Nanak says:
THROUGH LISTENING ALL THE URES AND TEACHINGS ARE KNOWN.
THROUGH LISTENING DEVOTEES ATTAIN BLISS,
AND SIN AND SORROW ARE DESTROYED.
THROUGH LISTENING ALL TRUTH AND CONTENTMENT ARE ATTAINED,
AND THE VIRTUE OF BATHING AT THE SIXTY-EIGHT HOLY PLACES IS GAINED,
AND THROUGH LISTENING AGAIN AND AGAIN HONOR IS EARNED.
THROUGH LISTENING SPONTANEOUS MEDITATION HAPPENS.
NANAK SAYS, THROUGH LISTENING DEVOTEES ATTAIN BLISS,
AND SIN AND SORROW ARE DESTROYED.
To arrive at the ultimate freedom, Hindus require that a person bathe at sixty-eight holy places. These holy places are marked on the map of India, but in reality they represent sixty-eight points within the body through which one must pass to attain virtue. The Hindus have performed a wonderful task that no other race has equaled in discovering these points. However, places on the map are merely symbols; unfortunately, wandering in these symbols as if real, the Hindus have lost their consciousness of life. It is said: “Get the water of the Ganges and offer it at Rameshwara.” These really refer to points within the body; the energy is to be taken from one point and directed into another, which is the holy pilgrimage. But what do we do? We actually carry water from the Ganges up to Rameshwara!
The external map is a symbolic translation of mans internal world. Everything within man is very subtle. To exemplify it, these external symbols were created, but in mistaking the symbols for reality we went astray.
Symbols are never truths; they only hint towards truth. They are pointers when Nanak says: through shravana truth is obtained, so also contentment and knowledge, and through it is attained bathing at the sixty-eight centers of pilgrimage. When you become silent you begin to find the holy places within the body. Then you do not have to ponder what truth is for you see truth directly. As long as you think, there is no truth – only opinions, concepts. Truth is an experience. And once you can see, why still think?
CONTENTMENT IS ATTAINED. As long as you think, you are discontented, because thoughts lead to thousands of suggestions: do this, do that! Thoughts give rise to new desires and desires lead to discontent. It is very harmful to have thoughts as friends; they lead you astray. If there is any bad company worth giving up, it is that of thoughts. It is all right to use thoughts, but if you begin to obey them you are in for all kinds of trouble. They are like drugs; if you get addicted to them you go astray and will be so confused that you wont know what to do.
Mulla Nasruddin had so much to drink one day that he was afraid to go home. He knew he would have to furnish an explanation and he couldnt think of a plausible answer, so he wandered here and there aimlessly. A policeman came upon him in the middle of the night, demanding to know, “What are you doing here at this time of the night? Answer quickly or Ill have to take you to the police station.” Mulla Nasruddin answered, “If I had an answer wouldnt I have gone home already?”
Thoughts are an addiction that has no answer. Had there been an answer you would have reached home long ago. Why are you roaming at such a late hour? You have no answer to explain your life. Thoughts have no answer. A real answer can only be found in the no-thought state.
Nanak says: contentment and truth through shravana; the sixty-eight holy places through shravana; and through shravana alone you attain the natural samadhi.
If you were only to listen, it becomes meditation.Without meditation you cannot hear. What is the meaning of meditation? Meditation exists only where mind is not; where the internal dialogue is gone.
Osho, The True Name, Vol 1, Ch 5 (excerpt, translated from Hindi)<style>.footer-ad{display: none !important;}</style>