Mahavir Vani Lecture 22 Kamvasna Hai Dusre Ki Khoj

Here's a comprehensive summary of Osho Rajnish's "Mahavir Vani Lecture 22: Kamvasna Hai Dusre Ki Khoj" (Lust is the Search for the Other), drawing from the provided Jain text:

The lecture delves into the nature of sexual desire (kamvasna) and its relationship with the search for the "other," contrasting the approaches of Tantra and Jainism, particularly the teachings of Mahavir.

The Core of Desire: One Energy, Two Directions

Osho begins by positing that humans possess a single fundamental energy, which he calls "sex energy" or "kam-urja." This energy can flow in two directions:

• Outward: When this energy moves towards another person, it becomes sexual desire (youn, sex). This is akin to water turning into heavy ice below zero degrees Celsius, pulled downwards by gravity.
• Inward: When this energy flows towards oneself, it transforms into yoga. This is like water turning into steam above 100 degrees Celsius, rising upwards towards the divine.

Osho emphasizes that the energy itself is neutral; it's the direction that dictates its manifestation and outcome. Humans are the deciding factor in how they utilize this potent energy.

Two Paths to Transformation: Tantra vs. Mahavir (Yoga)

The lecture then presents two contrasting methods for transforming this primal energy: Tantra and Mahavir's path (which Osho equates with Yoga).

• Tantra:

  • Premise: Tantra believes that one can only transcend that which has been fully experienced. Therefore, it advocates for a deep and complete engagement with sexual desire to eventually detach from its allure. The idea is that by experiencing the "sweetness" and then the inevitable "bitterness" or disillusionment of sexual indulgence, the desire will naturally fade.
  • Analogy: Like seeing a rope mistaken for a snake in the dark, Tantra suggests thoroughly examining it in the light to realize it's just a rope, thereby dispelling the fear. Similarly, experiencing the perceived pleasure of lust, only to find it ultimately leads to suffering, helps in relinquishing it.
  • Challenge: This path is considered difficult and potentially dangerous, requiring immense self-awareness and control to avoid being consumed by the very experiences one seeks to transcend. It's suited for those actively cultivating heightened consciousness.

• Mahavir (Yoga):

  • Premise: Mahavir's approach is diametrically opposed to Tantra. He believes that any experience creates habits, and these habits become deeply ingrained, leading to mechanical behavior rather than conscious living. The more one experiences something, the stronger the habit becomes, creating a vicious cycle.
  • Habit Formation: Osho uses examples like regular meal times (even when not hungry) and sleep schedules to illustrate how habits override natural inclinations. He argues that sexual experience, like other habits, becomes mechanical, leading to relationships based on routine rather than genuine connection. This is exemplified by D.H. Lawrence's observation that marriage is often more habit than experience.
  • The Danger of Habit: The core danger, according to Mahavir, is the formation of habit. Once a seed of experience is sown, it grows into a tree with countless seeds, perpetuating the cycle. This is why Mahavir advocated for early initiation, believing that patterns formed in the first seven years dictate much of a person's life.
  • The "Other" as the Root of Habit: The lecture emphasizes that this outward flow of energy towards the "other" is the primary driver of habit formation. We seek the other to confirm our own existence, leading to the decoration of the body, attraction to opposite sexes, and enjoyment of rich food – all external pursuits.

Mahavir's View on Avoiding Experience

Osho clarifies that Mahavir's avoidance of experience is not repression or suppression. Instead, it's about redirecting the energy. By not allowing the energy to flow outward and create habits of seeking the "other," it can be more easily channeled inward.

The Biological Basis of Desire and Habit

The lecture touches upon biological and psychological reasons for this attraction to the "other":

• Mother Attachment: The initial bond with the mother creates a primal habit that influences subsequent relationships, with individuals often unconsciously seeking mother-like qualities in partners.
• Biological Union: From a biological standpoint, humans are seen as fragmented beings (like the mythical separation of Adam and Eve), with sexual union being an attempt to regain a sense of wholeness. This physical attraction is deeply ingrained.
• Milk as a Catalyst: Osho highlights that milk, particularly from animals, is considered a potent aphrodisiac due to its role in blood and semen production. Consuming excessive milk and its derivatives (cream, butter, ghee) can amplify sexual energy, making it difficult for those practicing celibacy.

Mahavir's Concept of Ahimsa (Non-Violence) and Desire

A significant point raised is Mahavir's redefinition of ahimsa in the context of sexual energy.

• The Slaughter of Life: Osho explains that each sexual act releases millions of sperm cells (jivanu), which are essentially potential lives. Their death in the absence of fertilization is seen by Mahavir as a form of immense violence, a "great killing."
• Energy for Self-Birth: The energy that fuels procreation can also be used for "self-birth" – spiritual rebirth and liberation. By conserving and redirecting this energy, one can achieve a higher state of being, a realm of consciousness free from struggle.

The Nature of the World and Consciousness

The lecture contrasts the worldly existence with the state of liberation:

• Worldly Existence: Life in the world is characterized by struggle, competition, and dependency. Every action, even breathing, is seen as taking something from another. To exist in the world is to cause the demise of something else. This is inherent in the physical body, which is a source of struggle.
• Liberation (Moksha): Liberation, in Mahavir's view, is a state of pure consciousness, free from the physical body. It's a realm where there is no competition, no struggle, and where existence does not depend on the destruction of others.

The Pitfalls of External Seeking

The lecture concludes by reiterating that the search for the "other" is inherently a search for external validation and fulfillment, which leads to:

• Slavery and Dependence: Becoming dependent on others for happiness and fulfillment creates a state of slavery.
• Conflict: This dependence inevitably leads to conflict, as individuals resist the loss of freedom.
• The Illusion of Beauty: The desire to adorn the body and engage in sexual relationships is driven by a need to be validated by the "other." True beauty arises from within, from one's own nature, not from external adornment or the pursuit of the opposite sex.

Conclusion:

The lecture strongly advocates for Mahavir's path of avoiding the experience that leads to habit formation. This is seen as the easier and safer way to achieve liberation. The core message is that lust, or the search for the "other," is the root of attachment, dependence, and ultimately, suffering. By turning this primal energy inward, and by consciously refraining from external entanglements, one can pave the way for spiritual growth and ultimate freedom.