Mahavir Vani Lecture 18 Kayotsarga Sharir Se Vida Lene Ki Kshamta

Here's a comprehensive summary of Osho Rajnish's Lecture 18, "Kayotsarga: The Capacity to Bid Farewell to the Body," from the Mahavir Vani series:

This lecture delves into the twelfth and final stage of Jain spiritual practice, Kayotsarga, as described by Mahavir Swami. Osho explains that Kayotsarga, often misinterpreted as enduring physical hardship or pain, is fundamentally about the capacity to willingly let go of the body.

The Analogy of Death and Meditation:

Osho draws a crucial parallel between death and deep meditation. He states that death occurs when the body becomes incapable of sustaining life, and consciousness withdraws. However, the mind, driven by ingrained desires and attachments to the body, struggles to detach, leading to the pain and unconsciousness often associated with dying. True death, in this sense, is not merely the cessation of physical life but the inability of the mind to detach from the body.

Deep meditation, particularly at advanced stages, mirrors this experience. When the meditator's awareness intensifies and the mind's attachment to the physical body dissolves, a similar sensation of "ending" or "annihilation" arises. The core of Kayotsarga is the acceptance of this impending "death" within meditation, the ability to remain detached and not cling to the body when it feels like it's dissolving. It's about witnessing the separation of consciousness from the body without fear or resistance.

Misinterpretation of Traditional Kayotsarga:

Osho criticizes the traditional interpretation of Kayotsarga as merely enduring external hardships like pain, suffering, or mistreatment. He argues that this is a superficial understanding that equates to "kaya-klesh" (bodily austerities) and is merely external penance. Mahavir, being profound, wouldn't reiterate what has already been covered in external practices. True Kayotsarga, according to Osho, is the readiness to offer the body, to let it go, to realize one is separate from it, and to remain a witness even as the body disintegrates.

The Illusion of Ownership: "Mine" vs. "It is It's Own":

The central obstacle to Kayotsarga is the deeply ingrained belief, "This body is mine." Osho explains that this sense of ownership extends to everything – our house, our car, our possessions. This "unauthorized ownership" (anadhikrit malakiyat) leads to suffering and attachment. Even our scientific advancements are seen as extensions of our bodies, making our perceived "self" larger and more complex, thus increasing our vulnerabilities and anxieties.

Mahavir's revolutionary insight is that "the body is the body's, and you are yours." This is a radical departure from the idea of ownership. Osho elaborates that every element in the body – earth, water, fire, air, space – belongs to its own element. Our breath, our body's components, are not intrinsically "ours" but are temporary stations on a longer journey. The true "self" is not the collection of these elements but the capacity to know, the pure awareness, the "just knowing" that remains when all physical and mental components are let go.

The Power of Belief and Transformation:

Osho emphasizes the immense power of human belief and consciousness. Our identifications and beliefs shape our reality. Just as a small shift in perception can transform a person (like the actress Greta Garbo), deep-seated beliefs can create profound experiences. He cites examples of the Amazonian tribes where husbands experience childbirth pain with their wives, and communities where gender roles are reversed due to deeply ingrained cultural beliefs. This highlights that what we believe to be true often becomes true for us.

Practical Steps Towards Kayotsarga:

To achieve Kayotsarga, Osho suggests:

• Constant Remembrance: "I am not the body." This negative affirmation is essential to break the identification. By deeply embracing this truth, the awareness of the soul ("I am the soul") begins to awaken.
• Positive Affirmation: "I am the soul." This positive realization is crucial.
• Witnessing Transitional Moments: Certain times in life are more conducive to shifting our identification from the body to the soul. These include:
  • Sunrise and Sunset: These are periods of transition where our inner state can also shift.
  • Midnight: When nature and the body are in a state of deep rest, resistance to letting go of the body is minimized.
  • Transitioning to Sleep: The moment between wakefulness and sleep, the "neutral gear" of consciousness, is highly receptive. Repeating the affirmation "I am not the body" during this time can deeply embed it.
  • Waking Up: The first conscious thought upon waking is also a powerful opportunity to reaffirm "I am not the body."
  • Moments of Crisis or Shock: Accidents or sudden life changes can create a profound shift in awareness, making it easier to remember one's true nature.
  • After Intense Experiences: While often followed by a return to the old self, moments after intense emotional or physical experiences (like anger, alcohol intoxication, or even sexual union) can offer a window of reduced bodily identification.
  • Visiting Hospitals or Cremation Grounds: These places naturally remind us of the transient nature of the body.
• Giving Back to the Elements: Consciously remembering that the elements within us belong to the larger universe and offering them back, signifies a detachment from ownership.

The Ultimate Goal: Amritva (Immortality):

The culmination of Kayotsarga, when integrated with deep meditation, leads to Amritva – immortality or the experience of timelessness. It's the realization that one is beyond the cycle of birth and death. Death, Osho explains, is a consequence of attachment to the body, while Amritva is the result of transcending this attachment.

The Revolutionary Nature of Mahavir's Teachings:

Osho highlights the profound revolutionary nature of Mahavir's statement: "Even the gods bow to him." This was a radical shift from the prevalent Vedic tradition where humans bowed to gods. Mahavir proclaimed the ultimate potential of human consciousness, the possibility of transcending even the divine realms through spiritual realization. This human potential, the capacity for both extreme degradation and ultimate elevation, is the core of Mahavir's message.

In essence, Lecture 18 of Mahavir Vani, as expounded by Osho, is a profound exploration of disidentification from the physical body through conscious acceptance, non-ownership, and deep remembrance of one's true nature as pure consciousness. It's about preparing for and welcoming the dissolution of the self as we know it, leading to a state of timeless freedom and immortality.