Monday 23 January 2017

Opinions - Donald Trump should talk less, listen and do more, someone should take away his Twitter handle: Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev

Opinions - Donald Trump should talk less, listen and do more, someone should take away his Twitter handle


If Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev was Donald Trump’s spiritual adviser – what counsel would he give to the 45th President of the United States? He talks to Narayani Ganesh: 

"Trump’s presidency is a new business opportunity, not for himself, but for the people of America and others, worldwide," Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev said.
If Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev was Donald Trump’s spiritual adviser – what counsel would he give to the 45th President of the United States? He talks to Narayani Ganesh: 

Suppose you were Donald Trump’sRajguru or spiritual adviser, what would you say to him? 

For many reasons, America has attained leadership position in the world – in politics, economics, military and as a sociocultural power. If Americans put carbon dioxide in a bottle and say ‘drink it!’ everyone in the world drinks it. If Americans wear blue jeans so do people across the world. Whatever America does, everyone wants to do. When there is such privilege, it is vital that America does the right thing. 

With its great political and military power … since the year 2000, the US is continually fighting wars with someone or other; nations are destroyed, people die, others are rendered homeless; there is so much devastation. Trumphas the power as a leader to turn this around, because he has turned the political situation in America upside down. He must also use this to turn around the world towards peace. Hence, it is vital that he gets the right guidance as well. 

Trump has been a successful businessman. Does that give him an edge in governance? 

A good businessman makes deals that are sustainable and which bring benefit to both parties. As a businessman he should understand this. 200 years ago, religious leadership was dominant. From the dogmatic shackles of religious leadership we moved to the tyranny of military leadership, and then to the confoundedness of democratic leadership. In the next 15-20 years, business leadership is going to be most prominent in the world. 

Unexpectedly, a businessman was now elected US president. Now that could be either a great opportunity or disaster. If he can turn things around, it would be an opportunity. Religious leaders seldom agree on anything. Military leaders are used to confrontation. But Trump as a businessman is talking about making deals. For example, he wants to be friends with Russia; maybe this will end the longstanding cold war with countries like Russia, setting a positive example for the future of Indo-Pak and North-South Korea relations. But deals have to also be sustainable. 

When deals are made, whether in the marketplace or in a marriage, both sides have their expectations, so some compromises may have to be made. Working for mutual benefit has to also happen in the international arena. I’ll advise Trump to approach the world from a completely new context – not to look at people as ‘my friends’ or ‘my enemies’ but as what’s good for you and me. Business opportunities afford mutual benefit scenarios. What way can America contribute to other people and what can other people contribute to America? No more enemies. People have changed; transactions have changed. 

There are many in the world who may not have equal opportunity to participate in the world of Trump’s deals. But the powers that be have to see the disadvantaged people as the most important investment for long term well-being of business – developing them into high-quality human resource, investing in their nourishment, health and education. 

So Trump’s presidency is a new business opportunity, not for himself, but for the people of America and others, worldwide. Trump has talked about reducing military expenditure. So it is good if US stops being policeman to the world. 

But Trump has said he will build walls to keep out people! 

Whatever his rhetoric may be, if you want to run a nation, you do need to have borders. It’s tough to deal with millions of unaccounted people in any country. I don’t think one should send them back but at least legitimise them. Porous borders could pose tough challenges. Anyway, 50% of the wall or fence along the US-Mexican border is already there; only another 50% is still unprotected … 

But when the Berlin Wall came down, was that not cause for celebration? 

By destroying the Berlin Wall, two nations became one. Will that happen with Mexico, US and Canada? When there is huge economic disparity, people will flow. You can aspire for the ‘no nationhood’ ideal only when human consciousness rises. Till that happens, borderless living is a dream. Otherwise, there are walls … It is not about branding immigrants as rapists or criminals but you do need regulation and accountability, otherwise it is difficult to have any control. 

The recent Supreme Court ruling that bans using religion, caste and creed in elections to garner votes is unrealistic, is it not, given that these things are part of our DNA? 

DNA should not come into the picture. This is called Dhritirashtra syndrome – that at any cost only his son should become the king. That caused enormous trouble in the Mahabharata. It has repeated itself many times over in the country. If you want a democracy to succeed, every citizen must vote – but who you vote for is your choice. 

If religious or caste leaders give a call to vote for a particular party or candidate, if a family, community, caste or religion votes en masse, then it is feudalism practised in the garb of democracy. 

I say use your brain, choose as an individual; only then it is a democracy. This will never happen through legislation, but only through education and awareness. At some point, caste, community and religion-based parties need to transcend all that and move to represent the nation. 

What should be the attributes of Trump as US president? 

If Trump has to succeed as leader of the most powerful nation, he should be aware that with great power comes great responsibility. The world has certain expectations of a US president; to serve the whole world. It is a huge responsibility. Right now the language out there is ‘America First’ – but in terms of business, not in terms of military. Then there is no problem. Because, in business, both parties will have their own leverage. But in military, if you are powerful, i die. In Trump’s cabinet, there are several businessmen so we can hope for good deals. So far, we are used to politicians using slick language but Trump talks straight; what you see is what you get. 

What other specific advice would you give Trump? 

Since Trump talks too soon and talks and tweets a lot, i would say now you should talk less and listen and do more. Then a lot of things will change. Maybe someone should take away his Twitter handle! 
Your’s and my body, mind and emotions are separate. But what we call as spiritual is a dimension beyond. When you say body-mind-intellect, they exist in boundaries. As leader, you need spirituality to gain inner experience. If you make 25 people who have spiritual insights as heads of 25 nations, they will change the world. Give me 25 leaders for five days and see what happens!

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