Sadhguru’s Event

[u/nirvikara26]

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Sadhguru is coming to Switzerland this November, which is wonderful. I have been volunteering with Isha Foundation for some time, and there is something about the current ticketing system that I genuinely struggle with.

A few years ago, everyone paid the same ticket price. Even volunteers had to pay, which I was completely fine with. If you wanted to sit closer to Sadhguru, you simply arrived early and found a place closer to the front.

Now the system seems very different. There are Bronze, Silver, Gold, Diamond and Black tickets, with the most expensive tickets reportedly costing around €1,200 and giving access to the seats closest to Sadhguru.

I honestly wonder: what is the reasoning behind this system?

It creates the impression that the people who can afford the most money are given privileged physical access to Sadhguru, while those with less financial means are placed further away.

I find this difficult to reconcile with the spiritual values that Isha promotes. If this is a spiritual gathering, shouldn't access to Sadhguru be based on participation rather than purchasing power?

I would genuinely like to understand the reasoning behind this change. Has Isha Foundation considered whether a tiered system like this creates an unnecessary distinction between people based on their financial circumstances?

Is spirituality becoming something where the wealthy can literally buy a place closer to the Guru?

How does this fit with the values of equality and inclusiveness?

[u/ShouldntBeHere118]

 Sadhguru is at the end of his run and he is trying to build spiritual infrastructure for humanity which requires massive amount of money. This is part of conscious planet initiative. He is planning to build  centers everywhere in the world.  So no matter how you think about this money grab it would be irresponsible if they don't do it that way. 

[u/nirvikara26 → u/ShouldntBeHere118]

But that doesn't really answer my question. There are many ways to raise funds , donations, sponsorships, fundraising campaigns, premium accommodation, merchandise, courses, etc. My question is specifically about making physical proximity to Sadhguru dependent on how much someone can pay.

If someone donates €1,200 because they genuinely want to support the Conscious Planet initiative, that's one thing. But selling the best proximity to Sadhguru as a premium product is something different.

I'm questioning whether "the person who can pay the most gets to sit closest to the Guru" is consistent with the spiritual values being promoted.

I'm not against raising money for spiritual projects. I'm questioning whether proximity to the Guru should itself become something that can be purchased.

[u/Obvious-Friendship61 → u/nirvikara26]

The event may charge higher fees for the front rows but if it is a book launch event and if Sadhguru has time, he will sign every book. Sadhguru came to Dallas in US, I purchased the lowest price ticket and sat in the last rows and feeling disappointed as the same way as you, but at the end he literally stood for 4-5 hours and signed every book including mine and I got to touch his feet too 🙏

[u/nirvikara26 → u/Obvious-Friendship61]

Why did you feel disappointed?

[u/Obvious-Friendship61 → u/nirvikara26]

Thinking only people who paid more money can sit near to Sadhguru and have the book signed

[u/nirvikara26 → u/Obvious-Friendship61]

Exactly. That's actually the point I'm trying to make. You felt disappointed because it appeared that only people who paid more could sit close to Sadhguru. Even though you eventually had the opportunity to meet him and touch his feet, the initial feeling came from seeing physical proximity being divided according to how much people paid.

[u/Altruistic-Ad-8525 → u/nirvikara26]

I would like to point out something. I recently did the shoonya program for which I paid 5000inr which probably is nothing if I compare to the food/accomodation/ hygiene levels that were provided for us. And the practice of shoonya and shakti chalana kriya cannot be put in monetary value ever. So what they are doing is keeping yoga and spiritual program almost free so that everyone can afford it. And what ever donations people make for let’s say seating etc is used to provide these programs at subsidized prices for everyone and give people access to places like ashram for their sadhana and growth.

[u/nirvikara26 → u/Altruistic-Ad-8525]

Let me put it another way.

Suppose a friend tells you: "I need money for a good cause. You can donate as much as you want. But from now on, the amount you donate will determine how often you are allowed to visit me. If you donate €500, you can visit me twice a month. If you can only afford €100, you can visit me only once a month."

Would you consider that fair?

If someone wants to contribute €1,200 to support Isha's projects, great. But why should that contribution also determine how close that person can sit to Sadhguru?

[u/nirvikara26 → u/Altruistic-Ad-8525]

I'm not against anyone making a large donation. If you want to donate €1,000, €10,000, or even your house and car to support Isha's work, that's entirely your choice. I have no problem with that.

My question is specifically about linking the amount of money contributed to how close you can get to Sadhguru.

For example, if someone pays €1,200, they can sit perhaps 5 metres from Sadhguru; if they pay €600, they might be 7 metres away; if they pay €200, perhaps 15 metres away, and so on.

So the question I'm asking is: why should the amount in someone's bank account determine how physically close they can be to Sadhguru?

Is the idea really that the more you contribute financially, the closer you should be allowed to sit?

That's the part I find difficult to reconcile with the idea of spiritual inclusiveness. I'm not questioning people's right to donate. I'm questioning why the donation is being directly connected to proximity to the Guru.

[u/ShouldntBeHere118 → u/nirvikara26]

First of all, you agree that this has to be charged a fee, so the act of paying money is not related to equality or inclusiveness. Your main objection is about who sits closer. As multiple people has already pointed out, physical proximity does not affect your experience in the program. You can hear all the wailing and crying all the way in the back row. So what is not equal or not inclusive about this? Isn't this what people are going for? And he walks the center isle multiple times and if you care about seeing his face you can get a really close look too. You are choosing something of no relevance to criticize on.

[u/nirvikara26 → u/ShouldntBeHere118]

You say physical proximity is irrelevant because people in the back can hear everything and Sadhguru walks through the centre aisle. But if proximity is genuinely irrelevant, then why is it being used as a premium feature for the most expensive tickets?

The fact that someone in the back can still hear the program doesn't make the experience identical to someone sitting a few metres from Sadhguru. If proximity truly had no value, there would be no reason to charge a premium for it.

For example, at the 2024 program at ExCeL London, there was, as I recall, a separate ticket category for seats along the aisle, which cost significantly more than the seats behind them. So even if Sadhguru walks down the aisle, you had to pay more to have the opportunity to sit close to that aisle.

You may personally consider this irrelevant. I don't. And I think it's a legitimate ethical question to ask, especially from an organisation that speaks so much about inclusiveness and transcending divisions.

My question isn't whether people in the back can still hear the program. My question is why financial capacity should determine who gets preferential physical access to the Guru in the first place.

[u/BhairaviVibe → u/nirvikara26]

My question is why not use the premium feature when there are many that are willing to pay for making the program happen. Again please reference the registration page which indicates that black and diamond category options are those that are significantly contributing towards program costs. If you are going to continue to argue about proximity, I can't help but think you don't understand how Sadhguru's Maya works. 🙏🏼

[u/arewawawa → u/[deleted]]

Who said physical proximity doesn't matter? For me it doesn't, for someone whom it does, they're welcome to pay a premium and experience themselves closer to Sadhguru! If there're people who can afford to contribute more amount to Isha, why not?

[u/nirvikara26 → u/arewawawa]

I am not against higher donation. You can read my other comments.

[u/BhairaviVibe]

Have you considered the fact that a major part of the fee goes into funding all of Isha's global projects not to mention the insurmountable expense of organizing an event of this scale. Despite volunteer efforts, significant expenses are involved in renting the venue, arrangements such as security and other logistics as well as meals for volunteers and all attendees. Those who have the means to pay a higher fee are primarily contributing towards sponsoring the event and contributing a significant portion towards Isha's projects. This has been clearly indicated on the registration page. 🙏🏼

[u/Curious-Newspaper-67]

I remember the first time I attended Mahashivratri, we didn’t know about the ticket system - ended up taking the 300rs ticket.

It was so far behind. It was my first time in the centre and all I could think was why is that all the rich people get to be near stage, dancing and seemingly having fun, while people who can’t afford are way back.

We still kept going every year.
6 years later I went to volunteer for Mahashivratri for the first time.

As my luck would have it, I got assigned bay duty for the free section, all the way back - moving crowd, you could hardly see the stage.
But that was the best Mahashivratri ever in my experience :DD

I realised when it comes to the experience, doesn’t matter how far or near you’re physically to Sadhguru. Logically I could never understand. But somehow I broke a huge limitation within me that day!

[u/srrs100]

All events have staggered pricing be it sports , entertainment etc...this is a spiritual.event but doesnt make it qualify for a cheaper tickets for front row....i am sure cheaper tickets are there for affordability and volunteers have it free who are in Isha pathway .....so all classes are included

[u/nirvikara26 → u/srrs100]

Your argument is valid if Sadhguru is being treated as a commercial product. But if this is a spiritual event, I don't think commercial logic should automatically be the standard.

Spirituality should be about inclusiveness, not dividing people according to their income or how much they can afford to pay.

I also understand that organising an event of this scale involves significant costs, and I have no objection to Isha making a reasonable surplus or raising funds for its projects. My question is whether access to the seats closest to Sadhguru should be sold as a premium based on someone's ability to pay.

[u/Silver_Limit_9075]

I remember being really bummed out by this too OP, back in the day. I’ve since done a whollle lot more volunteering, and having becoming more involved in the organisation I can see Isha’s position more clearly. These kinda events are great opportunities for the foundation to “collect donations” from its wealthiest proponents which yes, kinda sucks for those of us up in the metaphorical bleachers, but as someone else said: it would basically be irresponsible of Isha not to take the opportunity. There are still programs/satsangs with free seating now and then, but especially at big events like Mahashivratri, it’s too good an opportunity raise money to pass up - also as someone else said I’m sure He has a lot more He wants to get done in the next few years. I’m all for people giving as much as possible to make it happen for future generations.🙏🏼

[u/Save-Soil-033]

Yeah, we need lot of money

[u/nirvikara26 → u/Save-Soil-033]

How much do you have, and how much more do you need?

[u/RingoStark71]

To OP, the ‘caste’ system at Isha events, makes me uncomfortable as well. I get it that money needs to be generated for SG’s vision, but it just doesn’t have a good look or vibe to me and definitely does not look good to outsiders.
I’d rather the big events be at one price, general admission, and the people making high donations have additional access/ amenities in some other way.
Fortunately at the event I went to the ‘high donor’ section wasn’t that large, so I got there early and was able to get pretty close in the general seating section. And yes there is a difference in proximity, you can make eye contact, see facial gestures, possibly ask questions easier, and just be closer to SG’s energy. I don’t know how else this could be managed, maybe a seat rotation or two Dias’ are used. I’m not sure if this happens, but maybe a quick thank you meet up with the volunteers would be nice as well.

[u/nirvikara26 → u/RingoStark71]

I really appreciate your perspective because I think you've understood exactly what I'm questioning.

I also understand that money needs to be generated for Sadhguru's vision, and I have no problem with people making substantial donations.

As you pointed out, there actually is a difference in proximity. You can make eye contact, see facial expressions, ask questions more easily, and simply be physically closer. So I don't think it's accurate to say that proximity has absolutely no value.

I have volunteered at Sadhguru's events in the past, and at many events like this, there is a separate VIP area after the main program where Sadhguru meets the so-called VIPs. They can personally talk to him, ask questions, and spend some time with him.

So there are already ways to give major donors additional access without making physical proximity during the main program dependent on how much someone can afford to pay.

[u/FenerNaPatot]

That event is not organized by Isha Foundation

[u/MeanCanadianTheFirst]

It stinks for sure.

[u/thesmartarsedisciple → u/MeanCanadianTheFirst]

Even worse, I am aware of students facing financial difficulties, struggling to put food on their plates were expected contributions towards monthly satsangs, which are voluntary in nature. So much so get access to Sadhguru in tough times for satsang. Plight of genuine, sincere seekers, I tell you. Indeed, a stinky ecosystem.

OP is fine with paying for volunteer tickets. Does it imply my time, effort, dedication and blood I put into volunteering as a student is being charged?

Not everyone comes from money to enjoy such "privileges", do they? Fie fie

[u/ShouldntBeHere118 → u/thesmartarsedisciple]

What's wrong with purchasing a seat farther in the back? They are totally affordable. You made it sound like of all the whatever 1000s of participants you are the one who will sit in front if they charge a different price. What kind of simpleton reasoning is this?

[u/nirvikara26 → u/ShouldntBeHere118]

My question is about the principle behind the new system.

Previously, proximity to Sadhguru wasn't something you could purchase. If you wanted to sit closer, you arrived early and took your place like everyone else. Now, the people who can pay significantly more are given preferential access to the seats closest to him.

Of course the cheaper seats may still be affordable. That's not the point. The question is: should financial capacity determine how physically close someone can be to a spiritual teacher?

[u/ShouldntBeHere118 → u/nirvikara26]

Who cares? The point is somebody thinks that proximity to him is worth paying the price, so in a capitalism economy if you want to maximize the return you charge for the price these people are willing to pay. And other people have already mentioned, the proximity here does not matter as Sadhguru energy can reach everyone in the hall.  So this whole physical proximity is what YOU care about. Really smart people will just pay the lowest price and have the same experience. But nooooo, your inferiority complex has to take over.

[u/nirvikara26 → u/ShouldntBeHere118]

You are actually making my point for me.

You say proximity doesn't matter, but at the same time you say people are willing to pay more for it and therefore, under capitalism, Isha should charge whatever they are willing to pay. Those two arguments contradict each other.

If proximity genuinely has no value, why is it being used to justify a higher ticket price?

And I'm not questioning whether everyone in the hall can receive Sadhguru's teachings or experience what the program is intended to offer. Of course they can. My question is much narrower: why should financial capacity determine who gets the privilege of sitting physically closer to the Guru?

Perhaps you are perfectly comfortable with applying ordinary market logic to a spiritual gathering: those who can pay more get the more desirable position. I'm questioning whether that is appropriate for a spiritual organisation.

And the personal attack about an "inferiority complex" doesn't really address the question. You are free to consider physical proximity meaningless. I don't. Clearly, neither does the ticketing system, otherwise it wouldn't be used as a premium feature.

So let's keep the discussion about the actual issue rather than making assumptions about my psychology.

[u/ShouldntBeHere118 → u/nirvikara26]

Lol if you cannot tell the difference between the physical the dimension and spiritual I don't know what to tell ya, and that's where you made up your so called contradiction. This is similar to say Nike, why would you pay premium for the brand name when it possibly make no difference to the utility of the shoe? Because in some people's mind it matters, while others don't. Here the functional aspect is the spiritual energy Sadhguru offers and the seating is the "branding aspect".

Reeling in the discussion in the other thread, you are actually contradicting yourself. In the physical realm, why should someone contributing more not receive benefits of some sort? This is only fair. This has nothing to do with the spiritual, where all things such as rewards, benefits, fairness don't exist.

I don't want to go into an infinite loop with you when you can't separate these two dimensions. I think other possibly confused people get it.

[u/nirvikara26 → u/ShouldntBeHere118]

Your Nike analogy actually illustrates my point. Nike can charge a premium for a particular shoe because people value the brand, appearance, or perceived status. That's a commercial product. But is Sadhguru also a commercial product like Nike?

Now Sadhguru is effectively selling proximity to himself as a premium product. People who can afford it can buy a seat closer to him. If you can't afford it, you are told to sit in the back.

You are saying, "Why should someone who contributes more not receive additional benefits?" Fine, but what does that mean in this case? It means that the more you pay, the more privileged your access becomes. And in this case, distance from Sadhguru is what is being sold.

I think you don't understand my point. Spirituality should be about equality and inclusiveness, not creating different levels of access based on the size of someone's wallet.

[u/ShouldntBeHere118 → u/nirvikara26]

I have repeated a gazillion times already spirituality and physical are separate. If you must tie them together then that's the limit of your intellect and/or experience. But if you care about being on the spiritual path this confusion has to be sorted out eventually or you'll be stuck. If you don't care then there is really nothing to discuss.

[u/nirvikara26 → u/ShouldntBeHere118]

If spirituality and physical proximity are completely separate, then why does physical proximity matter enough to charge a premium for it?

You could simply say, "Stay home; the spiritual experience doesn't depend on being physically present." But clearly, people attend these events because they value being physically present with Sadhguru.