Pune - Osho

We arrived to Koregon park – the local back packer hang out – by about 11 at night. We headed to the busy German bakery, and found an old friend of Ananda’s. Things seem to have a way of resolving themselves in Pune. They ‘just’ work out. Interestingly, I have been having many déjà vu experiences here… Maybe it’s the energy? What ever it is, it is very intense.

Pune provided a location to settle down for two weeks and not need to worry about where we were off to next. Pune is also home to the Osho Meditation Resort. After taking a quick tour of the grounds and getting all the details about fees and the general rules, I walked away with a sour taste in my mouth – and two books… I talked to a few people who have been to the ashram and found that many people who have been avoid talking about it because of the negative image that so many people have of it. I think that this is partially due to negative publicity that the ashram has received in the past 30 years, as well as the alternative approach of many of the ideas and meditative techniques that are used. But as my dad used to say; you have to try everything once. So after debating and procrastinating go to the ashram I took the plunge and went to the welcome morning introductory class.

For all first timers they suggest taking the “Welcome Morning” tour so that you get a little introduction to the activities in the ashram. Well our group was fortunate enough to get a great guide, an Italian from Rome who moved to India some 25 years ago. He was incredibly charismatic and funny, and there was something in his voice that was reminding me of something… But what was it?

The “Welcome Morning” introduced us to the three main types of meditation that is done at the resort: Dynamic, Kundalini, and Nadabrahma meditation. Before anyone of the group could say it, the guide was describing our thoughts; “I could be in Goa right now, what crazy things are these people going to do to me, what would my mother think if she saw me doing this?” Almost as if he was reading my mind! But after the awkwardness of the first few exercises things really started to take flight.. (Then I realized what it was that the welcome morning instructor was reminding me of – his voice was identical to that of Triumph the Insult Dog. It was almost unbearable to keep myself from laughing… “For me to poop on!”) The guide described meditation as not allowing an “idea” or “thought” to grab your mind and go for a walk. Attempting to distance oneself from your thoughts, and just watch them go by, like a movie reel! This doesn’t mean that you need to be still, but in the beginning it is easier this way. This definition really resonated with me, as this what happens when mountain biking and practicing Jiu-Jistu.

After the introduction I went off to lunch. There is a local tali restaurant where you can eat all that you want and it only costs 35 Rs. ( $1.00 CND)! Interestingly, everyone there was wearing a maroon robe – they were all Oshoites. Then I was off to try some of the meditations in the Osho Pyramid. The Nadadrahma Meditation was a total trip! The first stage consisted of sitting for 30 minutes. I knew something powerful was happening as my leg fell asleep, then all of a sudden it stopped hurting, then I wiggled my toe and bam, then pain came back! Dam I was taking control of my mind then I let an idea bring me back, Then maybe 45 minutes into the meditation, I felt these orbs of heat in my hands, followed by an almost instantaneous warmth in my lower belly – but that might have been the tali…

The walk home was great, really chilled. Sure some of the things were a little hokey, but you can’t judge, you just have to do it. I will defiantly enjoy the next week at the ashram, looking forward to Zen Archery and getting deeper into the meditations.

The second day at the Ashram was with Ananda, we went and did the Dynamic Meditation, followed by the Tai Chi, then Laughing Drums, Lunch then Nadabrahma then the White Robe with the Audio talk and a little Dance…. It seemed to be a little too much as it was almost 7 hours of intenseness! But Monday and Tuesday gave an opportunity for relaxing and reflection on the past few days.

It was defiantly a positive experience but on my final day at the ashram things took a bit of a nose dive. The meditations did not seem to be affecting me in the same way. But that it to be expected and one cannot get upset about that, simply practice a little more. But then at the white robe and audio talk (where they show a video recording or one of the countless Osho talks) it totally fell apart. The talk was about genetic engineering and how beneficial it would be to the future of human beings. But the silliness and verbal diarrhea that was being said was too much for many, as they were walking out… Kind of a sour note to end on but our time was up, and we had to move on. As we had a flight to catch to Kerala!

I’ll post some pics next time!
Ciao for now!