Sadhguru: Let us leave the “inner” and talk about engineering. Let us take a car. If it goes smoothly, then you say this is a well-engineered car. If something has to go smoothly, the most fundamental thing is that it is well aligned. If all four wheels are facing in four different directions, this car will be a torture.So fundamentally, something iswell-engineered if we have got it properly aligned, so that it functions smoothly. Now if that was driving at 20 kmph, you can raise it to 100 kmph because it is so smooth. If there was too much friction, you couldn’t raise it that way. So Inner Engineering means to bring an alignment to your body, mind, emotions and energies, so that this human mechanism functions smoothly. Once this is functioning smoothly, naturally you would want to drive this faster.
Or in other words, let us say there is a light bulb hanging here. Suppose the voltage is weak – instead of 220V you had 20V. Now this life is like a lamp; you cannot see anything. If it becomes 40V, suddenly you see one person. If it becomes 60V,then you see one more person. When it becomes 100V, you see five people. When it becomes 220V, then you see everyone in the room. All these people were there all the time, but in your vision, as the voltage increases you see more and more.
As you raise the pitch of voltage within you, you will naturally become more conscious and see more things.So Inner Engineering is designed to first align and then to power you up. If you truly want to enhance the quality of your life, you have to take this step and be willing to invest a little bit of time for your inner wellbeing. If this is done, you will see a remarkable change in the way you function.
Why is Inner Engineering important for every human being?
Sadhguru: For the first time in the history of humanity, human intellect is sparking like never before. More people are able to think for themselves today than in previous generations. Now whatever solutions you give for one’s life, it has to make logical sense or have some kind of a scientific basis to it. Offering solutions that are not logically relevant, that are somewhere else in another life – including heavens and gods – will not work anymore. People want solutions here, something they can logically perceive and implement in their life. At this time, if there is a spiritual vacuum, if there is no scientific process for people to experience their inner nature and know life in a larger dimension than the physical things we all do, then I think ninety percent of humanity will move towards drink and drugs. Because though heavens may crumble, human longing to experience something more will not dissipate. And it should not.
As there is a science and technology for external wellbeing, there is an entire science and technology for inner wellbeing – this is what Yoga means. Inner Engineering is an effort to bring this possibility of Yoga to the world, to sweep humanity with a non-religious, non-denominational spiritual movement, delivered in a scientific manner.
How to manage Stress, Anxiety and Depression?
Sadhguru: It is not your lifestyle, work, family or situations which cause stress. Whether you call it stress, fear or anger, essentially it is your inability to manage your body, mind, emotions and energy. The human body is the most sophisticated gadget on the planet. But have you read the user’s manual?
Stress is like friction in a machine. There is friction either because there is no proper movement of the parts or there isn’t enough lubrication. I am not talking about managing stress or keeping it under the surface. I am talking about how not to create it, because stress is your creation. If you start a simple Yogic process, you will find your whole system begins functioning at a certain ease. Then there is no such thing as stress.
How does Inner Engineering make use of powerful tools from the ancient science of Yoga to help man to live his life to the fullest?
Sadhguru:Generally, for most people today, Yoga means asanas. Asanas are just a small preparatory aspect of Yoga. Yoga is not a practice, a particular action or posture – it is a way of being. The word “Yoga” fundamentally means “union.” When you begin to experience everything as a part of yourself, you are in Yoga. Intellectually, whatever we say about it, at the most will make you curious to know more about it or inspire you to walk the path of Yoga. We can never say what Yoga is in words, but if a person is willing, experiencing Yoga is very much possible.
When the physical dimensions of Yoga were first taught, it was expounded as to how to align this human system to the cosmic geometry. If you get it perfectly aligned, all the friction is taken away. Internal friction means you are working against yourself; you are an issue by yourself. When you are an issue by yourself, what other issue can you handle? Everything is stressful. As you take on more activity in the world, the challenges will multiply endlessly. That is why your own body, mind, emotions and energy should work for you, not be stumbling blocks in your life. The only way for that to happen is Yoga.
Inner Engineering is a way of bringing an alignment between your body, mind, energy and emotion. If your body, mind, emotions and energy are properly aligned, suddenly the body and mind can do things that you have not thought possible in your wildest dreams. People will think you are superhuman. Whatever you do, you will do it with a certain level of efficiency and competence. This is because in a most essential way, somehow, either consciously or unconsciously, you found the geometry of existence.
Ranked amongst the fifty most influential people in India, Sadhguru is a Yogi, mystic, visionary and a New York Times bestselling author. Sadhguru has been conferred the Padma Vibhushan by the Government of India in 2017, the highest annual civilian award, accorded for exceptional and distinguished service. He is also the founder of the world’s largest people’s movement, Conscious Planet – Save Soil, which has touched over 3.91 billion people.
