Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev

Jagadish "Jaggi" Vasudev, widely known as Sadhguru, is an Indian spiritual figure and the founder of the Isha Foundation, established in 1992. He has been teaching yoga since 1982 and leads an ashram and yoga center in Coimbatore, India, offering educational and spiritual programs. Sadhguru is also the author of several books, including New York Times bestsellers, and is a frequent speaker at international platforms.

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

Born Jagadish Vasudev in 1957, his spiritual journey began after a profound experience at the age of 25, which he described as a dissolution of self into the surrounding environment. Following this pivotal moment, he dedicated himself to seeking deeper insight through travel and meditation. By 1982, he felt compelled to share his inner experiences by teaching yoga. He developed his own style, known as Sahaja Sthiti Yoga, and began offering classes across India, initially funding his travels and teaching through his poultry farm rental income and donations from students. This path led him to establish the Isha Foundation in 1992 as a vehicle for his spiritual, educational, and environmental work.

The Isha Foundation, headquartered near Coimbatore, India, serves as the operational base for Sadhguru's diverse activities. It encompasses an ashram and yoga center, offering programs like Isha Yoga. A significant focus of the foundation's work is environmental conservation. Sadhguru has initiated large-scale campaigns such as Project GreenHands, aimed at reforestation, Rally for Rivers and Cauvery Calling, focused on revitalizing river systems, and the Journey to Save Soil, which addresses soil degradation. These environmental efforts have garnered international attention, with Sadhguru addressing global forums on the matter.

Sadhguru is an accomplished author with over thirty published works to his name. Among these are the New York Times bestsellers "Inner Engineering: A Yogi's Guide to Joy" and "Karma: A Yogi's Guide to Crafting Your Destiny." His influence extends to his role as a prominent public speaker. He has been invited to address numerous high-profile international forums, including the United Nations, the British House of Lords, and the World Economic Forum, sharing his perspectives on spirituality, well-being, and societal issues.

In recognition of his significant contributions, Sadhguru was honored with the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian award, in 2017. The same year, the Isha Foundation completed the Adiyogi Shiva statue, recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's largest bust. Despite these accolades, Sadhguru has faced criticism regarding certain claims he has made, particularly those related to scientific matters. Some of his statements have been viewed as inconsistent with scientific consensus, and he has been accused of promoting pseudoscientific ideas, including advocating for the use of mercury in traditional medicine and making claims about lunar eclipses.