Being Human

What does it mean to be human?  This question has been knocked about for thousands of years. Various theories can be found in the fields of philosophy, poetry, religion, science and even politics.  Although there are some overlapping agreements in these theories, most have their own spin on what it means to be human.

Historically and as is evident today, despite the various definitions of what being human means, humanity has not been able to use any of them to be joyful and content.

Wars and crime continues, and individuals still live in depression and dissatisfaction with themselves and others.  Experiencing joy seems at best intermittent, usually provoked by a random outside event.

So, what is our true human nature, and how do we enable ourselves to bloom into a blissful human being?  Sadhguru provides insight into this age-old question.

Sadhguru: “Isn’t it true that even the simple act of brushing your teeth was taught to you by your mother or father? If they had not taught this, some people might have figured it out by themselves, but most people would not. When it comes to deeper dimensions in life, some people will anyway figure it out, but most people will not.

We approach all aspects of our life on the outside in a scientific manner using all kinds of technologies. It is important that we also address our inner wellbeing in a scientific manner using technologies of wellbeing.

For a long time, people thought inner wellbeing must be handled through belief, fancy philosophies, ideologies and all kinds of superstitions. It is time we address our inner self also in a scientific way using subjective technologies.

When we say tools of transformation, there are many ways to approach this. All human experience, whether it is peace, tranquility, turmoil, stress, anxiety, misery, joy, pleasure, ecstasy, agony – whatever the human experience, it has a chemical basis to it.

One way to handle this is by popping chemicals from the outside. This is happening large-scale today. If someone wants to be healthy, he pops chemicals. For peace – there are a set of chemicals, for joy – another set of chemicals.

What we are forgetting is that the most complex chemical factory on the planet is the human body itself. If we manage this well, and you become the CEO of your own chemical factory, you will keep your chemistry blissful.

Once you are blissful by yourself, you will have no fear of suffering. Once there is no fear of suffering, only then will you dare to explore the complete depth and dimension of your life. Otherwise, you will lead a very restricted life.

In the Western part of the world, people think of yoga as a physical exercise, which is a complete misunderstanding. The word yoga means “union.” This means in some way, you have obliterated the boundaries of your individuality. Right now, it is only because inhalation and exhalation are happening that you are alive. The moment you set a clear boundary between you and the outside world, you are gone.

This is not only in terms of respiration. Every particle in your body is in constant communication with the entire universe. That is how this life is happening. When you experience this, we say you are in yoga. If human beings are willing to include everything into their lives, they do not have to be taught to protect it.

When you eat a banana, it becomes you by getting assimilated into your body. This is not only on the physical level. On an experiential level, you can experience the entire cosmos as yourself. Then you are in an absolute inclusive state.

There is an intelligence in every one of us that can turn a banana or a piece of bread into a human being. If even a drop of this intelligence becomes accessible to you, your life will be magical. Whether it is health, peace, joy or ecstasy, you will be the source of it. Even right now you are still the source of it, but you are waiting for external stimuli. You are on push-start. We can put this experience in self-start mode.”