Chapter 1: A Quest for Enlightenment

In 1974, at just 19 years old, Steve Jobs made a significant life choice by leaving college to embark on a spiritual journey to India alongside his friend, Daniel Kottke. At that time, Jobs, a college dropout, would trek seven miles every Sunday to the Hare Krishna temple in Portland, seeking free meals to save for his trip.

Jobs was driven by a desire for spiritual growth and a keen interest in Eastern philosophies, particularly Zen Buddhism. Together with Kottke, he set out on this transformative adventure.

Upon arriving in New Delhi, Jobs immersed himself in Indian culture, donning lungis and walking barefoot. Eager to meet the revered Neem Karoli Baba, the duo traveled by train and bus to a village near Nainital, nestled in the Himalayas. However, upon reaching the ashram in Kainchi, they learned that Baba had passed away a year earlier.

The journey proved arduous, as both Jobs and Kottke fell ill with diarrhea under the grueling Indian summer sun. Kottke recalls a moment of desperation:

> "Out there in the dry creek bed, in the middle of India, completely disoriented, all our rhythms and beliefs shattered, where we were sure a flash flood would come through any moment, the two of us praying to any god that could hear us; Dear God, if I ever get through this, I'll be a good person, I promise."

After seven months, Jobs returned to the U.S., his appearance transformed with a shaved head and traditional Indian attire. Nonetheless, the trip left him feeling somewhat disillusioned.

Michael Moritz from Sequoia Capital noted that the oppressive heat and discomfort led Jobs to reevaluate his preconceived notions about India. He discovered a nation far poorer than he had anticipated, contrasting sharply with its spiritual reputation.

Despite initial letdowns, this journey was instrumental in shaping Jobs’ perspective on life. It was during this period that he cultivated a profound appreciation for simplicity and the significance of intuition.

Jobs admired how the Indian populace found beauty and meaning in the mundane, motivating him to design products that were not only powerful but also elegant and user-friendly. These principles would later significantly influence his design ethos and leadership at Apple.

He also recognized that Thomas Edison may have contributed more to humanity than Karl Marx and Neem Karoli Baba combined. Jobs maintained a deep respect for Mahatma Gandhi, evident in Apple's 'Think Different' campaign in 1997, which featured figures he revered, including Gandhi.

Jobs’ lifelong commitment to Zen Buddhism reinforced his belief in simplicity, which was reflected in his insistence on creating user-friendly products. He famously stated,

> "Design is not just how it looks and feels. Design is how it works."

In this video, explore how Steve Jobs’ transformative trip to India shaped not only his personal philosophy but also his approach to product design and leadership.

Chapter 2: A Lasting Influence

This video delves into the profound impact of Neem Karoli Baba on Steve Jobs’ life and how it influenced his worldview and business practices.