OSHO's Ashram

Ok, so now that i have some time to describe more, here it goes: I wake up in a five star hotel (which, mind you costs next to nothing in American dollars), its 6am. I shower and get my day bag together and put on my maroon robe over just my calvins and my sandals. I take the gorgeous marble elevator down stairs where a marble path leads me to my veggie breakfast: cornflakes, a bannana, tea. I sit and eat under a beautiful canopy of trees next to a giant black pyramid (surrounded by a black marble moat) where I will go at the end of the night for the Evening Meeting. I walk through beautifully manicured gardens, surrounded by gorgeous small little houses where I might find a post office or the bank or toilettries. But between these buildings are places just to sit and meditate: each different in their look and function. I pass many man made lagoons with stone buddhas sitting around, under more canopies, waterfalls, lush upon lush upon lush. Everything is open and natural and surrounding a white marble circular space where there are hourly dance parties; not to disco, but to let your body experience the music. Everyone I meet is smiling and friendly, of different colors and are named things like Surio, Goba, Shanti. Everything is well labeled, so no getting lost (goes against the whole premiss of finding yourself), and eventually I make it to Osho's mansion. Inside glass doors is a white marble library/garden/mirror thing; think Fortress of Solitude. But also in the library a stretch Rolls is parked; all white of course. Further inside is the silent meditation area: all white marble, a fountain, a crystal chandellier, a painting of Osho. We sit for an hour silently. I leave. Maybe Ill go to the gorgeous lagoon-pool, or play some Zennis (dont laugh, thats what they call it). Or maybe Ill go to another amazing building and do another amazing kind of meditation. Today, I danced in meditation: not with anyone, not like at a club; just letting the music take over. But then during this, suddenly a gong, and everyone starts speaking gibberish: intentionally to channel out all elements of the mind. Then another gong fifteen minutes later (thats fifteen minutes of gibberish and chaotic jumping) and we start shaking, then we go limp and drop to the ground. Another kind of meditation I blow my nose rapidly and hard, then I dance, then chanting. So on and so on. It may sound crazy, but it all makes you feel great by the end of the day. Inner walls are destroyed and everyone is just so happy. I like to do two hours of silent sitting because it makes all the other crazy shit better; but some like to just to do the shaking or dancing, etc. Everyone is pretty at peace; some have been here for months, weeks. So, really I never feel judged. I read a lot and write in my journal a ton; then the evening meeting where we do more crazy meditation stuff and watch Osho's old lectures. As crazy as he may seem, what he says is smart; and hes got the library to prove it. So I take it for what its worth and leave the rest for the loonies. But cynicism has no place here so I really am just trying to go with the flow. Im learning a lot about myself being here, so maybe thats good. And Im sure by Thursday when Ill leave, Ill actually miss this paradise. I recommend it to anyone and though I cant take pictures, I hope Ive painted a mildly accurate picture of it with words; which Osho would say are meaningless...Oy! Anyways, I dont want to be on this mind-box for too long; I need to go find the inner me...I couldve sworn I left him back in the water-flute room. Eh well! Next Im off to Goa, hopefully to meet up with Dave Maitt and his crew, then who knows. Wherever I go though, I will take from this gorgeous haven a better understanding of meditation and its importance in my life. Namaste, beloveds!