Distinctive Dharma

  I’ve been in contemplation of my life as a hindu vis-à-vis the teachings of Osho. Sri Krishna clearly presents the idea of distinctive dharma in the Gita, that being that all individuals have their own unique sacred duty and pathway in this universe. In my attempts to connect deeper to Sri Krishna I printed out some instructions on how to do proper pooja. I think deeper about this and it’s clear I’m recycling back into that problem of the Westerner embracing the ways of the East. To quote that ancient Chinese alchemical text, The Secret of the Golden Flower, “if the wrong man uses the right means the right means work in the wrong way.” 

  Carl Jung explores this theme deeply in his essays which can be found in “Psychology & The East”. Essentially, Jung looks at the Westerners who embrace the religions (as distinct from spirit) of the East as pitiful imitators. He goes onto say that these ideals never originated in the Western mind and therefore can never be profitably grafted upon them. Jung’s perspective here is relative to the context in which he writes; the truth is that the Westerner has a lot to learn from the East. The actual problem arises when the Westerner blindly surrenders his lifeways those those of the East at the expense of his own being. Through my own experience I’m against such blind adoption of religion and adamantly believe the wholeness of the individual should never be sacrificed to philosophies or teachings that possess no living substance.

  The rebellious spirit of Osho encourages us to move beyond the limitations of religion and tradition so that we can situate our lives in awareness and understanding. We should ask ourselves how can we bring Sri Krishna into 2008 or the Japanese tea ceremony into the twenty first century. The basic tenet of the I Ching reveals the intrisnic law of perennial change which stands in stark contradistinction to  the static nature of religion. Too often religion breeds cynicism and fails to appropriate respect and even reverence for alternative spiritual paths. . This contradicts the emphasis of selflessness and love that seemingly is the bedrock of the world’s greater religions. Mahatama Gandhi once said, “What have I to take to them other than my nakedness, rather than have them join in my prayer I would join in theirs”. This is spiritual harmony.

  This respect and reverence is foreign to the religions of today. We live in a world divided by religion and these ideals of division are subsequently pushed forward through the ideal of family and education via teachers who are unwise. Sri Krishna says in Gita, “If one offers me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, or a fruit, or water. I will accept it”. So in this way I intend to show love and devotion to Sri Krishna in a way which is true to my own intrinsic sacred being. And when I have children I will tell them from my heart that Sri Krishna is my conception of god, but you have to find out what makes sense to you my child. Ultimatley love and devotion is what is key and not lifeless scriptures and not teachers who are secretly our on evangelical conquests. Acceptance, understanding and love is real living that teakes place right here, right now. Use the scriptures insofar that they inspire you to live a loving and harmonious life. Remember that from the beginning to the end love is love. And from the beginning to the end you are your own unique blossoming in this universe.

Buddha with no name

  After a long day I decided to go outside and meditate with the calmness and serenity of the cool evening. It’s been many moons since I’ve set aside time to meditate, to simply breathe. I was reading Eknath Easwaran’s translation of Bhagavad Gita this evening and was moved by the third chapter in which Sri Krishna teaches Arjuna about yoga: the controlling of the senses. Sri Krishna says to Arjuna, “Those who take wisdom as their highest goal, whose faith is deep and whose senses are trained, attain wisdom quickly and enter into perfect peace”.  Perfect peace, I like this. 

   I’m never been a perfect meditator, and I’ve only been able to reach ephemeral states of halcyon and bliss. Discipline, diligence and persistance are essential to the path of yoga, but I remember Krishna saying somewhere in Gita that even small strides along the path of yoga are beneficial for this life and the next. As thoughts and memories weaved through my mind tonight I was remniscant of the Buddha with no name. 

  It was after my summer semester studying at ICMIS that I joined the 10 day Vipassana meditation course located on the distant outskirts of Bangalore. It was there I met the Buddha with no name. He was simply a meditator who had devoted his energies to teaching and guiding others in Gautamas’ teaching of Vipassana. His subtle aura radiated calmness and awareness. Often, when we imagine the yogi, the meditator, we see the image of an individual situated in some distinct esoteric asana. Asana, simply refers to the bodily position undertaken in the act of meditation. I watched the Buddha with no name situate his body in an asana where he simply sat with his legs crossed, and his hands in his lap. I’ll forever remember his simplicistic asana, and it reminds me that meditation is simply breathing, nothing more is required.

  After those 10 days, the final day would arrive and we would finally be allowed to break our vow of silence. I remember the Buddha with no name and another instructor came to me smiling. I was interesting for them as I was the only videshi, foreigner, who particpated in that meditation and they thought I wouldn’t be able to make it through the entire course. Dhyana, Meditation is fundamentally breathing, yet to simply breathe with awareness is a great discipline. We just breathe with awareness and this is all that is required. No esoteric asanas, no books on meditation, no incense just breathing with awareness. It’s as simple as the Buddha with no name.