Mystic Mantra: The Tao of giving

What an unusual way of celebrating the birth of a child! Hats off to Face-book CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, who plannned to give away most of their fortune through a new initiative to “advance human potential and promote equality for all children in the next generation” after the birth of their daughter Max. This reminded me of the recent announcement of Bill Gates about his retirement from the day-to-day workings of Microsoft. Zuckerberg called Bill Gates “his hero”. Bill Gates clearly stated that it was not a retirement, it was a reprioritisation.

Creativity is ceaseless evolution in multiple dimensions. Renouncing one job and diversifying into something totally different is a freedom enjoyed by rare individuals. The eastern wisdom has supported renunciation as a culmination of fruitful life. I would like to share the wisdom of the ancient Chinese master Lao Tzu: “Retire when your work is done, Such is heaven’s way.”What does he mean by “the work is done?” Osho explains it lucidly: “When you see that a work has given you balance, that you have attained happiness, don’t ask for more. Retire, enjoy it. Revel in it. The mind is always asking for more. There are two dimensions. One is horizontal... more, more, more. You move in a line. You are on the point A; you want reach point B, then on C. Soon you will reach XYZ. And Z is the door to hell. This is mechanical mind. No moment to enjoy, no moment to celebrate, no moment to retire and be. Then there is another way of life: the vertical. You move from A to Al to A2 to A3 in a vertical line, in depth. Whatsoever is in the moment you move deep into it. And then even one moment becomes eternity. And your happiness knows no bounds.”

Amrit Sadhana is in the management team of Osho International Meditation Resort, Pune.