Mahavir Vani Lecture 10 Anshan Madhya Ke Kshan Ka Anubhav

This is a comprehensive summary of Osho Rajnish's "Mahavir Vani Lecture 10: Anshan Madhya ke Kshan ka Anubhav" (Fasting: The Experience of the Moment in Between), based on the provided text:

Core Theme: Understanding Tapasya (Austerity) and the Significance of Anshan (Fasting) in Jainism

Osho begins by referencing a Jain scripture, "Dhamma-sutta," which states that "Dharma is the highest auspiciousness. What Dharma? Dharma in the form of Ahimsa (non-violence), Samyam (restraint), and Tap (austerity). Gods too bow down to the person whose mind is always engrossed in such Dharma." This sets the stage for the discussion on austerity.

The Division of Tapasya: External and Internal

Mahavir, Osho explains, divided "Tapasya" into two forms – external (Bahya Tap) and internal (Antar Tap) – not because Tap can truly be divided, but because human beings, being divided within themselves, cannot comprehend the indivisible nature of Tap.

• Reason for Division: Mahavir's division is a compassionate act to make the concept understandable to the listener, who, unlike Mahavir's liberated consciousness, experiences a separation between the inner and outer.
• Prioritization: Ideally, Mahavir would have placed internal Tap first, as the inner is primary. However, to meet people where they are – externally – he presented external Tap first.
• The Mistake of Followers: Mahavir's followers, perhaps for convenience, prioritized external Tap. This led to a long tradition of focusing solely on external austerities, so much so that internal Tap was neglected, and even external Tap often remained incomplete without the internal dimension.

The Interconnectedness of External and Internal Tap

Osho emphasizes that external and internal Tap are not separate but two aspects of the same whole. One cannot be completed without the other. Trying to complete external Tap first before moving to internal Tap is a fundamental misunderstanding. This is illustrated by the analogy of the body: a disease manifesting in one limb is a symptom of the whole body being unwell. Similarly, Tapasya is a holistic practice.

The Secret of Anshan (Fasting): The Moment in Between

The lecture then delves into the core concept of "Anshan," explaining its esoteric meaning:

• The Body's Double Mechanism: The human body has two mechanisms:
  1. The Normal Mechanism: Used for daily functions like digesting food, building tissues, etc.
  2. The Emergency Mechanism: A reserve system for times of crisis when external food is unavailable. In this state, the body begins to consume its own stored fuel (fat) for survival.
• The Transition: The true secret of Anshan lies in the transition from one mechanism to the other. During this shift, there is a brief "gap" or "interval" where the individual is neither fully in the previous state nor fully in the next.
• The Essence of Anshan: The purpose of Anshan is to experience and capture these "in-between" moments. These moments offer a glimpse of being beyond the physical body, a taste of the self.
• Practice vs. Suddenness: Crucially, Osho states that practicing Anshan negates its benefit. If one becomes too adept at transitioning, the gap becomes imperceptible. Anshan is most effective when it is sudden and unexpected, creating a clear awareness of the transition.
• Examples of the "In-Between":
  • Sleep and Wakefulness: The moment between sleep and waking.
  • Breathing: The pause between inhalation and exhalation (as suggested in the "Vigyan Bhairav" text).
  • Love and Hate: The moment when neither feeling is dominant.
  • Joy and Sorrow: The moment between these two states.
  • Mahavir's Choice: Mahavir chose fasting (food) as the voluntary aspect that facilitates this transition, unlike involuntary processes like breathing or sleep which are harder to manipulate for this specific purpose.

Why Fasting is More Effective than Other Methods (like staying awake):

• Voluntary Nature: Food intake is a voluntary act, unlike breathing or sleep, which are involuntary. This makes it a more accessible tool for this practice.
• Impact on Consciousness: Food consumption leads to a state of "murcha" (unconsciousness, dullness) as the body's energy is diverted to digestion. Fasting, conversely, reduces this diversion, allowing for increased "hosha" (awareness, consciousness).
• Comparison to Sleeplessness: Osho contrasts fasting with prolonged sleeplessness, highlighting that while sleeplessness leads to mental breakdown and vulnerability, fasting, when not practiced habitually, can lead to a state of heightened awareness.
• The Danger of Thought: If one fasts but continues to think about food, the fast is rendered useless, and the mental preoccupation is even more detrimental than eating. The mind's constant contemplation of food becomes a substitute, creating a cycle of desire and frustration.

Mahavir's Approach to Anshan: Spontaneity and Surrender

• No Fixed Schedules: Mahavir did not pre-determine when he would break his fast. He would leave it to destiny or a specific, auspicious event. This spontaneity was key to maintaining the element of surprise and preventing the mind from becoming habituated.
• The Purpose of Not Eating: The aim of fasting was to break the identification with the physical body by severing the link (food) that reinforces this identification. This allows for the realization of being separate from the body.
• The Power of "No": True mastery lies in the ability to firmly say "no" to the senses and have that "no" respected. This is a process of reclaiming ownership from the senses, which often become our masters.
• The Danger of Practice: Habitual practice of fasting makes the "in-between" moments disappear, leading to spiritual blindness. The subtle transition is missed.
• Guruji's Method: Osho draws a parallel with Guruji's method, which involved extremes (overeating followed by sudden fasting, or intense heat followed by freezing cold) to create a significant "gap" for awareness.
• The True Meaning of Tapasya: Tapasya, in essence, is about gaining mastery over the senses and developing the ability to command them, rather than being commanded by them. It is about reclaiming your will.

The Deeper Reasons for Mahavir's Emphasis on Fasting:

• Breaking Identification with the Body: Fasting weakens the physical body's claim on consciousness, making it easier to realize the self as distinct from the body.
• Conserving Energy for Awareness: Food digestion consumes significant bodily energy. By fasting, this energy is liberated for mental and spiritual alertness.
• The Vegetarian Diet: Mahavir's preference for a vegetarian diet, particularly lighter foods, was not solely based on ahimsa. Meat digestion is more energy-intensive, leading to greater "murcha" (dullness) and less energy for the brain.
• The Importance of Inner Willingness: True acceptance (raaji hona) of natural processes, like rain for bathing, leads to an inner fragrance, whereas resistance creates foulness. This inner acceptance is fostered by mastery over the senses, which Anshan helps to cultivate.

Conclusion:

Osho concludes by reiterating that Anshan, when practiced with understanding and spontaneity, is a powerful tool for self-realization. It is not about rigid adherence to rules or mere ritual, but about experiencing the profound "moment in between" the transitions of existence, ultimately leading to a state of heightened awareness and freedom from the tyranny of the senses. The core message is to avoid practicing Anshan out of habit, but to embrace it as an occasional, spontaneous experience to gain the crucial insight into the self.