There’s a famous story told by Mevlana Jelaludin Rumi. Once, a great emperor called the greatest artists of his time to create the ultimate throne room. He prepared two rooms, divided by a curtain. On one side sat the greatest artisans of China while on the other were the best creators from Greece.
The Chinese, with their extraordinary technique and skill, created an elaborate and ornate room befitting the emperor. In the other room, the Greeks laid white marble on the floor and walls. Once the rooms were done, the emperor got a peek into them.
The Chinese room was done in rich brocade, gold and finery. On the other hand,the room prepared by the Greek artists was so well polished, it reflected everything in the other room, yet remained completely empty.
This story signifies the process of meditation and its ultimate realisation of truth. Polishing the marble denotes removing dust – that of thoughts and imagination related to our past – from the mirror of our consciousness. Osho
says: “Your consciousness has to be cleaned, emptied, so you can become a pure mirror reflecting reality. To be able to reflect reality is to know God, who is just another name for reality.”
So how does one clean one’s consciousness? Watch and witness whatever you do. Simply sit and watch your body, thoughts and emotions. Witness your whole being from within. Witness that you are not the body. Witness that you are not the mind. Witness that you are only a witness. Just pure consciousness. And once you realise this, you come in touch with your eternal life and your immortal being.
