Gourishankar Meditation is an evening method from Osho that moves from heightened breath and vision into spontaneous movement and deep stillness. Osho said that when the first stage is done correctly, the buildup of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream can make one feel as high as standing on Gourishankar (Mt. Everest)—a clear, shimmering altitude within.
The practice unfolds in four 15‑minute stages: breath retention to elevate inner aliveness; soft, unwavering gazing into light; surrender to the body’s subtle, self‑arising movements (Latihan); and finally, a silent lying‑down, where the energy settles of its own accord. It is both poetic and precise: you follow simple directions, then allow the inner intelligence to take over.
Phase Instructions
First Stage: Deep Breathing and Retention
15 minutes with music. Sit with eyes closed. Inhale deeply through the nose, filling the lungs completely. Hold the breath for as long as possible. Exhale gently through the mouth and keep the lungs empty for as long as possible. Repeat this cycle throughout the stage. Osho has said that, done correctly, the resulting carbon dioxide in the bloodstream creates a natural, mountain‑high clarity—"as if on Gourishankar (Mt. Everest)."
Second Stage: Soft Gazing at Light
15 minutes with music. Return to normal breathing. Soften the gaze and look steadily at a candle flame or a flashing light. Keep the body completely still. The rhythmic beat of the music in this stage is seven times the normal heartbeat; if possible, use a synchronized strobe for the flashing light so that sight and sound are in unison.
Third Stage: Latihan – Allowing Movement
15 minutes with music. With eyes closed, stand up. Let the body be loose, relaxed, and receptive. Feel the subtle energies within begin to move the body outside your usual control. Allow this Latihan to happen: do not do the moving—let the moving happen by itself.
Fourth Stage: Silence and Stillness
15 minutes in silence. Lie down. Remain silent and completely still, simply witnessing whatever is present.
Core Benefits
- Heightened breath awareness
- Increased inner aliveness
- Spontaneous movement facilitation
- Deep stillness experience
- Elevation to a clear, shimmering mental state
Common questions
Practical questions about the method. The answers are written by Osho Live from his instructions — for his own words, see “What Osho said about this technique” above.
1What is the primary goal of Gourishankar Meditation?
The primary goal is to move from heightened breath and vision into spontaneous movement and deep stillness, accessing a clear and shimmering mental state.
2What is the significance of carbon dioxide buildup in this meditation?
The buildup of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream can make one feel as high as standing on Mount Everest, leading to a heightened mental state.
3How long is each stage of the meditation?
Each stage lasts 15 minutes.
4What happens in the final stage of the meditation?
In the final stage, one lies down in silence, allowing the energy to settle on its own accord.
5What should one do during the surrender stage?
During the surrender stage, one should allow the body’s subtle, self-arising movements to occur naturally.