Sadhguru Speaks: Taking Charge of Your Mental Well-Being

The Power of Choice in Mental Health

Renowned Indian spiritual leader and environmental campaigner Sadhguru recently shared his insights on mental health with Newsweek, emphasizing that the key to achieving a positive state of mind lies in the choices we make. He believes that human well-being is an internal process, stating, "One fundamental thing to understand is that human well-being comes from within—all our problems and solutions are manufactured within us." According to Sadhguru, individuals have the power to decide whether they want to experience joy or misery. He poses thought-provoking questions: "Would you like to be joyful or miserable? Would you like to work and live with people who are joyful or miserable?" This perspective highlights the importance of personal responsibility in shaping one’s mental health.

Sadhguru also shared practical tips on how to harness this understanding to improve mental well-being. He suggests that just as the mind can create illness, it can also cultivate well-being. Meditation, he explains, is not just a practice but a quality that can be developed over time. "It’s like a flower that has fragrance," he says. "You don’t try to produce fragrance—you water the plant, and the flower will blossom and give out fragrance." This analogy underscores the idea that mental wellness is a natural outcome of nurturing the mind properly.

The State of Mental Health in America

The conversation about mental health is particularly relevant in the United States, where mental illness remains a significant issue. According to the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI), approximately one in five U.S. adults experiences mental illness each year, with one in 20 adults facing serious mental illness annually. The use of antidepressants is also prevalent, with 13.2% of U.S. adults using these medications between 2017 and 2018, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This number is likely higher now, especially considering the psychological toll of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A recent nationwide online poll conducted by Talker Research for the health and wellness company Pendulum revealed regional variations in mental health across the U.S. Participants rated their mental health on a scale from 0 (extremely poor) to 10 (extremely good). No region achieved a perfect score of 10, with most ratings hovering just above average. The South and Midwest reported the lowest mental health scores at 6.4/10, closely followed by the West at 6.5/10. The Northeast fared slightly better, with a collective score of 6.6/10. These findings highlight the widespread need for improved mental health strategies and support systems across the country.

Manufacturing Well-Being: Sadhguru’s Approach

Sadhguru’s philosophy centers on the idea that mental health is not something that happens to us but something we can actively create. He believes that individuals have the power to "manufacture" their own well-being, just as they can create mental distress. This empowering perspective challenges people to take ownership of their mental health rather than waiting for external circumstances to change.

To achieve this, Sadhguru recommends practices like meditation, which he describes as a quality that can be cultivated over time. He recently launched an app called Miracle of Mind, developed in collaboration with volunteer coders from the Isha Foundation. The app offers a seven-minute meditation practice backed by Harvard researchers and an AI-powered tool that provides personalized yogic insights. While he acknowledges that seven minutes of meditation is not a universal solution for all mental health issues, he believes it can be particularly beneficial for individuals experiencing mild stress or occasional emotional challenges.

Genetics, Epigenetics, and Mental Health

Sadhguru also touches on the role of genetics in mental health, acknowledging that genetic factors can have a strong influence. However, he emphasizes that individuals have the power to shape how their genes express themselves through epigenetics—changes in gene expression influenced by environmental factors. "No matter what kind of genes you have, you can still make it work for yourself," he says. This perspective suggests that while genetic predispositions may play a role, they do not predetermine one’s mental health outcomes. By taking charge of their lifestyle, environment, and daily practices, individuals can create conditions that support mental well-being.

The Miracle of Mind App: A Tool for Transformation

The Miracle of Mind app is one of Sadhguru’s initiatives aimed at making mental wellness accessible to everyone. The app combines a seven-minute meditation practice with AI-driven insights tailored to individual users. Sadhguru explains that the app is particularly suited for people who are not currently struggling with severe mental illness but may be dealing with everyday stress, anger, or emotional fluctuations. He believes that even small, consistent practices can have a transformative impact on mental health.

Sadhguru views the app as a starting point rather than a complete solution. "Seven minutes is not a be-all for everything," he says, "but it’s a simple process that can help people turn their mental health around