We humans are emotional beings. Superficially, we may appear to be very rational, but if we observe our way of living thoroughly, we behave irrationally most of the time. Emotions play a very dominant role in our life. In the meanwhile, our present moment is ruined or poisoned. Such frequent storms in our daily life, affect our mental and physical health and these two sides of health are inter-connected. What affects the mind affects our body also. One can see all the sadness and gloominess on the face, as one can see happiness and joy.
This dominance of emotions is not a very healthy affair. Meditation is one of the many interventions now being increasingly recommended by physicians. For thousand of years, the seekers have known this method as something similar Vipassana or Anapanasati yoga. It is not yoga. It is pure meditation of be-ing watchful of the breath in passive alertness, with total acceptance of what is happening within and outside you.
Osho reminds us that meditation is a way to see and accept what is happening in the present moment. To be in the moment is meditation — to be here and now. Neither one thinks of the past in this moment nor of the future. While being in this meditation, time stops… the world stops. The taste of meditation is in the cessation of time and the inner workings of our mind.
For people who can afford to spend more time in meditation, it is recommended to sit silently at least for one hour everyday. Don’t do anything; wi-th closed eyes just sit silently with a waiting and open heart. Just wait patiently, ready to welcome whatever may happen. Even if nothing happens just sitting silently for one hour is in itself very relaxing — it helps us unite with our roots.
Or, you may sit under a tree. Simply feel the breeze, the air surrounding you and touching your body; listening to the ruffling sound of leaves. But don’t just let the breeze touch you; with closed eyes feel as if you are also a tree and the air is passing through you just as it passes through trees. Be open, receptive and sensitive to experience the breeze not simply passing by you, but rather passing through you.
The more we care for our wellbeing, the easier it will be for us to live even within the dysfunctional environments. Once we involve ourselves in the process of staying healthy we recognise the fact that whatever is happening in any moment is what we need to address it there and then — sensitively, intelligently and with meditative awareness.
Swami Chaitanya Keerti, editor of Osho World, is the author of Osho Fragrance
