Sadhguru in Chicago

Sadhguru’s last stop during the North American Talk Tour proved a success as he touched the lives of those who attended, as well as the additional thousands who registered for the live-stream event. On October 13, 2016, Sadhguru addressed a welcoming crowd at the regal Chicago Symphony Orchestra Hall. Symphony Center is a music complex located in the Loop area of Chicago, Illinois. The center hosts the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Chorus, Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Chicago Sinfonietta and the Institute for Learning, Access, and Training. Symphony Center includes the 2,522-seat Orchestra Hall, which in 1904 was named a Chicago national landmark.

Volunteers had worked tirelessly for many days, with the goal of having the event run as smoothly as possible. As the volunteers hurried to finish the final preparations a few hours before the event, nervous excitement permeated the air. But when the 6:45 deadline arrived, all was ready and any lingering tension was transformed into joyful anticipation as guests started to enter the Hall.

When asked by volunteers, “What drew you to this event?”, many people answered enthusiastically that “This was the place to be”, and that they were eagerly waiting to hear Sadhguru’s talk.

While the crowd found their seats, the ‘Sounds of Isha’ played a soothing tune that featured the banjo. Then the Supreme Court Justice of India and the Mayor of Oakbrook spoke about Sadhguru’s many accomplishments and how honored they were to be here with Sadhguru. As soon as Sadhguru walked onto the stage, the audience devotedly rose in a uniform standing ovation.

As the talk progressed, many felt humbled as Sadhguru spoke about why he was there, the beauties of joy and how everyone should cherish every moment. His essence energized the Hall and his friendly, yet serious and not so serious manner of speech mesmerized the crowd. His jokes provoked laughter, but also rang of the many truths he presented. “All human experience happens within you. At least what happens within you should happen your way…This life is not about the situations which you exist. In our life, if we do not do what we can do, it is a disastrous life. Being joyful is a consequence of how you are yourself….Turn inward and know the source, then you can take charge of your life.” He expounded on the purpose of his new book, “Inner Engineering: A Yogi’s Guide to Joy”. “This book is about simple methods, tools you can use to turn inward. Being joyful is not the goal. It is the most fundamental aspect.”

Sadhguru ended the event with a simple, yet profound meditation. Lastly, as the “Sounds of Isha” played exuberant melodies, Sadhguru offered to sign copies of his book. As soon as he made that announcement, people rushed to the tip of the stage and held their books up to receive his signature. When the last book was signed, Sadhguru lovingly bowed and gave a last look at the remaining crowd, then departed, leaving those who attended to ponder his words and cherish his grace.

Click here for an article written about the event by Ashok Easwaran and published on 10/16/2016 on www.thenewsminute.com, entitled: Don’t vote as part of a tribe, Isha Foundation’s Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev tells Americans.

Experience and Expressions:

“My experience tonight has been one like no other… to hear a man talk about peace… to hear a man talk about love… to hear a man talk about being in tune with one’s self… those were some of the greatest words that I ever heard. And so I’m grateful to have been able to hear this tonight, and I think all humanity should live to hear this great man. Thank you. Thank you so much.””

You know what, it’s kind of hard to explain… I always say that I need to be in that “Isha space”, first of all. So just being in an “Isha space”… is amazing. You’re just happy for no reason, you feel at peace, you feel blissful and grateful… and you don’t even know what you’re grateful for, you’re just grateful! And that’s even before Sadhguru starts talking. And then when he starts to talk, then you just want to cry, for no reason, and I think it’s OK, to not know what’s going on… just be! It’s good to just be. That’s what I take from it, anyway.”

“I think that Sadhguru was very calm and very strong, and the message he has given to all of us for this city, country and nation, and the whole world, was how to be happy and peaceful… so that is a very important message for all of us. And I think we should listen to him, and follow his instructions.”

“My simple impression of Sadhguru was… this was my first experience with Sadhguru… and I liked his simple ways of explanation, making it easy to assimilate and understand…   and it was about true love and being joyous, and living in the moment… and enjoying being alive and being happy… and how he said, don’t be committed, but be what you want. I was really impressed, and I’m going out with a smile.”

“It was amazing; it was like a dream come true. It was surreal. And I was so close to him, and getting the book signed, and him smiling, and dancing… it was amazing! We got the book, and just the feeling, the level of the energy… amazing!”

“This is the first time I’m attending a Sadhguru event, and I’m walking away with a lot of wonderful things that I’ve learned, and the most important one is to always be happy, whatever you are doing, always be joyful, regardless of whatever is happening in life. And this is a very good eye-opener. He’s an excellent speaker, and he really mesmerized me. I’ve got to say, I’m very impressed, I’m glad that I’m here, and I plan to visit him again.”

“We drove all day to get here, we didn’t know if we were going to make it, but everything fell into place. Anyway, it happened, and being here was very wonderful. Thank you.”

“It was great listening to him today. He gave out concepts and ideas that are not only totally religious, but also something that everybody can apply, no matter where they’re coming from. He gives you a systematic way of thinking about life from your perspective, so you should look within yourself for your answers and not depend upon or blame other people. I’m thinking about how I can start looking at myself, and how I can be happy in my life. Thank you.”

“Sadhguru exceeded anything that I brought with me into the auditorium. What I heard today was the truth, very eloquently stated, and it was very entertaining as well. His last statements about the joy of living, living in every moment, rang true within me, and I really look forward to taking that away with me as I leave this auditorium.”

“This is my first time seeing Sadhguru live. It was amazing, it was wonderful, I was sitting up at the top, and every time he’d laugh you’d just see his body jump up and down, and he filled the room with so much joy and laughter, and sitting through his meditation… it was something the likes of which I’ve never experienced before. This has been a life-changing experience for me.”