There was a time when Osho would conclude his talks with three little words: “enough for today?!” It was both a question and an exclamation. His mesmerising transmission in words would come softly to an end, just like a bird flying high in the sky coming down with a majestic sweep of wings and then sitting down on a tree. People would be in deep meditation towards the end of his talk and in that state these words penetrated deeply in their hearts. For me, it became a message that could become a meditation if followed in real life situations.
“Enough for today” would ring in my ears, vibrate in the brain even after Osho stopped talking. What does it entail? It entails completion of one activity, whether mental or physical.
Normally we tend to leave everything incomplete, unfinished. Our relationships, projects, feelings are often carried forward to the next day or next month. Maybe we have to apologise to someone, but we don’t. We have to thank somebody, but we don’t. We may be too shy or too proud to do so. All these unfinished things linger in the mind and create a burden on the heart.
Saying “enough for today” can be a great wake up call when we indulge in something. For instance, while eating, people almost become unconscious. It is hard to stop once you see your favourite food in front of you because the brain releases a neurotransmitter called dopamine while having food or sex. It gives one the feeling of pleasure or satisfaction. These feelings of satisfaction become desire, to satisfy that desire the person will repeat behaviours that cause the release of dopamine. So when your mind is getting lusty or greedy and not listening to the body, you can remind it, “Enough for today”.
In a quarrel, in an unending argument with someone or amassing money out of greed, you get carried away, so that is the moment to say, “Enough for today”. You will prevent the forthcoming disaster.
Every night while falling asleep can we say “enough for today” with all our heart? No, so many incidents happened during the day and they dance in front of our closed eyes. Our mind is still feeling hurt about some insult or enjoying something that nursed our ego. We have to learn this and that, go here and there... Oh, god! It is certainly not enough for today.
Completing everything every moment also means knowing where to stop. It means having utter contentment so that if we have to die this moment we are willing to depart. Completion means the heart is at peace with itself; no accounts to be closed, no ambitions to be fulfilled. Osho says, “Live each moment intensely, let each moment be so full that the next moment is not needed to fulfil your desires.”
Amrit Sadhana is in the management team of Osho International Meditation Resort, Pune.
She facilitates meditation workshops around the country and abroad.
