MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH
In this fast-paced world, where life seems contoured with the subjectivity of distorted human perception, exploring hidden treasures which lead us to the gateway of knowledge remains elusive. Interestingly, the harsh truth is that though we are alive, we are divorced from the true essence of living. There is an intrinsic deep-seated fear of death that is telling of how we seek even the slightest security – be it work, love or a mundane choice. This explicitly reflects on our predominantly outward focus (towards survival), that isn’t directed inwards. By and by, experiencing life from outside gradually culminates into the experience of death and, in the end, boils down to the fact that mankind is deeply unconscious – we are only familiar with the external body, living unaware of the palace inside. Consequentially, this unconsciousness, down many millennia, has proven to be disastrous, as countless wars have been waged with people barely existing without ever really living.
Now, there’s no denying that each individual has had some kind of a relationship with death. Why? Because it is inevitable; every moment is an inch closer to death, though we may like to shy away from reality, we cannot. Also, death indeed is a great teacher as it inculcates indefinitely about life. Its message is direct but profound; one can shut oneself and become hardened or choose to open up and taste real freedom, on which mystics have written many verses. Coming to terms with death unbridles the mind from delusions that trap us in prejudices and, understanding it will certainly allow an individual’s inner growth.
However, for Bhagwaan Rajneesh – better known as Osho – death is completely false. There existed no such event for him as he only knew life in its immortal colours, devoid of any binary or distinction. He asserts this unambiguously in his book titled And Now and Here, published posthumously by Penguin Ananda in 2018. For him, death and life do not co-exist. In his words ‘either we know we are life, only then does life exist, but when life remains unknown there is only death. As a problem, life and death both do not exist simultaneously. But still we all are afraid of death.’ According to him, the fear of death itself sums up that we aren’t acquainted with it and this fear when further allowed to flourish has only one meaning: unfamiliarity with life. Whereas, the flipside is that life is brewing within us, it is flow- ing within us this very moment; it is all round us. Osho, through this book, made immense effort to simplify the myths and misunderstandings shrouding death, of which, a most fascinating aspect is the portrayal of death and life as two extremes, generally. He has shredded to pieces this popular belief that life and death are binaries through his extensive talks in the book, which are actually transcribed from his offthe-cuff talks he was known to deliver to rapt international audiences. In his discourse, he has gone on to impose that man is immortal but never looks in the direction of immortality. With Price: `499 Publisher: Penguin Ananda penetrating insight, he has undressed the duality between life and death. The author has described ‘man as seed of existence’ – with his physical body representing the cover and inside containing the potential seed which can bloom into the ‘tree of life’. But, unfortunately, man has understood life in terms of blossoming of a flower while the roots, where the truth lies, stay completely neglected i.e., the within is uncared for. In fact, all potentialities are within and they only manifest outside. In other words, ‘being is within, becoming takes place outside’.
Apart from his discussion on the mysteries of spiritual planes, he has tackled and debunked many social and political issues plaguing today’s times. Add to this, the mix of parables cropping up alongside short stories, makes it a most engaging and healthy read. Being a revolutionary spiritual leader of his time, Rajneesh had made an immense effort in the late 20th century to give birth to a new human being he often characterised as ‘Zorba, the Budhha’ – who could enjoy the worldly pleasures of Zorba (The Greek god), commingling with the unwavering peace of Gautama Buddha. The book is apt for anyone feeling bonded in society and willing to begin a process of inner transformation. But one must be equally willing and open to inner experimentation.
For one, Osho has shredded to pieces this popular belief that life and death are binaries through his extensive talks in the book
Author: Publisher: Author: Publisher: