A Quick Recap of the Last Few Weeks
At an event hosted by DJ and producer Shablo in Milan, Sadhguru spoke to a diverse audience including Italian musical artists like Alessandra Amoroso, Irama, Rkomi, Roshelle, Venerus, Mace, and Ghali. Sadhguru addressed questions pertaining to the meaning of life, happiness, religion, belief, and spirituality. In response to a question by Ghali about finding real happiness in life, Sadhguru emphasized that happiness can be achieved by taking charge of our internal chemistry. Many individuals, he said, have failed to fully understand their own minds and the evolutionary potential of their intellects.
In the context of religion and belief, Sadhguru suggested that these often act as placeholders for things we cannot comprehend. By adhering to beliefs, we risk stunting our intelligence, curiosity, and growth. Ignorance should motivate us to stay alert, question, and seek answers, therefore adopting genuine spiritual nature as opposed to limiting ourselves to pre-existing beliefs. He also emphasizes the importance of maintaining our individuality against common ideologies. Sadhguru further spoke about the importance of becoming a genuine seeker of truth, the value of all life in sustaining human existence, and the irrelevance of physical location in the spiritual journey.
Moreover, Sadhguru highlighted the universality of consciousness, the need to distinguish self-generated emotions from existential life, and the urgency to prioritize human unity beyond geographical borders.
Sadhguru was invited to watch Atletico Madrid’s Champions League encounter against Feyenoord Rotterdam at the Cívitas Metropolitano Stadium, Madrid, Spain. The thrilling match ended with a 3-2 victory for the home side.
After the game, Atletico Madrid forward and 2018 French World Cup winner Antoine Griezmann, along with manager Diego Simeone had a heartfelt meeting with Sadhguru. Griezmann had a surprise memento for Sadhguru: an Atletico shirt with the number 9 and “SADHGURU” printed on it.
Reflecting on his experience, Sadhguru stated, “The stadium was fantastic. The crowd was absolutely roaring. And a great game; got to see 5 goals. And we’ve been following Griezmann for a long time. It’s really nice to see him play and also meet him here. It’s been a great experience being here.”
About the spirit of a game, Sadhguru stated, “Nobody wins a game because they want to win the game. Everybody wants to win; there’s no question about that. It is by playing well that you win. Your focus should just be on the ball. Kick the ball well, and you win.
“It’s OK for the crowds, but for the players, they should not even think of winning against the opposite team. No, your business is just to put the ball in their goal – that’s all. Somebody will keep the score.”
Dr. Mario Alonso Puig, a fellow in surgery at Harvard Medical School and a leading researcher in human intelligence, engaged in a compelling conversation with Sadhguru on “The Wealth of Wellbeing.” The session was moderated by the editor-in-chief of Spanish magazine Cambio 16, Jorge Neri Bonilla.
In the context of the nature of the human mind, consciousness, and wellbeing, Sadhguru emphasized that while thoughts are a minor part of our lives and typically a waste of energy, they are often influenced by ideologies and belief systems. He underscored the need for an educational shift towards a holistic, conscious way of living and the significance of viewing each other as equals.
Sadhguru further discussed the concept from yogic sciences of the mind having 16 aspects, with just one necessary for material success. He stressed the need to connect with the aspect of the mind known as chitta for our individual growth. In a Q&A session, he pointed to Inner Engineering as an effective method to transform one’s mind and body chemistry, echoed by findings from leading research institutions. In response to fears over humanity’s environmental impact and uncertain future, he reassured that positive transformation is possible and announced the launch of the Conscious Planet movement.
In a heartening conversation with Ivana Andres, World Cup-winning Spanish footballer, Sadhguru expressed his appreciation for the quality of the women’s football matches he has recently watched. Andres received an invitation to visit India, as a way to inspire young Indian girls to pursue football, a proposition to which she seemed receptive. The exchange between Sadhguru, Andres, Radhe, and the other participants culminated in an upbeat discussion about dancing and game strategies.
The “Consciousness – Science, Spirituality and Social Impact” conference, organized by the Sadhguru Center for a Conscious Planet, saw a panel discussion on day 1, “Science and Spirituality Panel – Unraveling the Nature of Consciousness,” which tackled the intersection of modern science and spirituality. The panelists comprised of Bernard Carr, PhD; Christof Koch, PhD; Rudolph Tanzi, PhD; Deepak Chopra, MD, and Sadhguru. The conference, which took place at Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, was designed as a comprehensive exploration of consciousness.
The Sadhguru Center for a Conscious Planet was established in 2020 as a multidisciplinary research center by the Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC). The BIDMC is a respected teaching hospital affiliated with Harvard Medical School.
In the evening, Steven Pinker, a renowned cognitive psychologist and author, and Sadhguru engaged in a conversation at Havard’s Sanders Theatre, addressing the question, “Is Consciousness a Miracle?”
Day 2 of the conference presented a captivating panel discussion on conscious leadership. The distinguished panel, featuring Nipun Mehta, BA, Susan Bauer-Wu, PhD, RN, FAAN, Helene Langevin, MD, and Ranjay Gulati, MBA, provided enriching insights through a dialogue with Sadhguru.
The subsequent panel discussion themed “Science and Spirituality Panel on Conscious Planet” assembled luminaries including Helene Langevin, MD; Emeran Mayer, MD; Aterah Nusrat, MSc, DIC, and Sadhguru. Together, they delved into the intersection of science, spirituality, and environmental consciousness.
Notably, a profound conversation between world renowned gastroenterologist and neuroscientist, Dr. Emeran Mayer, and Sadhguru, highlighted the intricate link between the gut microbiome and mental health. Dr. Emeran Mayer is a Distinguished Research Professor in the Departments of Medicine, Physiology and Psychiatry at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Executive Director of the G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, and Founding Director of the UCLA Brain Gut Microbiome Center.
Stay tuned for more in-depth articles on these and other topics in upcoming editions of Isha Forest Flower.
