Some Osho Tips for a Celebratory Lifestyle

Resolutions and Affirmations
Most of us would agree that we rarely stick religiously to the resolutions that we make in a moment of remorse or introspection (or madness?) as a step towards leading a more enlightened lifestyle. Osho says that this is because we are not totally present in the moment when we make the resolution – only a part of our mind is participating in the act, as happens with most of what we do. Only when we are meditative and aware will all our thoughts, words and actions fructify, as our entire being will then be involved in the process. Osho says that only when the moment of death arrives, our total energies are gathered and concentrated, and when a resolve is made in such a state, it is sure to last (which is why it is said that the last thought that we hold before death irrevocably decides the course of our next birth). Since we cannot wait until death to make a resolution, the next best thing is to create a similar situation when we are alive. This can be done during inhalation and exhalation. Osho says one should inhale deeply and hold the breath as long as possible, and make the resolution when a bursting point is reached, when you feel like you are dying. Then empty the breath out slowly and hold again, and repeat the resolution when you can no longer hold your breath. This counts as one cycle, and this has to be done five times twice a day – first thing in the morning as soon as you wake up, and the last thing before dropping off to sleep, in bed.

Another simple method is to repeat the affirmation (Eg: ‘I shall go deeper and deeper into meditation every day, and experience inner joy’) 20 times to yourself just loud enough to be heard only by you, before going to bed every night and before getting up from bed every morning.

Dealing with negative emotions

Osho says that purification of the body, mind and emotions is the preliminary step to get into meditation, since all three have much garbage accumulated through several lifetimes of ignorance. This garbage is collected only because we are used to suppressing our emotions, or expressing them destructively. Osho says that all emotions are good, as they give rise to tremendous energy in the body. When one is angry, jealous, happy, sad, energy is produced. These have neither to be suppressed nor expressed. If an emotion like anger is suppressed, it will result in blocks in the energy body which will manifest as mental and physical illnesses. If it is expressed, it will become destructive and hurt somebody else, setting off a chain of reactions. Hence, the only way to deal with it is to transform it. Osho says, be aware of the energy arising in you when your emotions are running high, then clench your feet, or stomach, or fist, or face, or any part of the body, hold for a few moments, and relax. You will observe that the emotion has passed, and the energy has been transformed and directed to a body part used constructively to strengthen the muscles!

Another way to deal with a negative emotion is to become aware of it, direct the awareness to the navel and exhale vigorously twenty times. A creative way to transform negativity into a pranayam!

For details of Osho activities and workshops, contact Shamala, Osho Celebration Centre,
Bangalore: 09844510620