SADHGURU: Youth is life that is still in the making. It is still in a state where it is not too conceited and lost. Youth is a life that suggests hope, seeking and the longing to know the truth about life.
The word “truth” has been used in many ways and most people think truth is some otherworldly stuff. So, what exactly is truth? Look at it this way: what truly works is truth in any sphere of life. For example, if you want to walk, is it better to walk upon your feet or upon your head? If you walk on your head, you will not walk far; you will only end up bald.
Obviously, it is better to walk on your feet. I am giving a very simplistic example, but this is the essence of what truth means. In different dimensions of life, what is it that really works. Seeking this is seeking for truth.
Bharat has been a culture that has always been a land of seekers, never a land of believers. The question is, do you have assumptions and concretised ideas about everything, or are you willing to seek what is the truth about any aspect of life because you are interested that it happens in the best possible way?
India is fortunate that fifty per cent of the nation’s population is below twenty-five years of age. No other nation on the planet has this advantage. But, to make this into a true fortune and not a disaster, youth should become seekers of truth. They should not get adhered to some ideology, belief system or philosophy. This is what being a youth means: you are not willing to settle for that which is false. You want to find out what really works. What is it that works on the level of your body, your mind, your emotion, your life energy, your relationship with the rest of the world – in every sphere of life; what is it that works best and allows this life to function in its ultimate possible way?
If this search and seeking is given up, you will no longer be youth. You become old when you are young. You settle down and prepare for the grave. Your date of birth does not decide whether you are youth or old. Have you made conclusions about life or are you still open and seeking to know the nature of life – this is what makes you either youthful or old.
It is important that every life stays youthful. Especially for the youth of this nation and the world, it is very important you are seekers of truth. Only then will you remain youthful.
Many years ago, Swami Vivekananda said, “Give me one hundred youth who are truly committed. I will change the face of this nation.” Are we so impotent that we cannot produce one hundred youth like this? We must be able to produce millions of youth who are truly committed to know what is the truth about our existence, what is the truth about our success and failures, what is the truth about the beautiful aspects and the ugliness of our life. If you do not seek, then you are not a youth. Don’t become old when you are young.
It is time the populations of the world, particularly the youth, move from religion to responsibility. What you make out of your life is 100 per cent your responsibility. It is not the responsibility of the stars, the planets or the powers above. It is in your hands to create this life the way you want it. This is the fundamental of being youthful – you are willing to take responsibility for everything that you are. You have not become a life that looks up at the stars about, “Why am I miserable? Why am I not successful? Why is my life not beautiful?” You are not looking up. You are willing to look inward and seek answers. That means you are in pursuit of truth.
Ranked among the 50 most influential people in India, Sadhguru is a yogi, mystic, visionary and bestselling author. He was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan, India’s highest civilian award, in 2017, for exceptional and distinguished service.
Mistry with potatoes from her garden
Mistry stands beside her allotment sign
