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Freedom
Brings With It the Burden of Responsibility
Speaking
Tree
JUNE
08, 2005
Times
of India
One
hundred years ago Friedrich Nietzsche declared:
God is dead, and man is free. The next sentence
he wrote was: Now you can do whatso-ever you want
to do, there is no responsibility. God is dead,
man is free, and there is no responsibility. There
he was absolutely wrong.
When
there is no God, there is tremendous responsibility
on your shoulders; if there is a God, he can share
your responsibility, you can throw your responsibility
on Him. You can say: It is you who have made the
world, it is you who have made me in this way. It
is you who is finally, ultimately responsible, not
me. How can I be ultimately responsible? I am just
a creature and you are the Creator. Why have you
put seeds of corruption and sin in me? You are responsible.
I am free.
If
there is no God, then man is absolutely responsible
for his acts, because there is no way he can shift
responsibility to anybody else. When I say to you
that you are free, I mean that you are responsible.
You cannot transfer responsibility to anybody else.
You are alone; whatsoever you do, it is your doing.
You cannot say that somebody else forced you to
do it, because you are free nobody can force you!
Because you are free, it is your decision to do
something or not to do something.
People
go on talking about freedom but what they really
want is not freedom exactly; they want irresponsibility.
They ask for freedom but deep down, unconsciously,
they ask for irresponsibility and licence.
Freedom
is maturity whereas licence is childish. Freedom
is possible only when you are so integrated that
you can take the responsibility of being free. The
world is not free because people are not mature.
Revolutionaries have been doing many things down
through the centuries but everything fails. Utopians
have been continuously thinking of how to make man
free but nobody bothers because man cannot be free
unless he is integrated.
If
you are not aware then the state is needed, the
government is needed, the police is needed, the
court is needed. Then freedom has to be cut from
everywhere. Then freedom exists only in name; in
fact it doesn't exist. How can freedom exist when
governments exist? It is impossible. But what can
one do?
If
governments disappear, there will be anarchy. Freedom
will not come in if governments disappear, there
will simply be anarchy. It will be a worse state
than it is now. It will be sheer madness. The police
are needed because you are not alert; otherwise
what is the point of having a policeman standing
on the crossroads? If people are alert, the policeman
can be removed, will have to be removed, because
his job becomes unnecessary. But people are not
conscious.
So
when I say freedom, I mean be responsible. The more
responsible you become, the more free you become;
or the more free you become, the more responsibility
comes on you. Then you have to be very alert to
what you are doing, what you are saying. Even about
your small unconscious gestures you have to be very
alert because there is nobody else to control you,
it is only you.
Excerpted
from The Beloved — courtesy Osho International.
Osho
World remembers Kabir
Fasahat
Ali Khan
JUNE
10, 2005
The
Asian Age
Osho
World Foundation has marked the coming week as Kabir
week to be celebrated at the Osho World galleria,
Ansal Plaza, from Monday. The week will focus on
meditation, discourses on Kabir, sale of ceramic
collection by Anupama Jalan and exhibition cum sale
of new textile art.
“We
will celebrate Kabir, the weaver and the philosopher
by introduction of new textile art and ceramic collection
dedicated to the mystic Kabir,” informs Naina,
spokesperson Osho World.
The
designers Bindu and Ranjan have designed the garment
collection titled “From Rocks to Robes”.
The figures and motifs on the textile are inspired
from the rock art of the Vindhyachal caves. It embodies
the cave paintings in a contemporary way. Dresses
like skirts, ponchos, flowing kaftans and meditation
robes will be available in cotton, linen and silk.
Jalan’s
ceramic collection complements the garment range.
She has created shades of cream, beige, ochre, olive
and jade green to induce softness in her work.
“These
days modern materials has replaced clay and pot
making has started occupying as ornamental status.
But a cup of tea in a ceramic cup has its own taste,”
says Naina
A
Laugh and a Little More
Trisha Rajshekhar
JUNE
20, 2005
The Pioneer
Osho
had once said, "Act as if it is real life and
live as if it is acting." The cast of Panchhi
Aise Aate Hain by Vijay Tendulkar, staged recently
in the Capital, lived up to the guru's teaching.
The
play, presented by Osho World, was staged before
a packed auditorium. The crowd came expecting a
good laugh and most of them went home satisfied.
One of the rare comedies to come out of Tendulkar's
pen, who is better known as a playwright for Silence!
The Court Is In Session and Ghashiram Kotwal, this
play is more less serious than the others.
It's
humourous storyline traces the carefree life of
a drifter, Arun, who is averse to bondage - even
relationships. On one of his jaunts, he acquaints
himself with a family, who are trying to get their
daughter married. The girl, Saru, has been rejected
on many ocassions by suitors and hence, is a bundle
of nerves, low on confidence. Arun sympathises and
boosts her with a pep-talk. Result, she is accepted
by the next suitor and gets engaged. From here,
arises a romantic complication which has to be sorted
out somehow.
Sanjeev
Johri as the madcap protagonist Arun dominated the
evening. The fact the he was the director of the
play may have helped him understand the nuances
of the role better. His effortless performance was
complimented by the other cast members. Danish Husain
as the patriarchal father has to be given a special
mention. His perfect portrayal of the raving, ranting
Anna gave the play a fair amount of its laughters.
From Saru's overgrown adolescent brother, to the
thumb-sucking suitor, all of them act out their
parts with elan except for a few instances of over-dramatisation
and exaggeration. More of slapstick comedy that
could have been avoided.
The
lighting also was dull at times.
Another
aspect the play would have been better off without
was the too in-your-face background score. It makes
the scene when Arun and Saru converse for the first
time becomes too romanticised and filmi. You tend
to forget the dialogues and concentrate on the music,
wondering why on earth is it being played.
Director
Sanjeev Johri has tried not to make too many changes
with the script. "I have tried to highlight
certain things which attracted me in the original
script. But apart from a little editing, there are
no major changes."
Johri
had directed the same play earlier, but this is
his first time directing under the Osho banner.
Considering he is an Osho disciple himself, did
he try to incorporate some of his own visions into
the play? "One reason the play attracted me
was because it carried seeds of Osho's thought -
where laughter is an essential part of life. The
seeds were already sown, I only helped them grow."
A
little slow after the interval, the play otherwise,
is good for an uncomplicated laugh.
Osho
World Celebrates Kabir
Nawaid
Anjum
The
Asian Age
A
week devoted to Saint Kabir is being celebrated
at the Osho World galleria, Ansal Plaza. The event,
which kick-started on Tuesday will continue till
June 27. At the inaugural ceremony famous classical
vocalist Meeta Pandit added a meditative touch through
her melodious rendition of Kabir’s verses.
Talking
about the event Swami Chaitanya Keerti, editor of
the Osho World magazine said, “every month
we celebrate a week in memory of the mystics who
have contributed to the growth of consciousness.
In May, we had celebrated Buddha week. The Kabir
week marks the birth of the mystic.”
He
said that the week was organized to make people
aware of Kabir’s teachings. “He was
a symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity. In this day and
age, Kabir is a beacon of hope, as he is one figure
who is held in high esteem by both Hindus and Muslims.
Osho gave several discourses on Kabir, which have
been compiled in books like The Revolution, The
Divine Melody and The Great Secret,” he added.
The
event also saw the launch of “From Rocks to
Robes” a new range of Haiku textile collection
by designers Bindu and Ranjan. “The collection
has been inspired by pre-historic rock paintings,”
Bindu said.
Variety
is the spice
June
25, 2005
The
Telegraph
Theatre
Humour
Delhi’s
theatre scene sizzled last week quite in keeping
with the heat wave that was smothering the city.
Celebrated playwright Vijay Tendulkar’s Panchhi
Aise Aate Hain was staged to an auditorium packed
to capacity at the India Habitat Centre. Director
Dr Sanjeev Johri, an Osho devotee, dedicated the
play to his guru, opening the performance with his
master’s discourse that went: “Act as
if it is real life and live as if it is acting”.
Panchhi Aise Aate Hain was also his first directorial
venture for the Osho World Foundation.
The
play was one with a message. “Love prospers
in an environment of freedom. Wherever there is
force and constraints, love becomes a casualty.
Above all, beauty comes from within, from love,”
explains Johri. The play opened with the protagonist,
Arun (played by Johri), delivering a monologue —
a rib-tickling one that found favour with the audience.
It went on to chart a day in the life of Arun, the
quintessential wanderer, who strays into a seaside
village of Maharashtra, after his attention is caught
by a scowling woman (played by Rekha Johri, the
director’s wife). The story revolves around
the way in which Arun brings about a change in her
personality — all in the span of an evening.
Like
most plays are wont to do, this one too had Delhi’s
‘enthusiasts’ arrive fashionably late.
But then, they did beat a hasty path backstage to
pour accolades on Johri.
Osho
World: de-stress den
Sangita
Sultania G. Roy
lzone
June
27, 2005
The
Telegraph
An
oasis of calm in the chaos of the marketplace, the
Zen-like aura of Osho World attracts first-timers
and loyal followers alike. Even if you are untouched
by Osho’s philosophies, the mystical instrumental
music playing in the background, books waiting for
you to be discovered and numerous lifestyle items
promise a relaxing and de-stressing sojourn at the
outlet on the fourth floor of Forum.
Making
music
Osho
believed artistes, especially musicians, are closest
to god or the greater consciousness, however one
may choose to define it. A firm believer in the
de-stressing and calming nature of music, Osho helped
his followers compose beautiful meditative and de-stressing
music, much of which is dance music as well. Flute,
santoor, sarangi, various percussion instruments
and mystic chants combine to induce complete relaxation
or heady trance-like states that can transport you
into a different time and space. If you find assurance
in familiar names, Shubha Mudgal and Karunesh’s
works feature in the collection as well.
Golden
words
For
those who wish to take the concept of lifestyle
beyond material goods and into a mental realm of
higher living, there are hundreds of books, audio
cassettes, CDs, VCDs and DVDs featuring Osho’s
discourses and views on topics ranging from various
techniques and stages of meditation, Buddha, Krishna,
Jesus, Gita, Sufi mystics to love, relationships,
women, tantra and more. The works are available
both in Hindi and English.
Mood
magic
A
holistic experience is incomplete without the right
ambience. In keeping with Osho’s essence of
celebrating life, there are perfumed candles on
the racks exuding exotic aromas like jasmine and
lemon tea. For a stronger scent, one can opt for
incense sticks that come in fragrances like Mandarin
Spice, apple, coffee and more. Make a more tangible
style statement with avant-garde products made of
natural elements like wood, copper, silver, bronze
and even glass. A candleholder made of a long bark
of wood sitting horizontally with five depressions
in it to hold candles stands out. As does a series
of Mullah Nasiruddin figurines in bronze, a tribute
to the Sufi mystic, whom Osho quoted extensively
in his discourses.
Body
and mind
Osho
believed the body is a temple and must be worshipped
accordingly for the mind within to grow and flourish
in tandem. Comfortable tees and meditation robes
in rich and soothing shades do justice to that thought.
The bearded old man was hardly sombre in nature.
Osho’s sense of humour makes way in the black
or white T-shirts with words like ‘Nothing
to lose but your head’. The robes come in
rich maroon, jet black and snow white. Osho chappals,
velvet pouches, bookmarks and linen bags bearing
abstract embroidery help accessorise the hippie
look.
The
real thing
The
racks, however, just represent the tip of the iceberg.
The real thing is presented on Sunday mornings between
11 am to 12 noon at the meditation sessions at the
store.
Anyone
can participate in the sessions against a fee of
Rs 50 and a prior appointment. Meditation techniques
are taught by Om of Osho World and guest sanyasis.
Participants vouch for the de-stressing qualities
of the sessions if nothing else.
Mystical
Robes
Osho
World celebrates the mystical poet and his being
in the Kabir week
June
27, 2005
Today
(Afternoon Newspaper)
Osho
World Foundation is paying tribute to the poet,
weaver and mystic Kabir by celebrating Kabir week
at Osho World galleria, Ansal Plaza. Kabir is being
remembered through music, textile and art and innovative
pottery during the week.
The
week will be marked by the introduction of the new
textile art collection dedicated to the saint who
in his unassuming way taught the world a sublime
way of living. The place offers a garments collection,
“From Rock to Robes” by designers Bindu
and Ranjan uses embellishments in the form of painted
stylized human figures inspired by the rock art
of the Vindhyas.
This
collection is a small tribute to Kabir- the weaver
and philosopher. Earthy colors, white, ecru, charcoal
etc. in natural fibres like cotton, linen and silk
have been used in asymmetric hems for skirts, ponchos,
flowing kaftans and meditation robes.
As
Osho’s discourses on Kabir and dohas reverberate,
these new collections in the company of other art
products and the blanket of Osho books, discourses
and music available at the galleria which promises
to be a great buy.
Osho
calls Kabir a “Life affirmative mystic”.
He lived in his home, just the ordinary life of
a householder and yet became an enlightened one.
Bringing out the essence of Kabir, Osho says, “Kabir
is a mystic poet”.
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On
the occasion of 70th Birthday of Our Beloved Master Dept. of Posts.
Govt. of India launched a Special Day Cover at a special function
in the capital. 
