Inside Inner Engineering—a yogi’s approach to peace and fulfillment

Many live under the weight of constant pressures. Whether it’s a bigger house, a better job or a fitter body, we’re continually straining to get something better than what we have right now. Yet, despite our efforts, too often, the constant effort leaves us emotionally, physically and mentally drained. No wonder the wellness industry has exploded with remedies—which, incidentally, can be as overwhelming as the ailments we’re trying to alleviate.

Designed to tackle those challenges is the Inner Engineering program, which has empowered individuals worldwide to take charge of their bodies, minds, emotions and energies. Numerous studies have found participants in the program to experience reduced stress levels, improved quality of sleep, higher energy levels and enhanced emotional balance.

The seven-step program was developed by Sadhguru, a yogi who is the New York Times bestselling author of Inner Engineering: A Yogi’s Guide to Joy, and has been an influential voice at global gatherings including ones hosted by the United Nations and World Economic Forum. He is one of India’s 50 most influential people, according to India Today, and is the founder of Isha Foundation, a non-profit organization with more than 300 centres and supported by 17 million volunteers worldwide.

Over the course of the program, participants learn a 21-minute methodology that can be applied immediately to daily life. Totalling 25 hours of online learning, the program combines self-paced and live learning modules to accommodate any schedule. It is open to everyone, regardless of background or beliefs, and no prior experience in yoga is required.

We spoke with three former Inner Engineering students who attest to the program’s powerful impact on their lives.

“I no longer felt burdened by anxiety or fear”

“I attended the Inner Engineering online course in February 2020 during a dark period in my life, during which I had a lot of anxiety and felt a general sense of helplessness. By this time, I’d tried so many things to overcome these challenges—such as psychologists, medicine—but the solutions were always temporary.

“When I came across Inner Engineering, I was ready to try anything that could help me. It was during this online training that something touched me so deeply, I don’t have an explanation for it. Afterwards, I continued to practise the techniques I’d learned daily, and soon noticed a powerful transformation in myself. I no longer felt burdened by anxiety or fear, but instead had a deep sense of inner peace and joy. While I’d previously had low energy and digestion problems and was generally unwell emotionally and mentally, instead I felt more energetic and experienced my inner world restructured in a way that made peace, joy and health my natural state of being.

“What I value most is that I’m now deeply connected to something beyond myself, and this gives me a profound sense of bliss that has nourished my heart over the years.” —Marjan Sheikh Sharbafan, 41, corporate consultant

“A profound sense of clarity”

“I’ve always been a well-put-together guy and hadn’t felt any deep need to make a change in my life. But when my wife started meditating, I decided to do it, as well. When we came across Sadhguru’s videos, they resonated with us, so we signed up for his Inner Engineering online program in 2019. We liked that Sadhguru’s teachings are straightforward and natural, and not overly complicated or too spiritual.

“My initial experience from the training was this profound sense of clarity. And, although I wasn’t seeking it, my life started to transform. I used to sleep late in the mornings to get going, but over time, my sleep improved so much that I actually need less sleep now than ever, despite my 12-hour shifts as a critical care nurse.

“In my job, I face high-pressure situations that would previously trigger stress and anxiety, but now I meet them with equanimity and grace. The best way to describe my change is that I now have this clarity to see things the way they are and handle them regardless of the situation.” —Scott Walker, 36, cardiovascular ICU float nurse

“I have more control of myself”

“I’d accomplished success at an early age in my profession, relationships and health, but I realized that something was still missing. I had an inner desire for more, but I recognized that it couldn’t be satisfied by accumulating more things and experiencing further success.

“I came across Sadhguru and participated in the Inner Engineering program at a live event in 2014. It was during this that I experienced something different within me—a sense of pleasantness and peace that I’d never felt before. Immediately after the program, I noticed a change in my behaviour and reactions. I had more control of myself. Thoughts that previously induced anxiety no longer had that effect, and my focus sharpened. The way I felt inside used to be determined by external events, but now there’s a clear separation between the two.

“Now if something happens that touches me inside, like an argument with someone, I can just close my eyes and go through the engineering principles to stabilize my inner chemistry so I feel peaceful again. I appreciate that the program does not require me to believe in anything—it’s methodical, practical and systematic. I love that it’s so simple.” —Ilias Vinikovskyi, 34, business owner

To learn more and sign up for the Inner Engineering program, visit isha.sadhguru.org.