— Sadhguru, Isha Foundation

Disturbance is not your enemy

Peace is achieved in different ways. Let's say you eat a full stomach and lie down, just see how peaceful you are! Somebody else may drink alcohol and become very peaceful. Whenever your ego is satisfied, you are very peaceful. Wherever you go, if people there are willing to support and boost your ego, in that place you are very peaceful. It is only in those places where your ego takes a thrashing that you are not peaceful.

Generally in the world, when people talk about peace of mind, it is only about somehow making their ego comfortable. Instead of being in a disturbed state, they wish to be comfortable. But the very process of trying to make your ego comfortable is the whole process of discomfort also. The more a person tries to be peaceful, the more he loses his peace and goes off track. A person who is trying to be peaceful will never actually be peaceful. Just the reverse will happen.

Generally, the peace that you achieve is only about making yourself comfortable. When you look at the mountains, you are peaceful. But if an elephant suddenly rushes out of the forest straight towards you, all your peace disappears. Such peace is of no great significance. It is better to be disturbed because if you are disturbed, at least you will search. But this false sense of peace only creates complacence. Disturbance is not your enemy. Your complacence is the greatest enemy.

Peace can also come out of achievement. When you have achieved something you feel very satisfied. You feel like you are complete being. This too lasts for just a short while. This feeling of wholeness is not really wholeness. When your wishes or ambitions are fulfilled, or when everything is right for you, when the situation around you is comfortable for your ego and your body, these are the times when you generally feel peaceful. But this peace is not peace. Peace means nothingness. Peace is not something that you create; peace is not something that happens. Peace is something that always is. What happens on the surface is disturbance.

This is just like the ocean. On the surface of the ocean you will see waves, tremendous turbulence and turmoil going on. But if you go deep down, it is perfectly peaceful. The fundamental quality of existence is always peace.

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, the highest civilian award of the year, accorded for exceptional and distinguished service. http://isha.sadhguru.org/