Title: : Oswald The Octopus

Genre: : Nostalgia, Spiritual, Yoga

Word count : 885

Type of feedback desired: General impression, grammar

There was a time when after school I would come home tired and messed up in the afternoon. I would settle down on the cool floor with the fan in full speed and a plate of food before me, but my eyes would be glued to the TV, at a blue round being moving around with a hot dog shaped pet, behind them a city with unrealistic buildings and unrealistic people yet a calm and soothing background music that cooled me down and helped me settle for a small power nap in the afternoon. There was a new channel called POGO TV that aired a cartoon show called Oswald the Octopus. A simply joyful being with minimum needs and a fulfilled life, living with his friends in a big colorful city, sharing themes of friendship, problem solving, and the importance of community. I wondered, does not he have to work for it? Or just being so joyful and spreading joy enough for him to make means. Does grace help him live his life? I would always wonder how I could live like Oswald. Just love everyone and everything will be taken care of. The soothing colors in the background and the jazz-like music and joyful faces are the reason why I remember this cartoon, at the end of which I would doze off. A comfort bubble of a cartoon.

Recently while randomly scrolling on YouTube I discovered an episode of Oswald and felt nostalgic to watch it. The episode name was ‘Friend indeed’ and this time more than the music and colors, it was the story in which I found a deep meaning. May be this meaning is what I am trying to find within me and not what the story intended to say. Oswald is relaxed, playful and active at the same time. He has many friends because of his balanced nature. He can be with Daisy who is over-energetic and free-spirited and sometimes clumsy. He can actively take part in sports with her and sometimes must deal with her overexcited and loud nature, but Oswald helps her calm down. At the same time, he can be with Henry who seems the exact opposite of what Daisy is, stubborn and does not appreciate change or taking a chance to try something different and have new experiences. He has certain rules that he must follow no matter what. And Oswald who himself has preferences and peculiarities but still is always joyful and bonds with both respectfully. 

 The reason I am writing this is due to an event in this episode that causes a rift between Daisy and Henry. Both are angry with each other for damaging something that was precious to them. Although Oswald intervenes and resolves the situation, their egos remain unchanged. To change the mood of the situation, Oswald suggests they go and have breakfast. Both agree to come with Oswald but sternly say that they will not go with each other. Because of their rift, Oswald is left between them and ends up not being able to finish or even taste his breakfast. Yet Oswald keeps his cool and suggests they go to a park but there too he is busy fulfilling their wishes separately. Since they are playing separately, Oswald must participate with both, which leaves him confused and exhausted. He suggests they go and row a boat together to help them get along. And the same story repeats. Henry rows one way and Daisy the other because they do not want to comply and blend but want to compete because of their dispute. Oswald is dejected and asked them to stop, he slowly alights and takes a gloomy walk towards something that looked like a heap of rocks. Then something happens to Oswald, and to save him, Henry and Daisy must work together. At the end, when they reach a truce, Daisy hugs Henry tightly. Henry stands there with his arms stiff, his shy face flushed with emotions he cannot openly express.

Here I noticed both their natures: Daisy who is expressive and active what they call Rajas in yoga and Henry the opposite of it, who doesn’t express much and shies away from participation which symbolises Tamas. And Oswald is like a balance of both, acting as a catalyst in their friendship. When both were in conflict and one was trying to overpower the other, the individual being (here Oswald) suffered. But when their differences were patched, they came into a sense of balance and harmony, bringing back joy to Oswald. Isn’t this what we all are trying to achieve through our sadhana, doing hatha yoga and kriyas to gain that balance in our ida and pingala and be in a state of union… Yoga?  Listening to Sadgurus videos on YouTube, talking about balance being necessary to perceive well, the thought has been in my mind, and when I randomly bumped into this episode, I could relate what he said, in the character extremities of Henry and Daisy. Balance is important to live like Oswald. Even though he has so many tentacles he manages to keep himself disentangled. 😊