Can Self-Love Be Harmful?

Summary

In this discourse, Sadhguru challenges the popular notion of self-love, emphasizing that loving oneself can lead to psychological division and even madness. He explains that true love is about inclusion, not self-indulgence. Sadhguru highlights the importance of living in reality rather than being misled by optimism, pessimism, or the ever-changing emotional mind. He stresses the need to transcend the psychological and invest in the existential, where the essence of life resides. Entertainment, once the taste of the Divine is experienced, loses its allure as one focuses on the profound.

Takeaways

• 😀 Self-love, as popularly taught, can lead to self-division and ultimately madness.
• 🤔 Emotional processes are like local gossip—enjoy them if they're pleasant but don't believe in them too deeply.
• 😌 The real spiritual journey begins when you taste something beyond thoughts and emotions.
• ❤️ Love is an effort to include something beyond oneself; self-love as a concept creates division.
• 🤯 Dividing yourself by loving yourself can be the first step towards psychological imbalance.
• 💡 Growth and transcendence must be rooted in reality, not in psychological illusions.
• 🧠 Thoughts and emotions are only small offshoots of life—they do not represent life itself.
• 🌟 Moments of presence, free from the psychological, are more real and significant than thoughts and emotions.
• 🧘‍♂️ The taste of the Divine renders worldly entertainment and self-obsession insignificant.
• 🔥 A realist approach is essential in spiritual growth—optimism and pessimism can mislead.

Q & A

What does Sadhguru mean by 'self-love' leading to madness?

Sadhguru suggests that self-love, as commonly understood, leads to a psychological division within oneself, creating a 'two-in-one' scenario. This division is the first step toward madness, as it separates the individual into 'I' and 'myself,' rather than understanding oneself as an indivisible entity.

Why does Sadhguru refer to 'self-love' as a sign of madness?

Sadhguru refers to 'self-love' as a sign of madness because it causes people to become entangled in their own limited personality. Despite experiencing something beyond themselves (the 'Divine'), they fall into the trap of self-obsession, which he believes leads to mental instability and prevents spiritual growth.

What does Sadhguru mean by 'tasting the Divine'?

Sadhguru describes 'tasting the Divine' as experiencing something beyond the limitations of one's thoughts and emotions. It refers to a brief moment of transcendence where a person becomes aware of a deeper reality, beyond their psychological processes.

How does Sadhguru differentiate between the existential and psychological in one's life?

Sadhguru explains that the existential is rooted in the essential process of life, while the psychological (thoughts and emotions) is just a small offshoot. He emphasizes that real transcendence and growth must happen in the existential realm, not through psychological constructs.

What does Sadhguru mean by saying emotions and thoughts are 'local gossip'?

Sadhguru refers to emotions and thoughts as 'local gossip' because they are constantly changing and are highly subjective to the individual. Like gossip, they shift frequently and should not be the foundation of one's spiritual journey.

Why does Sadhguru discourage people from believing in their thoughts and emotions?

Sadhguru discourages belief in thoughts and emotions because they are unreliable and impermanent. He advises people to enjoy them if they are pleasant, but not to base important decisions, especially spiritual ones, on such fleeting mental processes.

What does Sadhguru mean by 'growth is possible only in reality'?

Sadhguru means that spiritual growth and transcendence can only occur when one is fully grounded in reality. By being in touch with the true nature of existence (the existential), rather than being lost in psychological illusions, one can experience genuine growth.

Why does Sadhguru emphasize the importance of being a 'realist'?

Sadhguru emphasizes realism because it allows a person to see things as they are, without distortion through optimism or pessimism. Only by being in touch with reality can a person make meaningful progress on their spiritual journey.

What is the significance of the story about the asylum and the college?

The story highlights the subtle difference between madness and self-awareness. Just as the man confused a college for an asylum, Sadhguru suggests that people confuse self-love with personal growth. He warns that without recognizing the difference, one could spiral into madness, metaphorically becoming trapped in their own illusions.

Why does Sadhguru downplay entertainment after experiencing the Divine?

Sadhguru downplays entertainment because, after tasting the Divine, worldly pleasures and distractions seem shallow and insignificant. For someone who has experienced a higher reality, superficial forms of entertainment lose their appeal.