment with minimum space. To reduce the eco-
logical footprint, using the local materials is es-
sential. These housed enables one to live close
to nature.
The Geo Spirit Retreat from 18th to 25th
Oct’17 gave me space for self-inquiry and
improved my commitment to the cause of the
earth.
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