At an Inner Engineering Retreat with high-ranking government officials at the Isha Yoga Center, Coimbatore, Sadhguru steered a dialogue on human consciousness, societal wellbeing, and education. He highlighted the stark contrast in modern society, where despite an abundance of material wealth, mental health issues continue to grow in prevalence.
Warning of the danger that individuals may seek comfort in substances to cope with life’s pressures, Sadhguru emphasized the necessity of raising human consciousness. The discussion then turned to the neglect of inner growth amidst technological progress, with Sadhguru underscoring the timeless inclusiveness championed by Indian civilization as a key ingredient for humanity’s harmonious future.
Sadhguru also responded to questions regarding the importance of environmental and soil conservation, referencing the global Save Soil movement aimed at spotlighting soil degradation. Critiquing the one-size-fits-all approach in current education, Sadhguru advocated for creating a nurturing atmosphere that allows children’s natural growth and wellbeing to flourish.
As the session drew to a close, Sadhguru initiated a guided meditation. Participants subsequently expressed their gratitude, enriched by the insights and experiences shared during the program.
In an insightful exchange in Delhi, Sadhguru and the Danish Ambassador to India, Freddy Svane, discussed environmental sustainability, responsible population growth, and personal transformation. Sadhguru stressed the need for environmental actions rooted in individual consciousness change, given the severe impact of human overconsumption.
Highlighting the lesser impact of actions like minimal water use during dental hygiene, he distinguished between civic responsibilities and deeper environmental crises. Sadhguru underscored the life-sustaining role of photosynthesis and advocated for increasing the planet’s green cover as a crucial step against climate change.
He further acknowledged the benefits of advanced technology like artificial intelligence and urged a departure from the binary of Eastern versus Western values, pinpointing a lack of individual awareness as the core of global issues. The conversation ended with Sadhguru supporting the G20 Indian presidency’s motto, “One Earth, One Family, One Future,” as vital for a sustainable future.
Sadhguru delivered a keynote address at the 8th edition of the ET Now Global Business Summit. The event, presented by the Times Group in Delhi, stands as one of Asia’s premier meeting places where global thought leaders and experts convene to exchange ideas and actions for the future.
In his talk, Sadhguru emphasized the critical distinction between global businesses driven by individual ambition and those guided by a larger vision. He reflected on history, noting that the immense wealth of past corporations dwarfed the valuations of today’s top companies. He warned that without shifting from competitive killer instincts to cooperation, businesses cannot genuinely claim to be global.
Addressing wellbeing, Sadhguru argued that despite material advancements, humanity’s inner wellbeing has not improved. He observed that while possessions offer comfort, true wellbeing stems from within. He engaged the audience in affirming the importance of inner peace, health, and happiness over material success.
Sadhguru then brought attention to the excessive exploitation of the planet in humanity’s quest for happiness and pointed out the dangerous trend of increasingly relying on chemicals for wellbeing. He urged for a conscious, internally focused approach to life to avoid creating future generations diminished in capabilities. Stressing that the human body is a powerful chemical factory, he suggested that mastering one’s inner chemistry through practices like Inner Engineering can lead to a naturally blissful state.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke at the event, stating that “this is India’s time,” that “every development expert group in the world is discussing how India has transformed in the last 10 years,” and that “stability, consistency, and continuity make for the ‘first principles’ of our overall policy-making,” among other things.
Launched on the occasion of India’s Independence Day on 15 August 2023, the Army Yoga Initiative is a joint endeavor by the Southern Command and Isha, devised to provide around 11,000 soldiers with essential Yoga training. With 125 sessions across 23 locations conducted by 58 certified instructors, the program aims to support soldiers in navigating the rigors of military service. HDFC Parivarthan’s CSR initiative bolstered this project.
Lt.Gen. Ajay Kumar Singh opened the session at the Southern Command in Pune, Maharashtra, commending the transformative efforts and underscoring the positive changes it brought to personnel in the Southern Command.
In his talk, Sadhguru addressed various challenges faced by Army personnel and provided guidance on maintaining equanimity in the face of adversity. He stressed the importance of not viewing any particular life situation as the most difficult one, as challenges are universal. Sadhguru also discussed the significance of soldiers transitioning to civilian life, suggesting that a period of training could greatly benefit them in adapting to a less orderly outside world.
Responding to questions about parenting, he emphasized the need for parents to be friends, not bosses to their children, fostering open communication. Regarding the future generation, Sadhguru refrained from giving advice but highlighted the importance of quality of life and making wise choices.
Concluding the event, Lt.Gen. Ajay Kumar Singh presented Sadhguru with a kukri, a traditional knife, as a token of appreciation.
The space between Chandrakund and Dhyanalinga was densely filled with meditators, eagerly anticipating Sadhguru’s presence in the evening’s warm twilight. Moments after settling into silence, Sadhguru began to speak, commenting on the unseasonably early summer and the expected solar phenomena of 2024 that could affect Earth with more than just heat – possibly even causing electromagnetic shifts. He likened the upcoming nine months to a gestation period rife with opportunities for individual growth.
Sadhguru proceeded to discuss the pitfalls of overthinking and unchecked emotions, pointing out how these can lead to biases, thus obstructing personal and existential balance. He offered the viewpoint that aligning oneself with the fundamental geometric patterns of existence could ease life’s struggles.
Turning to the subject of Yugas, or cosmic cycles in Indian thought, he touched on the dawning Treta Yuga and its potential to foster positive transformation in human consciousness. In reference to scientific forecasts, Sadhguru cautioned about a looming mental health crisis leading to high suicide rates. He encouraged everyone to turn inward and take up Yogic practices, in order to raise human consciousness as we approach the Treta Yuga.
Sadhguru returned to the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore after six years for another edition of “Youth and Truth – Unplug with Sadhguru.” During the event, he captivated students with his profound wisdom and wit.
He humorously tackled their concerns about the competitive academic environment, reminding them that striving to be first isn’t a fulfilling approach to life. Sadhguru emphasized the uniqueness of every individual and stressed the importance of nurturing one’s own innate capabilities rather than conforming to a homogeneous system. He shared profound insights on the fleeting nature of time and urged the students to consider not just making a living but making a life, exploring their full potential as human beings.
Addressing the students’ fear of missing out (FOMO) and the stress of career choices, Sadhguru explained that stress is simply a mental state and that joy or happiness cannot be sourced from external factors. Urging the audience to take control of their psychological state, Sadhguru highlighted that our brains, despite being remarkable organs capable of extraordinary things, often become sources of misery. He suggested that directing one’s psychological state positively is crucial for personal wellbeing.
Regarding the nature of leadership, Sadhguru pointed out the inefficiency of stress and friction in a leader. He insisted that leadership should involve handling situations with a sense of joy and stability instead of stress and fear. In concluding, he underscored the importance of inner joy and peace to enhance one’s performance and overall quality of life. With his trademark blend of laughter and depth, Sadhguru left the students with a message of self-empowerment and the realization that personal transformation is the key to facing life’s challenges and becoming effective leaders.
In the following Q&A session, Sadhguru discussed various topics including the choice between entrepreneurship and secure employment, the importance of making a life rather than just earning a living, and the self-generated nature of happiness and misery. He criticized excessive consumption and its environmental impact, spoke on mental wellbeing versus inner turmoil, emphasized active engagement in life over emotional entanglement, and advised on striking a balance between work and personal relationships. Additionally, Sadhguru touched on educational reform, the impact of AI on the future workforce, the fallacy of predetermined fate, and the significance of committing passionately to one’s endeavors.
Isha Outreach organized a scholarship distribution program for rural and tribal students from villages neighboring the Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore. During the event, these students also demonstrated their proficiency in Bharatanatyam, folk dance, and Kalaripayattu, showcasing the skills they have honed through regular training provided by Isha's dedicated Rural and Tribal Welfare Team.
