A reminder of mortality ‘PEOPLE SEEK SPIRITUALITY ONLY BECAUSE THEY KNOW THE BODY IS NOT PERMANENT’

THE reminder of one’s mortality has always been the fundamental force behind the human search for something beyond.

If people did not know they would die, then nobody would seek spirituality.

Why are there sayings and misunderstandings that you must seek spirituality only after the age of 65? It is because at that age the body reminds us.

When you are young, we think we are immortal. However, gradually, as we get older, we are definitely reminded that we are mortal. For some, the reminder comes early; for others, this happens, later, depending on one’s health.

This is why it is said that Shiva constantly spent time in cremation grounds. Almost every yogi – at some point in their lives –spent time in cremation grounds.

Cremation grounds were held as very sacred because they remind us of our mortality in a strong way. When somebody dies, the mortal nature of our existence hits us; it is more than just an emotional reaction, it affects us physically, somewhere in our body.

Even if it is somebody you do not know, when one sees a human form lying dead, it hits us, isn’t it? If we are a little more sensitive, any dead form hits us in the body, not in the mind. Mentally and emotionally, there may be reactions, but the most important thing is that the body imbibes life in its own way.

The body has a memory of its own, which functions in its own way. Right now, the memory that your body carries is ruling you far more than the memories of your mind. It is the body’s memory which is far more significant than the mental memory.

Yogis always chose to live in the mountains because there, the body is suddenly, strongly reminded of its mortality – not a mental or intellectual reminder – but a physical reminder.

The space between life and death is so flimsy. That space or that line is narrowed in the mountains. Living in the mountains constantly reminds us of the transitory nature of our existence. If we realise the mortality of who we are, if we are constantly aware that we will die, if our physical body is aware that it is not permanent, that it is going to be sucked into this earth one day, and it could be today – now one’s spiritual search is unwavering. That is why yogis chose the mountains. They wanted to be constantly reminded of their mortality so that their spiritual search does not waver at all.

It is very important that you are constantly reminded of what the nature of your body is. Right now, you are a mound of earth prancing around. This body around which your whole life revolves is just a little bit of earth. When the earth decides to suck you in, you just become a small mound.

Yogis wanted that constant physical reminder that you are just earth and nothing else; they wanted to be in touch with earth. For this reason, they always chose to be with the earth. How to stay surrounded by earth? You could dig a hole and sit in a well, but that is not practical. So they went to the mountains and chose the natural holes that were there, where the physical body is constantly reminded that the earth is trying to suck you back. Mother Earth is trying to get her loan back as quick as possible. Your fight for survival is the struggle against that.

In the ashram I always tell people, no matter what work you are doing, every day you must stick your fingers into the earth at least for an hour. Do something with the garden; somewhere your hands should get muddy. This will build a natural physical memory, a bodily memory in you that you are mortal; your body will know that it is not permanent. That realisation in the body is extremely important for one to keep his focus on his spiritual pursuit. The more urgent the realisation becomes, the stronger the spiritual sense becomes.

Ranked among the fifty most influential people in India, Sadhguru is a yogi, mystic, visionary and a New York Times bestselling author Sadhguru has been conferred the Padma Vibhushan by the government of India in 2017, the highest annual civilian award, accorded for exceptional and distinguished service.