Mahavir Vani Lecture 31 Sara Khel Kamvasna Ka

Here's a comprehensive summary of Osho Rajnish's lecture, "Mahavir Vani Lecture 31: Sara Khel Kamvasna ka," based on the provided Jain text:

Core Theme: The Illusion of External Influence and the Reality of Internal Projection

The central message of this lecture, delivered by Osho Rajnish on Mahavir's teachings, is that all experiences, particularly those related to pleasure and pain, desire and aversion, are internally generated and not externally imposed. Osho dismantles common assumptions about causality, arguing that what we perceive as external influences are merely projections of our inner state.

Key Concepts and Arguments:

• The Illusion of External Causality:

  • Osho challenges the idea that external objects or substances, like "rus-filled" (flavorful/stimulating) substances (Page 2), directly cause intoxication or attract desires. Instead, he posits that these substances support or stimulate existing internal predispositions.
  • The analogy of a bird drawn to a fruit-laden tree (Page 2) is used. The bird is attracted to the fruit, but the fruit's attractiveness is amplified by the bird's internal hunger. Similarly, desires are not created by objects but are amplified by our internal state.
  • Mahavir's teaching that "desires do not create equanimity or create aversion/attachment on their own, but man himself creates various resolutions of aversion and attachment towards them, becoming afflicted by delusion" (Page 2) is a cornerstone of this argument.

• The Relationship Between Action and Being (Internal vs. External Focus):

  • Osho explores the debate on whether outward actions shape our inner self or if our inner state manifests as actions.
  • Argument 1 (External Focus): Some believe that since we only know our external actions, changing actions is the only way to change our inner being. This is the view that "You are what you do" (Page 3). Our actions create our soul.
  • Argument 2 (Internal Focus): Others argue that actions are merely expressions of our inner being. We perform actions because of what we are internally. The seed determines the fruit, not the other way around (Page 4).
  • Mahavir's Synthesis: Osho emphasizes that Mahavir transcends this dichotomy. He sees the integrated whole of human existence. The "chicken and egg" paradox is used to illustrate that "inside and outside are not two; they are parts of one continuum." (Page 5). What is outside is an extension of what is inside, and vice versa. Therefore, whether you start with inner transformation or outward action, the other is inherently involved.

• Redefining Ahimsa (Non-violence):

  • Osho offers a profound reinterpretation of Ahimsa, moving beyond the conventional understanding of not harming others physically.
  • The Impossibility of Harming the Soul: Mahavir's Ahimsa stems from the understanding that the soul is immortal and cannot be killed. Physical harm is an illusion, a failure to grasp this fundamental truth (Page 6).
  • The Real Violence: The Intention to Harm: For Mahavir, the true violence lies in the intention or thought to harm, not the act itself. The "thought-violence" (bhava-hinsa) is as significant as actual violence (Page 6). This is because, even in physical violence, the ultimate perpetrator is the internal thought process.
  • The Essence of Ahimsa is Freedom: The deepest meaning of Ahimsa, according to Osho's interpretation of Mahavir, is the respect for the absolute freedom of every individual. This means not imposing one's own will, beliefs, or desires on another, not even the desire to "help" or "make happy" (Page 8). It is about allowing each being to be themselves without interference.
  • Attempting to Control is Violence: The desire to control, to make another conform, or to impose one's "truth" on others is the true violence. This includes even the attempts by religious figures to dictate behavior or prescribe rules. Such actions infringe upon the inherent freedom of the individual (Page 9).

• The Nature of Attraction and Desire (Kamvasna):

  • Osho directly addresses the title's theme of "the whole game of lust" (Sara Khel Kamvasna ka).
  • Internal Projection of Attraction: Attraction is not inherent in the other person or object but is projected from within the individual. The example of mistaking a sadhu for a woman and becoming infatuated (Page 17) highlights this. The attraction was in the mind, not in the external form.
  • The Mind's Craving for Novelty: The mind constantly seeks novelty. This is why attraction fades. If attraction were solely based on the individual, it would remain constant. However, the mind needs new stimuli.
  • The Dog and the Bone Analogy: The illustration of a dog gnawing a bone, causing its own mouth to bleed and mistaking the blood for the bone's essence (Page 18), is a powerful metaphor for how we derive "pleasure" from our own projections, attributing it to external sources.
  • The Illusion of Giving/Receiving Pleasure or Pain: We cannot give pleasure or pain to others, nor can others give it to us. Happiness and sadness are internal decisions. Attempts to control another's happiness or sadness are futile and ultimately lead to one's own suffering (Page 7).

• The Danger of Contradictory Practices:

  • Osho criticizes the practice of engaging in contradictory behaviors, such as meditating while drinking alcohol. This is like pulling a cart in two opposite directions (Page 14).
  • The Illusion of Balance: We often try to balance good and bad deeds, but this is a superficial attempt to maintain a "good image" rather than genuine transformation. This leads to a life of wasted effort.

• The Source of All Experience is Within:

  • Ultimately, Osho emphasizes that "you are the author, the actor, and the spectator of the play." (Page 20).
  • The tendency to see faults in others often reflects our own hidden flaws. The example of a father projecting his own past failures onto his son (Page 20) illustrates this.
  • True liberation comes from recognizing that all experiences – be it happiness, sadness, anger, or desire – originate from within.

In essence, Osho's lecture, drawing from Mahavir's teachings, is a radical call to self-awareness and internal transformation. It argues that the external world is a mirror reflecting our inner landscape, and true freedom lies in understanding and mastering our internal states, rather than seeking change in external circumstances or behaviors. The essence of Mahavir's path, as presented here, is the realization of this unbroken continuum of being and the absolute respect for the inherent freedom of all souls.