From 25 to 28 December, an Osho Meditation Retreat took place at The School of Ancient Wisdom near Bangalore. Soon afterwards, I was invited to facilitate a large meditation gathering at the Pyramid Spiritual Societies Movement headquarters in Telangana. Both experiences left me deeply nourished and grateful – and they revealed, in different ways, how alive meditation is today.
Four days immersed in Osho’s meditations
Maybe it was after a decade that I returned to Bangalore to facilitate an Osho Meditation Retreat. There was no special theme – just Meditate, Celebrate, Here and Now. The location felt perfect: close to the airport, yet far from the crowded city and its noise.
The School of Ancient Wisdom is not an ashram and not a resort. It is simply a beautiful space for seekers of body, mind, and soul. Surrounded by forest, the place carries a quiet, welcoming energy. One feels nourished simply by being there. I felt strongly that our world needs more such spaces – places where transformation happens naturally, without effort.
The retreat brought together 55 participants, most of them young professionals from the IT and medical worlds. Fifteen people were initiated into Osho’s Neo-Sannyas during these days.
Our daily rhythm included Osho’s Dynamic and Kundalini meditations, Nadabrahma, Gibberish meditation, silent sitting, relaxation, dance, kirtan, and discourse. The programme flowed smoothly thanks to the dedicated support of Shimon, Ashish, Pratiyan, Sakshin, Kushaj, Ma Anu Bodhi, Ma Sonali, and the entire team, who held the space with care and love.
One participant, Kuheli Das, described the retreat as “truly life-changing”.
“We went there knowing almost nothing, with open hearts and curious minds, and we returned completely transformed – lighter, clearer, and deeply touched.”
She speaks of joy, laughter, and deep inner connection, and expresses heartfelt gratitude for the initiation and for everything that was shared.
Saravanam, another participant, reflects on the setting itself. He writes of the tranquil surroundings, nourishing food, and heartfelt hospitality that created “an atmosphere of deep comfort and ease”.
“What made the experience truly special was the sense of connection – arriving as strangers and departing as friends.”
For many, it was this feeling of connection – beyond technique or teaching – that stayed strongest.
For Swami Bodhidharma Zen, the retreat became an inner turning point. He arrived with hesitation, believing he was not ready for sannyas initiation.
“Love does not wait for readiness. Love simply arrives.”
In that space of trust, form and protocol dissolved. Initiation happened not as a decision of the mind, but as grace.
“I did not choose sannyas – sannyas chose me.”
What followed, he writes, was surrender, tears, and the feeling of finally coming home. His gratitude extends to the whole group, each shared silence and smile becoming part of his inner journey.