Osho
disciples around the world celebrated Neo-Sannyas Day (Nav-Sannyas
Divas in India) on 26th September this year and every year. This
is the day when Osho introduced his vision of sannyas and
initiated his first group of disciples as his sannyasins in a
meditation camp in Manali. Thus began his Neo-Sannyas Movement
which continues to attract thousands of seekers of truth every
year.
During
this meditation camp in 1970, Osho was talking on Krishna: The
Man And His Philosophy, and he gave birth to a new Sannyas of
life-affirmation, joy, freedom and celebration. He brought the
spirit of Krishna, his dance and playfulness into the
twenty-first century. He wanted the Sannyas to have a fresh
lease of life with new vigour and vitality, colour and
creativity.
"Sannyas
has to be invested with a new meaning, a new concept. Sannyas
has to live; it is the most profound, the most precious treasure
that mankind has. But how to save it, preserve it, is the
question. I would like to share with you my vision on this
score," declared Osho in the foothills of Himalayas.
Previously
the flavour of sannyas had deteriorated into a denial of life.
Osho rejected this misconception about sannyas and life-negative
attitude and he said that if sannyas were to survive in the
future or become rejuvenated, it needed a new meaning and a new
dimension of celebration and creativity.
Said
Osho: "My sannyasins celebrate everything. Celebration is
the foundation of my sannyas -- not renunciation but rejoicing;
rejoicing in all the beauties, all the joys, all that life
offers, because this whole life is a gift of God.
"The
old religions have taught you to renounce life. They are all
life negative; their whole approach is pessimistic. They are all
against life and its joys. To me, life and God are synonymous.
In fact, life is a far better word than! God itself, because God
is only a philosophical term, while life is real, existential.
The word "God" exists only in scriptures; it is a
word, a mere word. Life is within you and without you - in the
trees, in the clouds, in the stars. This whole existence is a
dance of life. I teach love for life."
Osho
invites the whole world to join in the celebration of this
phenomenon of Neo-Sannyas that goes on for ever. It's a playful
journey of transformation through meditation. And celebration is
the real flavour of this transformation