In a thought-provoking conversation between Angella Nazarian and Sadhguru, the core themes of vision, willingness, and volunteerism take center stage. Hosted at a gathering organized by Visionary Women—a volunteer-run organization—this dialogue unpacks how true transformation begins not with external action, but with inner readiness and a shift in perspective.
From Desire to Vision
Sadhguru begins by distinguishing between desire and vision. Desire, he explains, is inherently personal. It drives us to seek incremental changes—more money, a better home, career advancements. Vision, on the other hand, is an all-inclusive process. It isn’t about personal gain but about uplifting everyone and everything around us. When we live with a vision instead of just desires, we begin to transform not just ourselves, but also the world we inhabit.
“Desire is about me. Vision is all-inclusive.” – Sadhguru
This shift from personal desire to a collective vision is what separates ordinary pursuits from extraordinary lives.
The Essence of Volunteerism: Willingness
Angella notes that the event and the organization are powered by volunteers, and Sadhguru dives into the deeper meaning of being a volunteer. To volunteer means to act out of one’s own willingness—without coercion, financial motivation, or social pressure. Willingness, he says, is the very foundation of joy.
“The difference between heaven and hell is just this: you are doing something willingly—that’s heaven. You are doing something unwillingly—that’s hell.”
We often condition our willingness based on preference—“I like this person, so I’ll help them. I don’t like that one, so I won’t.” Sadhguru warns that this selective approach creates division and breeds conflict. True willingness is unconditional. It is being a “100% yes to life.”
Good and Bad: A Harmful Illusion
Sadhguru critiques the tendency to categorize people as “good” or “bad,” especially in society and media. He asserts that this binary thinking leads to destruction and intolerance.
“There are joyful people and miserable people—but there are no good people and bad people.”
Every human being, he says, oscillates between different emotional and behavioral states. When we create pleasant environments, people tend to behave pleasantly. If we foster negativity, the worst in people emerges. Recognizing this fluidity is essential to building compassion and unity.
Owning Your Inner World
A key takeaway from Sadhguru’s message is personal accountability. Many people let others dictate how they feel—happiness, anger, sadness. But he urges us to reclaim that control.
“If someone else can decide what happens within you, isn’t that the ultimate slavery?”
Instead, he advocates for becoming inwardly sovereign—choosing how you respond regardless of external chaos. This is the hallmark of a truly willing and empowered person.
Learning to Work with Everyone
When asked about managing people in his all-volunteer organization, Sadhguru humorously admits that most volunteers aren’t “qualified” for the roles they take on—but that’s not the point. The point is being willing. He says volunteers often struggle to work with others they find difficult.
“If you want to work with ideal people, you must go to heaven today. But if you think what you are doing is significant, you must learn to work with all kinds of people.”
In real life, there are no “perfect” people. Just mixed bags—some more challenging than others. But if we are driven by a meaningful vision, we find ways to collaborate, grow, and contribute regardless of personalities or differences.
A Final Thought
Angella beautifully closes the conversation by stating, “Resistance to life creates suffering.” Indeed, Sadhguru’s insights reaffirm that when we meet life with openness, vision, and willingness, we transcend limitations. We become volunteers not just for organizations, but for life itself.
