Spirituality is often misunderstood as a path of renunciation, an escape from the complexities and struggles of life. Yet, in the words of Sadhguru, “The spiritual process is not about moving away from life. It is to use everything in life not to entangle yourself but to liberate yourself.” This profound statement reshapes the conventional view, reminding us that the essence of spirituality lies not in detachment from the world, but in engaging with life deeply—without becoming trapped by it.
What is Entanglement?
In the pursuit of material success, relationships, and societal validation, we often find ourselves entangled. Entanglement refers to the state where our identities, thoughts, and emotions become so intertwined with external situations that we lose our inner balance. Whether it is the burden of expectations, insecurities, or attachments, these experiences can turn into chains, preventing us from accessing deeper freedom within ourselves.
Sadhguru suggests that the problem is not with life itself but with how we experience it. The joys, challenges, relationships, and responsibilities are part of human existence, but when we depend on them for meaning, we risk losing clarity. Entanglement makes us reactive, forcing us to oscillate between pleasure and pain, success and failure, approval and rejection. Liberation, on the other hand, allows us to transcend these dualities while fully engaging with life.
Using Life as a Tool for Liberation
The spiritual process encourages us to embrace everything that life offers—relationships, careers, ambitions, and even hardships—as opportunities for growth. Instead of renouncing these aspects, we learn to work with them consciously. Every interaction and experience becomes a chance to reflect inwardly, refine ourselves, and loosen the knots of fear, ego, and attachment.
1. Relationships as Mirrors of Growth
Relationships are often seen as a source of either fulfillment or conflict. However, they can become powerful tools for spiritual growth when viewed through the lens of self-awareness. Every relationship—whether harmonious or challenging—reveals aspects of our inner selves that need attention. Instead of reacting emotionally, we can use these experiences to develop compassion, patience, and a deeper understanding of our nature.
2. Challenges as Catalysts for Inner Strength
Life’s difficulties are inevitable, but they don’t have to be stumbling blocks. The spiritual process teaches us to transform hardships into opportunities for resilience. When faced with failure, loss, or uncertainty, we can either become entangled in despair or use the situation to grow beyond our limitations. It is in the midst of challenges that our inner strength and clarity are tested and cultivated.
3. Success without Attachment
While ambition and success are not obstacles to spirituality, attachment to them can lead to entanglement. Achieving goals is a natural part of life, but identifying too closely with them can create a fragile sense of self-worth. The spiritual path encourages us to pursue excellence while remaining detached from the outcome—participating fully in the process without being defined by it.
Liberation through Awareness
The essence of spiritual liberation lies in awareness. Awareness allows us to experience life without being imprisoned by it. It helps us respond to situations consciously rather than react impulsively. Through practices like meditation, yoga, or mindfulness, we develop the ability to remain grounded amidst life's highs and lows. As our awareness grows, the external circumstances no longer control our inner state—freedom becomes a lived reality, not a distant ideal.
Life as a Playground for Spiritual Growth
Sadhguru’s teaching reminds us that life itself is the spiritual path. There is no need to escape into the mountains or give up worldly engagements to find peace. Instead, every aspect of life—joy, sorrow, success, failure, love, and loss—can become a vehicle for liberation.
When we stop resisting life and begin engaging with it consciously, we naturally rise above entanglements. Liberation is not an external achievement but an inner state of freedom. It means living fully, with openness and intensity, without being weighed down by expectations or fears.
Conclusion
The spiritual process is not about creating a separation between the sacred and the mundane. It is about living in such a way that every moment becomes an opportunity for transformation. As Sadhguru reminds us, life is not something to escape from, but something to embrace wholeheartedly. Liberation lies not in rejecting the world, but in participating in it with clarity, freedom, and joy. True spirituality empowers us to live life completely—without entanglements, but with profound liberation.