Archive · 30 Aug 2026
Sadhguru Explains Devotion, Addiction, and Their Different Effects
Sadhguru says addiction and devotion can both make a person feel very good.
Addiction happens when someone repeatedly enjoys a substance or experience and becomes trapped by it.
Devotion happens when someone feels deeply connected to something they see as much greater than themselves.
He says an addict may sometimes hide the problem, but a devoted person usually shows their feelings openly.
Addiction can give a short high and later cause harm.
Devotion, in his view, creates a lasting sense of joy and makes a person stronger.
Some people may think a devotee’s actions look silly or illogical.
Sadhguru believes devotion is still wise because it can help someone live without inner turmoil.
Sadhguru distinguishes addiction as attachment to a pleasant experience from devotion as being overwhelmed by something seen as greater than oneself.
He says addiction may be concealed through self-control, while devotion is openly expressed and difficult to hide.
Both addiction and devotion can produce pleasant or ecstatic experiences, but he says addiction ultimately harms physical and mental capabilities.
According to Sadhguru, devotion makes emotions sweet and can lead to sustained pleasantness without creating entanglement.
He argues that devotion may appear illogical to intellectual observers but reflects an intelligent way of spending one’s time.
- Who
- Sadhguru, the writer of the article, discusses the difference between devotion and addiction.
- What
- The article compares the origins, behavior, and effects of devotion and addiction.
- Why
- To explain why Sadhguru considers devotion a source of lasting pleasantness and addiction a potentially harmful attachment.
- Author
- Sadhguru, described as a yogi, mystic, visionary, and New York Times bestselling author.
- Core distinction
- Addiction is described as attachment formed through repeated pleasant experiences; devotion arises when something is perceived as far beyond oneself.
- Shared feature
- Both devotion and addiction can create pleasant or ecstatic experiences.
- Addiction’s effects
- The article says addictive substances may produce a temporary high while damaging physical and mental capabilities.
- Devotion’s effects
- Sadhguru says devotion can enhance a person and produce sustained pleasantness.
- Civilian honor
- Sadhguru was conferred the Padma Vibhushan by the Government of India in 2017.
- Movement founded
- He is identified as the founder of Conscious Planet–Save Soil.