The REAL Reason You're Unhappy In Life & How to Overcome It
In this episode of The School of Greatness, Sadhguru and Lewis Howes examine human mortality and its role in daily life. Their discussion covers how different cultures approach death, the temporary nature of the human body, and the distinction between psychological and existential reality. The conversation also explores how human intelligence, when mismanaged, can lead to mental health challenges like stress and anxiety.
Sadhguru shares practical insights about managing the mind and emotions through meditation, introducing his "Miracle of Mind" meditation app as a tool for tracking mental states. He explains his perspective on conventional views of self, body, and soul, suggesting that life's significance stems from one's positive impact on others rather than personal achievements. The discussion offers a framework for understanding mortality while maintaining inner peace regardless of external circumstances.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Jul 21, 2025 episode of the The School of Greatness
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1-Page Summary
The Nature of Life, Death, and Mortality
In a profound conversation between Sadhguru and Lewis Howes, they explore the human relationship with mortality and existence. Sadhguru emphasizes that time moves ruthlessly forward for everyone, highlighting our limited lifespan. He explains that the human body is merely a temporary accumulation from the planet, destined to return to it.
Sadhguru describes death not as a singular event but as an ongoing process throughout our existence. He notes that in India, children are exposed to death early through cultural practices like witnessing cremations, contrasting this with Western cultures that often disguise death's reality by dressing the deceased as if for a celebration.
Mind, Psychology, and Emotions in Experience
According to Sadhguru, human intelligence is a powerful but potentially dangerous faculty if mismanaged. He explains that when intelligence turns against us, it leads to suffering through stress, anxiety, and depression.
Sadhguru distinguishes between psychological reality and existential reality, noting that many mistake their psychological dramas for actual life processes. He emphasizes that cultivating inner peace and joy is crucial, regardless of external success, suggesting meditation as a fundamental tool for managing the mind and emotions.
Meditation For Cultivating Inner Awareness and Peace
Sadhguru introduces the "Miracle of Mind" meditation app, designed to address what he calls a pandemic of mental illness. The app features a simple seven-minute meditation and includes "Life Hopscotch," a tool for tracking daily mental and emotional states. His ambitious goal is to reach 3 billion regular users within 24 months, advocating for meditation to become as routine as brushing teeth.
Nature of the Self, Body, and Soul
Sadhguru challenges conventional views of self, body, and soul. He describes the body as a temporary vessel or "earthly accumulation" gathered from the planet over time. Rather than focusing on traditional soul and afterlife beliefs, Sadhguru emphasizes understanding the present moment and measuring life's significance through the positive impact one has on others' lives rather than personal achievements.
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Counterarguments
- Time's perception as ruthless could be seen as a subjective interpretation; some philosophies embrace the flow of time as natural or even comforting.
- The view of the body as merely a temporary accumulation might be challenged by beliefs that emphasize the sanctity or spiritual significance of the physical form.
- The concept of death as an ongoing process could be countered by perspectives that define death as a definitive moment or transition.
- The practice of exposing children to death early might be critiqued for not considering individual psychological readiness or the potential for trauma.
- The criticism of Western cultures for disguising death's reality may overlook the diversity within these cultures and the various ways death is approached and understood.
- The idea that human intelligence inherently leads to suffering could be contested by arguing that intelligence also provides the means for problem-solving, joy, and fulfillment.
- The distinction between psychological and existential reality might be too rigid for some, as psychological experiences can have profound existential implications.
- The emphasis on inner peace and joy as crucial could be seen as minimizing the importance of addressing external factors that contribute to mental health issues.
- The promotion of meditation as a universal tool might not acknowledge that meditation may not be suitable or effective for everyone.
- The goal of reaching 3 billion users with the "Miracle of Mind" app might be criticized as overly ambitious or not taking into account the diverse needs and preferences of a global population.
- The focus on the present moment over traditional beliefs in the soul and afterlife might not resonate with those who find comfort and meaning in these beliefs.
- Measuring life's significance through the impact on others could be seen as overlooking the importance of personal fulfillment and self-actualization.
Actionables
- You can create a personal timeline mural to visualize the transient nature of life and foster a sense of urgency to live meaningfully. Start by drawing a long line on a roll of paper, marking your birth at one end. Along the timeline, add significant life events and future goals. Use this visual aid to remind yourself of the finite nature of time and to prioritize actions that have a positive impact on others.
- Develop a "Mindful Moment" practice to differentiate between psychological and existential realities. Set an alarm for random times during the day, and when it goes off, pause to observe your current thoughts and emotions without judgment. Note these observations in a journal to track patterns and learn to distinguish between immediate psychological responses and the broader existential context of your life.
- Engage in a "Legacy Letter" writing exercise to clarify the significance of your life through the impact on others. Write a letter to a loved one, expressing what you hope your influence on their life has been. Reflect on the actions and values you want to be remembered for, and use this exercise to guide your daily interactions and decisions towards creating a positive legacy.
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The Nature of Life, Death, and Mortality
Sadhguru and Lewis Howes engage in a thought-provoking conversation which delves into our transient existence, the inevitability of death, and how different cultures perceive mortality.
Understanding the Transient Nature of Existence
Recognizing Our Limited Time and Energy as Time Ruthlessly Rolls Away
Sadhguru highlights the ruthless progression of time, which moves at the same pace for everyone regardless of their personal circumstances. He underscores that time cannot be rewound or stopped, indicating the need to recognize our limited span. Despite facing excruciating pain hinting at a serious health issue, Sadhguru chose to continue with his work, without painkillers, to remain aware of his bodily condition. As he undertook a full night festival, engaging in dancing, meditation, and speaking, he did not exhibit any distress to the public, even while maintaining a busy travel schedule. When a doctor advised him to go to a hospital instead of an event, Sadhguru showed a disregard for personal well-being in favor of fulfilling his commitments, even when informed that he was in a potentially fatal condition.
Acknowledging Our Impermanence and Our Predecessors
Sadhguru speaks of the human body as a temporary accumulation of the planet, destined to return to it. He mentions that in yogic culture, there are only two kinds of deaths: timely and untimely. A timely death means having completed a full life cycle. By pointing out that countless individuals before us have come and gone, Sadhguru emphasizes our impermanence and the ultimate fate of becoming topsoil, reinforcing the idea that we are not permanent fixtures on the planet.
Embracing Mortality's Inevitability and Importance
Death Is a Constant Process
Sadhguru explains how life and death are inextricably woven together, with death being not just an end-of-life event but an ongoing process throughout our existence. He mentions that life’s fragility is evident through the process of breathing; life ends when the next breath does not come. Sadhguru stresses that being acutely aware of mortality every moment enables one to make the most of everything and not to squander time on the irrelevant. By recognizing our mortality, we may seek a deeper understanding of life and become more focused on what truly matters.
Mortality Awareness Enhances Life Appreciation and Focus
Lewis Howes echoes Sadhguru's sentiments, suggesting that understanding our mortality can inspire a more purposeful and impassioned life. Sadhguru's commentary on always being ready for death implies constant awareness of mortality, seemingly heightening his engagement with life free of fear. He asserts that embracing both life and death with affirmative ener ...
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The Nature of Life, Death, and Mortality
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Counterarguments
- The perception of time as ruthless may be subjective; some philosophies and personal beliefs view time as a neutral force or even as a gift, offering opportunities for growth and experience.
- The idea of the body as temporary and destined to become topsoil could be challenged by beliefs in the afterlife or spiritual continuance beyond physical existence.
- The intertwining of life and death as an ongoing process might be contested by those who believe in a clear demarcation between life and death, with death being a singular event rather than a process.
- The emphasis on constant mortality awareness to enhance life's appreciation could be seen as morbid or anxiety-inducing for some individuals, who may find that focusing on the present and the joys of life, rather than its end, is more fulfilling.
- The notion that understanding mortality leads to a more purposeful life could be countered by the argument that many people find purpose and passion through other means, such as relationships, achievements, or personal growth, without ...
Actionables
- You can create a "mortality mindfulness" journal where each day you write down how you've used your time and reflect on the impermanence of life.
- Keeping a daily journal encourages you to be conscious of the finite nature of time and assess whether you're spending it in alignment with your values. For example, at the end of each day, jot down three things you did that felt meaningful and consider how these actions contribute to the legacy you wish to leave behind.
- Start a conversation club with friends or family focused on discussing life's impermanence and mortality.
- Regularly engaging in discussions about death and impermanence with people you trust can normalize the topic and help integrate the awareness of mortality into your everyday life. For instance, you could meet once a month to share stories, cultural beliefs, and personal feelings about mortality, fostering a community that's comfortable with this often-taboo subject.
- Implement a weekly practice of "life auditing" where you evaluate your activ ...
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Mind, Psychology, and Emotions in Experience
Sadhguru illuminates the dual nature of human intelligence and mind in our experience, stressing the paramount need for inner harmony and awareness.
Mind Power and Intelligence Management
Human Intelligence: A Powerful yet Perilous Faculty if Mismanaged
Sadhguru remarks on the recent evolutionary development of the human brain and intellect, cautioning that when intelligence turns against us, it leads to suffering such as stress, anxiety, and depression. He describes intelligence as a fantastic faculty that can also be terrible if it does not take instructions well.
Mastering the Mind Prevents Stress and Anxiety
Sadhguru underscores the millions of years of natural research and development that have led to the human brain's current capabilities. Illustrating his point with a metaphor, Sadhguru says that if people can’t control their minds, akin to a faulty steering wheel in a car, anxiety becomes a norm. He encourages understanding and managing the miraculous nature of the mind to prevent it from becoming a source of suffering. Sadhguru compares humans to animals, who instinctively make certain decisions, and emphasizes the importance of learning to manage our highly sophisticated but not fully understood brains to prevent stress and anxiety.
Psychological Vs. Existential Reality
Distinguishing Psychological Dramas, Mind Impressions, and True Existence
Sadhguru states that during death, many feel bewildered because they mistake their psychological drama for the actual life process. He contends that life occurs irrespective of individual psychological dramas, which are personal creations of thoughts and emotions.
Our Psychological Experiences Don't Always Mirror Reality
Sadhguru explains the importance of recognizing the boundaries between memory, imagination, and the present life experience to avoid confusion that can lead to a chaotic life. He stresses that psychological realities, like feeling blessed or cursed, are not existentially true and are confined to one's mind. Speaking with Lewis Howes, Sadhguru touches on how individuals may mistake their psychological creations, such as imaginary castles, for reality, which c ...
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Mind, Psychology, and Emotions in Experience
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Counterarguments
- While mastering the mind may help prevent stress and anxiety, it is not the only factor; genetics, environment, and life circumstances also play significant roles.
- Intelligence can be seen as a tool rather than inherently perilous; it's the application of intelligence that can lead to positive or negative outcomes.
- Psychological dramas, while distinct from existential reality, can have real consequences on one's physical health and social interactions.
- Psychological experiences, even if they don't reflect objective reality, are still valid experiences that can deeply affect an individual's quality of life.
- Inner awareness and harmony, although important, may not be sufficient for a meaningful life; social connections, physical health, and external circumstances also contribute significantly.
- The assertion that cultivating inner peace and joy is more important than external success may not resonate with everyone, as individuals have differen ...
Actionables
- You can start a "Mindful Moment" journal to track your mental patterns and identify triggers for stress and anxiety. Each day, jot down instances when you felt overwhelmed or anxious, and note what was happening at that time, your thoughts, and how you reacted. Over time, this can help you recognize patterns and develop strategies to manage your reactions, such as deep breathing exercises or reframing negative thoughts.
- Develop a personal "Reality Check" routine to differentiate psychological dramas from true existence. Whenever you catch yourself ruminating or getting caught up in emotional turmoil, pause and ask yourself a series of questions: "Is this thought based on fact or assumption? How does this serve my well-being? What is the actual situation?" This practice encourages you to step back from the drama and assess the situation more objectively, leading to a calmer and more centered approach to life's challenges.
- Create a "Joy Portfolio" to cultivate inner peace ...
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Meditation For Cultivating Inner Awareness and Peace
Sadhguru talks about the "Miracle of Mind" meditation app with an ambitious vision for mental health awareness and self-care, suggesting that meditation is essential for cultivating inner peace and navigating life's complexities.
Miracle of Mind App's Potential to Transform Mental Wellness
Introducing the Miracle of Mind: A Simple, Accessible Meditation and Mental Well-Being Tool
The "Miracle of Mind" app, introduced by Sadhguru, is designed to address what he calls a pandemic of mental illness. It offers a simple seven-minute meditation aimed at transforming lives by letting users realize the miracle of their own minds. Sadhguru invites people to use the app for 15 days to see its effect on them.
Goal: 3 Billion Regular App Users in 24 Months for Mental Health Education and Self-Care
Sadhguru reveals an ambitious goal of having 3 billion regular users on the "Miracle of Mind" app within 24 months. He envisions meditation to be part of every family's daily routine, equating its necessity to brushing teeth. Sadhguru emphasizes that the intelligent design of the app will include features that are added over time, promoting meditation as a practice that should be taught within families, especially to children.
"Life Hopscotch" in Self-Reflection and Growth
"Life Hopscotch" in Miracle of Mind: Tracking Daily Mental and Emotional State
"Life Hopscotch," a feature in the "Miracle of Mind" app, assists users in tracking their daily mental and emotional states. Sadhguru recommends using this feature at the end of each day as a way to keep account of one's emotional wellbeing, akin to maintaining a financial ledger for life.
Implicitly, Sadhguru argues that continually assessing one's mental state can contribute to growth and well-being, by highlighting whether one is getting better or worse at handling life’s various challenges.
Meditation and Self-Awareness In Navigating Life's Complexities
How Meditation Helps Understand Existence and Mind
Sadhguru doesn't explicitly address this subtopic; however, Lewis Howes and Sadhguru discuss the importance of perception in experiencing life. The idea here is that how one perceives their life deeply affects their psychological experience. Mindfulness brought about by meditatio ...
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Meditation For Cultivating Inner Awareness and Peace
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Counterarguments
- The goal of 3 billion regular users within 24 months may be overly ambitious and unrealistic given the current global population and the diverse range of interests and cultural attitudes towards meditation.
- While the app may offer a simple seven-minute meditation, the depth and complexity of meditation practices can vary greatly, and some may argue that a deeper engagement with meditation cannot be so easily packaged into an app.
- The efficacy of meditation apps in comparison to traditional meditation practices or in-person guidance from a teacher could be questioned, as the personal touch and tailored guidance are often cited as important factors in meditation practice.
- The assumption that regular self-assessment through an app can lead to growth and well-being may not account for the complexity of mental health issues, which often require professional intervention.
- The claim that mindfulness from meditation can lead to joy and peace regardless of external circumstances may not acknowledge the full impact of socio-economic factors on mental health.
- The idea that being aware of mortality can help in achieving inner awareness may not resonate with everyone and could be distressing to some individuals.
- The suggestion that creating pleasantness within oneself is e ...
Actionables
- You can start a "Mindful Moments" journal to track instances throughout your day when you felt particularly present or at peace, noting what you were doing and how it made you feel. This practice encourages you to seek out and create more of these moments, fostering a habit of mindfulness that can contribute to overall well-being.
- Create a "Mortality Reminder" that prompts you to reflect on your life's impermanence at a set time each day, such as a phone alarm with a message that reads, "Remember, this day is unique." This can help you stay grounded and foster a deeper sense of inner awareness by reminding you to live meaningfully.
- Develop a "Pleasantness Playlist" of activities that m ...
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Nature of the Self, Body, and Soul
Sadhguru's insights shed light on the complex and intertwined relationships between the self, body, and soul. His teachings question conventional views, pushing for a deeper understanding of our existence.
Self and Body Relationship Exploration
Through his dialogue, Sadhguru separates the self from the body by suggesting that the body is merely a temporary physical vessel or "earthly accumulation" that we gather over time from the planet. He uses the example of one's weight to illustrate this, explaining that the mass we carry is acquired from the soil that becomes food and then becomes part of us. He also describes the body as an accumulation carrying evolutionary and genetic memory that ensures a consistent human form, regardless of our diet or lifestyle.
Sadhguru emphasizes that while the body and mental impressions can be owned, they are not the essence of one's being. He points out the importance of distinguishing self from identified components such as body parts or the sum of one's memory, which is made up of the past and should not define the true self.
Recognizing the Body As a Temporary Earthly Accumulation
Sadhguru's remarks on mortality and the ongoing passage of time imply that our bodies are temporary. He talks about the accumulation of the body and mind, illustrating the temporary and cyclical nature of the body's physical substance by describing its transformation from soil to food and then to the human body.
Distinguishing Self From Identified Components
Sadhguru engages in a discussion with Lewis Howes about the nature of belief and knowing, using the example of hands to delineate belief from experiential knowledge. He goes on to highlight the difference between life situations and life itself, indicating that while life situations result from our actions, life itself is an inherent aspect of our existence.
Questioning the Soul and Afterlife
Sadhguru's conversational threads point to skepticism of traditional soul and afterlife beliefs, focusing on scientific processes rather than speculations of what occurs after death.
Sadhguru's Skepticism of the Soul and Afterlife Beliefs
With a yogic perspective only recognizing timely and untimely deaths, Sadhguru challenges the common ...
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Nature of the Self, Body, and Soul
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Counterarguments
- The idea that the self is separate from the body may be challenged by materialist or physicalist perspectives, which argue that consciousness and self are emergent properties of physical processes in the brain.
- Some philosophical traditions, such as Cartesian dualism, posit that the mind (or soul) and body are distinct entities, which contradicts Sadhguru's view of the self as separate from the body and mind.
- The transformation of soil to food to body, while biologically accurate, may be seen as an oversimplification that doesn't account for the complexity of human biology and consciousness.
- The notion of distinguishing the true self from body parts or memories can be contested by theories that consider memory and physicality integral to personal identity.
- Sadhguru's skepticism of the soul and afterlife may be at odds with various religious and spiritual beliefs that hold these concepts as central tenets of faith ...
Actionables
- You can start a daily journal where you write about experiences as separate from your emotions and physical sensations to practice distinguishing your true self from your body and thoughts. By doing this, you'll train your mind to see your reactions and physical state as temporary and not defining who you are. For example, instead of writing "I'm angry," you could note "There's anger present, but it's not me."
- Create a "Here and Now" reminder system using phone alarms or sticky notes placed in common areas of your home or workspace. Each time you encounter these reminders, take a moment to ground yourself in the present by focusing on your breath or the sensations in your hands or feet. This helps shift your focus away from speculative thoughts about the soul or afterlife and brings your attention to the present reality.
- Volunteer for a cause that resonates ...
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