Sadhguru at Columbia University, New York - Youth and Truth, Apr 29, 2019 [Full Talk]

Sadhguru・2 minutes read

Life is a combination of time and energy, emphasizing the importance of choosing open doors to prevent depletion. Sadhguru encourages working where one has access and acceptance to avoid wasting time and energy on unproductive endeavors, highlighting the need for individuals to utilize their voices and capabilities for positive change.

Insights

  • Society is composed of individuals rather than a single entity, leading solutions to progress from addressing personal issues to broader societal and global challenges.
  • The essence of humanity lies in transcending biological instincts through higher intelligence and empathy, emphasizing the need for personal growth beyond self-preservation, with a focus on inclusivity and breaking down barriers for progress and success.

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Recent questions

  • What is the importance of expanding identity beyond limited labels?

    Expanding identity beyond limited labels is crucial to prevent conflicts and harm. By recognizing that individuals are more than just singular identities, such as nationality or ethnicity, people can foster inclusivity and understanding. This broader perspective allows for a deeper connection with others and promotes unity in a diverse world. Embracing a global or cosmic identity can help individuals transcend narrow boundaries and work towards a more harmonious society.

  • How does the speaker challenge the notion of division in society?

    The speaker challenges the notion that division is a recent development by highlighting long-standing societal rifts. By acknowledging the deep-rooted divides in society, the speaker emphasizes the importance of facing the current reality and working towards unity. This perspective encourages individuals to address the underlying issues that contribute to division and strive for common ground rather than focusing solely on differences.

  • Why is a free press considered a pillar of democracy?

    A free press is considered a pillar of democracy because it plays a crucial role in providing unbiased information to the public. By promoting transparency and accountability, a free press helps to hold those in power accountable and ensures that citizens are informed about important issues. Without a free press, democracy can be undermined, as access to accurate information is essential for making informed decisions and participating in the democratic process.

  • How does the speaker caution against seeking justice as a cause?

    The speaker cautions against seeking justice as a cause by emphasizing that justice is a consequence of a mature society. Instead of focusing on seeking justice as a goal in itself, the speaker urges individuals to prioritize individual responsibility for societal progress. By shifting the focus from seeking justice to taking proactive steps towards positive change, individuals can contribute to creating a more just and equitable society.

  • Why is it important to extract pleasure from cooking?

    It is important to extract pleasure from cooking because it enhances the overall experience of preparing and consuming food. By finding joy in the process of cooking, individuals can cultivate a deeper connection with the food they eat and the care that goes into its preparation. This focus on pleasure can also lead to a greater appreciation for the ingredients used and the cultural significance of different dishes. Enjoying the act of cooking can not only improve the quality of meals but also contribute to overall well-being and satisfaction.

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Summary

00:00

"Expanding Identity for Global Harmony and Progress"

  • Life is a combination of time and energy, with a limited amount of both.
  • Running into walls depletes time and energy, emphasizing the importance of choosing open doors.
  • The discussion at Columbia Business School focuses on self and society's purpose.
  • Society is a collection of individuals, not a singular entity.
  • Solutions progress from addressing individuals to societies, nations, and global issues.
  • The idea of a god-given purpose is questioned due to humanity's insignificance in the cosmos.
  • Limited identifications lead to crimes and atrocities, as seen throughout history.
  • Education systems often focus solely on intellect, neglecting other dimensions of intelligence.
  • The importance of expanding identity beyond limited labels to prevent conflicts and harm.
  • Education should include a focus on cosmic or global identity to avoid future disasters.

20:00

"Uniting in Divided America: Challenges and Solutions"

  • America is experiencing increased political division and polarization.
  • The speaker, part of a community with unpopular opinions, is cautious due to passionate individuals.
  • The focus is on uniting people in a divided world, emphasizing commonalities over differences.
  • Addressing situations requires facing the current reality of deep-rooted societal divides.
  • The speaker challenges the notion that division is a recent development, highlighting long-standing societal rifts.
  • Media's role in exacerbating societal divisions is critiqued, emphasizing the lack of impartial reporting.
  • The importance of a free press as a pillar of democracy is stressed, calling for unbiased journalism.
  • The speaker recounts a personal experience of almost joining armed struggle in his youth, cautioning against taking up causes with missionary zeal.
  • Justice is discussed as a consequence of a mature society, cautioning against seeking it as a cause.
  • The speaker advises against picking consequences as causes, urging a focus on individual responsibility for societal progress.

38:22

"Food, pleasure, and addiction in modern society"

  • Publicizing sexuality is questioned, with the idea that it doesn't need marketing like products do.
  • Cooking is discussed, with a unique recipe shared from a region known for culinary expertise.
  • The importance of extracting pleasure from cooking and the care needed in food preparation is highlighted.
  • Food is viewed as fuel for the body, needing to fit well into the system and be enjoyable.
  • The digestive system is compared between herbivores and carnivores, emphasizing the importance of chewing food well.
  • The impact of sugar and processed foods on digestion is explained, leading to health issues.
  • The length of the elementary canal is discussed in relation to different types of food digestion.
  • The importance of fresh, locally sourced food is emphasized for better health.
  • Listening to one's body to determine the best food for individual comfort and well-being is encouraged.
  • The trend of increasing addiction, particularly to drugs, is linked to coping mechanisms and societal shifts towards legalization.

56:37

"Heightening faculties and transcending biological instincts"

  • Marijuana was never illegal in India until the American government destroyed hemp crops in the 1960s due to confusion between hemp and marijuana, leading to the latter being smuggled to Afghanistan.
  • Hemp and marijuana, though the same species, differ in height, with hemp growing up to 15 feet and marijuana up to 5-6 feet, prompting the destruction of hemp farms.
  • The enhancement of life is achieved through heightening faculties like intelligence and perception, not material acquisitions, as human beings constantly seek to improve their lives.
  • Devotion to the process over goals is emphasized, with the process-oriented approach leading to better outcomes than a goal-oriented mindset.
  • Success is viewed as a painful thing by many business leaders, with a focus on goals rather than the process leading to inefficiency and dissatisfaction.
  • Disparity in starting points in life is attributed to those who have not caring for those who do not have, with a historical context of imperialism and resource exploitation contributing to the issue.
  • Despite producing excess food globally, malnourishment persists, highlighting the need for a shift in mindset and distribution to address hunger and poverty.
  • Human identities are largely biological, rooted in self-preservation instincts, but the cerebral cortex allows for higher-level thinking and empathy, distinguishing humans from animals.
  • The reptilian brain, focused on boundaries and protection, contrasts with the cerebral cortex, which enables human compassion and concern for others' well-being.
  • The essence of being human lies in transcending biological instincts to care for others and engage with the world's challenges through a higher level of intelligence and awareness.

01:17:11

"Humanity's Shift: From Self-Preservation to Expansion"

  • Humanity needs to shift focus from self-preservation to expansion.
  • The innate desire for growth manifests as ambition, conquest, or shopping.
  • Human nature craves continuous expansion beyond current limits.
  • Personal ambition should evolve into a broader vision for seamless growth.
  • Knowledge is limited compared to the vast cosmic space.
  • Ignorance should be embraced to fuel rapid expansion and alert intelligence.
  • Inclusivity is natural for human intelligence, while exclusivity stems from the reptilian brain.
  • Walls and barriers in society hinder progress and growth.
  • The success of nations hinges on transforming business practices.
  • Transforming business leaders is crucial for global change and inclusivity.

01:37:11

"Work where accepted for effective impact"

  • Sadhguru emphasizes the importance of working where one has access and acceptance, citing his choice to work in India due to the favorable conditions there, enabling him to be more effective compared to working in Africa where he lacks the necessary support.
  • He advises that individuals should start their work based on where they have access and acceptance, rather than focusing on nationality or ethnicity, as this ensures that time and energy are not wasted on unproductive endeavors.
  • Sadhguru expresses optimism about the current generation's potential, highlighting the empowerment and opportunities available today, urging young people to utilize their voices and capabilities to bring about positive change, particularly in addressing societal issues like misuse of technology and exploitation of children.
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