This transcript presents Osho’s exploration of Kabir’s profound spiritual wisdom and poetic metaphors, particularly centered on the verse “Peevat Ramras Lagi Khumari” (“Drinking the nectar of the Divine, one feels a gentle intoxication”). Kabir, known for his succinct yet deep language, uses minimal words that carry profound spiritual insights, and Osho encourages the listener to delve into each word’s meaning.
Key Concepts Discussed:
- Experiencing Truth Through “Drinking”:
- Kabir emphasizes that truth is not something to be intellectually understood or discussed but something to be experienced or “drunk.” Osho uses the metaphor of drinking water to illustrate this. One doesn’t need to understand the chemical makeup of water to quench their thirst; they simply drink. Similarly, divine truth is meant to be absorbed through direct experience, not through analytical knowledge. Kabir, Nanak, and other mystics lead seekers to immerse in the truth rather than just understand it intellectually.
- Satsang as a “Pilgrimage of Drinking”:
- Kabir’s path, described as a “different pilgrimage,” involves a community (satsang) where followers come together to absorb the master’s energy through presence and shared experience. Unlike the logical teachings of figures like Mahavira or Buddha, Kabir’s gatherings are akin to a group of joyful, spiritually “intoxicated” beings. This pilgrimage involves silent communion, singing, dancing, and openness to the divine “nectar” (Ramras). The essence of satsang is receiving truth by being close to the master, who is like a rain-filled cloud bestowing spiritual nourishment.
- Ramras (Nectar of the Divine):
- Osho explains that Ramras is not about Rama, the prince of Ayodhya, but rather the essence of the eternal truth. Kabir refers to “Ram” as an encompassing term for the divine, beyond any single religious identity. This essence, Ramras, is universal and connects to the Upanishadic idea of “Raso vai sah” (“God is the essence”).
- The State of Khumaari (Spiritual Intoxication):
- “Khumaari” is a nuanced state beyond consciousness and unconsciousness—a mystical blend of both, where awareness meets intoxication. It is akin to dusk, a liminal space where opposites meet harmoniously. In this state, one is both aware and absorbed, combining the ecstasy of Meera’s dance with Buddha’s stillness. Kabir’s concept of “Khumaari” contrasts with the logical awareness of Buddha or Mahavira, who emphasize mindfulness and self-remembering (as seen in Krishnamurti and Gurdjieff’s teachings). In Khumaari, there is no sharp line between consciousness and blissful intoxication; it is a mystical confluence.
- Poetic Imagery and Symbolism:
- Osho elaborates on Kabir’s poetic symbols—music, song, blossoming flowers, and spring—to convey the spiritual blossoming that occurs in “Khumaari.” He describes how Meera’s dancing anklets (symbolizing ecstatic devotion) meet Gautama Buddha’s steady feet (symbolizing serene awareness). This symbolic merging represents a harmony between different spiritual paths, where emotional devotion meets profound inner silence.
- Osho also mentions the union of the temple and mosque, symbolizing unity beyond religious and cultural boundaries. He suggests letting go of traditional rituals to experience a “new land and new sky” of spiritual openness.
- Transcendence of Dualities:
- Kabir’s vision, as interpreted by Osho, moves beyond dualistic distinctions—like mind versus heart or knowledge versus devotion. This transcendence leads to a state where the seeker’s sense of separation dissolves (“the tavern disappears, the drunkard disappears”). This spiritual “drunkenness” is a state of unity where one loses ego and merges into the divine.
Essence of Kabir’s Teaching in “Peevat Ramras Lagi Khumari”:
Kabir’s verse encapsulates an invitation to immerse oneself fully in the divine essence (Ramras). Through the state of “Khumaari,” one experiences a mystical intoxication that goes beyond ordinary awareness and conventional knowledge. It is a space where the rational mind surrenders to divine joy, letting the dance of Meera meet Buddha’s stillness. Kabir’s message, as conveyed by Osho, suggests that true spirituality arises from this blend of ecstatic love and profound awareness.