OFFICIAL ICODA HOLIDAYS

Swami Premodaya has designated five (5) official ICODA annual holidays. Each one celebrates and commemorates the actual events, joys, surprises, challenges, and the unique gifts, of spiritual life.

Celebrating the transformations that inevitably happen in the disciple’s life.

This official ICODA annual holiday – January 10th – celebrates the incomparable transformations brought about exclusively by spiritual life and/or discipleship.

At precisely 10:20am on 10 January 1981, Swami Premodaya suddenly and spontaneously experienced a deeply shattering and utterly inexplicable “inner explosion”. This ushered in an unbidden 2-year period of multiple mystical and metaphysical experiences and happenings, igniting a profound series of paradigm shifts and cosmic revelations. It’s clear in hindsight, that all of this was related to being led to the recognition of his beloved Master, Osho (and Premodaya considers it a fascinating side-note, that ever since, he’s noticed that every single big and life-altering transformation that has taken place in his life, has occurred either on January 10th or on January 11th).

Celebrating the second birth in the disciple’s life, which is the actual spiritual birth.

“Dwij” is a Hindu term meaning “twice born” or “born again”. One who experiences this is a “Dwija”. Ancient Hinduism asks: What occurs when one is born the second time? – who is a Dwija? And answers: He or she comes to know Brahman. And what is Brahman? That which is Infinite, Eternal – that which is God. So to know God, requires being ‘twice born’ – or conversely, he or she who experiences being twice born, will inevitably realize God. Hinduism explains that unless there is an absolute change in consciousness and an outright purification, nobody can achieve God-Realization. After the ‘first birth’ (physical birth) our eyes open and all our faculties expand exponentially. But in the process of growing up, we encounter limits. The innocent joy and delight of living spontaneously and in the moment, is traded for “I want to be a healthy, happy human”; the Infinite gets moved into the background.

Swami Premodaya experienced (sudden and spontaneous) Dwij on March 22, 1961, at 4:20pm. As thick, dancing beams of pure golden light streamed into the room and enveloped him, Premodaya was able to clearly feel himself being ‘re-born’. Although as a 12-year old he had no understanding of what was happening, he intuitively somehow understood that this was ‘an experience of a lifetime’, so significant that he noted the exact time and date, saying to himself: “This is the real moment of my birth”. The state of constant, intense, ecstatic bliss that began in that moment, persisted undiminished and unchanging – for a full 5 years more.

Celebrating the descent of Grace in the disciple’s life

Premodaya recommends 2 things, at minimum, to celebrate Shaktinipata (Grace Descending) Day:

• feel the powerful awe that arises when one truly recognizes it as an actual fact, that Grace really descends into the genuine spiritual seeker’s life;
• recognize the miraculousness of God’s greatest gift: Discipleship.

And if so inclined, get together with other disciples and enjoy celebrating together.

Celebrating the miracle of discipleship in the disciple’s life

Commemorates Swami Premodaya’s 5 August 1983 formal initiation as a disciple of Osho.

“Discipleship is a phenomenally rare occurrence on this planet. Generally, ego has reigned supreme throughout human history, characterized by violence, greed, selfishness, cruelty and pleasure-seeking. Discipleship is the rejection of that way of living, and a Grace-given turning toward the higher Truth beyond self. The ceremony of initiation includes the creation of a palpable metaphysical bond between master and disciple, and publicly demonstrates the disciple’s determination to choose God over illusion, and to accept the oneness of all. Discipleship is the only God-given method in this (and every other) universe, for human-type beings to move toward living more and more in accordance with the (quite real) Divine plan for us all”.

—SWAMI PREMODAYA

Celebrating the presence of the guru in the disciple’s life

“Life is meant to be a celebration…We celebrate everything!”

—Osho

The final ICODA annual holiday is 11 December. Osho was born 11 December 1931. Swami Premodaya’s precious, Beloved Master, Osho, had, and continues to have, phenomenal influence on the spiritual lives of millions of people around the world.

Premodaya recommends 3 things, at minimum, to celebrate Osho’s birthday:

• remember Osho throughout the day, especially his “celebrate everything” attitude toward life;
• watch or listen to Osho at least once that day (YouTube, internet, CD, etc);
• before the day has ended, meditate for at least 15 minutes on Osho’s photo, or on what he has brought into your life - and/or do one of Osho’s signature meditations (Dynamic Meditation, Kundalini Meditation, etc.).

And if so inclined, get together with others who love Osho and/or Premodaya, and enjoy celebrating together.