It was a New Year’s Eve celebration unlike any other. Thousands came together in the presence of Adiyogi to spend the last night of the year with Sadhguru.
Sadhguru spoke on the concept of time, or Kala, emphasizing life’s fleeting nature within its cyclical patterns. He described how these cycles could either crush people or trap them in boredom, driving them to seek ways to break free.
He highlighted the distinction between cyclical time, known as Kala, and the dimension beyond, known as Mahakala. He also traced the origins of the international calendar to Julius Caesar’s era, explaining its adoption from the Egyptian system and its impact on modern timekeeping.
He then delved into the cultural significance of the month of January, which is named after the two-faced god Janus, symbolizing a time of transition and a period for planning the future. With the year 2023 having come to an end, Sadhguru humorously noted the tradition of making New Year’s resolutions, often quickly broken, and the deep-seated human longing to become something more.
Sadhguru stressed the importance of taking charge of one’s physical and mental faculties to prevent life from becoming accidental. He suggested that without such control, resolutions would be futile. Highlighting the necessity of practice beyond consuming inspirational content, he pointed out that while watching his many YouTube videos could change one’s mindset, it wasn’t a substitute for actual Yogic practices.
Having reached 4.37 billion video views in 2023 alone, Sadhguru expressed a wish to see viewers integrate practices into their lives.
When a participant claimed to have no time for practice, Sadhguru humorously retorted that this was the crux of the problem, saying, “You have no time,” underscoring the fleeting nature of life, and the urgent need to take charge of your body and mind.
Sadhguru suggested starting with a simple, consistent practice like Isha Kriya for 12 to 15 minutes twice daily, for 48 days, for those unable to commit to attending a program like Inner Engineering and practicing the more transformative Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya.
In response to widespread longing for profound spiritual growth, Sadhguru recently hosted another Samyama program shortly after the one in December. The intense residential program unfolded at the Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore, accommodating participants with simultaneous sessions conducted at the Adiyogi Alayam and Spanda Hall to meet the extraordinary demand.
Over eight days, participants engaged in long periods of silence and intensive meditation practices under Sadhguru’s guidance. The program provided attendees with a distinctive opportunity to elevate their consciousness and immerse in deep meditative states. It also served as a means for individuals to release Karmic bonds and cleanse their systems, paving the way for access to subtler experiences of life.
Akshita Nandagopal, deputy editor and anchor at India Today, sat down with Sadhguru at the Sadhguru Sannidhi in Bengaluru for a comprehensive discussion about the process of consecration and the time-honored principles of the Sanatana Dharma. Sadhguru delved into the significance of consecration, drawing parallels between the transformation of matter at various stages and the human experience, while stressing that consecrated objects have the capacity to retain energies for a duration surpassing that of the human body.
Sadhguru distinguished between mantras and rituals for consecration, mentioning prana pratishtha as a potent form of instilling life energies into a deity, which does not require constant maintenance. He also talked about the architecture and construction of temples, emphasizing the importance of building lasting structures and creating spaces that facilitate elevated experiences.
Akshita brought up the topic of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, and Sadhguru spoke about the role of temples as manifestations of devotion. They also touched upon Sanatana Dharma, with Sadhguru clarifying that it was all-inclusive. He dismissed the notion of a North-South divide in Indian spiritual culture and insisted that Sanatana Dharma was integral to the Indian way of life, irrespective of religious conversions.
Sadhguru described Rama as an inspirational figure, a Purushottam[1], who represents the potential for human evolution towards divinity. He said he doesn’t necessarily identify as a “Ram bhakt” but considers himself a devotee of life itself. Discussing the importance of the Ram Mandir, Sadhguru emphasized its cultural significance. He dismissed suggestions that the resources could have been better used for hospitals or schools, stating that those advocating for alternative projects should build them.
Lastly, Sadhguru expressed his regret that he wouldn’t be present at the Ram Mandir consecration due to prior commitments abroad but expressed his intention to visit in the future. He underscored that the temple’s establishment would be a civilizational moment for India, symbolizing a culmination of enduring devotion and historical resilience.
[1] Sanskrit word meaning “the best among men” or “Supreme Being”
The Sadhguru Sannidhi Bengaluru recently welcomed members of FICCI FLO, the ladies’ organization of The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), for an event with Sadhguru.
In his freewheeling talk, Sadhguru highlighted the unprecedented opportunities and resources available to women today compared to past generations, attributing this progress to technological advancements rather than an evolution of the male population. He expressed concern about people’s emphasis on external growth over inner wellbeing, pointing out the imbalance in societal focus. “As a generation of people, we are better equipped and better provided for than any generation ever before,” Sadhguru noted, emphasizing the need to nurture the “inner ecology” alongside external progress.
With regard to environmental action, Sadhguru recounted his response to a UN prediction about Tamil Nadu’s future desertification. He initiated Project GreenHands, which has led to the planting of over 93 million trees, as part of a broader effort to address environmental degradation. Sadhguru emphasized the interconnectedness of human life with the natural world with the poignant reminder that “what we are exhaling, the trees are inhaling. What the trees are exhaling, we are inhaling.”
Lastly, Sadhguru conveyed the essence of spiritual processes, which aim to provide clarity and a more profound experience of life. Closing his talk filled with insight and humor, Sadhguru captivated the audience with a whimsical story about a visually impaired Indian cobra that illustrated the perils of a lack of clear perception.
Anticipation filled the Melbourne Convention Center as the audience awaited a dynamic conversation between Layne Beachley, the surfing legend with an incredible seven World Champion titles, and Sadhguru.
Layne Beachley, known for riding the fierce waves of the surf as well as life, proved to be not only a sporting icon but also a champion for mental health. Sadhguru, with his profound wisdom, navigated through a wide range of topics with depth and humor, captivating everyone in attendance.
Their dialogue unfolded into a moving narrative about transforming life’s tides into joyous experiences. Observing that joy is an inherent quality from childhood, Sadhguru illuminated the contrast between the effortless joy of children and the effort seemingly necessary for adults to be joyful, questioning the social emphasis on conquering the world rather than cultivating inner wellbeing.
Layne Beachley reflected on her personal growth within professional surfing, sharing her initial habit of blaming external factors for any unsatisfactory performance. She recounted her realization of the need for personal responsibility, leading her to practices such as Yoga and meditation. Sadhguru discussed the concept of conscious rebirth, or dwija, which involves choosing to be reborn in a transformative way. He underscored the importance of devotion in any pursuit, defining it as “unfaltering involvement with something.” Stressing the significance of responsibility, he affirmed that “my life is my responsibility.” The conversation then transitioned to field questions from the audience.
The atmosphere was further kindled by the audience’s engaged participation during the Q&A session. Sadhguru explored the power of human agency in shaping the future, observing that dire predictions are not set in stone. He described the awareness of death as a tool to cherish life rather than as a grim prospect, suggesting a shift in perspective. The discussion also touched upon the conception of the moon’s influence on mental states, and Sadhguru diminished the significance ascribed to celestial events in favor of individual responsibility.
Wrapping up the session, Sadhguru highlighted the necessity of embarking on an inward journey for true transformation and enlightenment, a pivotal insight for those present. Participants didn’t just leave with memories but with a sense of empowerment, ready to learn to ride life’s waves with blissful mastery.
With Sadhguru’s return to Australia after five years, his recent visit was exceptionally special. Read about the “Soak in Ecstasy of Enlightenment” event with Sadhguru on 20 January in Sydney here.
In the morning, an air of festive unity filled the Isha Home School grounds as a diverse assembly –ashramites, volunteers, Brahmacharis, and students of Isha Home School and Samskriti, along with many others – gathered to honor Bharat’s 75th Republic Day.
As Sadhguru hoisted the Tiranga, a wave of heartfelt pride and reverence swept through all those in attendance, with every heart pulsating in unison for the nation.
At the same time, the Sadhguru Sannidhi Bengaluru resonated with festivity in the presence of Adiyogi. The acclaimed Thamate maestro Padma Shri Nadoja Pindipapanahalli Munivenkatappa graced the occasion as the chief guest of honor.
The “Brand Insight – Decoding Branding” workshop wrapped up at the Isha Yoga Center with a buzz of new ideas fostered among the 66 entrepreneurs and marketing professionals in attendance. The event offered a treasure trove of insights on purposeful branding.
Atika Malik, a strategic advisor, stressed the importance of brand and organizational purpose alignment, remarking “It is really important that your brand and your organization purpose are one.” Ameen Haque from Storywallahs captivated the audience by emphasizing the importance of depth in storytelling.
The event’s highlight came from Swami Sukhada of the Isha Foundation, who shared insights on purpose-driven branding: “The most important thing is purpose,” underscoring that consistent, clear intent is essential in brand evolution.
Volunteers at the Isha Yoga Center gathered in Spanda Hall to watch the live stream of the prana pratishtha of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, with a sense of great joy and celebration.
On the night before the consecration, volunteers came together for nagar sankeertan in a grand procession to Adiyogi, with chanting, drums, and cymbals, in anticipation of the historic consecration of the Ram Mandir.
