The music coordinator during my time at the Oregon Ranch, Garimo, once said to me, “We don’t know why people take sannyas.” Her words have stayed with me over the years. Initially, I was surprised by this statement. Living in the commune, I naively assumed that we all shared similar thoughts and feelings—at least those similar to my own! However, her statement opened my mind to the diverse perspectives that others might hold. It served as a powerful reminder that we are all individuals, each a unique universe unto ourselves.
Every time someone takes sannyas at an event, I find myself faced with a conundrum. The word “conundrum” perfectly encapsulates my predicament because I also don’t understand why people choose to take sannyas. I can explain why I made that decision and what it means to me. But when it comes to understanding the motivations of others—why they would make seemingly illogical or crazy choices—it remains a mystery.
Sometimes, I ask people directly, “Why do you want to take sannyas? Your life is fine as it is. What do you hope to gain from it?” Most of the time, they look at me, fall silent, and are unable to articulate their reasons. Their inability to express their motivations might actually be the closest explanation of sannyas.
In my view, sannyas is akin to love; it exists in a similar dimension. When someone is in love and is asked why, they often can’t articulate a reason. They may look at you as if YOU are the crazy one! Love, much like sannyas, confounds the mind. It is inexplicable, yet its essence is undeniable. Even if one cannot explain it, one knows it.
I was reminded of this once again at Oshofest Dallas 2025 when three individuals decided to take the leap into sannyas. As I tuned my guitar for the celebration, I pondered, “What compels a person to reach such a pivotal moment in their life?” This highlights the beautiful mystery that defines sannyas. Sannyas represents a leap—a significant leap of faith—a life-changing plunge into uncharted waters. Only those who have taken that leap truly understand its meaning. Such is the paradox of love and sannyas.
We celebrate the sannyas of Ma Deva Nalini, Ma Anand Amiyo, and Ma Deva Mamta, honoring them with our songs and dances as they embark on what can only be described as an inexplicable journey.
In the words of Osho:
“Meditation is the awareness that I am not the mind. When the awareness goes deeper and deeper in you, slowly slowly, few moments arrive, moments of silence, moments of pure space, moments of transparency, moments when nothing stirs in you and everything is still. In those still moments, you will know who you are. And you will know what is the mystery of this existence. And once you have tasted those few dewdrops of nectar, great longing will arise in you to go deeper and deeper into it. Irresistible longing will arise in you, a great thirst. You will become afire. That’s what sannyas is all about: when you have tasted few moments of silence of joy of meditativeness, you would like this state to become your constant state, a continuum. The desire to make meditation your whole lifestyle is what sannyas is all about.” Philosophia Perennis, Series 2, Chapter 5
