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.