By Sivasankar venkatakrishnan ( oshovenkat)
Since childhood, films have been more than entertainment to me—they’ve been silent teachers. Growing up watching both Indian and Western movies, I was always drawn to the image of the hero with a beard. There was something profoundly magnetic about it—something that hinted at wisdom, depth, and quiet strength. I didn’t know why it mattered so much. But somewhere deep inside, a whisper told me: a man with a beard is a man connected to something higher.
As I grew older and began exploring philosophy, I discovered Osho. Among all the great philosophers I encountered, it was Osho’s presence that struck me the most—not just his words, but the serenity and mysticism his long beard embodied. It was as if his beard carried the weight of ancient truths, spiritual rebellion, and soulful surrender.
Over the years, I began to notice an invisible thread in my own life. Whenever I felt grounded in the material world—rushing behind goals, routines, and societal roles—I would trim or shave my beard. But the moment I started contemplating life more deeply, surrendering to the flow of existence, and reconnecting with the divine mystery—I let my beard grow.
For me, the beard is not fashion. It’s not even a style statement. It’s a sacred mirror.
When I wear my beard long, I feel like I rise above the earth, touching the edges of heaven. I feel godliness not as a concept, but as a lived presence. My thoughts slow down. My gaze softens. My heart opens. I feel like a silent sage, watching life unfold, unattached yet fully present.
And when I shave, I feel the opposite. I become more “worldly”—grounded, yes, but caught in the loops of the everyday. There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s part of life’s rhythm. But I’ve come to accept that my true self—my most honest self—has a beard.
This is not just a story about facial hair. It is the story of how the external reflects the internal. It’s about how something as simple as a beard can become a spiritual compass, guiding a man back to himself.
So, here I am—growing, being, watching.
And my beard? It grows with me.
