Sadhguru

Jagadish "Jaggi" Vasudev, known as Sadhguru, is an Indian spiritual teacher and the founder of the Isha Foundation, established in 1992. He has been teaching yoga since 1982 and leads an ashram and yoga center focused on educational and spiritual activities. Sadhguru is also a recognized author of New York Times bestsellers, including "Inner Engineering" and "Karma," and is a frequent speaker at international forums.

Beyond his spiritual teachings, Sadhguru is a prominent advocate for environmental protection, spearheading initiatives such as Project GreenHands, Rally for Rivers, Cauvery Calling, and the Journey to Save Soil. His contributions to spirituality and humanitarian services were acknowledged with India's second-highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan, in 2017. Despite his public profile, Sadhguru has faced criticism for promoting claims that are considered pseudoscientific.

Born Jagadish Vasudev in 1957, Sadhguru's spiritual path began after a profound experience at the age of 25, which he described as a dissolution of his individual self into the surrounding environment. Following this, he dedicated himself to seeking deeper understanding through meditation and extensive travel. By 1982, he started sharing his insights by teaching yoga, developing his unique style known as Sahaja Sthiti Yoga. His early classes were conducted across Karnataka and Hyderabad, initially supported by income from his former businesses and later from student donations. This dedication to sharing his inner experience led to the establishment of the Isha Foundation in 1992, which serves as a platform for his diverse activities.

The Isha Foundation, founded by Sadhguru, operates an ashram and yoga center, offering programs like Isha Yoga and initiatives aimed at improving rural education through Isha Vidhya. A significant focus of the foundation is environmental conservation. Sadhguru has initiated numerous campaigns, including Project GreenHands, Rally for Rivers, Cauvery Calling, and the Journey to Save Soil, all aimed at addressing ecological challenges such as water scarcity, soil degradation, and climate change. He has presented these initiatives at international platforms, including the United Nations, and has garnered attention from various global figures for his environmental advocacy.

Sadhguru is the author of numerous books, with "Inner Engineering: A Yogi's Guide to Joy" and "Karma: A Yogi's Guide to Crafting Your Destiny" achieving recognition as New York Times bestsellers. His writings often explore themes related to inner well-being, destiny, and yogic principles. As a speaker, he has addressed distinguished international forums, including the United Nations, the World Economic Forum, the British House of Lords, and various academic institutions, sharing his perspectives on spirituality, human consciousness, and societal issues.

In recognition of his extensive work in spirituality and humanitarian services, Sadhguru was honored with the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian award, in 2017. The same year, the Isha Foundation, under his guidance, consecrated the Adiyogi Shiva statue, recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's largest bust. However, Sadhguru's public discourse has also attracted criticism, particularly concerning claims related to science and medicine. He has been noted for promoting concepts that diverge from established scientific consensus, such as advocating for the use of mercury in traditional medicine and making claims about its physical properties, which have been refuted by scientific experts.