Mulla Nasrudin stopped his wife from jumping off a bridge. "If you jump in," he pleaded, "I will have to jump in after you. It's awfully cold and while we are waiting for the ambulance we will both get pneumonia and die. NOW, PLEASE, BE A GOOD WIFE AND COME
COME AND HANG YOURSELF."
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. 'Prem
Ki Madhushala' - a concert by Shubha Mudgal was also
held.
When I was asked by Swami Chaitanya Keerti, a disciple of Osho,
heading the three day intense meditation camp at Oshodham
(17-19 May, 2002) to pen down my experiences at the camp, I
decided to tell the story the way I saw it, as a beautiful
journey into the various techniques of Osho meditation,
surrounded by an ambience of calmness and strength.
Having only arrived in India three weeks ago, the last thing
on my mind was to enroll in a meditation camp so early on into
my journey. Here on assignment to write a promotional business
report on my country of roots, I had decided to take a stroll
my first weekend in Delhi to find my bearings, and check out
the local scenery.
I had been told Shoppers Stop would be a good first bet for a
western-Indian looking to purchase a few local goodies.
However, instead I found myself wandering into the shop
dedicated to Osho memorable. Looking around, I could see
books, tapes and clothing dedicated to the practices of this
man, Osho. Curious to find out more, I started speaking to a
gentleman in the shop by the name of Ravindra.
He told me a few basic facts of Osho that he was a spiritual
teacher who had died in 1990. Previous to his death he had
been somewhat controversial, but today many people practice
his techniques of meditation that were designed to help us
look within. He added the Osho Foundation would be running a
camp in a few weeks, and if I was interested I could register
to take part.
This all sounded very interesting, as I am a big fan of yoga,
and was hoping to take this practice to the next level and
experience meditation once settled into Delhi life. However,
all I really knew about meditation was that it was supposed to
be an instrument for us to reach a peace of mind, whereby a
strong body-mind relationship is born.
Having had a crazy week, running around interviewing, chasing
up leads and organising my project, I was very ready to just
relax in tranquil surroundings, and leave all the cares of
"urbanite" living behind me.
On arrival at the camp, I was given a room to myself, simple
and clean, and two gowns - one maroon, one white. I was told
the different colours give off different energies, and for the
evening, the white gown should be worn.
At 6pm, approximately 75 people, from different parts of
India, England and the USA, joined in the main outdoor hall to
practice the first meditation - Kundalini. This consists of
four stages of 15 minute meditations, whereby you let yourself
loose with shaking, then allow your body to dance, after which
you close your eyes and do not move. Finally lying down to be
still.
So this was my first introduction. I have to say it took a
while to let myself "be free," but as I looked at
the people around me in what I would call a hypnotic state, I
decided to let go of my hesitations, and absorb the
atmosphere. It worked. Before I knew it, and hour had passed
and I had forgotten about work, problems, the heat. I was in
what I would call a "happy, loose, state."
Having never meditated before, I was not sure what to expect.
I kept asking my self, had I reached what I was supposed to
reach? Was I witnessing the spirit of meditation? Was I free?
After the first session, we all joined together to eat
vegetarian food in the dining hall. My first impression of the
gatherers was their sheer quietness, and undisturbed
happiness. I questioned the "calm" and wondered
whether all these people were really running away from
reality, into an abyss where they can just watch, and be
humble in their space.
But on talking to a few of the other "meditators" I
soon began to realise they were all normal people, with normal
hectic lives, and normal problems. Some were here because they
were disciples of Osho, and others were first time "meditators,"
much like myself, enjoying a new form of spiritual healing.
As this point I was introduced to a lady by the name of Priya.
We made a connection pretty quickly, and though she was an
Indian born woman, she had a very western outlook on life. I
soon found she was the daughter of Ma Neelam, the past
secretary of Osho, and had spent time living on the commune
Osho built in Pune. She explained a little more to me of the
Guru's teachings, and how Osho was a very compassionate man,
who had the good fortune to embody life, love and laughter.
His search was the rediscovery of one-self, and though he had
faced controversy while on this earth, people had been mis-educated,
as he was tolerant of issues ranging from sex, marriage,
children and religion.
The weekend continued with practices in vigorous breathing
exercises under Dynamic meditation, Naadbrahma meditation,
Kirtan Dhyan, Vipassana, Gibberish and evening satsang.
I listened to what others around me had to say about the
teachings of Osho; I listened to the English discourse Osho
had recorded when alive; and I experienced a higher level of
consciousness by partaking in all the meditations.
Once Sunday evening came, I did certainly feel some sort of
transformation, and am truly grateful for the whole
experience. The talks on non-violence were particularly
appreciated, especially when I think of what is going on in
the world around us today; and the celebration felt when
dancing and laughing during the camp made me feel at one with
myself.
However, as a balanced person in all ways, I realise I do not
need to adhere to "one voice" or "one
Guru" when it comes to rediscovering myself. I appreciate
those that follow the path of Osho, as I appreciate those that
follow the path of Guru Nanak, the Budha, Maharishi Yoga (the
Guru the Beatles came to meet in the holy town of Rishikesh),
the list continues.
What I did get was a firm foundation into the benefits of
meditation. With this, I do believe we can all be tender,
calmer, loving people, with a compassion that overrides all
our narcissism's in life. For someone who knew little of
meditation before the camp, I can see how it allows us to be
more accepting of ourselves, and live life to the fullest. On
a personal level, it has allowed my to fuse my Indian roots,
with my western upbringing. A challenge I face everyday!
Sunita Passi
Project Manager
The Japan Times / World Eye Reports
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. '
