This is meditation

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You are neither earth, nor air, nor fire, nor water, nor ether. To attain

liberation, know yourself as the witnessing consciousness of all these.

 

These statements are so immediate; not even an introduction. Ashtavakra has

hardly uttered two sentences and meditation comes in; he begins to talk about

samadhi, about deep meditation. One who knows has nothing except samadhi to

share. He said two sentences first because if he had immediately started talking

about samadhi, perhaps you would have been too startled to understand. But two

sentences -- and immediately he is talking about samadhi.

 

Ashtavakra does not even take seven steps. Buddha took seven steps and on the

eighth step, samadhi. Ashtavakra brings up samadhi on the very first step.

 

You are neither earth, nor air, nor fire, nor water, nor ether.

 

Let yourself relax into this truth....

 

To attain liberation, know yourself as the witnessing consciousness of all

these.

 

The witness is the key. There is no more valuable key than this.

 

Be the observer. Whatever happens, let it happen. There is no need to interfere

with it. The body is composed of earth, air, fire, water and ether. You are the

lamp within by which all these -- earth, air fire, water, ether -- are

illuminated. You are the observer. Go deeply into this.

 

....know yourself as the witnessing consciousness...

 

This is the most important sutra in existence. Be a witness. Wisdom will happen

through it. Nonattachment will happen through it. Liberation will happen through

it. The questions were three but the answer is one.

 

If you can separate yourself from the physical body and rest in consciousness,

then this very moment you will be happy, at peace, and free of bondage.

 

....this very moment...! This is why I say it is a revolution from the very

roots. Patanjali is not so courageous as to say: "This very moment." Patanjali

says: "Practice discipline within and without. Practice control of breathing,

turning inwards and yoga postures. Purify. This will take innumerable lives --

then enlightenment...."

 

Mahavira says: "Practice the five great vows. And when innumerable lives have

passed, deconditioning will happen, purification will happen. Then one will cut

the bonds of karma."

 

Osho: Enlightenment: The Only Revolution