Osho in one of his discourses said that we go out as tourists and gradually become travelers. Traveler eventually becomes a seeker.  Travelling is essential to one’s inner journey as well. Traveling teaches that which no classroom or the four walls of a house can teach.

Osho’s words struck me then. They still rule my life. Master’s message has been my guiding path. I developed a great love to travel. During my stay at Poona, I spent many hours riding through the splendid Western Ghats. Riding around Poona, where I studied most of the years, I grew into a traveler. I was fortunate to be in a city like Poona which kept me close to Nature and my Master.

I have two motorcycles. Bunty and Babli. Bunty is the robust Yamaha bike gifted to me by actor John Abraham. Babli is the hardworking more feminine Hero Splendor.  Both are red in colour.

I have planted thousands of trees riding Bunty and Babli. Babli has been with me for over a hundred thousand kilometers across North India. I have covered nearly every major town in North India and have biked throughout the Gangetic and the Himalayan regions.

One thing that I learnt from Osho and the Art of Motorcycling was being here and now. Driving a bike keeps you in the moment. One wrong move and we are on our way to heaven. Osho taught us that we have to keep our body in good condition to be effective seekers and so did my motorbikes teach me that I have to be very aware about their health.

I understood Osho better because of my biking experiences. Moving across regions, meeting thousands of people, cutting across different geographical and climatic regions, from deserts to Himalayas, travelling gave me deep insights. Osho’s words made a lot more sense to me when I related them to what I experienced being with people and moving across a broad social spectrum. From the richest to the poorest, biking brought me close to many.

I only listen to Osho when I ride. Osho’s words give me the same high as other riders and drivers get from music. Osho’s discourses help me on long drives. They keep me calm and keep me going. In difficult times too I feel Osho is right next to me. In fact I feel he rides pillion with me.

Visiting cities like Benaras, Allahabad, Rishikesh and Haridwar, to name just a few, Osho’s teachings give me more clarity of the things that I see around me. It’s a whole new dimension. Travelling to congregations like the Kumbh and Magh melas of Allahabad have added another dimension of my understanding. It would not have been possible without constantly listening to Osho. I get more understanding out of listening to my Master on the move, than sitting in the meditation hall.

My sannyas mala is my strength. It is always there with me. I never hit the highway without my sanyas mala. It keeps me company, close to my heart.

Wherever I go, people respect my love for my Master. No matter what their opinion on Osho and his message, I always have a pleasant experience talking to people. I am glad Master uses me to spread his message. From far flung army camps in Kashmir to the deserts of Rajasthan, riding on bikes is just a means to spread the message of the Master and plant trees.  And in turn the Master and the trees give me immense growth and understanding, and a reason to be!