Being joyful beyond circumstances

Chef Sanjeev Kapoor: Namaskar Sadhguru. My question is that when we cook, if we are to experience the joy of cooking, which is something internal, I have to cook for my joy. But when you are cooking for others, then you want to give them joy, and at times, there is a conflict. Who should win?

Sadhguru: The most fundamental thing about the spiritual process is just this: you live here like only you exist, no one else but you. Because you see everyone as yourself and there is no issue. People ask me, “Sadhguru, wherever you go, whether it is 10,000 people or 100,000 people, how do you speak?” Well, I am talking to them like I would talk to myself – if I had such a habit.

There is no “you.” What I am doing is not some kind of oratory or discourse – I am just talking like I would talk to myself, because I do not see anyone but myself. Spiritual process means that in some way, in your experience, you became all-inclusive. Comparison and competition has disappeared from your life. Otherwise, what starts as comparison over time transforms into competition, and then it turns ugly.

Where there is comparison and competition, even something as alive and beautiful as joy turns ugly. Joy is the most important aspect of your life. Joy means your experience of your existence is fantastic.

When you are all-inclusive, your experience of your existence becomes beautiful, and that is why you are joyful. Now, I am joyful not because I make the best dosas, or better dosas than you, nor will I be more joyful because I eat the best things that you cook. Even before I come into your restaurant, I will be very joyful.

If you make something good, I will eat joyfully. If you make something bad, very joyfully, I will push it aside. With your good cooking or bad cooking you cannot give me my joy, nor can you steal my joy. I want you and everyone in the world to become like this too, that no one else can determine what happens within you.

Ranked amongst the fifty most influential people in India, Sadhguru is a yogi, mystic, visionary and bestselling author. Sadhguru has been conferred the "Padma Vibhushan" by the Government of India in 2017, one of the highest annual civilian awards, accorded for exceptional and distinguished service.