WEAR THE OLD COAT AND BUY THE NEW BOOK

 



 

“Wear the old coat and buy the new book.”

-     Austin Phelps

 

A gentleman, who’s in his seventies, came to visit me, a couple of days ago. He told me, that right since his college days, he had been an ardent follower of OSHO.

OSHO was known as Rajneesh; later, Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh; and, eventually, OSHO…

Through all the decades that followed since this gentleman started following the mystic Guru –- from the ashram in Koregaon Park of Pune to Oregon ranch of America… the messy feuds and conspiracies among the devotees… the power struggle, the allegations of poisoning, crimes… the deportation and, eventually, the passing away of the enigmatic man –- yes, through it all, one thing remained unchanged: this gentleman’s devotion to OSHO…

The gentleman, I am writing about, is a simple soul… He lives in a one-room kitchen house in my neighbourhood… He has a family. But, OSHO, his teachings, and the daily meditation -– yes, these have dominated his life, always…

The gentleman’s visit was to check with me, if I could house scores of OSHO’s books at our Centre… “They are in good condition… I had been buying them regularly over these years… Now, my family says, that it’s time to give them away…" he said.

“I don’t want to give away these precious books of my Guru to any random person. Someone told me, that you value and house such books,” the gentleman said. He added, “Frankly, whenever I see my Guru’s books displayed on the footpaths by street vendors, it pains me… I buy them… bring them home.”

I had arranged to pick those books from the gentleman’s house, last evening. I was surprised to see, that some of the books were still remained wrapped inside their plastic covers!

Now that I have brought to our Centre all the OSHO books from the humble abode of this gentleman…

Will I house them all?

I myself have given away hundreds and hundreds of books -- including those of OSHO –- to someone, who I considered to be worthy of receiving them. I wonder, if those books have still been housed well…!

I remember what OSHO had said about Love:

“If you love a flower, don’t pick it up. Because, if you pick it up, it dies… and it ceases to be what you love.
So, if you love a flower, let it be…
Love is not about possession. Love is about appreciation.”

I see a lot concealed in these words of the mystic…

 





GERALD D’CUNHA

 

Pic.: Pixabay/lil foot

Video: GODZEAL

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