Talk:Shanti Ki Khoj (शांति की खोज) (individual talks)

Dilip Sodha extracted and translated some info from 1969 ed.:

"शांति की खोज - Shanti Ki Khoj - Search (pursuit) Of Peace"

(आचार्य रजनीश के सानिध्य में - Acharya Rajneesh Ke Sanidhya Me - In the company of Acharya Rajneesh).

- उर्मिला, एम. ए. - Urmila, M. A.

भूमिका - Preface

The period of January 1966 to March 1967 is very significant for me because in the course of one year and two months my inner life took a new turn.

From many years a search was going on in my subconscious for the path to achieve God. That is why with great enthusiasm I used to read about lives of spiritual people like Ramkrishna Paramhans, Vivekanand, Maharshi Raman and Mahayogi Arvind so that from those books, a Sutra to walk on that path may come to my hand also but I always got disappointed after reading; because I couldn't understand by which technique they reached that higher altitude of spiritualism ....

Life is passing in vain without any purpose - feeling of this matter was yet increasing the yearning of my mind.

After March 1965 I became still more impatient by thinking that 35 years of life has passed and I don't have more time with me. So far no path is even seen - when I will start walking?....

In August 1965 when I had to go to Calcutta for a special work, I met all my old friends. That time the founder of Rupa and Company Publication Institute Shree DD Mehra while handing over two small books had told: "You do read these books, I gift these books to all my friends." Earnestly I read the titles of those books, on one it was written "Kranti Beej" and other "Sadhana Path" (so these two editions must be before August, 1965). [Editor: yes, in Jan 1965 and Dec 1964 accordingly.] Name of the author was "Acharya Rajneesh". In the field of literature I had never heard this name. From the titles of the books I could not guess what kind of deliberations were there in them. Didn't get time to see (read) those books in Calcutta.

On return to Lucknow my husband Rajendra ji told that we would be leaving Lucknow in few days as he was getting a transfer to other place. I was not surprised to this because it's the speciality of the military life that at any place we can't stay for long. I got busy in packing of the luggage. But I have an old habit of reading in the morning. But then I thought in this hasty time any serious study can not be done, so why not turn the pages of "Kranti Beej" only and see what is written in that. After giving a quick glance on the first page I started reading very attentively. When in two-three days I completed reading of more than half of the book I concluded that the author of it can not be an ordinary pundit, the incredible insight towards life can only be of a high spiritual soul. My heart cried out that I was in the search of only such great soul and from him I would be able to know what should I do - leading to the spiritual path. But who is Acharya Rajneesh? Where does he stay? - I didn't know anything about it. ....

Meanwhile it was known that our transfer was to Jabalpur and Mehra Saheb informed that Acharya Rajneesh is staying at Jabalpur and he is a in Department of Philosophy of Jabalpur University.

PAGE 6: (1st Meeting at University)

What a strange coincidence that I am also going to Jabalpur. After reaching there I wrote a letter to him on seventh or eighth January that I want to meet him. But at that time he had gone out of station. Hence on 21st January in his reply which I received; reflected his cordiality. On reading the letter I reached Mahakaushal University in the afternoon, but the students told me that Acharya Ji stays there only till twelve o'clock. I on next day on Saturday, 23rd January 1966; started waiting for him by reaching at 10 AM itself. I was feeling discomfort in the mind that today too there could be no meeting with him, but he reached there at 11 o'clock. After NAMASKAR I introduced myself. .... [It seems Urmila refers to Prem Ke Swar (प्रेम के स्वर) letter #43 dated 12 Jan 1966 om.]

PAGE 9 Last Para: (2nd Meeting at Yogesh Bhavan)

Second time my meeting with Acharya Ji happened after eight days, when he returned from Surat Tour. (This indicates that Osho was tour to Surat / Gujarat in the last week of January 1966). .... [Editor: according letter to Urmila (Prem Ke Swar (प्रेम के स्वर) #43 on 12 Jan 1966) Osho was going to Surat on 23-27 Jan including rail-traveling time. In a little latter letter, Letter written on 20 Jan 1966 xm, he was going to Nandurbar and maybe Jalgaon (both in MH). It seems source of Urmila about Surat is letter to her. And it seems Surat was replaced by Nandurdar and Jalgaon.]

PAGE 10 Last Para (3rd Meeting at her own house) to PAGE 23 Last Para

Next day Acharya Ji reached our house at the agreed time. (Osho explains her how to meditate —- she tries, faces difficulties, consults Osho again and again .... She goes for her sister's daughter marriage for one month after asking Osho. Feels uncomfortable to meditate at the sister's place. But feels much better after reading "Path Ke Pradeep")

In February 1967 my husband got transferred to Poona. I became busy again in packing of the luggage. Because of the change of place my routine got disturbed. The progress that happened in one year, stopped suddenly. .... (Narrates the ups and down faced in the path leading to Spiritual Path and how all may not be so fortunate to get the help of a guide like Osho.)

She concludes the preface in last para of page 25 and 26:

I can't claim to know something in the field of spiritualism. I didn't attained to self-knowledge, only have experienced the self-darkness (ignorance). I have a full confidence that - this feeling of ignorance itself would bring me face to face with the knowledge (GYAN). How much encouragement is received by ignorant people like me from these holy words of Osho: "The first awakening of the knowledge is that I don't know myself.... This is a point of transition from ignorance to knowledge ....

This feeling (बोध - Bodh) that I am and this feeling that I don't know even myself in reality is half self-consciousness. The self-consciousness would get completed only when I know that who am I? This half self-consciousness is to be fulfilled..... the feeling of self-ignorance is the first step to own fulfilment."

NOTES:

1. The PDF book doesn't show year of publication. It is 1969 (Oct-Nov) as per the Wiki page. In the 14 chapters Urmila is narrating what Osho said in the intimate talk with her.

2. Please refer to 'PREM KE SWAR' Letter Nos: 43, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52 written by Osho to Urmila for the related information.

In the letter no. 48 (dated 19 June 1967) published in 'PREM KE SWAR' Osho has enquired: "लिखी जा रही पुस्तक का क्या हुआ? उसे जल्दी ही पूरा कर डालो। - What happened to the book being written? Do complete it very soon."

Above cannot bring light on dates of talks printed in the book.--DhyanAntar 06:10, 16 January 2021 (UTC)

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About Prem Ke Swar #43 Shailendraji commented:

The letter written by Urmila on 7 Jan.

Osho received and replied to it on 12 Jan.

His letter reached Urmila on 21 Jan.

She went to university on same date, but by that time osho has left

22 Jan was Sunday

Therefore she went again on 23 Jan and discussed with him.

--DhyanAntar 06:50, 18 January 2021 (UTC)