How to Make a Decision You Won’t Regret Later – Sadhguru

Summary

In this insightful discourse, the speaker emphasizes the importance of introspection when setting life goals, suggesting that one should seek clarity and joy before making decisions. They warn against setting goals out of desperation and highlight the transient nature of aspirations, often seen as traps. The speaker delves into the concept of 'personality', explaining its origin from 'persona', a theatrical mask, and advises that true being transcends the need for a fixed personality. They share personal anecdotes about changing personalities to fit different life stages, illustrating the fluidity of identity. The narrative concludes with a parable about a sage who maintained his wisdom by periodically shedding his royal persona, underscoring the importance of staying true to one's essence.

Takeaways

• 🤔 Consider the longevity of your goals: Reflect on whether your aspirations will hold meaning for you in the long term, even on your deathbed.
• 🚫 Recognize goal traps: Be aware that many goals can be one-way streets from which there's no return, potentially leading to regret.
• 🧘‍♀️ Take a break for clarity: To decide on life goals, it's beneficial to withdraw from external influences and meditate to achieve a state of clarity and joy.
• 🌟 Set goals in a peaceful state: It's advised to set your life's direction when you are peaceful, happy, and clear-headed, not out of desperation.
• 🎭 Understand the nature of personality: Personality is akin to a mask used in theater; it's something you can change and should not be confused with your true being.
• 🔄 Adaptability in personality: You can adopt different personalities in different situations, and it's healthy to be flexible rather than stuck with one persona.
• 🌱 Growth and change: Personal growth may involve changing your personality, and it's important to be conscious of the changes you make and their impact on others.
• 🏛️ The story of the sage: This anecdote illustrates the importance of not getting caught up in societal roles and maintaining one's wisdom and essence.
• 🧘‍♂️ Meditation as a tool: Use meditation to strip away the fabricated aspects of your life and reconnect with your true self, which doesn't require constant maintenance.
• 🚫 Beware of the facade: Your personality is a facade that needs support, unlike your true being, which remains steadfast regardless of external circumstances.

Q & A

How does the speaker suggest one should approach setting life goals?

The speaker advises taking a break from all influences, such as social and family pressures, and finding a peaceful place to meditate and gain clarity. One should set goals when they are happy, clear-headed, and not desperate, as desperate goals may not hold long-term meaning.

Why does the speaker warn against setting goals out of desperation?

The speaker warns that goals set in desperation might seem important at the moment but may not be meaningful the next day, leading to entanglement in pursuits that were not genuinely desired.

What is the significance of the speaker's mention of the word 'persona' in relation to personality?

The speaker explains that 'persona' originates from the Latin word for a mask used in theater, indicating that a personality is something one puts on like a mask. It suggests that personality is not fixed but can change according to different roles or situations.

How does the speaker describe the process of developing a personality?

The speaker describes developing a personality as a process of 'making up' or creating a facade that suits one's activities and societal role. However, it's crucial to be able to 'take it down' and not let it become a fixed part of one's identity.

What is the purpose of the sage's empty room in the story told by the speaker?

The sage uses the empty room to strip away the trappings of his role as a minister and reconnect with his true wisdom before making important decisions. It symbolizes the importance of maintaining one's core self amidst external roles and influences.

Why did the sage in the story insist on having a private room in the palace?

The sage insisted on a private room to maintain a space where he could retreat to his original, unadorned self, free from the influences and expectations of his role in the palace, thus preserving his wisdom and clarity.

How does the speaker relate the concept of 'making up' a personality to the idea of lying?

The speaker relates 'making up' a personality to lying by suggesting that both require constant support and maintenance. Just as a lie needs to be sustained, a fabricated personality also needs continuous effort to maintain, unlike one's true being which is inherently real and does not require such effort.

What does the speaker imply about the longevity and significance of one's dreams and aspirations?

The speaker implies that the true test of a dream or aspiration is its enduring significance, even after a long time or at life's end. Many goals that seem important in youth may not retain their meaning later in life, suggesting that one should reflect deeply on what truly matters.

How does the speaker view the changeability of personality?

The speaker views personality as highly changeable and situational. He shares a personal anecdote about how he consciously changed his personality after a significant life goal was achieved, demonstrating that personality is not a fixed trait but a malleable aspect of one's presentation to the world.

What is the role of meditation according to the speaker?

Meditation, according to the speaker, serves as a tool to strip away the artificial constructs and reconnect with one's true self. It allows for clarity and joy, providing a solid foundation for making decisions and setting life goals.

Why did the speaker change his personality after the consecration of Dhyanalinga?

The speaker changed his personality to align with a new phase of life after achieving a significant goal. He felt it was necessary to shed the persona he had adopted for that purpose and embrace a new identity that was more authentic to his current state.