Osho disciples around the world celebrated Neo-Sannyas Day (Nav-Sannyas Divas in India) on 26th September this year and every year. This is the day when Osho introduced his vision of sannyas and initiated his first group of disciples as his sannyasins in a meditation camp in Manali. Thus began his Neo-Sannyas Movement which continues to attract thousands of seekers of truth every year.

During this meditation camp in 1970, Osho was talking on Krishna: The Man And His Philosophy, and he gave birth to a new Sannyas of life-affirmation, joy, freedom and celebration. He brought the spirit of Krishna, his dance and playfulness into the twenty-first century. He wanted the Sannyas to have a fresh lease of life with new vigour and vitality, colour and creativity.

"Sannyas has to be invested with a new meaning, a new concept. Sannyas has to live; it is the most profound, the most precious treasure that mankind has. But how to save it, preserve it, is the question. I would like to share with you my vision on this score," declared Osho in the foothills of Himalayas.

Previously the flavour of sannyas had deteriorated into a denial of life. Osho rejected this misconception about sannyas and life-negative attitude and he said that if sannyas were to survive in the future or become rejuvenated, it needed a new meaning and a new dimension of celebration and creativity.

Said Osho: "My sannyasins celebrate everything. Celebration is the foundation of my sannyas -- not renunciation but rejoicing; rejoicing in all the beauties, all the joys, all that life offers, because this whole life is a gift of God.

"The old religions have taught you to renounce life. They are all life negative; their whole approach is pessimistic. They are all against life and its joys. To me, life and God are synonymous. In fact, life is a far better word than! God itself, because God is only a philosophical term, while life is real, existential. The word "God" exists only in scriptures; it is a word, a mere word. Life is within you and without you - in the trees, in the clouds, in the stars. This whole existence is a dance of life. I teach love for life."

Osho invites the whole world to join in the celebration of this phenomenon of Neo-Sannyas that goes on for ever. It's a playful journey of transformation through meditation. And celebration is the real flavour of this transformation.