Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev

Equally at home trekking barefoot through the Himalayas and riding a motorcycle on the expressway, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev is a contemporary mystic rooted strongly in worldly and pragmatic matters, as he is in inner experience and wisdom. Vasudev, the founder and head of the Isha Foundation, based in Coimbatore, India, has been teaching yoga since 1982. He has been actively involved in environmental activism, leading initiatives like Project GreenHands, Rally for Rivers, Cauvery Calling, and the Journey to Save Soil. Notably, he completed a 100-day motorcycle journey from London to India to bring attention to his "Journey to Save Soil" campaign.

As an author, Vasudev has written over 50 books, including the New York Times bestsellers "Inner Engineering: A Yogi's Guide to Joy" and "Karma: A Yogi's Guide to Crafting Your Destiny." His public talks frequently draw crowds of over 300,000 people. In recognition of his contributions to spirituality and humanitarian services, he received the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian award, in 2017.

Vasudev is widely sought after by prestigious global forums to address issues as diverse as human rights, business values, and social, environmental, and existential concerns. He has spoken at the annual World Economic Forum in 2007, 2017, and 2020 and addressed leaders of 195 countries at the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification to speak about "Journey to Save Soil." His conversations and discussions have been featured on "The Daily Show with Trevor Noah" and on Joe Rogan's podcast.

In 2017, Vasudev unveiled the Adiyogi Shiva statue, the world's largest bust, in Coimbatore, India. This monument, built by the Isha Foundation, has been declared as the world's largest bust by Guinness World Records. Despite his significant achievements and contributions, Vasudev's views have occasionally been perceived as inconsistent with scientific consensus and close to the Bharatiya Janata Party.

“Sadhguru” means “one who comes from deep inner experience” rather than teaching or tradition. His deep understanding of life and beyond is not drawn from books or scriptures but originates from within. An inspiring leader, a profound poet, and a source of boundless energy, Vasudev is an intriguing blend of ancient wisdom and modern insight. He remains actively engaged in environmental matters and social issues and in guiding the exploration of the subtler dimensions of life.