Is Too Much School & College Competition Taking A Toll? – Sadhguru

Summary

In this dialogue, Sadhguru addresses the concept of competition, arguing that deriving pleasure from being better than others is a 'sickness' rather than success. He emphasizes the importance of individual growth and self-fulfillment over comparison and rivalry. Sadhguru shares his own school experiences to illustrate the point that true education should focus on nurturing each person to reach their full potential, not on grading or competing. He critiques the societal norms that promote competition and suggests an alternative approach where everyone is encouraged to blossom, regardless of others' achievements.

Takeaways

• 😀 Success is not about outdoing others but about reaching one's full potential.
• 🏆 The speaker criticizes the competitive culture that values being better than others as a 'sickness'.
• 🌱 The emphasis should be on personal growth and blossoming into one's fullest human potential.
• 🤔 The speaker questions the logic of everyone being at the top of their class, suggesting it's an unrealistic expectation.
• 📚 The competitive environment can lead to unnecessary disappointment and self-doubt, even among those not naturally competitive.
• 🙅‍♂️ The speaker suggests that competition stems from a lack of self-confidence and an unhealthy pleasure in others' failures.
• 🌳 The speaker advocates for an educational system that does not grade children but focuses on their individual development.
• 🌍 The competitive mindset is portrayed as a widespread issue that contributes to global unpleasantness and conflict.
• 🌿 Just as every plant in nature strives to grow to its fullest, so too should humans, without the need to compare or compete.
• 🌟 The speaker calls for an atmosphere that nurtures everyone's ability to express their life to the fullest, rather than fostering competition.

Q & A

What does Sadhguru consider the true measure of success?

Sadhguru believes that true success is not about being better than someone else but rather about blossoming to the fullest potential as a human being.

Why does Sadhguru refer to the pleasure derived from being better than others as a 'sickness'?

Sadhguru calls it a 'sickness' because it implies enjoying other people's failures and being ahead of others, rather than focusing on one's own growth and well-being.

How does Sadhguru view the concept of competition in education?

Sadhguru criticizes the competitive culture in education, suggesting that it leads to unnecessary stress and comparison among students, detracting from the goal of individual growth and self-fulfillment.

What is the alternative educational approach Sadhguru suggests?

Sadhguru advocates for an educational system that does not grade children, focusing instead on nurturing each individual to evolve to their fullest potential.

How does Sadhguru describe his own school experience?

Sadhguru shares that he never looked at his report cards and did not write a single word on test papers, treating education as a transaction between the teacher and his father.

What does Sadhguru imply by saying 'every life in creation strives to their best'?

Sadhguru emphasizes that all forms of life, from the smallest to the largest, naturally strive for their best, suggesting that humans should also focus on their own growth rather than comparing themselves to others.

What is the main question Sadhguru believes we should ask ourselves regarding our potential?

Sadhguru believes the main question should be whether we are blossoming into our fullest human potential, rather than comparing ourselves to others.

Why does Sadhguru argue that being concerned with someone being behind you is not beneficial?

Sadhguru argues that being concerned with others' positions relative to yours is not beneficial because it distracts from the focus on one's own growth and well-being.

How does Sadhguru compare the importance of different life forms in nature?

Sadhguru uses the example of a blade of grass and an oak tree to illustrate that all life forms are important and should not be valued based on comparison, a principle he suggests should apply to human society as well.

What does Sadhguru suggest is the root cause of much of the world's unpleasantness?

Sadhguru suggests that the root cause of much of the world's unpleasantness is the competitive mindset that has been ingrained in people from an early age.

What is the role of the environment according to Sadhguru in fostering individual growth?

Sadhguru believes that the environment plays a crucial role in fostering individual growth, comparing it to how a plant grows not from direct intervention but from a nourishing atmosphere.

Outlines

00:00

🌱 The Illusion of Competitive Success

This paragraph discusses the negative aspects of competition and the societal emphasis on being better than others. The speaker, Sadhguru, questions the concept of everyone being at the top of their class and suggests that true success is not about outperforming others but about reaching one's full potential. He criticizes the competitive culture for fostering a sense of pleasure in others' failures, which he refers to as a 'sickness'. Sadhguru shares his own school experience, where he was not concerned with grades and instead focused on his own learning. He advocates for an educational system that does not grade children but helps them evolve to their fullest potential, emphasizing that every life form strives to be at its best without comparing itself to others.

05:03

🌟 Cultivating Individual Potential Over Competition

The second paragraph continues the discussion on competition, focusing on the importance of nurturing an environment that allows individuals to blossom rather than competing with others. Sadhguru emphasizes that the goal should be to help each person reach their maximum potential, similar to how a gardener tends to the soil and atmosphere for a plant to grow. He argues that the desire to be better than others is a form of sickness that has deeply affected society. The speaker suggests that instead of enjoying others' limitations, we should focus on our own growth and capabilities. He concludes by criticizing the competitive mindset that values being superior to others, even if it means stepping on them, and calls for a shift towards a more supportive and growth-oriented approach to life and education.

Keywords

💡Competition

Competition, in the context of the video, refers to the act of striving to gain or win something by defeating or establishing superiority over others. It is a central theme as the speaker critiques the culture of competition, particularly in educational institutions like LSE, where students are often compared and ranked against each other. The speaker suggests that an overemphasis on competition can lead to a 'sickness' where individuals derive pleasure from being better than others, rather than focusing on personal growth and self-fulfillment.

💡Success

Success, as discussed in the video, is redefined by the speaker to not be about outperforming others but about achieving one's full potential. The speaker argues that true success lies in blossoming into the fullest human being, which is not measured by comparison to others but by one's own development and self-actualization. This concept challenges the traditional notion of success that is often associated with being 'on top' in competitive environments.

💡Sickness

The term 'sickness' in the video is used metaphorically to describe the negative psychological state of deriving pleasure from being better than others or from their failures. The speaker points out that this mindset is ingrained in society from an early age and is perpetuated through competitive systems, leading to an unhealthy focus on superiority rather than mutual growth and well-being.

💡Education

Education, as mentioned in the script, is critiqued for its traditional focus on competition and grading, which the speaker suggests is counterproductive. The speaker proposes an alternative educational model where children are not graded but are nurtured as individuals to reach their fullest potential. This approach emphasizes personal growth and development over comparison and competition.

💡Self-Competence

Self-competence refers to an individual's belief in their own abilities and skills. The speaker suggests that those who lack a sense of self-competence are more likely to become competitive, as their self-worth is tied to outperforming others. The video encourages a shift in focus from external competition to internal growth and self-assurance.

💡Fulfillment

Fulfillment in the video is presented as the ultimate goal for an individual, which is achieved by reaching one's maximum potential and living a life that is true to oneself. The speaker contrasts this with the superficial pleasure derived from being better than others, advocating for a focus on personal evolution and blossoming.

💡Comparison

Comparison is a recurring theme in the video, where the speaker discusses how it leads to unnecessary stress and dissatisfaction. The speaker points out that constant comparison, whether in grades, achievements, or internships, distracts from the true purpose of education and personal growth, which is to develop one's own capabilities.

💡Human Being

The term 'human being' is used to emphasize the potential and the inherent value of every individual. The speaker argues that the focus should be on helping each person to blossom into their fullest as a human being, rather than on creating a hierarchy of success based on competition. This concept is central to the speaker's critique of the competitive culture.

💡Growth

Growth in the video is associated with personal development and evolution, rather than with competition. The speaker suggests that growth should be an internal process, where individuals focus on their own abilities and potential, rather than on surpassing others. This concept is used to critique the competitive environment that often hinders true personal growth.

💡Society

Society, as discussed in the video, is portrayed as a system that often perpetuates unhealthy competition and comparison. The speaker criticizes societal structures that value being 'on top' over personal fulfillment and suggests that society should foster an environment where individuals can grow and express themselves fully.

💡Nourishment

Nourishment in the video is used metaphorically to describe the support and environment necessary for individuals to grow and flourish. The speaker compares it to how one would care for a plant, emphasizing that the focus should be on creating a conducive atmosphere rather than directly manipulating the individual's growth.

Highlights

Being better than somebody is considered a sickness, not success.

Education and competition are societal constructs that may not always serve individual growth.

The focus should be on blossoming to one's fullest potential as a human being.

The concept of being at the top of the class is questioned, as it implies a competitive hierarchy.

Competitive environments can lead to disappointment when individuals are no longer at the top.

Competition is a state of mind for those lacking a sense of their own competence.

The speaker's personal experience with school and report cards is shared to illustrate a non-competitive attitude.

The idea that success is derived from others' failures is critiqued as an unhealthy mindset.

All life strives to its best, and humans should focus on their own fullest expression.

The competitive mindset is described as a sickness that has been ingrained from an early age.

Education should be about evolving individuals to their fullest potential, not just grading them.

The importance of nurturing an atmosphere that allows everyone to express their life to the fullest is emphasized.

The competitive drive to be better than others is identified as a form of sickness that has widespread effects.

The speaker argues against the societal norm of using competition as a measure of success.

The idea that one's success should be based on others' incapabilities is challenged.

The speaker calls for a shift in perspective from competition to self-fulfillment and contribution to humanity.

Transcripts

being better than somebody, if it's a pleasure for you, I call that sickness, it is not success (Applause).

We call this education, we call this competition, we call this society.

the important thing is, for what you have come with, will you blossom to the fullest human being or not

That's all that needs to be taken care of even for a human being,

Questioner 3: My question is on competition and as most of the students here would know

LSE has a very intense culture of competition,

and a lot of the students who come here have always been at the top of their class.

And once they come here they continue to….

Sadhguru: How can everybody be at the top of their class (Some Laughs)?

What does it mean? They sit there (gestures towards the gallery).

Questioner 3: (unclear) all different classes.

Sadhguru: Oh.

How can everybody be at the top of their class?

Only one person is at the top of the class, isn’t it?

That’s how I understand the top.

Questioner 3: Yeah, but once they come here, they're not the top anymore because

everyone used to be at the top so,

that kinds of disappoints them a bit.

Anyway, so once they come here, there is a big culture of competition and

there's a lot of comparison that takes place

whether it's comparing grades, achievements, internships, everything.

I myself for example, I am not a very competitive person, I don't really engage in that with others.

But being in this hyper competitive environment I sometimes question myself,

should I be more competitive?

So, my question for you is, what is the meaning of competition both for individuals and society?

And does competition make us grow and evolve?

Or should we solely focus on ourselves?

Sadhguru: Those who do not have any sense of their own competence, will become competitive.

Because their only pleasure is being one step ahead of somebody else.

I am on top of the class, what does it mean?

And you say…

I have known this… when I was in school.

I went there only when it's really necessary (Some laugh).

So I remember, I don't know, maybe at this level you're not… but in schools, maybe it's still there.

I don't know the practice.

It always was a yellow colored card.

And every month this card is given to you, your report card.

And I see some children are strutting around because they are first, second something.

Some are sitting in some corner and crying, they're afraid to go home.

I don’t know what they got.

As far as I was concerned, it was given to me, I just took it and give it to my father.

I never once opened and saw

because I thought this was a transaction between the teacher and my father (Some Laugh).

I was not going to look into that.

And I was quite certain what would be there in it as far as the numbers are concerned,

because it was always six zeros (Some Laugh).

That I never wrote a single word in the test paper.

That was a rule for me.

But apart from the six zeros, the teachers wrote some literature in my (Some Laugh),

in my report cards, so I give it to my father, he opens it and he just blows up every time.

I just look at him what happened?

Because, why I'm saying this to you is,

being better than somebody, if it's a pleasure for you, you enjoy other people's failures, I call that sickness,

it is not success (Applause).

You as a life, you want to be at your fullest.

You have a right to be.

Every life in creation, from a worm, insect, bird, animal, even a plantain tree,

all striving to their best, isn't it?

You also, but why are you concerned whether somebody is behind you?

Why is that so pleasurable for you that somebody else is less than you.

From early kindergarten levels

this sickness has been brought into human mind which is causing so much unpleasantness on the planet,

such ugly situations everywhere, but we don't seem to learn.

So we've created schools where children have never graded.

We are looking at them as individuals, what we can do to evolve them to their fullest possibility.

Now the problem is this all life has happened like this.

What do you think?

You think a blade of grass is less important than an oak tree in the garden, hello?

You think so.

Only a fool would think so, isn't it?

Hello!

But that's what we're doing… that's...

We call this education, we call this competition, we call this society.

No, very stupid way of handling things.

Because, the important thing is,

for what you have come with, will you blossom to the fullest human being or not - this is the only question.

This doesn't need anything other than constantly nourishing the atmosphere, not even the person.

If you want a plant to grow, you don't do anything to the plant, you just take care

of the soil, the atmosphere, the ambience.

That's all that needs to be taken care of even for a human being,

that you need to take care of the atmosphere so that everybody finds the fullest expression for their life.

The moment you think you want to be better than somebody else, you've gotten sick in some way,

and this sickness has permeated into the world in a huge way,

and we think this is the way to become you know, to achieve something in our life.

So, if everybody is lame, you’re little faster, and you think you're doing fantastic.

You’ll enjoy other people's being… other people being crippled, yes?

Hello!?

If your entire life is always sitting on top of everybody else,

you will enjoy other people's incapabilities, isn't it?

This is not good for you.

This is definitely not good for humanity.