Let-Go for Workaholics

Only once in the history of human consciousness, says Osho, has a thing like Zen come into being. In Zen: Its History and Teachings, the noted mystic explains that Zen has no rituals, no chanting, no mantras, no scriptures - only short, evocative parables and teachings that make it ideal for the modern man. Using his characteristic humorous, encouraging style, Osho guides through the origins and development of this seminal spiritual tradition that is neither religion nor dogma nor creed.

In the ordinary course, being “out of your mind” is not a positive statement being associated with a person who is out of control and not able to take care of himself, perhaps even harmful to others.

Here Osho reminds us that the world is a cosmos not a chaos. Then why do we experience it as chaotic? Because we experience the world through our mind, and the mind is by its very nature chaotic. The way out of this chaotic mess is through meditation. It is through meditation that you can experience life in all its mystery without the filters if the mind. Through cathartic meditation techniques in particular you can dissolve the chaos and create space for more celebration.

Here Osho deals with the difference between the intellectual, logical mind and the more encompassing realm of spirit or intuition. Mind knows reality through logic while intuition is how the spirit experiences reality. Osho describes the three different levels of the ladder of consciousness: the lowest and the first is instinct; the second, the middle, is intellect; and the third, the highest and most subtle, intuition.

Crisis is a very valuable time. When everything is in chaos, nothing is static, nothing is secure. Who knows what is going to happen next? In such a chaotic moment you are free, you can change. You can escape from your inner prison and attain to the innermost core of your being. In times of great crisis enlightenment is more accessible. The time can be used for your individual growth.

According to Osho striving for perfection is the root cause of all neurosis. We try to be perfect, we want our partner and our children to be perfect our pets and our projects all to be perfect and in so doing we create life-long inner tension. Here Osho explains a natural way of being, a way of being in tune with nature’s imperfection.

In this provocative talk, Osho starts with our assumption that we are interested, maybe even passionately interested, in knowing the truth - and he tears it to shreds. He goes back in history with razor sharp clarity to illustrate our long-time avoidance of the truth, and our need to hide out in illusion.

Ordinarily when we read a title or headline “The Nature of Fear”, we don’t move into a space of love – but instead think of moments in our life when we experienced fear. Yet in this talk Osho describes love as the most potent remedy to fear as he takes us on a journey through the multidimensional layers of love, the antidote of antidotes.

We have lost touch with who we are and how we want to live. It started at birth. From birth we are molded according to the beliefs and ideals of others, and our own potential is ignored. It needs immense courage to go your own way, leaving the crowd behind. The moment you do it you are taking responsibility for your life in your own hands. Osho reminds us that it is a step worth taking.

Challenging the religious concept of God the creator, Osho invites us to consider that everything in existence is comprised of "something" - call it God or godliness, matter or electricity, ABC or the divine. What is important is being willing to recognize our own inner godliness or divinity. Dangerous? Osho goes on to speak about what it means to live dangerously.

Moving beyond the usual interpretations of this classic Chinese text - that of using it as an indicator of what to do next or attempting to predict the future - Osho is using the Tao Te Ching as Lao Tzu intended: to ignite the flame of individual awareness and insight. His commentaries on these seven verses burn through every idea we may hold about ourselves until we can see with the same crystal-clear light as Lao Tzu.

In this extraordinary series, Zen: The Special Transmission, Osho introduces us in 10 talks to the world of Zen. In alternating chapters, he comments on Zen sutras and responds to questions of his audience.

Written more than 25 centuries ago, the Diamond Sutra is the first text to record the Buddha's own teachings, and it remains one of the most popular. Osho comments in a series of talks on these sutras and brings Buddha's teachings into the 21st century. One day, after the Buddha finishes his daily walk to collect alms, a senior monk steps forth to ask how he can best help humanity. Buddha responds, and thus begins a dialogue regarding the nature of perception.

At this time, the beginning of the 21st century, times seem desperate and many call for revolution, even if nobody has a clear idea of the outcome?

With modern media. there is an impression that this world is becoming more chaotic than ever before. However, according to Osho’s understanding, the world has not changed but remains the same: upside down, crazy, insane. The fact that in the last 3,000 years humanity has fought 5,000 wars is evidence enough but what has changed is an awareness that we are crazy, that something is basically wrong with humanity.