How To Deal With People’s Negative Opinions?

Mithali Raj: Namaskaram Sadhguru ji, I want to know the truth about where and how we can acquire the strength to ignore opinions popping against us every day.

Sadhguru: Namaskaram Mithali. People have their opinions about everything, but why should it matter to you or anyone? Their opinions will matter to us only when we are not very clear about what we are doing. Instead of trying to battle with others’ opinions, it is best that we strive to create clarity as to what we are doing and why we are doing it. If this clarity arrives within us, other people’s opinions will not matter. 

People will always have opinions about us, and that is their right. As the Kannada saint Akka Mahadevi said, “You built a house in the mountains and the jungle, but now you are afraid of the animals – you should not have been there. You built a home in the marketplace, and you are afraid of the noises of the marketplace – that is not the right place for you to be.” 

Now you are living in a society, and you are afraid of what other people will say. This is part of social life. Somebody will always say something. Today it is magnified because of social media, but people have always had opinions. 

At one time, you had to battle just three or four people’s opinions. Today, you have to battle with five million because they are all out there expressing themselves. It’s perfectly fine. They can say whatever they want, but the most important thing is to bring an absolute sense of clarity into our lives as to what are we doing and why are we doing it. If this is clear to us, opinions will fly and opinions will change. 

I hear you are a great hitter of the ball. Just hit the ball well. You will see, everyone’s opinions will change. 

Editor's Note: Whether you're struggling with a controversial query, feeling puzzled about a taboo topic, or just burning with a question that no one else is willing to answer, now is your chance to ask! Ask Sadhguru your questions at UnplugWithSadhguru.org.