INSTRUCTIONS FOR SOME OF OSHO'S MEDITATIONS

Osho's meditations are generally quite physically active. Before doing the more strenuous ones such as Dynamic and the Mystic Rose it would be advisable to have a health checkup. These meditations give an opportunity for you to throw out tensions from the mind and body, and create a space for meditation to occur naturally. Choose a meditation space where you can relax and know that you will not be disturbed. Because you will have your eyes closed for most of the time, ensure that the meditation space is large enough and free from objects which could cause harm to yourself or others.

All of these meditations can be done alone or in a group situation. You may find that classical music playing in the background enhances your meditative experience. And remember throughout the meditation to remain a witness to the mind, body and emotions. And at every opportunity bring your awareness back to the gap between the in-breath and out-breath at the navel area. This is known as your centre.

Kundalini Meditation

Kundalini meditation is one hour long and done in four stages to the music of a meditation CD (available online at all good Internet bookshops). Note that this CD should be reserved for kundalini meditation only and not played at any other time.

The entire meditation is done with eyes closed and you need enough space to be able to move your arms around without hitting anything.

In the first stage you stand eyes closed with feet shoulder width apart and arms hanging loosely at your sides. Allow the body to gently shake in rhythm with the music. At first you may wish to experiment by shaking your hands above your head, in front of you and to the sides. Shake your shoulders, your chest, your pelvis and your legs. You may move your feet but should keep them on the floor at all times. Eventually the body will shake from within; just allow it and do not force the shaking. Allow yourself to become the shaking and remain a witness to the body, mind and emotions. It may help you to stay grounded by keeping your awareness on the feet.

After fifteen minutes the music will change. In the second stage you allow the body to dance and to freely express itself. Keep your eyes closed and dance on the spot, and keep your awareness in the body and on the soles of your feet.

The next time the music changes sit down comfortably on the floor, position your body, allow the breathing to normalise and remain a witness to the body, mind and emotion. Keep your awareness on the gap between the breath at the navel area.

When the music stops lie down on your back; cover your body with a blanket if it is cool; position yourself comfortably, then stay totally still for the next fifteen minutes. Once again just keep your awareness on the gap between the breath at the navel area.

Gibberish / No-Mind Meditation

Gibberish is a great meditation to do at the end of the day, especially if you have been involved in lots of mind-work, or if you have had challenges in expressing how you feel.

The meditation is done in two stages. Each stage can be anywhere from five minutes to an hour, and the stages do not have to be equal in length.

In the first stage you sit comfortably on the floor with closed eyes and make sounds as if you are speaking a foreign language that you do not understand. For example if you do not understand French then speak French; if you do not understand Japanese then speak Japanese. Just let the sounds come and gibber. You will find that the sounds will form a syntax like a real language, but if the gibberish becomes too structured or repetitious then break the pattern by making some new sounds. Even though you should be sitting on the floor do not be rigid, allow the body to move and to express itself.

In the second stage you sit with eyes closed and remain a witness to the mind, body and emotions. At every opportunity bring your awareness to the gap between the in-breath and out-breath at the navel area.

Laughing Meditation

Laughing is probably the only activity in which we are able to be totally involve the mind, body and heart, and as such it makes a simple yet powerful meditation.

The meditation is done in two stages. Each stage can be anywhere from five minutes to an hour, and the stages do not have to be equal in length.

The first stage can be done with eyes open or closed while sitting comfortably on the floor. To begin just laugh and when you stop, just start laughing again. It may help to think of humorous situations, to think of jokes, to pull funny faces, and even to think how silly it is to do a laughing meditation. If tears come then allow yourself to cry for a few minutes before bringing yourself back to the laughter. Even though you should be sitting on the floor do not be rigid, allow the body to move and express itself with the laughter.

In the second stage you sit with eyes closed and remain a witness to the mind, body and emotions. At every opportunity bring your awareness to the gap between the in-breath and out-breath at the navel area.