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Thought of the day by Sadhguru: 'When pain, misery, or anger happen, it is time to look within you, not around you'
ET Online | February 9, 2026 1:38 AM CST

Synopsis

Sadhguru, a globally known spiritual leader, stresses that emotions like pain and anger stem from within. He encourages self-reflection instead of blaming outside circumstances, noting that our inner perception shapes how we experience suffering. Sadhguru says in such situations, don't go on to blame others but sit, relax, and reflect on your own thoughts to understand the root cause.

Sadhguru shows how spirituality and caring for the environment can go hand in hand
A prominent yogi and spiritual leader, Sadhguru is a speaker and opinion-maker of international renown. Recognized as one of India’s, and perhaps the world’s 50 most influential people, Sadhguru's wisdom transcends borders and offers guidance to those seeking clarity. The head of the Isha Foundation, Sadhguru, has inspired millions to embrace both personal and ecological transformation through his teachings, words and initiatives.

Sadhguru shows how spirituality and caring for the environment can go hand in hand. His life inspires people to grow personally while also taking care of the world around them, and encourages people to live in harmony with themselves and nature. Sadhguru’s unflinching clarity of perception sets him apart. Sadhguru has been an influential voice at major global forums including the United Nations, the World Economic Forum, and the World Presidents’ Organization, addressing issues as diverse as socioeconomic development, leadership, and spirituality.

In February 2017, Sadhguru was the recipient of the Padma Vibhushan Award from the Government of India, a rare civilian award accorded annually for exceptional and distinguished service. He has a unique ability to make the ancient yogic sciences relevant to contemporary minds.


Thought of the Day by Sadhguru

Today's proverb of the day: 'When pain, misery, or anger happens, it is time to look within you, not around you' is widely attributed to Sadhguru and has been used extensively by medoa houses, websites and organisations. The proverb refers to the idea of inner responsibility and self-awareness. In simple terms, Sadhguru's quote means when you feel pain, misery, or anger, don’t immediately blame others or the situation. Instead, pause and reflect on your own thoughts, reactions, and emotions to understand the real cause within you.

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Meaning of the thought by Sadhguru

Sadhguru's quote means that whenever we are experiencing negative emotions, it means it is not merely caused by external situations or other people. But they are deeply connected to how we perceive, interpret, and react to those situations from within. Rather than blaming others, we must reflect on our own thoughts to understand the cause of pain, misery or anger.

Often, when we feel hurt, angry, or miserable, our first instinct is to blame someone else or the circumstances around us. This is because we believe that the source of our suffering lies outside us, in someone else's words or a difficult environment. Sadhguru challenges this human thought and says that such moments are opportunities for introspection that something maybe wrong with us. Instead of searching for faults in the world, we should examine our own thoughts, expectations, attachments, and emotional patterns.

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Sadhguru's thought also means that our inner response determines the intensity of our suffering. Two people can face the same situation and feel completely different emotions because their inner states are different. By looking within, we begin to understand our triggers, insecurities, and unresolved issues that magnify pain and anger.

The quote encourages emotional maturity and self-mastery. When we turn inward, we stop reacting blindly and start responding consciously. This inner examination helps us grow, heal, and gain control over our emotional life. Ultimately, Sadhguru’s message is that true peace and freedom come not from changing the world outside, but from transforming the way we experience it from within.

Other Sadhguru quotes

“The sign of intelligence is that you are constantly wondering. Idiots are always dead sure about every damn thing they are doing in their life.”

“The most beautiful moments in life are moments when you are expressing your joy, not when you are seeking it.”

“If you resist change, you resist life.”

“When pain, misery, or anger happen, it is time to look within you, not around you.”

“The fear is simply because you are not living with life, you are living in your mind.”

“Every moment there are a million miracles happening around you… If you learn how to live it, life is nothing short of a daily miracle.”

“Too many people are hungry not because there is dearth of food. It is because there is dearth of love and care in human hearts.”

“Love is your quality. Love is not what you do. Love is what you are.”

“If you think you are big, you become small. If you know you are nothing, you become unlimited.”

“Learning to listen is the essence of intelligent living.”

“Reactivity is enslavement. Responsibility is freedom.”

“Sex in the body is fine. Money in the wallet is fine. It is only a problem when they enter your mind.”

“You have too much social influence upon you. You are not going by your own nature.


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