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The Spaces App

Queer Spaces Inc (Spaces) is rapidly becoming an exemplar of social innovation and a force for good. As the largest social media platforms continue failing LGBTQ+ users, the emerging titan of tech is making their safety its top priority. Recently featured as Apples App of The Day, the booming start-up was launched in March of 2022 by parent company Hornet Networks. Hornet, the worlds largest queer tech platform with over 35 million diverse users, has been a pivotal player in digital inclusion since 2011. The Spaces app is closely following suit as an extension of the companys passion for cutting-edge technology that enables users to build safer communities centered on shared interests and authentic connections.

A 2021 report by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) revealed that 64% of LGBTQ people experience more bullying, harassment, and algorithmic aggression than any other demographic online. That abuse is compounded when racism, sexism, and other biases co-0ccur.

Over the last few years, all of the big social media platforms have become toxic pits of hate, with the bulk of the harassment being directed at LGBTQ+ people of color, Shon Washington tells Forbes. The Tulsa-based Navy veteran and longtime Twitter user currently hosts more than a dozen different communities on the Spaces app. Its nice to see a new platform so far removed from all the doomscrolling and negativity. Ive had nothing but positive interactions with other queer people on Spacessomething I didnt know was even possible anymore.

Shon Washington on Spaces App

In 2021, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) teamed up with Ranking Digital Rights and Goodwin Simon Strategic Research to address the uptick of cyber-based violence head-on. The Social Media Safety Index (SMSI) was developed soon after to help drive transparency and accountability, while providing companies with helpful feedback and tools for making their platforms safer. Not just for the LGBTQ+ community, but for other vulnerable groups as well.

The 2022 edition of the SMSI included a digital scorecard through which platforms were numerically rated on LGBTQ+ safety, privacy, and expression. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube collectively flunked, scoring below 50% out of 100. The latest SMSI also revealed that 84% of LGBTQ+ adults believe platforms arent doing enough to mitigate queerphobic hate. Whats more, 40% of all LGBTQ+ adults and 49% of trans and non-binary users report not feeling safe or welcomed on social media.

The LGBTQ+ community is in desperate need of safe digital spaces. Frankly, the big social platforms Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and the rest have completely abdicated any duty to keep queer people safe from harm, says Christof Wittig, CEO of Queer Spaces, Inc. So we at Spaces are thrilled to provide the queer community with that platform. Were the first app that is truly for all segments of the LGBTQ+ community. Ultimately what were creating is a place where we can feel safe and able to be our entire, most authentic selves. Nothing is more important than that.

The current socio-political climate supports Wittigs sentiments. With over 325 proposed anti-LGBTQ bills in circulation, 130 of them specifically targeting trans people, safe spaces are more crucial now than ever. While members of the LGBTQ+ community typically share a special affinity for one another, their hobbies and lived experiences often vary. Spaces prides itself on connecting users at their point of interest, rather than monolithic notions of what it means to be queer or trans. According to GLAADs 2021 SMSI, 88% of queer and trans people shared a preference for queer-run communities over heteronormative platforms. Each group chat presents a unique opportunity for members to pursue their passions and common interests without the threat of hate or discrimination.

Social media is extremely hostile toward the queer community, especially trans and non-binary people. Big platforms dont particularly care about us and our safety, explains Tori Lima, who hosts spaces for both LGBTQ+ fans of DC Comics and LGBTQ+ hockey fans. According to Lima, being visible on larger platforms tends to be extremely unsafe, and can even lead to doxxing and death threats. The Spaces app is resolving that hostility by creating an environment for queer people to safely discuss our interests. Its amazing being able to talk about queer comic characters without worrying that the wrong person will see your tweet or post and start harassing you.

Tori Lima on Spaces App

From gaymers to running enthusiasts, queer parenting groups, hiking clubs, practitioners of the healing arts, queer Star Wars fandom, you name ittheres a space on the app for everyone. If not, users can easily create one within seconds. The platforms discoverability tool makes it easy to attract members to help each newly established community thrive. Spaces has become a timely solution to the growing demand for platforms that promote organic connections over profit-driven agendas that further marginalize people.

In June of 2022, Spaces (via Hornet) published a first-of-its-kind, ten-point pledge distinguishing itself from other social media platforms. The Safety Pledge encapsulates the companys commitment to keeping LGBTQ+ safety its highest priority.

Here are the 10 points of the Safety Pledge. Read more about each point here.

1. We pledge to create and maintain social media platforms where hate, harassment and other abuses have no home.

2. We pledge to ensure our moderation policies are transparent and free from the anti-LGBTQ bias inherent to so many platforms.

3. We pledge to always combat fraud and other abusive behavior that runs rampant on many platforms.

4. We pledge that our users physical safety will always remain a top priority.

5. We pledge to keep users overall health and well-being an integral part of our legacy.

6. We pledge to always make authenticity a key value of our products, in ways that support the unique needs of our LGBTQ+ community.

7. We pledge to protect our users personal data at all costs, and pledge to ensure all our users have both access to and control over their own data and privacy.

8. We pledge to only rely on technology (including algorithms and AI) that does not exploit or unfairly treat LGBTQ people and other vulnerable communities.

9. We pledge to resist any overly broad or otherwise improper government access to our users and their data.

10. We pledge to renounce income from bad actors and queerphobic entities of all kinds, including corporate and government entities.

The Safety Pledge is gaining rapid popularity among members of the LGBTQ community as it was crafted with input from various organizations, community partners, and thought-leaders across the globe. If Spaces empowering users to exercise full ownership of their groups werent enough, for a limited time they can also own a piece of the company. On August 11th, the platform launched a crowdfunding campaign on Wefunder, raising nearly $714,000 in under 2 weeks. LGBTQ+ people and their allies alike can now invest in the app for as little as $100. Learn more here.

Spaces is available for download in the Apple App Store here. Follow @spacesqueerapp on all platforms.

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Finally, A Social Media Platform That Cares About LGBTQ Safety: The Spaces App Is Worth Following - Forbes

Multi-Channel Public Health Outreach Campaign Aims to Increase Health Literacy and Accessibility for One Million High-Risk Black and Hispanic Residents

PHILADELPHIA and PROVIDENCE, R.I., Aug. 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- To address the public health crisis of skyrocketing diabetes among Black and Hispanic Pennsylvanians who develop diabetes at greater prevalence, the Health Promotion Council (HPC) and the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) have joined forces to launch "Make a Choice for a Healthier Life" campaign. More than one million households in Pennsylvania are being engaged through this multi-channel campaign, led by multicultural marketing firm Perry Media Group (PMG) and powered by the global health and wellbeing engagement leader, Virgin Pulse.

The "Make a Choice for a Healthier Life" campaign is a public health initiative designed to ensure populations of focus have access to life saving information about type 2 diabetes prevention. While all Pennsylvanians are welcome to be screened, the campaign is primarily focused on Black and Hispanic residents at risk for prediabetes, aged 18-and older, in Harrisburg, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh and their surrounding areas. Those who want to know if they are at risk for type 2 diabetes can text the word "TODAY" to 600400 (textea HOY al 600400) to answer a few quick questions to get started. Participants who screen high will be referred to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-led National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) in their area. The "Make a Choice for a Healthier Life" campaign runs now through Oct. 2, 2022.

"Prediabetes is a serious condition that can be reversed if identified early and addressed with lifestyle changes, including eating healthy, getting more physical activity, and reducing stress. There are 96 million adults nationwide living with prediabetes[i] and most don't even know it," said John Patton, Vice President, Center for Innovation and Partnership, of NACDD. "It's critical that we help Pennsylvanians know if they are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. By using a multi-channel approach, we are able to aim our message at the right people and facilitate a simple, text-based risk assessment."

Type 2 diabetes is a significant health issue in the U.S., particularly among Black and Hispanic populations. Black adults are nearly twice as likely as White adults to develop type 2 diabetes, a racial disparity that has been rising over the last 30 years.[ii] Hispanic adults also have a higher likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes and are more likely to develop it at a younger age and experience higher rates of serious complications.[iii] Recognizing the need to address this growing health threat, CDC established the National DPP to reduce the impact of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

"It's harder than ever to get people's attention, especially when it comes to addressing health risks that they may be unaware of. Using accessible channels like text, mail, social media, online, and radio helps build awareness of health disparities and helps address them by connecting the right people with the programs that will make a significant difference," said Chris Michalak, CEO of Virgin Pulse. "We're honored to partner with the NACDD, HPC, and PMG on such an important public health initiative and help change more lives for good."

Pennsylvanians who wish to be screened can text the word "TODAY" to 600400 (textea HOY al 600400) to determine their risk for prediabetes. More information about the "Make a Choice for a Healthier Life" campaign can be found at makeachoice.org, or follow the campaign on Instagram and Facebook.

About Health Promotion Council

Health Promotion Council (HPC) is a nonprofit corporation, formed in 1981, whose mission is to promote health, and prevent and manage chronic diseases, especially among vulnerable populations, through community-based outreach, education, and advocacy. In 1999, the organization joined Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC), Pennsylvania's Public Health Institute, as an affiliate to strengthen its work in the public health sector. Through partnerships, HPC convenes and fosters collaboration among communitybased organizations, government, public health professionals, health systems, and community residents.

About National Association of Chronic Disease Directors

The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) works to improve the health of the public by strengthening the state-based leadership and expertise for chronic disease prevention and control in states and at the national level. NACDD's mission is national in scope, but the reach of NACDD goes beyond State Health Departments (SHD) into the communities and through partners working in local health departments, universities, other non-profit organizations, and other representatives who have self-identified as part of the chronic disease prevention workforce. A 501(c)3 non-profit organization, NACDD is a capacity building organization and for almost 30 years, has been providing support and technical assistance to SHDs, including territorial health departments. NACDD links more than 7,000 diverse, multi-disciplinary members in a network to promote national priorities, and prevention policies and programs; encourage knowledge sharing; and develop partnerships for promoting health.

About the National Diabetes Prevention Program

The National DPP Lifestyle Change Program (National DPP): A key component of the National DPP is a structured, year-long lifestyle change program to prevent or delay onset of type 2 diabetes in adults with prediabetes or at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The National DPP lifestyle change program is founded on the science of the Diabetes Prevention Program research study, and subsequent translation studies, which showed that making realistic behavior changes helped people with prediabetes lose 5% to 7% of their body weight and reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58% (71% for people over 60 years old). The program is group-based, facilitated by a trained lifestyle coach, and uses a CDC-approved curriculum. The curriculum supports regular interaction between the lifestyle coach and participants; builds peer support; and focuses on behavior modification through healthy eating, increasing physical activity, and managing stress. The program may be delivered in-person, online, via distance learning, or through a combination of these delivery modes.

About Perry Media Group

Perry Media Group (PMG) is a strategic marketing, public relations and advertising firm that specializes in implementing fiscally responsible and culturally-relevant campaigns that positively impact the world. We are committed to creating innovative solutions that educate, inform and empower people at a local, national and global level. Our comprehensive strategies are built upon the foundation of research, analytics and out-of-the-box tactics that are designed to engage even the hardest to reach audiences. Every plan we develop is custom-tailored to successfully reach our clients' unique goals while fully leveraging the value of our resources and relationships.

The PMG network is a highly skilled group of independent small businesses that operates seamlessly as one team. PMG is intentional about supporting minority and women-owned businesses who deliver exemplary service while strengthening our communities.

About Virgin Pulse

Virgin Pulse is the leading digital-first health and wellbeing company that empowers organizations across the globe to activate populations, improve health outcomes, and reduce spend in an era of accelerating cost and complexity. Virgin Pulse's Homebase for Healthconnects data, people, and technology to deliver high tech, human touch experiences that engage and reward individual journeys.Virgin Pulse impacts over 100 million people across 190 countries by helping Fortune 500, national health plans and many other organizations change lives and businesses for good. For more tips and insights, connect with us onTwitterorLinkedIn.

"Funding was made possible by 75D30121C11333 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The views expressed in these materials do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government."

ihttps://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data/statistics-report/index.htmliihttps://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/factors-contributing-higher-incidence-diabetes-black-americansiiihttps://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/hispanic-diabetes.html

SOURCE Virgin Pulse

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National Association of Chronic Disease Directors and Health Promotion Council Launch Media Campaign Promoting the Use of Text Messaging to Prevent...

Optometry Times editor Kassi Jackson speaks with Valerie Kattouf, OD, FAAO, chief of Lewenson Pediatric and Binocular Vision Service and associate professor at the Illinois College of Optometry, on the effects of digital media on the pediatric population.

This transcript has been lightly edited for clarity:

Kassi Jackson, editor:

Hi everyone, I'm Kassi Jackson with Optometry Times, and I'm joined today by Dr. Valerie Kattouf, chief of Lewenson Pediatric and Binocular Vision Service and associate professor at the Illinois College of Optometry. Thank you for being here. Dr. Kattouf.

Valerie M. Kattouf, OD, FAAO:

Thanks for having me; pleasure to be here.

Jackson:

So let's talk about children's eye health. According to data provided by the World Health Organization, vision impairment and blindness affect 2.2 billion people worldwide, and 90 million of those affected are children. So why is children's eye health so important?

Kattouf:

Well, I think one of the things to consider is that, you know, vision is a primary input. It's an input method that influences a child's learning, their development, their demeanor, their stamina; it has an effect on everything.

And I think sometimes the misconception is that vision is just about clarity. Clarity is just one part of vision; we need the visual system to be functional, we need it to be flexible, and we need it to be efficient. And there's so many parts that go into that.

Jackson:

Digital media can affect pediatric development. How do you define digital media?

Kattouf:

So digital media is pervasive. And in today's world, it's everywhere. So digital media are your phones, it's your tablets, its computers, its TVs, it's the DVD player in the car. It's all of those things. And I really think ifespecially parentswere to look at it and add up the hours, it's much more exposure for your child than you even think.

Jackson:

What type of effect does digital media have on children's visual system specifically, looking at focusing on accommodation?

Kattouf:

When I talked about visual function, we have the focusing system which has to function readily, we have the eye teamingor binocular vision systemthat has to function.

What parents have to realize is, it's really the phones and the tablets and the computers and the hours spent here that we have these near demands, we are up close on things. And to be honest, our bodies weren't meant to do that; our visual system wasn't meant to do that.

We all have a certain amount of focusing powerkids have a lot more than adults it's why when adults reach into their 40s, they need reading glasses, because we lose focusing power over time. So kids ideally have an immensely strong focusing system that should be flexible and efficient. But my goodness, we are just seeing a decrease in that today.

So literally, the focusing system is a muscle and it gets worn down from too much near demand. If you were to walk around with a 10 pound weight in your arm all day long with your bicep curled, your bicep will be tired. It's the same thing. Kids are on these devices excessively, and it wears down their focusing system.

Jackson:

And how is children's biocular vision impacted by digital media?

Kattouf:

Binocular vision is your eye teaming skills; it's how well your eyes work together. So yet another system that has to be efficient and flexible, it gets worn down.

But I think one of the main things to realize is that binocular vision development, it starts in the brain. And there are a lot of neurological concerns that screen-based activities stimulates visual processing a lot more than it does sensory processing.

So all of that development is affected number 1 by how young we started our kids with an extensive use of devices, and then the excessive use of those devices as well.

Whether it's focusing or it's eye teaming, they both get worn down.

Jackson:

And what about ocular motor dysfunction?

Kattouf:

Ocular motor dysfunction is tracking. So that's an issue with tracking, you know, kids who have difficulty reading, focusing with attention, they can have ocular motor or tracking problems.

A lot of screentime doesn't always facilitate great fine motor development, and ocular motor skills or a fine motor skill.

Jackson:

In your expert opinion, in what way does digital media attribute to the development of pediatric myopia?

Kattouf:

So myopia is nearsightedness.

Basically, someone whowithout their glasseshas a difficult time seeing far away; their near vision is usually better, their distance vision is usually more affected. So that's what myopia is.

And myopia is known to progress over time. If you know someone who's nearsighted, their prescription might be -2 the first time ... the next year 3... and it just keeps going up. And that can become pathological over time.

Number 1, it's visually burdensome; you can get holes, breaks, tears in the back of your eye or in your retina. So myopia is something we want to control; we don't want to see that progression.

When you have excess near demands, you are doing close work all the timescreens, tablets, computersthen you get excess accommodation or focusing, that actually increases the length of the eyeball, the axial length of the physical eye, and that increases myopia.

There are truly modifiable behaviors that affect the development of myopia. The more indoor time, the more time on screens.

It's very often an environmental factor that makes myopia progress over time. It's proven statisticallythrough studiesthat the more time kids spend outdoorsthe less near demands they have, often with that, the less myopia develops.

Jackson:

Moving beyond eye functions, what role does digital media play on children's overall development and their self esteem?

Kattouf:

It's been proven that the higher the use, the the greater the early exposure to digital media, it has negative effects on children, it has negative effects on their intellectual development. It has negative effects on their social and emotional development, as well.

I've always said, we've never seen a generation that has had such early exposure to near demands visually. And then what that does for them in all these other areas: the intellect, the social, and the emotional.

There's a lot of different kinds of books and articles and things on these topics, and some have described digital devices as the third party in the parent-child relationship. So it is that highly influential.

And when you develop unhealthy online habits, then you have unhealthy outcomes. And we see that in teens and tweens, the more unhealthy their digital media use is, the more problems we have with anxiety, depression, issues with coping, things like that.

Jackson:

Studies have shown that children with myopia have higher levels of anxiety and depression. Do you think this is connected to the use of digital media?

Kattouf:

That's interesting.

When you go to optometry school, the first year you have everyone in the class raise their hands that are nearsighted, you know, 75% of the class are my myopes and near sighted. Is that because that's how they got exposed to the profession? Or is it because they're great students?

Kids with myopia tend to be type A personalities; they're go-getters, they work hard, they get into things so you have that personality-driven factor.

And then yes, maybe, I mean, we've seen an increase in how rapid myopia is progression over a number of years. And there's no question that the influence of just excessive use of digital devices has influenced it.

It's certainly not the only thing.

Jackson:

Are there steps our audience can take to support and empower children in their overall development?

Kattouf:

I think that's a great question. Healthy digital media habits make a healthy child.

We're not here to say get rid of all this stuff, it's not possibleit's certainly not possible.

I think one thing for parents to understand is the three C's of digital media: you have consumption, you have creation, and you have communication.

Consumption is when you take in things passively. There's no learning: it's video games, it's, you know, Instagram, you know, stuff like that.

Creation is where the learning happens. It's often what they're doing at school, it can be graphic design, it can be making videos, things like that. So that's a good side of it, where digital media has a positive.

And then there's communication, which again, is a little more empty, whether it's texting or FaceTime, or whatever that might be.

And a lot of the best literature says that when you understand that the three C's of media, there's no reason that you shouldn't be able to limit the consumption [and] the communication to just a couple of hours a day for kids.

So often in our exam room, we see the pointed finger of, "I told you, I told you, those things were bad for you," when we talk about the effects that digital media has on vision. But the thing I actually say to the parent is they can't control it.

There's an addictive piece to these devices that is built in and just built into addict these kids. So when parents point at their kids and say, "Get off that thing, get off that thing, get off that thing," there's an addiction. Studies have shown that MRIs light up for drug addicts and gamblers the same way they do for addiction to video games or social media, whatever it might be.

So there's a real piece there where parents have to establish rules, consequences if the rules aren't followed, and implement those in their home to empower the child to have better habits. We can't just tell them to have it, we have to structure it for them.

Jackson:

What do you hope our audience takes home from this discussion? Are there any key takeaways?

Kattouf:

Number 1, just as an optometrist, you know, comprehensive eye exams, full comprehensive eye exams for your children yearly, it's not about your child, just saying that they have blur, because that visual function of the eye team in the eye focusing skills, it's going to really impact their vision, their learning, their attention, their concentration, all those kinds of things. That's number 1.

And number 2, I really hope that parents take back their power. We have really allowed society to dictate to us that kids should have phones at exceptionally young ages, that that's what kids do is be on these devices for hours upon end. The burden that parents feel around that and how difficult it can be in the parent-child relationship, parents have to take back their power; they have to make their rules and they have to implement their rules.

And I think the last thing I'd say is, you know, one of the ways you can do that is the outdoor time is important. It has really shown statistically there's something about the sunlight and dopamine and all those kinds of things that really statistically lowers the impact of myopia over time. And think about it: it's just a way to get them off devices.

Jackson:

Dr. Kattouf, you thank you so much for your time today.

Kattouf:

Thank you.

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The negative effects of digital media on pediatric development - Optometry Times

Ex-security chief alleges Twitter hid flaws in personal data protection

NEW YORK Twitter misled users and federal regulators about glaring weaknesses in its ability to protect personal data, the platforms former security chief claims in whistleblower testimony likely to impact the companys bitter legal battle over Elon Musks takeover bid.

In a complaint filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission and published in part today by The Washington Post and CNN, Peiter Zatko also accuses Twitter of significantly underestimating the number of automated bots on the platform a key element in Musks argument for withdrawing his $44 billion buyout deal.

CNN quotes the disclosure by Zatko as accusing Twitter of negligence, willful ignorance, and threats to national security and democracy.

Zatko, who Twitter says it fired earlier this year for poor performance, warns of obsolete servers, software vulnerable to computer attacks and executives seeking to hide the number of hacking attempts, both to US authorities and to the companys board of directors.

The hacker-turned-executive, who goes by the nickname Mudge, also claims that Twitter prioritizes growing its user base over fighting spam and bots, according to the reports.

In particular, according to The Washington Post, he accuses the platforms boss Parag Agrawal of lying in a tweet in May.

In the tweet, Agrawal says Twitter is strongly incentivized to detect and remove as much spam as we possibly can.

Twitter has dismissed the allegations.

A company spokesperson tells AFP that Zatko was fired in January this year for ineffective leadership and poor performance.

What weve seen so far is a false narrative about Twitter and our privacy and data security practices that is riddled with inconsistencies and inaccuracies and lacks important context, the spokesperson says in a statement.

The opportunistic timing of the allegations appears designed to capture attention and inflict harm on Twitter, its customers and its shareholders, the statement continues.

Security and privacy have long been company-wide priorities at Twitter and will continue to be.

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Zehava Galon beats out Yair Golan to retake control of Meretz party - The Times of Israel

Indian yoga and mystic Sadhguru, who is followed by celebrities, reveals how being blissful means he never fails.

Photo by Esra Bilgin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Sadhguru, the yoga master turned social media celebrity with over 8.6 million Instagram followers, says his philosophy is to always feel "blissed out" adding that adopting this mindset might change your feelings about needing a luxurious lifestyle.

"If you misunderstand your lifestyle for life you will always suffer because someone else will always have a better lifestyle than you maybe, or a more exuberant or extravagant lifestyle, and you will always think you are less than them. So life is important, lifestyle doesn't matter," the mystic told CNBC's Dan Murphy.

He believes that too many people confuse the two but that it is important to realize that someone's lifestyle can change at any time and what lifestyle we have is often out of our control.

"It doesn't matter what's the lifestyle. Life is the most precious thing you have, it's the only thing you have," he said. "Whether you wear fine clothes or rags, what does it matter if you are joyful."

Detaching happiness from luxury and wealth is one of the guru's major teachings which he often repeats. Last year, he shared his thoughts around this message on social media, tweeting: "People are dedicated to their lifestyle, not to their life. Once you are dedicated to your lifestyle, you get enslaved to how much you earn."

Sadhguru's philosophy of bliss and contentment also protects him again against failure, he told CNBC.

"I have no such thing as failure in my life, ever. Because I don't suffer anything. Some things we do it well, some things we don't do it well but I am the same within myself," he said.

"I'm a little blissed out all the time so I am OK."

"How I am, within myself, is determined by me, not by what I'm doing, not even the result of what I am doing," Sadhguru said.

The 64-year-old, who is also known as Jagadish "Jaggi" Vasudev, started teaching yoga in India 40 years ago and has since amassed millions of followers around the world.

They turn to him for guidance on spirituality, meditation and the so-called "realm of mysticism." This concept is linked to the ancient yogic idea of the "third eye" that represents enhanced perception and awareness beyond what is physically visible and a state of heightened consciousness.

His fans include celebrities like actor Will Smith, who revealed that he has followed the guru for years as a result of his bestselling self-help book "Inner Engineering: A Yogi's Guide to Joy" and football star Tom Brady, whose podcast once featured Sadhguru. Both Smith and Brady have also featured on Sadhguru's social media and endorsed his work, including his books.

Sadhguru says his teachings and philosophies are solely based on himself and his understanding of his "piece of life," but his followers often think he is talking about them. He believes this is because everyone is built in the same way.

"Fortunately every piece of life, and the whole universe in some way, is the same replica design. Only complexity and sophistication multiplies, but essentially it's the same design."

In 1992, Sadhguru founded the Isha Foundation which runs and supports spiritual, physical and mental wellbeing and environmental initiatives and centers around the world. It has no religious affiliation, in part because the guru associates religion with the search for meaning.

But under his philosophy, "there is no meaning to anything in the universe." Those looking for meaning are not experiencing life, he believes.

"If you experience life for what it is, in a moment of joy, in a moment of love, in a moment of ecstatic experiences you don't look for meaning. Isn't it only when you're depressed you look for meanings, when you're unhappy you look for meanings," Sadhguru told CNBC.

"So I never look for meanings because I am blissed out all the time," he added, relating it back to his approach to life.

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Indian spiritual guru, followed by Will Smith and Tom Brady, has a message for people desperate for a luxury lifestyle - CNBC