In this thought-provoking piece, Sadhguru addresses the issue of sexual assault, pointing to the fact that ultimately, all issues that humanity is facing stem from a lack of consciousness. He shares the empowering perspective that we can utilize modern technology to foster global consciousness and action to eradicate all forms of abuse. Essentially, human beings have the shared responsibility to create a supportive environment for every life to thrive.
Question: Having had to witness a friend being assaulted when we were growing up, I understand the deep impact. What do you think can be done to protect our children from sexual abuse?
Sadhguru: For thousands of years, we have not been able to stop sexual assault, whether it is against boys, girls, women, or even men. We can manage it to a degree with laws and increased social awareness, but no society has ever been completely free from it. The issue of sexual assault in India is often exaggerated compared to other countries.
Statistics show that in terms of percentages, sexual assault incidence in India is relatively low. But because of the large population, the numbers are high. So, it is not about one society or another, one country or the other. This is unfortunately a universal human issue.
The solution is in becoming more conscious human beings, handling your needs and drives more consciously, rather than compulsively. Creating a conscious world may seem far away, but it is not. If there was ever an opportunity to create a genuinely conscious humanity, it is now. Many great beings have come in the past, but when they spoke, only a few people could hear them, because they did not even have a microphone. When Krishna spoke, only Arjuna heard it.
Today, due to the advancements in technology, we have the privilege to sit here and talk to the entire world. At a time like this, when we have such power in our hands to address the whole humanity, if we do not do it, it simply means we do not have enough love in our hearts. We must use this opportunity to transform humanity, not only regarding sexual assault, but also in relation to so many other forms of assaults human beings commit against every life on this planet, including ourselves.
We are doing our best to make this happen. If you want to be part of it, please stand up and do the best you can. This is what the Conscious Planet movement is about. We are making mental health the focal point because unless people can connect with the problem, they will not connect with the solution. That is why we are highlighting one kind of problem.
Sexual assault is also a question of individual inability to use one’s faculties consciously. Some people have labeled sexuality as evil, while others go after it blatantly; but actually, it is just a natural, small part of you.
Because it has been labeled as evil, it has grown big in people’s minds. If sexuality is not in the reproductive organs but in the head, it is in the wrong place. If it is in the wrong place, it creates all kinds of perversions, and forceful situations may arise as a result.
Bodily sexual needs can be easily handled. It is in people’s heads where things go crazy. If human beings were conscious, they would put everything where it belongs. We need a more conscious humanity. Never before was there a better opportunity than now to even attempt creating a Conscious Planet. Let us make it happen.
