Why did I fly 20 hours to visit Sadhguru’s ashram in India?
It wasn’t for the vegetarian food.
I went to work on what I call the game behind the game.
When I was younger, I played the visible game: achieving, making money, building a lifestyle. Most people play this game, and there’s nothing wrong with it.
But after a certain point, the trophies mattered less. The wins felt shorter-lived.
Over time, the pattern became clear. Every activity—closing a deal, starting a company, taking a vacation—led to the same place… a feeling.
Whether excitement, relief, or validation – the activity itself was never the goal. The goal was actually the emotion.
It doesn’t matter if you’re an investor doing deals or a founder building products. Whether we admit it or not, the feelings we want quietly shape the outcomes we pursue.
The game behind the game is learning to manage those feelings directly, rather than depending on outcomes or milestones to feel good.
But mastery isn’t a destination, it’s a practice.
Which is why I went to India—not to find something new, but to invest in what’s working.
warmly,
Navin
P.S. You can start with my 555 morning routine, which doesn’t require a trip to India. Reply to this email and I’ll send you the steps.
