I had just been to the Blue Mountains near Sydney. These ancient mountains are covered by vast forests of eucalyptus, which in the hot sun discharge a fine mist of eucalyptus oil from their leaves. The mist refracts light, which makes the haze look blue from a distance. They look very appealing but scary at the same time. They beckon the visitors amidst their bluish vastness. Adventure always attracts.
There was a peculiar sign put up by the government at many points: “Don’t go to the forests alone, you may get lost.”
This made me think, isn’t it the same about life? Isn’t life as mysterious as these sprawling Blue Mountains? Just close your eyes and ponder for a moment, isn’t the thing we call life a vast expanse of wilderness? Can anyone peep into the future? We try to create support systems, guides and safety measures but there are no roadmaps here, no charted paths or signs such as: “The way to success” or “The way to fame” or “This road leads to wealth.” Those who are successful never know at the beginning of their journey that they are going to reach the top. They just grope in the dark, trust their intelligence and take the plunge. People walk their way and make the path by walking; it is not already built for them. Such a path would be useless. It would be stale and borrowed.
You cannot walk on the path carved by others. It is their path made by their hard labour for themselves. Their personality, their needs and their growth are completely unique, so it will not fulfil your needs. Living means going through the pain of growing, nurturing and evolving the dormant seeds deep inside so that they can bloom into unique flowers. Unless you embark on the journey of the unknown, take risks, your blossoms will not be authentic, your hidden potential will not actualise. There are no short cuts in life either.
This is why life is like a mountainous terrain full of adventure. Osho says, do not depend on horoscopes and astrologers, do not look for road signs and maps; they are misleading. The insecurity, the adventure is the essence of life. Only death can be secure and safe. If you have a choice between the known and the unknown, always choose the unknown. It may be risky, but the spiritual gains will be immense, for life dwells in danger. Walking on the razor’s edge sharpens intelligence, creates a centre inside, you feel integrated. More alive, more conscious. Getting lost in the forests may not be advisable but losing oneself in the vastness of life would be very rewarding.
Amrit Sadhana is in the management team of Osho International Meditation Resort, Pune. She facilitates meditation workshops.
Links:
[1] http://103.241.136.51/amrit-sadhana-612
