Awareness In Life

Anecdotes

oi-Priya Devi

By Priya Devi

Wednesday, May 19, 2010, 13:26

An integrated mind is conscious. But how aware are we? Even our so called geniuses lived a life in unconsciousness says Osho, illustrating episodes from the lives of great men like Edison and Immanuel Kant.

Once Edison was busy engaged in writing some letters. His wife came in and left the breakfast on the table and exited silently as he did not like to be disturbed while at work.

Edison's friend came into the room. Seeing him lost in writing, he ate the food kept on Edison's table, meant to be his breakfast.

Edison completed his writing and looked around and found his friend. He then looked at his plate and said, “Sorry, you came in a little late. I've finished my breakfast!"

It was our own Edison who had discovered a thousand things out of his extraordinary genius!

Another incident from the life of Immanuel Kant, the great German philosopher is also worth mentioning.

It is said that Immanuel Kant was very absent minded that he had to be reminded of even small things in his day to day life.

One day after his evening walk, Immanuel Kant laid his walking stick on the bed and stood in the corner of his room. The servant who found the lights on, peered through the key hole to find Immanuel standing in the corner. The puzzled servant knocked the door and the philosopher opened it.

The servant asked him what the matter was to which the philosopher answered, “I don't know, I am feeling a bit strange. I don't know what exactly it is. I am feeling very tired!"

Osho points out the way we constantly swirl in unconsciousness. He says some live in our heads, some in our body, while others are focused on money, power etc. We do not have an integrated way of living owing to our fragmented mind. When one leads a life in awareness, one leads a conscious life.

Source : "Zen:The Special Transmission" by Osho