by Riza Shanti Lim
Take the risk to be true
Osho Tapoban is a famous retreat center for seekers of spirituality, truth, quiet, peace and wisdom.
People from different parts of the world flock to experience the extraordinary universe that Osho has created in Nepal. The place is perfectly nestled in the middle of a forest in Kathmandu, the perfect setting for what it offers. Its lustrous greens, pretty blooms, serene and happy atmosphere adds beauty to the whole, but the sensational Acharya Rajneesh Bhagwan, popularly known as Osho, is impossible to outshine.
On the day I arrived at the center, I immediately noticed the warmth and friendliness of the people who work there. They gladly showed me around and briefed me about the rules while inside the camp.
During the daytime, all attendees should wear maroon robes and white during the nighttime. If you don’t own one, you can buy one in their shop. I felt excited for it was my first time to attend Osho’s retreat. I have been wishing for it with my friend Jaime Licauco – who unfortunately wasn’t allowed to take long trips and engage in rigorous activities because of his physical condition.
The daily program starts at 7 in the morning with silence and pranayama meditation. You have the choice to do this in your room or in the hall, sitting. After an hour, all attendees are called to gather at the function room for the dynamic meditation. True to its name, fast breathing, hoo sound shouting, screams, laughter, hand gestures, while in standing position, all come into play. Afterwards, quietude follows suit, ending the round with an inner flow dance.
A vegetarian breakfast was exquisitely prepared on the other side of the hill. I chose a quiet corner spot table, overlooking the endless treat of greens, savoring each bite while being serenaded by wondrous sounds coming from the creatures living in the woods.
I headed leisurely back to my room to refresh and proceeded to the main hall for the Nadabrahma meditation for 60 minutes. A simple meditation that uses chants and slow hand gestures in a sitting position.
Teatime is in the afternoon, which I skipped, so I could wander around the place. Quotes by Osho that touched many people’s lives are posted at each curb of the trail. My walk turned meditative, that each step became lighter and lighter, I felt like I was levitating.
At five in the afternoon, the potent kundalini meditation took place. Kundalini meditation is not a typical meditation as you sit and keep still. It is a very active form of meditation and lasts for 60 minutes. It has 4 stages: 15 minutes of shaking of feet and upper body, 15 minutes of free flow dance according to what your body dictates. Shaking, dancing, jumping, crawling, are normal to see during this time. As the music slowly fades away, you are instructed to sit quietly for 15 minutes and in the last 15 minutes, you will be asked to lie down in a sleeping pose or savasana.
The session creates high energy, liberates all body tensions, and melts inhibitions. It makes you feel alive once more; free from the conditions and limitations you set for yourself.
Kundalini is the first chakra which is located at the base of the spine. The seat of energy that sustains the life force. When this is blocked, feelings of insecurity, instability, low self confidence, lack of safety and poor energy is experienced.
The bell rang to call for dinner. Everybody rushed to the dining space in high spirits. The atmosphere was full of jolliness, serenity, and lovely glowing faces. “Am I dreaming?” I silently thought.
We all went in our accommodation spots right after to shower and change in our white robes for the Satsang, a gathering to listen to a spiritual talk from an enlightened guru.
The spacious room was dark when I entered. In the center was a huge video showing the enigmatic sensational OSHO. The man that could undeniably captivate your soul without trying.
He instantly captured my attention when he went to the topic about happiness. He disclosed that the first step to be happy is to know yourself. The second is to be true to yourself. The third is not to fear of not being accepted for who you are. Take the risk to be true, says he. Otherwise, you will keep on carrying an image that your parents thought that was good for you or to please others or pressure from the norm that society has set for all. This culture creates absolute disaster that leads to anger, violence, greed, failure, sadness, depression, blindness, suicide. To act against your true nature and ignore your unique self to gain the world is the greatest sin that any man can inflict on himself.
The messages of the declared Godman by his followers bares the soul and touches the human side, which a lot try to ignore or hide, for it is thought as a weakness. How I wish I met Acharya Rajneesh Bhagwan (Osho) when he was still alive. Swami Anand Arun, his successor, is charming and full of wisdom. But Osho’s enchanting magic is from the heavens.
I slept so well after a longtime that night.
My endless pulses of gratitude to the Godman of Tapoban.
Namaste.
