Sadhguru Jagadish Vasudev is an Indian yogi, mystic and author who founded the Isha Foundation, a non-profit organization that offers yoga programs and social initiatives dealing with Sanatana Dharma, around the world. He is also a prominent speaker, worldwide, on topics such as spirituality, environment, health, education and human potential.
He has been named one of India’s 50 most influential people with his work has touching the lives of millions worldwide through his transformational programs.
Sadhguru is a man whose passion spills into everything he encounters and he has a unique ability to make the ancient yogic sciences relevant to contemporary minds, acting as a bridge to the deeper dimensions of life.
I have found his talks and meditation instruction to be very helpful, especially the Isha Kriya Guided Meditation. I was first attracted to him due to his work with Lord Shiva.
Early life
Sadhguru was born as Jagadish Vasudev on 3 September 1957 in Mysore, Karnataka, India. He was the youngest of five children in a Telugu family. His father was an ophthalmologist and his mother was a homemaker.
He had a restless and adventurous childhood, often skipping school and exploring nature.
He also developed an interest in yoga at the age of 13, when he met a 70-year-old yogi who taught him simple asanas.
Self-realization
At the age of 25, Sadhguru had a life-changing experience on Chamundi Hill, a sacred site near his hometown. He felt a powerful surge of energy that transformed his perception of reality. He later described this as his “spiritual birth”.
He decided to leave his successful businesses and dedicate himself to his inner growth. He spent the next year travelling across India on his motorcycle, seeking guidance from various spiritual masters and traditions.
Isha Foundation
In 1983, Sadhguru established the Isha Yoga Center near Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, as a place for people to learn and practice yoga and meditation. The center also houses the Dhyanalinga, a unique energy form that Sadhguru consecrated after three years of intense prana prathishta (process of energizing an object). The center attracts thousands of visitors every year from different parts of the world.
In 1992, Sadhguru founded the Isha Foundation, a non-profit organization that aims to create an inclusive culture of global harmony and progress. The foundation offers various yoga programs, such as Inner Engineering, Hatha Yoga, Bhava Spandana and Samyama, for physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
Isha Foundation Social Initiatives
The Isha Foundation also runs several social initiatives, such as
- Project GreenHands (a massive tree-planting campaign),
- Action for Rural Rejuvenation (a rural health and empowerment program),
- Isha Vidhya (a network of rural schools),
- Isha Home School (a residential school based on experiential learning),
- Isha Outreach (a disaster relief and rehabilitation wing) and
- Isha Insight (a leadership program for entrepreneurs).
Teachings of Sadhguru
Sadhguru’s teachings are based on his own direct experience of life and the yogic sciences. He does not adhere to any particular religion or ideology, but rather encourages people to explore their own inner dimensions and realize their true potential.
He often uses humor, anecdotes and metaphors to convey his insights in a simple and accessible way.
He also addresses various contemporary issues, such as environmental degradation, social injustice, economic inequality and human conflict, from a spiritual perspective.
Books
Sadhguru has written numerous books on spirituality and life, such as
- Mystic’s Musings,
- Inner Engineering: A Yogi’s Guide to Joy,
- Karma: A Yogi’s Guide to Crafting Your Destiny,
- Adiyogi: The Source of Yoga and
- Death: An Inside Story.
He has also authored several poems, which are compiled in the book Eternal Echoes.
Some of his books have been translated into multiple languages and have become bestsellers.
Awards and Recognition
Sadhguru has received many awards and honors for his contributions to spirituality and humanity. Some of them are:
- – Padma Vibhushan (2017), the second-highest civilian award in India
- – Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar (2010), the highest environmental award in India
- – Bharat Nirman Award (2008), for his service to rural India
- – Economic Times Game Changers of India Award (2018), for his vision of Rally for Rivers
- – Gandhi Mandela Peace Medal (2019), for his role in promoting global peace
- – Karma Veer Maharatna Award (2020), for being an exemplary global citizen
He has also been featured in several influential lists and rankings, such as
- the 100 Most Powerful Indians by Indian Express (2010),
- the 50 Most Influential People in India by India Today (2019) and
- the 100 Most Spiritual People by Watkins Mind Body Spirit Magazine (2020).
International Speaking Engagements
Sadhguru has also been invited to speak at various prestigious forums and events, such as
- the United Nations,
- the World Economic Forum,
- the TED Conference,
- the MIT Media Lab,
- the Oxford Union,
- the Google Zeitgeist and
- the Aspen Ideas Festival.
Learn More About Sadhguru
You can learn more about Sadhguru and the Isha Foundation, by visiting
- Sadhguru.org,
- Sadhguru on YouTube,
- Facebook,
- Twitter,
- Instagram.
Sources:
: [Sadhguru – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadhguru)
: [Sadhguru – Biography | Teachings | Quotes | Biography Online](https://www.biographyonline.net/spiritual/sadhguru.html)
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