Listen To This Before You Start Your Day | Sadhguru

Summary

In this powerful speech, the speaker emphasizes that the most important thing in life is simply being alive. They encourage the audience to appreciate their existence, recognize the brevity of life, and live fully in the present moment. By confronting mortality, we can live joyfully and without fear of suffering, naturally radiating positivity and sweetness. The speaker stresses the importance of doing everything within our control to live a meaningful life, urging us to live exuberantly, for it is only by embracing life with joy that we can truly experience its fullness.

Takeaways

• 😀 Life is the most important thing: Your existence right now is the foundation of everything that matters—family, money, and goals are significant only because you are alive.
• 😀 Appreciate every moment: Every time you check the time, smile and acknowledge that you are alive. This simple act fosters gratitude and mindfulness.
• 😀 Life is fleeting: Acknowledge that mortality is inevitable, and the more joyful you are, the quicker life seems to pass, so make the most of every moment.
• 😀 The reality of mortality: A quarter million people die every day, yet if you wake up alive, you should celebrate and appreciate the gift of life.
• 😀 Joy is natural: True joy and exuberance come from being fully alive. You don’t have to force happiness—when you are truly alive, joy flows naturally.
• 😀 Focus on the present: Don't waste time worrying about the future or past; instead, live fully in the present, appreciating the preciousness of being alive.
• 😀 Fear and suffering hold you back: Only when you are joyful can you live without fear of suffering and fully pursue your potential in life.
• 😀 Don't take life for granted: Every moment is an opportunity, and by appreciating the small things, you can live a life of exuberance and joy.
• 😀 Mortality is not a negative: Living with the awareness of mortality brings a sense of urgency to make the most of every moment and live joyfully.
• 😀 You have control over your joy: It’s within your power to choose joy and live without regrets, ensuring you do everything possible in life.

Q & A

What is the most important thing in life according to the speaker?

The most important thing in life is simply being alive. Everything else, like family, money, and relationships, becomes significant only because we are alive.

How does the speaker suggest we should view each day?

The speaker suggests that we should wake up each day with gratitude for being alive. By checking if we're still alive, we should smile, appreciating the gift of life.

What is the significance of mortality in the speaker’s message?

Mortality is a reminder that life is finite. Acknowledging our inevitable death should not bring fear, but inspire us to live fully and joyfully in the present.

What happens when we become aware of our mortality according to the speaker?

When we become aware of our mortality, we should live every moment with exuberance and joy. If we do so, life feels shorter, and we experience it more fully.

Why does the speaker emphasize smiling when checking the time?

The speaker emphasizes smiling when checking the time to remind us of the preciousness of life. If we are still alive, we should appreciate the gift of life with a smile.

How does the speaker describe people who live without awareness of their mortality?

The speaker describes people who live without awareness of mortality as walking as if practicing for their grave, unaware of how precious and fleeting life is.

What is the relationship between joy and life’s actions, according to the speaker?

The speaker suggests that joy is essential to living fully. When we are joyful, everything we do becomes natural and vibrant. Joy enables us to act without fear, allowing us to do everything we can in life.

What does the speaker say about the inevitability of death?

The speaker explains that death is inevitable and efficient. No one dies inefficiently, so there’s no need to worry about how or when it will happen. Instead, we should focus on living joyfully.

What is the speaker’s perspective on achieving greatness in life?

The speaker acknowledges that we may or may not achieve great feats like climbing Mount Everest or becoming the richest person. However, the most important thing is that we live joyfully and fully, doing everything we are capable of.

What is the fundamental condition necessary to live a fulfilling life, according to the speaker?

The fundamental condition for a fulfilling life is being a joyful human being by nature. Only when we are joyful can we overcome the fear of suffering and live life to its fullest potential.