A Simple Process To Become Absolutely Still Yet Phenomenally Dynamic

Summary

In this talk, Sadhguru explores the concept of inactivity during the pandemic, urging listeners to view forced stillness not as stagnation but as an opportunity for growth. He explains that while physical activity is inherently limited, stillness, when consciously embraced, leads to profound dynamism. By bridging the gap between physicality and the still core of existence, one can experience life with greater intensity and clarity. Sadhguru emphasizes the importance of balancing relaxation and intensity to overcome prejudice, enabling a deeper perception of life beyond physical boundaries.

Takeaways

• 😀 The virus has become an iconic symbol, with its global reach making it a star in the world despite being invisible.
• 😀 Inactivity can feel like a prison or death-like, as physicality is naturally dynamic and requires movement to avoid stagnation.
• 😀 Stagnation occurs when inactivity is mistaken for stillness, and it leads to a sense of suffocation or even death in a metaphorical sense.
• 😀 Stillness, unlike stagnation, is dynamic and not about slumber. It is the core of rejuvenation and conscious relaxation.
• 😀 Activity, while important, is always limited by time and space. No matter how capable you are, even the largest space can eventually feel restrictive.
• 😀 Stillness is the source of all dynamism and needs conscious intensity to be experienced fully, transcending ordinary activity.
• 😀 The balance between activity and stillness requires intensity, but this intensity must be paired with relaxation to avoid exhaustion and imbalance.
• 😀 Yoga's essence is about being both intense and relaxed simultaneously, enhancing perception and allowing a purposeful, unprejudiced life.
• 😀 Understanding the nature of physical activity and stillness helps break down the prejudice of dividing the world into 'me vs. the cosmos.'
• 😀 Modern science is exploring the power of stillness, recognizing it as a space where profound dynamism and creativity reside.
• 😀 A simple practice of maintaining tension and relaxation in the body can help create the balance between activity and stillness, fostering inner peace and dynamic energy.

Q & A

What does Sadhguru mean by 'forced inactivity' and how does it affect us?

Sadhguru explains that forced inactivity, such as during lockdowns or situations where movement is restricted, can make people feel like they are in a prison or suffocated. This is because the nature of physicality is dynamic, and when you're forced into inactivity, it feels like being restricted or stagnant.

How does forced inactivity lead to stagnation?

When inactivity is induced, it brings about inertia, and instead of being in a dynamic state of stillness, the inactivity turns into stagnation. Stagnation, Sadhguru mentions, can feel like a form of death as it leads to a lack of movement and life energy.

What is the difference between stillness and stagnation?

Stillness is a state of profound dynamism that is conscious and purposeful, while stagnation occurs when inactivity lacks energy and movement, which feels suffocating. Stillness allows life to flow, while stagnation halts it.

What role does stillness play in our activity?

Stillness is the foundation for all activity. Sadhguru explains that activity, whether physical or mental, is fueled by the stillness we experience during sleep. If this stillness is absent or unconscious, it would lead to burnout or exhaustion from activity.

How does intensity relate to relaxation?

Sadhguru highlights that relaxation does not come from being lax but from being both intense and relaxed at the same time. This balance is essential because when one is tense, perception is impaired, and when lax, there’s a lack of awareness. True relaxation is found in intensity combined with ease.

What is the essence of yoga according to Sadhguru?

The essence of yoga, as Sadhguru describes it, is to bring together intensity and relaxation, allowing one to expand their life process and enhance their perception. Yoga helps to bridge the physical, mental, and non-physical aspects of existence, fostering a state of stillness while remaining dynamic.

Why does Sadhguru suggest we need to touch the core of our existence?

By touching the core of our existence, which is a still space within, we transcend the limitations imposed by our physical body and mental state. This core is unbounded by physical laws and connects us to the larger, universal stillness, leading to a more unprejudiced and expansive perception of life.

What happens when one identifies only with the physical dimension of life?

When individuals only identify with the physical, they become prejudiced. They begin to divide the world based on their limited experience, such as 'me vs. the cosmos' or 'me and my nation vs. the universe.' This creates mental isolation and limits one’s perception.

What does Sadhguru mean by 'anda pindanda'?

The phrase 'anda pindanda' in yogic culture refers to the idea that the structure of an atom is similar to the structure of the entire cosmos. While the scale and complexity differ, the fundamental design of both the microcosm and the macrocosm are the same.

How can we practice stillness and dynamism simultaneously?

To practice stillness and dynamism simultaneously, Sadhguru recommends a simple exercise. This involves sitting with an erect posture, creating a bit of tension across the body, and slowly relaxing the tension, starting from the head and moving down to the toes. This practice helps integrate relaxation into the still posture, bridging the gap between physical and non-physical dimensions of existence.