Astiko (Osho tantra)
My search lead me tantra when I was eighteen years old and studying philosophy and oriental studies. I discovered a book by the Indian mystic Osho. I left everything to be close to this master who would show me how to die and still be blessedly alive enjoying life in all of its manifestations.
When I arrived at the “Gateless Gate” (as the entrance to Osho’s ashram in India is called) I knew that it had been worth the effort to leave university and have challenged my whole family structure in order to be here. The concept of a spiritual search here in the west had been associated with the way proposed by the church and everything else was interpreted as a “sect” or an escape. It was a very difficult time for my family.
At this time Osho had unearthed “The Book of Secrets” (Vigyan Bhairav Tantra) in order to help us understand human nature and how this constantly moves in duality: man-woman, sex-death, light-darkness, stillness-movement, etc.
The book of secrets is a conversation between the Indian God Shiva and his consort Shakti or Devi, who, in deep and loving union sat in the yab-yum posture asked him…my beloved, what is love? Shiva did not give a direct answer but began to give techniques which would allow a direct experience of love, death and consciousness.
In this way, I sat at Osho’s feet while he initiated us in the secrets of “Vigyan Bhairav Tantra” which contains one hundred and twelve meditation techniques to transcend the mind, to become illuminated, to convert oneself in the truth, transcend death, live in love, or whatever you would like to call it.
I was lucky (a fact which I remember everyday of my life) and never stop giving thanks for having been a witness to the courage, love and wisdom of Osho in uncovering and translating these tantric teachings. For a young seeker thirsty for the truth as I was, it was the biggest blessing to know that in order to know God and the Goddess, there was no need to renounce life, nor sex, nor celebration. To know that the love between two people is sacred and that this love can grow and grow and expand into every dimension of one’s life.
