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Talks

What’s wrong with our politicians? | Sadhguru in Conversation with Julie Gichuru | #5

Synopsis: So I must talk about political leadership for a moment, if you will allow me. Can we? For a moment? Sadhguru, what’s wrong with our politicians? In so many of our countries, and I think in many ways India is similar to Kenya. Very vibrant countries, you know, alive. And brimming with opportunity. We know what we must do, and we just never seem to be doing what we know...

... that we must do. Why? What’s wrong?

Synopsis: So I must talk about political leadership for a moment, if you will allow...

... me. Can we? For a moment? Sadhguru, what’s wrong with our politicians? In so many of our countries, and I think in many ways India is similar to Kenya. Very vibrant countries, you know, alive. And brimming with opportunity. We know what we must do, and we just never seem to be doing what we know that we must do. Why? What’s wrong?

April 17, 2021

8:10

India / Society / Video

What is the problem with our society? | Sadhguru in Conversation with Julie Gichuru | #1

Synopsis: So, let me start with a deep one. You know I always like to look at my background and my cultures. And in so many ways I think I embody two different cultures. My father’s from, his family is from Kashmir, my mother’s family is Kenyan, African. I grew up in a family where, for all the girls in the house who went through this you will understand, you say something...

... at the table and nobody notices you said it and five minutes later one of your brothers says it, and everybody says, “Oh what an intelligent thing!” How many ladies went through that growing up? I see a few hands. And you’re wondering, you know, am I not here? Am I not present? What’s going on? What is the problem with our society and our culture? And why do we hold women down so much?

Synopsis: So, let me start with a deep one. You know I always like to look at my...

... background and my cultures. And in so many ways I think I embody two different cultures. My father’s from, his family is from Kashmir, my mother’s family is Kenyan, African. I grew up in a family where, for all the girls in the house who went through this you will understand, you say something at the table and nobody notices you said it and five minutes later one of your brothers says it, and everybody says, “Oh what an intelligent thing!” How many ladies went through that growing up? I see a few hands. And you’re wondering, you know, am I not here? Am I not present? What’s going on? What is the problem with our society and our culture? And why do we hold women down so much?

April 17, 2021

5:59

India / Society / Video

How do we keep faith separate from politics? | Sadhguru in Conversation with Barkha Dutt | #9

Synopsis: How do we keep faith separate from politics? You have, in the past, for example, I remember when Anna Hazare was launching his anti-corruption movement, you did come and applaud it but you said that the Lokpal was not some magic wand. I remember you saying that. Do you believe that we are seeing the dangerous cocktail of faith and politics getting more and more mixed...

... up?

Synopsis: How do we keep faith separate from politics? You have, in the past, for...

... example, I remember when Anna Hazare was launching his anti-corruption movement, you did come and applaud it but you said that the Lokpal was not some magic wand. I remember you saying that. Do you believe that we are seeing the dangerous cocktail of faith and politics getting more and more mixed up?

April 16, 2021

10:14

India / Society / Video

How do we reconcile faith with individual liberty? | Sadhguru in Conversation with Barkha Dutt | #8

Synopsis: We live in times where faith, for certain, has become a very inflammable, easily politicized conversation. If faith should have been personal, today it’s not. Today you actually have decisions taken in the name of somebody’s faith. So you mentioned food right now. I remember that you said somewhere, that there’s nothing religious about the act of food, just eat...

... what you like. Okay, I correct myself. Eat what’s good for you. But today we have a highly politicized conversation around banning beef in the name of faith. How do you reconcile the faith of a large number of people with questions of individual liberty? I know, I’ve read that you like books written by Salman Rushdie, we were the first country to ban him, again in the name of faith. How do we reconcile faith with individual liberty?

Synopsis: We live in times where faith, for certain, has become a very inflammable,...

... easily politicized conversation. If faith should have been personal, today it’s not. Today you actually have decisions taken in the name of somebody’s faith. So you mentioned food right now. I remember that you said somewhere, that there’s nothing religious about the act of food, just eat what you like. Okay, I correct myself. Eat what’s good for you. But today we have a highly politicized conversation around banning beef in the name of faith. How do you reconcile the faith of a large number of people with questions of individual liberty? I know, I’ve read that you like books written by Salman Rushdie, we were the first country to ban him, again in the name of faith. How do we reconcile faith with individual liberty?

April 16, 2021

12:22

India / Society / Video

Films’ influence on the youth | Sadhguru in Conversation with Juhi Chawla | #7

Synopsis: Years ago, when films started, through the 60s, 70s, there were lovely stories, nice values, beautiful music and lyrics. By the time I was a star in movies, some of our jhatka makas might have shocked the previous generations and they must have said, what is all this. But we were still in limits. And then now, today the complexion of films, the kind of films we see....

... You know, it’s, it’s little-clothed, it’s live-in relationships are up there for everybody to see, night club culture. I mean it sometimes worries me, that my children are growing up now, this is what they’re seeing, these are the kind of songs that they’re listening to. So this is what they’re watching, this is what they think is cool, this is the hip and happening stuff. India has the youngest population in the world right now. So with such a young nation growing up on this, this is what you see, this is what you hear. I’m just a little concerned as to what they will turn out to be.

Synopsis: Years ago, when films started, through the 60s, 70s, there were lovely...

... stories, nice values, beautiful music and lyrics. By the time I was a star in movies, some of our jhatka makas might have shocked the previous generations and they must have said, what is all this. But we were still in limits. And then now, today the complexion of films, the kind of films we see. You know, it’s, it’s little-clothed, it’s live-in relationships are up there for everybody to see, night club culture. I mean it sometimes worries me, that my children are growing up now, this is what they’re seeing, these are the kind of songs that they’re listening to. So this is what they’re watching, this is what they think is cool, this is the hip and happening stuff. India has the youngest population in the world right now. So with such a young nation growing up on this, this is what you see, this is what you hear. I’m just a little concerned as to what they will turn out to be.

April 14, 2021

13:19

India / Society / Video

How can wars be stopped? | Sadhguru at University of Michigan | #10

Synopsis: My question is about India. India currently is a shining star on the global map, its economy is thriving, people are flourishing. All things are great, and going good. And in the last four and a half years, we’ve seen a serious government which is taking us into this development path. But my question is about this gruesome, you know, horrible act that happened yesterday...

... at Kashmir. And we saw 40+ javaans killed. So, I don’t know what’s the psyche of these people who can get into a car of 300 kgs of ammunition and, you know, just blast. My question is, how can the government do decisively, to solve this at the bottom. The second part to it is, I know it happens periodically, but the psyche of these people. How can it be changed? Can we ever imagine Inner Engineering in Pakistan, without being killed? Without having the fear of being killed.

Synopsis: My question is about India. India currently is a shining star on the...

... global map, its economy is thriving, people are flourishing. All things are great, and going good. And in the last four and a half years, we’ve seen a serious government which is taking us into this development path. But my question is about this gruesome, you know, horrible act that happened yesterday at Kashmir. And we saw 40+ javaans killed. So, I don’t know what’s the psyche of these people who can get into a car of 300 kgs of ammunition and, you know, just blast. My question is, how can the government do decisively, to solve this at the bottom. The second part to it is, I know it happens periodically, but the psyche of these people. How can it be changed? Can we ever imagine Inner Engineering in Pakistan, without being killed? Without having the fear of being killed.

January 4, 2021

8:13

India / Society / Video

How to give back to your country? | Sadhguru at University of Michigan | #9

Synopsis: Since this auditorium is filled with Indian expats. So one of the questions we wanted to ask was how do you recommend that we, the Indian youth here in the US, start thinking about contributing back to India while they are living their American dream. Because these two pursuits are very diverse, they might not coincide.

Synopsis: Since this auditorium is filled with Indian expats. So one of the questions...

... we wanted to ask was how do you recommend that we, the Indian youth here in the US, start thinking about contributing back to India while they are living their American dream. Because these two pursuits are very diverse, they might not coincide.

January 4, 2021

10:43

India / Society / Video

What can we do about water wastage? | Sadhguru in Conversation with Matthew Hayden | #8

Synopsis: My question is, what, on an individual level, can we do about water wastage?

Synopsis: ...

...My question is, what, on an individual level, can we do about water wastage?

January 2, 2021

17:05

India / Relationships / Video

Water conservation | Sadhguru in Conversation with Matthew Hayden | #7

Synopsis: So I can assume that, with that philosophy, you’re extremely cause driven. And that Isha Foundation is obviously a huge vehicle for you to express that. But, I want to talk specifically about water. And what your vision for the conservation of water is. And some of the things that you’re pro-actively doing within the causes. And the relationships as well, with, in...

... particular, your hot lands of Tamil Nadu and also Karnataka.

Synopsis: So I can assume that, with that philosophy, you’re extremely cause...

... driven. And that Isha Foundation is obviously a huge vehicle for you to express that. But, I want to talk specifically about water. And what your vision for the conservation of water is. And some of the things that you’re pro-actively doing within the causes. And the relationships as well, with, in particular, your hot lands of Tamil Nadu and also Karnataka.

January 2, 2021

17:05

India / Lifestyle / Society / Video

Sadhguru, what was your first impression of Australia? | Sadhguru in Conversation with Matthew Hayden | #6

Synopsis: Tell me, you also mentioned that your first visit here, your trip to Australia. And, my first impression of India was that there are a lot of people. And there’s also, in India because there are so many people, there is so much energy. Human energy. Chances are, that if you’re having a bad day, it’s like the whole India is having a bad day. Because there is so...

... much collectivity of humanity. What was your first impression when you started to travel across our vast country? And just sensing the emptiness of a country as well. I’d like to know what your impressions were around that. How many insights did you get out of it? Because out of a lonely existence, there is time only for you in that environment as well.

Synopsis: Tell me, you also mentioned that your first visit here, your trip to...

... Australia. And, my first impression of India was that there are a lot of people. And there’s also, in India because there are so many people, there is so much energy. Human energy. Chances are, that if you’re having a bad day, it’s like the whole India is having a bad day. Because there is so much collectivity of humanity. What was your first impression when you started to travel across our vast country? And just sensing the emptiness of a country as well. I’d like to know what your impressions were around that. How many insights did you get out of it? Because out of a lonely existence, there is time only for you in that environment as well.

January 2, 2021

12:00

Guru / India / Video

What is the role of a spiritual leader in politics? | Sadhguru at Harvard University | #6

Synopsis: ...

...So, in today’s society, many influential people, judges or senior civil servants, armed forces officials. They don’t express their personal political views in public because the thinking is that they hold a post which should be beyond any political party. Now, what do you think the role of a spiritual leader should be when you’re thinking about politics?

Synopsis: So, in today’s society, many influential people, judges or senior civil...

... servants, armed forces officials. They don’t express their personal political views in public because the thinking is that they hold a post which should be beyond any political party. Now, what do you think the role of a spiritual leader should be when you’re thinking about politics?

December 31, 2020

5:42

India / Society / Video

How can we change the sense of pride to a sense of shame? | Sadhguru at Harvard University | #5

Synopsis: I personally feel, Sadhguru, that there’s this phenomenon of castration anxiety in India. Castration anxiety, something related to male ego. We see that this male ego has been somewhere hidden behind rapes that happen, sexual harassment that happens. A lot of gender disparity. I wouldn’t say this is the only reason, but somewhere hidden behind. And we never address...

... it upfront. And all of these acts are acts of shame. But there is a sense of pride associated with it. How can we change the sense of pride to a sense of shame?

Synopsis: I personally feel, Sadhguru, that there’s this phenomenon of castration...

... anxiety in India. Castration anxiety, something related to male ego. We see that this male ego has been somewhere hidden behind rapes that happen, sexual harassment that happens. A lot of gender disparity. I wouldn’t say this is the only reason, but somewhere hidden behind. And we never address it upfront. And all of these acts are acts of shame. But there is a sense of pride associated with it. How can we change the sense of pride to a sense of shame?

December 31, 2020

8:01

India / Society / Video

Where do we draw the line between religion, culture, and art? | Sadhguru at Shiva Nadar College | #8

Synopsis: I am interested in, or I learn, Carnatic music in my pass time. Around the same time, last year, 2013, there was a controversy that broke out about four Carnatic musicians, famous ones, who sang kritis, which were not related to Hinduism or Jesus Christ. The common folk believe that Carnatic music is sacred of Hindu origin and should remain so. My question is, is Carnatic...

... music is a Hindu art, should it remain so? And second, considering the fact that India, as such, as a country is an amalgamation of multiple, diverse cultures. In fact, you kept mentioning culture when you answered the first question on religion. Considering the fact that India is an amalgamation of cultures, which are invariably related to our fates or religion, where do we draw the line between religion, culture, and art?

Synopsis: I am interested in, or I learn, Carnatic music in my pass time. Around...

... the same time, last year, 2013, there was a controversy that broke out about four Carnatic musicians, famous ones, who sang kritis, which were not related to Hinduism or Jesus Christ. The common folk believe that Carnatic music is sacred of Hindu origin and should remain so. My question is, is Carnatic music is a Hindu art, should it remain so? And second, considering the fact that India, as such, as a country is an amalgamation of multiple, diverse cultures. In fact, you kept mentioning culture when you answered the first question on religion. Considering the fact that India is an amalgamation of cultures, which are invariably related to our fates or religion, where do we draw the line between religion, culture, and art?

December 31, 2020

6:37

India / Society / Video

Isn’t it the government’s job to fix problems like the water crisis? | Sadhguru at Shiva Nadar College | #5

Synopsis: Shouldn’t this be the government’s job? Why should I pay 42 rupees when I already pay taxes? I don’t even live near Chennai.

Synopsis: Shouldn’t this be the government’s job? Why should I pay 42 rupees...

... when I already pay taxes? I don’t even live near Chennai.

December 31, 2020

9:17

India / Society / Video

India’s Water Crisis – Mega Disaster Unfolding ! Cauvery Calling – Sadhguru explains the solution

Synopsis: Indian rivers are dying and the country is facing water crisis of mega proportions. Unless we act now, the unfolding disaster will lead to ugly situations. Surely, we don't want to leave such a legacy for our children. Sadhguru addresses a select audience hosted by Vice President India Sh. Venkaiah Naidu and explains Cauvery Calling - a call to action on reversing this disaster. If you care about future...

... generations, Please support and share this video as much as you can.

Synopsis: Indian rivers are dying and the country is facing water crisis of mega proportions. Unless we act now,...

... the unfolding disaster will lead to ugly situations. Surely, we don't want to leave such a legacy for our children. Sadhguru addresses a select audience hosted by Vice President India Sh. Venkaiah Naidu and explains Cauvery Calling - a call to action on reversing this disaster. If you care about future generations, Please support and share this video as much as you can.

August 10, 2019

11:00

Articles

Article / India / Society

How Can India Become Prosperous?

Sadhguru shares a simple model to double India's farmers income, which can catapult Indian economy! He shares that the two biggest challenges for Indian farmers are investment in irrigation, and lack of negotiating power in the market. To address these - he suggests farmers coming together into Farmer-Producer Organizations (FPO) with minimum 10,000 acres of land. Private sector can establish community micro-irrigation for groups of farmers on chargeable basis. Another opportunity for private sector is to convert 'filth to wealth' - using 36 billion liters of sewage from India’s cities and towns, we can micro-irrigate 6 to 9 million hectares. For corporate sector, this is an investment with very substantial returns, both financially and in terms of providing millions of human beings with a life of dignity and prosperity.

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July 28, 2019

7 min read

Article / India / Indian Culture / Yogic Physiology

The Significance of Indian Classical Music, And Activating The Chakras

Modern science tells us that the entire existence is a reverberation of energy - or in other words - an amalgamation of sounds. The human ear can hear only a small band of the spectrum. But in certain states - Rithambhara Pragna - you can hear the sounds beyond this limited spectrum. The whole existence can be experienced as sound. When sounds are arranged in a certain pattern, they impact our system in a certain way - this is the science of mantras. Indian classical music is a modification of the mantras - where both aesthetics and technical arrangements are important. Indian classical music can activate the chakras and evolve a human being into higher levels of consciousness.

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March 1, 2019

10 min read

Article / India / Society

What can India do to bring about World Harmony and Individual Wellbeing?

In a Q&A session, Sadhguru explains the essence of Indian Culture and how, in a world, driven with conflicts and crisis, the ancient Yogic sciences can lead the way for individual transformation. We just need willingness to learn and apply these profound technologies to create an ecstatic and balanced inner situation.

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January 26, 2019

10 min read

Article / India

Are We Alienating People From North East India?

Sadhguru says, this feeling of alienation will go away in the next five years. After India's independence, it was a conscious decision to not industrialize the North East region of India, to preserve the pristine nature and the native culture. To a certain extent this resulted in a feeling of alienation. But today, because of technology, everyone aspires to Western ways of life. Now, the government is putting infrastructure in place in North East, and soon, rest of India will be visiting all over the North East, and the feeling of alienation will go away.

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October 18, 2018

2 min read

Article / India / Society

Gautam Gambhir – Whats The Significance Of Standing Up For Our National Anthem?

Most people these days do not participate in Republic Day parade, or attend any flag hoisting event on Independence Day. The current state of the world is such that the largest segment of humanity that can be addressed is a nation. And a nation is not god-given idea. It is people. So unless the people are inspired into a strong sense of nationhood, the nation can not prosper. The anthem is a way to express and achieve the same.

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September 22, 2018

4 min read

Article / India / Society

Abhinav Bindra – How Can India Become A Sporting Nation?

You can not play a game without involvement - and involvement is the essence of life. And this aspect needs to come into everybody's life. Since 65% of India's population lives in the villages, for India to become a sporting nation - the rural masses have to get involved in sports. Sadhguru requests the senior sports-persons to help bring sport to rural India.

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September 16, 2018

2 min read

Article / India / Society

How Can We Transform Indian Farming?

The basis of human civilization is its ability to do agriculture. Transforming mud into food is agriculture. India has over 12,000 years of history of doing agriculture. Sadhguru tells us - around 300 years ago, India was the most industrialized nation on the planet. It is only when the British destroyed it, that people moved into agriculture for subsistence. At the time of independence 77% of the population was into agriculture, and still about 60%. This is an inefficient way - and we need to move them into other trades, crafts and skills. Because in the last 50 years, farmers have moved from subsistence farming to cash crops, their nourishment levels of dropped alarmingly - this is a serious concern. So, organized agriculture at large scale is needed on priority.

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September 15, 2018

7 min read

Article / India / Society

Virender Sehwag – What is the Basis of Caste System in India? Is it Still Relevant?

Virender Sehwag: Namaskaram Sadhguru! I want to know the truth about our Indian caste system. How can we ensure more inclusiveness and equality? Sadhguru: In ancient times, by maintaining a caste system, skills were transmitted from generation to generation. This was needed for the society to function. Today, the transfer of skill does not happen through family - so the caste system has no relevance anymore. Also, some people have started thinking they are superior to others - and terrible things have been done to a few people. Just abolishing the caste system won't work; but there is a way out - through state provided social security.

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August 25, 2018

3 min read

Article / India / Indian Culture

What Is The Significance of Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti is famous for its sesame sweets and kite flying. Sadhguru says - "These festivals are a reminder that we need to craft our present and our future in a conscious manner". Sadhguru looks at the significance of this festival of movement, and explains how it is based on a profound understanding of cosmic and human geometry. Sadhguru also elaborates on the significance of the number 108. He says - "The significance of Makar Sankranti is that it is the time to remind yourself that celebrating movement is possible only when there is a taste of stillness within you."

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January 13, 2017

8 min read

Article / India / Society