Osho Tao: The Pathless Path, Vol 1

Talks on extracts from "The Lieh Tzu" Talks given from 11/0 /!! am to "/0 /!! am #nglish $iscourse series 1" %ha&ters 'ear &u(lishe): %ha&ter 1 : Voluntar* )eath %ha&ter : +u(lime laziness %ha&ter , : -o* has no cause %ha&ter " : .o (argain /ith realit* %ha&ter 0 : There can (e no regret %ha&ter 1 : 2 am a cross to *ou %ha&ter ! : %hoose the ne/ %ha&ter 3 : Putting shoes on a snake %ha&ter 4 : Onl* forgotten %ha&ter 10 : 'ou are (lesse) %ha&ter 11 : 5ealit*666 That /hich /orks %ha&ter 1 : This is not 7aa(a %ha&ter 1, : 2nner integrit* %ha&ter 1" : -ust give /a*

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88888 %ha&ter 1 :Voluntar* )eath 88888 11 9e(ruar* 14!! am in :u))ha ;all <;#. L2#; T=> <?+ #?T2.@ ?T T;# 5O?$+2$# O. ? -O>5.#' TO <#2, ;# +?< ? ;>.$5#$A'#?5AOL$ +7>LL6 P2%72.@ ? +T?L7 ;# PO2.T#$ TO T;# +7>LL ?.$, T>5.2.@ TO ;2+ $2+%2PL# P?2 9#.@, +?2$ BO.L' ;# ?.$ 2 7.O< T;?T 'O> <#5# .#V#5 :O5. ?.$ <2LL .#V#5 $2#6 2+ 2T ;# <;O 2+ T5>L' C2+#5?:L#, 2+ 2T <# <;O ?5# T5>L' ;?PP'DB 2 5#-O2%# in Lieh Tzu AA he is one of the most &erfect ex&ressions for the inex&ressi(le6 Truth cannot (e ex&resse): that inex&ressi(ilit* is intrinsic to truth6 Thousan)s an) thousan)s of &eo&le have trie) to ex&ress it AA ver* fe/ have succee)e) even in giving a reflection of it6 Lieh Tzu is one of those ver* fe/E he is rare6 :efore /e start entering into his /orl), a fe/ things have to (e un)er stoo) a(out him666 his a&&roach6 ;is a&&roach is that of an artist: the &oet, the stor*Ateller AA an) he is a master stor*A teller6 <henever some(o)* has ex&erience) life, his ex&erience has flo/ere) into &ara(les: that seems to (e the easiest /a* to hint at that /hich cannot (e sai)6 ? &ara(le is a )evice, a great )eviceE it is not Fust an or)inar* stor*6 The &ur&ose of it is not to entertain *ou, the &ur&ose of it is to sa* something /hich there is no other /a* to sa*6 Life cannot (e &ut into a theor* AA it is so vast, it is so infinite6 ? theor* (* its ver* nature is close)6 ? theor* has to (e close) if it is a theor* it cannot (e o&enAen)e), other/ise it /ill (e meaningless6 ? &ara(le is o&enAen)e): it sa*s an) *et it leaves much to (e sai), it onl* hints6 ?n) that /hich cannot (e sai) can (e sho/n6 2t is a finger &ointing to the moon6 $onBt cling to the finger AA that is irrelevant AA look at the moon6 These &ara(les in themselves are (eautiful, (ut that is not their &ur&ose666 the* go (e*on), the* are transcen)ental6 2f *ou )issect the &ara(le itself *ou /ill not come to much un)erstan)ing6 2t is like the navel in the (o)* of man6 2f *ou go to the surgeon an) ask him /hat the &ur&ose of the navel is in the (o)*, an) if he )issects the (o)*, he /ill not fin) an* &ur&ose the navel seems almost useless6 <hat is the &ur&ose of the navelD 2t <?+ &ur&oseful /hen the chil) /as in the /om(: its &ur&ose /as that it relate) the chil) to the mother, it connecte) the chil) /ith the mother6 :ut no/ the chil) is no longer in the /om( AA the mother ma* have )ie), the chil) has (ecome ol) no/ /hat is the &ur&ose of the navelD 2t has a transcen)ental &ur&oseE the &ur&ose is not in itself6 'ou /ill have to look ever*/here, all aroun), to fin) the in)ication AA /here it in)icates6 2t in)icates that the man /as once a chil), that the chil) /as once in the /om( of a mother, that the chil) /as connecte) /ith the mother6 This is Fust a mark that the &ast has left6 ?s the navel sho/s something a(out the &ast, a &ara(le sho/s something a(out the future6 2t sho/s that there is a &ossi(ilit* of gro/ing, of (eing connecte) /ith existence6 5ight no/ that is onl* a &ossi(ilit*, it is not actual6 2f *ou Fust )issect the &ara(le it (ecomes an or)inar* stor*6 2f *ou )onBt )issect it (ut Fust )rink the meaning of it, the &oetr* of it, the music of it AA forget the stor* an) Fust carr* the significance of it AA soon *ou /ill see that it in)icates to/ar)s a future, to/ar)s something /hich can (e (ut is not *et6 2t is transcen)ental6 2n the <est, exce&t for -esusB &ara(les, nothing like Lieh Tzu, %huang Tzu, :u))ha666 nothing like these &eo&leBs &ara(les exist onl* -esus6 ?n) even -esusB &ara(les seem to (e such that he must have carrie) them from the #ast6 There are ?eso&Bs &ara(les, (ut the* are also reflections of the greatest (ook of &ara(les of the #ast, P?.%;?T?.T5?6 The &ara(le is an #astern invention, an) of tremen)ous im&ort6 +o the first thing to (e un)erstoo) a(out Lieh Tzu: he is not a theoretician, he /ill not give *ou an* theor*E he /ill sim&l* give *ou &ara(les6 ? theor* can (e )issecte) AA its meaning is in it, it has no transcen)ence, the meaning is immanent6 ? &ara(le cannot (e )issecte)E )issect, an) it /ill )ie6 The meaning is transcen)ental it

is not in it, it is some/here else AA it ;?+ to (e6 'ou have to live a &ara(le, then *ou /ill come to its meaning6 2t has to (ecome *our heart, *our (reathingE it has to (ecome *our inner rh*thm6 +o these &ara(les are tremen)ousl* artistic (ut not mere art: great religion is containe) in them6 Lieh Tzu is not a theologian eitherE he )oes not talk a(out @o)6 ;e T?L7+ @O$, (ut he )oes not talk a(out @o)6 <hatsoever he sa*s comes from the source, (ut he )oes not T?L7 ?:O>T the source let it (e ver* clear to *ou6 There are t/o t*&es of &eo&le: one /ho talks a(out @o), he is the theologianE one /ho talks @o), he is the m*stic6 Lieh Tzu is a m*stic6 The man /ho talks a(out @o) has not kno/n @o)6 other/ise /h* shoul) he Btalk a(outBD The Ba(outB sho/s his ignorance6 <hen a man talks @o) he has ex&erience)6 Then @o) is not a theor* to (e &rove), )is&rove) noE then @o) is his ver* life: to (e live)6 To un)erstan) a man like Lieh Tzu *ou /ill have to live an authentic life6 Onl* then, through *our o/n ex&erience, /ill *ou (e a(le to feel /hat he means (* his &ara(les6 2t is not that *ou can learn the theories an) (ecome informe)E the information /ill not hel&6 >nless *ou kno/, nothing is going to hel&6 +o if these &ara(les create a thirst in *ou to kno/, a great )esire to kno/, a great hunger to kno/E if these &ara(les lea) *ou on an unkno/n Fourne*, on a &ilgrimage AA then onl*, onl* (* trea)ing the &ath, /ill *ou (ecome acGuainte) /ith the &ath6 Lieh Tzu, %huang Tzu, Lao Tzu, the three Taoist Casters, onl* talk a(out the <a* BTaoB means the <a* AA the* )onBt talk a(out the goal at all6 The* sa*: The goal /ill take care of itselfE *ou nee) not /orr* a(out the goal6 2f *ou kno/ the <a* *ou kno/ the goal, (ecause the goal is not at the ver* en) of the <a*, the goal is all over the <a* AA each moment an) each ste& it is there6 2t is not that /hen the <a* en)s *ou arrive at the goalE each moment, /herever *ou are, *ou are at the goal if *ou are on the <a*6 To (e on the <a* is to (e at the goal6 ;ence the* )onBt talk a(out the goal, the* )onBt talk a(out @o), the* )onBt talk a(out CO7+;?, .25V?.?, enlightenment AA no, not at all6 Ver* sim&le is their message: 'ou have to fin) the <a*6 Things (ecome a little more com&licate) (ecause the* sa*: The <a* has no ma&, the <a* is not charte), the <a* is not such that *ou can follo/ some(o)* an) fin) it6 The <a* is not like a su&erAhigh/a*E the <a* is more like a (ir) fl*ing in the sk* AA it leaves no marks (ehin)6 The (ir) has flo/n (ut no marks are leftE no(o)* can follo/6 +o the <a* is a &athless &ath6 2t 2+ a &ath, (ut it is a &athless &ath6 2t is not rea)*Ama)e, availa(leE *ou cannot Fust )eci)e to /alk on it, *ou /ill have to fin) it6 ?n) *ou /ill have to fin) it in *our o/n /a*E no(o)* elseBs /a* is going to function6 :u))ha has /alke), Lao Tzu has /alke), -esus has /alke), (ut those /a*s are not going to hel& *ou (ecause *ou are not -esus, an) *ou are not Lao Tzu, an) *ou are not Lieh Tzu6 'ou are *ou, a uniGue in)ivi)ual6 Onl* (* /alking, onl* (* living *our life, /ill *ou fin) the <a*6 This is something of great value6 ThatBs /h* Taoism is not an organise) religion cannot (e6 2t is an organic religion (ut not an organise) religion6 'ou can (e a Taoist if *ou sim&l* live *our life authenticall*, s&ontaneousl*E if *ou have the courage to go into the unkno/n on *our o/n, in)ivi)ual, not leaning on an*(o)*, not follo/ing an*(o)*, sim&l* going into the )ark night not kno/ing /hether *ou /ill arrive an*/here or *ou /ill (e lost6 2f *ou have the courage, that risk is there AA it is risk*, it is a)venturous6 %hristianit*, ;in)uism, Cohamme)anism are su&erAhigh/a*s: *ou nee) not risk an*thing, *ou sim&l* follo/ the cro/), *ou go /ith the mo(6 <ith Tao *ou have to go alone, *ou have to (e alone6 Tao res&ects the in)ivi)ual an) not the societ*6 Tao res&ects the uniGue an) not the cro/)6 Tao res&ects free)om an) not conformit*6 Tao has no tra)ition6 Tao is a re(ellion, an) the greatest re(ellion &ossi(le6 ThatBs /h* 2 call Tao Bthe &athless &athB6 2t 2+ a &ath, (ut not like other &aths6 2t has a ver* )ifferent Gualit* to it the Gualit* of free)om, the Gualit* of anarch*, the Gualit* of chaos6 Tao sa*s that if *ou im&ose a )isci&line on *ourself, *ou /ill (e a slave6 The )isci&line has to arise out of *our a/areness, then *ou /ill (e a Caster6 2f *ou im&ose an or)er on *our life this /ill (e Fust a &retension: the )isor)er /ill remain )ee& in the ver* core of *our (eingE the or)er /ill (e on the surface, at the centre there /ill (e )isor)er6 This is not going to hel&6 The real or)er arises not from the outsi)e, (ut from the innermost core of *our (eing6 ?llo/ )isor)er )onBt re&ress it6 9ace ,

it, take the challenge of )isor)er AA an) (* taking the challenge of )isor)er an) living it, living )angerousl*, an or)er arises in *our (eing6 That or)er is out of chaos, not out of an* &attern6 This is a totall* )ifferent gestalt: it is (orn into *ou an) it is freshE it is not tra)itional, it is virginE it is not secon)Ahan)6 Tao )oes not (elieve in the secon)Ahan) religion an) in the secon)Ahan) @o)6 2f *ou take the @o) of -esus *ou (ecome a %hristian, if *ou take the @o) of 7rishna *ou (ecome a ;in)u, if *ou take the @o) of Cohamme) *ou (ecome a Cohamme)an6 Tao sa*s: :ut until *ou fin) 'O>5 @o) *ou are not on the <a*6 +o all these /a*s sim&l* )istract *ou from the real <a*6 9ollo/ing others, *ou are going astra*6 9ollo/ing an* &attern of life, *ou are (ecoming a slave6 9ollo/ing an* &attern, *ou are im&risoning *ourself6 ?n) @o), or Tao, or $;?5C?, or truth6 is &ossi(le onl* to one /ho is a(solutel* free, uncon)itionall* free6 Of course, free)om is )angerous (ecause there is no securit* in it, no safet* in it6 There is great safet* /hen *ou are follo/ing the cro/): the cro/) &rotects *ou6 There is great safet* /hen *ou are follo/ing the cro/)E (ecause of the ver* &resence of so man* &eo&le *ou feel that *ou are not alone AA *ou cannot (e lost6 :ecause of this securit* *ou are lost, (ecause of this securit* *ou never search an) *ou never seek an) *ou never enGuire6 ?n) truth cannot (e foun) unless *ou have enGuire) unless *ou have enGuire) on *our o/n6 2f *ou take (orro/e) truths, *ou (ecome kno/le)gea(leE (ut to (e kno/le)gea(le is not to kno/6 Tao is ver* much against kno/le)ge6 Tao sa*s that even if *ou are ignorant an) the ignorance is *ours, it is goo) at least it is *ours6 an) it has an innocence to it6 :ut if *ou are (ur)ene) /ith accumulate) kno/le)ge, scri&ture, tra)ition, then *ou are living a false, &seu)o life6 Then *ou are not reall* living, *ou are Fust &reten)ing that *ou are living6 'ou are making im&otent gestures, em&t* gestures6 'our life has not the intensit*, the &assio AA cannot have the &assion6 That &assion arises onl* /hen *ou move on *our o/n, alone, into the vast sk* of existence6 <h* canBt *ou move aloneD :ecause *ou )onBt trust life6 'ou move /ith Cohamme)ans, *ou move /ith ;in)us, *ou move /ith -e/s, (ecause *ou )onBt trust life *ou trust cro/)s6 To move alone one nee)s great trust in life666 the trees, the rivers, the sk*, the eternit* of it all AA one trusts this6 'ou trust manAma)e conce&tions, *ou trust manAma)e s*stems, *ou trust manAma)e i)eologies6 ;o/ can manAma)e i)eologies (e trueD Can has create) these i)eologies Fust to hi)e the fact that he )oes not kno/, to hi)e the fact that he is ignorant6 Can is cunning, clever, an) he can create rationalisationsE (ut these rationalisations are (ogus AA *ou cannot move /ith them into truth6 'ou /ill have to )ro& them6 Tao sa*s that ignorance is not the (arrier against truth AA kno/le)ge is the (arrier6 Let me tell *ou a fe/ anec)otes6 2n +amuel :eckettBs great /ork, <?2T2.@ 9O5 @O$OT, ha&&ens this small inci)ent6 Pon)er over it6 T/o tram&s, Vla)imir an) #stragon, are on stage6 The* are there to /ait AA Fust as ever*(o)* else in the /orl) is /aiting AA no(o)* kno/s exactl* for /hat6 #ver*(o)* is /aiting, ho&ing that something is going to ha&&en: to)a* it has not ha&&ene), tomorro/ it is going to ha&&en6 This is the human min): to)a* is (eing /aste), (ut it ho&es that tomorro/ something is going to ha&&en6 ?n) those t/o tram&s are sitting un)er a tree an) /aiting666 /aiting for @o)ot6 .o(o)* kno/s exactl* /ho this @o)ot is6 The /or) soun)s like @o), (ut it onl* soun)s, an) in fact the go)s *ou are /aiting for are all @o)ots6 'ou have create) them (ecause one has to /ait for something, other/ise ho/ /ill *ou tolerate existenceD 9or /hatD ;o/ /ill *ou &ost&one livingD ;o/ /ill *ou ho&eD Life /ill (ecome intolera(le, im&ossi(le, if there is nothing to /ait for6 +ome(o)* is /aiting for mone*, an) some(o)* is /aiting for &o/er, an) some(o)* is /aiting for enlightenment, an) some(o)* for something elseE (ut ever*(o)* is /aiting6 ?n) &eo&le /ho /ait are the &eo&le /ho miss6 These t/o tram&s are there Fust to /ait6 <hat the* are /aiting for is the coming of a man, @o)ot, /ho is ex&ecte) to &rovi)e them /ith shelter an) sustenance6 Cean/hile, the* tr* to make time &ass /ith small talk, Fokes, games, an) minor Guarrels6666 "

ThatBs /hat *our life is: one is engage) mean/hile /ith small things6 The great thing is going to ha&&en tomorro/6 @o)ot /ill come tomorro/6 To)a* one is Guarrelling AA the /ife /ith the hus(an), the hus(an) /ith the /ife6 +mall things, Bsmall talk, Fokes, games666 te)ium an) em&tinessB6 To)a*, thatBs /hat ever*(o)* is feeling: te)ium, em&tiness6666B.othing to (e )oneB is the refrain that rings again an) again6666 The* sa* again an) again B.othing to (e )oneB, (ut then the* console themselves, B(ut tomorro/ he is coming6B ?n) in fact he has never &romise) them, the* have never met him AA it is an invention6 One has to inventE out of miser* one has to invent the tomorro/ an) something to cling to6 'our go)s, *our heavens, *our &ara)ises, *our CO7+;?+, are all inventions6 Tao )oes not talk a(out them6 This &la* of +amuel :eckett, <?2T2.@ 9O5 @O$OT, 2+ ver* essentiall* Taoist6 666 2n the mi)st of the first act, t/o strangers AA Pozzo an) Luck*storm onto the stage6 Pozzo seems to (e a man of affluenceE Luck*, the servant, is (eing )riven to a near(* market to (e sol)6 Pozzo tells the tram&s a(out Luck*Bs virtues the most remarka(le of /hich is that he can T;2.76 To sho/ them, Pozzo sna&s his /hi& an) comman)s BThinkHB an) there follo/s a long, h*stericall* incoherent monologue in /hich fragments of theolog*, science, s&orts, an) assorte) learning Fostle in confusion until the three others hurl themselves on him an) silence him6 <hat is *our thinkingD <hat are *ou sa*ing /hen *ou sa* B2 am thinkingBD 2t is a Bh*stericall* incoherent monologue in /hich fragments of theolog*, science, s&orts, an) assorte) learning Fostle in confusionB666 until )eath comes an) silences *ou6 <hat is *our /hole thinkingD <hat can *ou thinkD <hat is there to thinkD ?n) through thinking ho/ can one arrive at truthD Thinking cannot )eliver truth6 Truth is an ex&erience, an) the ex&erience ha&&ens onl* /hen thinking is no longer there6 +o Tao sa*s that theolog* is not going to hel&, &hiloso&h* is not going to hel&, logic is not going to hel&, reason is not going to hel&6 'ou can go on thinking an) thinking, an) it /ill (e nothing (ut invention AA the &ure invention of human min) to hi)e its o/n stu&i)it*6 ?n) then *ou can go on an) on, one )ream can lea) into another an) that other )ream can lea) *ou into another666 )ream /ithin )ream /ithin )ream thatBs /hat all &hiloso&h*, theolog* is6 2 have hear) a Taoist &ara(le: ? man of the +tate of %heng /as one )a* gathering fuel /hen he came across a startle) )eer /hich he &ursue) an) kille)6 9earing lest an*one shoul) see him, he hastil* conceale) the carcass in a )itch an) covere) it /ith &lantain leaves, reFoicing excessivel* at his goo) fortune6 :* an) (*, he forgot the &lace /here he ha) &ut itE an), thinking he must have (een )reaming, he set off to/ar)s home, humming over the affair on his /a*6 Cean/hile, a man /ho ha) overhear) his /or)s, acte) u&on them an) /ent an) got the )eer6 The latter, /hen he reache) his house, tol) his /ife, sa*ing B? /oo)man )reamt he ha) got a )eer, (ut he )i) not kno/ /here it /as6 .o/ 2 have got the )eer, so his )ream /as a realit*6B B2t is *ouB re&lie) his /ife B/ho have (een )reaming *ou sa/ a /oo)man6 $i) he get the )eerD ?n) is there reall* such a &ersonD 2t is *ou /ho have got the )eer6 ;o/, then, can his )ream (e a realit*DB B2t is trueB assente) the hus(an) Bthat 2 have got the )eer6 2t is therefore of little im&ortance /hether the /oo)man )reamt the )eer or 2 )reamt the /oo)man6B .o/ /hen the /oo)man reache) his home, he (ecame much anno*e) at the loss of the )eer an) in the night he actuall* )reamt /here the )eer then /as an) /ho ha) got it6 +o next morning he &rocee)e) to the &lace in)icate) in his )ream AA an) there it /as6 ;e then took legal ste&s to recover &ossession6 an) /hen the case came on, the magistrate )elivere) the follo/ing Fu)gment: BThe &laintiff (egan /ith a real )eer an) an allege) )ream6 ;e no/ comes for/ar) /ith a real )ream an) an allege) )eer6 The )efen)ant reall* got the )eer /hich the &laintiff sai) he )reamt, an) is no/ tr*ing to kee& itE /hile, accor)ing to his /ife, (oth the /oo)man an) the )eer are (ut the figments of a )ream, so that no one got the )eer at all6 ;o/ever, here is the )eer, /hich *ou ha) (etter )ivi)e (et/een *ou6 .othing else can (e )one6B 0

<hen the Prince of %heng hear) this stor*, he crie) out BThe magistrate himself must have )reamt the caseHB $ream /ithin )ream /ithin )ream666 this is ho/ the min) goes on6 Once *ou start )reaming, there is no en) to itE an) /hat *ou call thinking is (etter calle) )reaming AA it is not thinking6 5emem(er, truth nee)s no thinking, it nee)s ex&erience6 <hen *ou see the sun an) the light *ou )onBt think a(out it, *ou +## it6 <hen *ou come across a rose flo/er *ou )onBt T;2.7 a(out it, *ou +## it6 <hen the fragrance comes to *our nostrils *ou smell it, *ou )onBt think a(out it6 2 am here, *ou are looking at me, there is no nee) to think a(out me6 <henever *ou are close to realit*, thinking is not nee)e) AA then realit* is enough, then the ex&erience is enough6 <hen *ou are far a/a* from realit*, *ou think: *ou su(stitute thinking for realit*6 ? man /ho has eaten /ell is not going to )ream in the night that he has (een invite) to a feast6 ? man /ho has faste) in the )a* is (oun) to )ream in the night that he has (een invite) to a feast6 ? man /ho is sexuall* satisfie) is not going to )ream a(out sexual o(Fects6 ThatBs the /hole of 9reu)ian &s*cholog*: *ou )ream a(out things /hich are missing in *our life, *ou )ream to com&ensate6 ThatBs the /hole Taoist a&&roach too6 <hat 9reu) sa*s a(out thinking, a(out )reaming, the Taoist a&&roach sa*s a(out thinking as such6 ?n) )reaming is onl* a &art of thinking an) nothing else6 Thinking is )reaming /ith /or)s, )reaming is thinking /ith &ictures AA thatBs the onl* )ifference6 $reaming is a &rimitive /a* of thinking an) thinking is a more evolve) /a* of )reaming AA more civilise), more culture), more intellectual, (ut it is the same AA onl* the &ictures have (een re&lace) (* /or)s6 ?n), in a /a*, (ecause &ictures have (een re&lace) (* /or)s, it has gone even further a/a* from realit*, (ecause realit* is closer to &ictures than to /or)s6 Lieh Tzu is not thinker6 Let that sink )ee& in *ou that /ill hel& *ou to un)erstan) his &ara(les6 Lieh Tzu is a &oet, not a thinkerE an) /hen 2 sa* B&oetB, 2 mean one /ho (elieves in ex&eriencing, not in s&eculations6 The &oet is in search6 ;is search is for the (eautiful, (ut (eaut* is nothing (ut truth glim&se)6 Truth, /hen *ou Fust glim&se it for a moment, a&&ears as (eaut*6 <hen truth is realise) totall*, then *ou come to kno/ that (eaut* /as onl* a function of truth6 <herever truth exists, there exists (eaut* AA it is a sha)o/ of truth6 <hen truth is seen through screens, it is (eaut*E /hen (eaut* is nake), it is truth6 +o the )ifference (et/een the &oet an) the m*stic is not much6 The &oet is coming closer, the m*stic has arrive)6 9or the &oet, there are onl* glim&ses of truthE for the m*stic, truth has (ecome his ver* life6 The &oet is onl* sometimes trans&orte) to the /orl) of truth an) then falls (ack again6 9or the m*stic, truth has (ecome his a(o)e: he lives thereE he lives ?+ truth6 Poets come closest to religion6 Thinkers, &hiloso&hers, logicians, theologians, scientists, are ver* far a/a*6 Their /hole a&&roach is ver(al6 The &oetic a&&roach is more existential, an) the m*sticBs a&&roach is existential &ar excellenceE it is a(solutel* existential6 Tao means to exist on the <a*, an) to exist in such a /a* that the <a* an) *ou are not t/o6 This existence is one AA /e are not se&arate from it6 The se&aration, the i)ea of se&aration, is ver* illusor*6 <e are Foine) together, /e are one /hole6 <e are not islan)s, /e are one continent6 'ou are in me, 2 am in *ou6 The trees are in *ou, *ou are in the trees6 2t is an interconnecte) /hole6 :asho has sai): 2t is as if it /ere a vast s&i)erBs /e(6 ;ave *ou trie)D Touch the s&i)erBs /e( an*/here an) the /hole /e( starts shaking, trem(lingE the /hole vi(rates6 Touch a leaf on the tree an) *ou have ma)e all the stars vi(rate /ith it6 'ou ma* not (e a(le to see it right no/, (ut things are so )ee&l* relate) that it is im&ossi(le not to touch the stars (* touching a leaf, the mall leaf of a tree6 The /hole is one AA se&aration is not &ossi(le6 The ver* i)ea of se&aration is the (arrier6 The i)ea of se&aration is /hat /e call the ego6 2f *ou are /ith the ego, *ou are not on the &ath, *ou are not in Tao6 <hen the ego is )ro&&e), *ou are in Tao6 Tao means an egoless existence, living as &art of this infinite /hole, not living as a se&arate entit*6 1

.o/, or)inaril* /e have (een taught to live as se&arate entities, /e have (een taught to have our o/n /ill6 Peo&le come to me an) the* ask me B;o/ shoul) /e )evelo& our /illA&o/erDB Tao is against /ill, Tao is against /illA&o/er, (ecause Tao is for the /hole an) not for the &art6 <hen the &art exists in the /hole, ever*thing is harmonious6 <hen the &art starts existing on its o/n, ever*thing (ecomes )isharmonious AA there is )iscor), conflict, confusion6 <hen *ou are not fuse) /ith the /hole, there is confusion6 2f the fusion is not ha&&ening /ith the /hole, there is (oun) to (e confusion6 <henever *ou are not /ith the /hole *ou are unha&&*6 Let this (e the )efinition of ha&&iness: To (e /ith the /hole is to (e ha&&*6 To (e /ith the /hole is to (e health*6 To (e /ith the /hole is to (e hol*6 To (e se&arate is to (e unhealth*6 To (e se&arate is to (e neurotic6 To (e se&arate is to fall from grace6 The fall of man is not (ecause he has )iso(e*e) @o)6 The fall is (ecause he thinks ;# 2+6 The fall is (ecause man thinks that he is a se&arate entit*6 This is foolish: *ou coul) not have existe) if *our &arents /ere not there, an) *our &arentsB &arents, an) their &arentsB &arents (ack666 go to ?)am an) #ve6 2f ?)am an) #ve ha) not existe) *ou /oul) not (e here6 +o *ou are connecte) /ith the /hole &ast6 ?n) ?)am an) #ve are Fust a m*th6 The &ast has no (eginning AA cannot have an* (eginningE the ver* i)ea of (eginning is a(sur)6 ;o/ can things su))enl* (eginD 2t is a (eginningAless &rocession of events6 'ou are connecte) /ith the /hole &astE an) *ou are connecte) /ith the /hole future too, (ecause /ithout *ou the future /ill not (e the same6 'ou ma* (e no(o)*, (ut *ou /ill leave *our mark6 The /hole future, the /hole eternal future, /ill have a certain Gualit* (ecause *ou existe)6 Ca*(e *ou existe) onl* for sevent* *ears, an) in those sevent* *ears ma*(e *ou existe) consciousl* onl* for seven secon)s, (ut still *ou /ill leave a mark: the /hole /ill not (e the same6 2f *ou ha) not (een there things /oul) have (een com&letel* )ifferentE things /ill no/ (e totall* )ifferent (ecause *ou have existe)6 'ou /ill continue6 'ou ma* not )o an*thing s&ecial, an*thing (ig an) great AA Fust an or)inar* life AA (ut still *ou /ill affect the /hole )estin* of existence6 Past, future AA *ou are connecte): this is the )imension of time6 ?n) then in s&ace *ou are connecte) /ith ever*thing6 These trees, the sun, the moon, the stars666 *ou are connecte) /ith ever*thing6 2f the sun goes out of existence or sim&l* (ecomes cool, as one )a* it is (oun) to (ecome (ecause energ* is (eing )issi&ate) ever* )a*6666 ? fe/ scientists think that /ithin four thousan) *ears it /ill cool )o/n AA or fort* thousan) *ears, or four million *ears AA that )oesnBt matter, some )a* the sun /ill cool )o/n6 The moment the sun cools )o/n, /e /ill all cool )o/n imme)iatel*6 <e /ill lose life (ecause life nee)s /armthE so the sun is continuousl* giving *ou life6 ?n) remem(er, in life there is no &rocess /hich is oneA/a* AA cannot (e6 There is give an) take: all roa)s go (oth /a*s6 2f the sun is giving life to *ou, *ou must (e giving life to the sun in some /a* or other6 That is the meaning /hen @ur)Fieff use) to sa* to his )isci&les that the moon fee)s on man6 There is a &ossi(ilit*: *ou fee) on animals, *ou fee) on trees AA ever*thing is foo) for something AA so /h* shoul) man (e an exce&tionD @ur)Fieff has some &oint there6 #ver*thing is foo) for something else, so /h* shoul) man (e the onl* exce&tion that is not foo) for an*thingD ;e is the eater of the /hole existence AA an) he is not foo) for an*thingD That is not &ossi(leE things are linke)6 +o he invente) a (eautiful theor* that man is foo) for the moonE the moon fee)s on man, manBs consciousness6 ?n) it has some truth in it, (ecause the fullAmoon night )rives &eo&le craz*6 ThatBs /h* ma) &eo&le are calle) lunatics L>.? means the moon AA moonstruckE a lunatic is moonstruck6 The ocean goes <2L$6 There is a &ossi(ilit* that man also goes /il) on the fullAmoon night, (ecause ninet* &er cent of man is ocean an) nothing else6 .inet* &er cent of *ou is Fust oceanE *ou are ma)e of ocean6 .inet* &er cent is /ater, an) this /ater has the same salts as the ocean in exactl* the same &ro&ortion6 +o /hen the ocean goes /il), something must (e ha&&ening in *our (o)* too .inet* &er cent is ocean /ithin *ou AA something must (e going /il)6 Poets sa* that the* /rite (eautiful &oetr* on the fullAmoon nightE lovers sa* that something (ecomes tremen)ousl* !

romantic6 ?n) this is a /ell esta(lishe) fact no/ that more &eo&le go ma) on the fullAmoon night than on an* other night6 The least num(er goes ma) on the noAmoon night, an) the greatest num(er goes ma) on the fullAmoon night6 Ca*(e @ur)Fieff has some &oint in it /hen he sa*s that the moon fee)s on *our consciousness6 2t ma* (e Fust fiction, (ut even fictions have some &art of truth in them6 ?n) /hen a man like @ur)Fieff creates a fiction, it ;?+ to have some truth in it6 The /hole is connecte)6 <e are eating, /e are (eing eaten: from one si)e /e take, to the other si)e /e give6 'ou eat the a&&leE one )a*, the a&&le tree /ill eat from *our (o)*, *our (o)* /ill (ecome manure6 <hen *ou are eating the a&&le, *ou ma* never have thought that *our father or or *our gran)father ma* (e in the a&&le an) that *ou ma* (e eating *our gran)mother or gran)father6 ?n), some )a*, *our chil)ren /ill eat *ou6 #ver*thing is connecte)6 This connecte)ness is /hat is meant (* the /or) BTaoB: the connecte)ness, the interconnecte)ness, the inter)e&en)ence of all6 .o(o)* is se&arate, hence ego is a(sur)6, Onl* the /hole can sa* B2BE the &arts shoul) not sa* B2B6 2f the* have to sa*, the* shoul) sa* it onl* as a linguistic formalit*, (ut the* shoul) not claim the B2B6 <hen *ou exist se&aratel* from existence *ou exist in miser*, (ecause *ou (ecome )isconnecte)E an) no(o)* else is res&onsi(le for it AA it is *ou6 <hen *ou are ha&&*, /atch /hat ha&&ens6 <henever *ou are ha&&*, *ou )on Bt have the ego6 2n those moments of ha&&iness, Fo*, (liss, su))enl* the ego )isa&&ears AA *ou are more melting into the /holeE (oun)aries are less clear, (oun)aries are more (lurre)6 <hen the (oun)aries are totall* (lurre) as if the river has )isa&&eare) into the ocean /hen all (oun)aries are (lurre) an) *ou are one, thro((ing /ith the /hole, there is ha&&iness6 2t is sai) some/here, sometime, there live) a king6 The king ha) ever*thing that coul) (e )esire): /ealth, &o/er, even health6 ;e ha) a /ife an) chil)ren /hom he love), (ut he )i) not have ha&&iness6 +a) an) /earie) he sat u&on his throne6666 2t is natural6 The more *ou have of T;2+ /orl), the less *ou have of ha&&iness, (ecause the more *ou have of this /orl), the stronger (ecomes *our ego, the more strengthene) is *our ego, more cr*stallise) AA hence unha&&iness6 +o it is never hear) of that kings have (een ha&&*6 ver* rarel*6 2t is not Fust a coinci)ence that :u))ha an) Cahavir left their king)oms an) (ecame (eggars, an) (* (ecoming (eggars the* )eclare) B.o/ /e have (ecome em&erorsB AA (ecause the* (ecame ha&&*6 ? sann*asin is a &erson /ho has learne) the <a* of Tao, an) he sa*s B2 am no more6 Onl* the /hole is6B This is the meaning of -esus /hen he goes on sa*ing: :lesse) are the &oor in s&irit, for theirs is the 7ing)om of @o)6 BPoor in s&iritB means a man /ho has no ego, so &oor that he has not even the i)ea of B1B6 :ut, from the other si)e, he is the richest &erson6 ThatBs /h* -esus sa*s: Those /ho are last here /ill (e the first in m* 7ing)om of @o)6 The &oorest /ill (ecome the richest6 5emem(er, that (* B&oorB no financial conce&t is meant, (* B&oorB is meant a &erson /ho is nothing6 :* (ecoming nothing *ou (ecome &art of the /hole6 The king must have (een ver* unha&&*6 B2 must have ha&&inessB sai) the king6 The ro*al &h*sician /as summone)6 B2 /ant ha&&iness6 Cake me ha&&* an) 2 shall make *ou /ealth*6 2f *ou )o not make me ha&&*, 2 shall cut off *our hea)B sai) the king6 The &h*sician /as at a loss6 <hat to )oD ;o/ to make some(o)* ha&&*D .o(o)* kno/s the /a*, no(o)* has ever (een a(le to make some(o)* ha&&*6 :ut the king /as ma) an) he might kill6 The &h*sician sai) B2 /ill have to me)itate, +ire, an) consult the scri&tures6 Tomorro/ morning 2 /ill come6B ?n) he me)itate) the /hole night an) in the morning he came u&on the conclusion: B2t is ver* sim&le6B ;e ha) consulte) the (ooks, (ut ha&&iness /as not mentione) in the me)ical (ooks6 The &ro(lem /as )ifficult, (ut then he invente) AA he &rescri(e) a reme)*6 ;e sai) B'our CaFest*, *ou must fin) the shirt of a ha&&* man an) take it from him6 Then *ou /ill have ha&&iness an) *ou /ill kno/ /hat ha&&iness is6B ? sim&le reme)*: fin) the shirt of a ha&&* man an) /ear it6 The king /as ver* ha&&* listening to this, he sai) B+o sim&leDB ;e tol) his chief minister B@o an) fin) a ha&&* man an) (ring his shirt as imme)iatel* as &ossi(le6B 3

The minister /ent6 ;e /ent to the richest man an) aske) for his shirt, (ut he sai) B'ou can take as man* shirts as *ou like, (ut 2 am not a ha&&* man6 +hirts *ou can have, as man* as *ou /ant, (ut 2 am unha&&* m*self, an) 2 too /ill sen) m* servants to look for a ha&&* man an) his shirt6 Thank *ou for *our reme)*6B ?n) he visite) so man* &eo&le, (ut no(o)* /as ha&&*6 The* /ere all rea)*, the* sai) B<e can give our lives if the king can (ecome ha&&*6 <hat of shirtsD <e can give our /hole lives, (ut /e are not ha&&* AA our shirts /onBt )o6B Then the minister /as ver* misera(le6 <hat to )oD .o/ he /oul) (e at fault AA the &h*sician ha) &la*e) a game, so he /as ver* much /orrie)6 Then some(o)* sai) B$onBt (e so /orrie), 2 kno/ a ha&&* man6 ?n) *ou must have hear) him some/here, sometimes AA he &la*s on his flute in the night, Fust (* the si)e of the river6 'ou must have hear)6B ;e sai) B'es, sometimes in the mi))le of the night, 2 /as enchante) AA such (eautiful notes6 <ho is this manD <here is heDB The man sai) B2n the night /e /ill go an) fin) him6 ;e al/a*s comes, ever* night6B +o the* /ent in the night an) the man /as &la*ing on his flute an) it /as tremen)ousl* (eautiful6 ?n) the notes /ere so (lissful that the minister /as ha&&*6 ;e sai) B.o/ 2 have foun) the manHB <hen the* reache) there, the man sto&&e) &la*ing6 ;e sai) B<hat )o *ou /antDB The minister sai) B?re *ou ha&&*DB ;e sai) B2 am ha&&*, 2 am ha&&iness6 <hat )o *ou /antDB The minister )ance) /ith ha&&iness6 ;e sai) B.o/6 *ou Fust give *our shirtHB AA an) the man remaine) silent6 ?n) the minister sai) B<h* are *ou silentD @ive *our shirtH The king nee)s it6B The man sai) BThatBs im&ossi(le, (ecause 2 )onBt have an* shirt6 'ou canBt see (ecause it is )ark, (ut 2 am sitting nake)6 2 /oul) have given m* shirt AA 2 can give m* life, (ut 2 )onBt have an* shirt6B BThen /h* are *ou ha&&*DB the minister aske) Bthen ho/ are *ou ha&&*DB ?n) the man sai) BThe )a* 2 lost all AA shirt an) all AA 2 (ecame ha&&*666 the )a* 2 lost all6 2n fact 2 )onBt have an*thing, an) 2 )onBt have even m*self6 2 am not &la*ing this flute, the /hole is &la*ing through me6 2 am a nonentit*, a nothingness, a no(o)*6666B This is the meaning of Bthe &oor in s&iritB: one /ho &ossesses nothing, /ho has nothing, /ho kno/s nothing, /ho is nothing6 Tao sa*s: <hen *ou are nothing *ou /ill (ecome all6 $issolve an) *ou /ill (ecome /hole6 %laim that *ou are an) *ou /ill (e misera(le6 This Tao, this merging /ith the /hole, this )isa&&earing into the cosmos, cannot (e taught6 'ou can learn it, (ut it cannot (e taught6 +o Lieh Tzu an) other Taoist Casters )onBt &reach an*thingE the* )onBt have an*thing to &reach6 The* talk in &ara(les6 'ou can listen to the stor*, an) if *ou reall* listen, something666 something /ill (urst o&en in *ou6 +o the /hole thing )e&en)s on ho/ *ou listen6 Lieh Tzu himself /as /ith his Caster for man* *ears, Fust sitting silentl*, not )oing an*thing, Fust learning to (e silent, learning to (e &assive, learning to he rece&tive, learning to (e feminine AA that is ho/ one (ecomes a )isci&le6 Let me tell *ou: there are no Casters, there are onl* )isci&les AA (ecause it cannot (e taught, so ho/ to sa* that there are CastersD :u))ha cannot teach *ou, Lieh Tzu cannot teach *ou, so /h* call them CastersD :ut if there is a )isci&le, he learns6 +o a Caster is not one /ho teaches *ou, a Caster is one in /hose &resence *ou can learn6 Let the )ifference (e kno/n: a Caster is not one /ho teaches *ou AA (ecause there is nothing to teach6 a Caster is one in /hose &resence it is &ossi(le to learn6 ? seeker came to -alalu))in 5umi, the +ufi m*stic, an) sai) <ill *ou teach meD <ill *ou teach me, CasterDB -alalu))in looke) at him an) sai) B<ill *ou allo/ me to teachDB The man sai) B<h* shoul) 2 not allo/ *ou to teachD 2 have come to learn6B 4

-alalu))in sai) B:ecause that is the main thing AA /ill *ou allo/ me to teachD Other/ise 2 cannot teach, (ecause in fact teaching is not &ossi(le, onl* learning is &ossi(le6 2f *ou allo/, then the learning /ill flo/er6B Lieh Tzu /as /ith his Caster for man* *ears, Fust sitting silentl*, not )oing an*thing, Fust (ecoming more an) more &assive6 ? )a* arrive) /hen he /as a(solutel* silent: there /as not a ri&&le of thought in his (eing, not a /ave6 ;is energ* /as totall* there, a reservoir, a &laci) lake /ith no /aves, no /in) (lo/ing AA an) he un)erstoo)6 2n a single moment it ha&&ens6 Truth is not a &rocess, it is a ha&&ening6 2t is not gra)ual, it nee)s no time to ha&&en6 2f time is nee)e), the time is nee)e) onl* for *ou (ecause *ou cannot (e silent right no/6 2f *ou can (e silent6 it can ha&&en right no/6 2t ha&&ens al/a*s in silence6 <hat ha&&ens in silenceD <hen *ou are silent, *ou are not the (oun)aries )issolve, *ou are one /ith the total6 Then /hat is the function of a CasterD The function of the Caster is ->+T to (e close to *ou, so that *ou can have a taste of someone /ho has taste) the /hole, so he can (ecome a V2? C#$2?6 2t is )ifficult for *ou to taste the /hole (ecause *ou are so full of the ego6 +ome(o)* /ho is egoless, in /hom @o) is flo/ing easil*, one /ho is glo/ing /ith @o), streaming /ith his energ*666 Fust (* the si)e of him, sitting silentl*, /aiting, some )a* *ou are overfloo)e)6 Let me tell *ou one Taoist stor*6 ? )isci&le of Lao Tzu sai) BCaster, 2 have arrive)6B Lao Tzu sai) B2f *ou sa* *ou have arrive)6 then it is certain that *ou have not arrive)6B The )isci&le /aite) for a fe/ months, then one )a* he sai) B'ou /ere right, Caster6 .o/, it ;?+ ?552V#$6B 9irst he ha) sai) B2 have arrive)B6 an) the Caster )enie)6 ?n) then after a fe/ months, one )a*6 su))enl* he (urst o&en, an) he sai) B2t has arrive)6B Lao Tzu looke) /ith tremen)ous com&assion an) love an) &atte) his hea)6 ?n) he sai) .o/ it is right6 .o/, tell me /hat has ha&&ene)6 .o/ 2 /oul) like to listen6 <hat has ha&&ene)DB ;e sai) B>& to that )a* /hen *ou sai) B2f *ou sa* *ou have arrive)6 then it is certain that *ou have not arrive)BB 2 /as making effort6 2 /as )oing all that 2 coul) )o, 2 /as tr*ing har)6 The )a* *ou sai) "2f *ou sa* *ou have arrive), then *ou have not arrive)" it struck home6 ;o/ coul) B2B arriveD (ecause B2B is the (arrier6 so 2 ha) to give /a*6B 2t can arrive6 an) Taoists even call it B2tB6 The* )onBt call it BheB6 the* )onBt call it BsheB, the* )onBt call 2t B@o) the 9atherB, the* )onBt call it (* an* &ersonal name the* sim&l* sa* BitB6 B2tB is nonA &ersonal, it is the name of the /hole: BTaoB means it6 BTao has arrive)B he sai) Ban) it came onl* /hen 2 /as not there6B Lao Tzu sai) BTell the other )isci&les the situation in /hich it ha&&ene)6B ?n) he sai) BThe onl* thing that 2 can sa* is that 2 /as not goo), 2 /as not (a), 2 /as not a sinner, 2 /as not a saint, 2 /as not this, 2 /as not that, 2 /as not an*(o)* in &articular /hen it arrive)6 2 /as Fust a &assivit*, a tremen)ous &assivit*, Fust a )oor, an o&ening6 2 ha) not even invite) it6 ListenH 2 ha) not even invite) it, (ecause even the invitation /oul) have gone /ith m* signature6 2 ha) not even invite)6666 2n fact, 2 ha) com&letel* forgotten a(out it6 2 /as Fust sitting6 2 /as not even seeking, searching, enGuiring6 2 /as not there6 an) su))enl* it overfloo)e) me6B 2t ha&&ens that /a*6 2t can ha&&en to *ou here if *ou Fust (ecome more an) more &assive6 Tao is the /a* of the feminine6 ?ll other religions are aggressive, all other religions are more maleAoriente)E Tao is more female6 ?n) remem(er, truth comes onl* /hen *ou are in a feminine state of consciousness AA never other/ise6 'ou cannot conGuer truth6 That is foolish, sill* even to think a(out, that *ou can conGuer truth6 The &art conGuering the /holeH The &art can onl* allo/, the &art can onl* (e in a letAgo6 This letAgo /ill ha&&en if *ou can )o one thing: sto& clinging to kno/le)ge, sto& clinging to &hiloso&hies6 sto& clinging to )octrines, )ogmas6 +to& clinging to the churches an) the 10

organize) religion, other/ise *ou /ill have false conce&tions6 an) those false conce&tions /onBt allo/ the truth to enter *ou6 ? (eautiful &ara(le: ?ll along the farm*ar) ga(les the s/allo/s sat aAro/, t/ittering uneasil* to one another, telling of man* things6 (ut thinking onl* of summer an) the south, for autumn /as afoot an) the north /in) /aiting6 ?n) su))enl*, one )a* the* /ere all Guite gone6 ?n) ever*one s&oke of the s/allo/s an) the south6 B2 think 2 shall go south m*self next *earB sai) a hen6 ?n) the *ear /ore on an) the s/allo/s cameE the *ear /ore on an) the* sat again on the ga(les, an) all the &oultr* )iscusse) the )e&arture of the hen6 ?n) ver* earl* one morning, the /in) (eing from the north, the s/allo/s all soare) su))enl* an) felt the /in) in their /ingsE an) a strength came u&on them, an) a strange ol) kno/le)ge an) a more than human faithE an) fl*ing high, the* left the smoke of our cities6 B2 think the /in) is a(out rightB sai) the hen, an) she s&rea) her /ings an) ran out of the &oultr* *ar)6 ?n) she ran fluttering out onto the roa) an) some /a* )o/n it, until she came to a gar)en6 ?t evening she came (ack &anting6 ?n) in the &oultr* *ar) she tol) the &oultr* ho/ she ha) gone south as far as the highroa), an) ha) seen the great /orl)Bs traffic going (*6 ?n) she ha) come to lan)s /here the &otato gre/ an) ha) seen the stu((le u&on /hich men live6 ?n) at the en) of the roa) she ha) foun) a gar)en, an) there /ere roses in it (eautiful roses an) the gar)ener himself /as there6 B;o/ extremel* interestingB the &oultr* sai) Ban) /hat a reall* (eautiful )escri&tionHB ?n) the /inter /ore a/a*, an) the (itter months /ent (*6 an) the s&ring of the *ear a&&eare), an) the s/allo/s came again6 :ut the &oultr* /oul) not agree that there /as a sea in the south, B'ou shoul) hear our henHB the* sai)6 .o/ the hen has (ecome the kno/er6 +he kno/s /hat is in the south, an) she has not even gone outsi)e the to/n AA Fust )o/n the roa) a little (it6 2ntellect is a hen6666 2t cannot go ver* far6 :ut once The hen kno/s something, it &reventsE it (ecomes an o(stacle6 $ro& *our intellect, an) *ou /ill not lose an*thing6 %arr* *our intellect /ith *ourself an) *ou /ill lose all6 $ro& *our intellect, an) *ou /ill lose onl* *our im&risonment, *our falsit*6 $ro& *our intellect6 an) su))enl* *our consciousness /ill soar high, /ill (e on its /ings666 an) *ou can go to the ver* south, to the o&en seas /here *ou (elong6 2ntellect is the (ur)en on man6 The last thing (efore /e go into this &ara(le: Tao starts /ith )eath6 <h*D There is something significant in the (eginning6 Tao sa*s that if *ou un)erstan) )eath *ou /ill un)erstan) ever*thing, (ecause in )eath *our (oun)aries /ill (e (lurre)6 2n )eath, *ou /ill )isa&&ear6 2n )eath, ego /ill (e )ro&&e)6 2n )eath, min) /ill (e no longer there6 2n )eath, all that is nonA essential /ill (e )ro&&e) an) onl* the essential /ill remain6 2f *ou can un)erstan) )eath *ou /ill (e a(le to un)erstan) /hat Tao is, /hat the &athless &ath is AA (ecause religion is also a /a* of )*ing, love is also a /a* of )*ing, &ra*er is also a /a* of )*ing6 Ce)itation is voluntar* )eath6 $eath is the greatest &henomenon6 2t is the culmination of life, the crescen)o, the highest &eak6 'ou kno/ onl* one &eak, an) that &eak is of sex, an) that is the lo/est &eak of the ;imala*as6 'es, it is a &eak, (ut the lo/est &eakE )eath is the highest &eak6 +ex is (irth: it is the (eginning of the ;imala*as, the lo/est &eak6 -ust at the (eginning the highest is not &ossi(le6 +lo/l*, slo/l*, the &eaks rise higher an) higher, finall* the* come to the &eak6 $eath is the &eak, sex is the (eginning6 :et/een sex an) )eath is the /hole stor* of life6 11

<estern &s*cholog* starts (* un)erstan)ing sex6 #astern &s*cholog*, the &s*cholog* of the :u))has, starts (* un)erstan)ing the &s*cholog* of )eath6 To un)erstan) sex is ver* &rimar*E to un)erstan) )eath is the ultimate6 ?n) (* un)erstan)ing )eath *ou can )ie consciousl*6 2f *ou )ie consciousl* *ou /ill hot (e (orn again AA there /ill (e no nee)6 'ou have learne) the lesson, *ou /ill not (e thro/n (ack again an) again into the /heel of life an) )eath6 'ou have kno/n, *ou have learne) AA there is no nee) for *ou to (e sent again to the schoolE *ou have transcen)e)6 2f *ou )onBt learn the meaning of )eath *ou /ill have to (e thro/n (ack6 Life is a situation to learn /hat )eath is6 This &ara(le: <;#. L2#; T=> <?+ #?T2.@ ?L T;# 5O?$+2$# O. ? -O>5.#' -O <#2, ;# +?< ? ;>.$5#$A'#?5AOL$ +7>LL6 P2%72.@ ? +T?L7 ;# PO2.T#$ TO T;# +7>LL ?.$, T>5.2.@ TO ;2+ $2+%2PL# P?2 9#.@, +?2$ BO.L' ;# ?.$ 2 7.O< T;?T 'O> <#5# .#V#5 :O5. ?.$ <2LL .#V#5 $2#6 2+ 2T ;# <;O 2+ T5>L' C2+#5?:L#, 2+ 2T <# <;O ?5# T5>L' ;?PP'DB ? ver* cr*&tic statement: a co)e /hich has to (e )eco)e)6 BO.L' ;# ?.$ 2 7.O<B sai) Lieh Tzu, &ointing to the hun)re)A*earAol) skull, BT;?T 'O> <#5# .#V#5 :O5. ?.$ <2LL .#V#5 $2#6B <h* )oes he sa* BO.L' ;# ?.$ rD The skull has )ie) a nonAvoluntar* )eath, an) Lieh Tzu has )ie) a voluntar* )eath AA (oth are )ea) in a /a*6 Lieh Tzu has )ie) through me)itation6 Lieh Tzu has )ie) (ecause he is no longer an ego, (ecause he is no longer se&arate from the /hole, (ecause he 2+ no more6 This is real )eath, )ee&er in fact than the )eath of the skull6 2t is not reall* certain /hether the man /ho has )ie), an) /hose skull has lain there for a hun)re) *ears, has kno/n6 2t is not certain AA he ma* not have kno/n, he ma* have kno/n6 :ut it is certain that Lieh Tzu kno/s: his )eath is conscious6 :ut he use) the situation6 ? &ara(le uses a situation6 ;is )isci&le, Pai 9eng, /as sitting (* his si)e, the skull /as L*ing there, an) he &ointe) to the skull6 BO.L' ;# ?.$ 2 7.O< T;?T 'O> <#5# .#V#5 :O5. ?.$ <2LL .#V#5 $2#6B <ho )iesD ?n) /ho is (ornD The ego is (orn an) the ego )ies6 $ee& )o/n, /here ego is no more, *ou are never (orn an) *ou never )ie6 'ou are eternal, *ou are eternit*, *ou are the ver* su(stratum, the ver* stuff that existence is ma)e of AA ho/ can *ou )ieD :ut ego is (orn an) ego )ies6 'ou are never (orn an) *ou can never )ie, (ut ho/ to kno/ itD <oul) *ou like to /ait until )eath comesD That is ver* risk*, (ecause if *ou live *our /hole life unconsciousl*, there is not much &ossi(ilit* that *ou ma* (ecome conscious /hen *ou )ie6 2t is not &ossi(le if *our /hole life has (een a continuit* of unconscious living, *ou /ill )ie unconsciousl*, *ou /ill not (e a(le to kno/6 'ou /ill )ie in a coma, *ou /ill not (e a(le to o(serve an) see /hat is ha&&ening6 'ou /ere not even a(le to see life, ho/ can *ou see )eathD $eath is more su(tle6 2f *ou reall* /ant to kno/6 then start (ecoming alert, a/are6 Live consciousl*, learn consciousness, accumulate consciousness6 :ecome a great flame of consciousness, then, /hen )eath comes6 *ou /ill (e a(le to /itness it, *ou /ill (e a(le to see it an) *ou /ill kno/ BThe (o)* is )*ing, the ego is )*ing, (ut 2 am not )*ing (ecause 2 am the /itness6B That /itness is the ver* core of existence6 That /itness is /hat other religions call B@o)B6 an) /hat Lieh Tzu6 %huang Tzu call BTaoB: the kno/er, the kno/ing element, consciousness, a/areness, alertness6 +tart living a conscious life6 $o /hatsoever *ou are )oing, (ut )o as if *ou are a /itness to it AA /atch it, silentl* go on o(serving it6 $onBt get lost into thingsE remain alert, remain (e*on)6 +tart from small things: /alking on the roa), eating, taking a (ath, hol)ing the han) of a frien), talking, listening AA small things6 (ut kee& alert6 'ou /ill forget again an) again6 Pick it u& again, fin) it out again6 remem(er it again6 This is /hat :u))ha calls Bmin)fulnessB6 /hat @ur)Fieff calls BselfAremem(eringB6 1

@o on remem(ering that *ou are a /itness6 2n the (eginning it is ar)uous, har), (ecause our slee& is long6 <e have sle&t for man* lives6 /e have (ecome accustome) to slee&6 /e are snoring AA meta&h*sicall*6 2t is )ifficult6 (ut if *ou tr*6 (* an) (* a ra* of alertness /ill enter in *our (eing6 2t is &ossi(le AA )ifficult, (ut &ossi(le AA not im&ossi(le6 ?n) this is the most valua(le thing in life6 BO.L' ;# ?.$ 2 7.O< T;?T *O> <#5# .#V#5 :O5. ?.$ <2LL .#V#5 $2#6B 2 kno/ *ou /ill never )ie, (ecause *ou /ere never (orn, (ut *ou )onBt kno/ it6 C* kno/ing is not going to hel& *ou AA *ou have to kno/ it6 2t has to (ecome *our o/n un)erstan)ing: Ba light unto *ourself6 B2+ 2T ;# <;O 2+ T5>L' C2+#5?:L#, 2+ 2T <# <;O ?5# T5>L' ;?PP'DB ?n) then he &uts a Guestion to his )isci&le B<ho is ha&&* those /ho are alive or those /ho are )ea)D <ho is reall* misera(le AA those /ho are )ea) or those /ho are aliveD ?n) /ho is reall* ha&&*DB ?n) he leaves the Guestion6 2t is a koan: the )isci&le has to me)itate on it6 The &ara(le sa*s nothing6 it en)s a(ru&tl*6 .o/ the )isci&le has to /ork it out6 .o/ he has to me)itate, he has to (e a/are of )eath6 of life6 of love, of this an) that6 ?n) he has to me)itate on the fact: <ho is reall* ha&&*D ?re *ou ha&&* (* (eing Fust aliveD 'ou are notE the /hole /orl) is so misera(le6 +o one thing can (e )e)uce), an) can (e )e)uce) uncon)itionall*, that Fust (* (eing alive one is not (oun) to (e ha&&*6 -ust (eing alive is not enough to (e ha&&* AA something more is nee)e) to (e ha&&*, something B&lusB6 Life &lus a/areness666 then ha&&iness arises, (ecause in a/areness, in the light of a/areness, the )arkness of ego )isa&&ears6 .o/, /hen life has a &lus &oint of a/areness great things ha&&en6 9irst: the ego )isa&&ears6 an) /ith the ego )isa&&ears )eath, (ecause onl* ego can )ie AA (ecause ego /as (orn6 <ith ego, (irth has )isa&&eare), )eath has )isa&&eare)6 <ith ego, *our se&aration from existence has )isa&&eare)6 This is the meaning of the crucifixion: ego is crucifie)6 <hen -esus is crucifie), %hrist is (orn AA that is the meaning of resurrection6 On one si)e crucifixion, on the other si)e resurrection6 $ie if *ou reall* /ant to (e alive AA ver* &ara)oxical6 (ut tremen)ousl* true, a(solutel* true6 ?s *ou are, *ou are neither )ea) nor alive6 'ou are hanging inA(et/een, hence the miser*6 the tension, the anguish6 'ou are s&lit: *ou are neither alive nor )ea)6 #ither (e totall* alive, an) then *ou /ill kno/ /hat life isE or (e totall* )ea), then too *ou /ill kno/ /hat life is AA (ecause /ith totalit* o&ens the )oor of Tao6 :e total6 ? man /ho is aslee& cannot (e total in an*thing6 'ou are eating, *ou are not total thereE *ou are thinking a thousan) an) one things, *ou are )reaming a thousan) an) one )reams, *ou are Fust stuffing mechanicall*6 'ou ma* (e making love to *our /oman or to *our man *ou are not totall* there6 'ou ma* (e thinking of other /omen: making love to *our /ife an) thinking of some other /oman6 Or *ou ma* (e thinking of the market, or of the &rices of things that *ou /ant to &urchase, or of a car, or of a house, or of a thousan) an) one things AA an) *ou are making love mechanicall*6 :e total in *our acts, an) if *ou are total *ou have to (e a/areE no(o)* can (e total /ithout (eing a/are6 :eing total means no other thinking6 2f *ou are eating, *ou are sim&l* eatingE *ou are totall* hereAno/6 The eating is all: *ou are not onl* stuffing, *ou are enFo*ing it6 :o)*, min), soul all are in tune /hile *ou are eating: there is a harmon*, a )ee& rh*thm, (et/een all three la*ers of *our (eing6 Then eating (ecomes me)itation, /alking (ecomes me)itation, cho&&ing /oo) (ecomes me)itation, carr*ing /ater from the /ell (ecomes me)itation, cooking foo) (ecomes me)itation6 +mall things are transforme): the* (ecome luminous acts, an) each act (ecomes so total that each act has the Gualit* of Tao6 Then *ou are not the )oer /hen *ou are total6 Then @o) is the )oer, or the total is the )oer AA *ou are Fust a vehicle, a &assage6 ?n) (ecoming that &assage is (liss, is (ene)iction6 1,

88888 %ha&ter : +u(lime laziness 88888 1 9e(ruar* 14!! am in :u))ha ;all Iuestion 1 <;#5# $O#+ #$>%?T2.@ T;# +>:%O.+%2O>+.#++ %O.9L2%T O5 ;?5CO.2+# <2T; T?O, ?+ 2T 2CPL2#+ $2+%2PL2.# <2T; +#L9A#99O5T 95OC ?. #JT#5.?L #JP5#++2O.D Tao kno/s nothing of )isci&line6 Tao is anarchic, s&ontaneous, effortless6 ?ll )isci&lines are unnatural AA the* have to (e6 .ature nee)s no )isci&line, it is sufficient unto itself6 Trees an) rivers an) animals an) stars AA the* )onBt kno/ an*thing of )isci&line6 $isci&line is manAcreate), manAma)e6 an) (ecause of )isci&line man (ecomes s&lit6 One &art starts mani&ulating the other &art, then a rift is create)6 The min) tries to mani&ulate the (o)*, an) the (o)* tries to mani&ulate the min) in su(tle /a*s, or at least tries to sa(otage it6 This conflict creates confusion: all conflict is confusion6 :ecause of conflict the fusion cannot ha&&en: *ou cannot (e one, *ou cannot (e fuse) in one, hence confusion6 ?n) the ultimate result can onl* (e schizo&hrenia6 'ou go on fighting an) fighting, an) (* an) (* *ou are no longer one in)ivi)ual, *ou (ecome man* AA at least t/o, an) if /orse ha&&ens, then man* AA then *ou (ecome a cro/)6 ?n) /hen *ou are not one, *ou cannot (e ha&&*6 ;a&&iness is a function of unit*6 ;a&&iness is the music that ha&&ens /hen *ou are in unison, /hen ever*thing fits together, /hen ever*thing harmonises, /hen there is no conflict not even a trace of it, /hen *ou are an orchestra not a cro/)6666 .o(o)* is tr*ing to mani&ulate, no(o)* is tr*ing to (ecome the master, no(o)* is tr*ing to ex&loit, o&&ress666 the /hole (eing is overflo/ing /ith Fo*6 Tao is s&ontaneit*, it is not )isci&line, hence Tao is the ultimate in religion AA no religion touches that &eak6 The moment a religion starts (ecoming a )isci&line, it has alrea)* fallen ver* lo/6 There are three stages of a religion6 -ust like there is chil)hoo), *outh an) ol) age in the life of a man or a /oman, so there are three stages in the life of a religion6 <hen religion is (orn AA the chil)hoo) of religion, /hen a Caster is alive, fresh, an) the energ* is flo/ing from the source an) the fragrance is coming, /hen :u))ha is alive or Lao Tzu is alive or -esus is alive AA then religion has its first, virgin, innocent state: the chil)hoo)6 2t is as fresh as the )e/)ro&s in the morning, fresh as the rose flo/er, fresh as the stars, innocentE it kno/s no )isci&line, it kno/s onl* s&ontaneit*6 Then, close to a Caster &eo&le start gathering6 That is (oun) to ha&&en AA a magnet is there, &eo&le start gathering6 The secon) stage comes: the stage of organic religion6 The first stage is in)ivi)ual, re(ellious, s&ontaneousE there is no Guestion of an* effort, an* )isci&line, an* scri&tureE @o) is in the nu)e, truth is as it is no camouflage, no )ressings6 Then &eo&le start gathering6 The secon) stage is not so re(ellious for these &eo&le, an), (ecause of these &eo&le, (* an) (* )isci&line arises6 The Caster goes on talking of s&ontaneit*, (ut the follo/ers cannot un)erstan) s&ontaneit*E the* translate it in terms of )isci&lining themselves6 The Caster sa*s B-ust (eB6 the* ask B;o/ to (eDB Their Guestion of the Bho/B (* an) (* (rings in )isci&lineE the* create the )isci&line6 Let me sa* it in this /a*: the Caster (rings s&ontaneit*, the )isci&les (ring )isci&line6 The /or)s B)isci&leB an) B)isci&lineB come from the same root <hen )isci&les have gathere) a(out a Caster, the* start translating /hat he is sa*ing, /hat he means6 The* start inter&reting, an) of course the* inter&ret accor)ing to their min)s AA there is no other /a*6 2f *ou inter&ret at all, *ou /ill misinter&ret6 1"

The real )isci&le is one /ho )oes not inter&ret, /ho )oes not translate, /ho listens &assivel*, /ho is not asking Bho/B, /ho is not in a hurr* to get some result, /ho is not goalA oriente), /ho is not gree)*6 The gree)* )isci&le imme)iatel* creates a )isci&line6 This is the secon) stage AA still aliveE 2 call this stage the organic stage of religion6 The Caster is there, the )isci&les have come, there is organic unit* (ut6666 2n the first stage there /as onl* the centre, no/ there is a circumferenceE an) the circumference /ill go on (ecoming (igger an) (igger an) (igger, an) the (igger it is the less true it /ill (e6 The further a/a* the circumference goes from the centre, the further a/a* it goes from truth, innocence6 2t (ecomes kno/le)ge, it (ecomes )isci&line, )ogma, (ut still a little light comes through all these screens6 Then, at the thir) stage /hen the Caster is gone, religion (ecomes an organise) religion6 2t is no longer organic no/ (ecause the centre has )isa&&eare)6 .o/ the circumference tries to exist /ithout the centre AA it (ecomes a church, a cree), theolog*6 .o/ religion is ver* ol)E an) some )a*, some/here, the religion )ies (ut the church continues6 'ou ask B<here )oes e)ucating the su(consciousness conflict or harmonise /ith Tao, as it im&lies )isci&line /ith selfAeffort from an external ex&ressionDB Tao never allo/e) itself to (ecome even an organic religion AA naturall*, it never allo/e) itself to (ecome a church6 2t has remaine) s&ontaneous, hence there are no follo/ers, there is no church like the Vatican, or the +hankarachar*a AA nothing like that6 Tao has remaine) availa(le for those /ho are courageous enough to (e s&ontaneous6 2t nee)s great courage to (e s&ontaneous (ecause to (e s&ontaneous means to remain in a state of constant uncontrol6 +&ontaneit* means not to interfere /ith *our nature AA let it (e /hatsoever it is an) let it go /herever it is movingE to (e like /in), to (e like a river not kno/ing /here it is going AA not caring /here it is going, not (othering, not tr*ing to &lan, not tr*ing to &roFect6 To (e natural nee)s great courage, hence there are ver* fe/ &eo&le /ho have attaine) to Tao6 There are millions of %hristians, millions of Cohamme)ans, millions of ;in)us, millions of :u))hists, (ut Tao has remaine) a transcen)ence, a fragrance AA untethere), unim&risone) AA hence its (eaut*, its su(lime exGuisiteness, its su&er( truth6 The su&erconscious, the conscious, the unconscious: these )ivisions exist (ecause *ou nave trie) )isci&line, other/ise there is an in)iscriminate consciousness insi)e *ou6 There are no )ivisions6 9reu)ians, -ungians, ?)lerians, an) other &s*chologists, talk as if these )ivisions /ere naturall* there, as if the* /ere &art of the facticit* of humanit*6 The* are not right6 The unconscious exists (ecause man has re&resse)E the moment re&ression )isa&&ears, the unconscious also )isa&&ears6 The unconscious is not a natural )ivision of *our consciousness6 'ou have )one something /ith *our consciousness: *ou have force) man* things insi)e *our (eing /hich *ou )onBt /ant to look atE *ou avoi), hence the creation of the unconscious6 ? :u))ha kno/s no unconscious6 2 )onBt kno/ an* unconscious6 ?ll that is in me 2 am a/are of, 2 allo/ it, it is in m* visionE there is no )ark (asement /here 2 go on thro/ing things6 The (asement starts existing onl* /hen *ou start re&ressing6 5e&ression creates )ivisions, then *ou (ecome more an) more confine) (ecause *ou cannot look )ee&er: *ou are afrai), *ou cannot )are, *ou cannot affor) to666 the unconscious is create)6 Once the unconscious is create), then there is a small overla&&ing of the conscious an) the unconsciousE that is calle) the su(conscious6 The unconscious means com&lete )arkness, the conscious means light6 Of course, (et/een this )arkness an) light there is an overla&, a small (oun)ar*, /hich is neither )ark nor light: that is the su(conscious6 These three )ivisions exist (ecause of *ou, not (ecause of nature6 :ut &s*chologists go on talking as if the* have foun) some natural )ivision6 There is no )ivision at all6 The moment *ou allo/ s&ontaneit* to ex&lo)e, *our consciousness starts s&rea)ing6 One )a* *our /hole (eing (ecomes lightE there are no )ark corners (ecause there is nothing to hi)e6 'ou stan) nu)e to *our o/n vision666 nothing to hi)e, nothing to esca&e from, nothing to (e afrai) of AA *ou have acce&te) *ourself6 2n )ee& acce&tance *ou (ecome one6 10

Tao sa*s that man has an un)iscriminate) consciousness6 'ou cannot call it Bthe consciousB, *ou cannot call it Bthe unconsciousB, *ou cannot call it Bthe su(consciousB, (ecause these )ivisions are reall* fa(ricate), manAma)e6 <hen a chil) is (orn he has no unconscious, he has no conscious AA he is in)iscriminate, he is one6 :ut imme)iatel* /e start e)ucating him, imme)iatel* /e start training him: :e like this an) )onBt (e like thatE so /hatsoever /e )en*, he has to reFect6 Those reFecte) &arts go on &iling u& insi)e him an) if he has to look at them it hurts AA the* are his o/n reFecte) &arts AA as if *ou ha) cut his lim(sE it is &ainful to look at them, it is (etter to forget them6 To forget seems to (e the onl* /a*, an) /hen *ou forget something that is insi)e *ou, the unconscious is create)6 The unconscious )isa&&ears /hen *ou again (ecome s&ontaneous like a chil)6 The /hole teaching of Tao is to (e again like a chil)6 2t means to un)o all that the societ* has )one to *ouE it means to )estro*, to )ismantle, the structure that societ* has &ut aroun) *ouE to claim *our free)om again /hich is *our (irthArightE to (e ra)icall* transforme)E to go (e*on) the structure of the societ*, to go a(ove6 To go to nature against nurture: thatBs /hat the message of Tao is6 There is no )isci&line in Tao AA Tao is not 'oga6 Tao is Fust the )iametricall* o&&osite stan)&oint to 'oga6 2f PatanFali an) Lao Tzu met, the* /oul) not (e a(le to un)erstan) each other AA im&ossi(leE PatanFali /oul) talk a(out )isci&line6 2f PatanFali met %onfucius, the* /oul) (ecome frien)s imme)iatel*E %onfucius also talks a(out )isci&line, control, character6 Lao Tzu talks a(out characterlessness6 5emem(er the /or) BcharacterlessnessB (ecause Lao Tzu sa*s that the real man has no character AA cannot have a characterE character means something of the &ast6 ? real man lives in the moment6 ;e )oes not live through the &ast, he has no i)eas to live AA he sim&l* lives, he res&on)s to the &resent moment6 ?n) he has no scri&tures to follo/, no moralities to follo/, he has no comman)ments6 ;is onl* attitu)e is that of s&ontaneous res&onsi(ilit*: /hatsoever is facing him, he res&on)s to totall*, he res&on)s full*6 ? man of character can never res&on) full*6 ;e has i)eas, he has to )o things in a certain /a*6 :efore the situation arises he has alrea)* )eci)e) ho/ to act, he has rehearse)6 The man of Tao lives /ithout rehearsalE he never manages, he never Fum&s ahea)6 Let the moment come an) he is there to reflect it AA /hatsoever is nee)e) /ill come out of his (eing6 ;e trusts nature: his trust is a(solute, utterl* a(solute6 The man of character )oes not trust nature6 ;e sa*s B2 shoul) cultivate goo) character, other/ise in a certain situation 2 ma* (ehave in a (a) /a*6B ;e )oes not trust himself6 Look at the a(sur)it*: he )oes not trust himself an) ;# is going to cultivate an) ;# is going to manage666 an) he )oes not trust himself6 ;is selfA)istrust is there so he (ecomes a &seu)o &erson, then he loses authenticit*6 ;e smiles (ecause he has to smile, he loves (ecause he has to love, he (ehaves in a certain /a* (ecause that is ho/ one shoul) (ehave AA (ut all false6 .othing comes from his heart, nothing flo/s through his heart, nothing has the touch of his (eingE ever*thing is Fust manage)6 .aturall*, he lives a ver* &seu)o life: his love is not alive, his smile is &ainte), his gestures are all im&otent, meaningless6 ;e manages AA thatBs all, (ut he never lives6 Tao has no )isci&line6 2t )oes not trust in character, it trusts in (eing, in *our nature6 ?n) there is no effort, (ecause all effort is going to create trou(le6 #ffort means conflict, effort means im&osing something, effort means that *ou are at /ar /ith *ourself6 Tao trusts in effortlessness6 -esus sa*s to his )isci&les: Look at the lilies in the fiel), the* toil not, the* la(our not6 The* )onBt &lan for the tomorro/ *et the* are tremen)ousl* (eautiful6 #ven +olomon /as not so (eautiful /hen he /as attire) in all his (eautiful )resses an) )iamon)s an) ornaments6 #ven then he /as not as (eautiful as these lilies in the fiel)6 <hat is the secret of the lilies in the fiel)D The* live naturall*, the* (loom naturall*: there is no effort, Bthe* toil notB6 -esus must have got this message from some Taoist source6 There are stories that he travelle) to 2n)ia6 there are stories that he even travelle) to -a&an6 There is a &lace in -a&an /hich &eo&le sa* that he came to6 There are stories that he travelle) to Ti(et6 2f he ha) travelle) to -a&an an) Ti(et he must have come to kno/ something, something a(out TaoE he must have gathere) something6 Ca*(e he never /ent to -a&an an) never /ent to Ti(et, ma*(e it /as his o/n ex&erience he came u&on in his o/n inner search, (ut he is a Taoist AA -esus can (e counte) u&on6 11

;e is a Taoist, hence the -e/s coul) not trust in him6 The* are fun)amentall* a la/Aa(i)ing &eo&le, the* have live) accor)ing to la/: the Ten %omman)ments of Coses6 ?n) -esus sa*s: Coses has given *ou la/6 2 /ill give *ou another la/ an) a higher la/ AA the la/ of love6 :ut love kno/s no la/ AA he is trick* AA love is al/a*s la/lessness6 :ut to convince the -e/s, the la/A a(i)ing &eo&le, he is sa*ing: 2 /ill give *ou the la/ of love6 La/ of loveD 2t is a contra)iction in terms: la/ is never loving, love is never la/Aa(i)ing AA cannot (e6 Love is free)om, la/ is a (on)age AA the* never go together, it is im&ossi(le to &ut them together6 2 have hear)6666 ? man /as &assing through a cemeter* /hen he came u&on a grave6 There /as a (eautiful mar(le stone on the grave, an) he looke) an) he rea), an) it sai): ;ere lies a great la/*er an) a great lover6 ;e sai) B2m&ossi(leH ;o/ can t/o men (e in one graveD ? loverD ?n) a great la/*erD .ot &ossi(leHB -esus has (rought love an) he has (rought la/lessness, thatBs /h* the -e/s coul) not forgive him6 ;e ha) to (e &unishe): he /as )isru&ting the /hole societ*6 ;e /as )angerous, he /as reall* )angerous AA ver* fe/ &eo&le have (een (orn on the earth /ho have (een so )angerous6 ;e /as sa(otaging the /hole structure /hen he sai) B@o) is LoveBE an) the @o) of the -e/s /as never love6 ;e /as a ver* angr* @o) an) a ver* Fealous @o), an) he /oul) )estro* *ou for small things if *ou )i)nBt a(i)e (* his comman)ments6 ;e thre/ ?)am an) #ve out of #)en (ecause the* )iso(e*e)6 Love forgives, love kno/s ho/ to forgive6 Love loves so much that it is im&ossi(le to (e so angr* an) enrage)6 The @o) of the -e/s /as )estro*ing cities for small things AA (ecause the &eo&le /ere characterless or the* /ere homosexuals6 ;e )estro*e) +o)om an) @omorrah, ;e )estro*e) /hole to/ns6 ;e floo)e) the /hole /orl)H ;e /ante) to )estro* the /hole /orl)6 ;e cannot (e ver* lovingE he ma* (e Fust, (ut he is not loving6 ?n) ho/ can Fustice (e loveD -ustice has to (e Fustice6 Love is a totall* )ifferent )imension6 The -e/s (ecame afrai)6 -esus /as (ringing s&ontaneit*, he /as (ringing la/lessness an) he /as (ringing re(elliousness, an) in such )isguise that &eo&le /oul) not even (e a/are of /hat he /as (ringing in6 2f &eo&le are against me in 2n)ia it is natural: m* /hole message is a sa(otage6 -esus sa*s: 2 )onBt (ring &eace, 2 (ring a s/or)6 ?n) -esus sa*s: 2 have come to &ut the son against the father, an) the hus(an) against the /ife, an) the mother against the son6 an) the (rother against the (rother6 <hat )oes he meanD These relationshi&s, these soAcalle) Brelationshi&sB, are no longer of loveE the* are onl* formal6 -esus sa*s: Onl* love is enough, an*thing else is going to )estro* *our naturalness6 Love *our mother AA not (ecause she is *our motherE love her, let there (e love, (ut not (ecause she is *our mother6 ;o/ can *ou love a /oman Fust (ecause she is *our motherD ;o/ can *ou love a /oman Fust (ecause she is *our sisterD 'ou can fulfil )uties (ut )uties are ugl*6 B$ut*B is an ugl* fourAletter /or) AA avoi) itH 2t has )estro*e) nature, it has )estro*e) humanit*, it has not allo/e) man to flo/er an) (loom6 .o, there is no )isci&line an) there is no effort in Tao, there is onl* un)erstan)ing6 5emem(er, let me re&eat it: there is onl* un)erstan)ing6 #ffort means *ou have not un)erstoo) rightl* AA thatBs /h* *ou have to make effort6 2f 2 sa* BLove is enoughB an) *ou un)erstan) me, /ill *ou make an* effortD That ver* un)erstan)ing /ill (ring a change6 >n)erstan)ing is revolution6 2f *ou un)erstan), love is enough6 2r *ou un)erstan) that the lilies in the fiel) are (eautiful, if *ou un)erstan) /hat (eaut* is AA to (e natural is to (e (eautiful AA are *ou going to make an* effort to attain this (eaut*D ;o/ can *ou (e natural through effortD To (e natural *ou have to )ro& all effort6 ?n) /ill *ou tr* to )ro& *our effort through some effortD Then *ou /ill (e getting into the same tra& again6 2t is not going to change *ou6 -ust see the fact6 -ust see the fact an) let the fact (e there6 Let it &enetrate into *our heart, let it sink in an) *ou /ill see that the ver* un)erstan)ing of the fact has transforme) *ou6 1!

+u))enl* *ou see that *ou are a totall* )ifferent man, the ol) man is gone an) the ne/ is (orn AA there /as no effort6 ?n) one thing more a(out it: Tao is su(lime laziness6 2t )oes not (elieve in aggression, it )oes not (elieve in the male element6 Tao is feminine: &assivit*6 rece&tivit*6 Tr* to un)erstan) this6 There are t/o /a*s to a&&roach truth6 One /a* is that of aggression, almost like ra&e6 ThatBs /h* 2 al/a*s sa* science has ra&e): it is aggressive, it has (een coercive on nature, it has force) nature to reveal its secrets6 2t is ver* cru)e, &rimitive, (ecause one has to ra&e onl* /hen one cannot love6 ? ra&ist is one /ho is inca&a(le of love6 2f *ou can love a /oman, can *ou even think of ra&ing a /omanD 2t /ill not even come into *our )reams AA it is im&ossi(le6 <hen one fails in loving then the ra&e arises6 Violence arises onl* /hen love fails, aggression arises onl* /hen love fails6 +cience is a failure AA failure in the sense that /e coul) not &ersua)e nature6 2t /oul) have (een (etter to &ersua)e6 Tao &ersua)es nature6 There is no nee) to coerceE love, an) (* an) (* nature reveals its secrets to *ou6 +cience tries to force6 'ou come to kno/ some facts (ut the* are ugl*, the* are a(ortive, the* are not naturall* (ornE an) something of *our violence goes on echoing an) reA echoing6 +o it is not Fust coinci)ence that science has le) to more an) more violence in the /orl): science is violent6 2t is Fust coinci)ence that science has culminate) in atom an) h*)rogen (om(s AA the* are a natural corollar* to it6 +cience is coercion, an) coercion ultimatel* en)s in violenceE an) if /e )onBt (ecome a/are, science is6going to (ecome suici)e, a universal suici)e6 One )a* or other, man is going to commit suici)e, (ecause if *ou force nature violentl* there are going to (e re&ercussions from it6 ?n) the violence that *ou )o to nature /ill come (ack on *ou6 Things ha&&en in such a su(tle /a* that sometimes one is not a/are6 ?)olf ;itler )estro*e) the -e/s in @erman*6 ;e ex&elle) ?l(ert #instein (ecause he /as a -e/6 ;e coul) never have thought that the ex&ulsion of this one man from @erman* /oul) (e the en) of his /hole effort, /oul) (e the en) of 9ascism6 ?l(ert #instein /as turne) out of @erman*E he sought as*lum in ?merica, an) he /rote a letter to 5oosevelt &ro&osing that atom (om(s coul) (e create)6 2t /as ?l(ert #instein /ho (ecame instrumental in creating the first atom (om(, an) that ver* atom (om( /as )ro&&e) on ;iroshima6 ?n) it )estro*e) the 9ascists an) the .azis, an) ?)olf ;itler, an) all his )reams of a oneAthousan)A*ear rule over the /orl)6 .o/, if *ou look (ack, the thing seems to (e ver* sim&le6 ;e turne) out ?l(ert #instein, an) he coul) not have even imagine) that this turning a/a* of ?l(ert #instein /oul) (e his en)6 2f ?l(ert #instein /ere not turne) out of @erman*, ;itler might have rule) the /hole /orl)6 :ut a -e/ turne) out of the countr* /as not at all significant in his e*es6 That -e/ &rove) his un)oing: in a roun)a(out /a* the atom (om( /as create)6 Life is ver* )ee&l* interconnecte): /hatsoever ha&&ens here /ill have re&ercussions there6 Tao sa*s: .ever coerce nature, other/ise nature /ill thro/ all coercion (ack on *ou, an) *ou /ill (e )estro*e)6 Persua)e, love6 ?n), as Tao sa*s )onBt coerce outer nature, Tao sa*s )onBt coerce inner nature too6 +cience tries to coerce outer nature, 'oga tries to coerce inner nature AA so science an) 'oga can go together ver* /ellE the* are fello/Atravellers6 #instein coul) have un)erstoo) PatanFali ver* easil*, an) PatanFali coul) have un)erstoo) #instein ver* easil*6 :ut neither #instein nor PatanFali /oul) have (een a(le to conceive of /hat Lao Tzu is sa*ing6 ;e /oul) look ma), he /oul) look a(sur)6 ;e (rings a totall* )ifferent )imension into the /orl) AA the )imension of the feminine6 Can is aggressive, /oman is rece&tive6 <oman is a /om(: rece&tivit*6 Lao Tzu sa*s that truth has to (e receive), not sought6 +eek, an) *ou /ill never fin), sa*s Lao Tzu6 <ait, /ait in o&enness, /ait in vulnera(ilit* an) *ou /ill fin), (ecause truth /ill come to *ou6 2nvite, an) /ait6 Love, an) /ait6 :e in a letAgo6 That is the meaning /hen 2 sa* Bsu(lime lazinessB6 2t is inactivit*, *et it is not letharg*E inactivit*, *et full of ra)ianceE not )oing an*thing, (ut &ulsating /ith energ*6 2n fact, a &erson /ho is not )oing an*thing shoul) &ulsate /ith tremen)ous energ*, (ecause he is not &utting his 13

energ* an*/hereE so energ* is accumulating: he (ecomes a reservoir AA ra)iant, alive, thro((ing, streaming6 2n that great energ*Amoment /hich is *et inactive, truth ha&&ens AA hence 2 call it Bsu(lime lazinessB6 The active &erson loses energ*E the active &erson is )estro*ing, )issi&ating, his energ*6 The inactive &erson accumulates, so it is not letharg*6 ? &erson /ho is lethargic is inactive an) has no energ*E he is im&otent6 -ust a fe/ )a*s ago 2 /as talking a(out ?shtavakra6 'es, he is exactl* like Lao TzuE he also &raises the Gualit* of su(lime laziness6 ;e calls it ?L?+2 +;25OC?.26 the em&eror of laziness, a great king of laziness, the highest &eak of laziness6 :ut remem(er, inactivit* &lus energ*, &lus vitalit*6 ?n) not a single effort has to (e ma)e, (ecause in the effort so much energ* /ill (e /aste) that *ou /ill (e less ra)iant6 ?n) @o) comes to *ou onl* /hen *ou are so vital AA o&timuml* vital, o&timum666 at the &eak AA that *ou cannot (e an* more vital6 ?t that &eak *ou meet the )ivine6 'our highest energ* comes closest to @o)Bs feetE @o)Bs lo/est energ* is closest to manBs highest energ*, an) there is the communion6 To un)erstan) Tao is sim&l* to un)erstan)6 'our re&ressions are like )iseases, an) all *our efforts (ring nothing (ut re&ressions6 2 have hear)6666 ? m*sterious man /as constantl* foun) /aiting on the )oorste&s of the Cetro&olitan Cuseum in the morning /hen it o&ene)6 ;e /as /ell )resse), (ut al/a*s unshaven, looking as if he ha) Fust got out of (e), flung on his clothes an) ma)e a )ash for the Cuseum6 :ut once insi)e, all he )i) /as sit on a (ench, unfol) T;# T2C#+, an) rea) for an hour or so6 One morning he notice) a guar) looking at him, an) sai) testil* B2 su&&ose *ouBre /on)ering /h* 2 come hereD 2Bm tr*ing to sto& smoking, an) 2 have to (e some &lace /here the* /onBt let me smoke, seeDB ;e (roo)e) for a /hile, then am&lifie) his ex&lanation6 BOn +un)a* mornings, /hen *ou &eo&le are close), 2 have to go to the church6B 2f *ou are avoi)ing something, re&ressing something, esca&ing from some fact, *our life /ill (ecome a ver* ugl* &henomenon6 'ou /ill never (e a(le to live *our life, (ecause *ou /ill never (e a(le to (e at ease /ith *ourself6 $ro& all unease, an) remem(er: #as* is right AA no effort is nee)e)6 2 kno/ that effort a&&eals so much, (ecause effort is ver* egoAfulfillingE /hen *ou make effort *ou feel *ou are )oing something6 There is one Guestion, ver* much relate) to this Guestion6 The Guestioner sa*s B<hen 2 came here, in the (eginning 2 /as a great s&iritual seeker an) 2 /as making great effort6 .o/ 2 have (ecome a sort of materialist (ecause no/ 2 am making no effort to reach s&iritualit*, to attain .25V?.? an) enlightenment, so /hat has ha&&ene) to me, OshoD ;ave 2 fallen from graceDB 'ou have risen in grace6 <hat *ou /ere thinking to (e materialism is true s&iritualit*, an) /hat *ou /ere thinking to (e s&iritualit* /as Fust gree) an) materialism6 'ou /ere tr*ing to (ecome enlightene) AA that /as materialism, (ecause that /as gree)6 To have an* goals is to (e a materialistE not to have an* goal is to (e s&iritual6 To tr* to attain something is to (e gree)*, to (e )esirous, to (e am(itious AA that is all an egotri&6 To )ro& all those tri&s, an) live hereAno/, an) love the small things of life, is to (ecome s&iritual6 That is the )ifference (et/een the soAcalle) Bor)inar* s&iritualit*B an) the s&iritualit* that is of Tao6 2f *ou go an) *ou fin) Lao Tzu, %huang Tzu or Lieh Tzu, *ou /ill not (e a(le to recognise them6E the* /ill (e ver* or)inar*6 'ou /ill have to (e /ith them to feel6 The* )onBt im&ose an* extraor)inariness, the* /ill not sho/ *ou miracles, an) the* /ill not sho/ *ou +2$$;2+ an) &o/ersE the* /ill (e ver* or)inar*6 To (e or)inar* is the message of Tao, to (e so or)inar* that *ou )onBt have an* i)ea to (e an*thing else, to (e so contente), so contente)6666 #ating, )rinking, loving, talking, listening, /alking, slee&ing, sitting in the sun or un)er the moon6 Looking at the trees: these small things (ecome su(lime /hen *ou look /ith a contente) e*e6 <hen *ou are ha&&*, ever*thing (ecomes tremen)ousl* (eautiful, ever*thing (ecomes luminous6 2t )e&en)s on *ou6 14

Let me tell *ou that /hen *ou came to me *ou /ere a materialist AA *ou /ere onl* thinking that *ou /ere s&iritual6 .o/ that *ou are falling into s&iritualit*, (* an) (* *ou must (e (ecoming a little afrai) AA /here has *our s&iritualit* goneD That /as materialism6 @o in 2n)ia, an) *ou /ill fin) that out of a hun)re) soAcalle) C?;?TC?+, ninet*Anine are materialists6 Caterialists in the sense that the* are am(itious, materialists in the sense that the* are hankering for something in the afterAlife: for heaven, &ara)ise, CO7+;?, .25V?.?6 Their )esire is ver* much aliveE in fact, the* are more )esirous than or)inar* &eo&le6 ?n or)inar* &erson )esires a (ig car AA not much, he can (e forgiven6 Ca*(e stu&i), (ut not a sin6 ? little foolish AA so /hatD :ut some(o)* )esiring heaven666 that is too much gree)E eternal life666 that is too much gree)6 The car is a to*6 ? (ig house is a to*6 :ut this soAcalle) Bs&iritual manB /ants eternit*: to (e for ever an) ever, a )eathless Gualit* he /ants6 ;is am(ition is so (ig, his ego is so (ig, that he cannot (e satisfie) /ith small things6 ;e /ants @o) in his fist AA onl* then, onl* then can he feel that *es, he is some(o)*6 Tr* to un)erstan) me6 ;ere 2 am tr*ing to &ut things u&si)e )o/n (ecause things have (een u&si)e )o/n too long6 The* have to (e &ut right an) that is the onl* /a*6 2f some(o)* is stan)ing on his hea) for man* )a*s, ho/ to &ut him rightD Put him Bu&si)e )o/nB then he /ill (e rightsi)e u&6 The soAcalle) s&iritualit* is nothing (ut gar(e) materialism6 'ou have to look into things6 ? man /ho has no )esire is s&iritual6 ? man /ho )oes not hanker for an* egoAtri& is s&iritual6 ? man /ho is not /orrie) a(out 7>.$?L2.2 an) %;?75?+ an) +?;?+5?5, the oneAthousan)A&etalle) lotus o&ening, that man is s&iritual, that man has the Gualit* of (eing a s&iritual man6 2n his or)inariness he is extraor)inar*6 2n his mun)ane life he has a holiness6 #ven the )ivision (et/een the s&iritual an) material is a materialistBs )ivision6 ? s&iritual &erson kno/s no )ivisionsE a s&iritual &erson sim&l* acce&ts /hatsoever isE an) this BisnessB is one6 There is nothing like the s&iritual an) the material AA that again is the )ivision of the egoE all )ivisions are of the ego6 <hen the ego )isa&&ears there is no )ivision, there is one, un)ivi)e) realit*6 %all it s&iritual, call it material AA it )oes not matterE /hen there is onl* one, an* name /ill )o6 2n the name of s&iritualit* &eo&le have (een cri&&le), )estro*e), &aral*se)6 Once u&on a time, the $uke of Lu /ent for/ar) to meet a sea (ir) that ha) ma)e its a&&earance in the confines of that countr*, an) escorte) it to his ancestral hall6 This is a Taoist &ara(le6 There, an ox, a shee& an) a &ig /ere slaughtere), an) a feast /as s&rea) (efore the sea (ir), /hile the (an) /as &la*ing the cele(rate) music com&ose) un)er the su&ervision of the #m&eror +huen6 The (ir), ho/ever, merel* looke) on, sa) an) )oleful, refusing to relish a morsel of meat or )rink a single cu&6 Thus it )ie) of hunger after three )a*s6 The )uke fe) the (ir) as he /oul) fee) himself, an) he faile) to see that it shoul) have (een treate) as a (ir) an) not as a king6 The music is meaningless to the (ir), an) the ox an) the shee& an) the &ig are not his foo)6 ;e kille) the (ir)6 Can has (een kille) (ecause *ou have (een allure) to/ar)s things for /hich *ou are not ma)e6 'ou have not (een given a chance to (e *ourself, *ou have (een mani&ulate) to (e some(o)* else6 ?ll i)eologies force on *ou something /hich *ou have to (ecome6 Tao sa*s: 'ou are alrea)* that6 There is no nee) to (ecome AA *ou are alrea)* that6 'ou are a (eing AA there is no (ecoming6 'ou are that alrea)* AA start living it6 +ee the revolutionar* message6 There is no nee) to im&rove u&on *ourself, *ou are alrea)* that /hich *ou can (e6 -ust start )elighting m it, cele(rate, live6 ?n) the more *ou cele(rate, the more *ou live in a natural /a*, the more *ou /ill start feeling *our innermost core6 ?n) in the innermost core of *our (eing is Tao: it is *our nature, the <a*6 Iuestion 0

2+ 2T @OO$ TO T?7# 52+7+D @oo) or (a) is not the Guestion6 2f *ou are alive *ou have to take risks6 Life is a risk6 Onl* )eath is secure, life is never secure AA there is no securit*6 The com&anies that are calle) Life 2nsurance shoul) reall* (e calle) $eath 2nsuranceE in life there can (e no insurance6 Life is alive onl* (ecause there is risk, )anger AA thatBs /h* there is so much thrill6 'ou ask B2s it goo) to take risksDB 2f *ou /ant to (e alive *ou have to take risks, an) the more risks *ou take, the more alive *ou /ill (e6 +o reall* *ou are asking B2s it goo) to (e aliveDB 5ightl* inter&rete), *our Guestion /ill mean B2s it goo) to (e aliveDB .o/, 2 am not a mur)erer, an) 2 )onBt /ant to &oison *our life6 Can* &eo&le have )one that: the &riests, the &oliticians AA the* are &oisoning *our life6 The* are all teaching *ou to live /ithin (oun)sE to live in such a /a* that there is no risk, that *ou are al/a*s safe an) secure6 :ut then *ou are )ea), then *ou are alrea)* in *our grave6 ?n) then *ou (ecome misera(le an) then *ou start seeing that *ou )onBt have an* love, that *ou )onBt have an* ha&&iness, that nothing is ha&&ening in *our life /hich is of /orth6 Then *ou start feeling there is no meaning, no significanceE an) the reason is that *ou are avoi)ing risks6 Ceaning comes through (eing )angerous, a)venturous6 Value arises onl* /hen *ou are aliveE value comes through vitalit*6 Virtue sim&l* means to have the Gualit* of courage6 %ourage is the onl* virtue6 2f *ou )onBt live a life of )anger then (etter commit suici)e6 Then /h* (ur)en this earthD ?n) then /h* feel misera(leD Then /hat is the &oint of it allD Then *our miser* lea)s no/here, then *our miser* is Fust a rut in /hich *ou go on moving6 Look at &eo&le6 Their e*es have lost the lustre of life, their faces are more like masks than real faces6 The* )onBt live, the* onl* &reten) that the* are living6 The* act, the* )onBt live6 ?n) then, naturall*, the* come to feel that there is no meaning AA no flo/ering, no fragrance, no )ance, no song, arises6 Then the* go to the &riest to ask, an) the &riest sa*s B'es, the song is &ossi(le, (ut it ha&&ens onl* /hen *ou are )ea)6 ?fter )eath6B Then the* go to the &olitician6 ;e sa*s B'es, life can have meaning, (ut the social structure has to (e change), the economic structure has to (e change), the /hole histor* has to (e change)6 %ommunism has to (e (rought in, socialism has to (e (rought in6B <hen &eo&le lose meaning, of course the* start asking /here to fin) meaning6 ?n) these are the t/o &ersons to /hom the* go: the &riest an) the &olitician AA an) the* are the &ersons /ho have &ut *ou into such a state /here meaning has (een lost6 .o/ this is a ver* great cons&irac*6 9irst the* )estro* the &ossi(ilit* of meaning, an) then, of course, *ou are in their han)s AA *ou have to go an) ask, an) the* sho/ *ou the /a*s6 Look at a chil)6 ;e ;?+ meaning6 ;ave *ou /atche) it sometimes AA a chil) &la*ing /ith the &e((les on the seashore or running after a (utterfl*D -ust /atch, (ut )onBt make him selfconscious: the moment he (ecomes selfconscious he is no more a chil)6 -ust /atch, hi)ing some/here666 a(sor(e), the chil) is com&letel* lost6 ?n) ho/ (eautiful he isH The grace on his face, the colour, the Fo*, the glee, the gla)ness, the vitalit* AA as if he has /ings, an) he is so much a(sor(e)6 2n that a(sor(e) moment he is closest to @o), he is in Tao, he is on the <a*, he is enFo*ing this moment6 ; e is tremen)ousl* ha&&*, so ha&&* that he is not even a/are of ha&&iness, (ecause onl* misera(le &eo&le (ecome a/are of ha&&iness6 ;e is so ha&&* AA /ho (othersD ;e is so totall* BinB, that he is not an outsi)er6 Then )o one thing: (ring a camera an) tr* to take a &hotogra&h of the chil)6 The moment he (ecomes a/are that the &hotogra&h is (eing taken, all gla)ness )isa&&ears6 ;is face is no more true, the mask has come6 ;is e*es are no more a(sor(e) AA that shining Gualit* is no more there, the* have (ecome )ull6 ;e is no more )*namicE he has (ecome static, rigi)6 .o/ he has (ecome selfconscious, the ego has entere)E /ith the camera, the ego has entere)6 .o/ the chil) is ugl*6 ThatBs /h* it is ver* )ifficult to have a (eautiful &icture6 The &erson ma* (e (eautiful, (ut /hen *ou take him to the &hoto stu)io, su))enl* something goes /rong6 The &icture never comes out 1

so /ell6 ;ave *ou ever (een satisfie) /ith an* of *our &icturesD <henever *ou look at the &icture, something is missing6 <hat is missingD 'ou (ecame selfconscious, *ou (ecame a/are, *ou starte) &erforming6 'ou /ante) to look ver* goo), ha&&*, smilingE a great &ersonalit*, magnetic, charismatic666 an) all is gone )o/n the )rainE *ou are Fust an ugl* &erson, )ea)6 'ou are conscious of the camera an) *ou are conscious of the &eo&le /ho /ill look at *our &icture6 'ou are so selfconscious, ho/ can *ou (e (eautifulD ? &erson /ho is continuousl* thinking /hether there is an* risk or not (ecomes so selfconscious that he never lives6 ;e (ecomes rigi) an) )ull an) stu&i) AA me)iocre6 9orget all a(out risks6 Life is a risk6 The )a* *ou /ere (orn, one thing (ecame certain: that *ou are going to )ie6 .o/ /hat more risk can there (eD C* motherBs mother /as a ver* ol) /oman, an) she /as al/a*s afrai) a(out me6 2 /as continuousl* travelling in the train AA fifteen )a*s a month 2 /as in the train6 ?n) she /as al/a*s afrai), an) she /oul) sa* BThere are so man* acci)entsHB an) ever* )a* she /oul) look in the ne/s&a&er Fust to see /hether there ha) (een some train acci)ent, some aero&lane ha) fallen or something6 ?n) she /oul) collect all the cuttings, an) /henever 2 /oul) go, she /oul) sho/ them to me6 BLookH +o man* car acci)ents, so man* aero&lanes an) so man* trains (urnt, an) so man* &eo&le kille)6 <hat are *ou )oingD 9ifteen )a*s on the trains, &lanes, carsH +to& thisHB +o, one )a*, 2 sai) to her BListen6 2f *ou are reall* intereste) in statistics then )o *ou kno/ that ninet*Aseven &er cent of &eo&le )ie in their (e)sD +o shoul) 2 stan) outsi)e the (e) the /hole nightD 2t is risk*, there is no other thing more risk* than to (e in the (e)6 .inet*Aseven &er cent of &eo&le have to )ie in the (e)H 'ou are safer in an aero&lane AA rarel* )oes some(o)* )ie in an aero&lane, rarel* in a train6B +he /as ver* much &uzzle)6 +he sai) B2t is true, (ut that cannot (e )one AA it is im&ossi(le6 'es, thatBs true6B +ince then, she sto&&e) talking a(out acci)ents AA she un)erstoo)6 The )a* *ou /ere (orn *ou took the greatest risk that *ou coul) ever take6 .o/ )eath is going to ha&&en, )eath is (oun) to ha&&en6 The )a* *ou /ere (orn *ou alrea)* took one ste& into the grave6 .o/ /hat greater risks can *ou takeD #ven if *ou go on avoi)ing risks, *ou /ill )ie, so /h* not take the risk an) live reall* authenticall*D ? rich man once sai) to a frien) B<h* is it that ever*(o)* is al/a*s criticising me for (eing miserl* /hen ever*one kno/s 2 have ma)e &rovisions to leave ever*thing 2 &ossess to charit* /hen 2 )ieDB B<ellB sai) the frien) BLet me tell *ou a(out the &ig an) the co/6 The &ig /as lamenting to the co/ one )a* a(out ho/ un&o&ular he /as6 "Peo&le are al/a*s talking a(out *our gentleness an) *our kin) e*es" sai) the &ig6 "+ure, *ou give milk an) cream, (ut 2 give even more6 2 give (acon an) ham, an) 2 give (ristles, an) the* even &ickle m* feetH +till no(o)* likes me6 <h* is itD" The co/ thought a minute an) then sai) "<ell, ma*(e itBs (ecause 2 give /hile 2Bm still living6"B $eath is going to take ever*thing6 <h* (e /orrie) thenD 5ather than saving it for )eath to take a/a*, share it AA take risks6 The miserl* man is the stu&i) manE ever*thing /ill (e taken a/a*6 $onBt (e so cautious6 $onBt (e so cautiousE have the s&irit of a)venture6 'es, 2 kno/ sometimes *ou ma* commit a mistake, (ut nothing is /rong in it6 +ometimes *ou ma* go astra*, (ut nothing is /rong in it6 Those /ho can go astra*, the* can come (ackE (ut those /ho never go an*/here, the* are )ea)6 .ever commit the same mistake again an) again AA thatBs true, invent ne/ mistakes ever* )a*6 :e creative6 5isk in ne/ /a*s6 ?n) thatBs /hat sann*as is all a(out: to (e risk*, to live )angerousl*, to live /ithout securit* an) safet*6 To (e tremen)ousl* in love /ith life is /hat sann*as is6 ?n) )onBt &ost&one it, (ecause all &ost&onement is again (eing ver* cautious6 $o it right no/6 2f *ou have un)erstoo) the thing, let it ha&&en6

? &ious (rother set on the front &e/ )uring the +un)a* morning sermon6 Presentl* he (egan to remove one of his shoes6 This unusual &roce)ure in the mi)st of a church service cause) those /ho coul) see him to smile an) lose interest for the time in the sermon6 :ut the (rother then &rocee)e) to remove his sock6 This cause) so much )istraction that the &reacher sto&&e) in his )iscourse an) aske) the (rother if there /as something unusual the matter6 B.o,B sai) the )istur(er B2 Fust notice) that one of m* socks /as /rongsi)e out6B B<ell, m* (rotherB chi)e) the minister Bcoul) *ou not /ait until the service is over to make the changeDB B.o, sirB /as the re&l* B/hen 2 fin) 2 am /rong 2 al/a*s &rocee) at once to get it right6B That shoul) (e the &roce)ure: /henever *ou feel that something is /rong, get it right imme)iatel* AA )onBt &ost&one6 2f *ou have never taken an* risk, take it no/, an) *ou /ill (e richer for that6 Iuestion , 'O> +?'6 :# T;?.79>L TO +OC#O.# <;#. ;# ?%%#PT+ T;# LOV# 'O> :52.@ AA :>T T;# +##$+ O9 C' LOV# 9?LL CO+TL' O. +TO.' @5O>.$6 2t is from ?nurag6 Then (e thankful to the ston* groun)H Iuestion " '#+T#5$?' 'O> +?2$ T;?T T;# >.$#5+T?.$2.@ O9 $#?T; 2+ T;# :?+2+ O9 #?+T#5. P+'%;OLO@', ?.$ T;# >.$#5+T?.$2.@ O9 +#J 2+ T;# :?+2+ O9 <#+T#5. P+'%;OLO@'6 <2LL 'O> PL#?+# +?' +OC#T;2.@ CO5# ?:O>T 2TD $eath is the greatest thing that is going to ha&&en in lifeE )eath is the climax6 $eath has to (e un)erstoo), (ecause )eath is the goal of life: all life is moving to/ar)s )eath6 .ot to un)erstan) )eath /ill reall* mean not to un)erstan) life6 :ut /e have (een taught to avoi) the fact of )eathE /e )onBt talk a(out it, /e )onBt think a(out it6 The ver* i)ea gives shiversE a trem(ling arises in the (eing an) /e /ant to (e occu&ie) some/here else6 <hen some(o)* )ies *ou feel a little em(arrasse)6 2t looks like this is not the thing to (e )one AA /h* shoul) he )ieD ?n*(o)*Bs )eath (rings *ou again an) again to the a/k/ar) situation, an) the a/k/ar) Guestion arises in *our (eing: BOne )a*, am 2 also going to )ieDB AA an) that *ou /ant to avoi)6 The #ast has not avoi)e) an*thing6 ThatBs the (eaut* of the #astern &s*cholog*: <hatsoever is, 2+ AA an) it has to (e looke) into6 $eath is, so )eath has to (e looke) into, it has to (e face)6 ?n) *ou /ill see that a &erson /ho avoi)s )eath /ill (e avoi)ing life also, (ecause there is onl* one /a* to avoi) )eath AA to avoi) life, other/ise life is al/a*s lea)ing *ou to/ar)s )eath6 <hatsoever *ou )o, *ou are going to/ar)s )eath6666 $onBt )o an*thing: the onl* /a* to avoi) )eath is to avoi) life6 There is a /a*, *ou can manage: *ou can fall into a coma6 Then *ou can live longer, (ecause then there /ill (e no acci)ents6 The )octor can give *ou intravenous inFections, fee) *ou through inFections, an) *ou can lie )o/n on the (e), &rotecte), an) *ou can live ver* long6 'ou can live one thousan) *ears, (ut that /ill not (e life, that /ill (e vegetating AA *ou /ill (e a vegeta(le6 :ut *ou can live long6 There are a fe/ &eo&le L*ing in un)ergroun), airAcon)itione) cham(ers in ?merica, /ho have )ie)6 :ut the* have ma)e a /ill that their mone* shoul) (e use) to &rotect their (o)*, (ecause there is a rumour in scientific circles that /ithin t/ent* *ears it /ill (e &ossi(le to revive a &erson6 +o the* have ma)e a trustAfun) out of their /hole &ro&erties6 2t is ver* costl* AA almost ten thousan) )ollars &er )a* AA (ut their (o)ies are (eing taken care of so that nothing goes ,

/rong6 +o after t/ent* *ears, /hen science (ecomes ca&a(le of reviving them, the* /ill (e revive)6 .o/ these t/ent* *ears666 an) even after t/ent* *ears /hen *ou are revive), /hat are *ou going to )oD 'ou /ill re&eat the same foolishness that *ou /ere )oing (efore6 'ou /ill again start chasing /omen, an) com&eting in the market, an) arranging mone* to )ie an) (e &rotecte) again6 <hat is the &oint of it allD Can is so afrai) of )eath6 The #ast sa*s that )eath has to (e looke) in the e*es, )eath has to (e looke) into )ee&l*6 2f *ou can look6 if *ou can encounter )eath, in that ver* encounter *ou transcen) )eath6 'ou come to kno/ that there is some element in *ou /hich is (e*on) )eath6 ?voi)ing )eath, *ou remain un)er the control of )eath: facing )eath, *ou transcen) )eath6 <e never think a(out our o/n )eath6 <henever /e think, it is al/a*s some(o)* elseBs )eath: )eath means some(o)* elseBs )eath AA ?:% AA never *ours6 9inklestein /as arguing /ith a salesman6 B2 )onBt /ant 2 shoul) (u* *our eggsB he shoute)6 BC* hotel shoul) (urn )o/n an) 2 /oul)nBt (u* them6 C* /ife shoul) )ie an) 2 /oul)nBt (u* them6 C* chil)ren shoul) choke an) 2 /oul)nBt (u* them6B The egg &e))ler caught the s&irit of the argument an) sai) B'ou shoul) go (lin) an) (u* a case6B BListenB cautione) 9inklestein Bleave C# out of it6B <henever *ou are talking a(out )eath, )anger, *ou are al/a*s leaving *ourself out of it6 That is no /a* to encounter, that is no /a* to face, the realit* an) truth of life6 2f )eath is, )eath is AA /hat is the &oint of avoi)ing itD Look at it6 The sooner *ou look, the (etter6 The #ast sa*s that (* looking )ee&l* into )eath, *ou transcen) )eathE su))enl*, *ou (ecome a/are that one /ho can look into )eath is (e*on) )eath6 $ee& me)itation (rings *ou to the moment of )eath voluntaril* an) consciousl*6 Ce)itation is a )eath: one )ies an) is re(orn again6 One )ies from the /orl) of &henomena, an) one is (orn into the /orl) of noumena6 One )ies to the tem&oral, an) one is (orn into the eternal6 <hen *ou come (ack from *our )ee& ecstas* in me)itation, *our /hole life is transforme) Then *ou live /ithout fear, (ecause there is no )eath6 :ut from the ver* chil)hoo) /e are making &eo&le afrai)6 9rom the ver* chil)hoo) ever*(o)* is &rotecting himself AA /e even contaminate chil)renBs min)s6 One +un)a* at the zoo, :ill an) his father sto&&e) (efore the lionBs cage6 B;ereBs the king of the (eastsB sai) his father6 B<h* )o *ou call him that, $a))*DB <ell, heBs the (ig shot6 ;e can lick an* other animal6 ;eBs a real manAeater too6B B'ou mean he /oul) even eat *ouDB aske) the (o*6 B2 guess he /oul) AA if he got out6B :ill stu)ie) the lion /ith interest6 9inall*, he turne) an) looke) u& at his father6 B$a))*B he /his&ere) Bif he )oes get out, /hat (us shoul) 2 take homeDB .o(o)* thinks, not even a chil) thinks, that )eath /ill not leave him AA he /ill (e left out O9 it6 2t /ill take $a))* an) he /ill have to go home, so B<hat num(er (usDB There is something in the human min) that kee&s a/a* from )eath, an) there is a reason in it, there is a cause, (ecause min) is going to )ie6 'O> ?5# .OT @O2.@ TO $2#6 :ut )onBt misun)erstan) me6 <hen 2 sa* *ou are not going to )ie, 2 am talking of something insi)e *ou /hich *ou are not a/are of6 'our min) is going to )ie6 ThatBs all *ou have kno/n a(out *ourself, an) even that *ou have not kno/n totall*, onl* a fragment of the min) *ou kno/6 'our min) is going to )ie, *our min) is not eternal: it is a timeA&henomenon, it is (orn an) it )ies6 'our (o)* is going to )ie: it is a constructe) thingE it is the meeting of *our father an) motherE it is acci)ental6 :ut *ou, *ou existe) (efore *our father an) mother ha) ever met, an) *ou /ill exist /hen *our "

(o)* has gone into the earth AA )isa&&eare), B)ust to )ustB6 'ou /ill exist6 :ut that *ou, *ou have not kno/n *et6 The #ast sa*s: That element can (e kno/n onl* /hen *ou encounter )eath, /hen *ou face )eath, /hen *ou acce&t the challenge of )eath6 Then *ou /ill see that )ee& insi)e, (o)* is gone, min) is gone, ego is gone6 ?n) if *ou remain courageous an) go on facing the fact, *ou /ill come to a moment /hen su))enl* *ou /ill see that all is gone an) 'et *ou are6 ?n) this is *our realit*6 This is the ans/er to the Guestion B<ho am lDB Iuestion 0 :#%OC2.@ ? +?..'?+2. 2+ ?TT5?%T2V#6 :>T .O< 2 ?C $##PL' 2.VOLV#$ <2T; ?52%?6 2 LOV# O+%?5 V#5' C>%;6 T;# %O.T5?$2%T2O. <O>L$ :# LOV2.@ ?.$ +#5V2.@ T<O C?+T#5+6 ;O< TO 5#+OLV# 2TD ?s far as 2 am concerne) there is no &ro(lem AA *ou shoul) ask Oscar6 2 am not Fealous6 'ou can love me, an) *ou can love a thousan) an) one Casters AA there is no &ro(lem6 2n fact, m* /hole effort here is to make *ou fall in love /ith Lao Tzu, %huang Tzu, Lieh Tzu, :u))ha, 7rishna, %hrist, @ur)Fieff, 7rishnamurti, 5amana6 5amakrishna AA a thousan) an) one6 2 am not Fealous6 2 am vast, 2 can contain all *our lovesE so as far as 2 am concerne), there is no nee) to (e /orrie)6 :ut (efore )eci)ing an*thing, *ou shoul) ask Oscar, (ecause 2 have the feeling that he is Fealous6 88888 %ha&ter , : -o* has no cause 88888 1, 9e(ruar* 14!! am in :u))ha ;all <;#. %O.9>%2>+ <?+ 5O?C2.@ O. CO>.T TB?2, ;# +?< ->.@ %;B2 %;B2 <?L72.@ O. T;# COO5+ O9 %;B?.@ 2. ? 5O>@; 9>5 %O?T <2T; ? 5OP# 5O>.$ ;2+ <?2+T, +2.@2.@ ?+ ;# +T5>CC#$ ? L>T#6 BC?+T#5, <;?T 2+ T;# 5#?+O. 9O5 'O>5 -O'DB ?+7#$ %O.9>%2>+6 B2 ;?V# C?.' -O'+6 O9 T;# C'52?$ T;2.@+ <;2%; ;#?V#. :#@OT, C?.72.$ 2+ T;# CO+T .O:L# AA ?.$ 2 ;?V# T;# L>%7 TO :# ;>C?.6 T;2+ 2+ C' 925+T -O'6 P#OPL# ?5# :O5. <;O $O .OT L2V# ? $?' O5 ? CO.T;, <;O .#V#5 @#T O>T O9 T;#25 +<?$$L2.@ %LOT;#+, :>T 2 ;?V# ?L5#?$' L2V#$ TO .2.#T'6 T;2+ 2+ C' -O'6 9O5 ?LL C#., POV#5T' 2+ T;# .O5C ?.$ $#?T; 2+ T;# #.$6 ?:2$2.@ :' T;# .O5C, ?<?2T2.@ C' #.$, <;?T 2+ T;#5# TO :# %O.%#5.#$ ?:O>TDB B@OO$HB+?2$ %O.9>%2>+ B;#5# 2+ ? C?. <;O 7.O<+ ;O< TO %O.+OL# ;2C+#L96B T;2+ 2+ a (eautiful &ara(le, an) not onl* (eautiful (ut ver* su(tle6 2f *ou look onl* on the surface, *ou /ill miss the meaning6 Taoist &ara(les are not on the surface6 The* are ver* )ee&, an) the* have to (e &enetrate) an) looke) an) me)itate) u&on, then onl* /ill *ou kno/ the real meaning6 On the surface, this &ara(le seems as if it is in favour of %onfuciusE on the surfaceE it seems that the &ara(le is sa*ing that %onfucius is /ise6 The realit* is Fust the o&&osite6 There is a great )iametrical o&&osition (et/een the Taoist attitu)e an) the %onfucian attitu)eE %onfucius is as far a/a* from the Taoist vision as &ossi(le6 %onfucius (elieves in la/, %onfucius (elieves in tra)ition, %onfucius (elieves in )isci&line6 %onfucius (elieves in character, moralit*, culture, societ*, e)ucation6 Tao (elieves in s&ontaneit*, in)ivi)ualit*, free)om6 Tao is re(elliousE %onfucius is ver* conformist6 0

Taoism is the &rofoun)est nonAconformism that has ever (een evolve) an*/here in the /orl), at an* time in histor*E essentiall* it is re(ellion6 +o there has (een a re(ellion an) the Taoist m*stics, Lao Tzu, %huang Tzu an) Lieh Tzu, go on ri)iculing the %onfucian attitu)e6 This is a &ara(le of ri)icule6 'ou /ill un)erstan) it /hen 2 ex&lain it to *ou6 Their ri)icule is also ver* su(tle, not gross6 9irst let us un)erstan) the surface meaning6 <;#. %O.9>%2>+ <?+ 5O?C2.@ O. CO>.T TB?2, ;# +?< ->.@ %;B2 %;B2 <?L72.@ O. T;# COO5+ O9 %;B?.@ 2. ? 5O>@; 9>5 %O?T <2T; ? 5OP# 5O>.$ ;2+ <?2+T, +2.@2.@ ?+ ;# +T5>CC#$ ? L>T#6 +inging, music, )ancing, are the language of Fo*, of ha&&iness6 The* are an ex&ression that the &erson is not misera(le6 :ut it ma* (e Fust an a&&earance, it ma* (e Fust &roFecte), it ma* (e Fust cultivate)E )ee& )o/n the situation ma* (e Fust the o&&osite6 +ometimes it ha&&ens that *ou laugh (ecause *ou )onBt /ant to cr*6 +ometimes it ha&&ens that *ou smile (ecause tears are coming an), if *ou )onBt smile, the* /ill start rolling )o/n *our cheeks6 +ometimes *ou maintain an attitu)e, a cultivate) face, a mask, that *ou are ha&&*, (ecause /hat is the &oint of sho/ing *our unha&&iness to the /orl)D ThatBs /h* &eo&le look so ha&&*6 #ver*(o)* thinks he is the unha&&iest &erson in the /orl)6 (ecause he kno/s his realit* an) he kno/s onl* the faces of others the cultivate) faces6 +o ever*(o)* )ee& )o/n thinks: B2 am the most misera(le &erson, an) /h* am 2 the most misera(le &erson /hen ever*(o)* is so ha&&*DB +inging, )ancing, are certainl* a language of Fo*, (ut *ou can learn the language /ithout kno/ing /hat Fo* is6 ThatBs /hat humanit* has )one: &eo&le have learne) gestures AA em&t* gestures6 :ut %onfucius is )eceive)6 ;e sa*s BC?+T#5, <;?T 2+ T;# 5#?+O. 9O5 'O>5 -O'DB The mask has )eceive) %onfuciusE the man ma* (e Fo*ful, ma* not (e Fo*ful6 The man has to (e looke) into )irectl* AA through his nature, not through his ex&ression6 The ex&ression can (e false: &eo&le have learne) ex&ression6 +ometimes666 )o *ou /atchD +ome(o)* is smiling AA on the li&s there is a (eautiful smile AA an) look into the e*es, an) the e*es sa* something Fust the o&&osite6 +ome(o)* sa*s something to *ou, B2 love *ouBE an) look at the face, an) at the e*es, an) the ver* vi(e of the &erson, an) it seems that he hates *ou6 :ut Fust to (e &olite he is sa*ing B2 love *ouB6 %onfucius looke) onl* at the a&&earance: that is the first thing to (e remem(ere)E an) he /as )eceive) AA )eceive) so much that he calle) the man BCasterB6 ;e sa*s BC?+T#5, <;?T 2+ T;# 5#?+O. 9O5 'O>5 -O'DB .o/ again, Fo* has no reason, Fo* cannot have a reason to it6 2f Fo* has an* reason, it is not Fo* at all: Fo* can onl* (e /ithout an* reason, uncause)6 ? )isease has a reason, (ut healthD ;ealth is natural6 2f *ou go an) ask the )octor B<h* am 2 health*DB he cannot ans/er *ou6 2f *ou go to the )octor an) *ou sa* B<h* am 2 illDB he can ans/er *ou, (ecause illness has a cause6 ;e can )iagnose *our case, an) he can fin) the reason /h* *ou are illE (ut no(o)* has *et (een a(le to fin) a reason /h* man is health*6 ;ealth is natural, health is as it shoul) (e6 2llness is as it shoul) not (e, illness means something has gone /rong6 <hen ever*thing is going /ell, one is health*6 <hen ever*thing is in tune, one is health*6 <hen one is harmonious /ith the /hole, one is health*6 There is no reason for it6 :ut %onfucius aske) BC?+T#5, <;?T 2+ T;# 5#?+O. 9O5 O>5 -O'DB 1

?gain Lieh Tzu is Foking a(out %onfucius, thatBs ho/ the* are ver* su(tle &eo&le6 ;e is sa*ing that the /hole %onfucian /rong attitu)e is there in the ver* Guestion: %onfucius thinks there are 5#?+O.+ for Fo*6 There cannot (e an* reasons for Fo*6 -o* sim&l* is AA unex&laine), unex&laina(le6 <hen it is, it isE /hen it is not, it is not6 <hen it is not, *ou can fin) the reasons /h* it is notE (ut /hen it is, *ou cannot fin) an* reasons /h* it is6 ?n) if *ou can sho/ the reasons /h* it is, then *our Fo* is cultivate), not real, not true, not authentic6 2t is not flo/ing from *our innermost coreE it is Fust that *ou are managing it, *ou are mani&ulating it, *ou are &reten)ing it6 <hen a Fo* is a &reten)e) Fo*, *ou can fin) out the reason6 :ut /hen the Fo* is trul* there, it is so m*sterious, it is so &rimal, that *ou cannot fin) an* reason in it6 2f *ou ask a :u))ha B<h* are *ou ha&&*DB he /ill shrug his shoul)ers6 2f *ou ask Lao Tzu B<h* are *ou (lissfulDB he /ill sa* B$onBt ask it6 5ather than asking /h* 2 am (lissful, enGuire /h* *ou are not6B 2t is like a small s&ring in the mountains: /hen there is no hin)rance, the s&ring flo/sE /hen there are rocks on the /a*, it cannot flo/6 <hen the rocks are remove)6666 'ou )onBt create the s&ring AA *ou onl* remove the negative, *ou onl* remove the o(stacle6 The s&ring /as there, (ut (ecause of the rock it /as not a(le to flo/6 <hen *ou remove the rock *ou are not creating the s&ring AA the s&ring /as alrea)* there6 :* removing the rock *ou have remove) the negative, the o(stacle, an) the s&ring flo/s6 .o/ if some(o)* asks B<h* )oes the s&ring flo/DB AA (ecause the s&ring is there, thatBs /h* it flo/s6 2f it is not flo/ing, then there is a cause to it6 Let this sink )ee& in *ou (ecause it is *our &ro(lem too6 .ever ask /h* *ou are ha&&*, never ask /h* one is (lissful, other/ise *ou have aske) a /rong Guestion6 .ever ask /h* there is a @o)6 2f *ou ask, *ou have aske) a /rong GuestionE an) all the ans/ers that can (e given are (oun) to (e /rong, (ecause a /rong Guestion &rovokes /rong ans/ers6 B<h* is @o)DB AA that is irrelevantE it is sim&l* the case6 %onfucius is asking something, an) (* asking that, he is sho/ing his &resu&&ositions: %onfucius (elieves that ever*thing has a cause6 2f ever*thing has a cause, then onl* science can exist6 Then there is no &ossi(ilit* for religion, (ecause science is the enGuir* into the causeAan)A effect relationshi&, an enGuir* into causation, an enGuir* into causalit*6 That is the /hole scientific attitu)e: the* sa* that if something is there, there must (e a cause to it *ou ma* kno/, *ou ma* not kno/ (ut the cause is (oun) to (e there6 B2f /e )onBt kno/ to)a*, /e /ill kno/ tomorro/ or the )a* after tomorro/, (ut the cause is (oun) to (e kno/n, (ecause the cause must (e there6B This is the scientific attitu)e: ever*thing can (e re)uce) to its cause6 ?n) /hat is the religious attitu)eD 5eligion sa*s that nothing can reall* (e re)uce) to its cause6 That /hich can (e re)uce) is not essential6 The essential sim&l* is AA it exists /ithout an* causeE it is m*sterious6 This is the meaning of m*ster*: there is no cause to it6 %onfucius is asking a Guestion accor)ing to his &resu&&ositions, accor)ing to his &hiloso&h*, BC?+T#5, <;?T 2+ T;# 5#?+O. 9O5 'O>5 -O'DB <h* is he askingD AA so that, if the reason is kno/n, others can also cultivate it6 2f some(o)* sa*s B:* stan)ing on m* hea) 2 (ecome ver* &eacefulB, *ou also stan) on *our hea), an) *ou (ecome &eaceful6 +ome(o)* sa*s B2 am ha&&* (ecause 2 have renounce) the /orl)B6 so *ou also renounce the /orl), an) *ou (ecome ha&&*6 Then ha&&iness (ecomes something that can (e mani&ulate)6 This is ho/ &eo&le are AA imitating each other6 ?n) in fact there is no cause for ha&&iness6 The )a* *ou un)erstan) this, *ou can (e ha&&* an* moment6 2f there is a cause, then the cause /ill take time: *ou /ill have to &ractise it, *ou /ill have to &ractise long6 ?n) the /hole ra)ical attitu)e of Tao is that *ou can (e ha&&* T;2+ moment6 <hat )oes this meanD This means that there is no cause, so there is no nee) to &ractise6 2t is Fust a Guestion of allo/ing it AA is is alrea)* there if *ou ?LLO<6 2f *ou )onBt allo/, *ou function !

like a rock: if *ou allo/, the rock is remove)6 2t is onl* a Guestion of allo/ing it6 @o) is there, *ou allo/ AA thatBs all6 2f *ou )onBt allo/, he /ill not enter (ecause he cannot )estro* *our free)om, he &rotects *our free)om6 2f *ou sa* BnoB, he is not going to enter into *our (eing6 2f on *our )oor it is /ritten that no(o)* is allo/e) /ithout &ermission, he /ill /ait6 ;e is not even going to ask *our &ermission AA he /ill sim&l* /ait, (ecause even to ask *our &ermission is to interfere /ith *our free)om6 ;e /ill /ait6 ;e /ill not ring the (ell6 he /ill sim&l* /ait6 @o) is ever*/here, /aiting, an) he /aits so silentl*666 thatBs /h* his &resence is not felt, he looks almost a(sent6 %anBt *ou see itD @o) seems to (e the most a(sent thing in the /orl)6 ThatBs /h* atheists can exist, an) the* can sa* B<here is *our @o)D <e )onBt see6666B ;e is so nonAinterferingE he allo/s *ou total free)om6 ?n) total free)om im&lies in it to go against @o)6 'our nature is that of (liss6 'ou are ma)e of the stuff calle) (liss6 :ut *ou have to allo/ it, *ou have to relax, *ou have to (e in a letAgoE no cause is there AA Fust letAgo is nee)e)6 ;ence, theoreticall*, it can ha&&en at this ver* moment AA not even a s&lit secon) has to (e /aste)6 2f there is a cause, then666 then a long time /ill (e nee)e), an) even then one never kno/s AA *ou ma* succee), *ou ma* not succee)6 +ee the )ifference (et/een the ;in)u attitu)e an) the Taoist attitu)e6 The ;in)u, the -ain, the :u))hist AA the* all sa*: Past lives, 7?5C?, has to (e remove)6 Cuch has to (e )one, great )isci&line is nee)e) AA onl* then /ill *ou (e a(le to attain6 ?shtavakra, Lao Tzu, :o)hi)harma, Lin %hi sa*: .othing is nee)e), Fust allo/ it6 5elax, allo/ it, an) this ver* moment it /ill start &ouring in *ou6 %onfucius sa*s BC?+T#5, <;?T 2+ T;# 5#?+O. 9O5 'O>5 -O'DB BTell me ho/ *ou have attaine) it6 Tell me /hat /as *our &rocess AA /hat metho)olog* *ou follo/e)E /hat &rinci&les, /hat )isci&lines, /hat scri&tures6 ;o/ have *ou attaine) itDB .o/ %onfucius is gree)*6 ;e /ants to attain to the same state /here song is natural, an) music flo/s, an) one is cele(rating6 ;e is tremen)ousl* enchante) (* this man (ecause he is 666 2. ? 5O>@; 9>5 %O?T <2T; ? 5OP# 5O>.$ ;2+ <?2+T, +2.@2.@ ?+ ;# +T5>CC#$ ? L>T#6 ? &oor man has nothing to (e ha&&* for, has nothing to (e ha&&* a(out6 2f he /ere misera(le, it /oul) (e un)erstan)a(leE if he /ere )e&resse), it /oul) (e un)erstan)a(le AA %onfucius /oul) have &asse) (* him, not even noticing his existence6 :ut this &oor man /ho has nothing,Ba ro&e roun) his /aistB666 singingD +inging a song of Fo*D +trumming a luteD %onfucius is enchante), magnetise), (ut he asks a /rong Guestion6 ? Taoist /ill never ask such a Guestion6 -o* is, an) +2CPL' isE it has no cause to it, hence no metho)s are &ossi(le, onl* un)erstan)ing6 That man sai) B2 ;?V C?.' -O'+6B 2f *ou have man* Fo*s, *ou have not un)erstoo) /hat Fo* is, (ecause Fo* is onl* one6 There cannot (e man* Fo*s6 There can (e man* )iseases, (ut there cannot (e man* BhealthsB6 'ou ma* have *our )isease, 2 ma* have mine, some(o)* else has his o/nE (ut /hen 2 am health*, *ou are health*, some(o)* else is health* AA /hat is the )ifferenceD %an *ou make a )istinction (et/een m* health an) *our healthD There is no &ossi(ilit* of it: health is universal, )isease is &ersonal6 $isease is of the ego, health is not of the ego6 $isease is of the (o)*, of the min)E health is of the (e*on), an) the (e*on) is one6 C* (o)* )iffers from *ours AA naturall* 2 /ill have a )ifferent )isease, *ou /ill have a )ifferent )isease, (ut healthD ;ealth is sim&l* one6 2t has the taste, the same taste al/a*s, eternall* the same6 3

+ome(o)* aske) :u))ha B<hat is the taste of *our :u))hahoo)DB ;e sai) B@o an) taste the sea, an) taste it from an*/here AA from this (ank, from an* (ank of an* (each6 Or go to the mi))le of the ocean an) taste it there, or go to the other shore AA an) *ou /ill fin) the taste al/a*s the same: the same salt* taste6 :u))hahoo) has one taste6B <hosoever has (ecome a :u))ha has come to the same taste6 ;ealth has the same taste6 <hen the chil) is health*, the *oung man is health*, an) the ol) man is health*, then too it has the same taste6 <hen the /oman is health*, the man is health* AA the same taste6 :ut )iseases are )ifferent6 .o/, me)ical science sa*s that even /hen t/o &ersons are suffering from the same )isease, even then the t/o )iseases are not the same6 ;ence sometimes it ha&&ens that *ou are suffering from some )isease AA ma*(e tu(erculosis AA an) *our /ife is suffering from the same )isease, tu(erculosis, (ut the same me)icines )onBt /ork6 'ou nee) one me)icine, *our /ife nee)s some other me)icine6 ThatBs /h* the &h*sician is nee)e)E other/ise the chemist /oul) (e enough6 2f once it /as )eci)e) that tu(erculosis nee)e) this me)icine, then /hat /oul) (e the &oint in going to the &h*sicianD The chemist coul) su&&l* it6 .o/, more an) more, as me)ical science is going )ee&er into the &henomena of health an) )isease, the* are (ecoming a/are that each )isease has a &ersonalit* in it: it (elongs to the &erson6 +o no/ the* sa*: $onBt treat the )isease, treat the &erson6 $onBt (e too much concerne) /ith the )isease6 Look into the &erson6 his total &ersonalit*, his /a* of life, his attitu)es, his ha(it &atterns6 Look into them, an) then *ou /ill fin) that the name T: ma* (e the same AA (ecause it /oul) (e ver* )ifficult to have se&arate names for ever*(o)* AA (ut each &erson /ho suffers from tu(erculosis suffers )ifferentl*, an) a )ifferent treatment is nee)e)6 ;e sa*s B2 ;?V# C?.' -O'+6B Can*D Then something has gone /rong6 -o* is one6 <hen *ou sa* *ou have man* Fo*s, *ou )onBt kno/ /hat Fo* is6 'ou ma* (e talking a(out &leasures, *ou ma* (e talking a(out *our soAcalle) Bmoments of ha&&inessB /hich are not reall* moments of ha&&iness (ut onl* of less miser*6 ? &erson is ver* misera(le, then one )a* he feels less misera(le an) he sa*s B2 am ver* ha&&*6B That is Fust relativeE he )oes not kno/ /hat ha&&iness is6 ;e onl* kno/s sometimes ver* intense miser*, sometimes not so intense6 <hen it is not so intense, he sa*s B2 am ha&&*6B 'ou can o(serve it in *ourself6 ;ave *ou ever kno/n /hat ha&&iness isD $o *ou kno/ the taste of itD 'ou have kno/n onl* )ifferent stages of miser*6 +ometimes the miser* is so much that it is un(eara(le6 +ometimes it is (eara(le, /ithin control AA *ou can tolerate it6 'ou move from less miser* to more miser*, from more miser* to less miser*6 :ut *ou have not kno/n /hat ha&&iness is, (ecause once *ou have kno/n /hat ha&&iness is, then there is no nee) to (e misera(le at all AA (ecause then *ou have the ke*6 'ou can o&en that )oor an* moment *ou )eci)e to o&en it6 :ut *ou cannot o&en the )oor of ha&&iness AA that sim&l* sho/s that *ou )onBt have the ke*6 'ou Fust kno/ relative states of the same &henomenon: sometimes it is ver* )ark an) *ou cannot see at all, an) sometimes it is not so )ark, it is )imE (ut *ou have not kno/n /hat light is6 Light is not an* relative state of )arkness AA light is not less )arkness, remem(er light is a totall* )ifferent kin) of energ*E it has nothing to )o /ith )arkness6 $arkness an) light cannot exist together in the same room6 Light is a &ositivit*, )arkness is a negativit* AA so is miser*6 +ai) the man B2 ;?V# C?.' -O'+6 O9 T;# C'52?$ T;2.@+ <;2%; ;#?V#. :#@OT, C?.72.$ 2+ T;# CO+T .O:L# AA ?.$ 2 ;?V# T;# L>%7 TO :# ;>C?.6 T;2+ 2+ C' 925+T -O'6B 4

On the surface, it looks ver* meaningful, a&&ealing, (ecause ver* much fulfilling to the human ego6 Can has al/a*s (een thinking of himself as the su&eriormost creation of @o)6 Can has al/a*s thought of himself onl* as .#JT to @o), an) feels ver* ha&&*6 :ut ho/ is ha&&iness &ossi(le through the egoD >nha&&iness comes through the ego6 ?n) this is one of the greatest &oints of the egoist: that manHs onl* next to @o)6 That, too, /e sa* onl* Fust to (e &oliteE )ee& )o/n *ou kno/ that @o) is next to *ou6 The ver* i)ea of B2B has in it an im&lication of (eing the first, an) then ever*thing is secon)ar*6 9rie)rich .ietzsche is truer than man* other &eo&le, he sa*s: 2 cannot allo/ @o) to exist (ecause then 2 am secon)ar*, an) 2 cannot (e secon)ar*E 2 cannot acce&t m* status as secon)ar*6 2f @o) is, then 2 /ill al/a*s (e secon)ar*6 ;o/soever 2 gro/, an) /herever 2 reach, 2 /ill (e secon)ar* AA 2 /ill never (e &rimar*, the first6 This is not acce&ta(le, so he sa*s: @o) is )ea) an) man is free6 @o) is the (on)age6 ;e is true AA in a /a*6 B2n a /a*B 2 sa*, (ecause thatBs ho/ ever*(o)* thinks )ee& )o/n: ever* ego /ants @o) to (e secon)6 #ven /hen *ou are a great /orshi&&er, a great soAcalle) BreligiousB &erson, ever* moment *ou are tr*ing to mani&ulate @o) accor)ing to *ou6 B$o m* /illHB ThatBs all that *our &ra*er means: B$o accor)ing to me6 Listen to me6B 'our /hole effort is to convert @o) into *our servant6 'ou call him BLor)B, BCasterB, (ut those are Fust (ri(eriesE *ou are tr*ing to mani&ulate him6 'ou sa* B2 am no(o)*, *ou are allBE (ut )ee& )o/n *ou kno/ /ho is /ho6 2n fact, even /hen *ou fight for *our @o), it is 'O>5 @o)6 #ven /hen *ou sacrifice *ourself on some &e)estal, on some altar, it is to *our @o) that *ou sacrifice6 <hen *ou (o/ )o/n to an image of @o) in a tem&le, in a mosGue, in a church, it is to *our image that *ou have create), it is to *our @o)6 'ou are (o/ing )o/n in front of *our o/n creation6 'ou are (o/ing )o/n as if (efore a mirror6 'ou are reflecte) there an) *ou sa* B;o/ (eautifulHB <hen a %hristian sa*s B;o/ (eautiful %hrist isB, /hen a ;in)u sa*s B;o/ (eautiful 7rishna isB, an) /hen a :u))hist sa*s B;o/ (eautiful :u))ha isB AA the :u))hist /ill not acce&t that %hrist is (eautiful (ecause that )oes not fulfil his ego6 The %hristian /ill not acce&t that :u))ha is (eautiful AA that )oes not fulfil his ego6 The ;in)u cannot (elieve that %hrist or Cohamme) or Coses are (eautiful AA that )oes not fulfil his ego6 5emem(er: /e are fulfilling our egos in ever* /a* &ossi(le AA gross or su(tle, )irect or in)irect6 ?n) a religious &erson is one /ho kno/s this, (ecomes a/are of this, an) in that a/areness the ego )isa&&ears6 ? religious &erson has no i)ea of /ho is su&erior6 ? religious &erson cannot sa* B2 am su&erior to the tree, 2 am su&erior to the animal, 2 am su&erior to the (ir)6B ? religious &erson cannot sa* B2 am su&erior6B ? religious &erson has come to kno/ B2 am notB, an) in that ex&erience of B2 am notB, Fo* flo/s inE the rock has (een remove)6 .o/ this man sa*s B2 ;?V# C?.' -O'+6 O9 T;# C'52?$ T;2.@+ <;2%; ;#?V#. :#@OT, C?.72.$ 2+ T;# CO+T .O:L#666B <h*D <h* is mankin) the most no(leD 2f /e look at human histor*, mankin) seems to (e the most igno(le6 Look at the animals: the* have not (een so violent, so mur)erousE the* have not (een so insane6 ;ave *ou ever seen an* animal turning into a &olitician666 tr*ing to (ecome the &resi)ent of a countr*D The* are not insane: the* live naturall*6 the* )ie naturall*6 ?nimals in the /il) never go ma)6 +ometimes the* go ma) /hen the* are force) to live in a zoo AA the zoo is a human creation6 ?nimals never commit suici)e, (ut sometimes in the zoo the* commit6 ?nimals never turn homosexual in the natural /il) state, (ut in the zoo the* turn6 2n the zoo the* (ecome mur)erousD )angerous6 'es, the* kill, (ut the* kill onl* /hen the* /ant to eat6 Can kills for no reason6 ? man goes to the /il) an) kills a tiger an) he sa*s BThis is &la*6 This is game6 2 /as hunting6B ;ave *ou ever hear) of an* lion ;>.T2.@D The* never hunt6 <hen a lion is hungr*, of course he kills, an) thatBs a natural /a* for him6 2 have hear)6666 ,0

Once a lion an) a fox entere) a restaurant AA ma*(e Vrin)avan6 The* took seats an) the fox or)ere), (ut the fox or)ere) onl* for one6 +o the /aiter aske) B?n) /hat a(out *our frien)DB ?n) the fox sai) B<hat )o *ou thinkD 2f he /as hungr*, shoul) 2 (e sitting hereDB ;e is not hungr* AA that is certain6 <hen animals are hungr* the* kill, (ut the* )onBt kill as game, the* )onBt kill for funE the* are not intereste) in killing in itself6 Of course the* are intereste) in foo) AA nothing is /rong in itE man kills for no reason6 ?nimals )onBt kill for i)eologies: the* )onBt sa* B2 am a %ommunist an) *ou are a ca&italist6 2 /ill kill *ou6B The* )onBt sa* B2 am a 9ascist an) *ou are a %ommunist sol /ill kill *ou6B The* )onBt have an* i)eologies, an) the* )onBt kill (ecause the* are %hristians, ;in)us an) Cohamme)ans6 Can kills for an* excuse, for an* excuse /hatsoever6 ;in)us can kill Cohamme)ans, Cohamme)ans can kill ;in)us, %hristians can kill Cohamme)ans, an) :u))hists666 an) so on an) so forth6 ?n) for /hatD 9or a(stract )octrines, &rinci&les AA an) no(o)* is rea)* to live for those )octrines an) ever*(o)* is rea)* to kill others for those same )octrines6 2f some(o)* insults the :i(le, the %hristian is rea)* to kill *ou, an) if *ou ask him B?re *ou living *our :i(leDB he /ill sa* B2t is ver* )ifficult6B ;e is not intereste) in living it, no(o)* is intereste) in living itE (ut if it comes to killing, then ever*(o)* (ecomes ver* much intereste): $o/n the centuries, in three thousan) *ears, there have (een five thousan) /ars6 .o, no animal is so igno(le AA animals have a natural no(ilit*6 Can is ver* cunning6 :ut the man sai) B666 C?.72.$ 2+ T;# CO+T .O:L# AA ?.$ 2 ;?V# T;# L>%7 TO :# ;>C?.6 T;2+ 2+ C' 925+T -O'6B This is not Fo*6 This is the &leasure that comes from feeling egoistic, that B2 am some(o)*B6 ?n) remem(er, this cannot lea) *ou to real ha&&iness, (ecause )ee& )o/n there is com&arison6 2f *ou are feeling su&erior, at an* moment *ou can feel inferior6 Once 2 hear) a religious man, a saint, a ver* /ell kno/n saint in 2n)ia, teaching his )isci&les: B?l/a*s look to &eo&le /ho )onBt have as much as *ou have, an) *ou /ill feel ver* ha&&*6 2f *ou have a house, al/a*s look to &eo&le /ho )onBt have a house6B .aturall*, *ou /ill feel ha&&*6 B2f *ou have onl* one e*e, look at the &erson /ho is (lin)666 *ou /ill feel ha&&*6B :ut /hat t*&e of ha&&iness is thisD ?n) /hat t*&e of religion is thisD ?n) naturall* *ou cannot thro/ a/a* the other as&ect Or the coin6 'ou have one e*e AA /hen *ou look at the (lin) &erson *ou feel ha&&*6 :ut /hen *ou come across a man /ho has t/o (eautiful e*es, then /hat /ill *ou )oD 'ou /ill feel unha&&*6 2n *our soAcalle) Bha&&inessB unha&&iness is im&lie)6 .o, through com&arison no(o)* comes to Fo*6 -o* is a nonAcom&arative state6 $onBt com&are6 2 have hear)666 9ather took +onn* to see a sho/ /hich feature) fift* of the most nake) &erformers in the countr*6 BPhe/H Phe/H Phe/HB 9ather ke&t muttering all )uring the &erformance6 B<hatBs the matter, Po&, )onBt *ou like the sho/DB +onn* aske)6 B+ure 2 )oB he re&lie) B2 /as thinking of *our mother6B 2f *ou are com&aring, *our com&arison is going to create trou(le6 5emem(er: Fo* is not out of com&arison AA never6 :ut this man sai)

,1

B2 ;?V# C?.' -O'+6 O9 T;# C'52?$ T;2.@+ <;2%; ;#?V#. :#@OT, C?.72.$ 2+ T;# CO+T .O:L# AA ?.$ 2 ;?V# T;# L>%7 TO :# ;>C?.6 T;2+ 2+ C' 925+T -O'6B This is not much of a Fo*6 2t is Fust a titillation of the ego: *ou feel goo), *ou feel su&erior6 :ut a &erson /ho nee)s to (e su&erior to feel goo) is a &erson /ho is carr*ing a volcano /ithin him6 ? &erson /ho has to (e su&erior to feel ha&&* is suffering )ee& )o/n from an inferiorit* com&lex6 Onl* an inferior &erson thinks in terms of su&eriorit*6 ? real &erson, an authentic &erson6 is neither su&erior nor inferior6 ;e sim&l* 2+ AA uniGueE no(o)* is lo/er than him an) no(o)* is higher than him6 The /hole existence is eGual6 The trees an) the rocks, an) the animals an) the (ir)s, an) men an) /omen, an) @o) AA all are sharing the /hole existence on eGual terms6 The moment *ou see this tremen)ous eGualit*, this oneness, *ou are Fo*ful6 ?n) then *our Fo* has no cause6 it is uncause)6 BP#OPL# ?5# :O5. <;O $O .OT L2V# ? $?' O5 ? CO.T;, <;O .#V#5 @#T O>T O9 T;#25 +<?$$L2.@ %LOT;#+6 :>T 2 ;?V# ?L5#?$' L2V#$ TO .2.#T'6 T;2+ 2+ C' -O'6B %om&aring666 some(o)* /as (orn an) )ie), some(o)* /as *oung an) )ie), an) this man is com&aring: B2 am ninet* *ears of age, 2 have live) m* life, so /hat is there to (e misera(le a(outD 2 am ha&&*, 2 have live) more than others6B :ut if those others ha) not )ie), then666D 2f he /ere alone in the /orl), then /oul) this man (e ha&&*D -ust think6 The /hole /orl) )isa&&ears, onl* this man is left6 There are no animals, no (ir)s, no rocks AA he cannot com&are himself, an) he cannot call himself Bthe su&erior manB6 There are no *oung &eo&le )*ing, no chil)ren )*ing AA he cannot com&are himself, that he has live) ninet* *ears of age6 2f he is left alone, /ill he (e ha&&*D ?ll his ha&&iness /ill )isa&&ear (ecause it /as coming from com&arisons6 Tao sa*s: 2f *ou are alone, a(solutel* alone, an) *our ha&&iness still remains the same, then *ou have attaine) AA other/ise *ou have not attaine)6 ? com&arative ha&&iness is a &seu)o ha&&iness6 B2 have a (ig car an) *ou )onBt have6 :ecause *ou )onBt have, 2 am ha&&*6B This is something foolish6 ;o/ can 2 (e ha&&* (ecause *ou )onBt have a carD <hat has it to )o /ith m* ha&&iness that *ou )onBt have a carD B2 have a (ig house an) *ou )onBt have a (ig house, so 2 am ha&&*6B This ha&&iness seems more intereste) in making others unha&&* rather than in (eing ha&&* oneself6 B'ou )onBt have a car, *ou )onBt have a goo) house AA 2 am ha&&* (ecause *ou are misera(le6B Look at the logic of it, the mathematics is sim&le: B2 am ha&&* /hen &eo&le are misera(le, so if &eo&le are more misera(le, 2 /ill (e more ha&&*E if the /hole /orl) is turne) into hell, 2 /ill (e su&remel* ha&&*6B This is the logic, an) this is /hat man has (een )oing6 2n %alcutta, 2 use) to sta* in a house, the most (eautiful house in %alcutta6 ?n) the man /as reall* in ma) love /ith his house6 2t /as a mar(le mansion, reall* (eautiful, (uilt /ith taste, /ith ver* aristocratic taste, an) in %alcutta to have ten acres of gar)en in the mi))le of %alcutta /as something im&ossi(le AA an) he ha) it6 ;e /as reall* in )ee& love /ith it, an) /henever 2 sta*e) /ith him, he /oul) take me to the s/imming &ool, to the gar)en, to the la/nE he /oul) sho/ me this an) that AA /hat im&rovements he ha) ma)e since 2 ha) last (een there6 :ut the last time 2 /ent he /as ver* misera(le6 2 sai) B<hat is the matterD 'ou have not taken me an*/here6 ;ave *ou not )one an*thing ne/DB ;e sai) BC* interest is gone6 %anBt *ou see that (* the si)e, m* neigh(our has ma)e a (etter houseD ?n) unless 2 can make a (igger house than this, 2 /ill remain unha&&*6B .o/ this man ha) the same house, (ut his ha&&iness ha) )isa&&eare)6 B<hat has *our ha&&iness to )o /ith *our neigh(ourD 2f he has ma)e a (igger house, ho/ )oes this concern *ouD ?n) *our house remains the sameH ?n) *ou are no more ha&&*6 Then ,

certainl*B 2 tol) him Bthen one thing is certain, that it /as not *our house that *ou /ere ha&&* /ith6 'ou /ere ha&&* (ecause of the neigh(ourBs &oor house6B <atch6 ?l/a*s /atch6 This is violence to (e ha&&* /hen some(o)* is misera(le6 This is ho/ &eo&le start moving in the /rong )irection AA (ecome o&&ressors, (ecome ex&loiters, (ecome )angerous6 The* are a curse on the earth6 :ut their /hole logic is the same6 <hat this man is sa*ing is: B2 am ha&&ier than others6 Look: man* &eo&le have )ie) /hen the* /ere *oung, an) 2 am still alive, health*, an) 2 am ninet* *ears of age6 This is m* Fo*6B B9O5 ?LL C#., POV#5T' 2+ T;# .O5C ?.$ $#?T; 2+ T;# #.$6 ?:2$2.@ :' T;# .O5C, ?<?2T2.@ C' #.$, <;?T 2+ T;#5# TO :# %O.%#5.#$ ?:O>TDB .o/ he sa*s B?lmost all men are &oor, so that is the norm AA to (e &oorE an) naturall* ever*(o)* is going to )ie, sol am going to )ie6 2 am &oor, 2 am going to )ie, ever*(o)* is going to )ie, ever*(o)* else is &oor, so /h* (e misera(leD ThatBs /h* 2 am ha&&*6B This is not ha&&iness6 B@OO$HB +?2$ %O.9>%2>+666 %onfucius /as ver* much im&resse), he sai) B@OO$H666 ;#5# 2+ ? C?. <;O 7.O<+ ;O< TO %O.+OL# ;2C+#L96B :ut in this sentence, Lieh Tzu has &la*e) the trick6 ;e sa*s that %onfucius /as ver* much im&resse)6 ;e sai) B@OO$H666 ;#5# 2+ ? C?. <;O 7.O<+ ;O< TO %O.+OL# ;2C+#L9B6 666 (ecause for %onfucius, to (e satisfie) in life is the goal, to have consolation is the goal6 To ask for more, %onfucius sa*s, is to ask for the im&ossi(le6 This is all that a man can have, an) this man kno/s the /a* to console himself, an) he is ha&&* an) he is singing6 :ut to the Taoist, consolation is negative AA it is not contentment6 %ontentment has nothing to )o /ith consolationE contentment is a totall* )ifferent )imension6 Tr* to un)erstan) it: consolation means someho/ rationalising oneBs situation AA tr*ing not to (e /orrie), tr*ing not to (e too much concerne) AA creating (uffers aroun) one6 ThatBs /hat @ur)Fieff use) to call B(uffersBE ever*(o)* creates (uffers aroun) himself so that life is not so shocking6 The* use (uffers in the rail/a* trains or s&rings in the cars, so that /hen *ou are moving on a hill* roa) AA an) life is a hill* track AA *ou )onBt go on (um&ing6 Those s&rings function as (uffers6 2f the roa) is rough, the roughness is a(sor(e) (* the s&rings, (* the (uffers AA it )oes not reach *ou6 +oAcalle) B&hiloso&hies of consolationB are (uffers6 'ou see that *ou are &oorE a great unha&&iness arises in *ou AA create the (uffer: B+o man* &eo&le are &oor, millions of &eo&le are &oor, so /h* (e /orrie) a(out itD This is ho/ things are6B 'ou have create) a (uffer6 'ou are illE miser* arises AA go to the hos&ital, visit there an) see &eo&le, an) *ou /ill feel ver* ha&&*6 'ou have create) a (uffer: at least *ou are not as ill as others are6 'ou have lost one leg AA Fust go on the street an) see a (eggar /ho has lost (oth legsE feel console)6 These are (uffers: ?l/a*s look to those /ho )onBt even have as much as *ou have6 That /a* life (ecomes less shocking, *ou live more convenientl*, more comforta(l*, an) *ou are not touche)6 :* an) (*, (et/een *ou an) life there is such a )istance create) (* the (uffers that nothing ever reaches *ou6 'ou live enca&sulate) insi)e *our (uffers, &hiloso&hies, consolations6 Life en)s one )a* AA *ou can console *ourself: #ver*(o)* has to )ie, it is nothing s&ecial ha&&ening to *ou, @o) is not es&eciall* unkin) to *ou, it ha&&ens to ever*(o)*6 Or *ou can start (elieving in the theor* of reincarnation: that *ou /ill (e (orn an) the soul is eternal AA again a ,,

(uffer6 Or *ou can think that it is onl* the (o)* that )ies, an) /hat is (o)*D .othing (ut (ones, marro/, flesh, (loo)E it is nothing of /orth, it is useless, a )irt* (ag AA so let it )ie6 :ut *our &ure soul is going to (e for ever an) ever AA a (uffer is create)6 These (uffers )onBt allo/ *ou to see /hat realit* isE the* are the /a* to console *ourself6 :ut %onfucius (elieves that consolation is the en): 2f a man can console himself, he has kno/n the art of life6 ThatBs /hat %onfucius thinks that the /hole art of life is: ;o/ to live in this misera(le /orl) in com&arative ease, com&arativel* not too (ur)ene)6 'es, there is miser*, (ut one can &rotect oneself from miser* (* creating conce&tions, rationalisations6 ?n) humanit* has (een moving from one rationalisation to another, (ut al/a*s it fin)s a ne/ rationalisation6 9or exam&le, in the #ast this rationalisation is ver* ancient: 2f *ou are misera(le, the* sa*, *ou must have )one something /rong in the last, in the &ast, life6 +omething has gone /rong in *our &ast, *ou have )one some /rong 7?5C?, hence *ou are misera(le6 .o/ things are ex&laine), so one has to suffer6 'ou have so/n, no/ *ou are rea&ing6 2 have hear) a(out a man /ho /as a ver* goo) tailor6 ;e /as caught stealing an) he /as sentence) to t/o *ears in Fail6 The Ca*or of the to/n /ent to see him (ecause he /as the (est tailor in the to/n an) the /hole to/n /as suffering from his a(senceE an) the Ca*or /as also a lover of this tailor6 <hen he /ent to see him in this Fail, he /as )oing some nee)le/ork, se/ing something the ol) ha(it AA an) /hat else to )oD +o the Ca*or aske) B+o, 2 see *ou are se/ing somethingDB ?n) the tailor sai) B.o sir, rea&ing6B The /hole &hiloso&h* of 7?5C? 2+ that *ou have so/n alrea)*, no/ *ou are rea&ingE *ou have )one, so it is a natural conseGuence6 2t consoles6666 +o no(o)* is )oing an*thing unFust to *ou AA @o) is not unFust, fate is not unFust, the /orl) is not unFust, the societ* is not unFust it is *our o/n 7?5C?, so /hat to )oD One has to &ass through AA it an) one has to kee& oneBs eGuanimit*, oneBs eGuili(rium6 ?n) )onBt )o such a thing again, other/ise in the next life *ou /ill suffer again6 +o that is the onl* thing that can (e )one: *ou cannot change the &ast, (ut *ou can still manage the future666 a (eautiful consolation6 2t has hel&e) the #ast to remain &oor, misera(le6 2t has hel&e) the #ast to remain ugl*, ill, unh*gienic6 2t has hel&e) the #ast to console itself, an) that consolation has turne) into a tremen)ous letharg*6 There is nothing *ou can )o AA *ou have to tolerate6 ?ll that is nee)e) is to (e/are of the future6 +o the &ast has to (e acce&te) an) the future has to (e feare), thatBs all6 :ut even in &overt*, in miser*, the #ast seems to (e more ha&&* than the <est6 <h*D The #ast has a (eautiful (uffer, a strong (uffer, to &rotect itself6 .o/ each societ* has to create these consolations in )ifferent /a*s6 .o/, in the <est &s*choanal*sis is one of the most consoling &rocesses6 'ou go to the &s*choanal*st an) he thro/s the /hole res&onsi(ilit* on to *our motherE *ou feel un(ur)ene), *ou sa* B+o /hat can 2 )oDB 'ou cannot change *our mother the same as *ou cannot change *our &ast *our mother is *our &ast AA /hat can *ou )oD .ext time, kee& a little more alertH $onBt enter into an*(o)*Bs /om(, thatBs all6 This has ha&&ene): *ou /ere (orn to such an) such a mother an) she has s&oile) *our life, so *ou are not res&onsi(leE *ou feel goo)6 2t is Fust a calamit* that has ha&&ene), an) /hatsoever has ha&&ene), has ha&&ene)E acce&t it6 Long *ears of &s*choanal*sis, an) the* sim&l* &re&are *ou to acce&t, the* sim&l* make *ou alert that things have (een this /a* an) nothing can (e )one6 ?ll their ex&lanations are rationalisations6 ?n) the* fin) ever*thing: /hatsoever *ou ask, the* have ans/ers for it6 2f *ou smoke, the* have ans/ers for /h* *ou smoke6 'our mother must have taken a/a* the (reast sooner than *ou /ante), hence *ou are smoking6 +o *ou are not res&onsi(le, /hat to )oD 'our mother took a/a* the (reast, no/ the cigar is a su(stitute (reast AA an) it is, a little6 The* fin) ver* clever ex&lanationsH 2t seems it is a little, (ecause from the (reast flo/s /arm milk an) from the cigarette flo/s /arm smoke6 ?n) there is a certain similarit*, an) *ou )o hol) the cigar in the same /a* *ou hol) a (reast in *our mouth6 ,"

:ut /hen it comes to themselves, then it is trou(lesome6 2t is sai) that 9reu) use) to ex&lain ever*thing through sex AA /hatsoever *ou /oul) )o, he /oul) fin) a sexual ex&lanation 2f in *our )ream *ou /ere clim(ing a mountain, it /as sexual: *ou /ere clim(ing a /oman6 2f, in *our )ream *ou /ere )riving fast, it /as nothing, it /as sexual: *ou /ante) to &enetrate a /oman fast6 #ver* ex&lanation he /oul) fin) through sex6 ?s in #ast ever* ex&lanation /as foun) through the soul an) (ecame a ver* consoling &rocess, so 9reu) thought of ever*thing through sex6 :ut sometimes he /oul) (e in a )ifficult*: he himself /as a chainsmoker so he ha) to sa*6666 Once some(o)* aske) him B<hat is the meaning of *our cigar smokingDB ;e sai) B+ometimes a cigar ma* (e Fust a cigar, an) nothing (ut a cigar6B Of course the )isci&le /as not satisfie), an) the )isci&le, sai) to the other )isci&les BThat sim&l* sho/s that it is a rationalisation on the &art of +igmun) 9reu) for his cigar smoking6B ;e /ants to &rotect himself6 .o/ it /ill (e too much to think that he has some com&lex (ehin) this smoking6 #ver*(o)* has a com&lex, so ever*(o)* has to give in to this consolation that (ecause of this com&lex6666 :ut 9reu) shoul) not have this com&lex other/ise it /ill (ecome a )istur(ing thing to himself that B2 am the greatest &s*choanal*st ever, the foun)er of &s*choanal*sis, an) 2 am smoking an) 2 kno/ /hat it is6B +o he sa*s B+ometimes a cigar is a cigar6B This /a* of ex&laining things has (ecome ver* &revalent in the <est6 2t has almost taken ver* e&i)emic &ro&ortions6 Ps*choanal*sis is al/a*s tr*ing to get to the B/h*B of ever*thing, as if (* kno/ing the B/h*B an*thing is solve)6 <h* are *ou misera(leD @o to the &s*choanal*st, he /ill fin) an ans/er B/h*B for it6 B'our father /as such, *our mother /as such, *our chil)hoo) /as such AA thatBs /h*BE an) *ou (ecome ha&&*6 'ou (ecome ha&&* (ecause no/ *ou have the rationalisation6 2 have hear) the shortest &s*chiatric Foke ever6 Listen, it is ver* small6 :e carefulH ? man aske) another man B?re *ou a &s*chiatristDB ?n) the other man sai) B<h* )o *ou askDB ?n) the man sai) B+o, *ou are a &s*chiatristHB B<h*B, a continuous B/h*B, as if B/h*B is going to ex&lain an*thing6 2t sim&l* &ost&ones: it &ushes the same &ro(lem a little further (ack, (ut again the B/h*B can (e aske)6 ;in)us sa* that *ou )i) something /rong in the &ast life6 ?sk /h*, then the* have to go to another &ast life6 Then ask /h*, an) the C?;?TC? /ill (ecome ver* angr* an) he /ill sa*, B+to&H 'ou are going (e*on) These are things to (e ex&erience), not to (e aske)6B <hat is the &oint of sa*ing B2 have )one something /rong in the &ast life, /h*D Then something in another life, then /h*D <h* )i) 2 )o the /rong thing in m* first lifeDB 2t is useless6 :ut as in the #ast religion (ecame a consolation, so it is ha&&ening in the <est AA &s*choanal*sis is (ecoming a consolation6 Ps*choanal*sis is an almost o(sessive com&ulsion to anal*se each an) ever* thing an) to fin) out the cause of it6 Particularl* in ?merica it has (ecome almost a collective neurosisE ever*(o)* is going to the &s*choanal*st or the &s*chiatrist AA an*(o)* /ho can affor) it is going6 Those /ho are not going to the &s*chiatrist are &oor &eo&le, the* cannot affor) it6 <hen /omen meet in their clu(s, the* talk a(out their &s*chiatrist, /hat he has sai) an) ho/ &rofoun) is his anal*sis6 ?n) ever*thing is re)uce) to the lo/est )enominator6 2f *ou ask the &s*choanal*st B<hat is the cause of this lotusDB he /ill sa* BThe mu)6B 2f *ou have s&iritual ex&eriences, /hat is the causeD ;e /ill go to sex AA the mu), the lo/est )enominator6 :ut things, in a /a*, hel&6 2f *ou fin) that all these C?;?TC?+ /ho are ex&eriencing +?;?+5?5 are ex&eriencing nothing (ut sexualit*, su(limate) sexualit*, *ou are at ease6 +o *ou )onBt nee) to /orr* a(out it, *ou )onBt nee) to (e in search of it AA this is Fust su(limate) sexualit*E *ou are oka* /herever *ou are6 2f :u))ha attaine) to (liss, it is nothing (ut a sexual fantas*E so there is nothing /rong: *ou can go on rea)ing *our PL?':O' an) enFo* *our sexual ,0

fantas*, (ecause :u))haBs ex&erience /as also nothing (ut a su(limate) sexual fantas*6 %onsolations6666 2 have hear) a +econ) <orl) <ar stor* a(out a &riest /ho re&eate)l* &reache) to the troo&s a(out &re)estination6 The &riest tol) the sol)iers not to /orr* a(out their future or fate on the (attlefiel), (ecause if the* /ere &re)estine) to (e kille), a (ullet /oul) fin) its mark no matter /here the* /ereE or, on the other han), if the* /ere to (e s&are), no (ullet /oul) hit them6 +ometime later, in the heat of (attle, /ith (ullets s&ra*ing aroun) him, the &riest hotAfoote) it to the nearest an) (iggest tree6 ? sol)ier /as (ehin) it6 ;e enGuire) of the &riest a(out his &re)estination sermons an) /h* he shoul) (e seeking shelter no/6 B'ou )o not full* un)erstan) the &rinci&les an) theories of &re)estinationB the &riest re&lie)6 B2 /as &re)estine) to run an) hi)e (ehin) this tree6B #x&lanations an) ex&lanations666 clever consolations666 &laces to hi)e6666 Life has to (e face)6 2t is roughE there is much &ain, (ut the &ain has to (e face)6 There is miser*E it has to (e encountere), it has to (e &asse) through /ithout an* ex&lanations an) /ithout an* consolations6 2f *ou can live *our life /ithout an* theorisation a(out it AA )irectl*, imme)iatel*, momentAtoAmoment AA one )a*, *ou /ill come to that source of Fo* /hich is not a consolation, /hich is a contentment6 ?n) /hat is the )ifferenceD %ontentment is a &ositive state of *our (eing, a consolation is Fust negative6 2 have one e*e, others )onBt have even one AA 2 feel console)6 2 am misera(le, others are even more misera(le AA 2 am console)6 2 am *oung, others are ol) 2 am console)6 2 am ol), others have )ie) *oung AA 2 am console)6 %onsolations an) consolations, (ut all em&t*6 %onfucius (elieves in consolations, Lieh Tzu (elieves in contentment, an) the )ifference has to (e remem(ere)6 %ontentment comes onl* /hen *ou are not com&aring, /hen *ou are sim&l* /ithin *ourself, totall* in *ourself AA centre), roote)6 ?n) (* (eing in *our (eing, *ou su))enl* realise that the /hole is *ours, an) *ou are of the /holeE *ou are not se&arate6 The ego has )isa&&eare), *ou have (ecome universal6 2n that moment, there is great contentment, great (ene)iction6 :ut that (ene)iction, that contentment, )oes not come through rationalisationE it comes through realisation AA that is the )ifference6 %onsolation is a rationalisation, contentment is a realisation6 +o there are three states of min): )iscontent AA a state of com&arisonE com&aring /ith those /ho have more than *ou, then there is )iscontent6 +ome(o)* has a (eautiful car an) *ou are /alking on footE *ou are a &e)estrian, then *ou are )iscontente)6 The secon) stage is contentment AA *ou are a &e)estrian an) *ou see a (eggar /ho has no feet: com&aring /ith that one /ho has less than *ou, (ut still com&arison6 $iscontent one as&ect of the coinE contentment, the soAcalle) BcontentmentB AA the other as&ect of the same coin6 ?n) the name of the coin is com&arison6 <hen *ou have thro/n the coin com&letel* AA contentment an) )iscontent, all AA then su))enl* *ou are in a state of noAcom&arison: that is real contentment6 Then *ou )onBt com&are /ho has more, /ho has less6 2n fact, then it is not a Guestion of having, then it is a Guestion of (eing6 ;aving never hel&s6 2 /as rea)ing the other night some ver* strange statistics /hich :ill :right recor)s in his (eautiful (ook, -#+>+ ?.$ T;# 2.T#LL#%T>?L: 2n 14 ,, a ver* im&ortant meeting /as hel) at the #)ge/ater :each ;otel in %hicago6 ?tten)ing this meeting /ere nine of the /orl)Bs most successful financiers: %harles +ch/a(, &resi)ent of the largest in)e&en)ent steel com&an*E +amuel 2nsull, &resi)ent of the largest utilit* com&an*E ;o/ar) ;o&son, &resi)ent of the largest gas com&an*E ?rthur %otton, the greatest /heat s&eculatorE 5ichar) <hitne*, Presi)ent of the .e/ 'ork +tock #xchangeE ?l(ert 9all, a mem(er of the Presi)entBs %a(inetE Leon 9raser, Presi)ent of the :ank of 2nternational ,1

+ettlementsE -esse Livermore, the greatest B(earB on <all +treetE an) 2ver 7rueger, hea) of the greatest mono&ol*6 T/ent*Afive *ears later, %harles +ch/a( )ie) in (ankru&tc*, having live) on (orro/e) mone* for five *ears (efore his )eathE +amuel 2nsull ha) )ie) a fugitive from Fustice an) &enniless in a foreign lan)E ;o/ar) ;o&son /as insaneE ?rthur %otton ha) )ie) a(roa), insolventE 5ichar) <hitne* ha) s&ent time in +ing +ing6 ?l(ert 9all ha) (een &ar)one) so that he coul) )ie at homeE -esse Livermore, 2ver 7rueger an) Leon 9raser ha) all )ie) (* suici)e6 ?ll of these men ha) learne) /ell the art of making a living, (ut none of them ha) learne) ho/ to live6 'ou can have as much as *ou )esire, (ut (* having no(o)* ever attains to life6 Life comes onl* through (eing, not through having6 .o/ there are three t*&es of &eo&le: those /ho have AA the /orl)l*E those /ho renounce AA the otherA/orl)l*6 The first an) the secon) are not o&&osite to each other, ho/soever o&&osite the* ma* a&&ear6 One (elieves that (* having more *ou /ill attain to ha&&iness, the other (elieves that (* not having more *ou /ill attain to ha&&iness, (ut (oth (elieve in having6 The thir) AA the totall* )ifferent )imension is of (eing: neither having nor not having6 ThatBs /hat 2 mean (* sann*as6 $onBt (e /orl)l*, )onBt (e other/orl)l*6 $onBt com&are /ith those /ho have more, )onBt com&are /ith those /ho have less6 %om&are not6 -ust (e *ourself666 allo/ *our (eing6 :#, an) that (eing /ill (ring tremen)ous Fo*6 ?n) that Fo* /ill (e one, not man*6 ?n) that Fo* /ill not have an* cause to it AA it /ill (e uncause), it /ill (e Fust like /ellA (eing, health6 2 have hear)6666 Once there /as a man, alone an) misera(le6 ;e &ra*e) to @o) an) sai) BC* Lor), sen) me a (eautiful /oman, 2 am ver* alone, 2 nee) com&an*6B @o) laughe) an) sai) B<h* not a crossDB The man /as ver* angr* an) sai) B%rossH 9or /hatD $o 2 /ant to commit suici)eD 2 /ant onl* a (eautiful /oman6B +o he got a (eautiful /oman, (ut soon he (ecame even more misera(le than (efore6 The /oman /as a constant &ain in the neck6 ;e &ra*e) again an) sai) BC* Lor), sen) me a s/or)6B ;e /as &lanning to kill the /oman an) (e free of herE he /as longing to have the goo) ol) )a*s (ack again6 :ut again @o) laughe) an) sai) B<hat a(out the crossD +houl) 2 sen) it no/DB The man /as in a rage an) sai) B$onBt *ou think that this /oman /as enough of a crossD Please Fust sen) me a s/or)6B +o the s/or) came6 ;e kille) the /oman an) /as caught an) or)ere) to (e crucifie)6 ;e &ra*e) to @o) an) laughe) lou)l* an) sai) B9orgive me, m* Lor), 2 )i)nBt listen to *ou AA *ou /ere asking to sen) this cross from the ver* (eginning6 ;a) 2 listene) to *ou, 2 /oul) have save) m*self so man* unnecessar* trou(les6B The /orl), the otherA/orl)E the househol)erBs life an) the monkBs life666 so man* trou(les6 2f *ou listen to Tao, then the message is ver* sim&le: :e roote) in *our (eing, an) *ou /ill (e save) from all the trou(les, all the trou(les that having (rings an) the trou(les that not having (rings6 'ou Fust (e6 :eing is the goal of Tao6 ?n) one thing more to (e un)erstoo): :eing666 *ou alrea)* are6 There is no (ecomingE *ou are not to (ecome AA it is alrea)* the case, *ou have it /ithin *ou6 2t Fust has to (e allo/e) to o&en so that the &erfume is release) to the /in)sE an) that is the real song, the Fo*6 The man /as singing, (ut the song /as Fust a &retensionE it came out of consolation AA it /as not a true song6 The man /as &la*ing on an instrument, (ut it /as not true musicE (ecause the true music comes onl* /hen *ou are )ee&l* roote) in *ourself6 Then 'O> (ecome the instrument an) @o) &la*s on it6 ,!

5emem(er, if *ou are searching for consolation *ou /ill fin) it, (ut it is a false coin6 %omforta(le, convenient, it is like a )rug: *ou start )rinking an) *ou remain misera(le6 The miser* )oes not change, (ut through )rinking *ou start forgetting a(out it6 %onsolation is a sort of intoxication, an) nothing is change) (ecause the )oor to miser* remains o&en AA *ou still go on com&aring6 %om&arison is the root cause of miser*6 To (e nonAcom&arative AA to (e neither higher nor lo/er, Fust to (e *ourselfE not to think in relation to others, Fust to think in terms of *our tremen)ous aloneness AA then *ou are ha&&*6 2 have hear)6666 +he ha) one of those oneAinAaAmillion figures6 Luscious, /ellA)evelo&e), neat /ith the &erfect contour6 :ut )es&ite all these gifts she )evelo&e) a neurosis a(out &ee&ing Toms6 B<hat measures )o *ou take to avoi) this calamit*DB aske) her &s*chiatrist6 B<ell, 2 kee& the sha)es )o/n, 2 (ar the /in)o/s an) 2 al/a*s un)ress (ehin) a screen6B B;o/ )o *ou kee& the (o*s from &eeking through the ke*holeDB B2 leave the )oor o&en6B %ertainl*, /hen *ou leave the )oor o&en no(o)* can &ee& through the ke*holeE (ut the )oor is o&en, so /hat is the &ointD %onsolation is like that: the )oor remains o&en, (ecause consolation )e&en)s on com&arison an) miser* also )e&en)s on com&arison6 +o the )oor is o&en, (ut *ou (ecome more an) more intoxicate) /ith consolation, more an) more suffocate) (* *our o/n theorisations, rationalisationsE more an) more insulate)6 ;i)ing (ehin) *our (uffers, *ou miss life6 $ro& com&aring6 .o/, this &ara(le, rea) or)inaril*, /ill give *ou an im&ression that Lieh Tzu is not sa*ing an*thing against %onfucius6 That is their /a* of sa*ing thingsE the* are ver* su(tle &eo&le6 ;e has not uttere) a single /or) against %onfucius, an) he has )emolishe) the /hole %onfucian &hiloso&h*6 +o /hen *ou are rea)ing these &ara(les, the* are not sim&le &ara(les6 +im&le the* are in a /a*, (ut the* are ver* &rofoun)6 'ou have to )ive )ee&, *ou have to )ig, *ou have to go into them an) *ou have to kno/ the )ifference (et/een )isci&line an) s&ontaneit*6 <henever an*thing is of )isci&line, Tao is against it6 <henever an*thing is of s&ontaneit*, Tao is for it6 Tao is s&ontaneit*, Tao is suchness, Tao is a tremen)ous acce&tance of /hatsoever is6 ?n) in that acce&tance one flo/ers6

88888 %ha&ter " : .o (argain /ith realit* 88888 1" 9e(ruar* 14!! am in :u))ha ;all Iuestion 1 <;?T 2+ .OT 2LL>+2O.D ?ll is illusion exce&t the /itness6 ?ll is )ream exce&t the /itness6 Onl* the kno/er is true, is real6 <hatsoever *ou see is illusor*E the seer is not illusor*6 2n the night *ou see one t*&e of )ream, in the )a* *ou see another t*&e of )ream6 2n the night the )reams of the )a* are forgotten, in the )a* the )reams of the night are forgotten6 +ometimes *ou )ream /ith o&en e*es an) sometimes *ou )ream /ith close) e*es, (ut one thing remains eternall* there, never changing, an) that is *our consciousness6 2n the night *ou see )reamsE in the )a* *ou see things, the /orl)6 #ver*thing changes: night into )a*, )a* into night, )reams into thoughts, thoughts into )reamsE onl* one thing remains eternall* there AA *our /itnessing6 That /hich is eternal is true6 That /hich is changing is illusor*6 ,3

5emem(er, (* BillusionB 2 )onBt mean that it is not, (* BillusionB 2 onl* mean that it is not eternall* true6 ?n) /hat is the meaning of something (eing tem&oraril* true, onl* for the momentD :efore the moment it /as untrue, after the moment it again (ecomes untrue6 ThatBs /h* in the #ast /e have not (een chasing life6 :efore (irth it /as not there, after )eath it /ill not (e there again, so this momentar* &henomenon is not of much value6 There is no nee) to get o(sesse) (* itE one can &ass through it unconcerne), untouche) (* it6 The em&hasis of the <est is on that /hich is seen, an) the em&hasis of the #ast is on that /hich is the seer6 #ither *ou focus on the o(Fect or *ou focus on *ourself6 <hen *ou focus on the o(Fect *our a&&roach is scientific, o(Fective6 <hen *ou focus on the su(Fect *our a&&roach is religious6 This su(Fect is eternall* true6 The :i(le sa*s: 2n the (eginning there /as the <or)6 The #ast cannot sa* that6 The #ast sa*s: 2n the (eginning there /as the /itness, in the mi))le there is the /itness, in the en) there /ill (e the /itnessE one thing remains eternall* the su(stratum of all6 #ven if the /or) ha) (een there in the (eginning, some(o)* must have hear) it AA the seer, the /itness other/ise it coul) not have (een6 +o the one /ho hear) it &rece)es the /or)E the /or) cannot (e in the (eginning6 -ust go on looking more an) more for the /itness an) go on getting more an) more involve) into the /itness an) one )a* the gestalt changes6 'our focus goes through a transformation6 9or exam&le, right no/ *ou are listening to me6 'ou can listen in t/o /a*s, (ecause each thing can (e )one in t/o /a*s: #astern an) <estern6 'ou are listening to meE *our em&hasis can (e on /hat 2 am sa*ing, on the s&eaker AA then it is a <estern a&&roach6 The #astern a&&roach is that *our em&hasis (e on the listener, the /atcher, the o(server, the /itness6 'ou are not too concerne) /ith /hat is (eing sai) or /hat is (eing hear), (ut /ith /ho this /itness is /ho is hearing this6 'ou are seeing me666 /ho is this seer /ho is seeingD That transformation, that change of gestalt, /ill (ring *ou to the /orl) of nonAillusionE other/ise ever*thing is illusor*6 2 un)erstan) *our Guestion6 'ou mean (* it that there must (e something unreal in the outsi)e /orl)6 .o, the outsi)e is unreal6 2t is not that something is real an) something is unrealE the outsi)e is unreal an) the insi)e is real6 <ith the outsi)e, min) gro/sE /ith the insi)e, me)itation6 To /ork /ith the outsi)e, *our min) (ecomes more an) more efficient AA in the <est the min) has (ecome tremen)ousl* clever6 <hen *ou start looking at the insi)e, at the looker, then me)itation gro/s6 Then *ou )onBt (ecome a great thinker or a great &hiloso&her, (ut *ou ex&erience truth666 *ou (ecome a great m*stic, *ou (ecome a :u))ha, a Lieh Tzu, a -esus6 :ut the /hole em&hasis AA al/a*s remem(er AA is on the mirror that reflects6 $onBt (ecome too attache) to that /hich is reflecte)6 'ou look in the mirrorE *our image looks so real, (ut it is unreal6 $onBt get too o(sesse) /ith the image6 The image is unreal in the mirror an) the &erson /ho is stan)ing (efore the mirror is also unreal6 Onl* one thing is real: the consciousness that kno/s B2 am stan)ing (efore the mirrorB, the consciousness /hich kno/s that the mirror is reflecting the one /ho is stan)ing6 That transcen)ental consciousness is realit*, an) through that )escen)s the (ene)iction, +?T%;2T?.?.$E through that one (ecomes true, conscious an) (lissful6 <h* )o /e call the /orl) illusor*D Let me remin) *ou again: (* Billusor*B /e )onBt mean unreal, /e mean tem&oraril* real, onl* for the time (eing real6 <h* )o /e call the outer /orl) unrealD :ecause it (rings onl* miser* an) it gives *ou onl* &roFections, am(itions, )esiresE it never allo/s *ou to (e reall* ha&&*, authenticall* ha&&*6 2t gives *ou ho&e (ut never fulfils it6 2t lea)s *ou on man* Fourne*s (ut the goal never arrives, hence it is calle) C?'?, illusion6 2t )eceives *ou, it is a mirage AA it ?PP#?5+ to (e there, (ut /hen *ou reach there *ou )onBt fin) an*thingE an) (* the time *ou reach there, *our )esires are (eing &roFecte) further ahea)6 2t is like the horizon: *ou go to/ar)s it, it goes on rece)ing6 'ou never arrive AA *ou cannot arrive, (* its ver* nature it is not &ossi(le, it onl* a&&ears AA it is not there6 -ust the o&&osite is the case /hen *ou enter *our inner /orl) of consciousness: the closer *ou come, the more real it (ecomesE the closer *ou come, the more (lissful, the more cheerful, the more Fo*ful *ou (ecome6 The closer *ou come, the more authentic an) true *ou (ecomeE an) ,4

the moment *ou stan) at the ver* centre, *ou are truth itself6 2n that moment the >&anisha)ic seer )eclare) :2 am @o), 2 am :rahma, ?;?C :5?;C?+C26 2n that moment of inner centring, Cansur elA;allaF )eclare): ?.? #LA;?II, 2 am the Truth6 2n that moment, -esus sa*s :2 an) m* @o) are not t/o, (ut one6 2f *ou move to/ar)s the o(Fect, *ou are moving a/a* from *ourselfE an) the further a/a* *ou go from *ourself, the further a/a* *ou are going from truth (ecause truth is centre) in *ou6 'ou ask B<hat is not illusionDB 2 /oul) like to sa*, ever*thing is illusion, exce&t *ou6 :ut 2 shoul) hurr* to sa* to *ou that /hen 2 sa* B*ouB, 2 )onBt mean the B*ouB that *ou kno/, 2 mean the B*ouB that is *et un)iscovere) (* *ou6 The B*ouB that *ou kno/ (elongs to the outsi)e /orl), it is as much unreal as the outsi)e /orl)6 The B*ouB that *ou kno/ is nothing (ut an accumulation of all the illusions, all the )reams an) )esires6 The B*ouB 2 am talking a(out has nothing to )o /ith *ou as suchE it is the eternal B*ouB, the eternal BthouB6 2t is not *ours, it is not mine, it is no(o)* elseBs6 2t is ever*(o)*BsE it is the ver* centre of all6 <hen *our B2B )ro&s then the real 2 arises6 <hen *our self )isa&&ears, the real self arrives6 Peo&le come to me an) the* sa* B<e feel it is ver* )ifficult to surren)er (ecause surren)ering means /e /ill (e losing ourselves6B The* are true an) the* are not reall* true6 The* are true (ecause their self, the self that the* have kno/n u& to no/, is going to (e )ro&&e)6 :ut the* are not reall* true (ecause once this false self is )ro&&e), the real self arises6 2t is there, it is hi))en (ehin) the clou) of the false self6 'ou, as *ou reall* are in *our centre, are the realit*6 #ver*thing else is illusor*6 To kno/ this realit* one has to come to a moment of total inactivit* (ecause /henever *ou are acting6 *ou are outsi)e *ourself6 ThatBs /h* Lieh Tzu, %huang Tzu, Lao Tzu, em&hasise) &assivit* so muchE /hen *ou are active, *ou are relating /ith the outsi)e /orl)6 <hat is activit*D ?ctivit* means relating /ith the outsi)e6 <hen *ou are &assive, *ou are not relating at all6 'ou are sim&l* there, unrelate)E there is no (ri)ge (et/een *ou an) the outsi)e AA all (ri)ges have )isa&&eare)6 2n this total silence, in this total unrelate)ness, *ou (ecome a/are of /ho *ou are6 Other/ise the activit* kee&s *ou so occu&ie) that there is no s&ace for the self to assert, to manifest, itself6 2t goes on /aiting666 it goes on /aiting, an) *ou go on remaining occu&ie) /ith trivia, /ith mun)ane things6 One has to learn to )o nothing6 2 have hear)6666 The (um a&&eare) at the )octorBs office )ou(le) u& /ith &ain6 ?fter a careful examination the &h*sician tol) the man heB) have to give u& /ine, /omen an) song6 B:ut, )octorB the man &roteste), not kno/ing /hat that ha) to )o /ith his ailment B2 canBt (en) )o/n6B BOh *esB sai) the )oc6 B'ouBll have to give u& smoking too6B B2 o(FectB sai) the (um6 B<h*DB aske) the )octor6 B2 feel like a fool stan)ing aroun) )oing nothing6B $oing nothing, one feels as if one is a fool6 One has to )o something AA if *ou cannot )o an*thing, at least smoke6 Peo&le start smoking /henever the* )onBt have an*thing to )oE smoking is a com&lementar* thing6 <henever *ou )onBt have an*thing to )o at least *ou can smokeE *ou feel occu&ie)6 Peo&le feel foolish if the* have nothing to )o6 ;ave *ou not o(serve) this &henomenon in *ourselfD 2f *ou are Fust sitting, *ou start feeling restless AA *ou have to )o something6 2f some(o)* comes, *ou /ill &reten) to )o6 'ou /ill start rea)ing the same ne/s&a&er *ou have rea) alrea)* Fust for sho/6 +ome(o)* has come, so *ou take the ne/s&a&er in *our han) so that he kno/s *ou are )oing somethingE other/ise he /ill think *ou are a fool6 "0

<hat are *ou )oingD ? man has to )o something al/a*s an) al/a*s, an) continuousl*6 Peo&le &reten), the* cannot Fust (e AA it is not allo/e)6 2n the <est *ou have the sa*ing that Bthe em&t* min) is the )evilBs /orksho&B: if some(o)* is not )oing an*thing that is )angerous6 2n fact, the active min) is the )evilBs /orksho&6 The em&t* min) has never )one an*thing /rong to an*(o)*6 ;itler is not an em&t* min), :u))ha is an em&t* min)6 @enghis 7han is not an em&t* min), %huang Tzu is6 ?ll the nonsense that has ha&&ene) )o/n the centuries has (een )one (* the active min)6 The inactive min) has not )one an* /rong (ecause the inactive min) is not intereste) in )oing at all AA so /ho (othersD 'ou cannot &ersua)e an inactive min) to (ecome an ?)olf ;itler, it /ill laugh at the ri)iculousness of it6 B<h*DB it /ill sa*6 B9or /hatDB ?lexan)er, /hile coming to 2n)ia, met $iogenes AA he /as an inactive min)6 ;e /as L*ing on the (ank of a river resting, taking a sunA(ath nake)6 ?lexan)er /as ver* much im&resse): the &eace that surroun)e) this nake) man, the silenceE the (eaut* of this man, the gran)eur, the grace, the natural sim&licit*, the s&ontaneit*6 ?lexan)er felt Fealous6 2t is sai) that ?lexan)er ha) never felt Fealous of an*(o)* else (ecause he ha) more than an*(o)* else AA /h* shoul) he feel FealousD :ut /ith this nake) man he felt Fealous AA he ha) something that ?lexan)er coul) never even )ream a(out6 ?n) he sai) to $iogenes B2f next time 2 am sent (ack to the /orl), 2 /ill &ra* an) 2 /ill sa* to @o) ".o/ make me $iogenes, )onBt make me an ?lexan)er again6"B $iogenes laughe)6 ;e sai) B<h* /ait that longD 'ou can (ecome $iogenes right no/6 <ho is &reventing *ouD 'ou can rest here an) take a sunA(ath, as 2 am taking6B The &oint /as clear AA as clear as it can (e6 ?lexan)er felt ashame) an) he sai) B'es, one )a* 2 also ho&e666 /hen 2 have conGuere) the /hole /orl), then 2 /ill also rest an) enFo* like *ou6B B:utB $iogenes sai) B2 )onBt un)erstan)6 <h*D 2f 2 can enFo* /ithout conGuering the /orl), /h* canBt *ou enFo* right no/D <h* are *ou &ost&oning that /hich can ha&&en right no/D ?n) this (ank of the river is (ig enough for man* &eo&le6 'ou /ill not (e encroaching on m* s&ace AA it is (ig enoughE no(o)* ever comes here6B 2t is sai) ?lexan)er (ecame ver* sa) after he met $iogenes, an) he remaine) sa) for man* )a*s an) talke) again an) again a(out $iogenes6 The im&act /as tremen)ous6 ? &assive, inactive, em&t* min) has a (eaut*, an) onl* in the inactive min) one comes to kno/ /hat is true6 The activit* creates the illusion6 The activit* creates ri&&les aroun) *ou an) *ou cannot see that /hich is6 2nactivit*666 all ri&&les gone, the lake silent666 the min) has no thoughtE ever*thing )isa&&eare), the smoke gone666 an) the flame (urns (right6 <hen the consciousness (urns so (right that there is no smoke an) the flame is &ure, then *ou kno/ /hat is real6 The /a* to realit* is through inaction, &assivit*, rece&tivit*6 The /a* to the real is through feminine rece&tivit*6 The /a* to the unreal is through male, aggressive activit*6 Iuestion <;' $O.BT 2 ;?V# ? I>#+T2O.D 2t is from Vani6 'ou are fortunate, Vani6 .o/ )onBt (ring the Guestion from the (ack )oor, )onBt (ecome /orrie) a(out it AA B<h* )onBt 2 have a GuestionDB 'ou are fortunate, *ou are (lesse), (ecause not to have a Guestion means *ou are getting rea)* to have the ans/er6 ? &erson /ho is too full of Guestions /ill never receive the ans/er, remem(er6 Or)inaril* &eo&le think B;o/ are *ou going to get the ans/er if *ou )onBt askDB 2t is /rong6 'ou onl* get the ans/er /hen there is no Guestion6 ? nonAGuestioning min) arrivesE a Guestioning min) never arrives6 2f *ou ask AA *es, some ans/er /ill (e given to *ou, (ut it /ill never (e receive)6 <hen a min) is too o(sesse) /ith Guestions, even if this min) shoul) receive an ans/er, it /ill create more Guestions out of this ans/er an) nothing else6 'ou ask one GuestionE 2 /ill ans/er, an) out "1

of m* ans/er *ou /ill fin) ten more Guestions arising in *ou6 'our Guestioning min) /ill go on creating Guestions6 ? nonAGuestioning min) is nee)e) to receive the ans/er6 The ans/er is here6 The ans/er has al/a*s (een there, (ut (ecause *ou are asking so man* Guestions *ou cannot receive it6 2t use) to ha&&en that /henever a &erson /oul) come to :u))ha an) ask some Guestion, he /oul) sa* B<ait for one *ear, (e silent for one *ear6 $ro& all thinking, an) after one *ear, if *ou ask, 2 /ill ans/er6B ? great scholar came an) aske) man* Guestions, an) :u))ha listene) an) then he sai) B2 /ill ans/er (ut *ou /ill have to /ait one *ear6 ThatBs m* con)ition an) m* &romise too6 ?fter one *ear 2 /ill ans/er6B The man sai) BOka*6B :ut another )isci&le of :u))ha, /ho /as sitting (* the si)e of the tree, starte) laughing lou)l*6 The man, the Guestioner, felt a little em(arrasse) an) he aske) B<hat is the matterD <h* is he laughingDB :u))ha sai) B'ou ask him6B ?n) the man aske) him B<h* are *ou laughingDB ;e sai) B:u))ha is )ece&tive, he )eceive) me an) no/ 2 am laughing (ecause he is )eceiving *ou too6 ;e tol) me the same thing: "<ait one *ear, silentl*6 $ro& *our thinking, let all thoughts )isa&&ear an) then ask6" :ut /hen thoughts )isa&&ear ho/ are *ou su&&ose) to askD .o/ no Guestion is leftH +o 2 am laughingE he is )eceiving *ou again6 2f *ou reall* /ant to ask, ask no/E other/ise *ou /ill never ask6B :ut :u))ha sai) BThat is m* con)ition, an) if *ou ask after one *ear, 2 /ill ans/er6 2f *ou )onBt ask, then 2 am not res&onsi(le6B One *ear &asse) an) :u))ha aske) that man B.o/ /hat )o *ou sa*D ;ave *ou some Guestions leftDB ?n) the man starte) laughing an) he sai) B.o/ 2 un)erstan) /h* that )isci&le /as laughing on that )a*6 Iuestions have )isa&&eare)HB @oo), Vani6 2f no Guestion arises, thatBs ho/ it shoul) (e6 $onBt feel uneas* a(out it6 2 un)erstan)6 One feels uneas*, one feels a little a(normal /hen ever*(o)* is asking Guestions an) one is not asking, one feels: B<hat is /rong /ith meDB <hen ever*(o)* is going to the )octor, one starts thinking to go, other/ise &eo&le /ill think that something is /rong6 <hatsoever is (eing )one (* ever*(o)*, one imitates6 $onBt tr* to create a Guestion /hich is not there6 5est in this nonAGuestioning attitu)e6 ?n) )onBt think that *our Guest is not intense6 The min) /ill sa* B.o Guestion is arising (ecause there is no Guest6B .o, if there is a real, authentic Guest, Guestions )isa&&ear AA onl* thirst remains6 ?n) that is a totall* )ifferent state of min): no Guestion is formulate), onl* Guest, an unver(alise) intensit*, a &assionE one /ants to kno/, (ut there are no Guestions, (ecause ho/ can *ou ask the real GuestionD The real Guestion is going to (e so &rofoun) that it cannot (e &ut into /or)s6 ?ll that can (e &ut into /or)s /ill (e trivial, /ill (e or)inar*, /ill not (e of much )e&th6 <or)s are on the surface6 There is a state of min) /hen there is no Guestion, (ut the Guest is there like a heart(eat: *ou feel it, (ut *ou cannot sa* /hat it is6 Then *ou have (ecome the Guestion6 .o Guestion is there AA *our /hole (eing has (ecome a Guestion, a Guest, a thirst, a hungerE an) in that moment, /hen *our /hole (eing is a Guest /ithout an* ver(al Guestions, the ans/er comes6 2n fact, the ans/er is there in that intensit* AA *ou (ecome a/are of it6 :ut 2 am not sa*ing that *ou shoul) not ask Guestions6 2f the* come, ask them6 2 am not sa*ing that *ou shoul) start fighting /ith Guestions6 2f the* are not coming AA goo), no nee) to &ro)uce them, no nee) to make an* effort to formulate them6 2f the* are coming AA goo)E let them (e relieve), let them (e aske) )onBt start fighting6 The min) is al/a*s ver* tem&te) to )o the /rong thing6 9or exam&le, 2 am sa*ing to Vani that if the Guestion is not coming AA no nee) to ask, goo)6 :ut 2 am not sa*ing it to others /ho are asking Guestions6 ?n) the Guestions are arising6 2f the* are ans/ering an) *ou )onBt ask them, the* /ill (ecome more an) more strong6 "

?n unaske) Guestion, if it is there, /ill start haunting *ou, /ill )rive *ou craz*6 ThatBs not the /a* to get ri) of it6 @o on asking6 <atch, /itness that the Guestion arises, *ou ask it, 2 ans/er6 Then /atch *our min) AA /hat *our min) is )oing AA /hether it is receiving the ans/er or is creating ne/ Guestions6 <atch it, an) (* an) (* *ou /ill (ecome a/are that this seems to (e a ri)iculous situation: *ou ask a Guestion, an ans/er is given, ten Guestions arise6 'ou ask ten Guestions6 ten ans/ers /ill (e given, a hun)re) Guestions /ill arise an) so on an) so forth6 This /ill (e a) infinitum6 -ust /atch the ri)iculousness of it, the ho&elessness of itE an) out of that ex&erience of ho&elessness, out of that un)erstan)ing that this is not going to (e the /a*, one )a*, su))enl* *ou /ill feel that the Guestion is not arising6 2 am not sa*ing that *ou fight /ith the Guestions, 2 am sa*ing Fust un)erstan) the Guestioning &attern of *our min)6 Then, out of that un)erstan)ing, Guestions (urn an) )isa&&ear6 One )a*, su))enl* *ou /ill (e in the same &osition as Vani6 +u))enl* *ou /ill see there is no Guestion an) a Guestion /ill arise: B<h* )onBt 2 have a GuestionDB $onBt ask that Guestion (ecause that is not a Guestion at all6 Then *ou are turning a (lessing into a curse6 $onBt (ring from the (ack )oor6 2 have hear)6666 Culla .asru))in ha) one of the finest a&&le orchar)s in the state, an) come fall, regular as clock/ork, the ki)s from the neigh(ourhoo) /oul) sneak in to &urloin a&&les6 5egularl*, too, .asru))in /oul) come charging angril* out of his house, /aving a shotgun, an) threatening the fleeing *ouths /ith ever*thing he coul) think of6 ?fter /atching one of these vain &ursuits, a neigh(our sai) to Culla .asru))in B$ange) if 2 can un)erstan) *ou, .asru))in6 'ouBre normall* a calm an) generous man AA an) *ouBve got ten times as man* a&&les ri&ening in that gar)en as *ou can &ossi(l* use, /h* )onBt *ou Fust let the ki)s have someDB B;eckB laughe) .asru))in B2 <?.T them to have the a&&les6 :ut 2 /as a (o* once m*self, an) if 2 )i)nBt holler an) chase them the*B) never come (ack6B Thoughts are like chil)ren AA so are Guestions6 2f *ou chase them, the* /ill come (ackE if *ou )onBt chase them, the* /ill not come (ack AA /hat is the &ointD +o )onBt take a shotgun an) chase *our Guestions, other/ise the* /ill come an) the* /ill come in cro/)s an) (ring others too, an) *ou /ill go craz*6 .ever chase thoughtsE Fust tr* to see the /hole &rocess AA ho/ the min) functions6 Once *ou kno/ ho/ the min) functions, in that ver* kno/ing, *ou have transcen)e)6 'es, one )a* it ha&&ens, *ou are there /ith a )ee& &assion to kno/ an) there is no Guestion6 Then *our /hole consciousness has (ecome a Guest, an) in that ver* intensit* something eva&orates, something changes6 Out of that ver* intensit* AA Fust as at a hun)re) )egrees the /ater eva&orates AA in that hun)re) )egree Guest, /hen *ou are totall* in it, something ra)icall* changes6 That change /ill (ring *ou to the ans/er6 .o Guestion ever (rings the ans/er, onl* a nonAGuestioning Guest6 +2.%# 'O>5 L#%T>5# '#+T#5$?', 2 <O55' T;?T <;?T 2 9#LT <?+ ?%%#PT?.%# O9 ? +2T>?T2O., C?' C#5#L' :# %O.+OL?T2O.6 ;O< %?. 2 7.O< <;#. 2 ;?V# ?%%#PT#$ +OC#T;2.@ O5 <;#. 2 ;?V# O.L* %O.+OL#$ O5 $2+T5?%T#$ C'+#L9 95OC T;# P?2.D 2t is sim&le6 %onsolation is out of thinking, ex&lanations6 theoriesE acce&tance is out of un)erstan)ing6 <hen *ou ex&lain *ourself, *ou console6 <hen *ou un)erstan), then there is acce&tance6 %onsolation has to (e (rought inE acce&tance comes6 ?cce&tance is a ha&&eningE consolation is a )oing6 ",

'ou are misera(leE then *ou seek some theor* to ex&lain it &ast life 7?5C?+E some/here *ou tr* to fin) a shelter6 Or ma*(e @o) is &utting *ou in miser* so that *ou can gro/: it is a challenge to gro/ AA a consolation6 Or it is the nature of lifeE *ou &hiloso&hise, *ou sa* #ver*(o)* is in miser* an) 2 cannot (e the exce&tion6 :u))ha sa*s that the /hole of life is miser* AA so it is6 One has to acce&t it, /hat else can one )oD One has to acce&t it6B Then it is consolation6 Then *ou tr* har) to create a (uffer aroun) *ourself6 ?cce&tance is out of un)erstan)ing AA it has no ex&lanation6 The miser* is there6 'ou look into the miser* an) *ou )onBt (ring an* theor* an) *ou )onBt (ring an* ex&lanationE *ou sim&l* look into the fact of miser* an) looking into the fact of miser*, su))enl*, *ou fin) there is an acce&tance arising6 ?n) if some(o)* asks B<h*DB *ou /ill not (e a(le to ans/er (ecause there is no B/h*B6 'ou /ill not (e a(le to sho/ the %?>+#6 'O> <2LL sim&l* sa* B2t has ha&&ene)6B ?cce&tance is like love AA all that is reall* (eautiful is al/a*s like love6 <hen *ou fall in love /ith a /oman or a man an) some(o)* asks B<h*DB can *ou reall* ans/er itD 'ou tr* sometimes, (ut all *our ans/ers are a(sur)6 'ou sa* B:ecause the /oman is (eautifulB, (ut there are millions of &eo&le an) the* have not fallen in love /ith that /oman6 2f she /ere (eautiful she /oul) not have (een availa(le to *ou AA some(o)* else /oul) have gra((e) her (efore *ou6 :ut no(o)* else thinks she is (eautiful, so in fact, *ou are &utting things u&si)e )o/n6 'ou sa* B2 have fallen in love (ecause she is (eautiful6B The real thing is Fust the o&&osite: she looks (eautiful (ecause *ou have fallen in love6 One )a*, /hen love /ill )isa&&ear, the same /oman /ill not look (eautiful to *ouE she ma* even start looking ugl* an) horri(le6 5ight no/, *ou cannot leave her for a single moment6 One )a*, /hen love has )isa&&eare), *ou /ill not (e a(le to tolerate her &resence for a single moment6 ?n) *ou cannot )o an*thing a(out love6 <hen it comes, it comesE /hen it goes, it goes6 2t is like a (reeze: it comes an) it is gone6 ?cce&tance is like loveE it is a ha&&ening6 <hen *ou are true, authenticall* /ith the realit* of the moment, *ou )onBt go to the &ast to fin) an ex&lanation, *ou )onBt go to the future to fin) an ex&lanationE *ou sim&l* look into the fact6 'ou )onBt ask :u))ha, *ou )onBt ask 7rishna, *ou )onBt ask Lieh Tzu, *ou )onBt ask an*(o)*E *ou sim&l* look into the facticit* of the miser*6 'ou sim&l* live the &ain, *ou sim&l* go into it6 ?lone, hol)ing no(o)*Bs han): :u))haBs, 7rishnaBs, %hristBs AA no(o)*Bs han), *ou sim&l* go into it6 :ecause all those han)s /ill (ecome consolations, (ecause all those &eo&le /ill (ecome ex&lanations6 'ou /ill sa* B-esus sa*s this, :u))ha sa*s this, thatBs /h* 2 have to acce&t6B :ut *our acce&tance is &seu)o: it has not arisen out of *our o/n ex&erience6 @o into the &ain of a situation singleAhan)e), alone6 9ace the situation as it is /ith no min) to ex&lain it a/a*6 -ust look into it /ithout an* thought interfering, an) then there /ill (e acce&tance6 2t /ill not (e a consolationE there /ill (e great contentment6 +u))enl* *ou /ill see that *ou can acce&t, (ut there is no cause to it6 %onsolation has a cause to it6 %onsolation is a false coin AA it )eceives *ou, it &reten)s to (e the real thing AA it is not the real thing6 ?n) 2 /oul) like to tell the Guestioner that it is ver* much &ossi(le that /hatsoever he /as thinking to (e acce&tance must have (een consolation, (ecause if it /ere acce&tance no )ou(t /oul) arise6 The certaint* is selfAevi)ent: if it /ere acce&tance no confusion /oul) (e &ossi(le, no /orr* /oul) arise6 2t must have (een consolation (ecause consolation is Fust on the surfaceE it never goes )ee&, an) an*thing can shake it an) shatter it6 $ro& all consolations AA the* are not of /orth, the* are Fust /asting time6 2t is (etter to suffer than to (e console)6 2t is (etter to (e in &ain than to (e in consolation, (ecause through &ain there is a &ossi(ilit* to reach to the real acce&tance6 Through consolation there is no &ossi(ilit*E *ou have taken a /rong turn6 Through consolation *ou never reach to the realit*E *ou have fallen victim to a )ream6 .o/ *ou /ill have to live in *our consolation, an) *ou /ill start (eing afrai) of realit* (ecause ever*thing of the real /ill (e a shattering thing for *our consolation6 'ou /ill avoi), *ou /ill not see )irectl*, *ou /ill esca&e from factsE an) if some(o)* (rings *ou to the facts, *ou /ill start feeling ver* restless, *ou /ill start &ers&iring, *ou /ill feel nervous (ecause *ou /ill kno/ that no/ ever*thing is going to (e shattere)6 ""

%onsolation is a (elief6 ? create) thing cannot (e of much value6 'ou have create) it AA it cannot (e (igger than *ou, it is (oun) to (e smaller than *ou6 ?cce&tance is (igger than *ou AA it ha&&ens6 <hen )oes acce&tance ha&&enD 2t ha&&ens /hen *ou )onBt cling to an* consolation6 +o &ut all consolations asi)e6 2t is har)6 Tao is so &ure that in the (eginning it is ver* har)6 'ou /ant to &la* /ith to*s, an) Tao never gives an* to*s6 2t has no (elief s*stems to su&&l*, it sim&l* forces *ou to encounter the realit*, /hatsoever it is6 PainfulD AA then let it (e &ainful, /hat can (e )oneD <hatsoever is, isE it has to (e looke) into6 :ut through that ver* encounter arises a tremen)ousl* ne/ consciousnessE a ne/ (eing is (orn6 +o &lease &ut asi)e all *our consolations, all *our theories an) (eliefsE the* are hin)ering *our &ath6 Once *ou are nu)e, /ith no (elief s*stems aroun) *ou, once *ou are un(ur)ene), then imme)iatel* a great trust ha&&ens: trust in life, trust in existence6 ?n) trust is not a (elief6 Trust is a total conversion6 2t is a ne/ (irth6 2t is a resurrection6 +o (e ver* alert6 2t is ver* eas* to fall into the tra& of consolations (ecause the* are chea&, *ou can &urchase them an*/here6 #ver* tem&le, ever* church, ever* organise) religion is su&&l*ing themE an) &eo&le go to churches Fust for that666 to fin) consolations6 'our slee& is )istur(e), *ou nee) a lulla(* AA *ou go to the church an) the &riest su&&lies *ou the lulla(*: he sings the song, he re&eats the song again an) again AA *ou (ecome solace)6 2t is like a tranGuillizer, it gives *ou a goo) slee&6 @ur)Fieff use) to sa* to his )isci&les: 2 am )oing onl* t/o things in *our life6 9irst, if *ou reall* have come to me then *ou /ill never (e a(le to slee& again, 2 /ill )istur( *our slee& &ermanentl*6 ?n) secon), if *ou listen to me *our life /ill (e har), ar)uous, (ut one thing 2 can &romise: *ou /ill not )ie a )irt* )eath, *ou /ill not )ie like a )og6 :oth are tremen)ousl* significant6 2f *our slee& is )istur(e), onl* then /ill *ou not )ie like a )og6 B$ogB means the animal state, fast aslee&, unconscious6 'ou can )ie consciousl*, then *ou )ie a (eautiful )eath (ecause then, even /hile )*ing, *ou kno/ that *ou are not )*ing6 ThatBs the (eaut* of it6 5ight no/, even alive, *ou )onBt kno/ *ou are alive6 #ven living, there is no life AA *ou are sim&l* )ragging AA it is &hon*6 ?n) a man /ho has encountere) life an) its facts, an) gone through its &leasure an) &ain, )ark nights an) (eautiful )a*s, an) /atche) ever*thing an) has (ecome a &rofoun) o(server /ill )ie in a totall* )ifferent /a*6 ;e /ill )ie alert, a/are6 -ust a fe/ )a*s ago 2 /as rea)ing the memoirs of the )octor /ho atten)e) @ur)Fieff /hen he )ie), an) the )octor sa*s B2 have atten)e) so man* &eo&le /hile the* /ere )*ing, (ut this )eath /as tremen)ousl* exce&tional6B ?n) the )octor sa*s B2 cannot think that an*(o)* has ever )ie) like that6 The moment he /as )*ing, he o&ene) his e*es, sat in his (e), su&&orte) (* man* &illo/s, aske) for his hat, &ut his hat on a ver* (eautiful re) hat AA took his cigar in one han), a cu& of coffee in the other han), smoke) an) si&&e) the coffee6B The )octor /as /atching an) the )isci&les /ere cr*ing an) /ee&ing, an) the )octor kne/ that /ithin secon)s @ur)Fieff /as going to )isa&&ear6 ;is legs ha) (ecome num( AA the* ha) gathere) too much /ater an) the /ater ha) to (e remove) AA an) the )octor kne/ that he might not even (e a(le to com&letel* remove the /ater (ecause (efore the /ater /as remove), @ur)Fieff /oul) (e gone6 ?n) he aske) @ur)Fieff AA A(ecause giving him &ain seeme) unnecessar* no/ that he /as going to )ieE )eath /as certain AA he aske) @ur)Fieff B<hat shoul) 2 )oDB ?n) @ur)Fieff sai) B2f *ou are tire), then 2 can /ait a little longer6 2 have (een /aiting so man* *ears for )eath6 'ou can rest a little an) then *ou can )o it6 2 have (een /aiting so long, 2 can /ait a little longer AA there is no &ro(lem6 2f *ou are too tire), *ou can have a little rest AA t/o, three hours AA (ecause *ou have not (een aslee& the /hole night6 2f *ou are not tire), *ou )o *our /ork6B %r*ing, (ecause he also /as a )isci&le, the )octor starte) taking /ater out of his legs6 ?n) @ur)Fieff /as there, si&&ing his coffee an) smoking his cigar an) talking an) Foking6 ?ll life ha) "0

)isa&&eare) from the (o)*, (ut his face /as aflame, his e*es /ere so ra)iant6 ?n) at the last moment he sai) B;as an*(o)* an* GuestionD (ecause no/ 2 am leaving6B ;e use) to sa* to his )isci&les that one can )ie ver* consciousl*, an) he )ie) ver* consciousl*6 -ust t/ent*Afour hours (efore he /as remove) to the hos&ital he insiste) that he /oul) not go to the hos&ital, an) he aske) the )octor B<hat )o *ou thinkD %an the hos&ital save meD 2f 2 cannot save m*self then /ho can save meDB 9or t/ent*Afour hours (efore this, the )octor ha) (een cr*ing, so he sai) BOka*, if *ou are cr*ing, 2 am coming6B +o the )octor ran outsi)e to &hone for the am(ulance6 ?n) /hen the am(ulance came, he /ent into the room AA @ur)Fieff ha) )isa&&eare)H ;e coul) not (elieve ho/ he ha) gone (ecause he coul) not moveH @ur)Fieff /as stan)ing on the roa) near the am(ulance6 ;e came in an) he sai) BThe am(ulance has come AA /here is the )octorDB ;e /as /alking an) the )octor coul) not (elieve it AA it /as im&ossi(le, he /as not in a state to /alk6 Other )octors came to consult an) the*, no(o)*, coul) (elieve that he coul) /alk, (ut he /alke) to the am(ulance6 .ot onl* that, he came in again to enGuire B<here is the )octorDB T/o /eeks (efore, su))enl* AA an) he /as ill, ver* ill AA one evening he aske) his )isci&les B:ring m* car, 2 /oul) like to )rive6B T/o /eeks (eforeH ?n) the* sai) BThe )octor sa*s *ou shoul) not move out of the (e)6B ;e sai) B9orget all a(out )octors6 :ring m* car6B ?n) he )rove the car an) /ent to a certain 5ussian church an) there sat for one hour, /ith close) e*es, un)er a tree6 Onl* later on coul) &eo&le kno/ that /as the &lace /here he /oul) (e (urie) t/o /eeks later6 ;e ha) gone there t/o /eeks (efore to see the &lace, an) he sat on the exact &lace /here he /as to (e (urie) t/o /eeks later6 ?n) then the* all un)erstoo): )eath /as so clear to him AA /hen it /as going to ha&&en, /here he /as going to (e (urie) AA an) that /as a church he ha) never gone to in his /hole life6 2t /as not that he use) to visit itE he ha) never gone6 That /as the first an) the last time alive6 .ext time he /as )ea)6 :ennett re&orts that he reache) t/ent*Afour hours lateE @ur)Fieff ha) )ie)6 ;e reache) in the mi))le of the night, rushe) to the church /here @ur)FieffBs (o)* /as L*ing an) /ent into the roomE there /as no(o)*6 ;e sat silentl* an) he (ecame afrai)E he starte) trem(ling (ecause it felt as if @ur)Fieff /ere still alive6 ;e /as a scientist, a mathematician, an) he coul) not (e )eceive)6 ;e /as not a )evotee, he /as not emotional, sentimentalE not the feeling t*&e at all6 +o he /ent close (* to feel /hat /as the matter an) (ecame com&letel* silent to listen6 2t felt as if some(o)* /ere (reathing6 ;e /ent all aroun) the room6 %loser666 /henever he came closer to the (o)* he /oul) feel the (reathing more clearl*, /henever he /ent further a/a*, the (reathing /oul) not (e hear) so clearl*6 ?n) the man /as )ea), (ut he ha) a feeling that he /as still hovering aroun) AA as if the (o)* /ere alive, as if his &resence /ere there6 2t is &ossi(le6 ? man /ho )ies totall* alert can )o man* things6 ? man /ho )ies in a/areness, in fact, never )ies6 ;e has come to recognise the )eathless in him6 $ro& consolations, (eliefsE (ecome more an) more alert6 $ro& *our slee& an) )ro& *our lulla(ies, thatBs the onl* /a*6 Tao is sim&le an) *et ar)uous: sim&le, (ecause Tao cannot (e ar)uousE ar)uous, (ecause *ou are ver* com&lex an) *ou cannot (e sim&le easil*6 The com&lexit* is in *ou not in Tao6 Tao is a ver* sim&le a&&roach, a more sim&le a&&roach is not &ossi(le6 .o )isci&line, no character, no moralit*, nothing is ex&ecte) of *ou AA onl* one thing: that *ou live naturall*, sim&l*, in tune /ith existence6 ?n) )onBt (ring (eliefs an) )onBt (ring an* theories, )onBt (ring an* theologies6 Tao m*stics never talk a(out @o), reincarnation, heaven, hell6 .o, the* )onBt talk a(out these things6 These are all creations of human min): ex&lanations for something /hich can never (e ex&laine), ex&lanations for the m*ster*6 2n fact, all ex&lanations are against @o) (ecause ex&lanation )eAm*stifies existence6 #xistence is a m*ster*, an) one shoul) acce&t it as a m*ster* an) not &reten) to have an* ex&lanation6 .o, ex&lanation is not nee)e) AA onl* #J%L?C?T2O., "1

a /on)ering heart, a/akene), sur&rise), feeling the m*ster* of life each moment6 Then, an) onl* then, *ou kno/ /hat truth is6 ?n) truth li(erates6 Iuestion , <;O 2+ ? %;52+T2?.D $ifficult to sa* (ecause 2 am not a %hristian, neither is %hrist a %hristian6 One thing is certain: that %hrist is not a %hristian, :u))ha is not a :u))hist, 7rishna is not a ;in)u6 To (e a %hristian one has to avoi) (eing a %hrist6 TO (e a %hristian means to remain aslee&6 'ou are using another )rug calle) %hristianit* to remain aslee&6 +ome(o)* else is using another )rug calle) ;in)uism to remain aslee&, (ut these are all )rugs6 ? real man, a man of courage, has the courage to face realit* as it is6 ? real man has the courage not to (e secon)Ahan)6 ? %hristian is secon)Ahan), %hrist is firstAhan) )onBt (ecome secon)Ahan)6 @o to realit*, )irect, imme)iate AA not through an* (elief s*stem AA other/ise *ou /ill never reach to realit*6 The (elief s*stem /ill hin)er *ou, it /ill not allo/ *ou: it is an im&risonment6 +o there are man* &risons on the earth6 The* sa* there are three hun)re) religions, so three hun)re) &risons AA (eautiful &risons, ver* /ell )ecorate), comforta(le, convenient, (ut a &rison is a &rison6 @et out of &risons6 <hen 2 initiate *ou into sann*as, 2 am initiating *ou into free)om6 C* initiation into sann*as is initiation into a(solute free)om6 :* (ecoming a sann*asin *ou can (ecome a %hrist, (ut never a %hristianE *ou can (ecome a 7rishna, (ut never a ;in)uE *ou can (ecome a :u))ha, (ut never a :u))hist6 ?n) remem(er, if *ou reall* /ant to (ecome a :u))ha, then avoi) the )octrine that has gathere) aroun) :u))ha6 The =en &eo&le sa* B2f *ou meet :u))ha on the /a*, kill him imme)iatel*HB The* even go to this extent: the* sa* B2f *ou re&eat the name of :u))ha, rinse *our mouth out imme)iatel*HB .ot that the* are )isres&ectful a(out :u))ha, the* have tremen)ous res&ect6 Their res&ect is im&ecca(le, (ut still, /hat the* are sa*ing is significant6 2t is ver* eas* for the min) to gather kno/le)ge, to gather (eliefE it is ver* eas* for the min) (ecause nothing is at stake6 2f *ou (ecome a %hristian, *ou )onBt &ut an*thing at stake, *ou are not committe) to an*thing AA *ou sim&l* go to the church6 2 have hear) a )efinition of the %hristian: ? %hristian is a man /ho feels re&entance on +un)a* for /hat he )i) on +atur)a* an) is going to )o on Con)a*6 $ece&tions, all )ece&tions6 Iuestion " <;#. $O#+ $2+%2PL2.# :#%OC# C#$2T?T2O.D .ever6 $isci&line never (ecomes me)itationE me)itation certainl* (ecomesAa )isci&line6 $onBt start /ith )isci&line other/ise *ou /ill never arrive at me)itation6 +tart /ith me)itation an) *ou /ill arrive at a )isci&line, an) the )isci&line /ill not (e im&ose) from the outsi)e6 2t /ill (e an inner overflo/E *ou /ill (ecome luminous from /ithin6 2n fact, to call it B)isci&lineB is not goo) (ecause it is so utterl* free AA (ut still *ou can call it )isci&line6 'our life /ill (e )isci&line), not (* an* effort, (ut (* *our inner un)erstan)ing6 'ou /ill (ehave res&onsi(l*, not that *ou have to (ehave that /a*, *ou /ill (ehave res&onsi(l* (ecause a conscious man can (ehave onl* in that /a* AA there is no other /a*6 'ou /ill not (ehave for an* &rofit, for an* motiveE *ou /ill (ehave out of *our s&ontaneit*E there /ill (e no gree) in it6 2f some(o)* is a %hristian saint, he is gree)*E he /ants to reach to the %hristian &ara)ise6 2f some(o)* is a -ain monk, he is gree)*, he is a (usinessman6 ;e is tr*ing to /in over (* virtue, to (e victorious in the other /orl), to (ecome a s&iritual conGuerorE (ut the i)ea is of gree)6 2f *ou go an) look aroun) the /orl) at monks an) saints an) C?;?TC?+, *ou /ill fin) ninet*Anine &er cent of them are Fust gree)* &eo&le, materialistic &eo&le6 The* are )isci&lining "!

themselves (ecause the* kno/ that if the* sacrifice, great is going to (e the &a*Aoff6 The* are rea)* to sacrifice, the* are rea)* even to kill themselves AA (ut it is a (argain6 ? man of me)itation, un)erstan)ing, has no motive, .O :?5@?2. <2T; 5#?L2T'6 ;o/ can *ou (argain /ith realit*D The /hole i)ea is sill*6 ? man of me)itation is goo) (ecause it feels goo) to (e goo)E there is no motive6 ;e is virtuous (ecause (eing virtuous he feels so ha&&* an) so )elighte)6 ;e loves, he shares, Fust like a flo/er shares its scent, its fragrance AA naturall*6 ;is virtue is not cultivate), con)itione), it is gro/th in his (eing6 +o *ou ask B<hen )oes )isci&line (ecome me)itationDB .ever6 $isci&line never (ecomes me)itation6 (ut me)itation al/a*s (rings a )isci&line, an inner )isci&line6 ?n) that )isci&line is :#%?>+# O9 free)om6 That )isci&line is not a ne/ cage, that )isci&line makes *ou totall* free an) li(erate)6 'ou )onBt have an* comman)ments to follo/, *ou )onBt follo/ an*(o)*, an* scri&ture, *ou sim&l* follo/ *our o/n inner core6 ?n) there is no conflict /ithin *ou, there are no alternatives6 'ou are not to choose, *ou )onBt have to choose to )o this or to )o that6 <hatsoever arises in *our (eing, *ou )o it6 There is never an* re&entance (ecause a man of me)itation cannot )o /rong AA it )oesnBt ha&&en6 <hatsoever he is )oing, he is )oing totall*E the next moment he has move) (e*on) it6 ;e never looks (ack, he never re&ents: /hatsoever ha&&ene), ha&&ene)E /hatsoever )i) not ha&&en, )i) not ha&&en6 ;e neither &raises himself: B2 )i) thisB, neither )oes he ever feel guilt*: B<h* coul) 2 not )o thisDB ;e has no hangover, he is cleanAcut from the &ast6 #ach moment he moves into the future, each moment the &ast )isa&&ears an) he is fresh like the )re/A)ro&s in the morning6 That )isci&line has freshness, that )isci&line has free)om, that )isci&line has fragrance6 Other/ise, )isci&line makes &eo&le )ull, stu&i)6 $isci&line makes &eo&le me)iocreE )isci&line kills *our free)om, kills *our (eingE )isci&line (ecomes a suici)e6 +o never start /ith )isci&line, start /ith me)itation6 ThatBs /h* m* em&hasis is on me)itation6 2f )isci&line comes out of me)itation AA goo), other/ise it is not nee)e)6 2t is (etter to have no character than to have a force) character6 Iuestion 0 <;' ?C 2 +T2LL .OT ;?PP'D :ecause *ou still are, an) (ecause *ou are still chasing ha&&iness6 ;a&&iness cannot (e sought, *ou cannot seek it6 2t is a (*A&ro)uct, it is a natural conseGuence6 2f *ou make a goal out of ha&&iness *ou /ill never fin) it, *ou /ill al/a*s miss it6 2t comes ver* silentl*, it comes like a /his&er, it comes like *our sha)o/6 <hen *ou are totall* a(sor(e) into something an) not thinking a(out ha&&iness at all, it is there6 <henever *ou are thinking a(out it, it is not there, it is ver* sh*6 <henever *ou look aroun), it )isa&&earsE /henever *ou start thinking B?m 2 ha&&* or notDB *ou are not6 ? ha&&* man never thinks a(out ha&&iness AA he is so ha&&*, ho/ can he think a(out ha&&inessD Onl* an unha&&* man thinks a(out ha&&iness, an) (* thinking, he (ecomes more unha&&*6 2 have hear)6666 ? (ig )og sa/ a little )og chasing its tail, an) aske) B<h* are *ou chasing *our tail soDB +ai) the &u&&* B2 have mastere) &hiloso&h*, 2 have solve) the &ro(lems of the universe /hich no )og (efore me has rightl* solve): 2 have learne) that the (est thing for a )og is ha&&iness, an) that ha&&iness is in m* tail6 Therefore 2 am chasing it, an) /hen 2 catch it 2 shall have it6B +ai) the ol) )og BC* son, 2 too have &ai) attention to the &ro(lems of the universe in m* /eak /a*, an) have forme) some o&inions6 2 too have Fu)ge) that ha&&iness is a fine thing for a )og, an) that ha&&iness is in m* tail6 :ut 2 have notice) that /hen 2 go a(out m* (usiness, it comes after me6 2 nee) not chase it6B Listen to this ol) )ogBs i)ea6 "3

'ou must have seen that /henever a )og is ha&&*, he /aves his tail, so naturall* )ogs think that ha&&iness must (e in the tail6 Then the* start chasing, (ut *ou cannot chase *our o/n tail6 'ou Fum&, the tail Fum&sE *ou Fum& more, the tail Fum&s more AA *ou /ill get craz*6 ThatBs /hat is ha&&ening6 The Guestion is from ?ru&6 Listen to the ol) )og6 'ou go a(out *our (usiness an) it comes after *ou6 One thing has to (e learne) AA nothing is more valua(le than that AA an) that is to (e a(sor(e) into /hatsoever *ou are )oing6 $onBt think a(out /hether it is a ver* great thing or not6 2f *ou are cleaning the floor, get totall* a(sor(e) into it6 2f *ou are cooking, get a(sor(e) into it6 <ashing *our clothes, get a(sor(e) into it6 <henever *ou are )issolve) in *our act, ego )isa&&ears6 Then there is no s&ace for the ego to exist6 2n that ver* moment /hen ego is not, there is ha&&iness6 +o let me sa* it in this /a*: #go is miser*, no ego is ha&&iness6 ?n) ego remains onl* /hen *ou are s&lit, ego is not /henever *ou are harmonious6 $ancing, *ou (ecome the )ance AA ego )isa&&earsE singing, *ou (ecome the song AA ego )isa&&earsE sitting silentl* )oing nothing, *ou (ecome that nonA)oing AA an) ego )isa&&ears6 ?ct or no act, remem(er one thing: get a(sor(e) into it, /hatsoever it is6 'ou have gone for a morning /alk, get totall* a(sor(e) into it6 9orget all a(out *ourself, forget all a(out ha&&inessE forget all a(out health, the ox*gen in the air an) all calculationsE forget all that *ou have rea) a(out the (eautiful ex&erience of the morning /alk AA forget ever*thing6 -ust /alk, an) one )a* *ou /ill fin) that su))enl* *ou are totall* there, an) it has (een thereE ha&&iness has visite) *ou6 'ou /ill lose contact again an) again (ecause the moment *ou /ill start thinking a(out it, that it is there, it is gone6 'ou come in, it goes outE *ou go out, it comes inE *ou cannot (e /ith it together6 :oth ?ru& an) ha&&iness cannot (e together in the room AA thatBs im&ossi(le6 +tart losing *ourself6 'ou must (e too much after it, *ou must (e continuousl* thinking a(out it, *ou must (e &lanning ho/ to attain to it AA then it is never going to ha&&en6 2f *ou are too much after ha&&iness, all that ha&&ens is hell6 2f *ou forget a(out it, it is a ver* natural &henomenon6 The selfAconsciousness )oes not allo/ it, it makes *ou ver* narro/6 <hen the self )isa&&ears, /hen selfAconsciousness )isa&&ears, *ou are vast like the sk*6 +u))enl* it &ours into *ou6 +o the art of (eing ha&&* is the art of forgetfulness6 ?n) /hen 2Bm sa*ing this, remem(er: no/ )onBt start &lanning a(out it ho/ to forget, ho/ not to think a(out ha&&iness AA other/ise *ou are again in the same tra&6 2t is not a Guestion of Bho/B, *ou sim&l* )o it6 ?n) it is not a Guestion of tomorro/, *ou )o it right no/, this ver* moment6 Listen to me, ?ru&6 This ver* moment *ou listen totall*6 $onBt think a(out /hat 2 am sa*ing, )onBt tr* to figure it out, )onBt &lan6 -ust listen6 -ust (e here /ith me, this moment, an) ha&&iness is there6 +ilent, listening, attentive, /ith no self AA ho/ can *ou miss ha&&inessD .o(o)* has ever hear) that an*(o)* can miss ha&&iness /hen one is silent, attentive, selfAforgetful, a(sor(e)6 2f *ou cannot (e a(sor(e) into m* /or), into m* &resence, it /ill (e )ifficult for *ou to (e a(sor(e) an*/here else6 Listening to me, Fust listen, an) let it (e this ver* moment6 ?n ol) ra((i use) to sa* to his &eo&le B5e&ent the )a* (efore *ou )ie6B B:utB the* sai) to him B5a((i, /e kno/ not the )a* of our )eath6B BThenB he ans/ere) Bre&ent to)a*, re&ent no/6B $onBt &ost&one (ecause one never kno/s6 Tomorro/ *ou ma* not (e here, the next moment *ou ma* not (e here, so this is the onl* moment *ou have6 .O< 2+ the onl* time *ou have an) ;#5# is the onl* &lace *ou have6 2 am not telling *ou to &re&are, to get rea)*6 ThatBs the /hole message of Tao too: 'O> ?5# 5#?$' ?+ 'O> ?5#6 'O> start enFo*ing this moment an) ha&&iness /ill follo/ *ou6 2t al/a*s follo/s *ou, (ecause it is in the tail6 <hen *ou go a(out )oing *our (usiness, the tail comes6 "4

Iuestion 1 9O5 T;# P?+T T<O, T;5## $?'+, 2 9##L ?+ 29 'O> ?5# %O.+T?.TL' LOO72.@ ?T C#6 T#LL C#, O+;O, <;?T $O 'O> <?.T TO +?' TO C# T;5O>@; 'O>5 #'#+D 2 have (een constantl* looking at *ou AA not onl* for t/o, three )a*s, (ut *ou ma* have onl* (ecome a/are of it )uring the last t/o, three )a*s6 @oo) that *ou (ecame a/are6 <hen 2 look at *ou there is a message, (ecause there are man* things /hich cannot (e sai) (* /or)s6 ?n) 2 have to sa* /ith m* han)s, an) 2 have to sa* /ith m* e*es, an) 2 have to sa* /ith m* silence, an) 2 have to sa* /ith m* &resence6 <or)s are ina)eGuateE the* onl* go so far AA (e*on) that the* cannot go6 :ut the e*es can conve*, e*e contact can (ecome a great communion6 +o /hen *ou see me looking at *ou into *our e*es, )onBt miss that moment6 2n that moment )onBt start thinking, in that moment Fust look into me, in that moment (e lost6 in that moment )onBt think B<hat is the messageDB (ecause if *ou start thinking a(out the message, *ou have misse)6 The e*e contact itself is the message6 'ou Fust (e there, &resent, looking into m* e*es an) something is going to ha&&en, something /ill trans&ire (et/een me an) *ou6 ;ere 2 am not6 2f *ou can look into m* e*es for a single secon), totall*, *ou /ill also )isa&&ear6 ?n) /hen the Caster an) the )isci&le (oth are not, there is the meeting6 B2 am ne/l* initiate) an) /ish to (e instructe) in =en6B Thus 7*osai a&&roache) the Caster @ensha6 B;o/ )o 2 enter in the <a*, CasterDB B$o *ou hear the river running near(*DB aske) @ensha6 B'esB sai) the seeker B2 )o, Caster6B Then, for a single moment, there /as a(solute silence an) then @ensha sai) BThereH here is the /a* to enter6B ;e is not talking a(out the river, remem(er6 <hen he sai) B$o *ou hear the river running near(*DB the )isci&le (ecame a/are6 2n that a/areness, for a single moment, thoughts sto&&e)6 ;e hear) the river running (*, the noise, the song, the )ance of the river AA for a single moment he /as no more selfconscious, his a/areness /as total6 The Caster /atche)6 <hen the Caster felt that the moment ha) come AA the seeker /as no more there, the Guestioner /as no more there, selfconsciousness ha) )isa&&eare) an) there /as onl* silent a/areness an) listening to the river running (* AA he shoute) BThereH here is the /a* to enter6B 5emem(er, he is not talking a(out the river6 ;e is talking a(out this inner a/areness6 this silence, this unselfconsciousness, this &urit*, this innocence that has entere) into the (eing of this )isci&le: he sa*s B;#5# is the /a* to enter6B <hen 2 look into *our e*es, an) if *ou are also looking into m* e*es: BThereH here is the /a* to enter6B Iuestion ! 2 O9T#. T?7# $5>@+6 O.%# <;#. 2 <?+ ?TT#.$2.@ T;# $2+%O>5+#, 2 %LO+#$ C' #'#+ ?.$ +>$$#.L' 9#LT T;# +?C# ?+ 2 9##L O. ? $5>@ T52P6 O+;O, 2+ T;#5# ?.' 5#L?T2O. O5 +2C2L?52T' :#T<##. +?C?$;2 ?.$ $5>@+D There is an) there is not6 There is (ecause )rugs create a false +?C?$;2, a &seu)o +?C?$;2 almost like the +?C?$;26 +O there is a relationshi& (ecause even if )rugs create false +?C?$;2, the* create something similar to +?C?$;2E an) there is no relationshi& also (ecause the false is not the real, an) the false can never (e the real6

00

2t is like this: if *ou are hungr* in the night *ou )ream that *ou are eating AA *es, in the )ream AA ever*thing looks like eatingE *ou feel satisfie), *ou turn over an) go to slee&6 2n the morning *ou feel it /as Fust a )ream6 2t has not nourishe) *ou, it sim&l* )eceive) *ou6 $rugs )eceive *ou an) create a false +?C?$;2 AA the* )onBt nourish *ou6 +ome )a*, /hen *ou /ill a/aken, then *ou /ill see that *ou /ere sim&l* )reaming that *ou /ere eating6 2t hel&e), (ecause if *ou are hungr* the )ream that *ou are eating hel&s *ou to continue slee&, other/ise *our slee& /ill (e (roken6 2f the hunger is too much, ho/ can *ou slee&D +o the min) creates a )ream: the min) sa*s BOka*, *ou are hungr* AA eatHB 2n the )ream *ou go to the fri)ge, *ou o&en the fri)ge, *ou are eating man* things that *ou have al/a*s (een )en*ing *ourself6 'ou eat /ell, *ou feel &erfectl* goo), *ou turn over an) *ou go to slee&6 2n the morning *ou kno/ that it /as a false foo)6 $ream foo) cannot hel& AA (ut *ou /ill onl* kno/ in the morning, not (efore it6 ?n) the morning 2 am talking a(out ma* not come if *ou )onBt /ork for it6 +o )rugs can )eceive *ou, the* can )eceive *ou for *our /hole life6 The* create a similarit* through chemical change: through chemical coercion of the (o)* an) the min) cells a certain state is create) /hich feels as if one has arrive)6 2n the morning, /hen the )rug influence is over, *ou are in exactl* the same &lace as *ou /ere (efore AA ma*(e even lo/er, (ecause ever* high ex&erience through )rugs is (oun) to (e follo/e) (* a ver* lo/ an) )e&resse) ex&erience6 Then again more )rugs are nee)e), an) the Guantit* has to (e increase) AA *ou (ecome an a))ict6 This is not a /a* to/ar)s truth (ecause it is not nourishing6 +?C?$;2 is a nourishment6 'ou are not )rugge) (* +?C?$;2, *ou are a/akene)6 :ut there is a similarit*, so sometimes it can ha&&en if *ou have (een taking )rugs6 There can come a moment listening to me /hen *ou (ecome silent, *ou are #. 5?PPO5T /ith me6 ?n) su))enl* there is a moment, a moment of tremen)ous Fo* an) (eaut*, an) (ecause *ou have (een taking the )rug, *ou /ill start thinking in terms of the )rug6 :ut if it is ha&&ening Fust (* listening to me6666 Think of it6 2f *ou me)itate, if *ou go into the same /orl) /here 2 exist, into the same )imension /here 2 exist AA an) if it can ha&&en Fust (* listening to me AA then /hat to sa* a(out /hen *ou *ourself /ill move into that /orl)D Then *ou /ill kno/ that all those ex&eriences through )rugs /ere Fust foolish, sill*E *ou /ere /asting *our energ* an) /asting *our time6 :ut the* kee& *ou aslee&6 2f *ou are intereste) in slee&, )rugs are goo), alcohol is goo), an* t*&e of chemical that hel&s *ou feel that *ou are ha&&* is goo)6 ;a&&iness never comes through it, it Fust gives *ou the illusion of (eing ha&&*E it kee&s *ou aslee&6 :ut if *ou are intereste) in (ecoming alert, a/akene), then it is )angerous6 Then *ou are un)oing *our ver* longing to (ecome a/akene), enlightene)6 'ou are un)oing it (* *our )rugs6 2 have hear)6666 ? travelling salesman in the )ee& +outh hit one hotel /here the rooms /ere infeste) /ith giant, econom*Asize mosGuitoes6 9urthermore, he /as tol) that no mosGuito netting /as availa(le6 B?ll *ou got to )o is follo/ the exam&le of the man /ho o/ns this hotel, %olonel 5i& %latter(ornB the )esk clerk tol) him6 B?n) ho/B enGuire) the salesman sarcasticall* B)oes *our (laste) %olonel %latter(orn manage to go to slee& /ithout a netDB B;e )oesnBtB a)mitte) the clerk6 B:ut the %olonel is /hat *ou might call a )e)icate) )rinker6 ;e goes to (e) so /ell oile) he )oesnBt notice the mosGuitoes for the first half of the night6 ?n) for the secon) half, the mosGuitoes are so )runk the* )onBt notice the %olonel6B 'ou can go on &la*ing this /a*, (ut *ou are /asting a tremen)ous o&&ortunit*6 ?voi) )rugs6 2f *ou are reall* intereste), then /h* not take the real )rugD +?C?$;2 2+ the real )rug, (ut *ou cannot &urchase it at the )ruggistBs6 *ou cannot &urchase it through a )o&e &usher6 +?C?$;2 *ou have to attain through great intensit*6 thirst, &assion, enGuir*6 +?C?$;2 *ou have to attain6 $rugs are availa(le from the outsi)e, +?C?$;2 ha&&ens in *our innermost coreE it is the ultimate )rug AA +OC?6 01

Iuestion 3 O+;O, 2 <?.T TO ?+7 T;5## V#5' +;O5T I>#+T2O.+6 Thank *ou6 2f *ou ask short Guestions, 2 am giving to give *ou short ans/ers6 925+T: <;?T $O 'O> T;2.7 O9 L29#D Life is /on)erful6 <ithout it, *ou are )ea)6 T;# +#%O.$: <;?T $O 'O> T;2.7 ?:O>T T;# LOV# O9 ? @OO$ <OC?.D .o/, that is not fair6 To ask such a Guestion of a chronic (achelor is not right, (ut since *ou have aske), 2 have to ans/er: There is nothing (etter in the /orl) than the love of a goo) /oman, unless, of course, it is the love of a (a) /oman6 ?.$ T;# T;25$6 <?+ T;#5# ?.' LO.@ P#52O$ 2. 'O>5 L29# <;#. 'O> $2$ .OT +P#?7 ?T ?LLD :elieve it or not, (ut once it )i) ha&&en that for a *ear an) a half 2 )i)nBt s&eak at all AA no morning )iscourse, no evening )arshan6 That *ear an) a half /as the time imme)iatel* after 2 /as (orn6

88888 %ha&ter 0 : There can (e no regret 88888 10 9e(ruar* 14!! am in :u))ha ;all <;#. L2. L#2 <?+ .#?5L' ? ;>.$5#$, ;# P>T O. ;2+ 9>5 %O?T 2. T;# C2$$L# O9 +P52.@, ?.$ <#.T TO P2%7 >P T;# @5?2.+ $5OPP#$ :' T;# 5#?P#5+, +2.@2.@ ?+ ;# C?$# ;2+ <?' T;5O>@; T;# 92#L$+6 %O.9>%2>+, <;O <?+ O. ? -O>5.#' TO <#2, +?< ;2C 2. T;# $2+T?.%#6 T>5.2.@ TO ;2+ $2+%2PL#+ ;# +?2$ KT;?T OL$ C?. +;O>L$ :# <O5T; T?L72.@ TO6 +OC#O.# +;O>L$ @O ?. 92.$ O>T <;?T ;# ;?+ TO +?'6B T=> 7>.@ ?+7#$ TO :# T;# O.# TO @O6 ;# C#T L2. L#2 ?T T;# #.$ O9 T;# #C:?.7C#.T ?.$, LOO72.@ ;2C 2. T;# 9?%#, +2@;#$ K$O.BT 'O> #V#. 9##L ?.' 5#@5#TD '#T 'O> P2%7 >P T;# @5?2.+ +2.@2.@ ?+ 'O> @O6B L2. L#2 .#2T;#5 ;?LT#$ ;2+ +T#P .O5 P?>+#$ ;2+ +O.@6 T=> 7>.@ <#.T O. P5#++2.@ ;2C >.T2L ;# LOO7#$ >P ?.$ ?.+<#5#$ K<;?T ;?V# 2 TO 5#@5#TDB K? %;2L$,'O> .#V#5 L#?5.#$ ;O< TO :#;?V#E ? C?. 'O> .#V#5 +T5OV# TO C?7# 'O>5 C?576 .O <29# .O5 +O. 2. 'O>5 OL$ ?@#, ?.$ T;# T2C# O9 'O>5 $#?T; 2+ .#?56B KC?+T#5 <;?T ;?PP2.#++ ;?V# 'O> ;?$ T;?T 'O> +;O>L$ +2.@ ?+ 'O> <?L7 P2%72.@ >P T;# @5?2.+DB KT;# 5#?+O. 9O5 C' ;?PP2.#++ ?LL C#. +;?5#B +?2$ L2. L#2 +C2L2.@ B:>T 2.+T#?$, T;#' <O55' OV#5 T;#C6 2T 2+ :#%?>+# 2 TOO7 .O P?2.+ L#?5.2.@ TO :#;?V# <;#. 2 <?+ 'O>.@, ?.$ .#V#5 +T5OV# TO C?7# C' C?57 <;#. 2 @5#< >P T;?T 2 ;?V# :##. ?:L# TO L2V# +O LO.@6 2T 2+ 0

:#%?>+# 2 ;?V# .O <29# ?.$ +O.+ 2. C' OL$ ?@# ?.$ T;# T2C# O9 C' $#?T; 2+ .#?5 T;?T 2 %?. :# +O ;?PP'6B K2T 2+ ;>C?. TO <?.T LO.@ L29#, ?.$ ;?T# $#?T; AA <;' +;O>L$ 'O> :# ;?PP' TO $2#DB K$#?T; 2+ ? 5#T>5. TO <;#5# <# +#T O>T 95OC <;#. <# <#5# :O5.6 +O ;O< $O 2 7.O< T;?T <;#. 2 $2# ;#5# 2 +;?LL .OT :# :O5. +OC#<;#5# #L+#D ;O< $O 2 7.O< T;?T L29# ?.$ $#?T; ?5# .OT ?+ @OO$ ?+ #?%; OT;#5D ;O< $O 2 7.O< T;?T 2T 2+ .OT ? $#L>+2O. TO %5?V# ?.J2O>+L' 9O5 L29#D ;O< $O 2 7.O< T;?T P5#+#.T $#?T; <O>L$ .OT :# :#TT#5 T;?. C' P?+T L29#DB T=> 7>.@ L2+T#.#$ :>T $2$ .OT >.$#5+T?.$ ;2+ C#?.2.@6 ;# 5#T>5.#$ ?.$ TOL$ %O.9>%2>+6 K2 7.#< ;# <O>L$ :# <O5T; T?L72.@ TOB +?2$ %O.9>%2>+ K?.$ +O ;# 2+, :>T ;# 2+ ? C?. <;O ;?+ 9O>.$ 2T, '#T .OT 9O>.$ ?LL O9 2TB Tao is not rational6 2t is not antiArational either6 2ts is su&errational6 Life is more than reason6 Life is more than can (e un)erstoo) (* the min)6 Life has to give *ou more than *ou can learn6 2t is (igger than *our ca&acit* of learning6 2t is (igger than *ou can ever kno/, (ut it can (e felt6Tao is intuitive6 Tao is more total6 <hen *ou a&&roach life through the hea), an) onl* through the hea), it is a &art a&&roachE misun)erstan)ing is (oun) to (e there6 ? man /ho is tr*ing to figure it out is (oun) to fall into a tremen)ous tra& an) /ill not (e a(le to come out of it easil*6 Once *ou start intellectualising a(out life, *ou start going astra*6 Live has to (e live)6 Life has to (e live) existentiall* an) not intellectuall*6 2ntellect is not a (ri)ge6, (ut a (arrier6 This has to (e un)erstoo)Athen the &ara(le is of tremen)ous im&ortance6 ?n) /e are going to go into it ver* slo/l*, tr*ing to un)erstan) each sentence in it, each /or) actuall*6 The %onfucian a&&roach is a min) a&&roach6 The Taoist a&&roach is a noAmin) a&&roach6 %onfucius thinks a(out life6 Lao Tzu, %huang Tzu, Lieh Tzu, )onBt think a(out life (ecause the* sa*: 'ou can go on thinking an) thinking a(out an) a(out, an) *ou /ill go roun) an) roun) an) *ou /ill never reach to the centre6 ?(out an) a(out is not the /a*6 @o )irectl*, (e imme)iate6 +## life, )onBt think a(out it6 ?l/a*s remem(er, the menu is not the )inner6 'ou can go on stu)*ing the menu AA that is not going to hel&6 'ou /ill have to eat, *ou /ill have to s/allo/, *ou /ill have to )igest, *ou /ill have to (e existentiall* connecte) /ith *our foo), *ou /ill have to a(sor( it into *our (eing, *ou /ill have to make it a &art of *our (eing6 -ust stu)*ing the menu or the cook(ook is not going to hel&6 The scholar goes on stu)*ing the menu: the more hungr* he (ecomes, the more he stu)ies the menuE an), naturall*, the scholar remains one of the most hungr* &ersons in life6 ;e has never live), he has never love), he has never taken an* risk, he has never move), never )ance), never cele(rate)E he has Fust (een sitting there an) thinking a(out it6 The scholar has )eci)e) that first he has to un)erstan) intellectuall*, then he /ill move6 .o/ this is no /a* to move6 9irst *ou have to move an) then comes un)erstan)ing6 Can* &eo&le come to me an) the* sa* that the* /oul) like to (ecome sann*asins6 The* are attracte) (* the i)ea, the* are intrigue), (ut the* have to think a(out it6 .aturall*, the* sa* that first the* have to think a(out it, then the* /ill )eci)e6 ;o/ can *ou think a(out sann*asD <hat /ill *ou think a(outD 2t is an inner ex&erience, it is something of the inner s&ace, it is a contact /ith me of the innerE no(o)* can /atch it6 'ou can /atch sann*asins, (ut *ou cannot kno/ an*thing a(out sann*as (* /atching sann*asins6 #ven if the sann*asin himself tries to figure it out intellectuall*, he /ill not (e a(le to6 +ann*as has to (e taste) AA even then it is ver* )ifficult to ex&lain it intellectuall*6 :ut to think a(out it /ithout moving into it is im&ossi(le6 2t is as if some(o)* sa*s B9irst 2 /ill have to kno/ a(out love an) then 2 /ill love6B ;o/ are *ou going to kno/ a(out loveD The onl* /a* to kno/ a(out love is to fall in love AA there is no other /a*6 'ou 0,

can go to the li(rar*, *ou can ask man* &eo&le, *ou can consult (ooks an) enc*clo&ae)ias, an) *ou /ill fin) a thousan) an) one things a(out love, (ut not love6 'ou ma* (ecome too much of a scholar, *our min) ma* (ecome stuffe) /ith informationE (ut information is not kno/ing6 7no/le)ge is not kno/ing6 2t can )eceive *ou, (ut it cannot )eceive life6 ?s far as life is concerne) *ou /ill remain a )esert AA the flo/er of love /ill never (loom in *our (eing6 +o /ith sann*as6 +o /ith ever*thing that is significant6 +o /ith ever*thing that is organic6 +o /ith ever*thing that is alive6 This is the (asic stan)&oint of Tao6 .o/ this &ara(le6 <;#. L2. L#2 <?+ .#?5L' ? ;>.$5#$, ;# P>T O. ;2+ 9>5 %O?T 2. T;# C2$$L# O9 +P52.@, ?.$ <#.T TO P2%7 >P T;# @5?2.+ $5OPP#$ :' T;# 5#?P#5+, +2.@2.@ ?+ ;# C?$# ;2+ <?' T;5O>@; T;# 92#L$+6 Lin Lei is a Taoist Caster, (ut as Taoist Casters are, the* live a ver* or)inar* life6 The* )onBt live in an* extraor)inar* /a*, the* )onBt claim that the* are s&ecial (eings, talente) geniuses, sages, saints, C?;?TC?+E the* )onBt claim an*thing6 The* sim&l* live a ver* or)inar* life (ecause the* are natural (eings: natural like the trees, natural like the (ir)s, natural like nature itself6 The* are not in an* /a* egoistic6 9or exam&le, if in 2n)ia *ou /ant to fin) out /here the C?;?TC?+ are *ou can easil* fin) them6 :ut if *ou ha) gone to visit ancient %hina an) /ante) to kno/ a Taoist Caster, no(o)* /oul) have (een a(le to tell *ou /here *ou /oul) fin) one6 'ou /oul) have ha) to look, move, /an)er aroun) the countr*666 an) at some time *ou might have come across one6 :ut there is no /a* unless *ou have ex&erience) something of it in *our o/n (eing6 >nless *ou have the taste, the flavour, *ou /ill not (e a(le to recognise a Taoist Caster6 Lin Lei is a Taoist Caster AA ver* sim&le, ver* ol), ver* ancientE a hun)re) *ears ol) an) he is &icking u& the grains )ro&&e) (* the rea&ers6 .o/ this is the lo/liest Fo( one can fin), the most (eggarl* an) *et666 666 +2.@2.@ ?+ ;# C?$# ;2+ <?' T;5O>@; T;# 92#L$+6 The Taoist is al/a*s ha&&* (ecause he )oes not /ait for an* cause: he )oes not /ait for an* s&ecial situation in /hich he is going to (e ha&&*6 ;a&&iness is like (reathing, ha&&iness is like the (eat of the heart AA ha&&iness is his (eing, it is not something that ha&&ens to him6 ;a&&iness is not something that ha&&ens an) )oes not ha&&en, ha&&iness is something that is al/a*s there6 ;e is full of ha&&iness6 ;a&&iness is the stuff that existence is ma)e ofE an) a Taoist has fallen in harmon* /ith existence AA naturall* he is ha&&*6 <hatsoever he is )oing, he is )oing it ha&&il*6 ;is ha&&iness &rece)es his action6 +ometimes *ou are ha&&* an) sometimes *ou are unha&&* AA (ecause *our ha&&iness is con)itional6 <hen *ou are succee)ing *ou are ha&&*, /hen *ou are failing *ou are unha&&*E *our ha&&iness )e&en)s on some outer cause6 'ou cannot al/a*s singE even if *ou sing, *our song /ill not al/a*s have the singing6 +ometimes it /ill reall* (e a )elight an) sometimes Fust a re&etition, )ea) an) )ull6 +ometimes, /hen the frien) has come, /hen *ou have foun) a (elove), *ou are ha&&*6 +ometimes, /hen the frien) has gone6 the (elove) is lost, *ou are unha&&*6 'our ha&&iness6 an) unha&&iness, is cause) from the outsi)e AA it is not an inner flo/, it is not something that *ou &ossess6 2t is given to *ou (* others an) taken a/a*, given to *ou (* circumstances an) taken a/a*6 This is not of /orth (ecause *ou remain a slave, *ou are not a Caster6 The Taoists call that &erson a Caster /hose ha&&iness is a(solutel* his o/n6 ;e can (e ha&&* irres&ective of the situation: *oung he is ha&&*, ol) he is ha&&*E as an em&eror he is ha&&*, as a (eggar he is ha&&*6 ;is song is uncontaminate) (* circumstancesE his song is his o/n, his song is his natural rh*thm6 0"

This man, a hun)re) *ears ol)6666 Or)inaril*, a man of one hun)re) *ears of age /ill not (e a(le to sing AA /hat is there to sing a(out no/D Life has )isa&&eare), life has ooze) out, he is almost as )r* as a (one, an) there is nothing to ho&e for onl* )eath is to come6 +inging, cele(rating AA for /hatD ? man of a hun)re) *ears has no future: his life is s&ent, he is exhauste), an* moment )eath /ill knock him )o/n6 9or /homD 9or /hatD 9or /hat reason can a man sing like thatD ?n) at the age of a hun)re) *ears one has to go an) )o such a (eggarl* Fo(666 one has to &ick u& the grains )ro&&e) (* the rea&ers6 That means no(o)* is there to look after the ol) man6 ;e is left alone AA no famil* it seems, no son, no )aughters, no /ife, no (rothersE no(o)* to look after him6 <hat is there to sing a(outD :ut if *ou have the song AA the real song, the song that arises from *our intrinsic core, *our innermost centre AA then it )oes not matter6 'ou can go on singing even /hen )eath is )escen)ing6 'ou can go on singing even if some(o)* is killing *ou6 'our (o)* can (e kille), (ut not *our song6 'our (o)* can (e im&risone), (ut not *our song6 'our song is eternal (ecause it is uncause)6 5emem(er this ver* fun)amental la/ of life: That /hich is cause) is never eternal, that /hich is cause) is tem&oral6 <hen the cause /ill )isa&&ear, it /ill )isa&&earE it is a (*A&ro)uct6 That /hich is uncause) is going to (e forever an) forever, (ecause there is nothing that can )estro* it6 'our (o)* /ill )ie AA it has (een cause)E the meeting of *our father an) mother has (een the cause of it6 'our (o)* /ill )ie: one )a* it /as cause)6 2t has a certain energ*, a certain lifeAs&an, then it /ill (e finishe)6 #ver* )a* *ou are )*ing, one )a* *ou /ill sim&l* )isa&&ear into the grave6 :ut is that all that *ou haveD 2s that all that *our (eing isD 2s there not something moreD There is something in *ou /hich /as (efore *ou /ere ever (orn that is going to (e there even after *ou areAgone forever6 ?fter *ou have )ie), that /hich /as (efore *our (irth /ill remain AA that is uncause)6 ThatBs /h* Taoists )onBt (elieve that @o) create) the /orl), that @o) create) man, that @o) create) souls6 2f @o) ha) create) souls then the* /ere cause) an) one )a* the* /oul) )isa&&ear AA ho/soever far that )a* might (e is not material6 2f the /orl) /ere cause) an) man ha) (een create), then one )a* the /orl) /oul) (e uncreate) an) man /oul) (e uncreate)6 Taoists sa* BThat /hich is eternal, uncause), uncreate)B AA the* )onBt have a creator6 2n fact, no(o)* has ever reache) that &eak, that su(lime &eak, of un)erstan)ing as have the Taoists6 ?ll other religions look Fuvenile6 The Taoist maturit* is so tremen)ous, is of such s&len)our, is of such )e&th an) height, that no other religion can (e com&are) to itE the* all look like kin)ergarten schools AA ma)e s&eciall* for chil)ren6 Ca)e s&eciall* for chil)ren, thatBs /h* @o) is Bthe 9atherBE chil)ren cannot (e in)e&en)ent, the* nee) a father6 2f *our real father has )isa&&eare) then *ou still nee) an imaginar* father in heaven to control *ou: *ou are not mature enough, *ou cannot (e on *our o/n, *ou have to lean on some(o)* or other6 Taoists have no conce&t of @o) AA not that the* are go)less, the* are the most go)l* AA (ut the* )onBt have a conce&t of @o)E existence is enough6 There is no creator, there is no creation, there is eternit*6 This has al/a*s (een so, this /ill al/a*s (e so6 Once *ou have come in contact /ith this eternal continuit* insi)e *our (eing, the su(stratum, then there is nothing to (e misera(le a(out6 'ou are eternal, *ou are immortal, there is no )eath for *ou (ecause there has never (een an* (irth6 'ou are uncreate), *ou cannot (e )estro*e)6 <hatsoever the outer circumstances, *our inner light goes on (urning (right an) the song continues6 %O.9>%2>+, <;O <?+ O. ? -O>5.#' TO <#2, +?< ;2C 2. T;# $2+T?.%#6 T>5.2.@ TO ;2+ $2+%2PL#+ ;# +?2$ BT;?T OL$ C?. +;O>L$ :# <O5T; T?L72.@ TO6 +OC#O.# +;O>L$ @O ?.$ 92.$ O>T > ;?T ;# ;?+ TO +?'6B %onfucius /as al/a*s in search of kno/le)ge6 ;e /as al/a*s in search of some(o)* /ho coul) sa* something to him, he /as al/a*s rea)* to (orro/ kno/le)ge6 ThatBs ho/ the 00

intellectual functions: all that he has is (orro/e)E he never looks /ithin, he goes on looking outsi)e AA B2f some(o)* has it, then 2 shoul) go an) enGuire6B The intellectual is imitative, mechanical, &arrotAlikeE for the intellectual, kno/le)ge is something that has to (e learne)6 ;e never looks /ithin his o/n (eing, he never looks into his o/n inner consciousnessE he never tries to un)erstan) the kno/er6 ;e is after kno/le)ge AA an) there is the )ifference6 The Taoist is not after kno/le)ge, (ut he /ants to kno/: <ho is this kno/erD <hat is this kno/ingD ;e /ants to kno/ the source of this kno/ing, /here this consciousness is arising from6 'ou are here, *ou are listening to me6 .o/, *ou can (e either a %onfucian or a Taoist (ecause these are the onl* t/o stan)&oints &ossi(le6 2f *ou are listening to me an) *ou (ecome more an) more intereste) in /hat 2 am sa*ing an) start collecting it, then *ou are a %onfucian6 :ut if /hile *ou are here listening to me AA feeling m* &resence, looking into m* e*es AA *ou (ecome a/are of the consciousness that is /ithin *ou, the attention that is /ithin *ou an) *ou (ecome intrigue) (* /hat it is an) a )ee& enGuir* arises: <ho am 1666D .ot that *ou have to re&eat the /or)s B<ho am lDB (ut a )ee& enGuir*, a Guest arisesE a &assion to kno/: <ho is this consciousness in meD <hat is this consciousness in meD <hat is its natureD <hat is its Gualit*D <here )oes it come fromD <here is it going666D 2f this &assion to kno/ *our consciousness arises, *ou are a Taoist6 ?n) onl* a Taoist is a religious &erson6 The %onfucian is a scholar, he is a &un)it, he is a &rofessor6 2f *ou talk to him, he /ill talk a(out great thingsE (ut if *ou look into his (eing, there is nothing6 ?ll that he has gathere) is (orro/e)6 ?gain an) again the Taoists /rite stories in /hich %onfucius is going from some/here to some/here, al/a*s travelling, accumulating, an) al/a*s looking from /here he can get kno/le)ge AA as if kno/le)ge /ere a commo)it*, as if kno/le)ge /ere a thing that *ou coul) get some/here, from some(o)*6 .o(o)* can give *ou kno/le)ge6 2t is not a thing to (e transferre)6 'ou have to (ecome it, *ou have to gro/ into kno/ingE it is an inner transformation6 .o universit* can give *ou /hat religions call Breal kno/ingB6 <hatsoever *ou can get from the universities is information AA stale, (orro/e), )irt*, (ecause it has &asse) through thousan)s of han)sE it is like a currenc* note6 ThatBs /h* the note is calle) Bcurrenc*B: (ecause it goes on moving like a current from one han) to another, from one &ocket to another &ocket6 :ut then it goes on (ecoming )irtier an) )irtier6 +o /ith kno/le)ge: )o/n the centuries, it goes on from one generation to another generation, from one generation of &rofessors to another generation of &rofessors6 7no/ing is fresh, kno/ing is from the source6 ?n) that source is alive in *ou, /aiting for *ou to turn in6 $onBt look for it on the outsi)e AA look /ithin6 ThatBs /hat -esus goes on sa*ing BThe 7ing)om of @o) is /ithin *ou6B %O.9>%2>+, <;O <?+ O. ? -O>5.#' TO <#2666 ;e is al/a*s on a Fourne*, seeking, searching for kno/le)ge6 ;e goes to ever*(o)*6 <herever some(o)* sa*s that some(o)* has attaine) kno/le)ge, he goes there6 This is sill*, this is stu&i), (ut this is the stu&i)it* all scholars have6 The* are (asicall* of the min) that kno/le)ge can (e &urchase)6 The are (asicall* of the min) that kno/le)ge is a thing, not an ex&erienceE a theor*, not an ex&erience6 +o one can learn it from some(o)* else6 5emem(er one thing: that is the )ifference (et/een scientific kno/le)ge an) religious kno/le)ge6 Once some(o)* has )iscovere) the la/ of gravitation, ever*(o)* has not to )iscover it again an) again AA that /oul) (e foolish6 'ou cannot go to the /orl) an) )eclare B<hat .e/ton )iscovere), 2 have )iscovere) again6 'es, the la/ of gravitation666 2 have seen an a&&le falling, an) 2 have again )iscovere) the la/ of gravitation6B Peo&le /ill laugh6 The* /ill sa* BThere is nothing no/ to )iscover6 $iscover something else /hich has not (een )iscovere) (efore6B +cience is information6 2f one man has )iscovere), then it can (e transferre) to ever*(o)*6 The kno/le)ge that science seeks is of the outsi)e, so it can (e learne) from the outsi)e6 :ut religion has to (e )iscovere) again an) again6 2t is like love: millions of &eo&le have love) (efore 01

*ou, (ut unless *ou love, *ou /ill never kno/ /hat it is6 'ou cannot sa* Cillions of &eo&le have love), so /hat is the &oint of me loving againD <h* go in the same rutD +o man* &eo&le have love) an) the* have /ritten their )iaries, an) their loveAletters are availa(le AA /e can look into the (ooks an) have the kno/le)ge6B :ut no, *ou /ill have to love, *ou /ill have to re)iscover it6 >nless *ou )iscover it, it /ill never (e a kno/ing6 5eligion is like loveE it is not like science6 #instein has )iscovere) the theor* of relativit*, no/ finishe) AA no(o)* else is nee)e) to re)iscover it no/6 <hat ma* have taken fift* *ears for a scientist to )iscover, a schoolchil) can learn /ithin five minutes6 :ut that is not the /a* of religion6 <hat :u))ha )iscovere), /hat Lao Tzu )iscovere), Lieh Tzu )iscovere), *ou /ill have to )iscover again6 %onfucius is on the /rong track6 %onfucius is use) in Taoist tales as a laughing stock6 %O.9>%2>+, <;O <?+ O. ? -O>5.#' TO <#2, +?< ;2C 2. T;# $2+T?.%#6 T>5.2.@ TO ;2+ $2+%2PL#+ ;# +?2$ BT;?T OL$ C?. +;O>L$ :# <O5T; T?L72.@ TO6B <h*D :ecause a hun)re) *ears ol), )oing the lo/liest Fo( AA an) still singingD B@o an) enGuire /hat is the reason for his ha&&iness AA /h* he is ha&&*, /h* he is singing, so /e /ill (e a(le to )e)uce a la/E some techniGue can (e )iscovere)6B B+OC#O.# +;O>L$ @O ?.$ 92.$ O>T <;?T ;# ;?+ TO +?'6B TA> 7>.@ ?+7#$ TO :# T;# O.# TO @O AA one of the chief )isci&les of %onfucius6 ;# C#T L2. L#2 ?T T;# #.$ O9 T;# #C:?.7C#.T ?.$, LOO72.@ ;2C 2. T;# 9?%#, +2@;#$ B$O.BT 'O> #V#. 9##L ?.' 5#@5#TD '#T *O> P2%7 >P T;# @5?2.+ +2.@2.@ ?+ 'O> @O6B B$O.BT 'O> #V#. 9##L ?.' 5#@5#TDB AA (ecause to the )isci&le of %onfucius this man seems to have nothing to (e ha&&* a(out6 ;e shoul) (e cr*ing6 that /oul) (e logical6 ;e shoul) (e /ee&ing, that /oul) (e rational6 :ut singing, &icking u& grains, a hun)re) *ears ol), /aiting for )eath AA /hat more )o *ou nee) to (e sorro/fulD ;e shoul) (e utterl* misera(le, that /oul) (e logical6 This is illogical, (ut Taoists are illogical &eo&le6 ?n) 2 /oul) like *ou to (ecome illogical (ecause onl* illogical &eo&le are fortunate enough to (e ha&&*6 The logicians are never ha&&*, the* cannot (e: the* have taken a /rong route from the ver* (eginning6 The* think that as ever*thing else is cause), ha&&iness has to (e cause) too AA that is their /rong stan)&oint6 ;a&&iness nee)s onl* un)erstan)ing, no other cause6 ?n) un)erstan)ing is also not a cause of it, un)erstan)ing sim&l* unveils itE it is insi)e *ou6 2t sim&l* removes the veil an) su))enl* it is there AA *our (elove) is insi)e *ouE it has to (e unveile), thatBs all6 >nveiling is not a cause6 %ause means it has to (e create)E unveiling sim&l* means it /as alrea)* there, (ut *ou /ere foolish enough not to unveil it6 This %onfucian a&&roach to/ar)s life has to (e un)erstoo) (ecause man* of *ou are (oun) to (e in %onfucian com&an*6 The /hole <est is %onfucian, logical, intellectual6 The %onfucian a&&roach is (ase) on the i)ea that truth has to (e learne), that it is onl* a Guestion of learning: if *ou learn /ell *ou /ill kno/ /hat truth is6 .o, the Taoists sa* truth has to (e L2V#$, not learne)6 Truth has to (e ex&erience): Fust (* (ecoming more kno/le)gea(le *ou /ill not kno/ it6 2n fact, to have truth *ou /ill have to go through unlearning, *ou /ill have to /ash *our min) clean6 <hatsoever *ou have learne) is functioning like a (lock6 'ou /ill again have to (ecome ignorant, *ou /ill have to (ecome innocent, *ou /ill have to )ro& all this nonsense that *ou are carr*ing in the name of kno/le)ge6 'ou )onBt kno/ an*thing, (ut *ou think ?+ 29 *ou kno/E this Bas ifB is the &ro(lem6 +ome(o)* asks *ou B$o *ou kno/ @o)DB an) *ou sa* B'es6B ;ave *ou ever 0!

thought over /hat *ou are sa*ingD $o *ou reall* kno/D :ut *ou &reten)6 <hom are *ou )eceivingD 2 have hear) a (eautiful anec)ote: The tough gu* sauntere) into the )iml* lit saloon6 B2s there an*(o)* here calle) $onovanDB he snarle)6 .o(o)* ans/ere)6 ?gain he snarle) B2s there an*(o)* here calle) $onovanDB There /as a moment of silence an) then a little fello/ stro)e for/ar)6 B2Bm $onovanB he sai)6 The tough gu* &icke) him u& an) thre/ him across the (ar6 Then he &unche) him in the Fa/, kicke) him, clu((e) him, sla&&e) him aroun) a (it an) /alke) out6 ?(out fifteen minutes later the little fello/ came to6 B:o*, )i) 2 fool himB he sai)6 B2 ainBt $onovan6B <hom are *ou foolingD 'ou /ill (e fooling onl* *ourself, no(o)* else6 5emem(er ver* /ell /hat *ou kno/ an) /hat *ou )onBt kno/6 P6 $6 Ous&ensk*, in one of the greatest of his (ooks, T#5T2>C O5@?.>C, sa*s that for the seeker the first thing to )eci)e is /hat he kno/s an) /hat he )oes not kno/ AA the first thing to )eci)e6 Once that )ecision has (een taken things (ecome ver* clear6 $o *ou kno/ @o)D $o *ou kno/ *ourselfD $o *ou kno/ /hat love isD $o *ou kno/ /hat life isD :ut man goes on &reten)ing that he kno/s, (ecause it is ver* hurting to kno/ that *ou )onBt kno/, it is ver* egoAshattering to kno/ that *ou )onBt kno/: The ego &reten)s, the ego is the greatest &reten)er there isE it &reten)s, it sa*s B'es, 2 kno/6B There are kno/ers /ho sa* @o) is not, there are kno/ers /ho sa* @o) is, (ut (oth are kno/ers6 ?s far as kno/le)ge is concerne), neither the theist nor the atheist are in an* /a* )ifferent6 2f *ou go to 2n)ia an) *ou ask &eo&le AA an*(o)* AA the* /ill sa* B'es, @o) is6B 2f *ou go to 5ussia an) ask an*(o)*, the* /ill sa* that the* kno/ @o) is not6 :ut one thing is certain, (oth Bkno/B AA an) that is the &ro(lem6 The theist an) the atheist are not o&&osite6 The* are not enemies, the* are &artners in the same game, (ecause (oth are &reten)ing that the* kno/6 ? real man of un)erstan)ing /ill not &reten) that he kno/s, an) then there is a &ossi(ilit* some )a* to kno/6 :egin /ith ignorance, an) some )a* *ou ma* (e fortunate enough to kno/6 :egin /ith kno/le)ge, an) this is certain: that *ou /ill never (e a(le to kno/6 The %onfucian goes on tr*ing to learn6 The Taoist goes on tr*ing to unlearn6 L2. L#2 .#2T;#5 ;?LT#$ ;2+ +T#P+ .O5 P?>+#$ 2. ;2+ +O.@6 T> 7>.@ <#.T O. P5#++2.@ ;2C >.T2L ;# LOO7#$ >P ?.$ ?.+<#5#$ <;?T ;?V# 2 TO 5#@5#TD 9irst he /onBt even sto& his song to listen to /hat this man is asking6 (ecause Taoists are not intereste) in curious &eo&le6 The* sa* that curiosit* lea)s no/here, curiosit* is a )iseaseE curiosit* is not enough AA curiosit* is not enGuir*6 #nGuir* means *ou are rea)* to &ut *our life at stake6 #nGuir* means *ou are not onl* a stu)ent (ut a )isci&le6 #nGuir* means that it is not Fust on a /him that *ou askE *ou are rea)* to go into it /hatsoever the cost6 'ou are rea)* to &a* for itE it is not Fust entertainment6 L2. L#2 .#2T;#5 ;?LT#$ ;2+ +T#P+ .O5 P?>+#$ 2. ;2+ +O.@6 ;e )i)nBt &a* an* attention to this curious man /ho /as asking B<h* are *ou singingD <hat have *ou got to (e ha&&* a(outDB (ecause if this man reall* /ere the man of enGuir*6 he /oul) not Fum& u&on him so su))enl*6 ;e /oul) /ait, he /oul) come to the Caster, sit (* the si)e of the Caster, he /oul) /ait6 2n Taoist circles this is an acce&te) norm that /hen a )isci&le comes to the Caster he has to /ait, unless the Caster asks him B9or /hat have *ou comeDB ?n) the Caster /ill onl* ask /hen he has teste) that *ou are not Fust curious, *ou have enGuir*E that *ou have not Fust come (* the 03

/a*, that *our search is not Fust luke/arm, (ut intense AA that *ou are (urning, that *ou are rea)* to ex&lo)e6 Onl* then /ill the Caster ask B<h* have *ou comeD <hatBs *our enGuir*DB This is no /a* to a&&roach a Caster AA an) to ask such a foolish GuestionH The Guestion is foolish: to ask B<h* are *ou ha&&*DB The Guestion is foolishE the B/h*B is meaningless6 2f some(o)* is misera(le, *ou can ask B<h* are *ou misera(leDB :ut if some(o)* is ha&&* *ou cannot ask B<h* are *ou ha&&*DB +ome(o)* is ill, ask B<h* are *ou illDB AA the Guestion is relevantE (ut if some(o)* is health* *ou cannot ask B<h* are *ou health*DB AA the Guestion is irrelevant6 ;ealth is as it shoul) (e, ha&&iness is as it shoul) (e6 2f some(o)* has gone ma), *ou can ask /h* he has gone ma), an) if he is some(o)* sane *ou )onBt ask B<h* are *ou saneD <hat have *ou got to (e sane a(outDB AA that is meaningless6 <hen *ou a&&roach a ha&&* &erson, a reall* ha&&* &erson, *ou shoul) look )irectl* rather than create a smokeAscreen of Guestions6 'ou shoul) /ait on the Caster, *ou shoul) hel& the Caster, *ou shoul) )rink of the energ* that is flo/ing aroun) the CasterE *ou shoul) taste the cele(ration that is going on there, *ou shoul) allo/ his &resence to &enetrate *our (eing, *ou shoul) function like a s&onge so that *ou (ecome full of the &resence of the Caster AA that /ill (e the ans/er6 .o/ this is foolish, (ut 2 have come across millions of such &eo&le6 2 use) to travel aroun) the countr* an) even at rail/a* stations6666 2 /as going to catch a train /hen some(o)* ran after me an) sai) B2s there reall* a @o)D @o) existsDB 2 /as going to catch a train an) m* train /as leaving6 2 sai) B'ou come later on6B ;e sai) B:ut Fust a single ans/er6 One sentence /ill )o6B ?s if m* sa*ing B*esB or BnoB /ere going to make an* )ifference6 9oolish &eo&le, stu&i) &eo&le: the* think the* are religious, the* are making a Bgreat enGuir*B6 ThatBs /h*, L2. L#2 .#2T;#5 ;?LT#$ ;2+ +T#P+ .O5 P?>+#$ 2. ;2+ +O.@6 T=> 7>.@ <#.T O. P5#++2.@ ;2C >.T2L ;# LOO7#$ >P ?.$ ?.+<#5#$ B<;?T ;?V# L TO 5#@5#TDB .o/ look at the change6 Tzu 7ung asks B<hat have *ou got to (e ha&&* a(outDB an) the Caster sa*s B<hat have 2 got to (e unha&&* a(outDB the total change AA a one hun)re) an) eight* )egree turn6 ?n) /hat he sa*s6666 These four sentences are tremen)ous, *ou cannot fin) more re(ellious sentences than these an*/here6 Listen6 B? %;2L$, 'O> .#V#5 L#?5.#$ ;O< TO :#;?V#666B ;e sa*s BThese are the things that *ou shoul) look into666B B? %;2L$ 'O> .#V#5 L#?5.#$ ;O< TO :#;?V#E ? C?., 'O> .#V#5 +T5OV# TO C?7# 'O>5 C?576 .O <29# .O5 +O. 2. 'O>5 OL$ ?@#, ?.$ T;# T2C# O9 'O>5 $#?T; 2+ .#?56B Tr* to un)erstan) each sentence6 #ach is &regnant /ith great meaning6 B? %;2L$, 'O> .#V#5 L#?5.#$ ;O< TO :#;?V#666B Or)inaril*, if *ou never learne) ho/ to (ehave as a chil), *ou /oul) (e misera(le *our /hole life6 'ou /oul) re&ent that *ou never /ent to school, *ou never learne) the manners, the etiGuette, the /a*s of societ* AA the formalitiesE *ou /oul) re&ent *our /hole life6 :ut he sa*s BThere is nothing to regret (ecause /hen 2 /as a chil), 2 never learne) ho/ to (ehave6 2 /as never a slave6 2 /as free from m* ver* chil)hoo)6 2 never allo/e) an*(o)* to )isci&line me6 2 /as never an imitator6 2 have live) m* life as 2 /ante) it6 2 have never allo/e) an*(o)* to )istract me, so /h* shoul) 2 regretD <h*D There is no reason to regret6 2f 2 ha) allo/e) &eo&le AA m* famil*, 04

the frien)s, the societ*, the &riest, the &olitician, the state AA if 2 ha) allo/e) them to )isci&line me, then there /oul) have (een much to (e misera(le a(out6 :ut 2 have live) a free life from the ver* chil)hoo)6 2 have remaine) free, 2 have live) in free)om, so /hat is there to regretDB This is of tremen)ous significance6 ?n) /hen 2 am sa*ing it to *ou, this is m* o/n feeling too6 2 have also live) the /a* 2 /ante) to live6 2 have never allo/e) an*(o)* to )istract me6 5ight or /rong, goo) or (a), foolish or /ise, 2 have live) the /a* 2 /ante) to live6 2 have no regrets6 There cannot (e an* regret6 This is the /a* 2 /ante) to live, this is the /a* 2 have live)6 ?n) life has allo/e) me to live the /a* 2 /ante) to live AA 2 am thankful, 2 am grateful6 .o/ 2 kno/ that if 2 ha) allo/e) the )ogoo)ers, then 2 /oul) have (een misera(le6 .ot that the* /ere reall* /anting to harm me, the* ma* have reall* /ante) to hel& me AA that is not the &oint at all6 The* ma* have (een /ellA/ishers, (ut one thing is certain AA the* /ere )istracting me, the* /ere tr*ing to force me to/ar)s some )irections /hich /ere not coming s&ontaneousl* to me6 That 2 have never listene) to6 2 have sai) to m* /ellA/ishers BThank *ou for the trou(le that *ou are taking /ith me, (ut 2 am to go on m* o/n /a*6 2f 2 fail there /ill (e one consolation AA that 2 /ent on m* o/n /a* an) faile)6 :ut follo/ing *ou, even if 2 succee), 2 /ill al/a*s re&ent: /ho kno/s /hat /oul) have (een the result, /hat /oul) have (een the outcome6 if 2 ha) gone on m* o/n /a*DB 2 have hear) a(out a great )octor, a great surgeon6 ;e ha) (ecome internationall* kno/n, an) /hen he ha) (ecome ol) an) he /as retiring, all his )isci&les, from all over the /orl), gathere) to cele(rate6 The )a* the* cele(rate)6 the* foun) that he looke) a little sa), he /as there (ut not reall*6 +o a )isci&le aske) B<hat is the &ro(lem, sirD <h* )o *ou look so sa)D <h*D 'ou have live) a successful life AA no(o)* can com&ete /ith *ou, *ou are uniGue in *our fiel)E *ou are the to&most man an) no(o)* /ill (e a(le to re&lace *ou for centuries6 'ou have ever*thing to (e ha&&* a(out, an) look at *our )isci&les, *our stu)ents AA the* are s&rea) all over the /orl)6 <h* are *ou sa)DB ?n) he sai) B+eeing all this success, 2 am feeling ver* sa) (ecause 2 never /ante) to (e a )octor, 2 /ante) to (e a )ancer6 .o/ m* /hole life is s&ent, /aste), (ecause )ee& )o/n 2 still re&ent listening to others6 'es, 2 have (ecome successful, (ut that success )oes not satisf* me (ecause it is alien6 2t is as if *ou /ere not hungr* an) some(o)* has force) *ou to eat AA ma*(e ver* nourishing foo), (ut *ou /ill feel nauseous6 'ou /ante) to )rink /ater an) some(o)* has force) *ou to )rink milk AA certainl* (etter than /ater, (ut *ou /ante) to )rink /ater6 'ou /ere feeling thirst* an) the milk has not satisfie) *ou, it has )eceive)6B ?n) 2 can un)erstan) the man6 ;e /as sa), his sa)ness is meaningfulE he /as sa) (ecause no/ this /hole success is nothing (ut a failure6 $ee& )o/n he has faile) AA he has faile) himselfE he )i) not trust his o/n intuition an) he allo/e) others to mani&ulate him6 Look at this ol) man Lin LeiBs statement: B? %;2L$, 'O> .#V#5 L#?5.#$ ;O< TO :#;?V#666B B666 so /hat is there to regretD 2 have live) m* life, 2 have live) m* life in m* o/n /a*6B B? C?., 'O> .#V#5 +T5OV# TO C?7# * O>5 C?576B B?n) 2 have never trie) to make m* mark6 2 /as not am(itious so /hat is there to regretDB ?n am(itious man /ill al/a*s regret6 ?lexan)er )ie) sa), in great frustration, (ecause am(ition (* its ver* nature is unfulfilla(le6 2t is sai), /hen ?lexan)er /as in 2n)ia he /ent to see an astrologer an) he aske) the astrologer a(out his future6 The astrologer looke) at his han) an) sai) BOne thing 2 have to sa* to *ou: *ou /ill (e a(le to /in T;2+ /orl), (ut remem(er there is no other /orl)6 )6n) then *ou /ill (e stuck6 Then /hat /ill *ou )oDB The astrologer must have (een a great /ise man an) it is sai) that listening to this, Bthere is no other /orl)B, ?lexan)er (ecame sa)6 .o/ even this i)ea that BOnce *ou have conGuere) this /orl) /hat are *ou going to )oD There is no other /orl)6666B ?n am(itious min) /ill sim&l* feel stuck AA /hat to )o thenD 10

?n) /hatsoever *ou attain, nothing is attaine) (ecause am(ition goes s&rea)ing on an) on6 Onl* a nonAam(itious &erson can (e ha&&*6 ?n am(itious &erson is (oun) to (e al/a*s frustrate)6 ?m(ition comes out of frustration, out of am(ition comes more frustration, an) it is a vicious circle6 This ol) Caster is sa*ing a great truth6 ;e is sa*ing B? C?.,'O> .#V#5 +T5OV# TO C?7# 'O>5 C?576B B2 /as not /orrie) to succee) in the /orl), to &rove that 2 am some(o)*6 2 /as not intereste) in (ecoming &art of histor*6 2 /as not intereste) in leaving m* mark (ecause that is foolish AA even if *ou get some &lace in histor*, /hat use is itDB 2 have hear) an anec)ote: Coses /as lea)ing his &eo&le out of #g*&t an) then the* came to the sea, an) it /as im&ossi(le to cross6 The &ara(le is a ver* mo)ern &ara(le6 ;e looke) at his &ress agent an) he sai) B<hat )o *ou sa*D 2 have an i)ea6 <hat is *our o&inionD 2 can ask the ocean or @o) to make /a* for us an) the ocean /ill se&arate6B ?n) the &ress agent sai) B2f *ou can )o that, then 2 &romise one thing6 2n the Ol) Testament *ou /ill have t/o &ages6B :ut even if in the Ol) Testament *ou have t/o &ages, or t/ent*, or t/o hun)re), /hat is the meaning of itD ?n) as histor* gro/s (igger, those t/o &ages /ill (ecome smaller an) smaller an) smaller an) one )a* Fust a footnote6 ?n) then /hen histor* /ill (ecome even longer AA an) it is (ecoming longer ever* )a* AA the footnotes /ill also )isa&&ear some/here in the a&&en)ix, an) (* an) (* *ou are gone6 <hen *our life is gone, ho/ long can *our mark on life remainD ?n) /hat is the &oint of it allD @reat is the insight of this ol) Caster: B? C?.,'O> .#V#5 +T5OV# TO C?7# 'O>5 C?576B +o /hat is there to regretD 2f *ou are am(itious *ou /ill regret, (ecause am(ition is never fulfille)6 2f *ou are nonAam(itious *ou are ha&&*, (ecause frustration /ill have no entr* in *ou6 B.O <29# .O5 +O. 2. 'O>5 OL$ ?@#666B ?n) he sa*s B2 have no /ife an) no son, so /hat is there to (e misera(le a(outDB Tr* to un)erstan) his meaning6 ;e sa*s B2 am a(solutel* alone AA no(o)* to )istur( m* aloneness6 C* solitu)e is un&ertur(e)6 2 am alone, free, a(solutel* m* o/n master6 .o(o)* to )rag me here an) there, no famil*, no relations AA /hat is there to (e misera(le a(outDB 5emem(er, /hen *ou are alone, *ou are not aloneE *ou are lonel*, *ou miss the com&an* of the other6 'ou miss the com&an* of the other (ecause *ou have not *et learne) ho/ to (e in *our o/n com&an*6 'ou miss the com&an* of the other (ecause *ou )onBt kno/ ho/ to (e /ith *ourself6 Loneliness is negative: a(sence of the other6 ?loneness is &ositive: &resence of *our o/n (eing6 Loneliness is solitariness, aloneness is solitu)e6 Loneliness is ugl*, aloneness is (eautiful6 ?loneness has a luminosit* in it6 :u))ha is alone, 2 ?C ?LO.#, Lieh Tzu is alone, this ol) man Lin Lei is alone6 <hen *ou are sitting alone *ou are lonel*, *ou are sim&l* missing6 $ee& )o/n *ou are seeking some com&an* AA /here to go, /hat to )o, ho/ to get occu&ie) so that *ou can forget *ourself6 'ou have not *et learne) the /a* to (e /ith *ourself6 'ou have not *et create) a relationshi& /ith *ourself 'ou have not *et fallen in love /ith *ourself6 This man sa*s 11

B.O <29# .O5 +O. 2. 'O>5 OL$ ?@#666B B<hat is there to regretD 2 am alone, like a great &eak of the ;imala*as666 alone6 #ver*thing is (eautiful an) silent an) (lissful6B B?.$ T;# T2C# O9 'O>5 $#?T; 2+ .#?56B $eath, to the Taoist, is Fust returning home, the Fourne* is over6 -ust as *ou go into a foreign lan)6666 9or exam&le, /hen m* sann*asins go (ack the* go into a foreign lan)6 <henever the* can come (ack AA this is their home AA the* are ha&&*6 $eath is coming (ack home, going to the origin, (ack to the source, returning from /here /e came6 +o the ol) man sai) B?.$ T;# T2C# O9 'O>5 $#?T; 2+ .#?56B B+o /hat is there to regretD 2 am sim&l* ha&&*, Fust ha&&*6 #ver*thing is sim&l* fine AA more one cannot ex&ect6B B? %;2L$ 'O> .#V#5 L#?5.#$ ;O< TO :#;?V#E ? C?. 2 'O> .#V#5 +T5OV# TO C?7# 'O>5 C?576 .O <29# .O5 +O. 2. *O>5 OL$ ?@#, ?.$ T;# T2C# O9 'O>5 $#?T; 2+ .#?56B BC?+T#5 <;?T ;?PP2.#++ ;?V# 'O> ;?$ T;?T 'O> +;O>L$ +2.@ ?+ 'O> <?L7 P2%72.@ >P T;# @5?2.+DB :ut the %onfucian )isci&le coul) not un)erstan)6 ;e re&eate) his Guestion again6 ;e misse)6 ;e hear) (ut he ha) not listene) AA it /ent a(ove his hea)6 +uch a great sa*ing, so full of ex&erience6 so utterl* revolutionar*, (ut the %onfucian misse)6 The scholar al/a*s misses the truth6 The &un)it is the man most inca&a(le of listening, his min) is so full of his o/n i)eas6 <hile this tremen)ous sa*ing is (eing uttere), Tzu 7ung must (e thinking a thousan) an) one thoughts in his min)E must (e &re&aring tor more Guestions AA /hat to ask next6 ;e a&&ears to (e listening, (ut he )oes not listen6 BC?+T#5 <;?T ;?PP2.#++ ;?V# 'O> ;?$ T;?T 'O> +;O>L$ +2.@ ?+ 'O> <?L7 P2%72.@ >P T;# @5?2.+DB ?gain the Guestion is meaningful: B<hat ha&&iness have *ou ha)666DB 5emem(er, if there is a cause to ha&&iness, then the cause is (oun) to (e in the &ast6 %auses are al/a*s in the &ast6 2f *ou are ha&&*, the Guestion is B<;?T has ma)e *ou ha&&*DB an) that /hich has ma)e *ou ha&&* has gone into the &ast6 +o a cause) ha&&iness is &astAoriente)6 PastAoriente) means that /hich is no moreE it is fictitious, it is imaginar*, it is illusor*6 The real ha&&iness is &resentAoriente): it is never &astAoriente)6 The real ha&&iness arises ;#5#A.O<, T;2+ V#5L COC#.T, there is no time for it to (e cause)6 2T 2+ %?>+# ?.$ #99#%T TO@#T;#56 Tr* to un)erstan) it6 2f *ou sa* B2 am ha&&* (ecause 2 /as (orn to a rich fatherB AA no/ this is sevent* *ears, a hun)re) *ears (ack6 'our ha&&iness a(out something /hich has &asse) a hun)re) *ears (ack is Fust a figment in *our memor*6 'ou sa* B2 am ha&&* (ecause ten *ears ago 2 /as given the .o(el &rize6B Ten *ears ago *ou /ere given the .o(el &rizeD AA *our ha&&iness is ver* )ust*6 Ten *ears666 so much )ust has accumulate)E it is not fresh, it is stale6 'ou are a ver* &oor man: *ou are eating foo) that /as &re&are) ten *ears ago6 1

The real ha&&iness is hereAno/6 2t has no concern /ith the &ast, it has no concern /ith the future6 +ometimes *ou (ecome ha&&* a(out the future: *ou are ho&ing that *ou are going to /in a lotter*, or *ou are ho&ing that this is going to ha&&en tomorro/ AA *our girl frien) is coming tomorro/ an) *ou are getting excite)6 9or /hatD AA for tomorro/, /hich has not come *etD 'ou are ma)6 #ither *our ha&&iness is &astAoriente) or futureAoriente)E an) (oth are false (ecause neither the &ast is, nor the future is6 The &ast has alrea)* gone out of existence, the future has not entere) *et6 The real, authentic ha&&iness is hereAno/6 2t arises, this moment, out of no/here6 There are not t/o moments together AA that Bs/h* it is uncause) AA (ecause for cause an) effect to exist, at least t/o moments /ill (e nee)e): one to cause it, another to effect it6 :ut onl* this moment AA total, alone, single, is availa(le6 ?gain the enGuirer asks a /rong Guestion: 666 <;?T ;?PP2.#++ ;?V# 'O> ;?$ T;?T 'O> +;?LL +2.@ ?+ 'O> <?L7 P2%72.@ >P T;# @5?2.+DB BT;# 5#?+O.+ 9O5 C' ;?PP2.#++ ?LL C#. +;?5#666B ?gain the ol) man sa*s something (eautiful: B T;# 5#?+O.+ 9O5 C' ;?PP2.#++ ?LL C#. +;?5#666B B2t has nothing to )o /ith meE ever*(o)* has got it, (ut the* )onBt recognise it6 .ot onl* that the* )onBt recognise it, the* seek for that /hich is alrea)* availa(le6 .ot onl* that the* seek it, B666 2.+T#?$, T;#' <O55' OV#5 T;#CB The same reasons, for exam&le these four reasons6666 BT;# 5#?+O.+ 9O5 C' ;?PP2.#++ ?LL C#. +;?5#B +?2$ L2. L#2 +C2L2.@ B:>T 2.+T#?$, T;#' <O55' OV#5 T;#C6B 'ou /orr* a(out *our chil)hoo)666 that *ou /ere not /ell e)ucate) AA /ere not sent to ;arvar) or Oxfor) or %am(ri)ge, that *our &arents /ere &oor, that *ou /ere not (rought u& as /ell as *ou /oul) have like), that *ou /ere not traine)6 that *ou misse) man* o&&ortunities6 'ou are sorr* for it, *ou /orr* a(out it6 This shoul) (e a %?>+# to (e ha&&* AA ever*thing shoul) (e a cause to (e ha&&*, onl* then can a &erson (e ha&&*6 Other/ise the &oor &erson goes on cr*ing an) /ee&ing (ecause he /as &oor, an) the rich &erson also goes on cr*ing an) /ee&ing (ecause he /as rich6 2 have kno/n rich &eo&le AA the* sa* their &arents )estro*e) them (ecause the* /ere allo/e) so much comfort in their chil)hoo) that the* never learne) an*thing6 'ou have seen, *ou must have o(serve), that it is ver* rare to fin) a rich manBs son intelligent, ver* rare6 The* are all stu&i), the* are (oun) to (e, (ecause /hat is the &oint in (ecoming intelligentD <h* (otherD The* alrea)* have all that the* nee)E all that the* can get through intelligence is alrea)* there, so /h* intelligenceD 2n the universities the* fail, ever*/here the* failE the* )onBt care a (it6 <hen 2 /as in the universit*, 2 ha) a stu)ent /ho faile) for five *ears in his :? class6 2 aske) him AA five *ears 2 /aite) AA the sixth *ear, /hen the examinations /ere coming again, 2 sai) B<hat are *our &lansD ?re *ou going to fail againDB ;e sai) B<ho (othersD C* father is rich6 Onl* the &oor (other6B 2f *ou are (orn into a rich famil*, then too *ou are not ha&&*6 2f *ou are (orn into a &oor famil*, of course, ho/ can *ou (e ha&&*D 2f *ou are health* *ou are not ha&&*, (ecause if *ou are health* *ou never think of health as something to (e ha&&* a(out6 ? health* &erson never thinks a(out health6 2f *ou are unhealth*, *ou are unha&&*6 Look at the logic of *our min)6 <hatsoever *ou can fin) to (e misera(le a(out *ou sim&l* Fum& u&on, an) /hatsoever *ou can (e ha&&* a(out *ou sim&l* forget, *ou )onBt take an* note of it6

1,

B666 :>T 2.+T#?$, T;#' <O55' OV#5 T;#C6 2T 2+ :#%?>+# 2 TOO7 .O P?2.+ L#?5.2.@ TO :#;?V# <;#. 2 <?+ 'O>.@666B The ol) man has to re&eat6 ;e has sai) it, (ut seeing that the &erson has not listene), has not un)erstoo) it, he has to re&eat6 LT 2+ :#%?>+# 2 TOO7 .O P?2.+ L#?5.2.@ TO :#;?V# <;#. 2 <?+ 'O>.@, ?.$ .#V#5 +T5OV# TO C?7# C' C?57 <;#. 2 @5#< >P T;?T 2 ;?V# :##. ?:L# TO L2V# +O LO.@6 2T 2+ :#%?>+# 2 ;?V# .O <29# ?.$ +O.+ 2. C' OL$ ?@# ?.$ T;# T2C# O9 C' $#?T; 2+ .#?5 T;?T 2 %?. :# +O ;?PP'6B This *ou /ill fin) in all the Oriental scri&tures again an) again: great re&etition6 The reason is that the truths are such that the Casters have to re&eat them, (ecause sai) once, the* are not un)erstoo)6 :u))ha use) to re&eat ever*thing three times AA even small things6 ;e /oul) ask a )isci&le B;ave *ou hear) meD ;ave *ou hear) meD ;ave *ou hear) meDB Three timesH Out of great com&assion6 <hen the :u))hist scri&tures /ere translate) into <estern languages &eo&le /ere ver* much &uzzle): <h*D <as :u))ha talking to ver* stu&i) &eo&leD <h* )i) he re&eat so muchD .o, the* /ere as intelligent as *ou are, as &eo&le an*/here ever have (een6 2t is not a Guestion of intelligence, it is a Guestion of a/areness6 The* /ere not a/are, the* /ere as una/are as *ou are6 2 have to re&eat continuousl*6 C* e)itors get &uzzle)6 'ou can ask ?nurag, *ou can ask Pratima, the* get &uzzle) /h* 2 re&eat6 The* /oul) like to sort it out6 2 )onBt allo/ them, 2 sa* BLeave it as it is6B :ecause these truths are such that, once, *ou ma* miss, t/ice, 2 ho&e that *ou ma* &a* a little attention, thrice6666 2 have to go on re&eating that is like hammering on *our hea)6 ;o/ long can *ou go on missingD 2t is a /ar (et/een me an) *ou6 The ol) man re&eate) again, (ut again he /as not un)erstoo)6 Tzu 7ung sai) B2T 2+ ;>C?. TO <?.T LO.@ L29#, ?.$ ;?T# $#?T; AA <;' +;O>L$ 'O> :# ;?PP' TO $2#DB The (asic things /ere misse)6 Onl* one thing ha) he taken out of the four AA the last6 :ut the last can (e un)erstoo) onl* if the three &rece)ing it have (een un)erstoo), other/ise not6 2f the first three have (een un)erstoo)6666 B? %;2L$, 'O> .#V#5 L#?5.#$ ;O< TO :#;?V#E ? C?., 'O> .#V#5 +T5OV# TO C?7# 'O>5 C?576 .O <29# .O5 +O. 2. 'O>5 OL$ ?@#, ?.$ T;# T2C# O9 'O>5 $#?T; 2+ .#?56B -ust see: the first (elongs to the chil)hoo), the secon) to *our *outh, the thir) to *our ol) age, then comes )eath6 2t is a ver* natural corollar*, it is a(solutel* logical AA *ou have to (egin from the ver* (eginning6 :ut he ha) forgotten a(out the three6 ;e ha) not listene) to the three, he Fum&e) on the fourth6 ;e must have (een afrai), a man /ho /as afrai) a(out )eath6 That caught his attention6 :ut unless the three are un)erstoo), the fourth /ill (e misse)6 LT 2+ ;>C?. TO <?.T LO.@ L29#, ?.$ ;?T# $#?T; AA <;#' +;O>L$ 'O> ;# ;?PP' TO $2#DB 2t is not human AA ma*(e it is manl*, (ut not human6 'ou have to un)erstan) these t/o /or)s6 2n the )ictionaries the* are s*non*ms, (ut the* are not in realit*6 -ust as 2 tol) *ou BlonelinessB an) BalonenessB are s*non*ms in the )ictionar* (ut not in realit*, so BmanB an) BhumanB are t/o )ifferent things6 BCanB is a static conce&t like B)ogB, like B(uffaloB, like B)onke*B6 BCanB is a static conce&t, Fust the name of a certain s&ecies, one of the s&ecies6 One s&ecies is of monke*s, 1"

another of (uffaloes, one is of man6 ;ave *ou /atche)D 9or man /e have t/o terms, BmanB an) BhumanB6 9or )ogs *ou have onl* one term: B)ogsB, for (uffaloes onl* one: B(uffaloesB, for )onke*s: B)onke*sB6 <h*D <h* this BhumanBD 2t has a significance: BmanB sim&l* means a (iological s&eciesE BhumanB has nothing to )o /ith (iolog*6 B;umanB is a gro/ing conce&t, an o&en conce&tE BmanB is a close) conce&t, BmanB means *ou are a (eing6 B;umanB means *ou are a &rocess, *ou are going, *ou are a Fourne*, *ou are a &ilgrimage, *ou are ongoing, *ou are a Bgoing (e*on)B6 9rie)rich .ietzsche has sai): The greatest thing that 2 love in man is that he is not the goal (ut the (ri)ge6 The most that 2 love in man is that he is an ongoing &rocessE not an en) (ut a means, a Fourne*6 B;umanB means the (ri)ge AA a (ri)ge (et/een man an) @o)6 BCanB means Fust man, there is no o&ening in it6 The /or) BhumanB is o&en, it goes (e*on) man6 B;umanB is a (ri)ge, BhumanB is a Fourne*, a &ilgrimage AA one is going some/here, one is seeking something, one is tr*ing to (ecome something6 BCanB is static, BhumanB is )*namic6 BCanB is like a thing6 B;umanB is a &rocess, riverAlike, flo/ing, reaching to the (e*on), gro&ing in the )ark6 BCanB is sitting, not going an*/here, cri&&le), )ea), like a grave6 B;umanB is a river, not kno/ing /here the ocean is (ut tr*ing har) to reach6 5emem(er this, BmanB is afrai) of )eath6 B;umanBD .o, it is not human to (e afrai) of )eath6 ? &erson /ho is on a &ilgrimage AA he is rea)* to )ie if that is nee)e) to go onE he is rea)* to go (e*on), he is rea)* to use the )oor of )eath to &ass (e*on)6 The man sai) B2T 2+ ;>C?. TO <?.T ? LO.@ L29#666B .o, it is not human to /ant long life6 'es, it is relevant as far as the conce&t of BmanB is concerne)6 $ogs are afrai) of )eath, (uffaloes are afrai) of )eath, )onke*s are afrai) of )eath AA so is man6 :ut to (e human, one is so thrille) /ith the &ossi(ilit* AA one /ants to kno/ /hat )eath is6 ?s one has live) oneBs life, one starts feeling B.o/ 2 have kno/n /hat life is, 2 /oul) like to kno/ /hat )eath is6 Life has (een kno/n, it /as (eautiful6 .o/ let us see /hat )eath is, let it (e another a)venture6B +ocrates /as human /hen he /as )*ing, /hen he /as (eing given the &oison6 ;is )isci&les /ere cr*ing an) /ee&ing, an) he sai) B+to&H 'ou can )o it /hen 2 am gone, (ut not no/6 This is /astage, sheer /astage6 +uch a great thing is ha&&ening, 2 am )*ing an) *ou are cr*ingHB ?n) the* sai) BCaster, *ou are )*ing, are *ou not afrai)DB ;e sai) B9or /hatD 2 have live) m* life, 2 love) it, it /as (eautiful6 2 have kno/n it, (ut there is no nee) to go on re&eating it for ever an) ever6 .o/ something ne/ AA )eath is so ne/6 2 am enchante), 2 am thrille), the a)venture is so greatB sai) +ocrates6 B2 /oul) like to see /hat )eath is no/6B One of the )isci&les, %rito, sai) B:ut Caster, ever*(o)* is afrai) of )eath6B +ocrates sai) B2 )onBt kno/6 2 )onBt un)erstan) /h* &eo&le are afrai) of )eath6 2f the atheists are right that one )ies utterl* an) nothing is left, then there is nothing to (e feare) AA +ocrates /ill not (e there so /h* (e afrai)D 2 /as not there (efore 2 /as (orn an) 2 )onBt feel an* fear a(out it6B ;ave *ou ever felt an* fear that *ou /ere not (efore *ou /ere (ornD $oes an* fear gri& *ouD .othing6 'ou /ill sa* B.onsense, (ecause then 2 /as not, so /hat is the &oint of (eing afrai)DB ?n) +ocrates sai) B2 /ill again (e )isa&&earing if the atheists are right, so then /hat is the fearD There /ill (e no(o)* to (e afrai)6 Or ma*(e the theists are true an) 2 /ill (e there6 2f 2 am going to (e there, then /h* (e afrai)DB .o/ this is a man /ho has live) a )*namic life, a life of gro/th, evolution6 2f *ou have live) a life of evolution, then )eath comes as a revolution, a su))en change to some unkno/n realit*6 <h* shoul) one (e afrai)D .o, BhumanB AA it is not human6 10

:ut all men are not human (eings, remem(er6 Ver* rarel*666 some/here a +ocrates, a Lieh Tzu, a :u))ha AA these are human (eings6 Or)inaril* there are men an) /omen, (ut not human (eings6 To (ecome a human (eing means to (ecome a &rocess, to (ecome an enGuir*, to (ecome a &assion for the im&ossi(le666 a seeker, a seeker of truth6 +ai) the ol) man B$#?T; 2+ ? 5#T>5. TO <;#5# <# +#T O>T 95OC <;#. <# <#5# :O5.6 +O ;O< $O 2 7.O< T;?T <;#. 2 $2# ;#5# 2 +;?LL .OT :# :O5. +OC#<;#5# #L+#DB The same +ocratic attitu)e: B+O ;O< $O 2 7.O< T;?T <;#. 2 $2# ;#5# 2 +;?LL .OT :# :O5. +OC#<;#5# #L+#D ;O< $O 2 7.O< T;?T L29# ?.$ $#?T; ?5# .OT ?+ @OO$ ?+ #?%; OT;#5D ;O< $O 2 7.O< T;?T 2T 2+ .OT ? $#L>+2O. TO %5?V# ?.J2O>+L' 9O5 L29#D ;O< $O 2 7.O< T;?T P5#+#.T $#?T; <O>L$ .OT ;# :#TT#5 T;?. C' P?+T L29#DB B;O< $O 2 7.O<666DB +ee the insistence6 ;e is not sa*ing B2 kno/B, he is not claiming an* kno/le)ge6 .o /ise man has ever claime) an* kno/le)ge6 ThatBs /h* +ocrates sa*s BCa*(e the atheists are true, ma*(e the theists are true, (ut that )oesnBt matter6 Let an* of them (e true, 2 remain un&ertur(e)6B The /is)om, the real /is)om is al/a*s agnostic6 5emem(er this /or) BagnosticB6 ? real seeker is agnostic6 ;e never claims B2 kno/B, an) he never sa*s BThis is the truthB6 ;e is ver* o&en, he is not close)6 ;e has no )ogma, he has no cree), he is sim&l* conscious an) a/are, an) is rea)* to face an* realit* /hatsoever6 <hatsoever realit* comes to (e reveale), he is rea)* to go into it6 ;e trusts life6 Peo&le /ho )onBt trust life the* create (eliefs, )ogmas, theories, to &rotect themselves6 The real /ise man is vulnera(leE he )oes not &rotect6 ;e is o&en to rains6 to /in)s, to the sun, to the moon, to life, to )eath, to )arkness, to light AA he is o&en to all6 ;e has no &rotectionE his vulnera(ilit* is total6 5emem(er this manBs agnosticism6 ? hun)re)A*earAol) man starts feeling afrai) of )eath6 One starts thinking BThe soul must (e immortal6B One starts imagining B.o/ 2 /ill (e receive) in &ara)ise /ith great fanfare6 @o) must (e /aiting, an) a great mar(le &alace must (e rea)* for me6B One starts imagining things, one starts )reaming6 :ut this man sa*s B;o/ )o 2 kno/DB ;e )oes not claim an* kno/le)ge6 ;e sim&l* sa*s B2 )onBt kno/ this /a* or that /a*6 2 am a(solutel* ignorant, 2 have not taste) )eath *et, so ho/ )o 2 kno/D Let me kno/H <h* shoul) 2 (e afrai) from the ver* (eginningD 2t ma* turn out to (e (etter than life, /ho kno/sDB Let it ha&&en6 5emem(er, the real un)erstan)ing is al/a*s /aiting for the moment to ha&&en6 2t never )eci)es (eforehan), it never &lans (eforehan) AA it is s&ontaneous6 Tzu 7ung listene), (ut )i) not un)erstan) his meaning6 ;e returne) an) tol) %onfucius6 ;e coul) not un)erstan) (ecause he /as a great scholar, the chief )isci&le of %onfucius6 ;e /as alrea)* stuffe) /ith kno/le)ge, he coul) not un)erstan)6 ;e re&orte) to %onfucius, his master, an) /hat )oes %onfucius sa*D Listen: B2 7.#< ;# <O>L$ :# <O5T; T?L72.@ TO666B The man of kno/le)ge al/a*s goes on claiming6 .o/ he sa*s 2 7.#< ;# <O>L$ :# <O5T; T?L72.@ TO666 ?.$ +O ;# 2+666B

11

;e is tr*ing to sa* to his )isci&les B2 am &rove) right, m* inference /as vali): this man is /orth talking to6B :ut he cannot acce&t /hat the man has sai)E that is (e*on) him also6 2t is (e*on) his )isci&le, an) it is (e*on) him also6 ;e sa*s B666 :>T ;# 2+ ? C?. <;O ;?+ 9O>.$ 2T, '#T .OT 9O>.$ ?LL O9 2T6B 666 ;# 2+ ? C?. <;O ;?+ 9O>.$ 2T, '#T .OT 9O>.$ ?LL O9 2T6B .o/ this is a(sur)6 Truth cannot (e )ivi)e) AA either *ou have foun) it, the /hole of it, or *ou )onBt have it at all6 2t is im&ossi(le to have a little (it of truth6 2t cannot (e fragmente), it cannot (e cut into slices6 Truth is total, truth is /hole AA either *ou have it or *ou )onBt have it6 2t is not &ossi(le to have a little of truth6 2t is not &ossi(le to have a little of @o): it is im&ossi(le, the ver* thing is a(sur)6 :ut /hen *ou come to an ex&ert he has to sa* something to &rove that he kno/s6 %onfucius sa*s that this man has foun) it6 ;e sa*s it (ecause he ha) sent the )isci&le, no/ he has to &rove it AA that he /as right6 :ut he cannot conce)e that he kno/s6 so he sa*s B;e kno/s a little (it, (ut not all of it6B This ha&&ens6 ? man of kno/le)ge al/a*s goes on &rotecting his ego6 This statement is as a(sur) as a statement can (e6 'ou ask a :u))ha, *ou ask Lao Tzu6 *ou ask -esus, *ou ask 7rishna an) the* /ill all sa*: Truth cannot (e )ivi)e)6 2t is not a thing that *ou can )ivi)e6 2t is an ex&erience AA /hen it ha&&ens, it ha&&ens6 <hen it ha&&ens, it ha&&ens totall*6 'ou )isa&&ear into that ex&erience6 :ut %onfucius sa*s B;e has foun)6 (ut not all of it6B This ver* statement sho/s the ignorance, (ut the ex&ert al/a*s has to &rotect his ex&ertise6 2 have hear) a (eautiful anec)ote6 Listen to it carefull*6 The (o* /as running aroun) /ith too man* /omen so the ol) man )eci)e) to sen) him to the lea)ing &s*chiatrists6 2t /as a long )ra/nAout anal*sis an) the (ill /as ver* high, (ut he felt it /as /orth it if a cure /as reache)6 9inall*, /hen the son returne)6 he )eman)e) to kno/ /hat ha) (een covere) in the treatment6 B$i) *ou tell the )octors ho/ /e caught *ou /ith the mai) /hen *ou /ere tenDB The son no))e)6 B$i) *ou tell them /e coul)nBt kee& a cook for the last ten *ears (ecause of *ouD T/ent*A three cooks /e ran throughHB The son no))e)6 B$i) *ou tell them a(out the five mo)els from the &lace, the thirt*Athree girls in college an) /hat ha&&ene) /ith the su&erinten)entBs /ifeDB ?gain the son no))e)6 B+o tell me, /hat )i) the* sa*DB BThe* sai) 2 have homosexual ten)enciesB sai) the son6 BThe* sai) 2 have homosexual ten)enciesBH #x&erts have to sa* something, the* have to sho/ their ex&ertise6 .o/ if this man has homosexual ten)encies then no(o)* can have heterosexual ten)encies AA im&ossi(leH :ut the ex&erts have to fin) something, the* have to sa* something, ho/soever utterl* a(sur)6 %onfucius sa*s BThis man has foun) it, *et not foun) all of it6B ThatBs all the comment that he makes, an) this ol) man has s&oken such a &rofoun) &hiloso&h* in these four sentences: B? %;2L$, 'O> .#V#5 L#?5.#$ ;O< TO :#;?V#, ? C?., 'O> .#V#5 +T5OV# TO C?7# 'O>5 C?576 .O <29# .O5 +O. 2. 'O>5 OL$ ?@#, ?.$ T;# T2C# O9 'O>5 $#?T; 2+ .#?56B B666 <hat is there to regretDB ?n), 1!

BT;# 5#?+O.+ 9O5 C' ;?PP2.#++ ?LL C#. +;?5#666B :ecause ha&&iness is not something that *ou have to achieve, it is alrea)* there, it is inA (uilt, it is *our ver* nature6 ?ll men can (e ha&&* onl* if the* sto& 92.$2.@ %?>+#+ to (e ha&&*, one has Fust to (e ha&&* for no reason at all6 ?n) he has given the /hole message of Tao in these four sentences6 :e anarchic6 :e authenticall* true to *our o/n (eing6 Listen onl* to *ourself6 $onBt allo/ an*(o)* to )isci&line *ou6 $onBt allo/ an*(o)* to make a slave of *ou6 $onBt allo/ an*(o)* to con)ition *ou6 The &riest an) the &olitician AA avoi) them, avoi) the )oAgoo)ers6 5emem(er that *ou have to (e Fust *ourself an) no(o)* else6 This anarch*, this chaotic free)om6666 ?n) )onBt (e am(itious, (ecause that is Fust me)iocre6 -ust live *our life as totall* as &ossi(le6 $onBt tr* to make a mark on the histor* &ages AA that is meaningless6 ?n) )onBt al/a*s (e concerne) /ith others6 :* an) (* learn ho/ to (e alone, enFo* solitu)e thatBs /hat me)itation is all a(out6 ?n) finall*, remem(er that )eath is not a )eath, it is a ne/ (eginning6 ?n), /ho kno/sD ma*(e it lea)s *ou into a higher life6 2f the cosmos has a rh*thm in it, it must (e so6 2t must (e lea)ing *ou into a higher life6 'ou have learne) so much, *ou have (ecome more /orth*, naturall* )eath must lea) *ou to a higher &lane of (eing6 That seems to (e sim&le: a man /ho has live), love), ex&erience), me)itate), /ho has gone through so man* things in life, has (ecome e more /orth* AA he has to (e given a higher life6 2f this existence has an* com&assion, then )eath is going to (e a higher &lenitu)e, a higher &eak6 <ait /ith thrill, /ith great a)venture6 <ait /ith tremen)ous Fo*, )elight an) cele(ration6 ;a&&iness is ver* natural: one shoul) not seek it, one shoul) sim&l* enFo* it6 +uch a great message, an) /hat )i) %onfucius sa*D That this man ha) foun) it, *et not foun) all of itB AA as if %onfucius ha) foun) all of it6 These &ara(les are ver* su(tle6 The* are a great shattering of the %onfucian i)eal, (ut their /a* is ver* &olite6 2f *ou )onBt go )ee& *ou ma* never un)erstan)6 Ce)itate over these &ara(lesE the* have great messages AA )eco)e them6 'our life /ill (e tremen)ousl* enriche) through them6

88888 %ha&ter 1 : 2 am a cross to *ou 88888 11 9e(ruar* 14!! am in :u))ha ;all Iuestion 1 2 +## T;# +<?C2+ #?T +O <#LL ?.$ +O O9T#., ?.$ ;?V#.BT ;#?5$ 'O> C#.T2O. ?.'T;2.@ ?:O>T T;2+ $2#T6 2T 2+ +?2$ 9OO$ I>2%7#.+ T;# +P#5C ?.$ 2+ ? +2. TO #?T 9O5 T;# TO.@>#6 2T +;O>L$ 925+T :# O99#5#$ TO T;# @O$+ #T%6 The first thing: 2 am not a (eliever in fasting, 2 (elieve in feasting6 C* /hole a&&roach is that of cele(ration6 2 am not against *our &leasures AA the* are not all, one shoul) go (e*on) them, (ut in themselves the* are (eautiful6 ? man shoul) not )en* an*thing, (ecause the )enie) &art /ill take revenge6 The moment *ou start )en*ing *ou go against Tao6 Tao is to (e natural: a feast an) not a fast6 ? fast can (e use) onl* /hen it comes naturall*6 +ometimes animals fast6 +ometimes *ou ma* have o(serve) *our )og fasting: *ou &ut the foo) )o/n an) he /ill not eat6 :ut he is not a -ain, he is not a (eliever in fastingE he )oes not feel like eating6 2t is not a Guestion of &rinci&le, it is not a &hiloso&h* AA he is ill, his /hole (eing is against eating AA rather than eat, he /oul) like to vomit6 ;e /ill go an) eat grass an) vomit6 ;e /oul) like to relieve himself, his stomach is not in a con)ition to )igest an* more6 :ut he is not a faster6 2t is natural6 13

+o, if sometimes *ou feel that the fast comes naturall* AA not as a la/, not as a &rinci&le, not as a &hiloso&h* to (e follo/e), as a )isci&line to (e im&ose), (ut out of *our natural feel for it AA goo)6 Then, too, remem(er al/a*s that *our fast is in the service of feasting, so that *ou can eat /ell again6 The &ur&ose of fasting is as a means, never as an en)E an) that /ill ha&&en rarel*, once in a /hile6 ?n) if *ou are &erfectl* a/are /hile *ou are eating, an) enFo*ing it, *ou /ill never eat too much6 C* insistence is not on )ieting (ut on a/areness6 #at /ell, enFo* it tremen)ousl*6 5emem(er, the rule is: if *ou )onBt enFo* *our foo) *ou /ill have to eat more to com&ensate6 2f *ou enFo* *our foo) *ou /ill eat less, there /ill (e no nee) to com&ensate6 2f *ou eat slo/l*, tasting ever* (it of it, che/ing /ell, *ou are com&letel* a(sor(e) into it6 #ating shoul) (e a me)itation6 2 am not against taste (ecause 2 am not against the senses6 To (e sensitive is to (e intelligent, to (e sensitive is to (e alive6 'our soAcalle)BreligionsB have trie) to )eAsensitise *ou, to make *ou )ull6 The* are against taste, the* /oul) like *ou to make *our tongue a(solutel* )ull so *ou )onBt taste an*thing6 :ut that is not a state of healthE the tongue (ecomes )ull onl* in illness6 <hen *ou have a fever6 the tongue (ecomes )ull6 <hen *ou are health* the tongue is sensitiveE alive, thro((ing, &ulsates /ith energ*6 2 am not against taste, 2 am for taste6 #at /ell, taste /ellE the taste is )ivine6 ?n) so, exactl* like taste, *ou have to look at (eaut* an) enFo*E *ou have to listen to music an) enFo*E *ou have to touch the rocks an) leaves an) human (eings AA the /armth, the texture AA an) enFo*6 >se all *our senses, use them at their o&timum, then *ou /ill reall* live an) *our life /ill (e aflameE it /ill not (e )ull, it /ill (e aflame /ith energ* an) vitalit*6 2 am not for those &eo&le /ho have (een teaching *ou to kill *our sensesE the* are against the (o)*6 ?n) remem(er, the (o)* is *our tem&le, the (o)* is a )ivine gift6 2t is so )elicate an) it is so (eautiful an) it is so /on)erful AA to kill it is to (e ungrateful to @o)6 @o) has given *ou tasteE *ou have not create) it, it is not an*thing to )o /ith *ou6 @o) has given *ou e*es an) @o) has ma)e this &s*che)elic /orl) so colourful, an) he has given *ou e*es6 Let there (e a great communion (et/een the e*e an) the colour of the /orl)6 ?n) he has ma)e ever*thing an) there is a tremen)ous harmon*6 $onBt (reak this harmon*6 These soAcalle) C?;?TC?+ are Fust on egoAtri&s, an) the (est /a* to feel that *ou are great is to (e against the (o)*6 %hil)ren )o it6 The chil) feels that the motion is comingE he hol)s it, he feels &o/erful (ecause he feels his /ill: he /ill not *iel) to the (o)*6 ;is (la))er is full an) he hol)s it6 ;e /ants to sho/ the (o)*B2Bm not *our servant, 2Bm *our master6B :ut these are )estructive ha(its6 Listen to the (o)*6 The (o)* is not *our enem*, an) /hen the (o)* is sa*ing something, )o accor)ingl*, (ecause the (o)* has a /is)om of its o/n6 $onBt )istur( it, )onBt go on a min)Atri&6 ThatBs /h* 2 )onBt teach *ou an* )ieting, 2 teach *ou onl* a/areness6 #at /ith full a/areness, eat me)itativel*, an) then *ou /ill never eat more an) *ou /ill never eat less6 Core is as (a) as less6 Too much eating is (a)6 Fust like too much fastingE these are extremes6 .ature /ants *ou to (e (alance), to (e in a sort of eGuili(rium, to (e in the mi))le, neither less nor more6 $onBt go to the extreme6 To go to the extreme is to (e neurotic6 +o there are t/o t*&es of neurotics a(out foo): those /ho go on eating, not listening to the (o)* AA the (o)* goes on cr*ing an) screamingB+to&HB an) the* go on6 These are neurotic &eo&le6 ?n) then there is the other variet*: the (o)* goes on screamingB2 am hungr*HB an) the* are on a fast6 .either is religious, (oth are neurotic, (oth are &athological AA the* nee) treatment, the* nee) to (e hos&italise)6 :ecause a religious &erson is one /ho is (alance): in /hatsoever he is )oing, he is al/a*s in the mi))le6 ;e never goes to the extreme (ecause all extremes /ill create tensions, anxieties6 <hen *ou eat too much there is anxiet* (ecause the (o)* is (ur)ene)6 <hen *ou )onBt eat enough then there is anxiet* (ecause the (o)* is hungr*6 ? religious &erson is one /ho kno/s /here to sto&E an) that shoul) come out of *our a/areness, not out of a certain teaching6 14

2f 2 tell *ou ho/ much to eat, that is going to (e )angerous (ecause that /ill (e Fust an average6 +ome(o)* is ver* thin an) some(o)* is ver* fat, an) if 2 tell *ou ho/ much to eat AA Bthree cha&atisB AA then for some(o)* it ma* (e too much an) for some(o)* it ma* (e nothing6 +o 2 )onBt teach rigi) rules, 2 sim&l* give *ou a sense of a/areness6 Listen to *our (o)*: *ou have a )ifferent (o)*6 ?n) then there are )ifferent t*&es of energies, )ifferent t*&es of involvement6 +ome(o)* is a &rofessor in a universit*E he )oes not exert much energ* as far as his (o)* is concerne)6 ;e /ill not nee) much foo), an) he /ill nee) a )ifferent kin) of foo)6 +ome(o)* is a la(ourerE he /ill nee) much foo), an) a )ifferent kin) of foo)6 .o/ a rigi) &rinci&le is going to (e )angerous6 .o rule can (e given as a universal rule6 @eorge :ernar) +ha/ has sai) that there is onl* one gol)en rule, that there are no gol)en rules6 5emem(er it, there is no gol)en rule AA there cannot (e, (ecause each in)ivi)ual is so uniGue that no(o)* can &rescri(e6 +o 2 sim&l* give *ou a sense6666 ?n) m* sense is not of &rinci&les, of la/sE m* a&&roach is of a/areness, (ecause to)a* *ou ma* nee) more foo) an) tomorro/ *ou ma* not nee) that much foo)6 2t is not onl* a Guestion of *ou (eing )ifferent from others AA ever* )a* of *our life is )ifferent from ever* other )a*6 The /hole )a* *ou have reste), *ou ma* not nee) much foo)6 The /hole )a* *ou have (een in the gar)en )igging the hole, *ou ma* nee) much foo)6 One shoul) (e Fust alert an) one shoul) (e ca&a(le of listening to /hat the (o)* is sa*ing6 @o accor)ing to the (o)*6 .either is the (o)* the master, nor is the (o)* the slaveE the (o)* is *our frien) AA (efrien) *our (o)*6 The one /ho goes on eating too much an) the one /ho goes on )ieting are (oth in the same tra&6 The* are (oth )eafE the* )onBt listen to /hat the (o)* is sa*ing6 ?n) then *ou sa*B2t is sai) foo) Guickens the s&erm an) is a sin to eat for the tongue6 2t shoul) first (e offere) to the go)s etc6B ;ave *ou some antagonism to/ar) the go)sD 2f *ou offer foo)6666 +o man* &eo&le offering foo) it /ill Guicken their s&ermH ;ave *ou some enmit* to/ar) the go)sD ?n) it /ill hel& them to fall into sinH :e kin)6 Leave the go)s alone6 2n fact, /hen *ou eat res&ectfull*, lovingl*, me)itativel*, the foo) is offere) to @o) (ecause @o) is /ithin *ou6 ?ll foo) is offere) to the @o) /ithin6 -ust (e res&ectful6 #at /ith feeling, eat /ith gratitu)e6 The foo) gives *ou life, it is going to vitalise *ou, it /ill (ecome *our (loo), *our (ones6 9eel grateful AA /ithout it *ou /ill not (e alive, feel thankful6 ?n) if *ou are eating silentl*, me)itativel* an) *our min) is not rushing here an) there, *ou are totall* there, *our attention is &erfect, this is offering6 'ou have offere) the foo) to @o) (ecause *ou are nothing (ut @o)Bs han), his instrument6 <here are *ou going to offer the foo)D @o) himself is eating through *ou, so )onBt overfee) @o) other/ise he feels a (ell* ache, )onBt starve @o) other/ise he feels hungr*6 ?n) these things are nonsense, that itBis a sin to eat for the tongueB6 Then for /hat /ill *ou eatD Then it is a sin to see for the e*e, for /hat /ill *ou seeD Then it is a sin to hear for the ear, then for /hat /ill *ou hearD Then there is nothing left for *ou AA commit suici)e, (ecause the /hole of life is of the senses6 <hatsoever *ou )o, the senses come in6 2t is through the senses that *ou flo/ an) relate /ith life6 <hen *ou eat /ith taste, @o) insi)e is fulfille), satisfie)E an) /hen *ou eat /ith taste, the @o) /ithin foo) is res&ecte)6 :ut *our C?;?TC?+, *our soAcalle)Breligious gurusB, the* have (een teaching *ou selfA torture6 2n the name of religion the* have (een sim&l* teaching *ou nothing (ut masochism:BTorture *ourself6 The more *ou torture, the more valua(le *ou (ecome in the e*es of @o)6 The more unha&&* *ou are, the more virtue *ou have6 2f *ou are ha&&*, *ou commit sin6 ;a&&iness is sinE to (e unha&&* is to (e virtuous6B This is their logic6 2 cannot see the &oint, it is so a(sur), so illogical, so &atentl* foolish6 @o) is ha&&*, so if *ou /ant to (e in tune /ith @o) (e ha&&*6 This is m* teaching: @o) is ha&&*, so if *ou /ant to (e in tune /ith @o) (e ha&&*, (ecause /henever *ou are ha&&*, *ou fall in ste& /ith @o)E /henever *ou are unha&&*, *ou are out of ste&6 ? misera(le man cannot (e a religious man6 +o if *ou ask me /hat is sin AA there is onl* one sin: to (e misera(le is to (e a sinner6 To (e ha&&*, tremen)ousl* ha&&*, is to (e a saint6 Let *our religion teach *ou ho/ to sing an) ho/ to )ance an) ho/ to )elight in life6 Let *our religion (e an affirmative religion, a *eaAsa*ing !0

religion, a religion of ha&&iness, Fo*, (liss6 Thro/ all the nonsense that *ou have (een carr*ing for centuries AA that has cri&&le) the /hole of humanit*6 2t has ma)e &eo&le so ugl* an) so unha&&* an) so misera(le6 ?n) it a&&eals onl* to the &athological AA those /ho /ant to torture themselvesE it gives them an excuse6 To torture oneself or to torture others, (oth are )iseases AA the ver* i)ea to torture6 +ome(o)* is an ?)olf ;itler, he tortures othersE some(o)* is a Cahatma @an)hi, he tortures himself6 :oth are in the same (oat AA ma*(e stan)ing (ack to (ack, (ut stan)ing in the same (oat6 ?)olf ;itlerBs Fo* is in torturing others, Cahatma @an)hiBs Fo* is in torturing himself, (ut (oth are violent6 The logic is the same AA their Fo* )e&en)s on torture6 Their )irection is )ifferent, (ut the )irection is not the Guestion, their min) has the same attitu)e: torture6 'ou res&ect a &erson /ho tortures himself (ecause *ou )onBt un)erstan) the logic of it6 ?)olf ;itler is con)emne) all over the /orl) an) @an)hi is /orshi&&e) all over the /orl), an) 2 am sim&l* &uzzle)6 ;o/ is it &ossi(leD AA (ecause the logic is the same6 @an)hi sa*sB$onBt eat an*thing for taste6 Taste shoul) not (e allo/e)6 #at as a )ut*, not as a Fo*6 #at (ecause one has to live, thatBs all6B ;e re)uces the Fo* of eating to the or)inar* /orl) of /ork:B$onBt eat as &la*6B 5emem(er, animals eat that /a*6 The* eat Fust to eat, Fust to exist, to survive6 ;ave *ou seen animals enFo*ing foo)D .ot at all6 The* )onBt have feasts an) &arties, an) the* )onBt sing an) )ance6 Onl* man has ma)e eating a great feast6 ?n) the attitu)e is the same a(out other things6 @an)hi sa*sBCake love onl* if *ou /ant a chil), other/ise never6 Let love (e onl* (iological6 #ating shoul) (e onl* to survive an) love shoul) (e so that the race survives6 .ever make love as tun6B ThatBs /hat animals )o6 ;ave *ou looke) at a )og making loveD Look in his face, *ou /ill not fin) an* fun666 a sort of )ut*6 ;e has to )o it, something is enforce) from /ithin AA the (iological urge6 ?n) the moment he has ma)e love, he forgets the (elove), he goes on his o/n /a*, he never sa*s even aBthank *ouB6 9inishe), the Fo( is )oneH Onl* man loves tor fun6 That is /here humanit* is higher than animals AA onl* man loves for funE Fust for the Fo* of it, Fust for the (eaut* of it, Fust for the music an) the &oetr* of it6 ThatBs /h* 2 sa* the &ill is one of the greatest revolutions in the /orl) (ecause it has com&letel* change) the /hole conce&t of love6 .o/ one can love onl* for Fo*6 There is no nee) to (e un)er the (iological slaver*, there is no nee) to make love onl* /hen *ou /ant a chil)6 .o/ sex an) love are com&letel* se&arate)6 The &ill has ma)e the greatest revolution: no/ sex is sex an) love is love6 +ex is /hen it is (iologicalE love is /hen it is sim&l* a (eautiful music of t/o (o)ies meeting, engulfing each other, )isa&&earing into each other, losing into each other, falling into a totall* ne/ )imension of rh*thm, harmon*666 an orgasmic ex&erience6 .o &ro(lem of the chil)ren, no (iological &ushA&ull, nothing6 .o/ the act in itself is (eautiful, no more a means to/ar)s an* en) AA that is the )ifference6 <ork is /hen it is a means to some en)6 Pla* is /hen the en) an) the means are together6 Pla* is /hen the means itself is the en) AA there is no other en) to it6 #at for the Fo* of it, then *ou are man, human, a higher (eing6 Love for the Fo* of love, then *ou are man, a higher (eing6 Listen for the Fo* of listening an) *ou /ill (e free) from the confinement of instincts6 2 am not against ha&&iness, 2 am all for it6 2 am a he)onist, an) this is m* un)erstan)ing: that all the great s&iritual &eo&le of the /orl) have al/a*s (een he)onists6 2f some(o)* is not a he)onist an) &reten)s to (e a s&iritual &erson, he is not AA then he is a &s*cho&ath6 :ecause ha&&iness is the ver* goal, the ver* source, the ver* en) of all things6 @o) is seeking ha&&iness through *ou, in millions of forms6 ?llo/ him all the ha&&iness that is &ossi(le an) hel& him to go to higher &eaks, higher reaches, of ha&&iness6 Then *ou are religious, an) then *our tem&les /ill (ecome &laces of cele(ration an) *our churches /ill not (e so sa) an) ugl*, so som(re, so )ea), like grave*ar)s6 Then there /ill (e laughter an) there /ill (e song an) there /ill (e )ance an) there /ill (e great reFoicing6

!1

5eligion has suffere) ver* much (ecause of these &eo&le /ho have (een teaching selfA torture6 5eligion has to (e free) from all this nonsense6 @reat ru((ish has (ecome attache) to religion6 The essential religion is nothing (ut Fo*6 +o /hatsoever gives *ou Fo* is virtuousE /hatsoever makes *ou sa), unha&&*, misera(le is a sin6 Let that (e the criterion6 ?n) 2 )onBt give *ou rigi) rules (ecause 2 kno/ ho/ the human min) functions6 Once a rigi) rule is given, *ou forget a/areness an) *ou start follo/ing the rigi) rule6 ? rigi) rule is not the Guestion AA *ou can follo/ the rule an) *ou /ill never gro/6 Listen to a fe/ anec)otes: :enn* arrive) home to fin) the kitchen a mess of (roken crocker*6 B<hat ha&&ene)DB he aske) his /ife6 BThereBs something /rong /ith this cook(ookB she ex&laine)6B2t sa*s that an ol) cu& /ithout a han)le /ill )o for the measuring AA an) itBs taken me eleven tries to get a han)le off /ithout (reaking the cu&6B .o/ if the cook(ook sa*s that, it has to (e )one6 ;uman min) is foolish AA remem(er it6 Once *ou have a rigi) rule, *ou follo/ it6 The mo( /as meeting the (ig gu*, an) /hat the (ig gu* sai), /ent6 The (uzzer rang an) the servant /ent over to ans/er the )oor6 ;e &eeke) through the slot in the frame, an), recognising the visitor, allo/e) the &anel to s/ing (ack6 BLeave *our um(rella at the )oorB the servant tol) the visitor6 B2 ainBt got oneB ans/ere) the visitor6 BThen get (ack home an) get one6 The (oss tol) me ever*one must leave their um(rella at the )oor6 Other/ise 2 am not going to allo/ *ou in6B ? rule is a rule6 One of m* frien)s is a &rofessor at the >niversit* of %alcutta, a ver* reno/ne) scientist6 ;e /ent to 5angoon Fust to gather a s&ecimen of the urine of a certain &erson6 The )isease ha&&ens ver* rarel* an) the urine changes its com&osition altogether, so he rushe) to 5angoon6 ;e /ante) to stu)* it AA he /as /orking on, he /as researching, that &articular )isease6 ;e got the urine6 ;e /as ver* ha&&* (ecause the illness ha&&ens ver* rarel*, once in a /hile6 :ut /hen he came to %alcutta ?ir&ort he /as &revente) (* the authorities6 The* looke) into their files AA there /as no &rovision to im&ort urine6 +o the* sai) B'ou /ill have to leave it6 <e /ill have to enGuire6B :ut he sai) BThis is nonsenseHB BThis is all /e can )o6 'ou can look in the file no(o)* has ever im&orte) urine an) the government has no i)ea a(out it this is something ne/H <e /ill have to ask $elhi6B ?n) as things go6666 +o the urine /as not allo/e)E it remaine) /ith the air&ort authorities6 ?n) the &rofessor /as cr*ing, an) he sai) BThis /ill (e )estro*e) /ithin fort*Aeight hours an) it /ill (e of no use6 2 nee) it right no/6B B:utB the* sai) Bthat is not &ossi(le at all, (ecause /e )onBt even kno/ ho/ much to charge AA ho/ much &enalt*6 <e /ill have to /ait6B ?fter t/o months the urine /as )elivere)6 :ecause something goes to $elhi, an) then the re) file, an)6666 ?fter t/o monthsH 5ules are rules6 ?n) 2 )onBt /ant *ou to (ecome government officials, 2 /ant *ou to (ecome intelligent &eo&le6 2t /as a )es&erate chase (ut the &oliceAcar /as catching u& to the (ankAro((ers /hen su))enl* it s/erve) into a gas station, from /hich &oint the co& )riving &hone) his chief6 B$i) *ou catch themDB the chief aske) excite)l*6 BThe* /ere luck*B re&lie) the co&6B<e /ere closing the ga&, onl* half a mile a/a*, /hen 2 notice) our five hun)re) miles /ere u& an) /e ha) to sto& an) change our oil6B !

<hat can *ou )o /hen the oil has to (e change) after each five hun)re) miles an) five hun)re) miles are u&D 'ou have to change the oil first6 2 never give *ou rigi) rules (ecause 2 kno/ ho/ stu&i) human min) is an) can (e6 2 sim&l* give *ou a feel, a sense of )irection6 :e a/are an) live through a/areness6 Or)inaril* *ou are living a ver* unconscious life6 'ou eat too much (ecause *ou are unconscious AA *ou )onBt kno/ /hat *ou are )oing6 'ou (ecome Fealous, *ou (ecome &ossessive, (ecause *ou are unconscious an) *ou )onBt kno/ /hat *ou are )oing6 'ou get ma) in anger, *ou (ecome almost &ossesse) of the )evil /hen *ou are in a rage, an) *ou )o things /hich *ou )onBt kno/ that *ou are )oing6 -esus sai) on the cross AA the last of his /or)s, (ut of tremen)ous im&ort AA he sai): 9ather forgive these &eo&le (ecause the* )onBt kno/ /hat the* are )oing6 .o/ %hristianit* has never inter&rete) these tremen)ous /or)s rightl*6 -esusB message is sim&le6 ;e is sa*ing: These &eo&le are unconscious &eo&le6 The* )onBt kno/ a/areness at all, so the* cannot (e res&onsi(le6 <hatsoever the* are )oing, the* are )oing in slee&E the* are somnam(ulists, slee&A/alkers6 Please forgive them6 The* cannot (e hel) res&onsi(le6 +o /hen *ou eat too much, 2 &ra* to @o)B9ather, forgive this man6 ;e )oes not kno/ /hat he is )oing6B <hen *ou fast, 2 again have to &ra* to @o)B9orgive this man (ecause he )oes not kno/ /hat he is )oing6B The real Guestion is not of )oing (ut of (ringing an a/areness into *our (eing, an) that a/areness /ill change ever*thing6 'ou are like )runkar)s6 2 have hear)6666 Cike tol) Pat he /as going to a /ake, an) Pat offere) to tag along6 On the /a* Pat suggeste) a ni&&er or t/o an) the* (oth got /ell sloshe)6 ?s a result Cike coul)nBt remem(er the a))ress of the /ake6 B<here is *our frien)Bs houseDB Pat aske)6 B2 forget the num(er, (ut 2Bm sure this is the street6B The* ha) /alke) along for a fe/ minutes /hen Cike sGuinte) at a house that he thought /as it6 +o the* staggere) in (ut the hall /as )ark6 The* o&ene) the )oor an) )iscovere) a living room, /hich /as also )ark exce&t for the faint glimmer of can)les sitting on the &iano6 The* /ent )o/n in front of the &iano, knelt an) &ra*e)6 Pat sto&&e) long enough to look at the &iano6 BCikeB he sai)B2 )i)nBt kno/ *our frien), (ut he sure ha) a fine set of teeth6B This is the situation6 This is ho/ man is6 The onl* thing that 2 /oul) like to give to *ou is a taste of a/areness6 That /ill change *our /hole life6 2t is not a Guestion of )isci&lining *ou, it is a Guestion of making *ou luminous from /ithin6 Iuestion 5?-.##+; ?+;5?C 2+ OP#5?T#$ <2T; %O.9>%2?. ?.$ +%2#.T292% ?TT2T>$#+ ?.$ P5O%#++#+ LPL?..2.@, :>$@#T2.@, ?%%O>.T2.@, 5>L#+, 5#@>L?T2O.+M6 <O>L$ 2T :# ?PP5OP52?T# TO ?%7.O<L#$@# %O.9>%2>+ ?.$ <#+T#5. +%2#.%# ?+ P?5T O9 T;# T?O, ?.$ T;#5#:' +P252T>?LD Tao is vast AA science can (e inclu)e) in it6 :ut science is not vast an) Tao cannot (e inclu)e) in it6 +cience is a &art of the vast m*ster* of life6 2f *ou take science as a &art, then there is nothing /rongE (ut science &reten)s, claims, that it is the /hole, there(* ever*thing goes /rong6 #xactl* the same is the situation /ith intellect, calculation, arithmetic6 .othing is /rong /ith intellect if it functions as a &art an) )oes not start claiming B2 am the /holeB6 <hen the intellect claims B2 am the /holeB, then there is trou(le6 <hen the intellect sa*s B2 am Fust a &art of a vast entit*, of a huge entit*, an) 2 )o m* /ork AA (e*on) that 2 )onBt kno/ /hat is going onB, then there is no &ro(lem6 2 am not against intellect as such6 2 am against the intellect /hich claims to (e the /hole6 !,

?n) that is the stan)&oint of Lao Tzu, %huang Tzu, Lieh Tzu6 The* are not against intellect6 ;o/ can the* (eD The* are not against an*thing6 C* han) is a &art of m* (o)*, (ut if the han) starts claiming B2 am the /holeB, an) if the han) starts sa*ing B2 shoul) )ominate the /hole (ecause 2 am the /hole, ever*thing else is secon)ar*B, then the han) has gone ma), then this han) is )angerous AA it has lost contact /ith the /hole6 .othing is /rong /ith science in itself, (ut science shoul) (e a &art of religion, then it is (eautiful6 2ntellect shoul) (e a &art of the totalit* of human (eings, then it is (eautiful6 2ntellect too is (eautiful6 2 go on using the intellect ever* )a*6 <hat am 2 )oing here right no/D 2ntellect is so significant that even /hen *ou have to talk a(out something /hich is not /ithin intellect, *ou have to us6 intellect6 #ven to talk a(out Tao, *ou have to take the hel& of the intellect, *ou have to lean on intellect6 ;o/ can Tao (e against intellect6 reasonD The onl* thing that Tao /ants *ou to un)erstan) is that life is more than reason, vaster than reason6 5eason covers a small s&ace, (ut that is not the (oun)ar* of the totalit*6 Lao Tzu is (ig an) %onfucius can (e inclu)e) in him, (ut %onfucius is ver* narro/ an) Lao Tzu cannot (e inclu)e) in him6 Lao Tzu is Tao6 %onfucius is Torah6 BTorahB is a ;e(re/ /or), (ut 2 like it (ecause it goes /ell /ith Tao6 Tao means love, Torah means la/6 2n the /or) BtarotB is the /or) BtorahB6BTarotB comes from t/o /or)s: TO5?; 5OT?E it means the /heel of la/, the rotating /heel of la/6 Torah means the la/6 La/ is (oun) to (e rigi) an) la/ is (oun) to (e narro/6 The la/ nee)s to (e &erfectl* )efine)E if it is not )efine), it /ill not (e of an* use6 The la/ has to have )efinitions, clearAcut (oun)aries, onl* then can it (e of an* use6 ThatBs /here -esus entere) into the histor* of the -e/s: he (rought Tao into the /orl) of Torah6 .aturall* he aske) to (e crucifie) AA it /as onl* natural, (ecause Torah cannot tolerate Tao6 The la/ an) the la/Aoriente) min) cannot allo/ love, (ecause /hen love comes all la/ is shattere)6 Love is so vast, oceanic, an) it comes into the narro/ /orl) of the la/ an) the la/ (reaks )o/n6 The -e/s coul) not allo/ -esus (ecause he (rought a ver* foreign climate /hich ha) never (een &art of the -e/ish min)6 -esus is in)efina(leE Coses is &erfectl* )efina(le6 Coses /ill easil* agree /ith %onfucius, /ill not agree /ith Lao Tzu6 The Ten %omman)ments are the foun)ation of the la/Aa(i)ing min), an) of course the la/Aa(i)ing min) can al/a*s fin) /a*s an) means an) loo&Aholes in the la/6 ? /oman, a marrie) /oman, fell in love /ith a *oung man an) the *oung man /ante) to make love to her6 :ut she sai) BThis is not right6B +he /as a -e/ an) she sai) BThis is against the la/6 ?n) /e /ill (e (reaking a comman)ment6B ?n) the *oung man sai) B+o /hatD .ine are still leftHB La/ is narro/, an) so narro/ that one has to fin) loo&Aholes other/ise life /oul) (ecome im&ossi(le6 La/ creates the h*&ocrite, la/ creates the cunning &erson, la/ creates the criminal AA other/ise life /oul) (ecome a(solutel* im&ossi(le6 La/ )oes not allo/ *ou to liveE it makes life so narro/ that *ou have to fin) /a*s an) means6666 ?n) then comes the la/*er6 ;e hel&s *ou, he hel&s *ou to (reak the la/ an) *et remain /ithin the la/ AA thatBs his /hole /ork6 The la/*er is nee)e) (ecause the la/ creates the criminal on the one han) an) the la/*er on the other, an) (oth are the same6 2 have hear)6666 ? &riest /as sa*ing to a *oung man BListen to this stor*6 There /ere t/o (rothers6 One /as ver* la/Aa(i)ing an) (ecame a la/*er an) the other /as ver* re(ellious an) (ecame a criminal6 The one /ho (ecame a criminal is no/ in Fail for his /hole life6 <hat )o *ou sa* a(out itDB ?n) the *oung man sai) B2 can onl* sa* one thing: one has (een caught an) the other has not (een caught *et6B The la/*er an) the criminal are (oth (*A&ro)ucts of the la/, the Torah6 2 am not against Torah (ecause such a vast humanit* has to existE Torah is nee)e), the la/ is nee)e)6 'ou have to !"

kee& to the left of the roa)6 2f ever*(o)* starts /alking an*/here the* /ant AA as &eo&le )o in 2n)ia AA then it /ill (e ver* )ifficult, it /ill (e ver* )angerous6 One has to follo/ the la/6 :ut la/ is not life6 One shoul) remem(er that the la/ has to (e use), has to (e follo/e), an) *et one has to remain availa(le to Tao, the (e*on)6 Tao shoul) (e the goal an) Torah shoul) (ecome Fust a means6 ?n) Torah shoul) not claim B2 am the /holeB6 Once Torah claims B2 am the /holeB, life (ecomes meaningless6 Once logic claims B2 am the /holeB, life (ecomes meaningless6 Once some(o)* sa*s BLife is nothing (ut scienceB6 then it is a re)uction an) ever*thing is re)uce) to the lo/est )enominator6 Then love is nothing (ut chemistr* AA a hormonal thing6 Then ever*thing can (e re)uce) to the lo/est, then the lotus is nothing (ut mu)6 9or exam&le, the la/ sa*s that *ou shoul) make love onl* to *our /ife6 @oo), if *ou love the /ife then the la/ goes to/ar)s love6 :ut if *ou )onBt love the /ife, then it is immoral to make love to her: then la/ is going against love6 2f *ou make love to a /oman to /hom *ou are not marrie), it is love not la/6 ?n) if *ou can manage to get marrie) to the /oman, it (ecomes la/ also AA (ut it is not against love6 ? /ise man /ill see that his life al/a*s uses the la/ for love6 Torah is a ste&&ing stone to/ar)s Tao6 This ashram, naturall*, has to (e run accor)ing to %onfucius, (ut %onfucius here is in the service of Lao Tzu6 'ou see this ma) man hereD %onfucius is in the service of Lao Tzu: Torah in service of Tao6 Then there is no &ro(lem6 Vice versa, then things go /rongE then *ou are stan)ing on *our hea) an) something has to (e )one imme)iatel*6 Iuestion , '#+T#5$?', ?LT;O>@; +2TT2.@ 2. ?. >.%OC9O5T?:L# PO+2T2O., 2 +L#PT $##PL' T;5O>@; CO+T O9 'O>5 L#%T>5#6 2 $O.BT 92.$ 'O>5 $2+%O>5+#+ :O52.@, +O <;' $2$ 2 +L##PD .othing /rong6 2f *ou enFo* the slee&, &erfectl* goo)6 -ust remem(er one thing: )onBt start snoring (ecause that )istur(s other &eo&leBs slee&6 ? man starte) to snore in his seat at the o&era6 BPlease sto& *our snoringB the usher &lea)e) B*ou are )istur(ing the others6B BLook, ki))oB the man sai) angril*6 B2 &ai) for this seat an) 2Bll )o as 2 &lease6B B'es, sirB re&lie) the usher6 B:ut *ou are kee&ing ever*(o)* a/ake6B +lee& is goo) AA nothing like it6 #nFo* it to *our heartBs )esire6 ?n) sometimes it ha&&ens6666 There are t/o &ossi(ilities: listening to me, either the talk (ecomes (oring, then *ou can fall aslee&E or the talk can (ecome like a lulla(*, then too *ou can fall aslee&6 The talk can (ecome like a song aroun) *ou, a /arm song aroun) *ou, then *ou can fall aslee&6 Or it can (ecome a Farring note, ver* (oring, so *ou have to esca&e some/here6 ?n) m* guar)s /onBt allo/ *ou to esca&e from here easil*, so the onl* &ossi(le esca&e is to close *our e*es an) go to slee&6 That is an esca&e so that *ou nee) not listen6 :oth are the &ossi(ilities6 +ometimes /hat 2 am sa*ing ma* look (oring to *ou (ecause /hatsoever 2 am sa*ing is one truth again an) again an) again6 ?n) 2 have to re&eat it (ecause 2 have com&assion for *ou6 Other/ise ever* morning 2 coul) come an) sit in this chair, sa* B)ittoB, an) go a/a*6 The great novelist ha) gone insane, (ut no/ there seeme) to (e some ho&e for his recover*6 9or three months heB) (een sitting at a t*&e/riter in his room an) &oun)ing out a novel6 ?t last he announce) that it /as com&lete) an) (rought it to the lea)ing &s*chiatrist at the institution /ho gras&e) it eagerl* an) (egan to rea): B@eneral -ones lea&e) u&on his horse an) *elle) "@i))a&, gi))a&, gi))a&, gi))a&, gi))a&6"B Then the )octor thum(e) through the rest of the (ook6 B<h* thereBs nothing here (ut five hun)re) &ages of "gi))a&s"HB he exclaime)6 B'eahB sai) the /riter6 B+tu((orn horseHB !0

+ometimes it is (oring6 2 kno/ it, (ecause sometimes 2 m*self fall aslee&6 Then 2 have to look at the clock6 The &s*chiatrist /as late for the a&&ointment6 ;e came (arging in an) /as ver* a&ologetic6 BThink nothing of itB sai) the &atient6 B2 ke&t (us*6B B;o/DB aske) the )octor sus&iciousl*6 B2 /as in the corner talking to m*self6B B<as it an interesting conversationDB B.ot ver*6 'ou kno/ meHB %ertainl* 2 kno/ m*self more than *ou kno/ me6 2 kno/ sometimes it (ecomes too (oring, so )onBt feel guilt*6 -ust remem(er one thing: )onBt snore6 +ometimes it (ecomes a lulla(*6 2f *ou love me, an) *ou love me tremen)ousl*, then /hatsoever 2 sa* goes an) surroun)s *ou like a /arm (lanketE *ou start feeling cos*, comforta(le6 Ca*(e the &h*sical &osture is not ver* comforta(le6 2t has (een ma)e in such a /a* that *ou cannot (e &h*sicall* ver* comforta(le in this %huang Tzu ?u)itorium6 The mar(le un)erneath, col), hurting, an) m* guar)s all aroun)6 ?n) the* )onBt allo/ *ou an*thing, the* )onBt even allo/ *ou to cough, sneezeE an) *ou have to (e com&letel* alert, other/ise6666 The &osture is not comforta(le AA even then *ou fall aslee&6 Think: if the &osture /ere comforta(le then *ou /oul) fall into a comaH :ut *ou love me an) /hile m* /or)s reach *ou the* (ecome lulla(ies6 :ut there is nothing /rong in falling aslee& once in a /hile6 $onBt make it a &ermanent ha(itH Iuestion " <;#. 2 :#%OC# #.L2@;T#.#$, ;O< ?C 2 @O2.@ TO 7.O< T;?T 2 ;?V# :#%OC# #.L2@;T#.#$D +afari6 ?frica6 :igAgame hunting AA an) the /oman /as )riving the han)some /hite hunter craz* /ith her (arrage of Guestions6 B;o/ /ill 2 kno/ if 2 tra& a tigerDB she aske)6 B:* his *ello/ coat an) stri&es, ma)am6B B?n) ho/ /ill 2 kno/ if 2 tra& a lionDB B:* the (ro/n colour an) his flo/ing mane6B B?n) ho/ /ill 2 kno/ if 2 tra& an ele&hantDB BThat, ma)amB sighe) the /hite hunter Bis the easiest of all6 :* the slight o)our of &eanut on his (reath6B $onBt (e too /orrie)6 This enlightenment is such a (ig thing AA like an ele&hant AA *ou /ill not (e a(le to miss it6 'ou /ill not even (e a(le to esca&e itH Once it ha&&ens it is selfAevi)ent: it nee)s no other &roofs of /hat it is6 2t is like a )ea) man coming (ack to life AA /ill he nee) an* &roofD ;e /ill kno/ that he is alive6 2t is like a (lin) man /hose e*es are heale) AA /ill he ask for an* &roofD ;e /ill kno/ (ecause su))enl* he /ill see all the colours, the sun an) the moon an) the stars, an) the faces all aroun)6 ?n) the )arkness /ill have su))enl* )isa&&eare) that has al/a*s (een there6 ?n) ever*thing /ill (e full of light an) colour666 an) the rain(o/s6666 <ill a )eaf man nee) an* &roof /hen his )eafness is goneD +u))enl*, so man* soun)s /hich he has never hear) (efore /ill (e thereE he /ill (e surroun)e) (* them6 :ut even these things are not real meta&hors for enlightenment6 2t is so tremen)ous, it is so ra)ical that there is no /a* of missing it6 $onBt (e /orrie) a(out such &ro(lems6 5ather tr* to (ecome enlightene)6 !1

Iuestion 0 2T +##C+ ?+ 29 'O> +P#?7 O.L' 9O5 C#, ?+ 29 'O> @O O. ?.+<#52.@ O.L' C' I>#+T2O.+6 %?. 2 ?+7 ;O< 'O> $O 2TD Culla .asru))in /as telling me: B2 /ent to the countr* on m* vacation an) the little (ir)s sang so merril* un)er m* /in)o/ ever* morning that /hen 2 left 2 /ent out an) thanke) them for the (eautiful melo)ies6 The lan)lor) came out an) sai) "2 ho&e *ou )onBt think those (ir)s are singing for *ouD" "<h*, of course 2 )o" 2 sai)6 "Those (ir)s are singing for me" he sai), angr*Alike6 B2 kne/ 2 /as right666 (ut /e got into a (ig fight over it6 +o /e /ere (rought (efore the Fu)ge6 ;e fine) us (oth ten ru&ees each6 "Those (ir)s" he sai) "/ere singing for me6"B <hen 2 am talking to *ou, ever*(o)* /ill feel that 2 am talking to them (ecause /hatsoever 2 am sa*ing is so fun)amental that it has to (e relate) to ever*(o)*6 2 am not &articularl* talking to an*(o)*, (ut 2 am talking a(out such fun)amental things that it is im&ossi(le not to (e relate) /ith those fun)amental things AA ever*(o)* is relate), more or less6 <hen 2 talk a(out love, *ou /ill all feel that 2 am talking to *ou (ecause love is *our &ro(lem AA ever*(o)*Bs &ro(lem6 <hen 2 talk a(out the min), of course *ou /ill think 2 am talking to *ou, (ecause *ou have a min) as ever*(o)* else has, an) all min)s are ma)6 +o /hen 2 touch on a fun)amental truth, ever*(o)* is (oun) to feel that there has (een a s&ecial message for him6 :ut remem(er, 2 am onl* talking a(out the fun)amental truths6 The* are a))resse) to ever*(o)* here (ut not to an*(o)* in &articular, though 2 kno/ ever*(o)* /ill feel6 @oo), thatBs (eautiful that *ou feel )irectl* connecte) /ith me6 The t/o hunters sat in their (oat, hi))en from the vie/ of an* )ucks that might ha&&en6 The* /aite) an) /aite)6 +u))enl* the* hear) a noise in the gro/th alongsi)e them an) u&on &arting the ree)s foun) another hunter AA cocke*e) )runk an) /orking on the )eath of another fifth6B;e*HB the* /arne)6BThis is our s&ot6 @et the hell )o/nstream6B The* &a))le) )o/n to offer congratulations6B+a*B the* tol) him,Bthat /as &rett* fast6 ;o/B) *ou )o itDB B?//666B sai) the )runk6B<ith all them )ucks u& there, ho/ coul) 2 missDB ThatBs ho/ the situation is here6 <ith so man* orange )ucks aroun), 2 can go on shooting6 There is no nee) to make an* target ho/ can 2 missD 2t is im&ossi(le to miss6 :ut goo) that *ou feel &ersonall* connecte) AA (ut remem(er, )onBt make it an egoAtri&6 The min) is ver* cunning an) *ou have to (e constantl* alert a(out its su(tle /a*s, other/ise *ou /ill thinkB2 am some(o)* s&ecial6 Osho is talking Fust to me6B ?n) then *ou /ill start fantasizing an) &roFecting, an) *ou /ill (e lost in *our fantas* /orl)6 'es, 2 am talking to *ou too, (ut not s&eciall*6 2 am talking in a ver* general /a*E 2 am telling *ou that /hich is fun)amental AA naturall* it is *our foun)ation too6 Iuestion 1 2+ T;#5# ? $299#5#.%# :#T<##. 2..#5 $2+%2PL2.# ?.$ LOV#D There is none: /ith the inner )isci&line a love arises naturall*6 :ut there is a great )ifference (et/een the outer )isci&line an) love AA not onl* )ifference, (ut antagonism6 2f *ou force an outer )isci&line on *ourself it /ill kill *our love Gualities6 it /ill kill *our love sensi(ilities, it /ill make *ou )ull6 'ou /ill lose *our fine rece&tivit* (ecause an* )isci&line force) from the outsi)e is against *our sensi(ilities, an) love is the culmination of all sensitivities6 !!

<hen *ou fall in love /ith a /oman, *ou fall in love from all the five senses6 'ou ma* not (e a/are (ecause man has (ecome so alienate) from his o/n senses that he is not a/are, (ut /atch the animals /hich are still more roote) in their (eings AA ho/soever unconscious, (ut still roote) in their (eings6 ? )og is going to smell his girlfrien) (efore he makes love6 2t is not onl* a Guestion of seeing a (eautiful /oman, *ou shoul) feel the smell too6 +ometimes it ha&&ens that the face is (eautiful an) a&&eals to *ou, (ut the smell is not a&&ealing6 Then, if *ou marr* this /oman, *ou /ill (e in trou(le6 'our one sense /ill (e constantl* )ivorcing an) *our other sense /ill (e constantl* marr*ing, an) there /ill (e conflict6 5eal love ha&&ens onl* /hen *our five senses are in harmon* like an orchestra6 Then there is a sort of eternit* to *our love6 Then it is not tem&oral, then it is not momentar*6 <hen *ou love a /oman, *ou love her soun), *ou love her touch, *ou love her smell, *ou love the /a* she /alks, *ou love the /a* she looks at *ou, *ou love her totalit*6 ?n) this totalit* can onl* (e glim&se) through all the senses6 :ut man has (ecome ver* much e*eAoriente)6 .o other senses are allo/e) to sa* an*thing, *ou Fust look through the e*es AA the &ro&ortion6 2n *our /orl) (eaut* contest the* )onBt smell the (o)*6 This is foolish6 This is sim&l* foolish6 ? /oman ma* have a (eautiful &ro&ortion of the (o)* an) ma* stinkH +he ma* have the right &ro&ortion, (ut ma* not have the right voice, the right soun)6 ;er soun) ma* (e unmusical, then she is not (eautiful AA something is missing6 ? real /orl) (eaut* contest /ill have to (e (ase) on all the five senses6 <h* shoul) the e*es )ictate an) )ominateD This is ver* )ictatorial6 -ust the e*e is )ictating the /hole lifeE naturall* *ou are not ha&&* (ecause one sense has (ecome ?)olf ;itler6 There shoul) (e a )emocrac* in *our (eing, in *our (o)*6 ?ll the senses shoul) (e allo/e) to sa* their things, an) *ou shoul) listen to all6 2f *ou enforce an* )isci&line from the outsi)e, it is going to kill *our love, (ecause all )isci&lines from the outsi)e are (oun) to )ull *ou6 That is the meaning of an outer )isci&line6 ThatBs /hat Cahatma @an)hi goes on sa*ing6 ThatBs /hat ?)olf ;itler )i) AA im&ose) a )isci&line on the /hole nation from the outsi)e, an) im&ose) it so &erfectl* that &eo&le starte) )oing things /hich the* coul) not have even )reamt a(out6 :ut the )isci&line ha) )ulle) them com&letel*, the* /ere no longer sensitive6 Cillions of -e/s /ere (urnt an) the &eo&le /ho /ere in charge of (urning these millions of -e/s /ere stan)ing there unaffecte)6 <hat ha&&ene)D Their sensitivit* ha) (een )ulle)6 ? great la*er of )ullness ha) (een im&ose) on their (eing6 ThatBs /hat is (eing )one in ever* arm*6 The /hole training of the militar* is nothing (ut ho/ to )ull a &erson, ho/ to )ull his sensitivit* an) ho/ to )ull his intelligence6 'ou /ill never fin) arm* &eo&le intelligent AA im&ossi(le, other/ise /h* shoul) the* (e in the arm*D %anBt the* fin) an*thing else to (eD The arm* shoul) (e the last thing6 ?n) the /hole training is nothing (ut the creation of )ullness6 Left turn, right turn, left turn, right turnB three, four hours in the morning, continuousl*6 Once a &rofessor (ecame a sol)ier an) he /as a man of great intelligence6 +o, /hen he /as or)ere) B5ight turnHB he stoo) /herever he /as stan)ing6 ?n) then the general aske) B<h* are *ou stan)ing there /hen 2 have sai) "right turn" an) ever*(o)* has turne)DB ;e sai) B+ooner or later *ou /ill sa* "left turn", so /hat is the &ointD The* /ill come to the same &osition again, an) this is going to ha&&en for three, four hours /h* (otherDB <h* this continuous Bleft turn, right turnBD There is a trick in it: it is a con)itioningE *ou are not allo/e) to think6 BLeft turnB means Bleft turnB AA *ou have to )o it6 @o on )oing something, o(e*ing something, (* an) (* *ou lose *our intelligence6 Then *ou )onBt think, then some )a* *ou are or)ere) to kill the enem* an) *ou kill6 2t is Fust like Bright turn, left turnB6 'ou )onBt think, *ou )onBt &on)er over the fact B<hat has this man )one to meD <h* shoul) 2 kill himDB The B/h*B never arises AA *ou sim&l* )o it6 'ou (ecome a ro(ot, a mechanical thingE *ou are no more a man6 2n 2n)ia, the +ikhs, the PunFa(is are the (est arm* &eo&le, the (est sol)iers, an) naturall* the /hole countr* thinks the* are the most stu&i)6 These t/o things go together6 2f a race is ver* &erfect as far as /ar is concerne), then the race (ecomes less intelligent6 2t is (oun) to ha&&en AA !3

(oth things cannot go together6 ?n intelligent &erson /ill have to think (efore he acts6 The sol)ier has to act (efore he thinks6 That is the /hole &rocess: he shoul) act (efore thinking6 ?n) then /hat is the &oint in thinking /hen *ou have acte) alrea)*D Then there is no nee)6 ?n* outer )isci&line, /hether it (e of a sol)ier or of a saint, kills *our sensitivit*6 kills *our fineness, rece&tivit*E an) naturall* it kills *our love (ecause love is nothing (ut the harmon* of all *our senses an) intelligence6 :ut /ith the inner )isci&line there is no contra)iction /ith love6 <ith the inner )isci&line, love arises6 :ut again remem(er: the love that /ill arise /ith the inner )isci&line /ill not (e the love that *ou have kno/n u& to no/6 'our love is ever*thing other than love6 The limousine &ulle) u& in front of the ma)house an) the aristocraticAlooking gentleman got out6 B2s this an as*lum for the insaneDB he aske) the gate atten)ant6 B'es, sirB sai) the gateman6 B$o the* take inmates u&on their o/n recommen)ationDB B;o/ shoul) 2 kno/D <h*DB sai) the gate kee&er6 B<ell, *ou see, 2Bve Fust gotten hol) of a &ackage of m* ol) loveAletters an)666 an) 2 feel that 2Bm ma)6B -ust look at *our ol) loveAletters an) *ou /ill also feel like going to the nuthouse AA on *our o/n recommen)ation6 <hatsoever *ou call love is a frenz*, a fever, a sort of chemical neurosisE it is not love6 ;o/ can *ou loveD Love ha&&ens onl* as a sha)o/ to me)itation6 <hen *ou have (ecome so alert, there arises a ne/ Gualit* AA that is love6 5ight no/ /hat *ou call love is Fealous*, com&etition, &ossessiveness, anger, hatre)6 Ca*(e *ou are fe) u& /ith *ourself, *ou cannot (e /ith *ourself, so *ou nee) some(o)*E an) *ou call it love6 'ou cling to some(o)*, *ou )ominate some(o)*, *ou tr* to mani&ulate some(o)*6 2t is &olitics not love, it is am(ition to )ominate not love6 ?n) naturall* it lea)s *ou to hell, naturall* it makes *ou more an) more misera(le6 <hat has *our love )one to *ouD $reams an) )reams an) )reams6 ?n) )reams are onl* /hen *ou look at *our love some/here there in the future, then it is a )ream6 <hen *ou look (ack at the love that has ha&&ene), then it is a nightmare6 ?ll )reams &rove nightmares6 .o, this is not love, other/ise the /hole earth /oul) have (een ha&&*6 +o man* &eo&le loving, ever*(o)* is loving666 the mother is loving, the father is loving, the son, the sister, the (rother, the /ife, the hus(an), the frien), the &riest, the &olitician, ever*(o)* is loving to ever*(o)*, love must (e so much6666 :ut look into &eo&leBs e*es AA there is onl* miser* an) nothing else6 Then something has gone /rong, something else has (een name) love6 2t is not love6 On the container it sa*sBloveB, (ut look into the content: Fealous*, &ossessiveness, anger, hatre), )omination, all ugl* things are there6 'es, the container is ver* (eautiful, ver* /ell &acke), like a %hristmas gift6 O&en666 an) insi)e, Fust hell6 This love 2 am not talking a(out6 <hen *ou go insi)e *our (eing a totall* ne/ energ* arises6 'ou have so much energ* that *ou /oul) like to share it, then love is a +;?52.@6 Then *ou )onBt nee) love, then *ou are not in nee) of some(o)* to love *ou6 9or the first time *ou have &ossesse) *our treasure of loveE an) a ne/ nee) arises to share it, to give it to /homsoever nee)s it6 +hare it an) give it6 <hen love is a nee) an) *ou /ant some(o)* to love *ou, it is going to create miser*6 2t is a (eggarBs love, an) (eggars canBt (e ha&&*6 <hen love has (een kno/n AA an) that is onl* &ossi(le /hen *ou move in/ar)s an) come to the innermost shrine of *our (eing <hen *ou have kno/n the reservoir of love there, then a ne/ nee) arises to share it, to give it, to /homsoever nee)s it6 @ive it, an) *ou feel thankful that some(o)* has taken it6 Then there is ha&&iness, then love is heaven6 :ut then a nee) has taken a ra)ical turn: no/ *ou nee) to give6 5ight no/, *ou nee) some(o)* to give to *ou AA *ou are a (eggar6 Then, *ou (ecome an em&eror6 The inner )isci&line makes *ou an em&eror6 !4

Iuestion ! +O :# 2T6 2t is from +u)ha6 'ou /ill not (e a(le to un)erstan) the Guestion (ecause the Guestioner has a long histor*6 +u)ha has (een asking for months together, again an) again, an) 2 have not (een ans/ering her (ecause 2 al/a*s sus&ecte) that her Guestion /as not the true Guestion an) the true Guestion /as hi)ing (ehin) it6 Then, one )a*, out of )es&eration, she /rote the real Guestion6 The real Guestion /as: BOsho, 2 /ant *ou to tell me that +u)ha is m* greatest sann*asin, an) *ou never sa* it, *ou never even mention m* name6B :ut 2 )i)nBt ans/er even that6 +o no/, finall*, she /rites this Guestion: B+o (e it6B .o/ the time has come to ans/er it6 5emem(er, /henever *ou ask a Guestion, there is al/a*s a hi))en meaning in it6 2t ma* not even (e a&&arent to *ou, *ou ma* not even sus&ect it6 'ou ma* thinkBThis is the Guestion that 2 am askingB, an) there ma* (e something else6 'ou ma* /ant me to &at *our (ack, to sa* BVer* goo)6B There are a fe/ Guestioners /ho ask such cunning Guestions6 9or exam&le the* /ill sa* Osho, great silence is coming, great energ* is arising6 <hat )o *ou sa* a(out itDB 2f 2 take their Guestion at the surface an) if 2 sa*B@oo)B, then 2 have conce)e) that the* are arriving ver* close to enlightenment6 ?ll that great energ* an) all that great ex&erience that the* go on /riting a(out again an) again in their Guestions is not ha&&ening6 2f it /ere ha&&ening, the* /oul) (ecome more silent6 2f it /ere ha&&ening, their Guestions /oul) )isa&&ear6 2f it /ere ha&&ening, the* /oul) not (e in an* nee) of confirmation, the* /oul) not (e in an* nee) of a&&roval6 2t is not ha&&ening6 'ou ask a GuestionE *ou are in great nee) someho/: *our ego has to (e strengthene)6 2 am here to shatter *our egoE 2 am not here to strengthen it6 2f 2 strengthen *our ego 2 /ill (e *our enem* an) not the frien)6 2t hurts: if 2 shatter *our ego it hurts6 :ut finall*, *ou /ill come to kno/ that that /as the onl* thing to (e )one6 2t is surgical, it hurtsE (ut onl* this surger* is going to transform *ou6 +u)ha is (eautiful, (ut as humanl* /eak as ever*(o)* else6 ?s ever*(o)* /oul) like to (e &atte) on the (ack, she also likes to (e &atte)6 2 am not a miser, 2 can &at AA there is no &ro(lem in it6 2 can sa* B+u)ha, *ou are greatB, (ut that /ill &oison *ou6 That is not going to hel&6 That /ill hin)er *ou6 That /ill inflate *our ego more6 'ou /ill (ecome more soli)ifie) in *our egoistic &roFections6 .o, 2 cannot sa* that (ecause 2 /oul) like *ou to reall* (ecome great, an) to reall* (ecome great means to (ecome egoless6 The onl* /a* to (e reall* ha&&* is to (e /ithout the ego6 'ou seek in the /orl), through mone*, &o/er, &restige6 Then *ou (ecome a sann*asin an) then *ou start seeking the same ol) )isease in the ne/ names6 The ol) &olitics comes (ack, *ou start com&eting6 $ro& all these things6 ;ere, at least /ith me, (e &lain, (e or)inar*6 ?n) the more or)inar* *ou are, the more extraor)inar* *ou /ill (ecome6 The more *ou efface *ourself6 the more *ou /ill (e6 The moment *ou cease utterl*6 *ou (ecome )ivine6 .o(o)* is (arring the /a* exce&t *our o/n ego, exce&t *ou6 +ometimes the ego is such that it can take nourishment from an*/here6 B.o/, Cistress OB@ra)*B the attorne* aske) B*ou sa* *our hus(an) never sai) a kin) /or) to *ou since *ou /ere marrie)6 ?re *ou sure of thatDB B%ome to think of itB she re&lie) Bonce in a /hile he )i) sa* "'ouBre a foine one"6B .o/ the ego can even have nourishment from /here no nourishment is &ossi(le6 5emem(er the su(tle /a*s of the ego6 C* /hole /ork here consists in )issolving *ou, in )ismantling *ou, in )estro*ing *ou, so that a ne/ (eing is (orn, so that a resurrection (ecomes &ossi(le6 2 am a cross to *ou, so that 2 can also (ecome a resurrection to *ou6 30

88888 %ha&ter ! : %hoose the ne/ 88888 1! 9e(ruar* 14!! am in :u))ha ;all T=> 7>.@ @5#< <#?5' O9 +T>$' ?.$ TOL$ %O.9>%2>+ B2 <?.T TO 92.$ 5#+T6B BT;#5# 2+ .O 5#+T 9O5 T;# L2V2.@6B BT;#. +;?LL 2 .#V#5 92.$ 2TDB B'O> +;?LL6 LOO7 9O5<?5$ TO T;# LO9T' ?.$ $OC#$ CO>.$ O9 'O>5 TOC: ?.$ 7.O< <;#5# 'O> +;?LL 92.$ 5#+T6B B@5#?T 2+ $#?T;H T;# @#.TL#C?. 92.$+ 5#+T 2. 2T, T;# C#?. C?. +>:C2T+ TO 2THB BT=> 7>.@, 'O> ;?V# >.$#5+TOO$6 ?LL C#. >.$#5+T?.$ T;# -O' O9 :#2.@ ?L2V#, :>T .OT 2T+ C2+#5', T;# <#?52.#++ O9 @5O<2.@ OL$, :>T .OT 2T+ #?+#, T;# >@L2.#++ O9 $#?T;, :>T .OT 2T+ 5#PO+#6B P;2LO+OP;' 2+ the enem* of truth6 ?n) /hen 2 sa* &hiloso&h* 2 mean all &hiloso&h*, mine inclu)e), (ecause the &hiloso&h* creates a screen of /or)s an) *ou cannot see the realit* as it is6 2t )istorts realit*, it inter&rets realit*, it gives a gar( to realit*, it hi)es realit*, it covers realit*6 Truth is nake), truth is all over, truth is /ithin an) /ithoutE an) the onl* (arriers are the /or)s, the theories, the theologies that *ou have learne)6 The* )onBt allo/ *ou to see that /hich is, the* come in the /a*, the* are &reFu)ices6 ?ll &hiloso&h* is a &reFu)ice, an) all conce&ts are not (ri)ges AA no conce&t is a (ri)ge AA the* are the (arriers6 One )a* or other, an authentic enGuirer comes to that great moment of realisation /hen he feels /ear*, tire) AA tire) of all this nonsense that goes on in the name of thinking6 The /or) Bgo)B is not @o)6 ;o/ long can *ou go on &la*ing /ith the /or)D The /or) Bfoo)B is not foo)6 ;o/ long can *ou go on carr*ing the /or) Bfoo)B an) remain hungr*D One )a* or other *ou /ill (ecome a/are that /hat *ou are carr*ing is onl* a /or) AA it cannot nourish *ou, it cannot give *ou life, an) it cannot give *ou &eace, an) it cannot give *ou an*thing6 Of course it &romises all, that is ho/ &hiloso&h* (ecomes so im&ortant AA (ecause of its &romises6 :ut all those &romises are em&t*E the* are never fulfille)6 Philoso&h* has never hel&e) an*(o)* to realise truth6 This great moment of realisation has come into of Tzu 7ung6 ;e /as the chief )isci&le of %onfucius6 T=> 7>.@ @5#< <#?5' O9 +T>$'666 To look is one thing, to stu)* is )iametricall* o&&osite6 2f 2 sa* to *ou B@o an) see the rose flo/ers in the gar)enB, an) rather than going to the gar)en *ou go to the li(rar* an) *ou stu)* a(out the rose flo/ers AA that is stu)*6 ?(out an) a(out, aroun) an) aroun) it movesE it never touches the real &oint6 T=> 7>.@ @5#< <#?5' O9 +T>$'666 #nough of the /or)s6 #nough of the theories, )ogmas6 #nough of the )octrines6 ?n) this 2 call a great moment in the life of an enGuirer6 #ver*(o)* has to &ass through /or)s (ecause /e have (een traine) for /or)s6 #ver*(o)* has to &ass through theoriesE /e have (een given theories from our ver* chil)hoo)6 <e have (een (rought u& accor)ing to &reFu)ices, )octrines, churches, schools6 +ome(o)* is a %hristian an) some(o)* is a Cohamme)an an) some(o)* is a ;in)u, an) /e have (een (rought u&, con)itione)6 +o the moment *ou start asking B<hat is truthDB *our min) starts su&&l*ing /or)sE it kno/s the ans/ers6 Those ans/ers are all false, those 31

ans/ers are all (orro/e), (ut it gives *ou (eautiful ans/ers6 The* satisf* *ou for a /hile, an) if *our enGuir* is not great, the* ma* satisf* *ou forever6 Onl* a great enGuirer sees the &oint that /or)s are meaningless6 Language is not the )oor to/ar)s realit*, (ut silence6 The inner talk must cease, onl* then /ill *ou have clarit*6 Onl* then realit* reveals itself to *ou6 'ou go on chattering insi)e, an) *our min) goes on functioning, constantl*, o(sessivel*, like a maniac6 ?n) the min) is a maniac: it goes on creating ne/ /or)s, ne/ com(inations, ne/ theoriesE it goes on s&eculating6 2t is a great inventor as far as theories are concerne) an) it )oes not allo/ *ou even a single interval, a ga&, to look at /hat is there6 The inner talk must cease666 then su))enl* there is no (arrierE there never has (een6 The =en monks sa*: 9rom the ver* (eginning the truth is unhi))en, the truth is in front of *ou6 <hat are *ou seekingD <here are *ou runningD :ut *our e*es are close) through &reFu)ices6 T=> 7>.@ @5#< <#?5' O9 +T>$'666 ;e has learne) much an) no/ he realises that learning has not nourishe) him6 2t has not strengthene) him, it has not )elivere) an*thing, it has not ma)e him feel more real than he /as (efore6 ;e is not *et an*/here, he is *et hollo/6 There is no integration6 ;e )oes not kno/ in fact /ho he is6 ;e (ecame /ear*6 ;e must have (een a great enGuirer AA even %onfucius coul) not )eceive him6 %onfucius is a great scholar: he can su&&l* ans/ers for ever* Guestion &ossi(le, an) he can invent (eautiful ans/ers6 ?ll those ans/ers are fa(ricate), homeAma)e, (ut the* can (efool fools6 The* can make man* &eo&le feel that the* kno/6 The* can (ecome consolations6 ?n) his kno/le)ge, his res&ecta(ilit*, his im&ecca(le character6666 ;e is a man of virtue, remem(er, a ver* moral man666 a man of character, of great mannerism, etiGuette666 a gentleman6 The BgentlemanB is the goal of all %onfucian &hiloso&h*: a man must (ecome a gentleman6 ;e is im&ecca(le, *ou cannot fin) a loo&Ahole in his characterE all virtues have (ecome 5#?L in him6 ? moral man /ith great kno/le)ge, su&&orte) (* the tra)ition6 convention, scri&ture AA res&ecte) (* the kings an) the Gueens, res&ecte) all over the countr* AA (ut even he coul) not )eceive Tzu 7ung6 T=> 7>.@ @5#< <#?5' O9 +T>$'666 <hen *ou (ecome /ear* of stu)*, the great moment has come /hen a stu)ent (ecomes a )isci&le6 <hen *ou are /ear* of stu)*, then *ou take a hun)re) an) eight* )egree turn6 Then *ou are no longer intereste) in theories, *ou /ant the realE *ou /ant the foo) to eat so that *ou can (e nourishe)6 ?n) *ou )onBt /ant an* more reci&es, *ou )onBt /ant an* more cooker* (ooksE *ou /ant the real foo)6 666 ?.$ TOL$ %O.9>%2>+ B2 <?.T TO 92.$ 5#+T6B <or)s create restlessness6 $octrines, )ogmas, make *ou more tense (ecause the* lea) *ou astra*E the* lea) *ou a/a* from realit*6 The further a/a* *ou are from realit*, the more restless *ou /ill (e6 Let that (e a criterion6 <henever *ou feel restless, that means *ou have gone far a/a* from realit*6 <henever *ou are close to realit*, there is tremen)ous rest, calm, Guietu)e, grace, silence, &eace6 'ou are at home (ecause realit* is *our home6 5estlessness sim&l* means *ou are going a/a* an) *our /hole (eing is (eing u&roote) from *our home, hence restlessness6 Tzu 7ung sai) B2 <?.T TO 92.$ 5#+T6 #nough of the theories, an) enough of the stu)ies6 2 have stu)ie) all that can (e stu)ie)6 2 have (ecome a great learne) man, *our greatest )isci&le, (ut that is not satisf*ing6 ;el& me to fin) rest6B 3

;ave *ou /atche) itD The more *ou kno/, of /or)s, scri&tures, %hristianit*, 2slam, ;in)uism, :u))hism, @ita, 7oran, :i(le, Ve)as, the more *ou /ill feel *our min) is getting more an) more ma)E *ou are (eing &ulle) in all )irections6 One theor* sa*s something, another theor* sa*s something elseE the* contra)ict each other, the* are al/a*s at each otherBs throats6 @reat argument an) no conclusion6 $o/n the centuries &hiloso&h* has not come to a single conclusion6 9or five thousan) *ears &hiloso&hers have (een )iscussing, (ut there has never (een an* conclusion AA an* conclusion on /hich the* coul) all agree6 There has never (een an* agreement6 2t has not ha&&ene) an) it is not going to ha&&en6 T/o &hiloso&hers cannot agree (ecause agreement is &ossi(le onl* /hen *ou kno/ the realit*, then there is agreement6 2f *ou kno/ the realit* an) 2 kno/ the realit* there is agreement, (ecause then there is no &ro(lem6 'ou kno/ the same realit*, 2 kno/ the same realit* AA ho/ can there (e argumentD :ut argument is &ossi(le if 2 have m* theor* an) *ou have *our theor*, then there is no &ossi(ilit* of agreement6 ?greement ha&&ens onl* through #JP#52#.%#6 #x&erience is conclusive6 ?rgumentation is nonconclusive6 One argument lea)s to another an) so on an) so forth6 <hen t/o &ersons are arguing, (oth cannot (e right6 :oth can (e /rong, (ut (oth cannot (e right6 2t ha&&ene): Culla .asru))in an) his /ife /ere arguing one )a* AA the hus(an) an) /ife argument AA an) it came to the natural conclusion that (* an) (* Culla starte) feeling B<h* )i) 2 start at allDB ;e /as feeling hungr* an) the /ife /as not even thinking of cooking the foo)6 +o he /ent to the /ife an) sai) B+orr*, 2 confess 2 /as /rong6B The /ife sai) BThat /onBt )o6 'ou /ill have to confess that 2 /as right6 -ust *our (eing in the /rong )oes not make much )ifference, *ou /ill have to confess that 2 /as right6 @ive a &ositive statementH :ecause *ou ma* (e /rong an) still *ou ma* think insi)e *ourself that 2 am also /rong, so that is not of much use6B :oth &ersons can (e /rong6 5emem(er, truth is oneE untruths can (e as man* as *ou /ant6 5eligion is one AA cannot (e t/o (ecause truth is oneE (ut &hiloso&hies can (e as man* as *ou /ant6 #ver*(o)* can have his o/n &hiloso&h*: it is *our )ream a(out realit*6 'ou can manufacture a theor* on *our o/n, *ou cannot manufacture realit*6 2t creates the restlessness6 ?n) /hen *ou are nonAconclusive, *ou are hanging in a lim(o6 ?n) that hanging in the mi))le, neither here nor there, is /hat &hiloso&h* creates in a man6 ;e starts feeling that he kno/s, an) he also goes on feeling )ee& )o/n that he )oesnBt kno/6 .o/ this is a ver* tense state6 'ou kno/ that *ou )onBt kno/ an) *et *ou feel that *ou kno/6 'ou feel that *ou kno/ an) *et *ou kno/ that *ou )onBt kno/6 .o/ *ou are getting s&lit, *ou are (ecoming schizo&hrenic6 ?n) in this state of nonAconclusive min) one al/a*s feels incom&lete, an) incom&letion hurts6 One /ants to kno/ the com&lete truth, the /hole truth6 2t ha&&ene) in a hotel that a salesman came6 The manager sai) B2t /ill (e )ifficult for me to fin) a room for *ou though there is a room vacant, /hich 2 cannot give6B The salesman sai) B:ut /hat is the reasonD <h* canBt *ou give it if the room is em&t*DB The hotel manager sai) B? great &olitician is sta*ing Fust (eneath that room6 ? room is vacant on the first floor, (ut on the groun) floor (eneath the room a great &olitical lea)er is sta*ing6 ?n) he gets ma) at small things6 2f *ou /alk in *our room or if *ou make some noise, then he /ill create much fuss an) 2 )onBt /ant an* trou(le6 Please go to another hotel6 B:utB the salesman sai) B2 have looke) all aroun)6 ?ll the hotels are (ooke)6 +o &lease, have merc* on me, an) 2 &romise *ou that 2 /ill not even move in the room6 The /hole )a* 2 /ill (e /orking in the to/n an) at night 2 /ill sim&l* come an) go to slee&6 :* the morning 2 /ill (e gone, gone to another to/n, (ut give me the room6B +o the room /as given6 2n the mi))le of the night, the salesman came (ack, tire), sat on his (e), took off one of his shoes an) )ro&&e) it on the floor6 Then he su))enl* remem(ere) that the great &olitical lea)er 3,

might get )istur(e), so he took off the secon) shoe ver* silentl* an) /ithout making an* soun) he &ut it on the floor an) /ent to slee&6 ?fter one hour, the great &olitician came an) knocke) on his )oor6 ;e o&ene) the )oor an) sa/ the &olitician ma), re) /ith anger, an) he coul) not un)erstan) B<hat coul) 2 have )oneD AA (ecause 2 have (een aslee& for one hourHB ?n) he sai) B+ir, have 2 )one an*thing /rongD Ca*(e in m* )ream666D Or ma*(e 2 have ma)e some soun) or sai) somethingD :ut 2 am sorr*, 2 )i)nBt mean it6B The &olitician sai) BThat is not the thing6 <hat ha&&ene) to the other shoeD 9or one hour *ou have (een kee&ing me a/ake6 2 hear) the noise AA the first shoe fell on the floor an) 2 sai) "+o this man has comeH" ?n) then 2 /as /aiting for the secon)H ?n) then, (* an) (*, 2 (ecame almost ma)6 2 coul)nBt slee&6 <hat ha&&ene) to the secon) shoeDB That ha&&ens to a min) /hich remains in an inconclusive state: something goes on hanging, like a s/or)6 'ou can un)erstan) the )ifficult* of the &olitician6 ;e must have trie) to go to slee& (ut he must have (een visualising the secon) shoe hanging in the air6 B<hat ha&&ene)DB Cin) is at rest onl* /hen there is conclusion, other/ise never6 ?n) &hiloso&h* never lea)s to an* conclusion6 Onl* realit* is conclusiveE onl* ex&erience, onl* #J2+T#.%#, 2+ conclusive6 T=> 7>.@ @5#< <#?5' O9 +T>$' ?.$ TOL$ %O.9>%2>+ B2 <?.T TO 92.$ 5#+T6B BT;#5# 2+ .O 5#+T 9O5 T;# L2V2.@B sai) %onfucius6 .o/ this stan)&oint AA that there is no rest for the living is (ase) on a certain &hiloso&h*: that life is struggle, that life is action6 that life is conflict, that life is a /ar to survive AA ho/ can *ou restD The same &hiloso&h* has (ecome &re)ominant in the <est: $ar/in, the &hiloso&h* of the survival of the fittestB, an) .ietzsche, Bthe /ill to &o/erB6 %onfucius is )ee&l* un)erstoo) in the <estE he is a <estern man6 ;e /as (orn in the #ast, (ut he is not #astern at all6 ;is attitu)e to/ar)s life is that of activit*6 2t is a *ang attitu)e, a male attitu)e AA fight, conflict, struggle, conGuer, &rove *our /ill6 'ou are here to &rove *our /ill, *ou have to sho/ the /orl) that *ou are some(o)*6 'ou have to leave a mark on histor*, other/ise *our life is meaningless6 'ou have to com&ete, *ou have to struggle AA onl* then can *ou leave *our mark on histor*6 2f *ou remain silent an) restful, ho/ are *ou going to leave *our mark on histor*D Lao Tzu has not left an* mark on histor*: Tam(urlaine has left his mark on histor*6 %huang Tzu has not left his mark on histor*E .a)ir +hah6 ?lexan)er6 .a&oleon, ;itler, +talin6 Cao the* have left their marks on histor*6 Cao /as a %onfucian6 he (elieve) in %onfucius an) he trie) har) to )estro* all Taoist &ossi(ilities an) &otentialities in %hina6 ;e )estro*e) man* Taoist monasteries, he /ante) to u&root them com&letel*6 <h* AA (ecause the* )onBt teach an* struggle6 2f *ou )onBt teach an* struggle6 ho/ can *ou teach revolutionD The attitu)e of Tao is of coo&eration, not conflict6 The attitu)e of Tao is not to (e against nature (ut to (e /ith it, to allo/ nature, to let it have its /a*, to coo&erate /ith it6 to go /ith it6 The attitu)e of Tao is of great relaxation6 5emem(er, it is not Or inactivit*6 2t is neither of activit* nor of inactivit*E it is transcen)ental6 The Taoist /or) is <> <#2: it means action through inaction6 That is the goal of Tao: $o6 (ut )onBt (e the )oer6 ?ct, (ut let Tao act through *ou AA sim&l* (e coo&erative6 Then, through Tao, *ou can (e restful 2. L29#6 :ut ho/ *ou can (e restful /ith %onfuciusD ;eBs right: he sa*s that as far as his &hiloso&h* is concerne), BT;#5# 2+ .O 5#+T 9O5 T;# L2V2.@6B 'ou have to struggle har), *ou have to &rove *our mettle, *ou have to &rove *our /ill6 Life is here so that *ou can take the o&&ortunit* an) &rove *ourself6 2t is a com&etition, cutAthroat 3"

com&etitionE ever*(o)* is at each otherBs throatE an) if *ou relax, *ou are gone6 9ight har)H 2n ever* /a* remain alert an) )onBt think of rest6 The /or) BrestB to the %onfucian min) is esca&ist6 $onBt ask for me)itation that is esca&ism6 $onBt go to the ;imala*as, an) )onBt sit silentl* AA that is esca&ism6 $o somethingH Life is for )oing an) )eath is for nonA)oing: that is their logic6 .aturall*, one )a* *ou /ill (e )ea) an) then *ou /ill (e at rest, so /h* /orr* a(out itD Their )ivision is clearAcut, an) to logical min)s it a&&eals6 ;e sai) BT;#5# 2+ .O 5#+T 9O5 T;# L2V2.@6B BT;#. +;?LL 2 .#V#5 92.$ 2TDB aske) the )isci&le6 .aturall*, if there is no rest for the living then /henD B<hen am 2 going to (e at restD ?m 2 not going to fin) it everD 2s this nightmare to continue for ever an) everD ?n) is there no en) to itDB %onfucius sai) K'O> +;?LL6 LOO7 9O5<?5$ TO T;# LO9T' ?.$ $OC#$ CO>.$ O9 'O>5 TOC: ?.$ 7.O< <;#5# 'O> +;?LL 92.$ 5#+T6B B'ou shall6B Cin) these /or)s6 This is the greatest )ece&tion ever invente) (* man: B'ou shall666 not no/, some/here in the future666 not here, some/here else6B ?ll the soAcalle) BreligionsB have use) this )ece&tive )evice6 The* &romise6 The* sa* B'ou /ill fin) ever*thing that *ou /ant, (ut not no/666 tomorro/6B ?n) the tomorro/ never comes AA it cannot come (* its ver* nature6 9uture never comes (ecause /henever it comes, it is the &resent6 2t is al/a*s no/, an) no/, an) no/6 <herever *ou /ill (e, it /ill (e no/ an) here6 ?n) the &romise is B'ou shall6B The &romise is ver* cunning6 ThatBs /hat all the religions have )one6 B2n heaven *ou /ill fin) &eace, rest, ha&&iness6 2n CO7+;?, in .25V?.?666 some/here far a/a* exists the lan) of &eace an) ha&&iness6 'ou /ill reach there one )a*, (ut not no/6 ?n) if *ou /ant to reach there, sacrifice *our &resentA)a* ha&&iness for it6 The &rice has to (e &ai)B the* sa*6 B?n) the &rice is this: +acrifice *our &resent for the future6 +acrifice the real for the imaginar*6 +acrifice life for afterA)eath6B ?n) the* have convince) humanit* an) almost all have sacrifice) their lives6 .o(o)* comes (ack from heaven to relate /hether it ha&&ens6 .o(o)* comes after )eath to sa* B'es, %onfucius is true6B +o the )ece&tion remains (ecause it cannot (e contra)icte)6 2t is ver* clever AA 2t is im&ossi(le to contra)ict it6 'ou cannot )is&rove it, though *ou cannot, &rove itE (ut *ou cannot )is&rove it either6 B'ou shall6B -ust listen to these /or)s: B'ou shall6B This is *our /hole con)itioning6 2n chil)hoo) the &arents sa* B.ot no/6 <hen *ou are ol)er *ou shall6B <hen *ou are ol)er, the* start sa*ing B.ot no/6 <hen *ou are ol), retire), /ith a goo) (ank (alanceE all is )one an) the time to rest an) to relax has come AA then6B ?n) /hen *ou are ol), the* sa* B?fter )eath6B The* go on &ost&oning6 The carrot of the future goes on )angling in front of *ou an) the closer *ou come to it, the more it goes on rece)ing6 ?n), mean/hile, *ou go on missing all that /as &ossi(le6 ? futureAoriente) &hiloso&h* is &oisonous6 ? futureAoriente) &hiloso&h* is like o&ium: it )rugs *ou an) it )oes not allo/ *ou to live *our life right no/, hereAno/6 ?n) that is the onl* life6 .o/ look at %onfuciusB ans/er6 The )isci&le /ants to fin) restE he is tol) BT;#5# 2+ .O 5#+T 9O5 T;# L2V2.@6

30

BLife is struggle, so )onBt ask for rest6 5est ha&&ens, certainl*, (ut not no/, never no/6 'O> +;?LL6 LOO7 9O5<?5$6666 ?l/a*s look for/ar), )onBt look hereAno/6 $onBt look right in the momentE live for the future an) sacrifice the &resent6B This, 2 sa*, is the greatest )ece&tion ever invente) (* an* man6 2t has /orke) /ell6 The &riest an) the &olitician (oth live on it AA the future6 The communist goes on sa*ing B<ait, sacrifice for the future6 +ooner or later there is going to come a societ*, a classless societ*6 then ever*(o)* /ill (e ha&&*6B 'ou are unha&&*, *ou are misera(le, *ou /ant rest no/ an) the* sa* B$onBt (e /orrie)6 5est /ill (e &ossi(le6 Look for/ar)6 Let the revolution ha&&en an) then things /ill (e goo)6 2f *ou /ant that the future shoul) (e ha&&*666 sacrifice6 +acrificeHB The 9ascists sa* B+acrifice, so that the 9atherlan) can /in6 ?n) once the 9atherlan) has /on an) once the .or)ic race has &rove) that it is the su&eriormost race, then there /ill (e &eace on earth6B The &olitician lives, ex&loits, in the name of the future6 The &resent is ugl*, misera(le, horri(le6 ;e creates imaginar* goals, uto&ias AA ver* (eautifull* he )ecorates them, he makes them ver* colourful AA an) *ou (ecome enchante), so *ou )onBt look aroun) *ourself6 2t is ugl*, it is horri(le, it is misera(le AA /ithin, /ithout6 'ou are sim&l* tears an) nothing else, onl* anguish, hell6 :ut the* sa* B'ou shall6 Look for/ar)6 That great )a* is coming6B The &olitician lives on it an) the &riest lives on it6 ?n) the &olitician an) the &riest are not ver* se&arate: the* are &artners in the same (usiness, The (usiness is not to allo/ man to (e hereAno/, (ecause once a man is hereAno/, heBs so ha&&* that he /onBt listen to an* &olitician an) he /onBt listen to an* &riest6 2f man is allo/e) to (e hereAno/, he /ill (e so &eaceful an) so restful that he /ill not (other a(out an* heaven6 ;e has achieve) it AA /ho (others a(out *our &ara)iseD 'our &ara)ise seems meaningful (ecause man is misera(le6 9or the &ara)ise to remain meaningful man has to remain misera(le6 ?n) (ecause of the &ara)ise the &riest exists, (ecause he /ill sho/ *ou the /a*, he hol)s the ke*, he has a )irect line to @o)6 'ou )onBt have, so *ou have to &ersua)e an) (ri(e the &riest so that he /ill take care of *our interests an) &ersua)e @o) that *ou shoul) (e given ha&&iness6 'ou have suffere) enough an) *ou have suffere) ver* righteousl*E *ou have sacrifice) all AA for the religion, for the countr*, for humanit*6 B+acrifice for an*thing, (ut sacrificeHB that is their slogan6 ?n*thing /ill )o, an* nonsense i)eal /ill )o666 (ut sacrifice6 Ol) i)eals are )ro&&e) (ecause the* (ecome rotten an) man (ecomes fe) u& /ith them6 Then ne/ i)eals are invente), then sacrifice for them AA thatBs /hat has ha&&ene) )o/n the ages6 Onl* i)eals change, (ut the sacrifice continues6 +ometimes it is @o) *ou have to sacrifice for6 The Cohamme)an &riest goes on sa*ing that if *ou )ie on the fiel) fighting for *our religion, *our &ara)ise is a(solutel* certain6 +o )ie courageousl*, kno/ing /ell that *ou /ill (e receive) /ell in heaven6 The %ommunist sa*s that if *ou are )*ing for the revolution *ou are great6 'our name /ill resoun) )o/n the ages, *ou /ill (e remem(ere) as a mart*rE *ou /ill (e res&ecte)6 :ut )o one thing: )onBt live, sacrifice6 ? ver* a(sur) situation6 The &arents go on sacrificing for *ouE the father, the mother sacrifice for *ou6 The* sa* B2 am sacrificing for m* chil)ren6B .aturall* the* take revenge, (ecause /hen the mother sacrifices for the chil) she is )estro*ing her o/n life6 +he /ill take revenge6 +he /ill sa* again an) again, she /ill make it clear to *ou again an) again B2 have sacrifice) for *ou6 7no/ /ell, remem(er /ell, that 2 sacrifice) m* life, m* *outh AA ever*thing for *ou6B ?n) she /ill tr* to &ersua)e *ou B'ou also )o the same for *our chil)ren6B +o *ou /ill sacrifice for *our chil)ren, an) then *ou /ill &ersua)e them that the* )o the same /ith their chil)ren666 so no(o)* ever lives6 One generation sacrifices for another, an) if *ou )onBt sacrifice, then *ou (ecome )isres&ectful6 .o(o)* res&ects *ou, then *ou are a criminal6 2f *ou )onBt sacrifice for others the* sa* B<hat are *ou )oingD 'ou are not a goo) man, *ou are immoral6 +acrifice is goo)6 To life for oneself is selfish6B -ust look at /hat these &eo&le have (een )oing: to (e ha&&* is selfish, to sacrifice is goo)6 ?n) (* sacrificing *ou /ill (e unha&&* an) an unha&&* man creates unha&&iness aroun)6 ?n) an unha&&* man /ill take revenge AA he can never forgiveE his life has (een )estro*e)6 The* sa* that the /ife has to sacrifice for the hus(an) an) the hus(an) has to sacrifice for the /ife6 9or /hatD :oth sacrifice, so (oth miss life6 31

2 teach *ou &ure selfishness6 .ever sacrifice for an*(o)*6 -ust live *our life authenticall* an) then *ou /ill never take revenge on an*(o)* an) *ou /ill never have an* gru)ge against an*(o)*6 ?n) a man /ho has no gru)ge against an*(o)* is a loving manE com&assionate, kin), sharing6 ?n) a man /ho has no gru)ge against an*(o)* AA against his chil)ren, hus(an), /ife, is tremen)ousl* (eautiful6 ;e creates a milieu of ha&&iness aroun) himself6 <hosoever comes into his milieu shares his ha&&iness6 :e selfish6 -ust look at these trees6 .o tree is tr*ing to sacrifice for another tree, hence the* are green6 2f the* start sacrificing, no tree /ill (e green an) no tree /ill ever flo/er6 Look at the stars6 The* are ver* selfish AA the* shine for themselvesE the* )onBt sacrifice6 Other/ise, the /hole existence /oul) (ecome ugl* an) )ark6 +elfishness is natural6 ?n) the self that 2 am teaching *ou is /hat Tao is: *our nature6 Listen to it, follo/ it6 'our nature is sa*ing to *ou B:e ha&&*6B 2f this Tzu 7ung ha) aske) Lao Tzu, he /oul) have sai) B@reat congratulations6 'ou are tire) of stu)*D Ver* goo)6 +o )ro& all thinking, no/ me)itate6 'ou /ant restD 2t is &ossi(le right no/6B Lao Tzu /oul) not sa* B'ou shall6B 9uture is meaningless, it is a trick AA a trick to console *ou, that though *ou )onBt have right no/, (ut *ou shall6 'ou can ho&e, an) through ho&e *ou can &oison *our /hole (eing6 The &riest an) the &olitician /ant *ou to (ecome mart*rs, an) mart*rs are not goo) &eo&le (ecause the* are ver* angr* &eo&le6 The* have misse) their life, the* are (oun) to (e angr* AA it is natural6 'ou have force) them to )estro* their life, *ou have &ersua)e) them, *ou have (ri(e) them, to )estro* their life AA ho/ can the* (e ha&&*D an) ho/ can the* ever (e a(le to forgive *ouD 2m&ossi(le6 Live for *ourself an) *ou /ill live for ever*(o)* else, (ut it is not a sacrifice6 Live for *ourself6 (e reall* authenticall* selfish AA that is the /a* of nature6 'ou take care of *our ha&&iness, *our rest, *our life, an) *ou /ill (e sim&l* sur&rise) that /hen *ou are ha&&*, *ou hel& others to (e ha&&* (ecause *ou un)erstan) (* an) (*, that if others are ha&&* *ou /ill (e more ha&&*6 ;a&&iness can exist onl* in an ocean of ha&&iness6 2t cannot exist alone6 5emem(er the logic, the )ee& logic, of selfishness6 ;a&&iness cannot exist like an islan), no6 2f ever*(o)* /ere unha&&* here, then it /oul) (e ver* )ifficult for *ou to (e ha&&* AA almost im&ossi(le, (ecause this ocean of unha&&iness all aroun) /oul) go on crashing on *our shores6 The miser* all aroun) *ou /oul) affect *ouE it /oul) &enetrate *our (eing6 +o a ha&&* &erson (* an) (* comes to un)erstan) the (asic, the fun)amental la/ that: 2f 2 /ant to (e ha&&*, it is goo) to make &eo&le ha&&* aroun) me6 :ut he is not serving others, remem(er6 ;e is not sacrificing6 ;e is sim&l* selfish6 ;e /ants to smile, he hel&s *ou to smile too, (ecause a single smile cannot existE it /ill look ver* a(sur)6 -ust think: *ou are sitting here, onl* one &erson smiles an) all are serious6 ;e /ill look a little em(arrasse), he /ill start feeling guilt*: <h* )i) he smile /hen no(o)* is smilingD +omething has gone /rong6 ;e shoul) (e more careful next timeE he /ill think6 .o, /hen *ou all laugh then it is ver* sim&le to laughE the /hole creates the &ossi(ilit* of laughter6 <e )e&en) on the /hole, /e are &art of the /hole6 :* (eing ha&&* *ou create a &ossi(ilit* for others to (e ha&&*6 ?n) this is real service AA this is not sacrifice at allE *ou are not (ecoming a mart*r6 The mother is ha&&*, thatBs /h* she loves the chil)6 +he is so ha&&* that she /ants to share her ha&&iness /ith the chil)6 +he /ill never have an* gru)ge6 2n fact, she /ill feel grateful to the chil) that (ecause of the chil) she ha) man* (eautiful moments6 +he /ill al/a*s feel grateful to the chil)6 B:ecause *ou came to me, (ecause *ou chose me to (e *our mother, *ou chose m* /om(, *ou have ma)e me so ha&&*, *ou have given me such (eautiful moments /hich /oul) not have (een &ossi(le /ithout *ou6 2 am grateful6B ?n) the chil) /ill feel grateful to such a mother /ho is grateful to him, an) he /ill never (e against the mother AA it /ill (e ver* )ifficult6 Or)inaril*6 2 never come across a &erson /ho is not against the mother or against the father6 2t is ver* rare6 @ur)Fieff use) to sa* to his )isci&les B>nless *ou have forgiven *our fathers an) mothers *ou cannot gro/6B 'ou /ill sa* B<hat nonsenseH <hat is he sa*ingDB ">nless *ou forgive6666"B ;e ha) it /ritten on his )oor: >nless *ou forgive *our fathers an) mothers )onBt enter here6 :ut 3!

no(o)* has (een a(le to forgive their father an) mother (ecause the father an) mother have sacrifice) too much6 The father an) mother have (een so misera(le (ecause of the chil)ren6 ?n) the* go on sa*ing ho/ much the* have suffere)6 .o mother sa*s B;o/ much 2 have enFo*e) *our (eing m* chil)6B .o father sa*s B:* coming to our house *ou have (rought light to us, love to us, @o) to us6B Then the chil)ren /oul) (e a(le not onl* to forgive, the* /oul) (e a(le to love, the* /oul) (e a(le to (e grateful6 Once Tao is un)erstoo), the /hole (usiness of &s*choanal*sis /ill )isa&&ear, (ecause the /hole (usiness of &s*choanal*sis )e&en)s on the fact that *ou cannot forgive *our mother an) *our father6 L*ing on the couch of a &s*choanal*st, /hat )o *ou )oD 'ou Fust rage against *our mother an) *our father6 <hat )o *ou )o in &rimal thera&*D -anov /ill (e meaningless if Tao is un)erstoo)6 <hat )o *ou )o /hen *ou kick an) scream in Primal Thera&*D <hom are *ou kickingD 'our mother an) father6 <hom are *ou screaming atD 'our mother an) *our father6 2f *ou listen to a &atient on the &s*chiatristBs couch, all that he talks a(out is ninet* &er cent concerne) /ith his mother6 BCotherB seems to (e the &ro(lem6 2t is, (ut the reason is that the &olitician an) the &riest have contaminate) the min) of humanit*6 The* al/a*s sa* B'ou shall6 Look for/ar)6 'ou /ill (e ha&&* in the future6B Onl* the &resent moment is all that *ou have6 >se it intelligentl*, )onBt (e )eceive) (* an*(o)*6 %onfucius sa*s B'O> +;?LL6 LOO7 9O5<?5$ TO T;# LO9T' ?.$ $OC#$ CO>.$ O9 'O>5 TOC:666B BLO9T' ?.$ $OC#$ CO>.$ O9 'O>5 TOC:666BD ? tom( is a tom(, an) an ugl* thing AA ho/soever *ou make it6 'ou can make it a mar(le tom( an) *ou can /rite the name in gol)en letters, (ut it )oesnBt )eceive, it is meaningless6 2nsi)e is Fust )eath an) an ugl* )eath (ecause of a life unlive)6 ? life never live) is ugl*6 Life &ost&one) is ugl*, life live) is (eautiful6 ?n) there are ver* fe/ &eo&le /ho live their life, onl* the* have a (eautiful )eath6 Then )eath too is (eautiful (ecause the* (ecome so ca&a(le of living that the*, one )a*, start living their )eath too6 The* live their life, then the* live their )eath6 >nlive) life cannot lea) *ou to a (eautiful )eath6 'es, *ou can make a mar(le tom( an) *ou can /rite the name in gol)en letters an) &ut (eautiful &oetr* on itE an) *ou can (urn can)les an) *ou can offer flo/ers, (ut this is all &hon*6 <hom are *ou tr*ing to )eceiveD 9or all this mar(le an) gol)en letters an) the flo/ers an) the can)les, the man cannot liveE the man is )ea)6 ?n) he never /as allo/e) to live AA (ecause of *ou6 Look at this )angerous sentence from %onfucius: BLOO7 9O5<?5$ TO T;# LO9T' ?.$ $OC#$ CO>.$ O9 'O>5 TOC: ?.$ 7.O< <;#5# 'O> +;?LL 92.$ 5#+T6B >nless rest is achieve) in life it cannot (e achieve) in )eath6 Let this (e an a(solute rule: that /hatsoever *ou achieve in *our life, *ou /ill (e a(le to kee& in *our )eath, not other/ise6 2f *ou have achieve) me)itation, *our )eath /ill (e me)itative6 2f *ou have achieve) love, *our )eath /ill (e full of loveAenerg*6 2f *ou have achieve) @o), *our )eath /ill (e )ivine6 :ut remem(er, )eath cannot achieve an*thingE the achievement comes through life6 $eath is Fust the final reckoning, the final Fu)gment6 $eath sim&l* closes *our life an) the Fu)gment (ecomes final6 2f the man /as a great lover an) he love), an) love) uncon)itionall*, an) his life /as a flame of love, a light of love, then )eath /ill close the cha&ter /ith this flame (urning (right6 :ut if the )eath closes *our life an) it /as Fust a miser* an) nothing else AA Fust a ho&ing for the future, never an* authentic ex&erience AA then *ou )ie in a futile /a*6 ThatBs /hat @ur)Fieff calls Bthe )ogBs )eathB6 Then *ou sim&l* )ie (ut *ou )onBt achieve an*thingE there is nothing6 33

.o(o)* achieves an*thing through )eath unless he achieves it through life6 $eath is a single moment6 <hat can *ou achieve in a single momentD 'ou misse) a sevent*Aeight *ear life an) *ou ho&e that *ou /ill attain something in a single momentD 9or eight* *ears *ou live) unconsciousl*, in turmoil, in ma)ness, in nightmares, an) then su))enl* in )eath *ou /ill (ecome restfulD .o, sir, *ou /ill (e turning an) tossing in *our tom(E *ou /ill not fin) rest6 %onfucius is /rong, a(solutel* /rong6 ;e is giving a consolation6 This is criminal6 To give such consolations is a crime against humanit* (ecause *ou can )istract some(o)*6 ?n) he succee)e) in )istracting this )isci&le6 B@5#?T 2+ $#?T;H T;# @#.TL#C?. 92.$+ 5#+T 2. 2T, T;# C#?. C?. +>:C2T+ TO 2THB sai) the )isci&le6 %onfucius succee)e) in )istracting6 The great moment has (een )estro*e)6 Tzu 7ung has arrive) ver* close to the )oor through /hich he coul) have esca&e), (ut %onfucius &ulls him (ack6 ?n) the )isci&le starts talking again in terms of &hiloso&h*, )ogma, stu)*6 ThatBs /hat he has learne) through scri&tures: B@5#?T 2+ $#?T;HB ;e )oes not kno/6 ;e )oes not even kno/ rest AA ho/ can,,he kno/ )eathD $eath is ultimate rest, a(solute rest666 he )oes not even kno/ relative rest6 ;e )oes not kno/ /hat life is, he is in a turmoil, s&lit6 ?n) he starts sa*ing B@5#?T 2+ $#?T;HB Listening to the Caster he is again clou)e) (* /or)s6 %onfucius /as a great teacher, ver* charismatic, his im&act /as great: he has rule) %hina )o/n the centuries, he is still influential, he still )ominates6 2n 2n)ia there has (een a man, Canu, /ho can (e com&are) to %onfucius6 Canu still )ominates 2n)ia, an) the same t*&e of man AA nothing )ifferent6 The 2n)ian societ* is (ase) on the la/s of Canu an) the %hinese societ* is (ase) on the la/s of %onfucius6 ?n) (oth men have )estro*e) (oth of the countries6 B@5#?T 2+ $#?T;HB Listening to the Caster, to his teacher, the )isci&le is again (efogge)E the charisma functions AA he is )eceive)6 ;e forgets that he has sai) B2 /ant to fin) rest an) 2 have (ecome /ear* of all the stu)ies6B ;e /as Fust at the turning &oint /here the stu)ent can (ecome a )isci&le6 ;e misse) again6 ;e again falls (ack into the ol) tra& /hich is al/a*s eas* to fall into (ecause one kno/s it ver* /ell, it is familiar6 B@5#?T 2+ $#?T;HB .ot kno/ing an*thing a(out life, not kno/ing an*thing a(out rest, he asserts such a &rofoun) truth: @reat is )eath6 ;e must have rea) it6 'es, in the scri&tures it is /ritten: @reat is )eath6 :ut )eath is great onl* /hen life is great6 5emem(er, *our )eath is *our )eathE m* )eath is m* )eath6 C* )eath /ill )e&en) on m* life, *our )eath /ill )e&en) on *our life6 2f *our life is great, *our )eath /ill (e great (ecause )eath is a culmination of *our life6 2f *ou have live) /ell, totall*, *ou /ill attain to a great &eak, a ;imala*an &eak6 :ut if *ou have Fust (een cra/ling on the groun), *ou have not live) at all, *ou /ere Fust )reaming an) ho&ing an) )esiring, an) never a single moment of life came to *ou, never a single moment of authenticit*E an) *ou /ere al/a*s &la*ing roles an) hi)ing *ourself (ehin) masks, *ou /ere never a real &erson, *ou /ere al/a*s &hon* AA *our )eath is going to (e &hon*, it cannot (e great6 The en) can (e great onl* if the /hole Fourne* has (een great6 #ach ste& of the Fourne* contri(utes to the en)6 2t is sim&le, o(vious6 2f *ou have (een )ancing *our life, *our )eath /ill (e a great )ance6 2f *ou have Fust (een cr*ing an) /ee&ing, *our )eath /ill (e Fust a cr*ing an) /ee&ing AA it cannot (e other/iseE it conclu)es *our life6 +o remem(er: #ver*one lives ;2+ life an) ever*one )ies ;2+ )eath6 $eath is as uniGue an) )ifferent as life is uniGue an) )ifferent6 <hen :u))ha )ies, of course :u))ha )ies6 <hen Lieh Tzu )ies, of course Lieh Tzu )ies6 Their )eath has a glor*, a fragrance AA it is a flo/ering6 2n a single moment their /hole life comes to the ultimate flame6 The* have achieve), the* have arrive) home6 'our )eath is nothing (ut a (eginning of another /ear* life6 ;ere *ou )ie, there *ou are (orn6 9rom one )oor *ou enter, from another )oor *ou are (ack to life again AA an) of course the same rut, the same /heel moves6 34

B@5#?T 2+ $#?T;HB AA (ut not on the li&s of Tzu 7ung6 'es, if Lao Tzu /ere sa*ing it, it /oul) (e oka*6 .ot even on the li&s of %onfucius is )eath great, (ecause the /hole a&&roach is /rong6 BT;# @#.TL#C?. 92.$+ 5#+T 2. 2T666B 5emem(er this /or) BgentlemanB6 That is the highest value in %onfucian ethics the gentleman6 ?n) /ho is a gentlemanD AA a &hon* &erson6 <ho is a gentlemanD AA a h*&ocrite6 <ho is a gentlemanD AA one /ho is maske) in manners, etiGuette, characterE /ho is conventional, tra)itional6 ? gentleman is not an in)ivi)ual, he is Fust a mem(er of a societ*6 ;e )oes not exist on his o/nE he has no life of his o/n6 ;e exists onl* as a &art of a societ*, so /hatsoever the societ* allo/s 2+ his life, an) /hatsoever the societ* )oes not allo/ he )enies himselfE he chooses societ* instea) of nature6 That is /hat a gentleman )oes: he chooses manAma)e la/ against @o)Ama)e la/6 ? gentleman is one /ho has (etra*e) @o), a gentleman is one /ho has chosen societ*6 ?n) the societ* is neurotic, an) the societ* is ill, an) the societ* is not normal at all6 .o normal societ* has *et existe) on the earth6 Onl* rarel* have a fe/ in)ivi)uals (een normal6 +ociet* is a(normal AA a great cro/) of ma) &eo&le6 The gentleman is one /ho follo/s this cro/)6 ? gentleman has no soul6 Of course, the societ* res&ects him tremen)ousl*, the societ* has to res&ect this man, the societ* calls him the C?;?TC?, the BsaintB, the BsageB6 The societ* res&ects him (ecause the man has sacrifice) his life for societ*6 ? real man is re(ellious, a real man )oes not (other a(out res&ecta(ilit*, a real man lives his life naturall*6 ;e )oes not (other a(out /hat the societ* sa*s or )oes not sa*6 +ociet* is not a consi)eration for a real man6 2f *ou /ant to (e &hon* then societ* has to (e consi)ere) at each ste&: /hat to sa*, ho/ to sa*, /hen to sa*, /hen not to sa*E ho/ to live, ho/ not to live6 The societ* has )etermine) ever*thing6 'ou Fust have to fit, *ou Fust have to (e a cog in the /heel6 ? real man is not res&ecte)6 ;o/ can the societ* res&ect the real manD ;ence -esus is crucifie), hence :u))ha is stone), hence +ocrates is &oisone)6 The societ* acce&ts these &eo&le onl* /hen the* are )ea)6 Then there is no &ro(lem (ecause a )ea) -esus cannot (e re(ellious, a )ea) +ocrates cannot (e re(ellious, a )ea) :u))ha (ecomes an ?V?T?56 ?n alive :u))ha is )angerous, (ut a )ea) :u))ha can (e /orshi&&e) in a tem&le6 5emem(er, /henever these great real &eo&le )ie, then &eo&le /orshi& them6 <hen the* are alive, then &eo&le are ver* much against them6 The same &eo&le /ho crucifie) -esus have (ecome %hristians AA the same &eo&le6 The &eo&le are all the same6 -esus /as intolera(le, (ut a )ea) -esus is &erfectl* AA oka* /hat can he )oD ? )ea) -esus is in *our han)s: *ou inter&ret him, *ou &ut theories aroun) himE he cannot have his o/n sa*, *ou s&eak through him6 2t al/a*s ha&&ens6 +o if *ou reall* /ant to (e an authentic &erson never (e (othere) too much a(out /hat the societ* sa*s a(out it6 2 am not sa*ing to go s&ecificall* against societ*, no AA that is not re(ellion, that is reaction6 'ou go accor)ing to *our nature6 2f it fits /ith the societ*, &erfectl* goo), there is no nee) to go against6 2f it )oes not fit /ith the societ*6 &erfectl* goo), there is no nee) to follo/ the societ*6 There is a )ifference (et/een the re(ellious &erson an) the reactionar*6 The reactionar* is one /ho /ill go against societ* /hatsoever the case ma* (e: he has )eci)e) to go against the societ* even if the societ* is right6 +ometimes the societ* is right, (ecause the societ* cannot (e a(solutel* /rong666 even a ma) &erson sometimes is right6 2t ha&&ene): ? great &olitical lea)er /as a))ressing the inmates of a ma) as*lum, an) he ha) s&oken for onl* five, seven minutes /hen a ma)man stoo) u& an) sai) B+to& this foolH ;e is ma)H ;e )oes not kno/ /hat he is talking a(out6B Of course the &olitician /as ver* angr* an) he sai) to the su&erinten)ent BThro/ out this manHB 40

?n) the su&erinten)ent sai) B9or the first time in seven *ears, he has sai) something significant, something meaningful6 2 cannot thro/ him out6 +even *ears he has (een uttering nonsense666 no/, for the first time, something /hich is not nonsenseH 2 cannot thro/ him out6 :ut )onBt *ou (e /orrie) (ecause the )octors sa* that this man can sa* onl* one thing in seven *ears /hich /ill (e right6 +o )onBt (e /orrie), he /ill not )istur( again6 2n seven *ears, onl* for a single moment )oes he (ecome sane, other/ise he remains insane6B #ven ma) &eo&le sometimes sa* right things6 #ven this ma) societ* sometimes is right, other/ise it /oul) not exist6 To exist at least +OC#T;2.@ must (e right, other/ise life /oul) (ecome im&ossi(le6 ? reactionar* is Fust the same tra)itional &erson /ho has move) to the other extreme6 The tra)itional &erson follo/s the societ* right or /rong6 B5ight or /rong this is m* countr*6 5ight or /rong this is m* religion6 5ight or /rong this is m* &riest6 5ight or /rong this is m* scri&ture6B That is the tra)itional man6 Then one )a* some(o)* turns to Fust the other extreme6 ;e sa*s B5ight or /rong 2 am not going to follo/ the societ*6B This is the reactionar*6 The* (oth are the same &eo&le, not )ifferent6 <ho is a re(ellious &ersonD The re(ellious &erson is one /ho )oes not (other a(out the societ* at all AA he sim&l* lives through his innermost core AA /ho follo/s his Tao6 2f societ* fits /ith that inner Tao, goo), he goes /ith the societ*E he is not reactionar*6 2f the societ* )oes not fit /ith his inner Tao, he goes alone6 ;e is not a tra)itional6 conventional, straight &erson6 ;is criterion is his inner soul6 B@entlemanB means one /ho has (een &ersua)e) (* the societ* to sell his authentic (eing an) to (orro/ a false mask from the societ*6 @5#?T 2+ $#?T;H T;# @#.TL#C?. 92.$+ 5#+T 2. 2T666B .o/ /hat has a gentleman to )o /ith rest an) )eathD ? gentleman cannot fin) rest even in life, a gentleman is ver* much re&resse)6 ? gentleman has not allo/e) his /hole (eing free &la*E he has )enie) a thousan) an) one things, those are (oiling /ithin him AA ho/ can he fin) restD ?n) if *ou cannot fin) rest in life, ho/ are *ou going to fin) it in )eathD Then )onBt (efool *ourself, this is o&ium: *ou ho&e that something /ill ha&&en in )eath /hich has never ha&&ene) in life, *ou are un)er a )rug6 The gentleman has never love) as he /ante) to love, the gentleman has never (een angr*, the gentleman has never hate) an*(o)* AA not that he has not hate), he has not sho/n it ?ll that the gentleman can )o is to change his ex&ressionsE the inner (eing is never change)6 ?nger arises in him (ut he )oes not sho/ it, he re&resses it6 +o he goes on an) on accumulating a thousan) an) one things insi)e him /hich create the chaos, /hich are (oiling insi)e6 ;e can (urst an* moment AA a gentleman is a )angerous &erson to live /ith6 .ever live /ith a gentleman, or /ith a la)*6 ? /oman is (eautiful, a la)* is ugl*6 ? /oman is natural, a la)* is fa(ricate)6 One (um arrive) at the office of a &s*chiatrist, ver* (eggarl*, hungr*, )irt*, an) the &s*chiatrist sai) B2 can see that *ou /ill not even have enough to &a* the fee, (ut 2 feel sorr* for *ou6 <hat )o *ou )o for *our livingDB ?n) the (um sai) B2 have ma)e three million fa(ricate) houses6B ?n) the &s*chiatrist shoute) BThis is a lieHB ?n) the (um laughe) an) he sai) B$i)nBt 2 sa* the* /ere all fa(ricate)DB 9a(ricate) AA the gentleman, the la)*, are fa(ricate) &eo&le, Fust cultivate), &ainte), not true, not honest6 <hen the* feel anger the* smile, /hen the* hate *ou the* em(race *ou6 'ou can never )e&en) on them, *ou can never )eci)e /hen the* are reall* smiling an) /hen the* are &reten)ing6 2n fact, after long &ractice, even the* cannot )eci)e /hether the* /ere reall* laughing or Fust laughing, /hether the* reall* love) this /oman or the* /ere Fust &reten)ing6 41

Can* &eo&le come to me an) the* sa* B<e cannot )eci)e /hether there reall* is love or not6B One has live) in lies so long, ma*(e for so man* lives, that one has lost track6 One cannot even feel /hat is right an) /hat is /rong, an) /hat is true an) /hat is untrue6 #ver* )a* it ha&&ens: some(o)* comes an) he sa*s B2 am in love /ith this /oman (ut 2 cannot )eci)e /hether 2 reall* love her6B <hat )oes it sho/D 'ou have lost all contact /ith *our o/n (eing, *ou have (ecome alienate) from *ourself6 ? stranger to *ourself *ou have (ecome6 This shoul) (e a sim&le thing6 2t is as if some(o)* sa*s B2 cannot )eci)e /hether this rose is a real rose or Fust &ainte)6 2 cannot )eci)e6B <hat )oes it meanD B2 cannot )eci)e /hether these trees are green or some(o)* has Fust thro/n green &aint on them6B :ut these trees are outsi)e *ou6 Ca*(e sometimes *ou can (e )eceive) AA ma*(e the tree is false, is ma)e of &lastic AA (ut a(out *our o/n inner feelings *ou cannot )eci)e6 <hat )oes it sho/D 2t sim&l* sho/s *ou have forgotten the language of truth6 'ou have lie) so long, so long, that L2#+ have almost (ecome *our truth6 The gentleman is an inauthentic &erson6 .ever (e a gentleman, never (e a la)*6 :e human (eings6 These are roles, actings6 :e true AA it is 'O>5 L29#6 :e authentic so that it can gro/, (ecause all gro/th ha&&ens onl* /hen *ou are true an) authentic6 Ca*(e *ou /ill have to &a* much AA one has to &a*E ma*(e there /ill (e &ain AA all gro/th is through &ainE ma*(e *ou /ill al/a*s (e in )ifficulties, (ut nothing to (e /orrie) AA the* are /orth it6 +ocrates )ie), /as &oisone), )onBt *ou ever feel Fealous of himD 'ou are alive, /oul) *ou not like to exchange *our life for +ocratesB )eathD ;is )eath is more true than *our life6 -esus /as crucifie)6 ;e /as onl* thirt*Athree, he ha) not kno/n much (ut /oul) *ou not like to exchange666 /oul) *ou not (e on the cross instea) of living *our (ogus lifeD ?t least he /as true AA on the cross, (ut true6 'ou are untrue6 ?n untrue life is /orse than a true )eath: a true )eath is (etter6 ?n untrue ha&&iness is /orse than a true unha&&iness AA let this (e remem(ere) al/a*s6 True tears are (etter than false smiles (ecause gro/th comes through (eing true6 @ro/th never comes through falsit*, an) the i)eal of BgentlemanB is the i)eal of the false man6 B@5#?T 2+ $#?T;H T;# @#.TL#C?. 92.$+ 5#+T 2. 2T, T;# C#?. C?. +>:C2T+ TO 2THB ?n) remem(er this too: %onfucius is al/a*s com&arative6 ;e al/a*s creates this )istinction (et/een the gentleman an) the mean man, the su&erior an) the inferior, the extraor)inar* an) the or)inar*6 Tao sa*s: .o(o)* is su&erior an) no(o)* is inferiorE no(o)* is great an) no(o)* is mean, (ecause /e (elong to one realit*, to one Tao6 ;o/ can /e (e mean or su&erior or inferiorD That is im&ossi(le AA /e are ma)e of the same stuff6 2t is @o) that &ulsates in *ou, it is @o) that &ulsates in me, it is @o) that &ulsates in the trees an) in the rocks6 .o(o)* is su&erior an) no(o)* is inferior6 The ver* i)ea is egoistic, (ut the %onfucian &hiloso&h* is centre) on the ego6 .o/ this Tzu 7ung sa*s B@5#?T 2+ $#?T;H T;# @#.TL#C?. 92.$+ 5#+T 2. 2T, T;# C#?. C?. +>:C2T+ TO 2THB .o/ he is enFo*ing that he is a great man, a gentleman, so he is &ersua)e) (* %onfucius through his ego: B'ou are a great man, a gentleman, a su&erior (eing6 'ou /ill fin) rest in )eath6 'ou are not mean, so )onBt (e /orrie) AA onl* mean &ersons )onBt fin) rest in )eath6 ?n) )onBt hanker for rest in lifeB (ecause that too is meanness accor)ing to %onfucius6 5est is not &ossi(le, rest is esca&ism6 %onfucius /as al/a*s /orrie) a(out Lao Tzu an) his teachings6 2t is sai) that once he /ent to see Lao Tzu6 Of course, he /as ol)er than Lao Tzu so he /ante) Lao Tzu to (ehave in a 4

mannerl* /a*, as an ol) man ex&ects6 :ut Lao Tzu /as sitting an) he /oul) not even stan) to greet him an) he /oul) not even sa* B+it )o/n, sirB an) he )i)nBt &a* much attention to him6 ;e (ecame ver* angr*6 B<hat t*&e of Caster is thisDB ?n) he sai) B$onBt *ou follo/ an* mannersDB Lao Tzu sai) B2f *ou feel like sitting, *ou sitE if *ou feel like stan)ing, *ou stan)6 <ho am 2 to sa* an*thing a(out itD 2t is *our life6 2 )onBt interfere6B %onfucius /as shocke)6 Then he aske) something a(out the su&erior man, the gentleman, an) Lao Tzu laughe) an) he sai) B2 have never come across an* "su&erior" or "inferior"6 Cen are men as trees are trees an) ever*thing &artici&ates in the same existence6 .o(o)* is su&erior an) no(o)* is inferior an) it is all nonsense an) ru((ishHB ;e (ecame ver* much afrai)6 ?n) the man ha) tremen)ous silence aroun) himE he /as a &ool of silence6 %onfucius came (ack6 ;is )isci&les aske) B<hat a(out Lao TzuDB ;e sai) B.ever go near this man, he is )angerous6 2f *ou come across a tiger, *ou can save *our life in some /a*6 2f *ou come across a lion, *ou can save *ourself6 :ut this man is ver* )angerous6 ;e is like a )ragon, a fl*ing )ragonH ;e /ill kill *ouH .ever goH <henever *ou hear that Lao Tzu is aroun), esca&eHB %onfucius /as ver* much /orrie) a(out Lao TzuBs teaching6 The teaching is so utterl* )ifferent, so utterl* true, so utterl* amoral, so utterl* re(ellious an) so utterl* in)ivi)ual6 2t (elieves in no manAma)e la/s, onl* in nature6 Trust in nature is Tao6 ?n) Lao Tzu sa*s: 'ou can rest in life, (ecause even /hile *ou are /alking *ou can remain unmoving6 'our innermost centre can remain unmovingE *ou can (ecome the centre of the c*clone6 The /heel moves (ut the hu( remains6 The /heel goes on moving, (ut it moves on something /hich is not moving6 ?ct, )o, (ut remain a nonA)oer )ee& /ithin6 Talk, s&eak, (ut remain in silence )ee& /ithin6 Lao Tzu sa*s: Let contra)ictions meet6 Let &ara)oxes )issolve6 :e &ara)oxical, (ecause life is &ara)oxical6 Live, an) *et live as if *ou /ere )ea)6 Then, /hen *ou )ie, )ie as if *ou /ere entering into another life AA higher life, greater life6 Let &ara)oxes meet, mingle, fuse, into one unit*6 %onfucian thought is of )ivision, classification, categorisation: Life is life, life is struggle6 $eath is )eath, )eath is rest AA clearAcut )ivisions6 Lao Tzu sa*s: There are no )istinctions, no clearAcut )istinctions6 Life is )eath, )eath is life6 ? man can live tremen)ousl* an) *et )ee& )o/n remain a(solutel* transcen)ental, a/a*, far a/a*, )istant, not involve) at all6 'ou can /alk through the river an) *our feet can remain untouche) (* the /aterE *ou can (e a lotus flo/er6 ?n) that is the true life6 'ou s&eak an) *et *ou s&eak not6 +omething in *our remains far a/a*6 'ou touch the earth an) *et something in *ou remains high in the skies6 %onfucian life /ill (e a ver* or)inar* life, ver* logical, mathematical, classifie), (ut ver* or)inar*6 Taoist life is reall* extraor)inar*, ver* rich, (ecause it contains the negative an) the &ositive (oth, the *in an) *ang (oth, conflict an) coo&eration (oth, love an) hate (oth, life an) )eath (oth6 ?l/a*s remem(er, let there (e a harmon* in the contra)ictions /ithin *ou, then *ou /ill reach to the highest &oint an) the highest &eak6 $onBt choose one, choose (oth together6 :e courageous6 $onBt (e miserl* in choosing6 <hen life gives *ou a &ara)ox, choose the /hole &ara)oxE s/allo/ it all an) /hole, an) )igest it com&letel* an) *ou /ill (ecome a fl*ing )ragon6 BT=> 7>.@,B sai) %onfucius B'O> ;?V# >.$#5+TOO$6B Of course, %onfucius must have (een ver* ha&&*6 ;e has converte) the )isci&le (ack to the ol) rut6 BT=> 7>.@, 'O> ;?V# >.$#5+TOO$6B 4,

;e has misse) the o&&ortunit* to un)erstan), (ut %onfucius sa*s B666 'O> ;?V# >.$#5+TOO$6 ?LL C#. >.$#5+T?.$ T;# -O' O9 :#2.@ ?L2V#, :>T .OT 2T+ C2+#5', T;# <#?52.#++ O9 @5O<2.@ OL$, :>T .OT 2T+ #?+#, T;# >@L2.#++ O9 $#?T;, :>T .OT 2T+ 5#PO+#6B ?gain the same )ivision: There are fe/ &eo&le /ho un)erstan) the (eaut* of life, (ut not the ugliness of it6 Then there are some /ho un)erstan) the ugliness of lire, (ut not the (eaut* of it6 There are some /ho un)erstan) the ugliness of )eath, (ut not the re&ose of it6 ?n) then there are some /ho un)erstan) the re&ose of )eath6 (ut not the ugliness of it AA (ut (oth ?5# the same6 'ou choose one categor*, some(o)* else chooses another categor*6 %onfucius is sa*ing BT=> 7>.@, 'O> ;?V# >.$#5+TOO$6 ?LL C#. >.$#5+T?.$ T;# -O' O9 :#2.@ ?L2V#, :>T .OT 2T+ C2+#5'666B ?gain a s&lit6 ;e sa*s B666 C#. >.$#5+T?.$ T;# -O' O9 :#2.@ ?L2V#, :>T .OT 2T+ C2+#5'666B B'ou un)erstan) the miser* of it6 The /eariness of gro/ing ol) all men un)erstan), (ut not its easeE *ou un)erstan) its ease6 The ugliness of )eath all men un)erstan), *ou un)erstan) its re&ose6B 'our left leg moves (ecause *our right leg stan)s still: the movement (ecomes &ossi(le (ecause one leg is stan)ing still6 Then *our left leg stan)s still an) *our right leg moves: the movement is &ossi(le (ecause of noAmovement6 2 can s&eak to *ou (ecause something )ee& insi)e is al/a*s silent6 The /or) is meaningful, significant, onl* (ecause of the silence6 2f there is no silence, then the /or) is meaningless, then it is gi((erish6 <hen the /or) is meaningful, al/a*s remem(er that the meaning comes through silence, silence &ours into the /or) an) the /or) (ecomes luminous6 Love is (eautiful (ecause there is the &ossi(ilit* of hate, other/ise love /oul) (e so s/eet that it /oul) create )ia(etesH -ust sugar, sugar, sugar6666 .o, the salt is also nee)e)E hate gives salt to life6 ?ctivit* is goo), (ut if there is no inactivit* in it, it /ill create neurosis AA o(sessive action6 2nactivit* is goo), (ut if there is no activit* in it, it /ill (e a sort of )eath, a letharg*, a )ullness6 :oth are goo), the /hole is goo)6 Tao sa*s: The /hole is goo)6 $onBt choose6 Let it (e as it is6 ?s it is, it is a /ise arrangement6 There cannot (e a (etter /orl) than this6 There is no &ossi(ilit* of an* im&rovement6 'ou acce&t (oth, an) through that acce&tance, *ou transcen)6 This Tzu 7ung /as Fust close to the )oor through /hich he /oul) have esca&e) into the o&en sk*6 ;e has (een misle) again6 5emem(er, in *our life also there /ill (e man* moments /hen *ou can esca&e, (ut *our &ast is heav* AA it &ulls *ou (ack6 %onfucius coul) succee) (ecause Tzu 7ungBs /hole &ast /as nothing (ut theories, /or)s, &hiloso&hies, )octrinesE an) the* un)erstan) each otherBs language6 ;e &ulle) him (ack6 ?gain that great moment /as misse)6 ?n) these great moments come ver* rarel*6 +ometimes 2 see some(o)* come to meE he /ants to (e initiate) into sann*as, (ut then he sa*s B:ut 2 am hesitating6B ?n) 2 /atch6 ;e is Fust stan)ing at the )oor through /hich he can esca&e, (ut he is hesitating: the &ast &ulls him (ack6 .o/ it )e&en)s6 2f *ou are courageous *ou take the ste&, (ecause *ou kno/ *our &ast AA it has not satisfie) *ou AA so /hat is the &oint of falling (ack into it againD 4"

This Tzu 7ung kno/s that he has (ecome /ear* of stu)*, no/ /hat /ill he )o /ith %onfuciusD There is stu)* an) stu)* an) stu)*666 nothing elseH %onfucius kno/s no me)itation, he (elieves in no ecstas*E he is Fust a moral teacher AA ver* earthl*6 ;e )oes not kno/ an*thing greater than societ*, (igger than societ*E he has a ver* narro/ outlook6 .o/ /hat is he going to )oD ;e /ill (e stu)*ing again, he /ill (e again &on)ering over the (ooks, the ol), tra)itional, rotten (ooks he /ill (e stu)*ing666 again6 That he has (een )oingH ?l/a*s remem(er that /hen a ne/ moment, a ne/ insight, hovers aroun) *ou, choose the ne/ (ecause the ol) has not )one an*thing for *ou, so /hat is the &oint of going (ackD #ven if the ne/ &roves /rong, then too, choose the ne/6 ?t least it /ill (e a ne/ a)ventureE *ou /ill come to kno/ something6 #ven if *ou )onBt reach the goal, at least *ou /ill have learne) some courage to move into the unkno/n, to em(race the unkno/n6 That /ill (e *our gain6 :ut never choose the ol)6 <henever there is a &ossi(ilit* for the ne/, go into the ne/6 ?n) go 9?+T (ecause the ol) is ver* heav* AA it /ill &ull *ou (ack6 ?gain an) again 2 see a fe/ &eo&le Fust sitting (efore me, hanging (et/een their &ast an) their &resent6 5emem(er, &resent is ver* small an) &ast is ver* long, so of course its /eight is (ig6 >nless *ou are ver* courageous *ou /ill never get out of it6 2t is ver* comforta(le an) convenient to remain /ith the &ast, (ut comfort an) convenience are nothing6 @ro/th is all6 @ro/6 2f gro/th comes through )iscomfort, inconvenience AA goo)6 Then inconvenience is goo), (eneficialE then )iscomfort is goo), (eneficial6 :ut al/a*s remem(er one thing: @o on gro/ing6 $onBt (ecome a rut6 $onBt start moving in the same vicious circle again an) again an) again6

88888 %ha&ter 3 : Putting shoes on a snake 88888 13 9e(ruar* 14!! am in :u))ha ;all Iuestion 1 %?. O.# :#L2#V# 2. T?O, .OT 2.T#59#52.@ <2T; OT;#5 P#OPL#B+ L2V#+, ?%%#PT2.@ <;?T 2+ .O<, ?.$ :' P5O9#++2O. :# ? P+'%;OT;#5?P2+TD <;?T, O5 ;O<, 2+ ? T?O <?' O9 $O2.@ T;#5?P'D 2t is from Poonam6 2t is of tremen)ous significance6 The first thing: B%an one (elieve in Tao666DB Tao )oes not )e&en) on (elief6 'ou cannot (elieve in it6 Tao kno/s no (elief s*stem6 2t )oes not sa* B:elieve6B ThatBs /hat other religions )o6 Tao is the )ro&&ing of all (elief s*stems6 Then arises a totall* ne/ kin) of trust AA trust in life6 :elief means (elieving in conce&ts6 %once&ts are ?:O>T life6 Trust is not concerne) /ith conce&ts6 Trust is imme)iate, )irect, in lifeE it is not a(out life6 :elief is far a/a* from life6 The stronger the (elief, the greater the (arrier6 Tao is neither a (elief nor a )is(elief (ut the )ro&&ing of all (eliefs an) )is(eliefs6 <hen *ou )ro& all (eliefs an) )is(eliefs an) *ou are imme)iate, in contact /ith life, a trust arises, a great B*esB arises in *our (eing6 That B*esB transforms, transforms totall*6 +o the first thing *ou ask: B%an one (elieve in Tao666DB .o, it is not a (elief6 $onBt a&&roach through the )oor of (elief other/ise *ou /ill reach into a &hiloso&h*, into a religion, into a church, into a )ogma, (ut *ou /ill never reach into life6 Life sim&l* is6 2t is not a )octrine &reache) (* some(o)*6 Life is sim&l* there all aroun) *ou /ithin an) /ithout6 Once *ou )onBt look through /or)s, conce&ts, ver(alisations, it reveals to *ouE ever*thing (ecomes so cr*stal clear, so trans&arent6 2n that trans&arenc* *ou are not se&arate from it ho/ can *ou (elieve in it or )is(elieve in itD 'O> ?5# 2T6 That is the /a* of Tao: to (ecome Tao6 40

The secon) thing: B%an one (elieve in Tao, not interfering /ith other &eo&leBs lives666DB Once *ou have sto&&e) interfering /ith *our o/n life, *ou have sto&&e) interfering /ith othersB lives6 2f *ou continue to interfere /ith *our o/n life, *ou are (oun) to interfere /ith othersB lives6 That is Fust a reflection, that is Fust a sha)o/6 +to& interfering /ith *our o/n life, then su))enl* all interference )isa&&ears (ecause that is a(sur)6 Life is alrea)* going /here it nee)s to go, /h* interfereD The river is alrea)* flo/ing to/ar)s the ocean, /h* interfereD <h* )irect itD 2f *ou start )irecting the river, *ou kill it AA it (ecomes a channel6 Then it is no more a river, then the life has )isa&&eare), then it is a &risoner6 Then *ou can force it an*/here *ou /ant to take it, (ut there /ill (e no song an) no )anceE it /ill (e carr*ing a cor&se6 The river /as alive, the channel is )ea)6 The channel is Fust a river for the nameBs sake6 2t is not a river, (ecause to (e a river means to (e free6 to flo/, to seek, to follo/ oneBs o/n intrinsic nature6 .ot (eing )irecte), not (eing &ulle) an) &ushe), not (eing mani&ulate) is the ver* Gualit* of (eing a river6 Once *ou have un)erstoo) that *ou gro/ /hen *ou )onBt interfere in *our o/n life, /hen *ou un)erstan) that *ou gro/ /hen no(o)* interferes in *our life, ho/ can *ou interfere in an*(o)* elseBs lifeD :ut if *ou interfere /ith *our o/n life, if *ou have some i)eal of ho/ it shoul) (e, the i)eal (rings interference6 The Bshoul)B is the interference6 2f *ou have some i)eal: that *ou have to (e like -esus or like :u))ha or like Lao Tzu, that *ou have to (e a &erfect man or a &erfect /oman, that *ou have to (e this an) that, then *ou /ill interfere6 'ou have a ma&, *ou have a )irection, *ou have a fixe) future6 'our future is alrea)* )ea), *ou have converte) *our future into &ast6 2t is no more a ne/ &henomenon: *ou have converte) it into a )ea) thing6 'ou /ill carr* the cor&se, *ou /ill interfere in ever*thing (ecause /henever *ou /ill feel *ou are going astra* AA an) (* astra* 2 mean astra* from the i)eal6666 .o(o)* has ever gone astra*, no(o)* %?. go astra*6 2t is not &ossi(le to commit error6 Let me re&eat it: 2t is im&ossi(le to go astra* (ecause /herever *ou go is @o) an) /hatsoever *ou )o culminates into )ivinit*6 ?ll acts are naturall* transforme) into the ultimate goo) an) (a), all6 +inner an) saint, all reach to @o)6 @o) is not something that *ou can avoi), (ut if *ou have some i)eal *ou can &ost&one6 'ou cannot avoi): sooner or later, @o) is going to take &ossession of *ou, (ut *ou can &ost&one6 'ou can &ost&one infinitel* AA that is *our free)om6 ;aving an i)eal means *ou are against @o)6 @ur)Fieff use) to sa* that all religions are against @o), an) he has somethingE he has a great insight into it6 ?ll religions are against @o) (ecause all religions have given i)eologies, i)eals6 .o i)eal is nee)e), no i)eolog* is nee)e)6 One shoul) live a sim&le, or)inar* lifeE one shoul) allo/ @o) to )o /hatsoever he /ants6 2f he /ants *ou to (e this /a*, goo)6 2f he /ants *ou to (e that /a*, goo)6 Let his king)om come, let ;2+ /ill (e )one AA that is the Taoist attitu)e6 Then there is no interference6 <hen there is no i)eal there is no interference6 ?n) once *ou enFo* the free)om that comes /hen *ou )onBt have an* i)eals, ho/ can *ou interfere in an*(o)*Bs lifeD 'ou interfere in the lives of *our chil)ren6 *ou interfere in the life of *our /ife6 *our hus(an)6 *our (rother6 *our frien), *our (elove)6 'ou can interfere onl* (ecause *ou think that (* interference *ou arc hel&ing them6 'ou are cri&&ling them6 'our interference is like /hat =en &eo&le sa* AA the* have the right ex&ression AA the* sa*: Putting shoes on a snake6 'ou are hel&ing, *ou ma* (e making a great effort, )oing great things AA &utting shoes on a snake thinking B;o/ /ill the snake /alk /ithout shoesD There ma* (e )ifficult* an) the roa)s are rough an) there are thorns also6 Life is full of thorns, so hel& the snake &ut shoes on the snake6B 'ou /ill kill the snake6 ?ll effort to im&rove u&on &eo&le is Fust like that, (ut it is a natural corollar*: if *ou are tr*ing to im&rove *ourself, *ou /ill tr* to im&rove others6 'our o/n )isease goes on overflo/ing onto others6 Once *ou sto& im&roving u&on *ourself, once *ou6 acce&t *ourself ?+ 'O> ?5# uncon)itionall*, /ith no gru)ge, /ith no com&laintE once *ou start loving *ourself as *ou are, all interference )isa&&ears6 The thir) thing: ?cce&ting /hat is no/, can one (* &rofession (e a &s*chothera&istD ;e /ill (e a thera&ist (ut in a totall* )ifferent sense AA not in the 9reu)ian sense, he /ill (e in the real sense a thera&ist6 ?n) /hat is the real sense of Bthera&istBD ;e /ill allo/ free)omE he /ill sim&l* 41

(e a &resence, a light, a Fo*6 ;e is not going to change the &atient, though the &atient /ill (e change)6 ;e /ill not make an* effort to make him /ell6 ;e /ill not make an* effort to make him normal6 ;e /ill not make an* effort to hel& him to (e a)Fuste) to this neurotic societ*6 ;e /ill not tr* to )o an*thing6 ;e /ill sim&l* (e a &resence, a catal*tic agent6 ;e /ill love6 ;e /ill share his energ* /ith the &atient, he /ill sho/er his energ* on the &atient6 ?n) remem(er, LOV# is real thera&*E ever*thing else is secon)ar*6 2n fact, there are so man* &s*chiatric &atients in the /orl) (ecause the* have not (een love), no(o)* has love) them AA thatBs /h* the* have gone (erserk6 The* have lost contact /ith their centre, (ecause it is onl* in love that one (ecomes centre)6 Their illness is not the real &ro(lemE the real &ro(lem is that )ee& )o/n the* have never (een love), that the* have never kno/n the milieu of love6 +o a Taoist thera&ist /ill sim&l* give his love, his un)erstan)ing, his vision6 ;e /ill share his energ* an) he /ill not in an* /a* interfere6 ?n) the healing is going to ha&&en6 ;ealing /ill ha&&en, not (* an* effort of the thera&ist (ut (* his noAeffort, (* his inactivit*, (* his tremen)ous &assivit*6 ;ave *ou /atche) it ha&&enD +ometimes *ou are ill an) *ou call the )octor, an) the )octor comesE an) su))enl* Fust his entering the room an) *ou are no longer asAill as *ou /ere (efore6 ;e has not given *ou an* me)icine, Fust his &resence, his care, his love6 ;e Fust &uts his han) on *our hea), takes *our &ulse, an) su))enl* *ou feel a change is ha&&ening6 ?n) he has not )one an*thing, no me)icine has (een given, he has not even )iagnose)6 #ven (efore )iagnosis, if the )octor is a loving &erson, fift* &er cent of the illness has )isa&&eare)6 ?n) for the remaining fift* &er cent, he has to )o something (ecause he also )oes not kno/ that man cannot heal an*(o)*6 2t is al/a*s @o) /ho heals6 Can can onl* (ecome a &assage for the healing energ* AA thatBs /h* healing /orks6 -ust three, four &ersons AA loving &ersons AA sit aroun) the &atient hol)ing han)s, singing a song, chanting, an) su))enl* the &arent feels a tremen)ous u&surge, a transformation, ha&&ening6 <hat is ha&&eningD These four &ersons, in love, have (ecome vehicles of @o), for Tao6 +ome(o)* can (e a thera&ist6 Tao is not against thera&*, (ut the thera&* /ill have a )ifferent Gualit*6 2t /ill (e <> <#2E it /ill (e action in inaction, it /ill (e feminine6 2t /ill not (e aggressive, it /ill not force the &atient to (e heale)E it /ill sim&l* &ersua)e6 2t /ill sim&l* se)uce the &atient to (e health*, thatBs all6 There is going to (e a great se)uction6 The thera&ist is centre), groun)e), is flo/ingE his &resence, his light, his love, /ill hel& the &atientBs energ* to come u&, to surface in his (eing6 2t /as al/a*s there AA he has lost contact6 2n =en tem&les the* treat ma) &eo&le6 The* )onBt )o an*thing6 The* take care6 <hen the* &ra*, the ma) &erson comes an) sits, an) the* are not &ra*ing for the ma) &erson at all that is not their concern6 The* are &ra*ing as usual, the* are chanting as usual, an) the ma) &erson sits there6 One h>n)re) :u))hist monks chanting, an) the (eautiful chant, an) the vi(e, an) the atmos&here, an) the silence of a =en communit*, an) the trees, an) the rock gar)en, an) the /hole atmos&here of it666 an) the &atient sim&l* sits6 2n fact the* )onBt even call him a &atient, (ecause to call a &atient a B&atientB is to fix the i)ea in his min) that he is ill6 2t is a suggestionE it is ver* )angerous6 The* )onBt call him a &atient AA a &erson /ho nee)s &ra*er, a &erson /ho nee)s me)itation, a &erson /ho nee)s relaxation, (ut not a &atientE not that he is ill, not that something has gone /rong, that he is a nut, no6 The ver* i)ea that some(o)* is a nut gives him the fixation B2 am a nutB, an) he goes on re&eating it an) he tries har) not to (e a nut6 ?n) there is a certain la/ )iscovere) (* h*&notists, the* call it Bthe la/ of reverse effectB6 2f *ou tr* too much not to (e a nut, *ou /ill (ecome a nut6 'ou can tr* an) see6 Tr* for seven )a*s not to (e a nut AA continuousl* remain conscious Bnot to (e a nutB, /atch ever* act that *ou )o AA an) /ithin seven )a*s, *ou /ill go nuts6 The continuous re&etition /ill create the reverse effect6 2n a =en monaster* /hat the* think a(out the &erson is that he nee)s relaxation, that he /as too much in the /orl) an) has (ecome too tense, that he is too tire), thatBs all6 .o )isvalue in it, Fust com&assion6 ;e is not hos&italise), he is sent to a tem&le6 Tem&les use) to function in the ol) times as the &laces of thera&*6 The tem&le is the right &lace for thera&*, (ecause the ver* i)ea is )ifferent6 'ou are not a &atient, *ou are not to (e 4!

hos&italise), *ou are not to lie )o/n on the &s*chiatristBs couchE *ou go to the tem&le6 'ou go to the tem&le to rene/ *our contact /ith @o)6 To rene/ *our contact /ith @o) (ecause he is the source of healing an) health an) /holeness6 'es, a &erson can (e a &s*chothera&ist6 2n fact, onl* a Taoist can (e an authenticall* real &s*chothera&ist6 :ut he /ill not (e the )oer6 ;e /ill (e Fust a vehicle, a me)ium6 Iuestion 2 2C?@2.# 'O> %?. T?L7 ?:O>T ?LL T;# BT5?P+B O9 @5O<T; :#%?>+# 'O> #JP#52#.%#$ T;#+# P5O:L#C+ 2. 'O>5 L29#6 <O>L$ 'O> :# <2LL2.@ TO T?L7 ?:O>T 'O>5 5#?L L29# #JP#52#.%#+ 5?T;#5 T;?. ->+T T;# ?:+T5?%T#$, 2CP#5+O.?L %O.%#PT+D The real cannot (e talke) a(out6 The moment *ou talk a(out the real it (ecomes an a(stract conce&t6 The moment something is ex&resse) it (ecomes a conce&t6 ThatBs /h* Lao Tzu sa*s The Tao that can (e talke) a(out is no longer Tao6 The truth that can (e uttere) (ecomes a lie6 The real cannot (e talke) a(out, the real can onl* (e ex&erience)6 ?n) it is goo) that the real cannot (e talke) a(out, other/ise &eo&le /oul) sim&l* gather /or)s a(out the real an) forget a(out ex&eriencing it6 :* its ver* nature realit* is elusive, it never comes into /or)s6 +o all that 2 can )o is to sho/ *ou the tra&s so that *ou can avoi) the tra&s6 2f *ou can avoi) all the tra&s *ou /ill fall into the real6 That is the ancientmost metho)E the >&anisha)s call it .#T2 .#T2, Bneither this nor thatB6 The* sa*: +ho/ the )isci&le this is not true, that is not true6 @o on sho/ing him /hat is not true6 <hen *ou have covere) the /hole fiel), /hen *ou have sho/n him ever*thing that is not true, then su))enl* he /ill (ecome a/are of truth (ecause no/ onl* truth is left6 +o all that 2 can )o is to talk a(out the tra&s6 The Guestion is relevant6 Can* &eo&le think B'ou shoul) talk onl* a(out @o), a(out truth, a(out CO7+;?, .25V?.?6 <h* shoul) *ou talk a(out Fealous*, hatre), angerDB :ecause if *ou go to other ashrams in 2n)ia *ou /ill not fin) thera&ies there6 'ou /ill not fin) encounter grou&s, *ou /ill not fin) gestalt grou&s, *ou /ill not fin) (ioenergetics, *ou /ill not fin) 5olfing an) +tructural 2ntegration6 .o, the* sim&l* rea) the scri&ture, the* talk a(out truth6 ;ere the /hole a&&roach is totall* )ifferent, (ecause *ou can go on talking a(out truth an) it is meaningless unless the tra&s are (roken6 C* /hole effort here is to (reak all the tra&s6 Once tra&s are (roken, (locks are remove), the stream of truth flo/s6 2t is not a Guestion of the stream, it is onl* a Guestion of the rocks that are (locking the &ath6 The /hole a&&roach has to (e un)erstoo), an) thatBs /hat 2 go on )oing /hile 2 am talking6 'ou ma* (e sur&rise) (ecause for all of these fe/ )a*s 2 have not (een talking a(out Tao, rather 2 have (een criticising %onfucius6 ;e is the tra&E he has to (e (roken, )emolishe) com&letel*, /ith no com&assion6 ;e has to (e smashe) to &ieces an) (its, an) thro/n6 Once %onfucius is gone6 Lao Tzu enters6 'ou /oul) like to invite Lao Tzu (ut %onfucius is sitting on the throneE he has to (e )ethrone) first6 Once he is )ethrone), su))enl* *ou /ill see Lao Tzu has al/a*s (een there AA the &resence of %onfucius /as hi)ing him6 .#T2 .#T2 AA the negative a&&roach: m* a&&roach is negative6 2 /ill never talk a(out realit* (ecause it cannot (e talke) a(out6 2 onl* talk a(out /hat is unreal, /hat is /rong6 Once *ou un)erstan) the false as the false, *ou /ill (ecome ca&a(le of kno/ing the real as the real6 Iuestion , O+;O, <;#. ?C 2 @O2.@ TO :#%OC# #.L2@;T#.#$D Please )onBt (e in such a hurr* (ecause 2 /ill (e left /ithout (usiness6 This is not fair6 2f 2 have so much com&assion for *ou, *ou shoul) have at least a little com&assion to/ar)s me too6 @o slo/l*6 Let me also enFo* the Casterhoo)6

43

The &s*chiatrist leane) heavil* on the (ar an) (egan to )rink long, har) )ou(les6 ;is face /as /reathe) in sorro/ an) he /as, at the same time, ominousl* sa)6 ?nother &s*chiatrist ha&&ene) (*6 B-ohnHB he exclaime): B-ohnH C* goo) fello/6 'ou )onBt seem to (e *ourself tonight6 %are to tell me a(out itDB BThere isnBt much to tellB -ohn re&lie)6 B5emem(er that rich nut 2 /as treating for *earsD The one /ho &racticall* ke&t me in (usiness from the startDB B2 certainl* )o6 'ou mean the one /ho ke&t )reaming for thirt* *ears that he /as still in high schoolDB -ohn no))e)6 B<hat ha&&ene)DB BLast /eek he gra)uate)6B $onBt gra)uate so fast6 @o slo/l*6 #ven if *ou /ant to (e in a hurr*, remem(er it: there are things /hich cannot (e )one in a hurrie) /a*, an) enlightenment is one of those things6 2f *ou hurr* *ou /ill never arrive6 2f *ou go slo/l*, there is a &ossi(ilit* of arriving6 ?n) if *ou )onBt go an*/here at all, if *ou sim&l* sit /here *ou are, *ou have arrive)6 2t is not a Guestion of an* )istance that has to (e travelle)E it is not a goal far a/a*6 .aturall*, if the goal is far a/a* *ou can go faster6 Culla .asru))in /orks in an office, an) he lives Fust in front of the office an) is al/a*s late6 The (oss, tire) one )a*, sai) BThis is too much6 2 have (een telling *ou again an) again an) again6 $onBt *ou seeD The other &erson /ho /orks /ith *ou an) lives three miles a/a* is al/a*s on time, an) *ou live Fust in front of the office an) are al/a*s late6B Culla .asru))in sai) B2t is sim&le, it is logical6 2f he is late he can hurr*666 three miles6 2f 2 am late, 2 am late AA there is no /a* to hurr*6 The ga&666 he can run, he can take a taxi6 :ut /hat to )oD 2f 2 am late, 2 am late6 2 am Fust in front of the office AA there is no /a* to hurr*6B 5emem(er, enlightenment is not some/here else, neither in s&ace nor in time, it is hereA no/6 ?n) if *ou hurr* too much *ou /ill go astra*, *ou /ill go far a/a*6 The /hole thing is to slo/ )o/n AA to slo/ )o/n so )ee&l* that one )a* .OT;2.@ moves in *ou6 2n that ver* moment, in that moment of noAmovement, *ou /ill (ecome enlightene)6 Particularl* for the <estern min) s&ee) is an o(session6 The* think that from the (ullock cart the* have come to the Fet, so /h* canBt s&ee)* metho)s (e )evelo&e) for enlightenmentD 2f the coffee can (e instant, then /h* canBt .25V?.? (e instantD :ut the* )onBt un)erstan), (ecause .25V?.? 2+ not some/here else, other/ise it coul) have (een &ossi(le to go /ith s&ee)6 2t is alrea)* the case6 'ou have to come onl* /here *ou are6 'ou have to (e that /hich *ou alrea)* are6 +o the faster *ou go, the further a/a* *ou /ill reach AA far a/a* from enlightenment6 2t is not a Guestion of reaching, it is not a Guestion of arriving AA *ou have to sim&l* slo/ )o/n6 ?n) thats /hat the /hole teaching of Tao is, an) m* teaching too6 +lo/ )o/n6 5elax6 9orget i)eals6 9orget that there is an* future6 Let this moment (e all6 5elax6 #nFo* the small things of life, so that *ou are not going, so that *ou are not al/a*s &roFecting some )esire into the future6 'ou )onBt have an* future6 Then one )a* it ha&&ens: *ou have fallen tremen)ousl* into the &resent momentE nothing moves6 2n that moment of noAmovement one sim&l* recognises /ho am 16 ?ll these me)itations that *ou are )oing here are onl* to hel& *ou to relax, to forget the future, to (e hereAno/6 +inging, )ancing, chanting, humming666 it is a &resentAmoment activit*: *ou get a(sor(e) into it6 Listening to me is a me)itation: *ou get a(sor(e) into it6 'ou are not /orr*ing a(out going an*/here, *ou are sim&l* here /ith me6 2n the #ast, +?T+?.@? has (een one of the most valua(le metho)s for enlightenment6 The #ast has sai) that if *ou are in the &resence of the Caster, nothing else is nee)e)6 -ust (e in his &resence, Fust sit silentl* /ith him, Fust (e /ith him an) enlightenment /ill take care of itself6 <henever the right moment comes it /ill ha&&en6 'ou nee) not /orr* a(out it, *ou nee) not &lan 44

it, other/ise *ou /ill (e in a turmoil: B<hen is this enlightenment going to ha&&enDB Then enlightenment has also (ecome a )esire, a gree), a lust6 Iuestion " 'O> +?2$ T;# OT;#5 $?' T;?T $>T' <?+ ? 9O>5AL#TT#5 <O5$, :>T 2 ;?V# ?L+O ;#?5$ 'O> +?' C?.' T2C#+ T;?T 'O> <?.T 'O>5 +?..'?+2.+ TO :# T5#C#.$O>+L' 5#+PO.+2:L#6 PL#?+# T#LL C#, ?5# .OT ? +#.+# O9 $>T' ?.$ ? +#.+# O9 5#+PO.+2:2L2T' T;# +?C# T;2.@D 2 ;OP#, :#LOV#$ O+;O, T;?T 2 ?C .OT %O.9>+2.@ 'O>H 'ou cannot666 (ecause 2 am utterl* confuse)6 'ou cannot confuse me an* more6 2 am a(solutel* confuse)6 $ut* an) res&onsi(ilit* are s*non*ms in the )ictionar*6 (ut not in life6 2n life the* are not onl* )ifferent, the* are )iametricall* o&&osite6 $ut* is otherAoriente), res&onsi(ilit* is selfA oriente)6 <hen *ou sa* B2 have to )o itB, it is a )ut*6 B:ecause m* mother is ill, 2 have to go an) sit (* her si)e6B Or, B2 have to take flo/ers to the hos&ital6 2 have to )o it, she is m* mother6B $ut* is otherAoriente): *ou )onBt have an* res&onsi(ilit*6 'ou are fulfilling a social formalit* AA (ecause she is *our motherE *ou )onBt love her6 ThatBs /h* 2 sa* that )ut* is a fourAletter, )irt*, /or)6 2f *ou love *our mother, *ou /ill not sa* BThis is a )ut*6B 2f *ou love *our mother, *ou /ill go to the hos&ital, *ou /ill take the flo/ers, *ou /ill serve *our mother, *ou /ill (e (* her (e)si)e, *ou /ill massage her feet, *ou /ill feel for her, (ut it /ill not (e a )ut* AA it /ill (e res&onsi(ilit*6 'ou /ill res&on) out of *our heart6 5es&onsi(ilit* means the ca&acit* to res&on)6 'our heart vi(rates, *ou feel for her, *ou care for herE not that she is *our mother AA that is irrelevant AA *ou love the /oman6 +he is *our mother AA or not, that is secon)ar* AA (ut *ou love the /oman, *ou love the /oman as a &erson6 2t is a flo/ing from *our heart6 ?n) *ou /ill not feel that *ou have o(lige) her, an) *ou /ill not go a)vertising all aroun) that *ou are such a )ut*Afulfilling son6 'ou /ill not feel that *ou have )one something6 'ou have not )one an*thing6 <hat have *ou )oneD -ust taking a fe/ flo/ers to the mother /ho is ill an) *ou feel that *ou have )one a great o(ligationD ThatBs /h* 2 sa* that )ut* is )irt*6 The ver* /or) is )irt*: it is otherAoriente)6 5es&onsi(ilit* has a totall* )ifferent )imension: *ou love, *ou care, *ou feelE it comes out of *our feeling6 $ut* comes out of thinking that she is *our mother AA BthatBs /h*B, BthereforeBE it is a s*llogism, it is logical6 'ou go someho/, )ragging *ourself, *ou /oul) like to esca&e, (ut /hat can *ou )oD 'our res&ecta(ilit* is at stake6 <hat /ill &eo&le sa*D 'our mother is ill an) *ou are enFo*ing *ourself in the clu( an) *ou are )ancing, an) *our mother is illD .o, *our ego /ill (e hurt6 2f *ou coul) avoi) this mother /ithout *our res&ecta(ilit* (eing affecte) an) *our ego (eing affecte), *ou /oul) like to avoi)6 'ou /ill go to the hos&ital an) *ou /ill (e in a hurr* to rush a/a*, *ou /ill fin) some reason6 B2 have to go6 (ecause there is an a&&ointment6B There ma* not (e6 'ou /ant to avoi) this /oman, *ou )onBt /ant toA(e /ith her: even five minutes are too much6 'ou )onBt love6 $ut* 2 am against, (ut res&onsi(ilit* AA *es, 2 sa* that m* sann*asins have to (e tremen)ousl* res&onsi(le6 ?n) once *ou )ro& )ut* *ou are free to (e res&onsi(le6 2n m* chil)hoo) m* gran)father use) to like his feet to (e massage) an) he /oul) call an*(o)* AA /hosoever /as &assing6 ;e /as ver* ol) an) he /oul) sa* B<ill *ou massage m* feetDB +ometimes 2 /oul) sa* *es an) 2 /oul) massage, an) sometimes 2 /oul) sa* no6 ;e (ecame intrigue)6 ;e sai) B<hat is the matterD +ometimes *ou sa* *es an) no(o)* massages m* feet as lovingl* as *ou )o AA (ut sometimes *ou sim&l* sa* no6B 2 sai) B<henever it is a )ut* 2 sa* no6 <henever it is a res&onsi(ilit*, 2 )o it6B ;e sai) B<hat is the )ifferenceDB 100

2 sai) BThis is the )ifference6 <hen 2 feel love, /hen 2 /oul) like to massage *our feet, then 2 )o it6 <hen 2 feel it is Fust a formalit* AA (ecause *ou have aske) an) 2 have to )o it AA m* min) /ill not (e here (ecause the chil)ren are &la*ing outsi)e an) the* are inviting me666 2 /ill not (e here at all, then 2 )onBt /ant to )o it (ecause that is ugl*6B +o sometimes it /oul) ha&&en that 2 ha) to sa* no to him /hen he /ante) a massage, an) sometimes 2 /oul) sim&l* go to him an) ask B<oul) *ou like a little massageD 2 am in the moo)6 2 /ill reall* )o a (eautiful Fo(6 'ou allo/ me6B $o /hatsoever comes out of *our feeling, out of *our heartE never re&ress *our heart6 .ever follo/ *our min) (ecause min) is a social (*&ro)uct, it is not *our realit*6 Cove out of *our realit*6 9unction out of *our realit*6 $onBt function out of &rinci&les, etiGuette, &atterns of (ehaviour, /hat %onfucius calls Bgentlemanl*B6 $onBt (e a gentleman, (e a man AA thatBs enough, (e a /oman AA AthatBs enough6 ?n) (e trul* a man, trul* a /oman6 +ometimes *ou /ill feel like )oing somethingE )o, &our *our heart in it, it /ill (e a (eautiful flo/ering6 +ometimes *ou /onBt /ant to )o, sa* so, (e clear a(out itE there is no nee) to camouflage it6 Iuestion 0 <;' $O#+ O.# %L2.@ TO T;# OL$D <;' 2+ O.# ?95?2$ O9 T;# .#<D There is a natural reason in it6 <ith the ol) one is efficient, /ith the ne/ one is a/k/ar)6 <ith the ol) *ou kno/ /hat to )o, /ith the ne/ *ou /ill have to learn from ?:%6 <ith the ne/ *ou start feeling ignorant6 <ith the ol) *ou are kno/le)gea(le: *ou have )one something again an) again, *ou can )o it mechanicall*, *ou nee) not have an* a/areness, <ith the ne/ *ou /ill have to (e alert, a/are, other/ise something ma* go /rong6 ;ave *ou not /atche) itD <hen *ou learn )riving, *ou are so alert6 <hen *ou have learne) it, *ou forget a(out it6 'ou sing a song, *ou listen to the ra)io, *ou talk to the frien) or *ou think a thousan) an) one thoughts, an) )riving continues as a mechanical thing, ro(otAlike AA *ou are not nee)e)6 The ol) (ecomes mechanical, ha(itual6 ThatBs /h* /ith the ne/ comes fear6 ThatBs /h* chil)ren are ca&a(le of learning6 The ol)er *ou gro/, the less is the ca&acit* to learn6 2t is ver* )ifficult to teach an ol) )og ne/ tricks6 ;e /ill re&eat the ol) tricks again an) againE those tricks he kno/s6 2 have hear)6666 The foreign )i&lomat /as una(le to s&eak #nglish6 <hen the lunch(ell rang at the >nite) .ations ?ssem(l* he stoo) (ehin) a man at the foo) counter an) hear) him or)er a&&leA&ie an) coffee6 +o he or)ere) a&&leA&ie an) coffee too6 9or the next t/o /eeks he ke&t or)ering a&&le&ie an) coffee6 9inall* he )eci)e) he /ante) to tr* something else so he listene) attentivel* /hile another man or)ere) a ham san)/ich6 B;am san)/ichB he sai) to the counterman6 B<hite or r*eDB the counterman aske)6 B;am san)/ichB the )i&lomat re&eate)6 B<hite or r*eDB the counterman aske) again6 B;am san)/ichB the )i&lomat re&eate)6 The counterman gre/ ver* angr*6 BLook, CacB he roare) shaking his fist un)er the )i&lomatBs nose, B)o *ou /ant it on /hite or r*eDB B?&&leA&ie an) coffeeB ans/ere) the )i&lomat6 <ho shoul) take such a (otherD 2t is getting too )angerous, thatBs /h* one goes on /ith the ol)6 :ut if *ou live /ith the ol), *ou )onBt live at all, *ou live onl* for the nameBs sake6 Onl* /ith the ne/ is life6 Onl* /ith the ne/, an) onl* /ith the ne/ is life6 Life has to (e fresh6 5emain a learner, never (ecome a kno/er6 5emain o&en, never (ecome close)6 5emain ignorant, go on thro/ing the kno/le)ge that accumulates AA automaticall*, naturall*6 #ach )a*, 101

each moment, free *ourself from all that *ou have kno/n an) again (ecome a chil)6 To (ecome so innocent, like a chil), is the /a* to live an) to live a(un)antl*6 Iuestion 1 2+ T;# %;2L$2+;.#++ O9 +#.2L2T' ?.'T;2.@ TO $O <2T; ?<?5#.#++D 2+ +#.2L2T' ? $2+#?+# O9 T;# <#+T O.L'D <;?T 2+ +#.2L2T'D 2t has nothing to )o /ith #ast or <est6 #ast an) <est ma* )iffer on the surface AA )ee& )o/n there is no )ifference6 Can is man666 ma*(e a fe/ )ifferent &atterns in the #ast an) a fe/ )ifferent &atterns in the <est, (ut the* are on the surfaceE the* are onl* skin )ee&6 -ust scratch a little an) #ast an) <est (oth )isa&&ear6 $ee& )o/n is humanit*, one6 This Guestion is significant6 B2s the chil)ishness of senilit* an*thing to )o /ith a/arenessDB ?n), B<hat is senilit*DB +enilit* is (ecoming ol) /ithout (ecoming mature6 +enilit* is gro/ing ol) /ithout gro/ing u&6 Then, as the en) result, the senile &erson (ecomes ver* chil)ish (ecause his chil) has never (ecome a gro/nAu&E he has al/a*s (een hi)ing the chil) insi)e him6 ;e /as occu&ie) in a thousan) an) one things of the /orl) an) the chil) /as /aiting an) /aiting6 .o/ he has (ecome retire), no/ all those occu&ations are gone an) his energ* also is /eakening, so all those controls are also gone6 :ecause /hen *ou control *ourself an) *ou &reten) something that *ou are not an) *ou hi)e something that *ou are, great energ* is nee)e)6 The ol) man is naturall* losing energ*E his control is gone, he cannot control, so that /hich is hi))en insi)e him surfaces: he again (ecomes chil)ish6 :ut remem(er, that is not /hat -esus means /hen he sa*s: Onl* those /ho are like chil)ren /ill (e ca&a(le of entering into the king)om of @o)6 %hil)Alikeness is not chil)ishness6 %hil)A likeness comes onl* /hen a &erson is not onl* gro/ing in age (ut is gro/ing u&, is (ecoming integrate) insi)e6 2t is not onl* a &h*siological &henomenon that he is sixt*, (ut &s*chologicall*, s&irituall*, he has (ecome a gro/nAu& &erson, mature, ri&e6 Then, in the en), the &erson (ecomes chil)Alike, innocent6 %hil)ishness is not a value, it is a )isvalue6 %hil)Alikeness is a great value6 To (e chil)Alike means that the circle is com&lete: the man has live) life, live) an) love), ex&erience) all that /as availa(le an) has come to conclu)e that there is nothing more valua(le than innocence6 ;e has kno/n AA kno/n that kno/le)ge is futile, so he has )ro&&e) kno/le)ge6 ;e has kno/n all the cunning /a*s of the /orl) AA he has (een cunning, he has (een )ece&tive, he has (een )eceive), others have (een cunning to/ar)s him AA he has kno/n all that, (ut he has gro/nAu& an) he has come to conclu)e that that is Fust useless, meaningless6 $eceiving, )eceive) AA all is a gameE it )oes not lea) *ou an*/here, it is a )ream6 ;e has )ro&&e) all those games6 ? reall* mature &erson is one /ho has no more o(sessions /ith an* game6 ;e lives sim&l*, innocentl*, /ithout an* &retensions an) /ithout an* masks6 That is the innocent &erson: a gro/nA u& &erson (ecome innocent, chil)Alike6 +im&l* getting ol) in age, one (ecomes senile, ugl*, rottenE an) one )a*, /hen *our energies are gone, *our chil)ishness surfaces an) the ol) &erson starts (ehaving in foolish /a*s6 5emem(er, to (e foolish is one thing an) to (e innocent is totall* another6 +ometimes the* look similar, (ut the* are not6 ?n innocent &erson ma* sometimes look foolish, (ut he is not foolish6 'ou can cheat him, (ut he is not foolishE an) /hile *ou are cheating him he is feeling com&assion for *ou6 One )a* *ou /ill un)erstan) that *ou /ere a fool, he /as not a fool6 ? foolish &erson looks innocent, (ut is not innocent6 ;e is also cunning, though his cunningness is not a ver* )evelo&e) Gualit*, his cunningness is not ver* com&lex6 ;e is also cunning, (ut &eo&le are more cunning than him AA he is relativel* less cunning, so he looks foolish6 ?n innocent &erson looks similar to the foolish one, (ut he is not6 %hil)ishness is foolishness, stu&i)it*: i)iotic it is6 %hil)Alikeness is totall* )ifferent: it is a flo/ering of innocence6 +t6 9rancis is chil)Alike, -esus is chil)Alike, Lao Tzu is chil)Alike6 10

Iuestion ! T;# L?+T T2C# 2 <?+ ;#5# 2 +?< C'+#L9 ?+ ? :#@@?5E T;2+ T2C# ? T;2#96 PL#?+# %OCC#.T6 'ou are gro/ing /ellH This is the s&iritual &ath6 ? )isci&le, /hen he first comes to the Caster, is naturall* like a (eggar6 ;e is (egging, he is tremen)ousl* )esirous, gree)*E he goes on asking this an) that6 <hen *ou have gro/n a little into the /orl) of )isci&leshi& *ou (ecome a thief6 Then *ou start feeling that truth cannot (e given, it can onl* (e stolen6 'es, this is the /a* in /hich a )isci&le gro/s6 Truth has to (e stolen from the Caster, it cannot (e given6 'ou /ill have to (e ver*, ver* intelligent, a/are, to steal it a/a*6 2f 2 coul) give it to *ou it /oul) have (een sim&le, (ut 2 cannot give6 'ou have to (ecome ver*, ver* alert6 $o *ou kno/ that the art of the thief is the art of a/arenessD <hen a thief enters into some(o)*Bs house in the )ark night AA no light AA he ma* not have entere) the house (efore, he ma* not kno/ the to&ogra&h* of the house at all, (ut still he functions /ell6 ;e moves in some(o)* elseBs house, /hich he has never entere), as if it /ere his o/n house6 ;e has a tremen)ous confi)ence6 ?n) he moves so alertl* that he )oes not make a single soun)E his (reathing is ver* Guiet, he moves as if he /ere not there6 @reat art6 2t is sai) a(out one =en Caster that he use) to sen) his )isci&les to learn the art of stealing6 ;e use) to sen) them to a master thief6 B@o to the master thief an) learn such selfAconfi)ence as a thief has, such a/areness, such cautious alertness, such min)fulness AA (ecause a thief has to (e ver*, ver* min)ful, he nee)s &resence of min)6B 'ou cannot rehearse it AA it is not acting, *ou cannot &re&are for it6 .o(o)* kno/s /hat is going to ha&&en6 'ou cannot arrange for it, *ou cannot &re&are for it AA an*thing is &ossi(le6 2t is ver* acci)ental6 2t is sai) a(out a master, a master /ho /as /ell kno/n all over -a&an an) /as a master thief, that his son aske) him B.o/ *ou are getting ol), teach me *our art6B The ol) man sai) BOka*, (ut this is such an art as cannot (e taught6 2t is more like a knack AA not like kno/le)ge, (ut 2 /ill tr*6 'ou come /ith me tonight6B The *oung man /as ver* afrai), (ut the ol) man AA /ho /as ver* ol), sevent* *ears ol) AA the ol) man /ent an) (roke o&en a /all6 ?n) the man /as &ers&iring although it /as a col) night, an) he /as trem(ling6 :ut the father /as /orking so at ease, as if this /ere his o/n house6 ;e (roke o&en a hole, he entere) an) calle) the son6 ;e /ent in, (ut his (reathing /as so chaotic that he coul) not control it, an) the father /as as if he /ere not (reathing6 Then the father took him in6 ;e o&ene) man* )oors an) the* /ent to the main cham(er of the house /here he o&ene) a cu&(oar) an) tol) the son B@o in an) (ring the (est )resses there are6B ?n) the son /ent in an) the father locke) the )oor, ma)e a lou) noise an) ran a/a*6 .o/ the /hole house /as a/ake an) ever*(o)* starte) searching AA /here /as the thiefD The /all ha) (een (roken, certainl*6 ?n) this *oung man AA insi)e the cu&(oar) an) the cu&(oar) locke) AA starte) thinking B;as m* father gone ma)D 2s this the /a* to teachDB ?n) he starte) &ra*ing to @o) BThis is m* first an) last6 2 /ill never even think a(out it6B Then a servant came /ith a can)le an) he looke) aroun), an) su))enl* the *oung man foun) that he /as making a noise like rats make6 2t /as ver* intuitive6 ?n) the servant o&ene) the )oor an) looke) in6 The *oung man (le/ out the can)le, rushe) out /ith the /hole house an) the servants an) the neigh(ours follo/ing him6 ?n) he came (* the si)e of a /ell, he thre/ a (ig rock in it an) stoo) (* the si)e, (ehin) a tree6 The /hole house an) the servants an) the neigh(ours all gathere) at the /ell6 The* thought that the thief ha) Fum&e) in, an) the* sai) B.o/ there is no &ro(lem6 2n the morning /e /ill see, either he /ill (e )ea) or he /ill go to the Fail6B ?n) the* /ent (ack6 .o/ the son came (ack home, an) the father /as fast aslee& an) snoring6 ;e &ulle) (ack the (lanket, thre/ the (lanket an) sai) B;ave *ou gone ma)DB ?n) the father sai) B.o/ there is no &ro(lem6 'ou are (ack, so *ou have learne) the art6 .o/ go to slee& an) from tomorro/ *ou start on *our o/n6B :ut the son sai) BTell me /h* *ou )i) thisHB The father sai) B2t is not a Guestion of teaching AA it is intuitive art6 +uch things ha&&en, so 2 left *ou in a ver* acci)ental situation6 +uch 10,

things ha&&enH This is no or)inar* art, (ut no/ *ou have come (ack home 2 kno/ *ou are a (orn thief, *ou are m* son6B @oo), 5amanan)a6 This Guestion is from 5amanan)a6 Last time *ou /ere a (eggar, no/ *ou are thief6 :e reall* a master thief6 Iuestion 3 <;?T 2+ 5?T2O.?L2+?T2O.D 5ationalisation is a &seu)o reasoning AA it looks like reason, (ut is not6 2n life *ou use it ever* )a*6 'ou come from the office angr*, the (oss /as nast* (ut *ou coul) not (e angr* thereE there *ou ha) to smile6 ;e /as shouting at *ou, screaming at *ou, an) *ou /ere smilingE *ou /ere as soft as (utter, *ou s/allo/e) anger6 'ou /ante) to kill the man then an) there, (ut that is not economical an) can lea) *ou into )anger6 +o no/ *ou come (ack home, no/ *ou start searching in a ver* unconscious /a* to fin) some excuse so that *ou can thro/ out *our anger6 ?n) *our small chil) comes )ancing an) singing, an) *ou are angr*, an) *ou sa* B.ot a single momentBs &eaceH +to&H The /hole )a* 2 have (een tire) an) 2 come home an) there is no &eace even here6B ?n) *ou get angr*6 .o/, rationall*, *ou manage AA as if the chil) has )istur(e) *ou6 The chil) has al/a*s (een that /a* (ut to)a* *ou are angr*, no/ *ou rationalise6 Or *ou )onBt like the foo) that the /ife has &re&are) AA not that the foo) is (a), (ut *ou are searching, *ou are gro&ing in the )ark for some excuse6 ?n) then, if the foo) is not goo), or *ou can &rove that the foo) is not goo) AA /hich is ver* eas*, then *ou ex&lo)e at the /ife an) *ou rationalise6 :ut *ou )onBt look at the real reason6 2f *ou reall* /ant to (e a/ake an) alert an) if *ou reall* /ant to (e a religious &erson, *ou /ill have to )ro& all rationalisations6 These rationalisations are ver* trick*: (ecause of these rationalisations *ou can never look )ee& insi)e *ourself6 'ou fin) a thousan) an) one /a*s to &ersua)e *ourself, to &reten)6 These &retensions have to (e )ro&&e)6 2f *ou are angr*, let it (e clear to *ou that it is anger6 :etter go to the /ife an) sa* B$o something /rong &lease6 2 am angr* an) 2 /ant to thro/ it6B That /ill (e (etter, more alert6 'ou tell *our son B+houtH -um&H :reak somethingH 2 am ver* angr* an) 2 /oul) like to thro/ it on *ou6 ;el& me6B That /ill (e more conscious6 2f *ou start living consciousl*, (* an) (* *ou /ill see that *ou have (een rationalising an) rationalising in *our life6 'ou have not )one an*thing else6 Let me tell *ou fe/ anec)otes that /ill give *ou some )ifferent angles of rationalisation6 There /as a ro/ in a small to/n (et/een a %hristian grou& of citizens an) the -e/ish communit*6 The %hristians /ere unveiling a statue of -esus, /hen a %hristian (ecame involve) /ith a -e/6 The -e/ &icke) u& a large stone an) thre/ it at his enem* (ut struck the statue instea), knocking off its hea)6 ;e ha) not inten)e) it, (ut he coul) not let the inci)ent go to loss AA a -e/ never allo/s an*thing to go to loss6 BThere *ou areB he shoute) trium&hantl*6 B2f that ha) (een Coses he /oul) have )ucke)6B .o/ this is a rationalisation6 One has to fin) a /a* to esca&e out of it an) one has to use it for oneBs o/n (enefit6 'ou never allo/ an*thing to go to loss: goo), (a), nectar, &oison AA /hatsoever: *ou tr* to use it for *our o/n &rofit6 :ut (* an) (* this (ecomes such a )ee&Aroote) ha(it that *ou com&letel* forget a(out real reasons6 The fighter ha) a goo) chance to ca&ture the cham&ionshi& if he traine) )iligentl*, (ut he coul)nBt (reak the ha(it of in)ulging in .e/ 'ork nightAlife6 9inall* his manager /as force) to la* )o/n the la/6 B#ither *ou Guit the night life until after the (outB he or)ere) Bor 2Bll cancel the (out on the groun)s that *ouBre out of con)ition6B 10"

The fighter agree) to (ehave himself an) all /ent /ell for a(out a /eek6 Then the manager foun) the fighter sneaking into cam& at four in the morning6 B<ell, /hatBs *our ali(i this timeDB the manager aske) in )isgust6 B2 hear) a noiseB the fighter ex&laine) Bso 2 got u& to investigate6B B'eah, /ell ho/ come *ouBre all )resse) u& in a tuxe)oDB B2 thought it might (e a la)* (urglar6B One goes on an) on )efen)ing oneself, creating more an) more lies aroun) oneself6 2f *ou look at *ourself honestl*, *ou /ill fin) nothing (ut a (un)le of lies6 ThatBs /h* &eo&le )onBt look at themselves, (ecause it is horri(le to look at: the /hole thing is Fust a lie6 +ocrates sa*s B7no/ th*self6B The >&anisha)s sa* BLook /ithin6B -esus an) :u))ha an) Lao Tzu the* all go on teaching B%lose *our e*es an) go /ithin6B :ut *ou cannot go, (ecause /henever *ou look /ithin there are lies an) lies, Gueues u&on Gueues of lies6 2t is horri(le to look at those lies that *ou have live), that *ou have &reten)e) to live6 ? man /ho is reall* in search of truth has to )ro& all of these rationalisations6 Three textile men /ere seate) in 9euersteinBs, the Lin)*Bs of the Lo/er #ast +i)e, an) )iscussing the finer things life has to offer6 BThe (estB sai) .at Pineus Bis a nice Fuic* steak, smothere) in onions an) mushrooms /ith cris& frenchAfrie) &otatoes6B B2 )onBt agreeB ans/ere) Lou @ol)(erg6 BThe (est is (orscht, a (oile) &otato an) a goo) &iece of herring6B +harfman shook his hea)6 B2Bm sorr*, gentlemen, to me the (est is a )ate /ith Lana Turner, -ane 5ussell an) Caril*n Conroe6B B?haB re&lie) Pineus an) @ol)(erg Ban) /hoBs talking a(out the ver* (estDB 2mme)iatel* AA the* /ere talking a(out the (est6 .o/ the* sa* B<hoBs talking a(out the ver* (estDB 'ou can al/a*s fin) a loo&Ahole to &rotect *ourselfE an) the min) is ver* cunning6 2f *ou reall* /ant to get out of the cunningness of the min) AA /hich is not )eceiving an*(o)* (ut *ourself AA *ou /ill have to fin) out ho/ the min) has (ecome traine) in fin)ing rationalisations, loo&Aholes, false reasons, &retensions, masks, lies6 2t has reall* (ecome a great inventive force in *our life6 ?n) it is not a(out (ig things6 ?(out small things too666 *our smile, the /a* *ou look at &eo&le, the /a* *ou /alk AA all are lies6 'ou never /alk as if *ou /ere alone on the earth6 'ou never smile as if the smile /ere coming from *our inner (eing6 2t is al/a*s a &retensionE it is al/a*s a language, a gesture6 Look at &eo&le an) *ou /ill fin) a mess6 Their e*es sa* one thing, their li&s sa* another thingE their /or)s sa* one thing, their han)s are ex&ressing something else6 :ut no(o)* looks, (ecause ever*(o)* is so much )ro/ne) in his o/n lies AA ho/ can *ou look at othersD @ur)Fieff took his )isci&les far a/a* to a 5ussian to/n, Tiflis, for three months6 The* ke&t a(solutel* silent for three monthsE silence /as reall* a(solute AA not even through gestures ha) the* to sho/ an*thing, not even through e*es ha) the* to recognise that some(o)* else /as &resent6 ?n) in one, sim&le, small house, thirt* &ersons6 ?n) each ha) to live as if he /ere alone6 T/ent*Aseven left AA onl* three /ere left in the house6 ?fter three months, @ur)Fieff (rought these three &ersons to Tiflis to/n an) sai) to them BLook aroun)6B Ous&ensk* /as one of these three )isci&les, an) Ous&ensk* /rites in his )iar* B2 coul) not (elieve6 2 sa/ )ea) &eo&le /alking666 lies an) lies an) lies6 .o(o)* /as true6 ?n) that )a*B Ous&ensk* sa*s B2 recognise) @ur)Fieff an) his truth6 Onl* he /as stan)ing there, alone in that /hole to/n of thousan)s of &eo&le, /ho /as true6B :ut Ous&ensk* sa*s B:efore that 2 ha) never imagine) such a situation6 2 ha) never thought that all these &eo&le /ere Fust lies6B 100

The )a* *our me)itation /ill enter into *our (eing *ou /ill (e sur&rise): *ou /ill fin) millions of somnam(ulistic &eo&le Fust moving in )ee& slee&, living lies, cor&ses6 ?n) onl* then can *ou recognise a :u))ha, onl* then can *ou recognise /ho is enlightene)6 :efore that it is im&ossi(le, an) the /a* to/ar)s it: to thro/ all rationalisations6 .ext time *ou start rationalising something, sto& imme)iatel*, then an) there6 The moment *ou catch hol) of *ourself re)Ahan)e), sto& it imme)iatel*, even if it feels a/k/ar)6 'ou /ere Fust going to smile, a frien) came to meet *ou an) *ou /ere Fust going to smile, an) *ou kno/ it is a lieE sto& it, let it )isa&&ear imme)iatel* from *our li&s an) tell *our frien) B#xcuse me6 2 /as Fust going to smile an) it /as false6B ?n) he /ill feel more love from *ou, (ecause ho/ can love flo/ through falsit*D 'ou /ere Fust going to sa* something /hich is false AA sto& imme)iatel*, even if *ou catch hol) of *ourself in the mi))le of the sentence6 Then an) there, )onBt com&lete the sentence, ask forgiveness6 <atch out6 2t /ill take a little courage an) a little time an) a little &atience to get ri) of rationalisations, (ut thatBs a C>+T6 Once rationalisations are gone, su))enl* *ou are vulnera(le6 The %hina <all has )isa&&eare)6 9inklestein /as frantic6 9or five /eeks no/ he ha)nBt (een a(le to )o an*thing in the /a* of (usiness (ecause heB) forgotten the com(ination to the safe6 ;is &artner, 7anu(o/itz, ha) gone a/a* on an exten)e) motor tri& an) there /as no /or) from him6 Then one )a* the &hone rang6 B2zz*,B 9inklestein shoute) into the &hone Bthank @o) *ou calle)6 2 canBt )o an* (usiness6 2 ha) to la* off the /hole sho&, fire the salesman, refuse or)ers from our (iggest accounts an) Fust sta* here in the office an) /ait for *our call6B B<hat ha&&ene)DB aske) the &artner6 B2tBs the safe6 2 forgot the com(ination6B BThatBs sim&le6 Turn once left an) t/ice right6B B:ut ho/ a(out the num(ersDB B2t )oesnBt matterB sai) the &artner6 BThe lock is (roke6B 2t is as sim&le as that6 Once rationalisations are )ro&&e) AA in fact there is no lock AA *ou are o&en, *ou can enter into *our (eing6 +ometimes it ha&&ens that if there is no lock an) *ou think there is a lock *ou go on fin)ing ke*s an) inventing ke*s, an) *ou /aste *our time6 2t ha&&ene) in the life of ;ou)ini6 ;e /as im&risone) in man* Fails, chaine) man* times, (ut /ithin secon)s he /oul) come out of the chains, out of the &rison cellsE no(o)* ha) (een a(le to &ut him in a Fail6 :ut in 2tal* it ha&&ene) that for three hours he coul) not come out of the cell an) there /ere thousan)s of &eo&le /aiting for him to come6 ?n) /hat ha&&ene)D 2t ha) never ha&&ene) (efore6 ;a) the &olice succee)e)D ;a) the* create) a situation from /hich ;ou)ini, the great magician, coul) not come outD ?n) /hen he came out he /as &ers&iring an) tire) an) exhauste)6 ?n) he sim&l* fell out an) the* aske) B<hat ha&&ene)DB ;e sai), BThe* (efoole) me, the* tricke) me6 There /as no lockH ?n) 2 /as sim&l* tr*ing to o&en the lock an) there /as no lock6 The )oor /as not locke) AA the* tricke) me6 +o /hen after three hours of strenuous /ork on the lock 2 sim&l* fell, the )oor o&ene)6B On *our inner (eing there is no lock6 There has never (een6 .o ke* is nee)e), no truth is nee)e) AA Fust lies have to (e )ro&&e) an) truth /ill assert itself6 2t is (urning right this moment insi)e *our (eing, (ut there is a great la*er of lies AA la*er u&on la*ers AA an) *ou cannot see the light6 5ationalisation is one of the ver* cunning tricks of the min) to create the %hina <all aroun) *ou6 'ou are im&risone) in *our rationalisations6 2f *ou /ant to (e li(erate), )ro& rationalisations6 ?n) no(o)* else can )o it for *ou AA onl* *ou can )o it for *ou6 2t is *our res&onsi(ilit*6 2f *ou /ant to (e misera(le, then it is goo)6 2f *ou )onBt /ant to (e misera(le, start )ro&&ing lies in *our life6 There is no nee) to go to the ;imala*as, an) there is no nee) to go to an* tem&le an) 101

church, an) there is no nee) to go into the scri&tures: :i(le, 7oran an) Ve)as6 2f *ou can onl* )o the one sim&le thing of )ro&&ing lies, falsehoo)s an) inauthentic gestures, *ou /ill arrive6 Iuestion 4 <;' $O +?..'?+2.+ ;?V# TO %;?.@# T;#25 .?C#+ ?.$ <#?5 ? C?L?D T;# +P252T>?L -#TA+#T T?L7+ ?:O>T ?LL T;#+# B#.L2@;T#.#$ C?+T#5+B: BO+;O 2+ CO5# #.L2@;T#.#$ T;?. O+%?5B, BO+%?5 2+ CO5# #.L2@;T#.#$6666B ;O< %?. <# T#LL <;?T 2T C#?.+D 9irst: there is no reason /h* sann*asins are in orange an) /ear a mala exce&t that 2 am eccentric a(out it6 2 am a little in love /ith the orange an) 2 am in love /ith m*self, hence the mala6 This is the truth, if *ou un)erstan)6 2f *ou nee) some rationalisation *ou can ask m* )isci&les6 ?n) the secon) Guestion: B"Osho is more enlightene) than Oscar"6 "Oscar is more enlightene)6666" ;o/ can /e tell /hat it meansDB #nlightenment is never more or less: either one is enlightene) or one is not6 2t is not a Guestion of more or less6 ;o/ can *ou (e more enlightene) an) less enlightene)D This is a(sur)6 #nlightenment is not a relative conce&t: either one has arrive) or one has not arrive)6 ;o/ can *ou &artiall* arriveD 'ou have come (ack home6 %an *ou sa* B2 have &artiall* come (ack home AA onl* one leg666 the hea) has not comeBD 2t ha&&ene) in a Fail6 ? man /as im&risone) an) then imme)iatel*, the secon) )a*, he starte) sa*ing that his teeth /ere aching, so the teeth /ere remove)6 ?fter a fe/ )a*s, he starte) sa*ing that his a&&en)ix666 so the a&&en)ix /as remove)6 Then he sai) the tonsils666 an) the tonsils /ere remove)6 ?n) the Failer came an) he sai) B2 kno/ /hat *ouBre )oing6 :* an) (* *ouBre getting out of the &risonHB 'ou cannot6 #ither one is enlightene), or one is not6 There is no &art enlightenment6 One thing remem(er al/a*s: that enlightene) &eo&le cannot (e com&are)6 :ut this foolishness has &ersiste) )o/n the ages6 -ains /ill sa* BCahavir is more enlightene) than :u))ha6B :u))hists /ill sa* B:u))ha is more enlightene) than Cahavir6B ;in)us /ill sa* B7rishna is more enlightene) than either of them6B ?n) so on an) so forth6 :ut the /hole i)ea of more an) less is a(sur)6 Those /ho are enlightene) AA the* are sim&l* enlightene)6 .o(o)* is su&erior an) no(o)* is inferior6 The secon) thing: B;o/ can /e tell /hat it meansDB 'ou cannot, an) there is no nee)6 ?n) /hatsoever *ou tell /ill (e /rong AA *ou are not *et enlightene)6 2t /ill (e like a (lin) man talking a(out light: all that he sa*s is meaningless6 ;e ma* have hear) much a(out light, he ma* have even rea) much a(out light through (raille, he ma* have consulte) great &h*sicists /ho kno/ a(out light, he ma* have talke) to &ainters an) &oets /ho are )ee&l* in love /ith light, (ut still, a (lin) man is a (lin) manE /hatsoever he sa*s is going to (e /rong (ecause he is not in a &osition to sa*6 +o &lease, *ou have enough /orries as it is6 $onBt take on these /orries: /ho is enlightene) an) /ho is not6 5ather, *ou (ecome enlightene) an) *ou /ill kno/6 Iuestion 10 ? 9#< +;O5T I>#+T2O.+, O+;O: <;' %O>L$ 'O> .OT +P#?7 9O5 ? '#?5 ?.$ ? ;?L9 ?9T#5 'O>5 :25T;D 2 /as so sur&rise) at m* (irth, thatBs /h*6 2 ha) to get over that sur&rise an) it took one an) a half *ears6 Iuestion 11 10!

+#%O.$6 <;?T <#5# 'O> $O2.@ <;#. 'O> <#5# ? 72$D 2 )i) nothing /hen 2 /as a ki)6 2 kne/ /hat 2 /ante) to (e /hen 2 gre/ u& an) 2 &ractise) for it6 Iuestion 1 ?.$ T;# T;25$: <;?T $O 'O> +?' ?:O>T $52.72.@D ? )ifficult Guestion AA )onBt take it seriousl*6 ? )rink in time is fine6

88888 %ha&ter 4 : Onl* forgotten 88888 14 9e(ruar* 14!! am in :u))ha ;all +OC#O.# ?+7#$ L2#; T=> K<;' $O 'O> V?L># #CPT2.#++ BD K2. #CPT2.#++ T;#5# 2+ .O V?L>2.@6B L2#; T=> +?2$ KV?L># 2+ .OT T;# .?C# 9O5 2T6 :#+T :# +T2LL, :#+T :# #CPT'6 2. +T2LL.#++ ?.$ #CPT2.#++, <# 92.$ <;#5# TO ?:2$#E T?72.@ ?. @2V2.@, <# LO+# T;# PL?%#6B Truth is one AA cannot (e other/ise (ecause existence is a universe, it is not a KmultiverseB6 2t is one6 2t is glue) together6 2t is a togetherness6 2t is a cosmos6 That /hich kee&s the universe together is /hat /e call truth, or Tao, or @o)6 Tao is not a &erson, neither is go) a &erson, (ut the unit* that runs through ever*thing, like a threa) running through a garlan)6 The universe is not a hea& of things, se&arate, in)ivi)ual, like islan)s6 .o, the universe is one, together, an) sometimes kee&s it together666 it is not falling a&art6 That /hich kee&s it together is @o), Tao6 :ut man can a&&roach through t/o /a*s to/ar)s this truth6 Those t/o /a*s have to (e un)erstoo)6 Truth is one (ut the &aths are t/o6 The/ first &ath is V2? ?9925C?T2V?, the &ositive &ath, the K*esAsa*ersB &ath, The &ath of )evotee6 -esus, Cohamme), 7rishnaAthe* have follo/e) the &ath of affirmation6 The &ath of affirmation seems the &ath of effort, great effort: one is tr*ing to reach @o), one has to make all the effort that is &ossi(le, one has to )o the utmost, one has to &ut oneself at stake6 2n mo)ern times, @ur)Fieff, 5amakrishnaAthe* follo/e) the &ath of affirmation, V2? ?9925C?T2V?6 The other &ath is V2? .#@?T2V?, through negation, through the BnoB6 Lao Tzu, :u))ha, .agarFuna AA the* follo/e) the &ath of negation6 2n mo)ern times, 5amana Caharshi, -6 7rishnamurti AA the* follo/ the &ath of the BnoB6 These t/o &aths have to (e un)erstoo) as clearl* as &ossi(le (ecause much /ill )e&en) on itE *ou /ill have to choose some )a* or other6 The* move in )ifferent )imensionsE the* reach to the same goal, (ut the* move in )ifferent )irections6 The &ositive &ath is a &ositive a&&roach to/ar)s @o), a reaching to/ar)s @o), a seeking, an enGuir*6 The negative &ath is a /aiting for @o), not seeking6 The negative &ath is Fust to kee& the )oor o&en, not to go, to seekE not to enGuire, Fust to (e rece&tive, /om(Alike6 The first is *ang, 103

the secon) is *in6 The first is the maleAoriente) &ath, the secon) is the femaleAoriente) &ath6 One has Fust to (e in a letAgo in the secon): no /ill, (ut surren)er6 One has Fust to allo/ @o) to (eE no reaching for him, let ;2C reach *ou6 +im&l* (e silent, em&t*6 @ive s&ace so that if he comes *ou are availa(leE *ou remain availa(le6 On the &ath of /ill *ou have much to )oE on the &ath of surren)er *ou have nothing to )o, exactl* nothing to )o, onl* nothing to )o6 These &aths can (e name) in a )ifferent /a* too6 The first &ath can (e sai) to (e the &ath of the ascetic6 The /or) BasceticB comes from a @reek root ?+%#+2+ /hich means exercise6 Can* metho)s, man* exercises, 'oga, metho)olog*, techniGues, are &ossi(le6 The secon) &ath can (e calle) the &ath of the m*stic: no exercise, no metho)s6 no technolog*6 On the first &ath time is a must6 'ou cannot (e imme)iatel* enlightene) AA metho)s take time, exercises take time, &re&aration takes time, an) *ou /ill have to /ait for man* lives6 The enlightenment /ill (e gra)ual, it cannot (e su))en6 On the negative &ath it can (e a(solutel* su))en, it can ha&&en this ver* moment6 Time is not nee)e) (ecause exercise is not nee)e)6 'ou are not to go an*/hereE *ou are Fust to sit silentl*, *ou have Fust to (e in a letAgo6 One nee) not /ait6 The &ath of the m*stic is m*sterious AA cannot (e ex&laine)6 The &ath of the ascetic is ex&laina(le: it is ver* scientific, ver* logical6 +te& (* ste& it can (e ex&laine)E it can (e anal*se), )ivi)e) in eas* ste&s6 The ste&s can (e ma)e so small that ever*(o)* can take them, even a small chil)E there, )egrees are &ossi(le6 :ut the &ath of the m*stic is ver* m*sterious, hence it is calle) the m*stic &ath6 .o )egrees are &ossi(le, no small ste&s AA (ut a Guantum lea&, a Fum& into the unkno/n, su))en, like lightning6 .aturall* it cannot (e ex&laine) logicall*6 The logical min) /ill (e at a loss6 2t nee)s great un)erstan)ing, not (ase) on logic (ut (ase) on intuition, not (ase) on intellect (ut (ase) on intuition6 2t nee)s an illogical, a)venturous min): one /hich can forego all ste&s, one /hich is rea)* to go into the unkno/n, one /hich is courageous enough to take the Fum&6 On the first &ath *ou go ste& (* ste&, moving u&/ar)s6 On the secon) &ath *ou sim&l* take a Fum& into the a(*ss6 2t is a (ottomless a(*ss, it is em&tiness, it is a(solute nothingness6 'ou )isa&&ear6 These t/o are the &aths, an) ever*(o)* has to )eci)e in his o/n innermost core of (eing /hat a&&eals to him or to her6 2t is )ifficult to )eci)e (ut it ;?+ to (e )eci)e), other/ise *ou can go on )oing things /hich /ill not &rove of an* meaning6 2f *ou can take the Fum& then there is no nee) to train *ourself for 'oga6 2f *ou cannot take the Fum&, then there is no &oint in Fust sitting an) /aiting6 On the first &ath, the greatest )anger is of the ego (ecause *ou have to )o much, an) if *ou are too egoistic, *ou /ill (ecome a )oer an) then ego /ill (ecome *our (arrier6 One has to )o, *et not to strengthen the ego6 On the secon) &ath, letharg* is the &ro(lem6 'ou are not to )o an*thingE one can (ecome lethargic, one can (ecome )ull an) )ea)6 That is the )anger AA ver* natural: sitting silentl*, )oing nothing, (* an) (* *ou rela&se into a )ullness, into a sort of unintelligenceE *ou lose shar&ness, *ou lose aliveness, *ou (ecome i)iotic6 ThatBs &ossi(leE one has to (e ver* alert a(out this6 On the first &ath, one has to /atch that the ego )oes not arise6 On the secon) &ath, one has to /atch that letharg* is not settling6 2f these t/o &itfalls are avoi)e), then *Ou can reach from either the affirmative or the negative6 Peo&le have reache) from (oth6 +o there is no Guestion a(out reaching, the Guestion is /hich is going to (e easier, more in tune /ith *our inner nature AA choose that6 ? fe/ things have to (e un)erstoo) a(out the &ath of nothingness, (ecause Lieh Tzu is a follo/er of that &ath AA the &ath of V2? .#@?T2V?, the m*stic &ath6 On the m*stic &ath *ou have to (e alone AA no &ossi(ilit* of B(eing togetherB6 2t is a )ee& inactivit*, so )ee& that the ver* i)ea of action has to (e )ro&&e) an) renounce)6 .o )esire, no actionE one has Fust to (e6 ?loneness has to (e ex&erience)6 +olitu)e has to (e ex&erience)6 104

On the &ath of affirmation, @o) is al/a*s /ith *ou, *ou are never alone6 'ou can al/a*s talk to @o), al/a*s &ra* to @o), *ou can al/a*s ho&e that he is /ith *ou6 ;e surroun)s *ou, he hol)s *our han)6 ?n) he is ver* much on the &ath of affirmation6 ;is han) is almost in *our han)s6 2t is not Fust imagination AA remem(er it, it is not hallucinationE it is so6 <hen *ou have )one all that *ou can )o su))enl* he (ecomes availa(le6 Core *ou cannot )o: *ou have not (een /ithhol)ing, *ou have )one all that *ou can )o, *ou have &ut *ourself totall* in the /ork, *ou have come to *our o&timum AA from that moment he takes over6 :ut one has to )o the o&timum, less than that /ill not hel&6 One has to (oil to a hun)re) )egrees, then su))enl* AA the eva&oration6 On the &ath of the ascetic @o) is /ith *ouE *ou are never alone, *ou can al/a*s &ra*6 :ut on the negative &ath &ra*er is not &ossi(le, &ra*er is not allo/e) AA &ra*er is a hin)rance6 5emem(er this too: one thing ma* (e a hel& on one &ath an) ma* (ecome a hin)rance on another &ath6 Pra*er is a hin)rance6 2f *ou ask the follo/er of the negative &ath he /ill sa*: Pra*er means that *ou are still not ca&a(le of (eing aloneE *ou are still attache) to the other6 'ou ma* have )ro&&e) *our attachment to the /ife, to the hus(an)6 to the chil)ren6 to the frien), to the societ*, (ut no/ *ou have &roFecte) a @o) an) no/ *ou kee& com&an* /ith himE (ut *ou cannot (e alone6 Pra*er means that *ou are still afrai) of (eing alone, so *ou create a (ri)ge /ith the other6 *ou seek the other6 Pra*er sim&l* means that /henever *ou are alone, *ou are not alone (ut lonel*: *ou miss the other6 On the &ath of the negative, aloneness is sim&l* the greatest s&len)our there is6 2f *ou ask the m*stic he /ill sa*: :eing lonel* is Fust a &ause6 :eing alone is an ultimate con)ition6 :eing lonel* or together is acci)ental6 :eing alone is essential6 :eing lonel* im&lies an evolution or continuit* of ex&erience, /hile (eing alone means a ra)ical, total, one hun)re) an) eight* )egree change6 a mutation, a C#T?.O2?6 :eing lonel* is a /a* (ack to others: /henever *ou feel lonel* *ou are seeking the other in some form or other6 :eing lonel* is a /a* (ack to others6 :eing alone is a /a* (ack to oneself6 This has to (e remem(ere)6 ThatBs /h* on the negative &ath me)itation is more significant than &ra*er6 Ce)itation is a hel&, &ra*er is a hin)rance6 On the &ath of affirmation, &ra*er is a hel&, me)itation is not talke) a(out at all6 ThatBs /h* in %hristianit*, in 2slam, in -u)aism, in ;in)uism, me)itation has not (een )evelo&e)6 Ce)itation has (een )evelo&e) utterl* (* the :u))hists an) the Taoists AA that is their secret ke*6 'ou can )ivi)e all the religions into t/o: ;in)uism, 2slam, -u)aism, %hristianit* AA all are on the &ath of V2? ?9925C?T2V?6 :u))hism an) Tao AA the* are (asicall* negative, on the &ath of V2? .#@?T2V?6 ;in)uism an) 2slam have flo/ere) to their utmost in +ufism6 That is the meeting of the ;in)u an) the Cohamme)an an) a reall* (eautiful flo/er has come out of the meeting AA it is a crossA(ree)ing AA +ufism6 2t is higher than an*thing that is in ;in)uism an) higher than an*thing that is in Cohamme)anismE it is higher than (oth, it has transcen)e) (oth the &arents6 The chil) is more (eautiful than the mother an) the father AA has to (e, (ecause (oth mother an) father have )issolve) into it6 +o +ufism is the &eak of the affirmative6 ?n) :u))hism an) Taoism met an) gave (irth to =en: that is the o&timum on the &ath of me)itation6 ?gain more (eautiful than :u))hism an) Taoism, (etter than (oth the &arents: again a cross(ree)ing6 The meeting of 2slam an) ;in)uism ha&&ene) in 2n)ia6 2slam came to 2n)ia, met /ith ;in)uism an) a (eautiful chil) /as (orn6 The meeting of Taoism an) :u))hism ha&&ene) in %hina6 :u))hism /ent to %hina, met /ith Taoism an) a (eautiful chil), =en, /as (orn6 2f ever*thing )isa&&ears from the /orl) an) onl* t/o things can (e retaine), +ufism an) =en, nothing /ill (e lost6 The* are the highest crescen)os, (ut of t/o )ifferent &aths6 +ufism is nothing (ut &ure &ra*er, =275, remem(rance of @o), an) =en is nothing (ut me)itation6 The /or) zen comes from the sanskrit root )h*ana6 9irst the /or) $;'?.? (ecame -;?.?, (ecause :u))ha use) to talk in Pali AA $;'?.? is -;?.? in Pali6 Then from -;?.? it (ecame %;B?. in %hina6 Then it (ecame zen /hen it reache) to -a&an6 :ut it is $;'?.?, it is the essential $;'?.?: Fust to (e alone, a(solutel* alone, not even a thought to kee& com&an* /ith6 2n that aloneness all )isa&&ears6 One is Fust s&acious, one is Fust a s&ace, &ure, trans&arent6 110

2n that &urit* one achieves, @o) comes in6 <hen *ou are rea)* to (e so em&t*, @o) enters in6 The +ufi seeks @o)6 The =en )isci&le /aits, @o) comes6 .o/ this (eautiful &ara(le: +OC#O.# ?+7#$ L2#; T=> B<;' $O 'O> V?L># #CPT2.#++D 2. #CPT2.#++ T;#5# 2+ .O V?L>2.@6B .aturall*, /hat value can em&tiness haveD 2t is con)emne) all over the /orl)6 #xce&t for the Taoists an) the :u))hists, no(o)* un)erstan)s /hat em&tiness is AA it is con)emne)6 2n the <est *ou sa* BThe em&t* min) is the )evilBs /orksho&6B .o/ /hat more of a con)emnation can there (eD $evilBs /orksho&D AA the em&t* min)D ?n) the Taoists an) the :u))hists sa* that the em&t* min) is the goal6 <hen *ou are totall* em&t*, @o) comes in6 The )evil can exist onl* /ith an active min), never /ith an inactive min)6 The )evil can exist onl* /ith an occu&ie) min), not an unoccu&ie) min)6 The )evil can ri)e onl* on thoughts, he can use thoughts an) )esires6 ;o/ can he use em&tinessD ?n) the* seem to (e true6 ;itler is not em&t*, neither is @enghis 7han, neither is Tam(urlaineE the* are ver* active &eo&le6 The )evil has entere) through them in the /orl)6 :o)hi)harma is em&t*, Lieh Tzu is em&t*, .agarFuna is em&t* AA the )evil has not come even close to them6 .othing /rong has ever come out of these em&t* &eo&le, onl* goo)E an) onl* goo) has flo/ere)6 @reat has (een their fragrance6 %enturies have gone (*, (ut their fragrance is as fresh as ever6 Or)inaril*, em&tiness has never (een thought of as a value, so the Guestioner seems to (e right6 ;e sa*s <;' $O 'O> V?L># #CPT2.#++D 2. #CPT2.#++ T;#5# 2+ .O V?L>2.@6 <hat t*&e of valueD <hat can *ou )o /ith em&tinessD Value comes /ith use6 Tr* to un)erstan) it: value comes /hen something is useful6 ;o/ can *ou value something /hich is notD .ot onl* that it is not useful, it 2+ .OT AA ho/ can *ou value itD :ut that is the a&&roach of the negative6 Lao Tzu sa*s: The room is valua(le not (ecause of the /alls, (ut the em&tiness /ithin6 'ou use the room not the /alls6 Of course, /hen *ou make the house *ou make the /alls, not the em&tinessE no(o)* can make the em&tiness6 #m&tiness is eternal, it is of @o)E it is not manAma)e6 ;ouses are ma)e (* man, not em&tiness6 :ut /hat )o *ou useD $o *ou use the /alls or )o *ou use the s&ace insi)eD The /or) BroomB is goo): BroomB means s&ace6 'ou use the room, the s&ace, the BroominessB6 2n the /all, through /hat )o *ou &ass, come, an) go inD The )oor6 The )oor is em&t*6 B$oorB means the em&t*, that /hich is not AA hence *ou can come in an) out6 'ou use the )oor, *ou )onBt use the /all6 ?n) *ou use the room, *ou )onBt use the /all6 <hat )o *ou use /hen *ou use an earthen &otD The earthen /all or the em&tiness /ithinD <hen *ou go to the /ell to )ra/ /ater an) *ou (ring /ater home, /hat )o *ou useD The em&tiness of the earthen &ot6 That em&tiness is valua(le an) that em&tiness is not create) (* *ou6 Taoists sa*: That /hich is not create) (* man is valua(le6 That /hich is create) ma* have a relative value, a market value, (ut reall* it is not valua(le: it has no value6 ? manAma)e thing is a commo)it*6 Of course if *ou go into the marketA&lace an) *ou start selling em&tiness, no(o)* /ill &urchase it6 There is no value in it an) &eo&le /ill laugh6 Lao Tzu is &assing through a forest, an) the forest is (eing cut6 Thousan)s of car&enters are cutting the trees6 Then he comes near a (ig tree AA a ver* (ig tree, one thousan) (ullock carts can rest un)erneath it AA an) it is so green an) (eautiful6 ;e sen)s his )isci&les to enGuire of the car&enters /h* this tree has not (een cut *et6 111

?n) the* sa* B2t is useless6 'ou cannot make an*thing out of it: furniture cannot (e ma)e, it cannot (e use) as fuel AA it gives too much smoke6 2t is of no use6 thatBs /h* /e have not cut it6B ?n) Lao Tzu sa*s to his )isci&les BLearn from this tree6 :ecome as useless as this tree then no(o)* /ill cut *ou6B >selessness has great value6 ;e sa*s: Look, an) /atch this tree6 Learn something from this tree6 This tree is great6 Look, all the trees are gone6 The* /ere useful, hence the* are gone6 +ome tree /as ver* straight, thatBs /h* 2t is gone6 2t must have (een ver* egoistic, straight, &rou) of (eing some(o)* AA it is gone6 This tree is not straight, not a single (ranch is straight6 2t is not &rou) at all6 hence it exists6 Lao Tzu sa*s his )isci&les: 2f *ou /ant to live long, (ecome useless6 :ut remem(er, his meaning of the /or) BuselessB isE )onBt (ecome a commo)it*, )onBt (ecome a thing6 2f *ou (ecome a thing *ou /ill (e sol) an) &urchase) in the market, an) *ou /ill (ecome a slave6 2f *ou are not a thing, /ho can &urchase *ou an) /ho can sell *ouD 5emain @o)Bs creation6 $onBt (ecome a human commo)it* an) no(o)* /ill (e a(le to use *ou6 ?n) if no(o)* is a(le to use *ou, *ou /ill have a (eautiful life of *our o/n, in)e&en)ent, free, Fo*ful6 2f no(o)* can use *ou, no(o)* can re)uce *ou to a means6 'ou /ill never (e insulte), (ecause in this life there is no greater insult than to (ecome a means: some(o)* or other is going to use *ou AA *our (o)*, *our min), *our (eing6 Lao Tzu sa*s: :ecome a nonentit* so that no(o)* looks at *ou an) *ou can live 'O>5 L29# as 'O> /ant to live it6 .o(o)* comes to interfere /ith *ou6 2t ha&&ene) that Lao TzuBs )isci&le, %huang Tzu, (ecame ver* famous an) the #m&eror sent his ministers to invite %huang Tzu to (ecome his &rime minister6 Lao Tzu /as ver* angr*6 ;e sai) B'ou must have )one something /rong, other/ise /h* shoul) the #m&eror (ecome intereste) in *ouD 'ou must have &rove) *ourself of some use6 'ou must have misse) m* teaching, other/ise ho/ come that the #m&eror has (ecome intereste) in *ouD .o/ *ou /ill never (e at rest6B :e a nonentit* so no(o)* comes even to think that *ou can (e of an* use6 There is a uselessness /hich is of tremen)ous use6 Lao Tzu calls it Bthe use of uselessnessB6 :ut certainl* there is no value in it, no market value at least6 Or)inaril*, *ou /ant to (ecome of some value AA a )octor, an engineer, a &ainter, a &oet, a C?;?TC? AA *ou /ant to (ecome some(o)* /ho is valua(le, /ho (ecomes in)is&ensa(le to the /orl)6 'ou feel ver* ha&&* if &eo&le come an) sa* B<hen *ou are gone /e /ill never (e a(le to re&lace *ou6B 'ou feel tremen)ousl* ha&&*, (ut /hat are the* sa*ingD The* are sa*ing B'ou are a thing /e are using6B The more in)is&ensa(le *ou (ecome, the more *ou are re)uce) to (eing a thing, the more *our free)om is lost6 2f *ou can )ie as if nothing ha) ha&&ene), if *ou )isa&&ear from the /orl) an) not even a trace is left, then6666 2t ha&&ene) that a great Taoist )ie) an) Lieh Tzu /ent to sho/ his res&ect, (ut there ha) gathere) thousan)s of &eo&le6 ;e /as &uzzle), an) /ithout &a*ing his res&ects to the )ea) man an) his )ea) (o)*, he came (ack6 ? fe/ &eo&le follo/e) him an) the* sai) B<h*D 'ou ha) come to &a* *our res&ects AA /h* are *ou going (ackDB ;e sai) BThis man cannot have (een a man of Tao6 +o man* &eo&le are cr*ing an) /ee&ing, someho/ he must have (ecome in)is&ensa(le to their lives6 ;e must have &rove) of some use, other/ise /h* are these &eo&le cr*ing an) /ee&ing as if their father ha) )ie) or their mother ha) )ie) or their son ha) )ie)D <h* are these &eo&le cr*ing an) /ee&ingD ;e must not have (een utterl* useless6 +ome use must have (een there AA thatBs /h* 2 am going (ack6 ;e has not follo/e) the Caster rightl*6B Their a&&roach is that there is a value, an ultimate value, in (eing no(o)*, in (eing em&t*, in (eing of no use6 <hen *ou are of no use to humanit*, *ou (ecome of tremen)ous use to @o)6 11

Then he starts flo/ing through *ou: then *ou (ecome a vehicle AA (ecause *ou are so em&t* he can flo/ through *ou6 'ou (ecome a hollo/ (am(oo, he can sing his song through *ou6 <hen *ou allo/ human li&s to sing a song through *ou, @o) is )enie)6 B2. #CPT2.#++ T;#5# 2+ .O V?L>2.@B sai) the man, B<;' $O 'O> V?L># #CPT2.#++DB L2#; T=> +?2$ BV?L># 2+ .OT T;# .?C# 9O5 2T6B 2t is so valua(le that *ou can onl* call it invalua(le6 Value is not the name for it: value means commo)it*, value means that /hich can (e )efine) in terms of human use, that /hich can (ecome a means an) is not an en)6 The en) cannot (e valua(le in the or)inar* sense of the term6 9or exam&le, if some(o)* asks *ou B'ou love, (ut /hat is the value of loveDB /hat /ill *ou sa*D 'ou /ill sa* BValue is not the name for it6B Love is not a value in the same sense that a car has value, a house has value6 Cone* has value, health has value, (ut loveD Love is the ultimate6 the en)6 'ou love for loveBs o/n sake6 2t is not a means to an*thing else, it is its o/n en)6 2ts value is intrinsic, its value is in itselfE it is not outgoing6 2f some(o)* asks B<hat is the value of lifeDB %ertainl* *ou /ill sa* BValue is not the name for it6B B<h* are *ou livingDB 'ou /ill sa* B:ecause 2 enFo* (eing alive6B B:ut /hat is the valueDB BValue666 there is none6B ?ll that is ultimate is valueless in the or)inar* sense of the /or)6 (ut (ecause of the ultimate, ever*thing else is valua(le6 +o value is not the name for it, although all values exist (ecause of it6 'ou go to the office, *ou /ork it is valua(le: *ou /ill get one thousan) ru&ees &er month6 ?n) then *ou come an) give one thousan) ru&ees to *our /ife (ecause *ou love the /oman6 'ou /ork for her, *ou /ork for *our chil)ren AA *ou love them6 Love has no value6 'our /ork has value, (ut finall* all that has value comes at the feet of that /hich is valueless, or invalua(le6 5emem(er, the goal cannot have an* value6 ThatBs /h* Taoists sa* that life has no &ur&ose6 2t shocks &eo&le6 One )a* a man came to me an) he sai) B<hat is the &ur&ose of lifeBD ?n) 2 sai) BThere is no &ur&ose6 Life sim&l* is6B ;e /as not satisfie)6 ;e sai) B2 have come from ver* far6B ;e ha) come from .e&al, an) he sai) B2 am an ol) man, a retire) &rofessor6 $onBt sen) me a/a* em&t*Ahan)e)6 2 have come to ask onl* one thing: <hat is the &ur&ose of lifeDB ?n) 2 sai) B2f 2 can sen) *ou a/a* em&t*Ahan)e) then *our Fourne* has (een &ur&oseful, (ecause to (e em&t*Ahan)e) is the goal6B ;e sai) B$onBt talk in &uzzles6 -ust tell me, in clearAcut language, /hat is the &ur&ose of lifeDB .o/ he coul) not un)erstan) that he /as asking an a(sur) Guestion6 Life cannot have an* &ur&ose, (ecause if life has an* &ur&ose then something /ill (ecome more valua(le than life, an) again the Guestion /ill arise: <hat is the &ur&ose of thatD 2f /e sa*: Life is to attain truth, then truth (ecomes the real &ur&ose6 :ut then /hat is the &ur&ose of truthD 2f /e sa*: Life is to seek @o), then the Guestion arises: B<hat is the &ur&ose of @o)BD or of achieving @o)D or of realising @o)D 2n the en) *ou have to )ro& the /or) B&ur&oseB, finall* *ou have to )ro& it6 'es, value is not the name for it, &ur&ose is not the name for itE an) if *ou un)erstan) this insight, great light /ill arise in *ou6 Life has no &ur&ose an) no value6 Love has no &ur&ose an) no value6 @o) has no &ur&ose an) no value6 Truth has no &ur&ose an) no value6 That means @o), life, truth, love, are Fust four names for the same thing6 The* are not )ifferent, (ecause there can (e onl* one thing /hich has not an* &ur&ose AA ever*thing else has &ur&ose (ecause of it6 2t is the to&most, the ver* &eak6

11,

-ust the other night, a /oman sai) B2t is ver* )ifficult for me to un)erstan) /hat *ou mean /hen *ou sa* "@o)" (ecause 2 )onBt (elieve in @o)6 2 have never (elieve) in @o)6 2 /oul) like to un)erstan), (ut the moment *ou use the /or) "@o)" something goes /rong in m* hea) AA 2 (ecome close)6B 2 sai) to her B'ou )o a sim&le thing: /henever 2 sa* "@o)", rea) it as "life" AA that /ill )o6 <henever 2 sa* "@o)", hear it as "life" AA imme)iatel* translate it into "life"6B +he /as ha&&*6 ;o/ /e are fixe) in /or)sH 2f 2 sa* B@o)B it creates negativit* in some(o)*, if 2 sa* BlifeB it /ill create negativit* in some(o)* else6 ?n) 2 am onl* changing the name666 an), Ba rose is a rose is a roseB (* /hatsoever name it is calle)6 'ou can call it BFasmineB AA the rose remains the rose6 There is onl* one /hich is the ultimate6 $ifferent &eo&le have given )ifferent names to it6 That one is valueless (ecause it is the ultimate value6 :e*on) it nothing exists, so it cannot (e valua(le for something else6 'ou cannot use it as a ste&&ingAstone (ecause there is nothing (e*on) itE it is the (e*on)6 L2#; T=> +?2$ BV?L># 2+ .OT T;# .?C# 9O5 2T6 :#+T :# +T2LL, :#+T :# #CPT'6 2. +T2LL.#++ ?.$ #CPT2.#++, <# 92.$ <;#5# TO ?:2$#E T?72.@ ?.$ @2V2.@, <# LO+# T;# PL?%#6B B:#+T :# +T2LL666B6 .o/, rather than ans/ering /hat a value is or /h* em&tiness is a value, the insistence of Lieh Tzu is on ex&erience6 The Taoist a&&roach is (asicall* existential6 The* )onBt (elieve in a(stract s&eculations an) conce&ts6 The* sa*: 'ou can ex&erience it, so /h* (orro/ secon)Ahan) kno/le)geD 2n fact, @o) can never (e secon)Ahan)E he has to (e firstAhan)6 'ou cannot (orro/ m* @o) AA m* @o) is m* @o)6 'ou /ill have to come to *our o/n @o)6 Of course /hen *ou have come, *ou /ill fin) that m* @o) an) *our @o) are the same, (ut *ou /ill have to come to it on *our o/nE it has to (loom in *our o/n (eing6 There is a Taoist stor*: $uke ;uan, seate) a(ove in his hall /as once rea)ing a (ook, an) the /heel/right PBien /as making a /heel (elo/ it6 La*ing asi)e his hammer an) chisel, PBien /ent u& the ste&s an) sai) B2 venture to ask *our @race /hat /or)s *ou are rea)ingDB The )uke sai) BThe /or)s of the sages6B B?re those sages aliveDB PBien continue)6 BThe* are )ea)B /as the re&l*6 BThenB sai) PBien B/hat *ou, m* ruler, are rea)ing are onl* the )regs an) se)iments of those ol) men6B The )uke sai) B;o/ shoul) *ou, a /heel/right, have an*thing to sa* a(out the (ook 2 am rea)ingD 2f *ou can ex&lain *ourself, ver* /ellE if *ou cannot, *ou /ill have to )ie6 2 /ill kill *ou6B ;e /as ver* angr*6 This /as too muchH ? /heel/right coming to the &rince an) sa*ing B<hatsoever *ou are rea)ing is nothing (ut the )regs an) se)iments of those ol) )ea) menHB The /heel/right sai) B'our servant /ill look at the thing from the &oint of vie/ of his o/n art6 2n making a /heel, if 2 &rocee) gentl*, that is &leasant enough (ut the /orkmanshi& is not strongE if 2 &rocee) violentl*, that is toilsome an) the Foinings )o not fit6 2f the movements of m* han) are neither too gentle nor too violent, the i)ea in m* min) is realise)6 :ut 2 cannot tell ho/ to )o this (* /or) of mouth6B .either too violent, nor too gentle AA Fust in the mi))le, (alance)6666 ?n) the /heel/right sai) B:ut 2 cannot tell ho/ to )o this (* /or) of mouth, ho/ to attain this a(solute mi)&oint (et/een effort an) effortlessness, (et/een )oing an) nonA)oing6 2 cannot 11"

sa* ho/ to )o this (* /or) of mouthE there is a knack to it, (ut still 2 cannot sa* it6 2 kno/ it, still 2 cannot sa* it6 2 cannot teach the knack to m* son even to m* son AA nor can m* son learn it from me6 There is no /a* to teach it an) there is no /a* to learn it6 Learning an) teaching, teaching an) learning, can (e onl* of the outer things AA it is an inner feel6 Thus it is that 2 am in m* seventieth *ear, an) am still making /heels in m* ol) age6 :ut these ancients, an) /hat it /as not &ossi(le for them to conve*, are )ea) an) gone6 +o then /hat *ou, m* ruler, are rea)ing is (ut their )regs an) se)imentsHB ;e is sa*ing B2 am alive, 2 kno/ the knack of it, still 2 cannot conve* it, 2 cannot transfer m* kno/le)ge6 ?n) 2 am alive an) 2 kno/, an) 2 love m* son an) 2 /oul) like6666 ?n) 2 am so ol), in m* seventieth *ear, an) still 2 have to /ork6 2f 2 coul) teach m* son 2 /oul) retire6 :ut if /hile alive 2 cannot conve* it, ho/ can these ol) sages /ho are )ea) conve* something that can onl* (e ex&erience)D 2t cannot (e conve*e) /hen the sage is alive, so ho/ can it (e conve*e) /hen the sage has (een gone for centuriesD 'ou are Fust /asting *our time, sirB he sai)6 BThis is all ru((ish6B This ol) man is a man of Tao6 Taoists have (eautiful &ara(les like these: an or)inar* man, a &oor man, a /heel/right AA no(o)* kno/s a(out him, (ut he has an insight6 The /hole a&&roach of Taoism is that onl* ex&erience can give *ou the clue6 Iuestions can (e aske), Guestions can (e ans/ere), (ut the* are of no ultimate value6 'ou have to eat to kno/ the taste, *ou have to love to kno/ /hat love is6 There is no /a* to conve* it, thatBs /h*, rather than ans/er, Lieh Tzu sai) B:#+T :# +T2LL666B6 'es, value is not the name for it6 :e still6 ?n) /hat )oes he mean (* :e still"D 'ou are continuousl* /avering, *ou are never still6 #ven /hen *ou sit like a statue *ou are /avering6 'our min) is continuousl* running in all )irections, *our inner flame is never un/avering6 2t is continuousl* going this si)e, that si)eE through one )esire or another, *ou are (eing &ulle) an) &ushe)6 <hen there is no )esire AA not even the )esire to achieve @o)6 then one is still6 <hen all )esires are negate), that is the meaning of V2? .#@?T2V?6 <hen all )esires are negate), su))enl* *ou are still6 .o/here to go, no/here to move6 .o /in) is (lo/ing6 $esire is the /in) that goes on (lo/ing insi)e *ou an) kee&s *our inner flame /avering, thatBs /h* *ou are not still6 #ven in *our slee& *ou are not still6 #ven /hile *ou are sitting in me)itation, silentl*, *ou are not still6 -ust the other )a* some(o)* /as asking: B2n me)itation thoughts )onBt sto&, the* continue AA in fact, the* come more6B <hen *ou are engage) in *our or)inar*, )a*AtoA)a* life the* )onBt come so much AA *ou are engage), involve)6 :ut /hen *ou are sitting, )oing nothing, then *our /hole energ* moves into thoughts6 Then a great storm arises in *our (eing: thoughts an) thoughts, an) sometimes *ou cannot even (elieve /hat t*&e of thoughtsH Cemories of the &ast: thirt* *ears ago something ha) ha&&ene), su))enl* it (u((les u&6 Or thoughts of the future: *our /ife ma* not even (e &regnant an) *ou start thinking B<hen the chil) is (orn, /hat college )o /e have to sen) him toDB 2m&ossi(le things go on &ulling *ou, &ushing *ou, an) *ou kno/ that this is nonsense6 Can* times *ou recognise an) /ant to )ro& it, (ut *ou sim&l* feel im&otent6 Thoughts cannot (e sto&&e) )irectl* AA let it (e ver* )ee&l* un)erstoo)6 Let it sink in *our (eing: Thoughts cannot (e sto&&e) )irectl* (ecause thoughts are nothing (ut the servants of )esires6 <hen )esire is there, *ou cannot sto& thoughts6 The master is there the servants are (oun) to follo/6 'ou /ant to sto& this thought6 This is foolish, sill*: *our /ife is not even &regnant, an) *ou are thinking a(out the chil) /ho has (ecome a gro/nAu& an) is going to the universit* AA /hich universit* to sen) him to AA %am(ri)ge or Oxfor)D ?n) *ou are so &uzzle) AA /here to sen) himD <hich /ill (e the (est thingD ?n) su))enl* *ou recognise <hat nonsenseH +ill* it is6 Then /h* is it arisingD 2t is not a Guestion of the thought itself6 'ou have a )esire, *ou have am(itionE man* things have remaine) unfulfille) in *ou AA *ou /oul) like to fulfil them through *our son6 The son is nothing (ut a &ersonification of *our am(ition6 'ou /ante) to go to Oxfor) an) *ou coul) not goE 110

*ou /oul) like to go in the form of *our son AA thatBs /h* the i)ea has arisen, the thought has arisen6 Thirt* *ears have &asse) an) something su))enl* surfaces6 .othing is su))en, nothing is uncause) in the min)6 2f it arises, that means something is there in itE *ou cannot sim&l* call it stu&i) an) )ro& it6 Thirt* *ears ago some(o)* insulte) *ou an) it is still greenE the /oun) still hurts6 +itting silentl*, the hurt comes to the surface6 Occu&ie) in the thousan) an) one things of the /orl) *ou forget a(out it6 :ut /hen *ou are unoccu&ie), the /oun) o&ensE the /oun) starts giving *ou messages: B$o something a(out me6 2 am still green6 2 have not *et heale)6 $o something a(out meHB ;o/ man* times has the /oun) reveale) itself to *ou, an) ho/ man* times have *ou )eci)e) to take revenge or )o somethingD ?n) again an) again it comes, an) still *ou have a )esire to take revenge on the enem* /ho has insulte) *ou6 2t is not a Guestion of the thought, it is a Guestion of the )esire6 -ust anal*se *our thoughts an) *ou /ill al/a*s fin) that thoughts are the servants, an) hi))en some/here is the master, &rotecte) (* the servants6 7ill the master an) the servants )isa&&ear6 @o on killing the servants an) nothing /ill ha&&en AA the master /ill go on (ringing ne/ servants6 <hen the master is alive he /ill go on (ringing ne/ servantsE *ou can go on killing the ol), he /ill su&&l* ne/ ones6 Thoughts never sto& on their o/n6 The* sto& onl* /hen the )esiring min) )isa&&ears6 That is the meaning of :#+T :# +T2LL666B6 That is the Taoist /a* of sa*ing: :e )esireless6 ;ence the* sa*: #ven the )esire to kno/ @o), to reach @o), is a (arrier6 -ust (e still, /ith no )esire, as if nothing has to (e )one, as if nothing is going to ha&&en6 :e a(solutel* ho&eless, (ecause ho&e is nothing (ut a ne/ name for )esire6 ;o&e is a (eautiful name for )esire6 $esire as a name is a little ugl*, )esire is a little nake), nu)e6 ;o&e is )resse) )esire6 :e ho&eless6 .othing is going to ha&&en6 .othing ever ha&&ens6 There is no future, so )ro& all am(ition6 Onl* this moment exists, so )onBt rush hither an) thitherE it is &ointless, it is neurotic, it is ma)6 -ust relax in this moment, Fust (e6 That is the meaning of B:#+T :# +T2LL666B6 ?n) the )ifference has to (e un)erstoo)6 2f *ou go to a 'oga master he /ill tell *ou ho/ to (e still6 ;e /ill tell *ou /hat &osture /ill hel& *ou to (e still, ho/ to (reathe, in /hat rh*thm stillness /ill (e easier, /hether to close the e*es com&letel* or Fust to look at the ti& of *our nose6 ;e /ill give *ou in)ications, hints, he /ill su&&l* *ou /ith a ma&6 Taoists )onBt have an* ma&s6 The* sa*: 2f *ou tr* a &articular &osture an) *ou look at *our nose an) *ou (reathe in a certain /a*, *ou /ill im&ose a certain stillness /hich is not true6 2t is cultivate), it is a &ractise) thing, it is false6 The true stillness has nothing to )o /ith an* &ractice6 The true stillness )oes not come out of exercise6 The true stillness comes out of un)erstan)ing the un)erstan)ing that )esire is futile6 Tr* to un)erstan) this6 2n Tao there are no exercises6 The* )onBt have an*thing like PatanFaliBs 'O@? +>T5?+ The* )onBt have the Beight lim(s of 'ogaB6 The* )onBt tell *ou /hat &osture, /hat )isci&line, /hat t*&e of moralit*666 /hat to eat, /hat not to eat, /hen to go to (e) an) /hen to get u& in the morning6 The* )onBt tell *ou an*thing, (ecause the* sa* that all these things can give *ou a false ex&erience of stillnessE the* can force it6 ?n) this has to (e un)erstoo)6 <hen *ou sit in a certain &osture *ou can hel& the min) to (ecome a little more still6 2f the (o)* is com&letel* still, the min) (ecomes a little still (ecause min) an) (o)* are not t/o thingsE the )ivision is not clearAcut6 Cin) an) (o)* are Foine) together6 5ather than sa* *ou are min) an) (o)*, *ou are min)A(o)*: one /or)6 The Ban)B is not right AA )ro& it: Bmin)A(o)*B, B&s*chosomaticB6 The min) is *our innermost (o)* an) the (o)* *our outermost min)6 +o /hen the (o)* is still, naturall* some vi(rations of stillness reach to the innermost min): it creates a &h*sical (ase an) *ou feel a little still6 Tr* it in some other /a*6 <hen *ou are angr* /hat )o *ou )oD 'ou clench *our teeth, *ou clench *our fist6 <h*D %anBt *ou Fust (e angr* /ithout clenching *our teeth an) *our fistD Tr* one )a*: Fust (e angr* /ithout clenching *our fist, /ithout clenching *our teeth6 -ust remain relaxe) in the (o)* an) tr* to (e angr*, an) *ou /ill fin) it is im&ossi(le6 ;o/ can *ou (e angr* if *ou )onBt take the hel& of the (o)*D ?n) then one )a* *ou Fust tr*: /ithout an* anger, clench *our fist an) *our teeth AA Fust sho/ the gesture of anger, an) su))enl* *ou /ill see some sort of anger is arising in *ou6 'ou can (ecome angr* Fust (* creating AA thatBs /hat the actors )o6 The 111

actor has to act in moments /hen he ma* not (e feeling angr* an) he has to (e angr*6 <hat is he su&&ose) to )oD ;e /ill )o the (o)il* &art, an) the min) &art lingers /ith it6 ;e is not feeling ha&&*, (ut he has to )o the (o)il* &artE he sho/s ha&&iness, an) a sort of ha&&iness follo/s at the (ack of it6 :o)* an) min) go together6 Taoists sa* this has to (e un)erstoo), other/ise *ou /ill create a false stillness6 The stillness that is create) (* (o)* &osture is not the real stillnessE it is a trick6 2t is almost as chemical as /hen *ou take a tranGuillizerE it is a )rug6 2f *ou go on a fast *ou /ill feel ver* Guiet (ecause the chemistr* of the (o)* changes: the (o)* has less /ork to )o, is more relaxe)E the stomach has nothing to )o, is more relaxe)6 ?n) /hen the stomach has nothing to )o, more energ* is release) from the stomach to/ar)s the hea)6 That *ou kno/6 <hen *ou eat too much, su))enl* *ou start feeling slee&* (ecause the stomach catches all the energ* &ossi(le to )igest the foo)6 The hea) is not ver* im&ortant AA it is a luxur* AA so /hen the stomach nee)s the energ*, the energ* goes to the stomach an) imme)iatel* has to leave the hea)6 ThatBs /h* *ou start feeling slee&* an) the e*es start closing an) *ou start *a/ning: that sim&l* sa*s that the energ* has (een taken from the hea) to the stomach6 'ou fall aslee&6 ;ave *ou /atche)D <hen *ou have not eaten /ell, slee& (ecomes )ifficult, (ecause /hen the stomach has nothing to /ork on, the energ* is release)6 2mme)iatel* the energ* goes to the hea) an) there it starts /orking an) fantasizing an) thinking6 +o /hen a &erson is on a fast, after the thir), fourth )a* he feels ver* Guiet6 :ut this is chemical change, it is not real Guietness6 @ive him foo) an) it /ill )isa&&ear6 +o /hat t*&e of change is thisD 2f a &erson goes on fasting for man* )a*s he /ill feel a certain nonsexualit* arising in him, :5?;C?%;?5'?6 That is false (ecause foo) has to su&&l* sex energ*6 2f foo) is not given to the (o)*, sex energ* is not create), sex energ* )isa&&ears6 ?fter three /eeks of fasting, a man /ill not (e intereste) in /omen an) a /oman /ill not (e intereste) in men6 ThatBs /hat has )eceive) man* religious &eo&le6 Then the* think the* have attaine) :5?;C?%;?55'?6 This is not :5?;C?%;?5'? AA it is a sort of im&otence6 The* have lost vigour, the* have lost vitalit*6 ?n) /hen the* (ecome afrai) of foo), then the* cannot eat /ell, (ecause the moment the* eat /ell, imme)iatel* the energ* is su&&lie) to the sex organs an) again sexualit* arises6 Tao is a totall* )ifferent a&&roach6 2t )oes not sa* to cultivate, it sa*s to un)erstan)6 B:#+T :# +T2LL666B Through un)erstan)ing6 Through a/areness6 B666 :#+T :# #CPT'6 2. +T2LL.#++ ?.$ #CPT2.#++, <# 92.$ <;#5# TO ?:2$#666B 2n em&tiness an) stillness6666 <hat is em&tinessD #m&tiness means *ou are not6 Or)inaril* the i)ea that *ou are is nothing (ut an accumulation of all *our actions6 'ou have )one this, *ou have )one that, *ou have /on a &rize, *ou have (ecome successful in (usiness, *ou have a (ig (ank (alance, *ou are famous, *ou have authore) so man* (ooksE *ou have )one man* things6 Those things together make *ou some(o)*6 #m&tiness means: $ro& all that *ou have )one, forget all that *ou have )one6 9orget the &ast, it is :#%?>+# of the &ast *ou feel that *ou are some(o)*6 -ust think6 2f *our &ast can sim&l* (e /ashe) a/a* this ver* moment, /ho /ill *ou (eD 2f this ver* moment, (* some miracle, *our &ast can (e )ro&&e), /ho /ill *ou (eD 'ou /ill not kno/ /ho *ou are6 +o /hatsoever *ou are, is *our &ast6 ?n) (* em&tiness Taoists mean: )ro& the &ast6 ThatBs /hat 2 mean /hen 2 give *ou sann*as6 'ou ask me B<hat is sann*asDB 2t has a thousan) an) one meanings6 One of the most im&ortant meanings is )ro&&ing out of the &ast, getting out of *our o/n &ast as the snake sli&s out 11!

of the ol) skin6 9orgetting the &ast, starting ane/, (eing re(orn AA hence the ne/ name, (ecause /ith the ol) name the &ast is associate)E hence the ne/ colour, (ecause /ith the ol) )resses the &ast is associate)6 ;ave *ou not /atche)D <hen *ou )ress in a certain /a*, *ou (ehave in a certain /a*E /hen *ou /ear certain clothes *ou /alk in a certain /a*6 .o countr* has *et allo/e) its sol)iers to use loose clothes (ecause to have loose clothes an) fight is contra)ictor*6 Onl* sann*asins, 9?725+, have use) loose clothes (ecause the* are not going to fight6 The sol)ier has to (e in tight )ress, so tight that he /ants to Fum& out of it, so tight that he (ecomes so angr* that he /oul) like to crush some(o)*Bs hea)E so tight that he cannot (e at ease AA restless6 2t creates a violence6 'ou can see, *ou can go AA Poona is a militar* cam& AA *ou can go6 The* )onBt allo/ their sol)iers to come hereE the* have an or)er: .ever go to see the 5aFneesh ?shram6 ? fe/ &eo&le come AA the* come like thieves6 ?n) 2 un)erstan)6 The* are right, (ecause if *ou come here *ou /ill not (e a sol)ier, *ou /ill (ecome a sann*asin an) these are contra)ictions6 The* are right, the &eo&le /ho have given the or)er from $elhi are right, (ecause this is a totall* )ifferent /orl)6 2 am teaching *ou to (e loose an) the* are teaching *ou to (e tight6 The more u&tight *ou are, the (etter sol)ier *ou /ill (e AA more )angerous, of course, (ecause *ou are rea)* to ex&lo)e an* moment6 'ou can go to the militar* cam&, *ou can see ho/ the* are )resse) in uncomforta(le clothes6 That is nee)e)6 2f the* /ere comforta(le the* /oul) relax an) go to slee&6 The* have to (e ke&t in tension, an) their inner tension (rings such a state of turmoil that the* /oul) like to thro/ it on an*(o)*6 %hanging *our clothes, changing *our name, is Fust a gesture: that *ou are (eing )isconnecte) from *our &ast6 Once *ou are )isconnecte) from *our &ast, *ou are em&t*6 Then *ou )onBt kno/ /ho *ou are, (ecause all i)eas that *ou have a(out *ourself come from the &ast, are &astAcreate)6 -ust me)itate on this fact6 2f the &ast is not there, /ho are *ouD +hree 5amana use) to tell his )isci&les to me)itate onl* on one thing: <ho am lD 2f *ou go on me)itating on this sim&le mantra: <ho am 2D sooner or later *ou /ill un)erstan) that *ou are no(o)*6 .either are *ou the (o)*, nor are *ou the min)E nor the son of some(o)*, nor the father of some(o)*E nor the rich, nor the &oor6 'ou are no(o)*6 The )a* *ou (ecome a nothingness *ou have come to kno/ /ho *ou are6 'ou are that nothingness6 B666 :#+T :# #CPT'6 2. +T2LL.#++ ?.$ #CPT2.#++, <# 92.$ <;#5# TO ?:2$#666B 2n em&tiness is *our home6 'ou (ecome a tem&le, a shrine6 2n that em&tiness (urns the flame of *our consciousness, an) that flame is that of @o), of Tao6 This is V2? .#@?T2V?6 BT?72.@ ?.$ @2V2.@ <# LO+# T;# PL?%#6B The moment *ou start taking an) giving AA )o this, )onBt )o that, relate, connect, /ith &eo&le AA *ou lose *our &lace, *ou lose *our inner flame, *ou lose *our inner contact6 This is onl* so in the (eginning6 Lieh Tzu is talking to a ne/ enGuirer hence he sa*s this6 2n the (eginning it /ill ha&&en6 <henever *ou are alone, still, Guiet, silent, su))enl* *ou /ill (e centre), groun)e)E *ou /ill feel the tremen)ous Fo* of nonA(eing, of (eing no(o)*6 'our nothingness /ill (e luminous, it /ill (e full of light, fragrance, (ene)iction an) (eatitu)e6 :ut in the (eginning it /ill ha&&en again an) again that the moment *ou relate to some(o)* it /ill (e lostE *ou /ill lose *our inner s&ace6 The )anger is that *ou ma* (ecome afrai) of relating6 2n the (eginning it is right to (e afrai), (ut if it (ecomes a ha(it an) the fear (ecomes ingraine), then it is )angerous6 That )anger has ha&&ene) in the &ast in the #ast6 Can* &eo&le (ecame afrai) of relating: :u))hists esca&e) from life, Taoists esca&e) to the ;imala*as or to the mountains so as not to (e in contact (ecause, 113

BT?72.@ ?.$ @2V2.@, <# LO+# T;# PL?%#6B :ut that is not the meaning of Lieh Tzu6 ;e sa*s: 'es, taking an) giving, /hen /e come to the marketA&lace, the me)itation is lost6 Then, first attain to me)itation, then go again an) again an) (ecome more an) more alert, so that *ou can (ecome ca&a(le one )a* of relating an) remaining alone togetherE of (eing in the marketA&lace an) *et not (eing thereE of (eing in the cro/) an) *et (eing alone6 That is the highest6 2t cannot (e sai) to a )isci&le6 That ha&&ens onl* /hen one has (ecome a Caster6 9or the )isci&le, Lieh Tzu sa*s: Then *ou /ill kno/ /ho *ou are, an) then su))enl* *ou /ill see that taking an) giving *ou lose again an) again6 'ou gain, then the moment *ou connect, relate AA in relationshi& /ith the /ife, /ith the hus(an), /ith the chil)ren, the market, the customer, the (oss AA *ou lose it6 ?gain an) again gain itE /henever *ou fin) time, again reconnect *ourself /ith *ourself6 :* an) (*, (* an) (*666 slo/l*, one )a* *ou /ill see *ou can stan) in the marketA&lace an) *ou remain as alone an) silent as an*/here else6 Then *ou have (ecome a lotus: *ou are in the /ater an) the /ater touches *ou not6 9irst )evelo&, evolve, the +>.'? AA the zero, the em&tiness an) then (ring it to the /orl)6 ?gain an) again *ou /ill lose it, thatBs true, (ut (ecause of that )onBt tr* to esca&e from the /orl), )onBt (ecome an esca&ist6 2t is a challenge6 ?n) the highest &eak is attaine) onl* /hen no(o)* can )istur( *our inner s&ace AA no(o)*, no situation, can )istur( it6 Then for the first time *ou have (ecome a &ossessor of it6 Then *ou are a &ossessor an) *ou are &ossesse) (* it6 Then it is *ours, reall* *ours6 :ut if something can take it a/a*, then it is still not totall* *ours6 'ou have touche) it, (ut *ou have not *et (een aA&ossessor6 2 /oul) like to tell *ou one anec)ote: 2n a far countr*, there live) an ingenious inventor /ho ha) gone slightl* cuckoo tinkering /ith television6 2n the course of his ex&eriments he /orke) out a sort of min)Amirror, /hich he calle) a &s*chosco&e, (* means of /hich a &erson coul) see his mental self as clearl* as he coul) see his &h*sical (o)* in a lookingAglass6 ?fter the instrument /as &erfecte), a com&an* /as organise) to manufacture it, an) the countr* /as floo)e) /ith a)vertisements a(out it6 The factor* /as soon s/am&e) /ith or)ers6 <ives (ought them for their hus(an)s AA min) *ou, /ives (ought them for their hus(an)s, an) hus(an)s (ought them for their /ives an) inAla/s6 Parents (ought them for their chil)ren, an) even chil)ren (ought them for their &arents6 #m&lo*ers or)ere) them in Guantities for their em&lo*ees6 2t is kno/n, or ma*(e it is Fust a rumour, that onl* one ver* conscientious in)ivi)ual in the /hole countr*, so it is sai), confesse) to (u*ing one for his o/n use6 The elate) inventor sa/ himself rolling in /ealthE millions of these )evices /ere sol)6 Then, /ith almost eGual su))enness, sales slum&e), an) &resentl* )ro&&e) to zero6 2nvestigators sent out to scour the countr* re&orte) that &a/nsho&s /ere glutte) /ith &s*chosco&es, /hile thousan)s ha) (een acci)entall* (roken, or ha) m*steriousl* foun) their /a* into trash cans6 2n )es&eration the inventor set himself to a ne/ task6 ;e reverse) the &rinci&le of the instrument in such a manner that it /oul) i)ealise the reflecte) self6 2n it the in)ivi)ual sa/ himself not as he /as, (ut as he /ishe) to a&&ear his faults gil)e) an) roseAtinte), an) their ugliness glosse) over /ith innocence6 ?t the en) of the *ear, so it is sai), the com&an* )eclare) a fift* &er cent )ivi)en)6 Cost of us )o not /ant to see ourselves as /e are, nor /oul) /ant to take a secon) look into a min)Amirror6 :ut he /ho /ill confirm us in the &et )elusions /e cherish a(out ourselves, can have Fust a(out an*thing /eBve got6 5emem(er, to (e em&t* is to move into a s&ace /here *ou /ill see *ourself as *ou are6 ThatBs /h* &eo&le are afrai): the* )onBt /ant to go into that inner s&ace6 The* have their i)eal 114

images, their selfAimages, (eautiful, )ecorate)6 The* are afrai) that if the* go in, those images /ill fall )o/n AA the* are (oun) to fall an) )isa&&ear (ecause the* are false an) the* cannot (e a realit*6 ;ence no(o)* goes in6 ?ll the Casters of the /orl), /hether on the &ath of V2? ?9925C?T2V? or on the &ath of V2? .#@?T2V?, all the Casters have insiste) on one thing: that *ou have to come to *our realit* as *ou are6 :ut no(o)* listens to them6 #ven /hen &eo&le /ant to kno/ /ho the* are, the* are reall* ho&ing that the* /ill (e the same self that the* &roFect6 Once the* start /ork it (ecomes )ifficult AA ugliness arisesE nastiness, horri(le anger, hatre), Fealous*, is felt6 The /hole hell (reaks o&en an) one (ecomes afrai) an) one rushes out an) again clings to an i)eal self6 That is chea&6 5emem(er, one has to kno/ oneself as one is6 $ro& all *our i)eals6 The* are (eautiful, (ut the* are &oisonousE the* are )elusions6 >nless *ou )ro& *our i)eals a(out *ourself, the images that *ou have create) out of *our im&otence to hi)e, to mask, *our realit*6666 $ro& those masks, (e still, (e em&t*, an) look into *our (eing AA /hatsoever it is6 2n the (eginning it /ill (e almost an ex&erience of hell, (ut that is the &rice /e have to &a*6 2f *ou are courageous enough an) if *ou can &ersevere, soon the hell )isa&&ears, the clou)s are gone, an) the sun shines in a clou)less sk*6 Then *ou have come to *our inner &ara)ise6 ;ell an) heaven are (oth /ithin6 ;ell is Fust *our circumference, heaven is *our ver* centre6 'ou are the centre of the c*clone6 Tao sa*s that nothing reall* has to (e )one6 One has Fust to &enetrate into oneBs o/n (eing6 2 have come across a ver* (eautiful &ara(le6 The &ara(le is (* 7en 5ee)6 Listen to it ver* attentivel* an) me)itate over it6 Once there live) a ver* /ise an) venera(le sage6 9rom one en) of the lan) to the other, learne) men (egan to hear of the ol) sage an) soon man* sought the visage of his /is)om6 :ut silent remaine) the sage to all /ho came /ith Guestions6 2nstea), /ith his (am(oo staff he )re/ u&on the groun) these /or)s: BOne /ho has contentment in his heart fin)s goo) ever*/here an) at all times6B Or sometimes he /oul) /rite: B<here )iscontentment exists, all effort is in vain6B Or sometimes: B:e silent, (e still an) *ou /ill kno/6B :ut those /ho visite) seeme) not satisfie) /ith these ans/ers6 The* /ere too cr*&tic an) there /as no gui)ance given AA no ma& )elivere)6 ?n) the* coul) not un)erstan) /h* the sage refuse) to ans/er them )irectl*6 ?n) /h*D +urel* he kne/ the ans/ers, (ut /h* )i) he choose to scratch in the san) such (a((lingsD The other sages gave a)vice an) &rescri(e) &aths, an) talke) of austerities to (e o(serve), /h* not this oneD The sermon he gave coul) not (e hear) (* the ear, or for that matter seen (* the e*e6 ;e /as a real m*stic6 ;e /as not an ascetic, he ha) no exercise to give to *ou, (ut onl* un)erstan)ing AA a silent un)erstan)ing, a transmission (e*on) scri&tures6 'et it is /ritten that )uring the feast of the %hrist a *oung man a&&eare)6 .o staff (ore he, nor scrolls of /is)om, nor /ere there Guestions at his tongue6 Onl*, in his e*es there /as &ur&ose an) great &assion6 +traight on to the sage stro)e he6 .either sitting, sto&&ing, nor &rostrating himself as others ha) )one, he gaze) u&on that ancient an) tranGuil face /ithout /or)6 ?n) soon, to the amazement of the others he took the staff from the han) of the sage an) )re/ u&on the )ust* earth these /or)s: B;o/ )oes th* (rightness )is&el the )arknessDB Patientl* the sage took (ack his staff an) scratche) (eneath the *oung manBs &l*: B<hat )arknessD 1 0

?re *ou lost in the )arknessDB To /hich the *oung &ilgrim countere): B2s getting lost, losing the /a*D 2s getting lost reall* getting lostDB The silent sage contem&late) the face of the *oung &ilgrim for some time an) then he )re/ u&on the groun) these /or)s: BOnl* forgotten6B ? roar of laughter /ent u& from those /ho ha) gathere), an) the sage erase) /hat he ha) /ritten an) /rote again: B<hat )esire (rings *ou hereDB #ager e*es /atche) the staff change han)s: B$esires666D 2 have none6B O(serving the &ilgrim closel*, the sage took the staff, rose to his feet, exten)e) his right foot, ta&&e) it three times, then (ecame as still as the (reaths of those /ho /atche)6 <hereu&on the *oung visitor (roke his silence an) aske) B<h* )i) *ou )o thatDB The sage Guickl* scratche): B%uriosit* is a form of )esire6B :ack an) forth the staff continue) until the frustrate) &ilgrim crie) (ack /ith the &oint of the staff: B2t has (een sai) that there is a sacre) mantra one ma* recite that /ill Foin him to the universe in oneness6B The sage Guickl* scratche) again: B;ave *ou ever (een a&art from the universeDB ?n), /ith that, the ol) sage s/iftl* raise) his staff an) thrust it )o/n u&on the hea) of the seeker, sen)ing him into a )ee&l* (lissful trance6 $a*s &asse)6 ?n) in those )a*s the *oung &ilgrim trul* (egan to savour the s/eetness of the great sage, as he sat surren)ere) (efore him6 .ot once )i) he Guestion in the &resence, an) a fathomless love gre/ (et/een them6 :ut on the thir) )a*, the sage (roke his long *ears of silence6 B+o *ou have come at lastHB the hoarse voice came6 The *oung man re&lie) not, (ut looke) )ee&l* into the sageBs e*es for some time, then taking once again the staff from the ol) (on* han)s, /rote: BOnl* remem(ere)6B .othing else is there to (e )one6 'ou have forgotten /ho *ou are6 The onl* thing that has to (e )one is that *ou have to remem(er /ho *ou are6 9orgetfulness is the /orl), remem(rance is @o)6 To forget is to (e lost6 To remem(er is to (e (ack home6

88888 %ha&ter 10 : 'ou are (lesse) 88888 0 9e(ruar* 14!! am in :u))ha ;all Iuestion 1 $O 'O> ;?V# 9?VO>52T#+D ?C 2 O.# O9 T;#CD 2 am remin)e) of an ?ra(ian &rover(6 2t is sai) that /henever @o) creates a &erson he /his&ers into his ear B'ou are m* favourite6 2 have never ma)e such a (eautiful &erson (efore, an) 2 am not going to make such a (eautiful &erson again6 'ou arc sim&l* uniGue6B :ut this he has (een )oing to ever*(o)* an) ever*(o)* )ee& )o/n in his heart thinks B<hatsoever @o) has sai)6 one (elieves6B 1 1

'ou are m* favourite6 ?n) this is not a))resse) to an*(o)* in &articular, (ut to ever*(o)*6 2n fact, to choose as favourite or not is not &ossi(le for me6 2t )e&en)s on *ou, *ou can (ecome m* favourite, *ou ma* not (ecomeE it is a oneA/a* traffic6 2f *ou allo/, *ou /ill (ecomeE if *ou )onBt allo/, *ou /ill not (ecome6 ?s far as 2 am concerne) 2 am not6 Iuestion PL#?+# #JPL?2. T;# $299#5#.%# :#T<##. 5?T2O.?L2+?T2O. ?.$ B:>LL+;2TB6 B:ullshitB is a far (etter /or) than BrationalisationB, (ut the* mean the same6 B5ationalisationB is a clinical /or) AA a /or) to (e use) (* the &rofessor, B(ullshitB is more alive6 B5ationalisationB is (loo)less, B(ullshitB is ver* *oung, alive an) kicking6 :ut the meaning is the same, the* are not )ifferent things6 The hen&ecke) hus(an) an) his /or)* /ife /ere /alking )o/n the countr* roa) having one of their arguments in the usual /a*6 +he /as /inning6 +u))enl* she turne) an) sa/ a (ull charging )o/n the roa)6 There /as no time to /arn her hus(an) so she Fum&e) into a he)ge6 The (ull caught the man on its horns an) sent him s&inning fift* feet into the air6 ;e came )o/n in a )itch6 <hen he finall* manage) to cra/l out, he sa/ his /ife stan)ing on the roa)6 BCariaB he sai) Bif *ou hit me like that again *ouBll reall* make me lose m* tem&er6B .o/ this is (ullshit6 2f *ou ask a &s*choanal*st, he /ill call it a rationalisation6 The culture societ* /as organising a grou& to (e com&rise) strictl* of virgins, /hen a *oung la)* carr*ing a (a(* a&&eare)6 B:ut, ma)amB &roteste) the &resi)ent Bthat is evi)ence that *ou are not eligi(le for this societ*6 <h* )o *ou think *ou /ill (e a(le to FoinDB B2 /as onl* foolinB aroun) /hen this ha&&ene)B she ex&laine)6 B+o 2 thought 2 coul) get in as one of those foolish virgins6B This is (ullshit6 B5ationalisationB is a &hiloso&hical term6 B:ullshitB comes from the or)inar* man, from the masses, &eo&le /ho live on the earth, /ith the earth, /hose han)s are mu))*6 The /or) B(ullshitB is also mu))* as it is (eing use) (* &eo&le /ho are /orking, living the or)inar* life6 2t )oes not come from the ivor* to/ers of a universit*6 :ut remem(er, it is more authentic, it sa*s much more than BrationalisationB6 ?n) al/a*s remem(er this, that /or)s that are coine) (* &rofessors are al/a*s anaemic6 The* are )ea) /or)s AA clinical, (ut )o not sa* muchE rather than sa*ing, the* hi)e6 Let me sa* it in this /a*, the ver* /or) BrationalisationB is a rationalisation: it is (eing use) to avoi) the /or) (ullshitB6 Iuestion , <;' $O 'O> C?7# +O C?.' C2+T?7#+ <;#. 'O> I>OT# OT;#5 P#OPL# O5 5#9#5 TO :2:L2%?L #V#.T+ O5 TO +%2#.T292% $2+%OV#52#+D 2 ;?V# ?.+<#5#$ T;2+ I>#+T2O. C?.' T2C#+ C'+#L9 2. V?52O>+ <?'+6 .O< 2 <O>L$ L27# TO ;#?5 'O>5 ?.+<#56 +o allo/ me to commit a fe/ more mistakes6 9irst: m* memor* is marvellous6 Culla .asru))in /as talking to a man an) he sai) BC* /ife has a ver* (a) memor*6B ?n) the man aske) B$o *ou mean she forgets ever*thingDB Culla .asru))in sai) B.o, she remem(ers ever*thingHB 1

2f Culla .asru))inBs /ife has a (a) memor*, 2 have a marvellous memor*6 2 forget ever*thing6 ?n) 2 enFo* this forgetfulnessE 2 am not /orrie) a(out it6 +econ)l*: 2 am an ignorant &erson6 2 am not a scholar6 2 enFo* rea)ing (ooks, (ut 2 rea) the :i(le6 the @ita, the 7oran Fust as one rea)s novelsE the* are ancient, (eautiful stories6 7rishnamurti sa*s he never rea)s an* scri&tureE he rea)s onl* )etective stories6 2 rea) the scri&ture, (ut 2 rea) in the scri&ture Fust the )etective stor* an) nothing else6 ?n) 2 /oul) suggest to 7rishnamurti that it /oul) (e goo) if he shoul) look into the :i(leE *ou cannot fin) a more (eautiful stor* full of sus&ense6 #ver*thing is there: love6 Life, mur)erE ever*thing is there6 2t is ver* sensational6 +cri&tures, to me, have nothing s&ecial6 +cri&tures are as sacre) as the trees an) the rocks an) the stars AA or as secular6 2 )onBt make a )istinction so 2 am not ver* serious a(out scri&tures6 The onl* thing 2 am serious a(out is Fokes6 +o /hen 2 Guote the scri&ture 2 Guote from memor*, /hen 2 Guote a Foke 2 have it /ritten here in front of me6 2 never /ant to make an* mistake a(out the Foke AA 2 am reall* serious6 ?(out ever*thing else 2 am a(solutel* nonAserious6 +o it is ver* o(vious6 Listening to me *ou must have un)erstoo) it6 that m* em&hasis is not on /hat the scri&tures sa* AA that is not the &oint: m* em&hasis is on /hat 2 am sa*ing6 2f *ou go to a %hristian &riest, he Guotes the scri&ture, his em&hasis is on the scri&ture6 ;e is ver* literal6 he has to (e AA he himself is secon)ar*, the scri&ture is &rimar*6 ;e is a /itness to the scri&ture6 <ith me it is Fust the o&&osite: the scri&ture is Fust a /itness to me6 <hatsoever 2 have to sa*, onl* that have 2 to sa*6 2f 2 feel the scri&ture can (e a /itness to it, 2 use it6 ?n) 2 go on &la*ing /ith the scri&ture, sometimes in one /a*, sometimes in another6 5emem(er al/a*s, 2 am not tr*ing to &rove the scri&ture AA that the scri&ture is right AA 2 am sim&l* using it as illustration6 2t is secon)ar*, *ou can forget a(out it: nothing /ill (e lost6 <hatsoever 2 am sa*ing is )irect6 -ust to hel& *ou, (ecause *ou are not ca&a(le of listening to the )irect truth, *ou nee) a fe/ /itnesses6 +o -esus, 7rishna an) :u))ha an) Lao Tzu an) Lieh Tzu AA the* are Fust /itnesses to me6 2 am not to a)Fust /ith them6 the* have to a)Fust /ith me6 ?n) this shoul) al/a*s (e so: the )ea) shoul) exist an) a)Fust /ith the living an) for the living6 <h* shoul) the living a)Fust /ith the )ea)D Lieh Tzu has to a)Fust /ith me, (ecause onl* in a)Fusting /ith me can Lieh Tzu again have a little life6 -esus has to a)Fust /ith me, 2 am not to a)Fust /ith -esus6 The &ast has to a)Fust /ith the &resent6 not other/ise6 +o 2 go on &la*ing6666 These are all Fust stories to me an)6 )ee& )o/n, this is the a&&roach: the /hole of life is a fiction, it is C?'?, it is a )ream6 -esus an) :u))ha an) 7rishna an) 2 an) *ou are &arts of a (ig )ream AA @o) is )reaming6 $onBt (e too serious a(out it6 +cholars (ecome too serious6 2 am not a scholar an) 2 have no res&ect for scholars6 2n fact m* attitu)e is exactl* the same as Culla .asru))inBs6 Once it ha&&ene): ? man came to Culla .asru))in an) sai) B.asru))in6 have *ou hear)D The great scholar of the to/n has )ie) an) t/ent* ru&ees are nee)e) to (ur* him6B Culla gave him a hun)re) ru&ee note an) sai) BTake it, an) /hile *ou are )oing it, /h* not (ur* fiveD 5emem(er, these scholars are ver* calculating an) cunning &eo&le AA (ur* them as )ee& as &ossi(le, other/ise the* /ill come (ack6 ?n) if *ou nee) more mone*, come to me, )onBt (e sh* a(out itHB 2 am neither a scholar nor am 2 in an* /a* res&ectful to/ar)s scholars or scholarshi&6 That is all (ullshit6 2 /as rea)ing a (eautiful &oem (* #6'6 ;ar(urg6 ? fe/ lines are of tremen)ous im&ort6 Ce)itate over them6 Poems are ma)e (* fools like me, :ut onl* @o) can make a treeE 1 ,

?n) onl* @o) /ho makes the tree ?lso makes the fools like me6 :ut onl* fools like me, *ou see, %an make a @o), /ho makes a tree6 2 am tremen)ousl* ignorant, an) 2 am ha&&* as 2 am6 an) 2 have no i)ea to im&rove u&on m*self6 +o if sometimes *ou are in an a/k/ar) situation: some(o)* sa*s that Osho has sai) this an) this is not correct, it is *our &ro(lem6 Then *our Caster is foun) fault*666 *ou feel a little )istur(e), *our ego is hurt6 ?s far as 2 am concerne) 2 am &erfectl* oka*6 ?n) 2 /ill continue to create &ro(lems for *ouH .o/ *ou fin) the ans/ers6 2nvent something, (e a little imaginative or inventive6 <hen 2 can invent so much, /h* canBt *ouD 'ou can fin) some esoteric, occult meaning in it6 2t is al/a*s eas*: /hen *ou cannot fin) an*thing else, al/a*s tr* to fin) some esoteric, occult meaning in it AA there must (e6 The han)some, /ellA)resse) man han)e) the &oor (eggar a five )ollar (ill6 B;ere, m* goo) manB he sai) Beat *our fill an) thereBs enough for a )rink or t/o6B The (eggar entere) Ton*Bs restaurant, /here he ate the (iggest )inner of his life an) then to&&e) it off /ith a (ottle of /ine an) a (ig ti& to Luigi, the /aiter6 B?hB sai) the han)some, /ellA )resse) stranger BitBs a goo) /orl)6 #ver*one is ha&&*6 The &oor (eggar (ecause he is no longer hungr*, Ton* (ecause he has ma)e a (ig sale, the /aiter (ecause he has receive) a nice ti&6 ?n) meD666 lBm ha&&* too, (ecause the (ill /as counterfeit6B +o make ever*(o)* ha&&*6 %reate a fe/ fictions, a fe/ counterfeit (illsE make ever*(o)* ha&&*6 The /orl) is reall* (eautiful6 $onBt (e (othere) too much a(out facts there are none, all are fictions6 5emem(er, ?LL are fictions, even m* (eing here an) *our (eing here is a tremen)ous fiction6 .othing ever ha&&ens6 Truth is6 ?ll that ha&&ens is fictitiousE histor* is a fiction (ecause /hatsoever is, is666 nothing ever ha&&ens there6 @o) has no histor* an) @o) has no (iogra&h*6 @o) onl* is, there is no B/asB an) there is no B/ill (eB6 There is no &ast an) no future6 ?ll histor* is fictitious6 ThatBs /h* in the #ast /e have never (een (othere) (* histor*, /e have not /ritten histor* at all AA instea) of histor* /e have /ritten m*ths6 2f *ou ask /hen 5ama /as (orn, ;in)us cannot ans/er6 ?sk ;in)us, an) *ou /ill fin) as man* ans/ers as the &ersons *ou ask6 .o(o)* kno/s, in fact no(o)* kno/s exactl* /hether he /as (orn or not6 The fiction is that the stor* /riter /ho /rote the stor* of 5ama, /rote it (efore 5ama /as (orn: :almiki /rote it (efore 5ama /as (orn6 Look at the #astern a&&roach6 'ou cannot conceive of it, that the %hristian a&ostles shoul) /rite the stor* of -esus (efore he /as ever (orn6 :ut :almiki /rote the stor* of 5ama (efore he /as (orn an) then 5ama ha) to (e (orn to &rove that :almiki /as right, other/ise &eo&le /oul) laugh at this ol) man6 ?n) he ha) /ritten so, B+o )o itHB +o he ha) to )o the things that :almiki ha) /ritten alrea)*6 ;e ha) &ro&hesie) it, it /as a &re)iction, an) then 5ama follo/e)6 Look at the a&&roach: histor* is thought of as fiction6 Onl* novels are /ritten first, then *ou can &la*, *ou can make a movie out of them6 2n the secret tra)itions of the #ssenes it is sai) that %hrist never /as, that in fact it /as a )rama, a %hrist )rama, that ha) (een &la*e) for centuries (efore %hrist /as ever (orn6 2n fact he /as never (orn, it /as Fust a )rama6 :* an) (*, &eo&le (ecame so much attache) to the )rama, the* starte) loving the )rama so much, that it turne) out (ecoming a realit*E it starte) looking like a fact6 ThatBs /h* there are so man* versions6 2f *ou look into the four gos&els, all are )ifferent, sometimes contra)ictor*6 9our &ersons /riting the same stor* are (oun) to (e )ifferent6 The #astern /a* of looking at things is that /hatsoever is cannot (e seen (* the e*es6 ?n) /hatsoever can (e seen (* the e*es is Fust a fiction AA enFo* /hile *ou are seeing it, love it AA it is L##L?, @o)Bs &la*6 +o /hen 2 am sa*ing things to *ou, these are not sermons AA a sermon is a serious thing AA these are Fust like the songs of the (ir)s6 +o /hatsoever surfaces in me, 2 tell *ouE 1 "

an) 2 am not /orrie) /hether it is &rove) (* histor* or not (ecause histor* itself is meaningless to me6 Iuestion " <;' ;?+ T;#5# .#V#5 :##. ? +2.@L# <OC?. #.L2@;T#.#$ C?+T#5D ? /oman cannot (e a Caster AA it is not &ossi(le6 <hen a /oman arrives she (ecomes a Cistress, not a Caster6 The fulfilment of a /oman is love6 The flo/ering of a /oman is love6 Caster* is not the goal of the feminine min)E the* )onBt (ecome Casters, the* (ecome Cistresses6 To (e a Caster is (asicall* a male effort6 ?/areness is the /a* of man, love is the /a* Or /oman6 On the &ath of a/areness it is &ossi(le to teachE one can (ecome a Caster6 On the &ath of love, ho/ can *ou teach loveD 'ou can flo/er, *ou can (loom in love, (ut ho/ can *ou teach itD 'es, if some(o)* /ants to learn from *ou, he /ill learn it, (ut *ou /ill not (e a Caster6 ?n) such /omen have existe): 5a(i*a, Ceera, Calli(ai, Cag)alen, Teresa6 +uch /omen have existe): +ahaFo, $a*a, Lalla6 Can* /omen have existe), (ut the* /ere not Casters6 The* /ere so surren)ere) to @o) that the* (ecame Cistresses6 Ceera sa*s B2 am a mistress to *ou6 C* Lor)B AA a mistress to 7rishna, to @o) himself6 +he sings the song of the glor* of her Lor), she )ances6 2f some(o)* can catch something from her, it is overflo/ingE (ut she cannot (e a teacher6 +he is surren)ere), her surren)er is a(solute6 'es, if *ou are in her com&an*, *ou /ill learn /hat surren)er is666 (ut *ou /ill have to learn, she /ill not teach6 ? /oman cannot (e a teacher6 To teach, a certain )ifferent Gualit* of energ* is nee)e)6 Let me sa* it in this /a*, this is m* ex&erience: it is ver* )ifficult for a man to (ecome a )isci&le, ver* )ifficult for a man to (ecome a )isci&le6 #ven if he (ecomes, he (ecomes reluctantl*6 +urren)er is )ifficult6 ;o/ to surren)er the /illD #ven if he surren)ers, he onl* surren)ers con)itionall*, in or)er to (ecome a Caster one )a*6 ;e (ecomes a )isci&le in or)er to (ecome a Caster6 2t is )ifficult for a man to surren)erE it is ver* sim&le for a /oman to surren)er6 2t is ver* sim&le for a /oman to (ecome a )isci&le, it is ver* )ifficult for a /oman to (ecome a Caster6 #ven after she has arrive), she remains surren)ere)6 ?n) for the man, even /hen he has not arrive), he remains )ee& )o/n unsurren)ere)6 On the surface he /ill sho/ surren)er, (ut )ee& )o/n some/here the ego &ersists6 ? man can (ecome a goo) Caster6 ? /oman can (ecome a goo) )isci&le (ecause to (ecome a )isci&le means to (ecome a receiver, to (e rece&tive, to (ecome a /om(6 To (ecome a Caster means to (ecome a giver6 The same &henomenon continues666 as it is there on the (iological level, it remains on the s&iritual level6 :iologicall*, a /oman is rea)* to receive the s&erm from the man she loves6 The man cannot (ecome a mother, he can onl* (ecome a father6 ;e can trigger the &rocess: the /oman /ill (ecome the mother, she /ill carr* the chil) in her /om( for nine months, she /ill nourish the chil) /ith her (loo) an) her (eing, she /ill (e carr*ing the &regnanc*6 The same ha&&ens on the s&iritual level too6 <hen a /oman comes to a Caster she is imme)iatel* rea)* to surren)er6 2f sometimes it ha&&ens other/ise AA sometimes there are /omen /ho are ver* reluctant to surren)er that sim&l* sho/s the* have lost contact /ith their /omanhoo)6 The* )onBt kno/ /ho the* are, the* have (ecome )istracte) from their centre6 The* )onBt kno/ ho/ to surren)er (ecause the* )onBt kno/ ho/ to (e a /oman6 2f *ou kno/ ho/ to (e a /oman, if *ou are a /oman, surren)er is so sim&le, it comes so easil*6 ?ll the great )isci&les in the /orl) /ere /omen6 :u))ha ha) thousan)s of )isci&les, (ut the &ro&ortion has al/a*s (een the same: three /omen, one man6 +o /as the &ro&ortion /ith Cahavir6 ;e ha) fort* thousan) sann*asins: ten thousan) men, thirt* thousan) /omen6 ?n) so /as the case /ith -esus6 1 0

The reall* )evote) &eo&le aroun) him /ere not the men (ut the /omen6 <hen he /as crucifie), all the men esca&e), there /as not a single man6 ?ll those soAcalle) Ba&ostlesB ha) all )isa&&eare), (ut the /omen /ere there6 Three /omen /ere there: the* ha) no fear, the* /ere rea)* to sacrifice themselves6 <hen -esus /as taken )o/n from the cross, it /as not (* men AA those )isci&les ha) gone far a/a*, an) one or t/o /ere there (ut the* /ere hi)ing in the cro/) /omen took )o/n the (o)*6 ?n) it is ver* significant that /hen -esus a&&eare) after three )a*s, resurrecte), he a&&eare) first to Car* Cag)alen, not to a man6 This is ver* significant6 <h*D <hat a(out those t/elve a&ostlesD <h* to Car* Cag)alenD ?n) she imme)iatel* recognise) him, an) she rushe) to him an) she sai) B+o, C* Lor), *ou are still aliveHB ?n) /hen -esus a&&eare) to the )isci&les, male )isci&les, the* /oul) not recognise him, the* thought B2t seems trick*6 ;o/ can this man come (ackDB 2t is sai) that /hen he a&&eare) (efore t/o )isci&les, male )isci&les, he /alke) /ith them for hours an) the* /oul) not recognise him6 ?n) the* continue) talking a(out -esus an) -esus /as /alking (* their si)e6 The* /ere a little &uzzle) a(out the a&&earance of this man AA he looke) like -esus (ut ho/ coul) he (eD B-ust a&&earanceD AA one shoul) not (e )eceive) (* a&&earance alone6B 9or t/o hours the* /alke) together6 <hen the* /ent to an inn, all three sat there to eat their )inner an) /hen -esus (roke his (rea), T;#. the* recognise)6 Ver* materialistic min)6 +u))enl* the* sa/666 (ecause -esusB ever* act, his ever* gesture, /as his, authenticall* his6 .o/ the* recognise) (ecause he /as (reaking the (rea) in the same /a* that the* ha) seen -esus (reak (rea) for *ears AA then the* recognise)6 :ut for t/o hours, the &resence /as not recognise)6 Cag)alen recognise) imme)iatel*6 <hen she /ent to tell the male )isci&les that -esus /as resurrecte), the* laughe)6 The* sai) B<oman, *ou are hallucinating6B ?n) the* laughe) an) the* sai) BThis is ho/ /omen al/a*s are AA imaginative, )reaming, romantic6 .o/ look at this foolish /oman6 -esus is )ea)6 <e have seen him )ie on the cross /ith our o/n e*es6B :ut she crie) an) she sai) BListen to me6 2 have seen him6B :ut the* /oul) not listen6 ? /oman can (e a &erfect )isci&le, an) this is ho/ it shoul) (e6 <oman is rece&tive, an o&ening, a /om(6 The* have never (een Casters in the sense that men have (een Casters AA like Cahavir, :u))ha, =arathustra, Lao Tzu6 .o, the* have never (een Casters like that6 :ut there have never (een )isci&les like /omenE no man has ever (een a(le to eGual them as far as )isci&lehoo) is concerne)6 ?n) let me tell *ou this, that as far as this )ivision of male an) female is concerne), the female min) is more (lesse)6 :ecause the real thing is to receive the truth, the real thing is not to give it that is secon)ar*6 ?n) a /oman is al/a*s more total than a man6 <henever she receives the truth, she (ecomes luminous: her /hole (o)*, her /hole (eing sho/s itE she carries an aura6 ;ave *ou not seen a /oman /ho is &regnant, ho/ (eautiful she (ecomesD ;er face glo/s, she is carr*ing a ne/ life /ithin her6 ?n) this is nothing com&are) to a /oman /ho reall* (ecomes a )isci&le6 +he is carr*ing @o) himself /ithin her6 ;er glor* is infinite6 +o )onBt (e /orrie) /h* /omen )onBt (ecome Casters6 There is no nee)6 2f *ou can (ecome )isci&les, that is natural an) *ou /ill al/a*s remain true to nature6 Iuestion 0 '#+T#5$?' 'O> +?2$ T;?T =#. 2+ T;# :#?>T29>L 5#+>LT O9 C#LT2.@ T?O ?.$ :>$$;2+C, ?.$ +>92+C T;# 9LO<#5 T;?T :LOOC+ O>T O9 2+L?C ?.$ ;2.$>2+C6 2+ 'O>5 T#?%;2.@ T;# +>P#5A9LO<#5, T;# %5O++A:5##$2.@ :#T<##. =#. ?.$ +>92+CD 2t is not a flo/er, it is Fust a meeting of t/o fragrances6 =en is a su&erflo/er, so is +ufism6 .othing can (e a))e) to themE the* are &erfect6 ?s far as flo/ers are concerne), the* have attaine) to &erfectionE nothing more can (e a))e) to them, the* have (loome)6 <hat 2 am )oing here is tr*ing to fuse their fragrances6 ? rose has flo/ere) an) so has flo/ere) a lotus6 :oth arc s&rea)ing their fragrances to the /in)6 <hat 2 am )oing here is tr*ing to fuse their fragrance, /hich is a ver* su(tle &henomenon6 ? flo/er is gross, fragrance is su(tle6 ? flo/er is visi(le, fragrance is invisi(le6 ? flo/er is 1 1

material, fragrance is sim&l* s&iritual6 ThatBs /hat 2 am )oing here tr*ing to (ring together all the flo/ers of Tantra, of 'oga, of Tao, of +ufism, of =en, of ;asi)ism, -e/s, Coslems6 ;in)us, :u))hists6 -ainsAl am tr*ing to (ring together all the fragrances that have (een release) )o/n the centuries6 This is a great ex&eriment /hich has never (een )one (efore6 :u))ha is concerne) onl* /ith the &ath through /hich he has attaine)6 so is Cahavir, so is -esus6 .ever (efore on the earth AA has this (een )one6 'ou are (lesse), *ou are fortunate6 'ou ma* not realise this right no/, no(o)* realises it /hen the moment is alive6 ;ave *ou ever thought a(out itD <ere -esusB )isci&les a/are of /hat /as ha&&ening /hen it /as ha&&eningD <ere the* a/are that something of tremen)ous im&ort /as ha&&ening in their lives /hich /as going to )eci)e the )estin* of humanit* for centuries to comeD .o, the* /ere not a/are6 <ere :u))haBs )isci&les a/are that something of great im&ort /as ha&&ening 'ou are also not a/are6 +omething of tremen)ous im&ort is ha&&ening /hich has not ha&&ene) ever, /hich is going to (e )ecisive, (ecause no/ the ol) religions cannot survive in the futureE their )a*s are gone6 2n the future, a fe/ things /ill )isa&&ear6 .ations /ill have to )isa&&ear (ecause the earth has (ecome a small villageE no/ the* are meaningless6 2n)ia an) Pakistan an) %hina an) ?merica an) %ana)a an) #nglan) an) @erman* are meaninglessE the earth has (ecome one6 The )a* man (ecame ca&a(le of going (e*on) gravitation, the earth (ecame one6 The first man in a s&aceshi& starte) cr*ing /hen he sa/ the /hole earth as one6 .o(o)* ha) ever seen the /hole earth as one6 ;e looke) at the earth he coul) not (elieve ho/ there coul) (e an* )ivisions of ?merica an) 5ussia an) %hina an) this an) that6 ;e coul) not think a(out himself as ?merican or 5ussian6 ;e coul) think a(out himself onl* as an earthA)/eller6 ?n) he coul) not see an* )ivisions of the earth (ecause )ivisions are onl* on the &olitical ma&sE the earth remains un)ivi)e)6 The )a* man crosse) the (arrier of gravitation, (ecame free from gravitation, the earth (ecame one6 2t is no/ onl* a Guestion of time6666 .ations /ill have to )isa&&ear, an) /ith nations /ill )isa&&ear the /orl) of the &oliticians an) the /orl) of &olitics6 ? great nightmare /ill )isa&&ear from the earth6 ?n) the secon) thing to )isa&&ear /ith the nations is ;in)uism, Cohamme)anism, %hristianit*, -u)aism6 -ust as &olitics have )ivi)e) the ma& of the earth, religions have )ivi)e) the consciousness of man %ertainl* the )ivision of religion is more )angerous than the )ivision of &olitics, (ecause &olitics can onl* )ivi)e the earth666 religions have )ivi)e) the consciousness of man6 Can has not (een allo/e) total access to his (eing6 One has to (e Fust a Cohamme)an AA a ver* narro/ thing6 One has to (e Fust a ;in)u AA Fust a ver* narro/ thing6 <h*6 /hen *ou can have the /hole heritageD <hen the /hole &ast is *ours an) the /hole future is *ours, /h* shoul) *ou )ivi)eD <h* shoul) 2 call m*self Ba ;in)u or a Cohamme)an or a %hristianBD One shoul) claim the total6 :* claiming the total *ou (ecome total: *ou lose all narro/ )ivisions, )istinctions, *ou (ecome /hole6 *ou (ecome hol*6 That is going to ha&&en, that is (oun) to ha&&en6 That ;?+ to ha&&en6 other/ise man /ill not (e a(le to gro/ an* more6 This is ver* crucial that man has to )ro& all (arriers6of nation an) religion an) church6 ThatBs /hat 2 am )oing here: tr*ing to (ring together all the fragrances release) in )ifferent centuries (* )iffering flo/erings of human consciousness6 Lao Tzu is a flo/er, so is :u))ha, so is -esus, so is Cohamme), (ut no/ /e have to melt all their fragrances into one AA a universal fragrance6 Then, for the first time, man /ill (e a(le to (e religious an) *et un)ivi)e)6 Then the church is *ours an) the mosGue too an) the tem&le too6 Then the @ita is *ours, an) the 7oran an) the Ve)as an) the :i(le AA ever*thing is *ours6 'ou (ecome vast6 .o, 2 am not tr*ing to create a ne/ flo/er AA flo/ers have ha&&ene)6 2 am tr*ing to create a ne/ &erfume out of all those flo/ers6 2t is more su(tle, more invisi(leE onl* those /ho have e*es /ill (e a(le to see it6 Iuestion 1 T;# $?.@#5 O9 'O>5 T?L7+ O. T?O2+C 2+ T;?T T;#5# ?5# ? LOT O9 L?=', 255#+PO.+2:L# P#OPL# ?5O>.$ <;O 5?T2O.?L2+# T;#25 :?$ ;?:2T+ 1 !

:' %L?2C2.@ TO :# 2.?%T2V# T?O2+T+6 PL#?+# %L?529' T;# $299#5#.%# :#T<##. ? T?O2+T ?.$ ? L?=' #+%?P2+T6 The Guestion is from ?nan) Prem6 The first thing, there are t/o )angers 2 have talke) a(out: one is of egoism, another is of letharg*, laziness6 ?n) remem(er, if *ou have to fall into an* tra&, the tra& of laziness is (etter than the tra& of egoism6 That is more )angerous, (ecause the laz* &erson has never )one an*thing /rong, a laz* &erson cannot )o6 ;e /ill never )o an* goo) AA oka*, (ut he /ill never )o an* /rong either6 ;e /ill not (other to kill an*(o)*, to torture an*(o)*, to create concentration cam&s, to go to /ar he /ill not (other6 ;e sa*s B<h*D <hen one can rest, /h*DB ? laz* &erson is not naturall* a )anger6 The onl* thing that he ma* miss ma* (e his o/n s&iritual gro/th, (ut he /ill not interfere /ith an*(o)* elseBs gro/thE he /ill not (e an interference6 ;e /ill not (e a )oA goo)er an) these are the greatest, most mischievous &eo&le in the /orl) the )oAgoo)ers6 ? laz* &erson is almost a(sent6 <hat can he )oD ;ave *ou ever hear) of an* laz* &erson )oing an*thing /rongD .o, ?nan) Prem, the real &ro(lem comes from the egoist, an) that is ?nan) PremBs &ossi(ilit*6 $onBt (e /orrie) a(out a fe/ &eo&le here getting laz* AA let them, nothing is /rong6 The real &ro(lem is from the egoistE one /ho /ants to (e s&iritual, one /ho /ants to (e s&ecial, one /ho /ants to (ecome a +2$$;?, one /ho /ants to attain s&iritual &o/ers6 One /ants to &rove something s&irituall* in the /orl): that is the real )anger6 2f *ou have to fall, choose laziness6 2f *ou cannot fall, if *ou have to avoi), goo) to avoi) :OT;6 Laziness is Fust like the common col) AA nothing much to /orr* a(out6 #go is like cancer6 2t is (etter not to have either6 :ut if *ou have to choose an) *ou /oul) like to have something to cling to, the common col) is goo) AA *ou can )e&en) on it, it never kills an*(o)*, it has never kille) an*(o)*6 :ut never choose cancer, an) that is the greater &ossi(ilit*6 .o/ she asks BThe )anger of *our talks on Taoism is that there are a lot of laz*, irres&onsi(le &eo&le666B6 The first thing: the moment *ou start thinking a(out others *ou are getting into an egoAtri&6 <ho are *ou to think a(out others an) their lifeD 2t is their life6 2f the* feel like (eing laz*, /ho are *ou to interfereD ?nan) Prem has a )oAgoo)er in her (eingE she is ver* /orrie) a(out others AA that is a )angerous thing6 ?n) of course she is con)emnator*6 This Guestion has a con)emnation: BThe )anger of *our talks on Taoism is that there a lot of laz*, irres&onsi(le &eo&le aroun) /ho rationalise their (a) ha(its (* claiming to (e inactive Taoists6B <ho are *ou to tell them that their ha(its are (a)D Laziness is a (etter ha(it than to (e o(sesse) (* activit*6 To (e o(sesse) (* activit* is ma)ness6 ? laz* &erson can (e sane6 +ometimes the laziest &eo&le have (een foun) to (e the sanest6 2 have the feeling that if ?nan) Prem comes across Lao Tzu, she /ill think he is laz*6 ;e /ill look laz* to all &ur&oses6 2f she comes across $iogenes, she /ill think he is laz*6 2f she comes aroun) :u))ha she /ill think he is laz*6 +itting un)er the :o)hi Tree666B/hat are *ou )oingD ?t least *ou can run a &rimar* school an) teach chil)ren, or *ou can o&en a hos&ital an) serve ill &eo&le6 +o man* &eo&le are )*ing, starving666 /hat are *ou )oing here sitting un)er the :o)hi TreeDB ?nan) Prem /oul) have Fum&e) u&on :u))ha an) taken him to task6 B<hat are *ou )oingD -ust sitting, me)itatingD 2s this the time to me)itateD 2s this the time to (e Fust sitting silentl* an) enFo*ing *our (lissD This is selfishHB This con)emnator* attitu)e is reall* )angerous: it gives *ou an i)ea of holier than thou, B2 am (etter than *ou6 'ou666 *ou laz* &eo&leHB +he goes on /riting Guestions ever* )a* that 2 have not (een ans/eringE ever* )a* AA that Bthese &eo&le are hi&&ies, these &eo&le are useless6B +he is in search of a lover, (ut she cannot fin) one here (ecause she thinks that no(o)* here6666 +he /ants a Bstraight &ersonB an) she cannot fin) a straight &erson here6 These are all Bhi&&ies an) *i&&iesB an) she /ants some(o)* /ho is /ellAesta(lishe)6 +he /rote a letter6 B666 /ellA esta(lishe), has a (ank account, is a gentleman, a sGuire, has &restige, res&ecta(ilit*6 ;ere these 1 3

&eo&le are Fust ho(os, /an)erers, vaga(on)s6B +he /oul) have refuse) :u))ha, she /oul) have refuse) Lao Tzu: the* /ere not straight6 +he /rites to me: B666 these longAhaire) &eo&leHB <ith such )isgust she /rites, an) (ecause of this )isgust she has (ecome a ver* )isgusting &erson an) she /ill not fin)6 9or one *ear she has (een in the <est in search6 +he is a -e/6 9irst she searche) in ?merica, then she /ent to 2srael to search for a man6 +he coul) not fin) in ?merica, she coul) not fin) in 2srael AA she /ill never fin) an*/here6 #ven if she goes to heaven, @o) /ill look like a ho(o6 +he has such con)emnator* attitu)es that she cannot love a sim&le human (eing6 'es, there are fla/s, there are limitations, (ut ever*(o)* has those limitations6 2f *ou /ant to love, *ou have to love a man /ith all his limitations6 'ou cannot fin) a &erfect &erson6 Perfection )oes not exist6 @o) never allo/s &erfection (ecause &erfection is so monotonous6 -ust think: living /ith a &erfect &erson666 t/ent*Afour hours, an) *ou /ill commit suici)e6 Living /ith a &erfect &ersonD Then ho/ /ill *ou liveD ;e /ill (e more like a mar(le statue, )ea)6 The moment a &erson (ecomes &erfect, he is )ea)6 ?n alive &erson is never &erfect, an) m* teaching is (asicall* not for &erfection (ut for totalit*6 :e total, an) remem(er the )ifference6 The i)eal of &erfection sa*s: :e like this AA no anger, no Fealous*, no &ossessiveness, no fla/s, no limitations6 The i)eal of totalit* is totall* )ifferent: 2f *ou are angr*, (e totall* angr*6 2f *ou are loving, (e totall* loving6 2f *ou are sa), (e totall* sa)6 .othing is )enie) AA onl* &artialit* has to (e )ro&&e), an) then a &erson (ecomes (eautiful6 ? total &erson is (eautiful6 ? &erfect &erson is )ea)6 2 am not tr*ing to create C?;?TC?+ here6 #noughH Those C?;?TC?+ have )one enough nonsense in the /orl)6 <e nee) (eautiful &eo&le, flo/ering, flo/ing, alive6 'es, the* /ill (e sometimes sa), (ut /hat is /rong in (eing sa)D +ometimes the* /ill (e angr*, (ut /hat is /rong in sometimes (eing angr*D 2t sim&l* sho/s that *ou are alive, that *ou are not a )ea) thing, that *ou are not )rift/oo)6 +ometimes *ou fight, sometimes *ou let go6 -ust like climates change: it is rain* sometimes an) it is clou)*, an) sometimes it is sunn* an) the clou)s have )isa&&eare)6 ?n) all seasons are nee)e) AA the col), the heat, the /inter, the summer AA all seasons are nee)e)6 ?n) a real man, an authentic man, has all the climates in his (eing AA onl* /ith one a/areness: that /hatsoever he is )oing he shoul) )o totall* an) shoul) )o /ith full a/areness AA enough, thatBs enough, an) *ou have a (eautiful &erson6 :ut ?nan) Prem is in search of a &erfect man6 2 have hear)6666 Once a man travelle) all over the /orl)6666 <henever 2 look at ?nan) Prem, 2 again an) again remem(er that man, ;e travelle) all over the /orl) in search of a &erfect /oman6 ;e /ante) to get marrie), (ut ho/ to acce&t an im&erfect mo)elD AA he /ante) a &erfect /oman6 ;e came (ack, his /hole life /aste)E he coul) not fin)6 Then one )a* a frien) sai) B:ut no/ *ou are sevent* an) *ou searche) *our /hole life, coul)nBt *ou fin) a single &erfect /omanDB ;e sai) B'es, once 2 came across one /oman /ho /as &erfect6B +o the frien) aske) BThen /hat ha&&ene)DB :ut the man (ecame sa), he sai) B<hat ha&&ene)D That /oman /as in search of a &erfect man, so nothing ha&&ene)HB 5emem(er, the i)eal of &erfection is an egoistic i)eal6 5onal) %oleman tol) ;er( +tein a(out a ;oll*/oo) &hon* /ho s&oke /ith a fake Oxfor) accent, /ore a fake Pur&le +tar an) Phi :eta 7a&&a ke* AA an) /orst of all, &asse) a lot of fake cheGues6 ?t the en) of his ro&e, he )eci)e) to commit suici)e, an) /ent )o/n to the +anta 9e railroa) tracks6 ;e calml* smoke) several im&orte) cigarettes /hile three or four heav* freights &uffe) (*6 ? tram& /ho /as /atching Feere)6 Blf *ouBre gonna )o it, /h* )onBt *ou )o itDB B$onBt (e vulgarB sGuelche) the &hon*6 B? man like me /aits for the +u&er %hief6B

1 4

#ven if an egoist goes to commit suici)e, he /aits for the +u&er %hief, the (est train6 ;e sa*s B$onBt (e vulgar6 ? man like me /aits for the +u&er %hief6B #ven if he is committing suici)e, he /ill not commit un)er a goo)s train6 Carriage is like suici)e AA *ou can commit an*/here6 'ou shoul) not /ait for the +u&er %hief6 ?nan) Prem is in search an) it is im&ossi(le for her, the /a* she looks at things /ith such con)emnation, to fin) an*(o)* /hom she can love6 BPlease clarif* the )ifference (et/een a Taoist an) a laz* esca&ist6B There is not much, an) if there is, it is so inner that onl* the &erson /ill kno/ AA *ou /ill never (e a(le to Fu)ge from the outsi)e6 Look at me6 2 am also a laz* &erson6 ;ave *ou seen me )oing an*thing, everD 2t is ver* )ifficult from the outsi)e to kno/6 ?n) 2 love laz* &ersons666 Taoists or notE 2 love laz* &ersons (ecause out of laz* &ersons never an* ?)olf ;itler is (orn, never an* @enghis 7han, never an* Tam(urlaine6 Laz* &eo&le have silentl* live) their lives an) )isa&&eare), /ithout leaving an* trace on histor*, /ithout contaminating humanit*6 The* have not &ollute) consciousness6 The* /ere here as if the* /ere not6 To (e laz* an) a/are666 an) *ou have (ecome a Taoist6 2t )oes not mean that *ou (ecome inactive6 2t sim&l* means that the o(sessive activit* )isa&&ears6 2t sim&l* means that *ou have (ecome ca&a(le of notA)oing too6 2t is sai) a(out a =en Caster that a &erson aske) one of his )isci&les B<hat miracles can *our Caster )oDB ?n) the )isci&le sai) B?re *ou a follo/er of some(o)*DB ?n) the man sai) B'es, 2 am a follo/er of a certain Caster an) he is a greatAmiracleAmanE he can )o great miracles6 Once it ha&&ene) that 2 /as stan)ing on this shore of the (ank an) he /as stan)ing on the other shore, an) he shoute) to me "2 /ant to /rite something in *our (ook6" ?n) it /as almost a halfAmileA/i)e river6 +o 2 took m* (ook out, raise) it, an) from the other shore he starte) /riting /ith his fountain &en an) the /riting came on m* (ook6 This miracle 2 have seen an) the (ook is /ith me AA *ou can see6B ?n) the )isci&le of the other Caster laughe) an) he sai) BC* Caster can )o greater miracles6B +o the man sai) B<hat miraclesDB ?n) the )isci&le sai) BC* Caster can )o miracles, an) he is so ca&a(le666 +O %?P?:L# that he is ca&a(le of not )oing them too6B B.ot )oing them too6B +ee the (eaut* of it6 ;e is Bso ca&a(le666 +O %?P?:L#666 of not )oing them too6B ? Taoist is a man /ho )oes onl* that /hich is a(solutel* necessar*6 ;is life is almost like a telegram6 <hen *ou go to the Post Office *ou )onBt /rite a long letter /hen *ou are giving a telegra&hic message6 'ou go on cutting /or)s, this an) this can (e )ro&&e) an) then *ou come to ten or nine or /hatsoever6 2f *ou /rite a letter *ou /ill never /rite onl* ten /or)s6 ?n) have *ou /atche) the thingD ? telegram is more ex&ressive than all letters6 2t sa*s much more in ver* fe/ /or)s6 The unnecessar* is )ro&&e), onl* the most necessar* is there6 ? Taoist is telegra&hic, his life is like a telegram6 The o(sessive, the unnecessar*, the feverish, has (een )ro&&e)6 ;e )oes onl* that /hich is a(solutel* necessar*6 ?n) let me tell *ou that the a(solutel* necessar* is so little that *ou /ill see a Taoist almost as if he /ere laz*6 :ut remem(er, 2 am not &raising laziness6 2 am sim&l* con)emning the egoistic attitu)e6 ?gainst ego AA 2 am for laziness6 :ut 2 am not for laziness itselfE it shoul) (e full of a/areness6 Then *ou &ass from activit* an) from laziness (oth6 Then *ou (ecome transcen)ental6 'ou are neither active, nor inactiveE *ou are centre)6 <hatsoever is nee)e) *ou )o it, /hatsoever is not nee)e) *ou )onBt )o it6 'ou are neither a )oer nor a nonA)oer6 $oing is no more *our focus6 'ou are a consciousness6 +o &lease )onBt take /hatsoever 2 have sai) in the sense that 2 am hel&ing *ou to (e laz*6 To (e 5#?LL' laz* means not to (e inactive, (ut to (e so full of energ* that *ou are a reservoir of energ*6 Laz* as far as the /orl) is concerne), (ut tremen)ousl* )*namic insi)e, not )ull6 1,0

? Taoist is laz* from the outsi)eE from the insi)e he has (ecome a riverAlike &henomenon, he is continuousl* flo/ing to/ar)s the ocean6 ;e has )ro&&e) man* activities (ecause the* /ere unnecessaril* leaking his energ*6 The )anger is al/a*s there AA in /hatsoever 2 sa* there is )anger AA the )anger of inter&retation6 2f 2 sa* B:e activeB, there is the &ossi(ilit* that *ou /ill (ecome egoists6 2f 2 sa* B:e inactiveB, there is the &ossi(ilit* that *ou ma* (ecome )ull6 Can is ver* cunning6 2 have hear)6666 ;e /as the kin) of a gu* /ho /oul) (et on an*thing AA &rovi)e) he /as sure of /inning6 B2Bll (et m* /ifeBs first /or)s /ill (e "m* )ear" /hen 2 get homeB he sai) to Luck*6 Luck* took him u& on it6 ;e kne/ his /ife ver* /ell an) she /oul) (e the last /oman in the /orl) to sa* Bm* )earB6 Cust have (een like ?nan) Prem6 Luck* took him u& on it an) the* (et a hun)re) )ollars6 <hen the* got to the s&ortBs house he stuck his hea) in the )oor an) calle) BC* )ear, 2Bm home6B B"C* )ear" (e hange)HB roare) his /ife6 B<ait till 2 get *ou insi)eHB ?n) he looke) at Luck* an) sai) B@ive me a hun)re) )ollars6 $i)nBt 2 tell *ou that the first /or)s she /oul) ever utter /oul) (e "m* )ear"DB Cin) is ver* cunning6 The /ife is sa*ing B"C* )ear" (e hange) 2 /ait till 2 get *ou insi)eHB :ut *ou can inter&ret666 so he is )eman)ing a hun)re) )ollars6 Cin) is cunning6 2t goes on inter&reting in its o/n /a*sE it goes on fin)ing reasons, rationalisations, tricks to )efen)6 2t /ants to remain as it is6 That is the /hole effort of the min): it /ants to remain as it is6 2f it is laz*, it /ants to remain laz*6 2f it is active AA too active, o(sessivel* active it /ants to remain active6 +o /hatsoever 2 sa*, *ou have to (e careful not to )efen) *our min)6 'ou have to come out of *our min)6 The man (urst angril* through the )oor, thre/ his /ife off the strangerBs knee an) angril* )eman)e) B;o/ )o 2 fin) *ou kissing m* /ifeDB B2 )onBt kno/B sai) the stranger6 BCa*(e *ouBre home earl*DB Peo&le can fin) reasons6 :e alert6 ?n) (e alert a(out *our o/n self, not a(out others6 This is none of *our (usiness /hat others are )oing6 This shoul) (e one of the (asic attitu)es of a religious &erson AA not to think a(out /hat the other is )oingE that is his life6 2f he )eci)es to live it that /a*, that is his (usiness6 <ho are *ou even to have an o&inion a(out itD #ven to have an o&inion means that *ou are rea)* to interfere, *ou have alrea)* interfere)6 ? religious &erson is one /ho is tr*ing to live his life the (est, the most total /a* he canE the most alert /a* that he can he is tr*ing6 ?n) he is not interfering /ith an*(o)*Bs life, not even (* having an o&inion6 ;ave *ou /atche), o(serve)D 2f *ou &ass some(o)* an) *ou have a certain o&inion a(out him, *our face changes, *our e*es change, *our attitu)e, *our /alk6 2f *ou are con)emnator*, *our /hole (eing starts (roa)casting con)emnation, )isgust6 .o, *ou are interfering6 To (e reall* religious means to (e nonAinterfering6 @ive free)om to &eo&leE free)om is their (irthright6 Once it ha&&ene), 2 sta*e) /ith one of m* &rofessors, m* teachers6 Though 2 /as a stu)ent an) he /as m* teacher, he /as ver* res&ectful of me6 ;e /as a rare, religious man (ut he /as a )runkar), an) /hen 2 sta*e) in his home, he /as ver* afrai) to )rink in front of me6 <hat /oul) 2 thinkD 2 /atche) him, 2 felt his restlessness, so the next )a* 2 tol) him BThere is something on *our min)6 2f *ou )onBt relax, 2 /ill imme)iatel* leave an) go to a hotelE 2 /ill not sta*6 There is something on *our min)6 2 feel that *ou are not at ease, m* &resence is creating some trou(le6B ;e sai) B+ince *ou have raise) the &ro(lem, 2 /oul) like to tell *ou6 2 have never tol) *ou that 2 )rink too much, (ut 2 al/a*s )rink in m* home an) go to slee&6 .o/ that *ou are sta*ing 1,1

here 2 )onBt /ant to )rink (efore *ou an) that is creating the trou(le6 2 cannot remain /ithout )rinking (ut 2 cannot even conceive of )rinking in front of *ou6B 2 laughe)6 2 sai) BThis is foolish6 <hat have 2 to )o /ith itD 'ou /ill not force me to )rink6B ;e sai) B.o, never6B BThen it is finishe)E the &ro(lem is solve)6 'ou )rink an) 2 /ill kee& *ou com&an*6 2 /ill not )rink (ut 2 can )rink something else %ocaA%ola or 9anta, 2 /ill kee& *ou com&an*, *ou )rink6 2 can fill *our glass, 2 can hel& *ou6B ;e coul) not (elieve it, he thought 2 /as Foking6 :ut /hen in the night 2 fille) his glass, he starte) cr*ing6 ;e sai) B2 ha) never thought that *ou /oul) not have an* o&inion a(out it6 ?n) 2 have (een /atching *ouB he sai) Ban) *ou )onBt have an* o&inion a(out m* )rinking, a(out m* (ehaviour, a(out /hat 2 am )oing6B 2 sai) BTo have an o&inion a(out *ou is sim&l* foolish6 2t is not something ver* great that 2 havenBt an* o&inion a(out *ou6 <h* shoul) 2 have in the first &laceD <ho am lD 2t is *our life AA *ou /ant to )rink, *ou )rink6B To have an o&inion a(out *ou means that )ee& )o/n some/here 2 /ant to mani&ulate *ou6 To have some o&inion a(out *ou, this /a* or that, means that 2 have a )ee& )esire to (e &o/erful over &eo&le6 ThatBs /hat a &olitician is6 ? religious &erson shoul) (e nonAinterfering6 Iuestion ! 'O> +P#?7 ? LOT ?:O>T T;# >@L2.#++ O9 -#?LO>+'6 '#+, 2T 2+ I>2T# >@L', :>T ?.' +>@@#+T2O.+ TO >+ +>99#5#5+ O9 T;# $2+#?+# <;O ?5#.BT #.L2@;T#.#$ O. ;O< TO $2C2.2+; 2TD 9irst, )iminishing it is not going to hel&6 'ou can )iminish it to such &ro&ortions that it /ill almost (ecome invisi(le, (ut that is not going to hel&6 $iminishing sim&l* means that *ou are thro/ing it into the unconscious an) it goes into *our (asement of (eing more an) more )ee&l*6 2t (ecomes invisi(le6 'ou ma* not (e a(le to see it, (ut it /ill go on /orking from the (ack, it /ill go on &ulling *our strings from the (ack6 2t /ill (ecome more su(tle6 Please )onBt tr* to )iminish it6 The first thing to remem(er: rather than )iminish it, magnif* it so *ou can see the /hole of it6 That is the /hole &rocess of all the grou&s going on aroun) here AA @estalt, #ncounter, Ps*cho)rama6 The /hole &rocess is that /hatsoever the &ro(lem is, &lease )onBt )iminish it (ut magnif* it6 :ring it totall* as it is AA even exaggerate it so that *ou can see ever* )etail of it6 $o/n the centuries in the &ast, Fealous*, anger, sa)ness, this an) that, all have (een re&resse)6 The effort /as to )iminish it6 .o, a see) is a )iminishe) tree, (ut a see) is tremen)ousl* &o/erful6 ? see) can at an* time again &ro)uce a tree6 The right situation, the right season666 an) the tree /ill again s&rout6 'ou can )iminish *our Fealous*, it can (ecome Fust a see), an) *ou /ill not (e a(le to see it the tree has )isa&&eare), (ut it is there6 $iminishing is not the right &rocess6 ThatBs /hat *ou have (een )oing, thatBs /hat *ou have )one to *our life: *ou have )iminishe) ever*thing6 ?n) one thing more6 <hen *ou )iminish Fealous*, *our love /ill (e )iminishe) alongsi)e, (ecause *our love an) Fealous* are so much entangle) /ith each other6 2f *ou )iminish *our sa)ness, *our ha&&iness /ill (e )iminishe), (ecause *our ha&&iness an) sa)ness are so much together6 2f *ou )iminish *our hate, *our love /ill )isa&&ear AA thatBs /hat has ha&&ene)6 'ou have (een taught not to hate an) the total result is that *ou have (ecome inca&a(le of love6 .o, &lease )onBt )iminish an*thing6 That is not the /a*6 5ather, magnif*, exaggerate, (ring it to its total (lossoming an) then see it AA ever* )etail of it, ever* minute )etail of it6 2n that ver* a/areness, in that ver* seeing, *ou /ill (ecome ca&a(le of transcen)ing it an) then there /ill (e no nee) to )o an*thing a(out it6 The secon) thing: *ou sa* B'ou s&eak a lot a(out the ugliness of Fealous*6 'es, it is ugl*666B6 .o, *ou )onBt kno/6 'ou are sim&l* re&eating /hat 2 have (een sa*ing6 2f *ou kno/ it is Guite 1,

ugl*, in that ver* kno/ing it /ill )isa&&ear6 'ou )onBt kno/6 'ou have listene) to me, *ou have listene) to -esus, *ou have listene) to :u))ha an) *ou have gathere) o&inions6 'ou )onBt kno/6 2t is not *our o/n feel that Fealous* is ugl*6 2f it is *our o/n feel, /h* shoul) *ou carr* itD 2t is not an eas* thing, it takes a lot of investment6 To (e Fealous is a ver* )ifficult thing: it nee)s a lot of effort on *our &art, a lot of involvement6 2t is so )estructive of *our o/n self that if it is ugl* an) *ou have kno/n the ugliness of it, *ou cannot carr* it for a single moment6 :ut listening to me *ou (ecome kno/le)gea(le6 2 have hear)666 B'ou canBt come in hereB the /orrie) mother /arne) Bm* son is sick6B B2 /ant to catch *our sonBs measlesB the man sai) B(ecause if 2 kisse) the nurse sheB) get it6 +he /oul) kiss the )octor an) heB) get it6 The )octor /oul) kiss m* /ife an) sheB) get it6 C* /ife /oul) kiss the lan)lor) an) thatBs the gu* 2Bm after6B 2t is a great investment, a great effort an) a ver* com&lex &henomenon6 ?n) finall*, it ma* )estro*6 2t ma* not )estro* others AA it certainl* )estro*s *ouE it is suici)al6 .ot onl* that it is ugl*, it is &oisonousE it is suici)al, it is killing *ourself ever* )a*, slo/l*, slo/l*6 +ee the fact of it6 $onBt Fust (ecome kno/le)gea(le6 <hat 2 sa* /ill not (ecome an ex&erience for *ou unless 'O> ex&erience it6 ?n) /hat is the /a* to ex&erience itD The /a* is to (ring it in front of *ou6 2t is hi)ing (ehin) *ou6 $onBt Fust (ecome kno/le)gea(le6 <hat 2 sa* /ill not (ecome an ex&erience for *ou unless 'O> ex&erience it6 ?n) /hat is the /a* to ex&erience itD The /a* is to (ring it in front of *ou6 2t is hi)ing (ehin) *ou6 $onBt re&ress it, ex&ress it6 +it in *our room, close the )oors, (ring *our Fealous* into focus6 <atch it, see it, let it take as strong a flame as &ossi(le6 Let it (ecome a strong flame, (urn into it an) see /hat it is6 ?n) )onBt from the ver* (eginning sa* that this is ugl*, (ecause that ver* i)ea that this is ugl* /ill re&ress it, /ill not allo/ it total ex&ression6 .o o&inionsH -ust tr* to see the existential effect of /hat Fealous* is, the existential fact6 .o inter&retations, no i)eologiesH 9orget :u))has an) /ork, forget me6 -ust let the Fealous* (e there6 Look into it, look )ee&l* into it an) so )o /ith anger, so )o /ith sa)ness, hatre), &ossessiveness6 ?n) (* an) (* *ou /ill see that Fust (* seeing through things *ou start getting a transcen)ental feeling that *ou are ->st a /itnessE the i)entit* is (roken6 The i)entit* is (roken onl* /hen *ou encounter something /ithin *ou6 Iuestion 3 <;?T $O 'O> +?' TO +OC#O.# <;O, .O C?TT#5 <;?T P?T;+ 'O> T?L7 ?:O>T, ?L<?'+ 9##L+ T;?T ;# ;?+ O.# 9OOT O. #?%; O9 T;#CD ?.$ $O.BT +?' T;?T T;2+ C>+T :# C' P?T;H 'O> O.L' C#.T2O.#$ T<O '#+T#5$?', 5#C#C:#5D $2$ 2 ->+T P>T C' 9OOT 2. 2TD 'ou cannot &ut, (* the ver* nature of it6 Those &aths are so )iametricall* o&&osite that *ou cannot &ut one foot on one &ath, the other foot on another &ath AA that is im&ossi(le6 'ou must (e imagining, *ou must (e )reaming, hallucinating6 2t is so )iametricall* o&&osite AA Fust as *ou cannot (e alive an) )ea) together6 2f *ou think *ou are (oth, *ou are sim&l* alive an) nothing else, (ecause even to think one has to (e alive6 2t is sai) Culla .asru))in once aske)6666 +ome(o)* ha) )ie) an) he rushe) home an) aske) his /ife B'ou are ver* /ise, Fust tell me one thing: if some )a* 2 )ie, ho/ am 2 to )eci)e /hether 2 have reall* )ie) or notD 2 have seen some(o)* )ie, one )a* or other 2 am going to )ie6 (ut ho/ /ill 2 kno/DB The /ife sai) B$onBt (e foolish, *ou /ill kno/ it6 'ou /ill (ecome col)6B 1,,

+o, one )a* it ha&&ene)6 ;e /as cutting /oo) in the forest, an) it /as a ver* col) )a* an) he starte) feeling col)6 ;e sai) BOka*, so the last )a* has come6 +o 2 am (ecoming col)6B +o he sai) goo)A(*e to his )onke* AA (ecause onl* the )onke* /as there AA an) thinking that he /as going to )ie, he ma)e himself comforta(le un)er the tree, close) his e*es6666 <hat else to )oD Of course, /hen he close) his e*es, l*ing )o/n un)er the tree, he (ecame even more col)6 +o he sai) B%ertain666 )eath is certainE no/ it is coming6 2 am (ecoming more an) more col)6B Then, Fust out of curiosit*, he o&ene) one of his e*es an) looke) at the )onke*666 /hat /as ha&&ening to the )onke*D ?n) a /olf ha) attacke) the )onke*H +o he sai) B<hat can 2 )oDB :ut still he sai) lou)l* B'ou can take free)om /ith m* )onke* (ecause 2 am )ea)6 2f 2 ha) (een alive 2 /oul) have sho/n *ouH :ut /hat can 2 )o no/DB Talking, thinking, ho/ can *ou (e )ea)D #ven to think this much is enough &roof that *ou are alive6 .o, *ou must have misun)erstoo)6 'ou cannot (e on (oth &aths6 Look again6 2t is &ossi(le *ou ma* not (e on either, (ut *ou cannot (e on (oth6 Iuestion 4 'O> +?2$ TO$?' B?+7 ? :>$$;? <;' ;# 2+ ;?PP' ?.$ ;# <2LL +;5>@ ;2+ +;O>L$#5+6B PL#?+#, O+;O, <;' ?5# 'O> ;?PP'D 2 /ill not even shrug m* shoul)ers6

88888 %ha&ter 11 : 5ealit*666 That /hich /orks 88888 1 9e(ruar* 14!! am in :u))ha ;all %;?O ;+2?.@ T=> <#.T ;>.T2.@ 2. T;# %#.T5?L CO>.T?2.+ <2T; ? P?5T' O9 ? ;>.$5#$ T;O>+?.$6 ;# +#T 925# TO T;# 9O5#+T+ :' L2@;T2.@ T;# T?LL @5?++, ?.$ 9?..#$ T;# 9L?C#+ 9O5 ? ;>.$5#$ C2L#+6 ? C?. %?C# O>T 95OC <2T;2. ? +TO.# %L299, 52+2.@ ?.$ 9?LL2.@ <2T; T;# +CO7# ?.$ ?+;#+6 T;# %5O<$ T;O>@;T ;# <?+ ? $#CO.6 <;#. T;# 925# P?++#$ ;# %?C# O>T <?L72.@ %?+>?LL' ?+ T;O>@; T;# 925# ;# ;?$ P?++#$ T;5O>@; $2$ .OT #J2+T6 %;?O ;+2?.@ T=> C?5V#LL#$ ?.$ $#T?2.#$ T;# C?.6 ;# +%5>T2.2+#$ ;2C ?T L#2+>5#6 2. ;2+ +;?P#, ;2+ %OLO>5, ?.$ T;# +#V#. ;OL#+ 2. ;2+ ;#?$, ;# <?+ ;>C?., 2. ;2+ :5#?T;2.@, 2. ;2+ VO2%#, ;# <?+ ;>C?.6 ;# ?+7#$ T;# C?. :' <;?T <?' ;# L2V#$ 2. +TO.# ?.$ <#.T T;5O>@; 925#6 B<;?T ?5# T;#+# T;2.@+ 'O> %?LL +TO.# ?.$ 925#DB +?2$ T;# C?.6 BT;# T;2.@ 'O> ;?V# ->+T %OC# O>T 95OC <?+ +TO.#E T;# T;2.@ 'O> ;?V# ->+T :##. <?L72.@ T;5O>@; <?+ 925#6B B2 $2$.BT 7.O<,B +?2$ T;# C?.6 C?5I>2+ <#. O9 <#2 ;#?5$ O9 2T ?.$ I>#+T2O.#$ T=> ;+2?, ? V#5' <#LLA7.O<. L#?5.#$ C?., B<;?T +O5T O9 C?. <?+ T;?TDB B?%%O5$2.@ TO <;?T 2 ;?V# ;#?5$ C' C?+T#5 +?', T;# C?. <;O 2+ 2. ;?5CO.' 2+ ?:+OL>T#L' T;# +?C# ?+ OT;#5 T;2.@+ ?.$ .O T;2.@ +>%%##$+ 2. <O>.$2.@ O5 O:+T5>%T2.@ ;2C6 TO P?++ T;5O>@; C#T?L ?.$ +TO.#, ?.$ T5#?$ T;5O>@; <?T#5 ?.$ 925# ?5# ?LL PO++2:L#6B B<;' $O.BT 'O> $O 2T 'O>5+#L9DB +?2$ C?5I>2+ <#.6

1,"

B2 ?C .OT '#T %?P?:L# O9 %>TT2.@ OP#. C' ;#?5T ?.$ T;5O<2.@ O>T T;# 7.O<L#$@# 2. 2T6 ;O<#V#5, 2 %?. T#LL 'O> ?LL 'O> <?.T TO 7.O< ?:O>T 2T6B B <;' $O#+.BT 'O>5 C?+T#5 $O 2TDB ?+7#$ C?5I>2+ <#.6 BC' C?+T#5 2+ O.# <;O, T;O>@; ?:L# TO $O 2T, 2+ ?:L# .OT TO $O 2T6B C?5I>2+ <#. <?+ $#L2@;T#$ <2T; T;# ?.+<#56 T;#5# 2+ a ver* significant )istinction to (e ma)e in the ver* (eginning: the )istinction (et/een kno/le)ge an) kno/ing6 7no/le)ge onl* a&&ears to kno/, it kno/s not6 7no/ing ma* not a&&ear to kno/, (ut it kno/s6 7no/le)ge is (orro/e), kno/ing is oneBs o/n6 7no/le)ge is ver(al, kno/ing is through living6 7no/le)ge is information gathere) from here an) there6 7no/ing is existential: *ou have live) it, it has come through *our ver* ex&erienceE it is an ex&erience6 <hen kno/ing ha&&ens, a man is free), he is li(erate)6 Through kno/le)ge, man (ecomes more of a &risoner6 7no/le)ge (in)sE kno/ing li(erates6 ?n) the &ara)ox is that the man of kno/le)ge %L?2C+ that he kno/s an) the man of kno/ing )oes not even kno/ that he kno/s6 The man of kno/ing is innocent6 There is a ver* famous m*stic treatise in the <est AA the onl* one in the <est6 .o(o)* kno/s /ho /rote it, no(o)* kno/s from /hom it came, (ut it must have come from a tremen)ous ex&erience6 The name of the treatise is T;# %LO>$ O9 >.7.O<2.@6 2t is from a man of kno/ing, (ut he calls it T;# %LO>$ O9 >.7.O<2.@6 ;e sa*s B<hen 2 came to kno/, 2 forgot all kno/le)geE all kno/le)ge )isa&&eare)6B There is no nee) for kno/le)ge /hen *ou kno/6 <hen *ou )onBt kno/, *ou cling to kno/le)ge (ecause onl* througth that kno/le)ge can *ou &reten) to kno/6 /hen *ou kno/, *ou can forget kno/le)ge6 <hen *ou )onBt kno/, ho/ can *ou affor) to forget itD +o onl* the greatest kno/ers have (een a(le to forget kno/le)ge6 That is the &eak, an) it has to (e remem(ere)6 Living here /ith me, (eing here /ith me, )onBt (ecome men of kno/le)ge other/ise *ou /ill have misse) me6 :ecome men of kno/ing, (ecome clou)s of unkno/ing AA /hich is the same thing in other /or)s6 7no/ing is almost like unkno/ing (ecause in kno/ing there is no kno/er, the ego )oes not exist6 2n kno/le)ge there is a )ivision: the )ivision of the kno/n an) the kno/er, the )ivision of the su(Fect an) the o(Fect6 2n kno/ing there is no )ivision6 7no/ing is not )ivisive, it is unitiveE it unites6 +cience is a sort of kno/le)ge, religion a sort of kno/ing or unkno/ing, hence their &aths never cross an*/here an) the* never /ill cross6 <here science en)s, religion (egins6 <here cunningness en)s, innocence (egins6 <here the kno/er )isa&&ears, kno/ing comes in6 2n the (i(lical stor* of ?)amBs ex&ulsion there is something to (e un)erstoo) in this context The stor* is so (eautiful that 2 come to it again an) again, /ith )ifferent meanings, /ith )ifferent inter&retations6 @o) sai) to ?)am B'ou can enFo* all the fruits of this gar)en (ut there are t/o trees AA one is calle) the Tree of Life, the other is calle) the Tree of 7no/le)ge AA &lease never eat from the Tree of 7no/le)ge6B ;e mentions t/o trees: the Tree of Life an) the Tree of 7no/le)ge6 ;e sa*s nothing a(out the Tree of Life, he sim&l* sa*s B$onBt eat from the Tree of 7no/le)ge6B :ut ?)am /as too curious, hence the ser&ent coul) &ersua)e him AA other/ise the ser&ent /oul) not have (een &ersuasive, /oul) not have succee)e)6 $ee& )o/n, ?)am must have (een curious a(out it, as ever* chil) is AA an) ?)am /as the first chil) an) @o) /as the first father6 ;e /as &ersua)e) to eat from the Tree of 7no/le)ge6 ;e ate, an) he (ecame a kno/er6 2mme)iatel* he felt ashame), imme)iatel* he felt nake)6 >& to then he /as innocentE the innocence /as &rimor)ial, a(solute, uncon)itional6 ;e /as not a/are that he /as nake)6 2n fact he /as a/are that he <?+6 The ego entere): from the fruit of the Tree of 7no/le)ge ego is create)6 ;e (ecame alert, he starte) Fu)ging /hether he /as (eautiful or not, /hether it /as goo) to (e nake) or notE he (ecame a/are of his (o)*6 9or the first time he (ecame selfAconsciousE u& to then he ha) not (een selfAconscious6 .ot that he /as not conscious, he /as conscious, (ut there /as no self in itE the consciousness /as &ure, uno(structe)6 The consciousness /as Fust a &ure light, (ut su))enl* 1,0

the ego stoo) like a &illar in the mi))le of consciousness AA a )ark &illar, a &illar of )arkness6 ?n) the stor* sa*s that he /as ex&elle)6 2n fact @o) nee) not have ex&elle) him6 ;e ha) ex&elle) himself through eating the fruit from the Tree of 7no/le)ge6 7no/le)ge is ex&ulsion6 The moment *ou (ecome a/are of *our ego *ou are ex&elle) from the (eaut*, from the (ene)iction, from the )elight, from the Fo*, that life has to offer to *ou6 .o/ /hat ha&&ene) to the other tree, the Tree of LifeD .othing is sai) a(out it6 C* o/n inter&retation is that ha) ?)am eaten first from the Tree of Life an) then from the Tree of 7no/le)ge there /oul) have (een no ex&ulsion6 2f kno/le)ge ha) come through living, if kno/le)ge ha) come through ex&erience, there /oul) have (een no ex&ulsion6 This kno/le)ge /as (ogusE it ha) not come through his o/n ex&erience, it /as unearne), it /as immature AA hence the ex&ulsion6 2t /as (orro/e), it /as not his o/n6 <hen it comes through ex&erience it li(erates, it makes *ou more Fo*ous, it makes *ou more )elighte) /ith existence6 2f ?)am ha) eaten first the fruit of the Tree of Life an) then the fruit of the Tree of 7no/le)ge there /oul) have (een no ex&ulsion6 ;e reverse) the &rocess: he ate from the Tree of 7no/le)ge6 ?n) once *ou eat from the Tree of 7no/le)ge *ou start losing life6 'ou cannot eat from the Tree of Life then, so the ex&ulsion is selfAim&ose)6 5emem(er it: kno/le)ge can come in t/o /a*s6 'ou can have it from others, from (ooks, from &eo&le, from the societ*, an) *ou can claim it as *ours, (ut then *ou are ex&elle)6 ?n) remem(er, the ex&ulsion is selfAim&ose)E no(o)* is ex&elling *ou6 'our ver* /rong a&&roach to/ar)s kno/ing (ecomes a (arrier6 :ut kno/le)ge can (e attaine) through another /a* that is through ex&erience, through life6 #at the fruit of the Tree of Life first an) then kno/le)ge comes silentl*6 <ithout even an* /his&er it arises in *our soul666 (ecause if *ou go into ex&erience, the ego is not create)6 The more *ou ex&erience life, the less *ou have the self6 Once life is kno/n in itsAtotalit*, *ou )onBt think of *ourself as se&arate from existence: *ou have fallen into the unit*, *ou have (ecome one, *ou have (ecome one /ith the /hole, *ou are &art of the organic unit* of existence6 ?n) then there is kno/ing, a totall* )ifferent kin) of kno/ing, /hich li(erates6 #at the fruit of the Tree of Life6 There is another &ara(le in the :i(le that /hen @o) create) the /orl) he aske) ?)am to name things6 ;e /oul) (ring the lion an) ask ?)am <hat name )o *ou give to this animalDB ;e /oul) (ring the ele&hant an) ask B<hat name )o *ou give to this animalDB ?n) ?)am name) all things an) since then man has (een )oing the same6 ?ll *our kno/le)ge is nothing (ut la(elling, naming6 2f *ou ask some(o)* B$o *ou kno/ this flo/erDB an) he sa*s B'es, 2 kno/ it is a roseB, /hat )oes he kno/D -ust the name6 <hat else )o *ou kno/D :* kno/ing the name BroseB )o *ou kno/ the roseD :* kno/ing the /or) Bgo)B )o *ou kno/ @o)D :* kno/ing6 the name BloveB )o *ou kno/ loveD That &ara(le is also (eautiful6 ?)am /as foolish enough6 ;e shoul) have sai) B.o, ho/ can 2 nameD 2 )onBt kno/ these things6B :ut he name) AA the ele&hant, the rose, the lion, the tiger AA an) since then thatBs /hat man has (een )oing continuousl* )o/n the ages: Fust naming things6 2f *ou kno/ the name of the &erson, *ou think *ou kno/ the &erson, so /hen *ou intro)uce &eo&le to each other *ou Fust tell them their name or their countr*, their race6 :ut /hat are *ou )oingD 2s the &erson kno/n that /a*D The &erson is vast, so huge, ho/ can *ou la(el an) kno/ (* the la(elD :ut naming gives a false im&ression AA as if *ou kno/6 ? cou&le /hose ne/ home /as com&lete) ver* recentl* ha) har)l* move) in (efore the neigh(ours came over to ins&ect it6 .aturall* the conversation /as on the su(Fect of the ne/ house6 B2t is ver* niceB commente) one visitor B(ut 2 )onBt see /h* *ou call this t*&e of house a (ungalo/6B B<ellB ex&laine) the o/ner B/e Fust )onBt kno/ /hat else to call it6 The Fo( /as a (ungle an) /e still o/e for it so /e call it (ungalo/6B 1,1

One has to call it something so, BThe Fo( /as a (ungle an) /e still o/e for it so /e call it a (ungalo/6B One has to call666 so /e go on la(elling things an) then /e think /e kno/6 <hat exactl* )o *ou kno/D 2f *ou )ro& those names that have accumulate) in *our min), /hat is leftD .othing, #J?%TL', an) that nothing has to (e realise), (ecause unless *ou recognise that nothingness *ou /ill never move in the right )irection6 The right )irection is kno/ing, not kno/le)ge6 <hat )o *our ex&erts go on )oingD6 2 have hear) a(out a )octor: ;e ha) Fust starte) his &ractice an) the first &atient came6 ;e examine) the &atient, (ut coul) not get hol) of /hat kin) of illness he /as suffering from, an) he )i)nBt /ant to sho/ that he )i) not kno/6 +o he looke) into the (ooks, (ut still he coul) not fin) it6 ;e (ecame ver* nervous, an) the &atient /as sitting on the (e) an) /atching, an) he starte) &ers&iring6 Then su))enl* an i)ea came to him6 ;e aske) the &atient B;ave *ou ever suffere) from this illness (eforeDB The man sai) B'es, five *ears ago 2 suffere) from it6B ?n) the )octor laughe) an) he sai) B+o, one thing is certain6 'ou have it againHB ?t least he coul) sa* something no/6 ;e /as at ease6 B'ou have it againHB :ut even if *ou can fin) a name for it that )oesnBt mean much6 B2 reall* /as /orrie) a(out m* son Timoth*B confesse) Crs6 Calone to her (ri)ge cronies6 B;e ha) gotten into the ha(it of tucking all sorts of things into his &ockets: t/ent*A)ollar (ills off m* )ressing ta(le, other &eo&leBs silver s&oons, things like that6666 Then m* hus(an) suggeste) that 2 take the (o* to see $r6 Thingama(o(, /ho stu)ie) /ith 9reu) in Vienna, an) )o *ou kno/, girls, m* hus(an) /as a(solutel* right6 That )octor solve) m* Timoth*Bs &ro(lem after talking to him for Fust one hour6 ;e tol) me "Crs6 Calone, *our son is a thief6"B .o/ /hat are *ou )oingD :ut it seems as if the &ro(lem is solve)6 2t a&&ears AA (* naming, (* la(elling AA as if *ou have solve) the &ro(lem6 ?voi) this ha(it AA this is one of the )angerous ha(its of man6 ?n) (ecause of this ha(it it has (ecome im&ossi(le to &enetrate into realit*6 This ha(it has (ecome so unconscious, so )ee&Aroote), so mechanical, that the moment *ou see something, *ou imme)iatel* ver(alise6 'ou see the tree an) imme)iatel* *ou re&eat insi)e BThis is a tree AA gulmohar tree or a &ine tree6 This is a rose, this is a marigol)6B 'ou continuousl* go on sa*ing something insi)e /henever *ou are facing, encountering, an*thing6 ?n) if sometimes *ou come across something the name of /hich *ou )onBt kno/, *ou feel a little uneas*: *ou start enGuiring B<hat is this thing calle)DB Once some(o)* has given *ou a name AA an* name /ill )o AA *ou are at ease6 ;o/ )o *ou (ecome at ease so easil*D -ust (* naming *ou think *ou have kno/n6 ? chil) is (orn an) *ou give a name to the chil), an) the moment *ou give the name *ou have &ut a (arrier6 .o/ the chil) /ill (e eGuivalent to the name, an) the name is an invention6 The chil) /as a m*ster*, an) the name is ver* &oor6 .o name can cover an* &erson (ecause each &erson is such a m*ster*6 <hat name can cover a &ersonD 2t is im&ossi(le6 2 kno/ it is nee)e)6 the name is nee)e) for utilitarian &ur&oses, (ut remem(er /ell that the name BroseB is not the rose6 >se the name (ut )onBt forget that the rose is a tremen)ous existence6 Tenn*son has sai) B2f 2 coul) un)erstan) a flo/er, root an) all, then 2 /oul) have un)erstoo) the /hole existence6B 'es, a small rose flo/er is so vast that if *ou can un)erstan) one small rose flo/er *ou /ill have un)erstoo) the /hole existence, (ecause ever*thing is so interconnecte)6 2f *ou /ant to un)erstan) the rose flo/er *ou /ill have to un)erstan) the earth: it comes out of it, the earth is the source6 ?n) *ou /ill have to un)erstan) the sk*, (ecause it flo/ers into the sk*6 'ou /ill have to un)erstan) the sun, (ecause /ithout the sun it cannot existE 1,!

the colour comes from the sun6 ?n) if *ou go )ee&l* into it, *ou /ill fin) that *ou /ill have to un)erstan) ever*thing that exists in existence6 Onl* then /ill *our kno/ing a(out this rose (e com&lete an) total6 :ut Fust (* calling it roseB *ou start thinking *ou have kno/n6 These names give *ou kno/le)ge an) these names sim&l* confuse *ou6 ?ske) -o*ce, the enGuiring chil) B$a), is to)a* <e)nes)a*DB ?ns/ere) the &atient father B.o, )aughter, to)a* is Thurs)a*6B -o*ce: B:ut *ou sai) *ester)a* that "to)a* is <e)nes)a*"6B 9ather: B<ell, to)a* /as <e)nes)a* *ester)a*6 'ester)a* Thurs)a* /as tomorro/ to)a*6 <hen to)a* is tomorro/, to)a* /ill (e *ester)a*6 To)a* is to)a* no/6 .o/ )o *ou un)erstan)DB @ames of /or)s, games666 an) nothing else6 ?ll *our &hiloso&h* an) all *our theolog* are nothing (ut games /ith /or)s, &la*ing /ith /or)s6 ?n) one can &la* en)lessl*6 One /or) can lea) to another an) so on an) so forth6 #xistence 2+, an) existence is not a /or)6 #xistence is, an) existence is not a &hiloso&h*6 #xistence is, an) existence is not a )ogma, theor*, scri&ture6 2f *ou /ant to move into existence, then *ou have to )ro& all /or)s, all ver(alising ha(itsE *ou have to )ro& language6 Language is the (arrier6 Once language )isa&&ears, /ho are *ouD ?re *ou then a kno/erD Then *ou are not a kno/er6 Then )o *ou kno/ an*thingD 'ou )onBt kno/6 'ou are not a kno/er an) *ou )onBt kno/ an*thing, an) exactl* in that moment of em&tiness kno/ing arises6 ThatBs /hat =en &eo&le call +?TO526 2f language is )ro&&e), +?TO52 ha&&ens, an) the /hole effort on the &ath of =en is ho/ to )ro& language6 The* give &ara)oxes to solve /hich cannot (e solve)6 +olving these &ara)oxes, (* an) (* one gets fe) u& /ith language itself6 Out of sheer exhaustion one moment comes, language )ro&s, an) consciousness is free) AA +?TO52 has ha&&ene)6 =en Casters sa* to their )isci&les B@o an) me)itate on the soun) of one han) cla&&ing6B .o/ one han) cannot cla&E to cla& at least t/o6han)s are nee)e)6 One han) cannot create an* soun)E for soun) to (e create) something nee)s to clash6 +oun) is out of conflict6 %L?+;H One han) cannot create soun)6 .o/ this is a(sur), (ut the )isci&le has to me)itate over it6 ;e me)itates6 +ometimes it takes one *ear, sometimes t/o *ears an) sometimes t/ent* *ears AA it )e&en)s6 ?n) the )isci&le goes on me)itating morning, afternoon, evening, night6 ;e har)l* slee&s for five hours an) again, (* three oBclock in the morning, he is sitting again at that a(sur) game AA thinking, me)itating666B<hat is the soun) of one han) cla&&ingDB ?n) he kno/s /ell, an) in his min) sa*s B<hat nonsense are *ou )oingD This is not &ossi(le6 'ou /ill never fin) it6B :ut the Caster sa*s 'ou have to fin) it6B ?n) he has to go ever* )a* to the Caster an) re&ort /hether he has foun) it or not6 ?n) the Caster insults an) sometimes hits him, an) sometimes he thro/s him out of the room an) he sa*s B'ou have not foun) it6 'ou are Fust a fool6 Tr* har)6 Tr* har)er6B ?n) he tries AA har) an) har) AA one *ear, t/o *ears, three *ears, or t/ent* *ears6 <hat /ill ha&&enD One goes on (ecoming tense an) tense an) tense, an) there is no &ossi(ilit* to solve it so the tension cannot (e relaxe): that is the secret of the 7O?.6 2f there is some ans/er, then the tension can (e relaxe), (ut there is no ans/er6 ?n ans/er as such is not &ossi(le AA it has (een &rohi(ite) from the ver* (eginning6 ? 7O?. 2+ a &uzzle /hich cannot (e solve)6 2f it can (e solve), it is not a 7O?.6 2f the min) can solve it, then the min) can continue6 :ut the min) cannot solve it, cannot solve itE again an) again the min) is &rove) im&otent, again an) again im&otent6 ?gain an) again frustration6 ?gain an) again the min) feels B2 cannot )o an*thing6 2 cannot )o an*thing6B ?n) this tension goes on, goes on, an) (ecomes a climax: thun)erous, roaring, like a stormE a ma)ness arises out of it6 ?n) the )isci&le goes on thinking B<hat is the soun) of one han) cla&&ingDB ?n) he goes on asking the min)6 9irst the min) tries to su&&l* ans/ers: linguistic, ver(al, (orro/e), an) the Caster goes on )en*ing6 #ven if the )isci&le enters the room an) )oes not sa* an*thing to the Caster, the Caster sa*s B.o, this is not the ans/er6B :ecause, in fact, there is no ans/er, so the Caster kno/s no 1,3

ans/er can (e (rought6 Then, one )a* AA out of sheer exhaustion, out of sheer tire)ness, total tire)ness AA the min) flo&s, language )isa&&ears6 <ith language )isa&&earing, /ith min) )isa&&earing, the Guestion )isa&&ears6 <ho is there to askD ?n) if there is no language, ho/ can *ou formulate the Guestion B<hat is the soun) of one han) cla&&ingDB <ith the min) )ro&&ing, the Guestion )isa&&ears6 There is tremen)ous &eace, silence: a state of noAlanguage6 +ometimes the )isci&le ma* not go6 <ho (others to go to the Caster no/D :ut then the Caster comes or sometimes the )isci&le ma* go, an) even (efore he has sai) an*thing, the Caster /ill sa* B+o *ou have come home, so *ou have arrive), so *ou have crosse) the (arrier of language, so *ou have (ecome silent6B 9rom that silence kno/ing gro/s6 ?ll that *ou kno/, all that *ou think of as kno/le)ge is ru((ish6 7no/ it as ru((ish an) )ro& it6 ?ll that is (orro/e), all that is learne) from others AA an) all that *ou kno/ is learne) from others AA has to (e )ro&&e)6 2t is humiliating: to carr* it an) to )eclare that it is kno/le)ge is humiliating6 T/o comics met in Lin)*Bs6 One of them /as furious6 B2 sa/ *ou at the PalaceB he roare)6 B'ou tol) ever* Foke 2 tol) on m* (roa)cast6 The* /ere m* Fokes6B BLook, /ise gu*B ans/ere) the accuse)6 B?n*thing that comes out of m* ra)io is mine6 2 have &ai) for it, havenBt 2D ?n*thing that comes out of C' ra)io is mine6 2 have &ai) for it6B 2s an*thing that comes out of *our :i(le *ours (ecause *ou have &urchase) the :i(leD 2s an*thing that comes out of the 7oran *ours (ecause *ou are a Cohamme)anD 2s an*thing that comes out of the Ve)as *ours (ecause, acci)entall*, *ou /ere (orn into a ;in)u famil*D ?ll that *ou kno/ AA &ile it an) (urn it forever6 2t /ill (e )ifficult (ecause *our /hole ego is involve) in it6 To recognise the fact that *ou )onBt kno/ is the most )ifficult thing a man can )o6 (ut, in fact, a ver* manl* thing6 <hen *ou )o it *ou have (ecome for the first time a real man6 :efore it *ou /ere Fust &seu)o, &hon*6 ?n) this kno/le)ge gives *ou a false sense of kno/ing, (ut it never transforms *our life6 2t never reall* gives an*thing to *ou6 'ou kno/ /hat is goo), (ut *ou )o /hat is not goo)6 'ou kno/ anger is (a), (ut *ou go on (eing angr*6 'ou kno/, (ut /hat is the use of this kno/le)geD 2t never (ecomes in an* /a* &art of *our (eing6 an) it cannot (ecome6 Can* &eo&le come to me an) the* sa* B<e kno/, /e kno/ exactl* /hat is right an) /hat is /rong, (ut /e are /eak an) /e cannot )o the right an) /e go on (ecoming victims of the /rong6B That is not the right thing6 The* are not /eak6 .o(o)* is /eak6 @o) never creates /eaklings AA it is im&ossi(le6 Then from /here arises the &ro(lemD The &ro(lem arises (ecause kno/le)ge is not a transforming force6 +o *ou kno/, (ut it never transforms *ouE an) it gives *ou a feeling that *ou are /eak, it makes *ou feel im&otent6 Look at it6 'our kno/le)ge, rather than hel&ing *ou, )estro*s *our selfAconfi)ence6 2t is (etter to (e angr* an) not to kno/ that anger is (a)6 :ut to kno/ that anger is (a) an) then (e angr* is ver* )angerous: *ou are getting s&lit6 ? &art of *our min) goes on sa*ing B2t is /rongB an) a &art of *our min) goes on )oing it all the same6 'ou are (ecoming schizo&hrenic6 'our kno/le)ge makes *ou schizo&hrenic6 7no/le)ge is im&otent, hence it makes *ou feel im&otent6 $ro& out of the com&an* of kno/le)ge an) then, if *ou reall* kno/ that anger is (a) out of *our o/n ex&erience, that ver* kno/ing transforms6 Then *ou /ill never (e angr* again6 ;o/ can *ou (eD Once *ou kno/ that fire (urns, ho/ can *ou &ut *our han) into itD 2t is im&ossi(le AA unless *ou /ant to (urn *our han), then it is totall* )ifferent6 <hen *ou kno/ *ou cannot get out through the /all an) *ou /ill get hurt in the hea), *ou )onBt tr* AA unless *ou /ant to (reak *our hea)6 7no/ing is al/a*s in tune /ith *our (eing6 7no/le)ge is al/a*s out of tune6

1,4

The Police %hief /as angr*6 B.o/ *ou have (een on the force for t/o *ears an) never ma)e an arrestB he shoute) at Patrolman Pat6 B2Bm gonna give *ou one more chance6 +omeone is stealing +Guire $avisBs a&&les6 @o u& there an) catch the thief6B +o Pat goes u& there an) aroun) mi)night he &ounces on a maske) man in the orchar) tr*ing to sneak a/a* /ith a &ack on his (ack6 ;e o&ens the (ag an) fin)s it contains valua(le silver, so he returns it to the maske) man6 B+orr*, m* mistakeB Pat sa*s6 B:ut *ou thank *our stars it /as not a&&les6B ThatBs ho/ it is ha&&ening6 7no/le)ge never gives *ou insight, rather, it makes *ou (lin)6 7no/le)ge is (lin)ingE kno/ing is an insight, a clarit*, a trans&arenc*6 7no/le)ge is ol)E kno/ing is al/a*s fresh, *oung, it arises out of the no/6 7no/le)ge is ver* ancient6 5eligions go on esta(lishing their ol)ness6 ;in)us sa* that the* are the ol)est religion in the /orl), so sa* the -e/s, so sa* the -ains6 ?ncientmost AA /h*D <h* this constant effort to &rove that /e are the ol)estD :ecause kno/le)ge is valua(le if it is ol)6 7no/le)ge is like /ine: the ol)er it is the more valua(le6 ?n) kno/le)ge is intoxicating6 'es, it is like /ine, it is a )rug: it )ulls *ou, it makes *ou insensitive, it makes *ou unconscious6 7no/ing is fresh6 ? man of kno/ing arrives at his kno/ing each moment again an) again6 ;e never carries the ol)6 ;e lives in the moment, he is res&onsive, sensitive, alert, a/are6 ? 9rench &ortrait &ainter sat in his favourite cafe si&&ing his /ine6 ;is first small (ottle finishe), he /as a(out to or)er a secon), /hen his e*es fell on a hea)line of a &a&er, B;ar) Times %omingB, so instea) of or)ering his usual secon) (ottle, he calle) for his check6 B2s there an*thing /rong /ith the /ineDB aske) the lan)lor)6 BThe /ine is goo), (ut 2 )i)nBt or)er a secon) (ottle (ecause har) times are coming an) /e must economiseB ex&laine) the artist6 B;ar) timesB sai) the lan)lor)6 BThen m* /ife must not or)er that silk )ress /e &lanne) (ut must take one of cotton6B B;ar) timesB re&eate) the )ressmaker /hen the or)er /as cancelle)6 BThis is no time to ex&an)6 2 must make the im&rovement 2 ha) &lanne) in this &lace6B B;ar) times, ehBD sai) the (uil)er, /hen the )ressmaker cancelle) the &lans6 BThen 2 cannot have m* /ifeBs &ortrait &ainte)6B +o he /rote to the artist an) cancelle) the or)er6 ?fter receiving the letter, the artist /ent again to his favourite cafe an) or)ere) a small (ottle of /ine to soothe him6 On a near(* chair /as the &a&er in /hich he ha) rea) of har) times a fe/ )a*s (efore6 ;e &icke) it u& to rea) more closel* an) foun) that it /as ten *ears ol)6 :ut kno/le)ge circulates6 2t goes on from one han) to another an) it affects &eo&le tremen)ousl*6 The* start living AA at least the* tr* to live out of it6 2t cri&&les them6 'ou have all (ecome cri&&les6 'ou are not centre), (ecause *our kno/le)ge has force) *ou out of *our centring6 ? chil) is centre)6 The moment he starts gro/ing an) starts kno/ing things, he (ecomes more an) more uncentre), goes astra*6 ?n ol) man com&letel* forgets /here his centre is6 This &ara(le, an) 2 call it a &ara(le, is meta&horical6 Tr* to un)erstan) it6 2t is of great (eaut*6 %;?O ;+2?.@ T=> <#.T ;>.T2.@ 2. T;# %#.T5?L CO>.T?2.+ <2T; ? P?5T' O9 ? ;>.$5#$ T;O>+?.$6 ;# +#T 925# TO T;# 9O5#+T+ :' L2@;T2.@ T;# T?LL @5?++, ?.$ 9?..#$ T;# 9L?C#+ 9O5 ? ;>.$5#$ C2L#+6 ? C?. %?C# O>T 95OC <2T;2. ? +TO.# %L299, 52+2.@ ?.$ 9?LL2.@ <2T; T;# +CO7# ?.$ ?+;#+6 T;# %5O<$ T;O>@;T ;# <?+ ? $#CO.6 <;#. T;# 925# P?++#$ ;# %?C# O>T <?L72.@ %?+>?LL' ?+ T;O>@; T;# 925# ;# ;?$ P?++#$ T;5O>@; $2$ .OT #J2+T6 1"0

%;?O ;+2?.@ T=> C?5V#LL#$ ?.$ $#T?2.#$ T;# C?.6 ;# +%5>T2.2+#$ ;2C ?T L#2+>5#6 2. ;2+ +;?P#, ;2+ %OLO>5, ?.$ T;# +#V#. ;OL#+ 2. ;2+ ;#?$, ;# <?+ ;>C?., 2. ;2+ :5#?T;2.@, 2. ;2+ VO2%#, ;# <?+ ;>C?.6 ;# ?+7#$ T;# C?. :' <;?T <?' ;# L2V#$ 2. +TO.# ?.$ <#.T T;5O>@; 925#6 B<;?T ?5# T;#+# T;2.@+ 'O> %?LL +TO.# ?.$ 925#D +?2$ T;# C?.6 BT;# T;2.@ 'O> ;?V# ->+T %OC# O>T 95OC <?+ +TO.#E T;# T;2.@ 'O> ;?V# ->+T :##. <?L72.@ T;5O>@; <?+ 925#6B B2 $2$.BT 7.O<,B +?2$ T;# C?.6 C?5I>2+ <#. O9 <#2 ;#?5$ O9 2T ?.$ I>#+T2O.#$ T=> ;+2?, ? V#5' <#LLA7.O<. L#?5.#$ C?., <;?T6+O5T O9 C?. <?+ T;?TDB B?%%O5$2.@ TO <;?T 2 ;?V# ;#?5$ C' C?+T#5 +?', T;# C?. <;O 2+ 2. ;?5CO.' 2+ ?:+OL>T#L' T;# +?C# ?+ OT;#5 T;2.@+ ?.$ .O T;2.@ +>%%##$+ 2. <O>.$2.@ O5 O:+T5>%T2.@ ;2C6 TO P?++ T;5O>@; C#T?L ?.$ +TO.#, ?.$ T5#?$ T;5O>@; <?T#5 ?.$ 925# ?5# ?LL PO++2:L#6B B <;' $O.BT 'O> $O 2T *O>5+#L9DB +?2$ C?5I>2+ <#.6 B2 ?C .OT '#T %?P?:L# O9 %>TT2.@ OP#. C' ;#?5T ?.$ T;5O<2.@ O>T T;# 7.O<L#$@# 2. 2T6 ;O<#V#5, 2 %?. T#LL 'O> ?LL 'O> <?.T TO 7.O< ?:O>T 2T6B B <;' $O#+.BT 'O>5 C?+T#5 $O 2TDB ?+7#$ C?5I>2+ <#.6 BC' C?+T#5 2+ O.# <;O, T;O>@; ?:L# TO $O 2T, 2+ ?:L# .OT TO $O 2T6B C?5I>2+ <#. <?+ $#L2@;T#$ <2T; T;# ?.+<#56 .o/, go slo/l* into this &ara(le ste& (* ste&6 9irst: ? C?. %?C# O>T 95OC <2T;2. ? +TO.# %L299E 52+2.@ ?.$ 9?LL2.@, <2T; T;# +CO7# ?.$ ?+;#+6 This is a Taoist attitu)e that if *ou move, flo/ /ith life /ithout an* resistance, /ithout an* effort, /ithout an* )irection of *our o/nE if *ou follo/ life /herever it lea)s like a )r* leaf in the /in)6666 The /in) goes to the south, an) the leaf also goes to the southE the /in) takes the leaf u&, an) the leaf goes into the clou)sE an) the /in) )ro&s it (ack, an) the leaf slee&s silentl* un)er the tree on the earth6 The leaf has no )esire an) the leaf has no )irection of its o/n6 The leaf has no ego6 $esire an) )irection are (*A&ro)ucts of the ego6 'ou /ant to (e some(o)*, *ou /ant to reach some/here, *ou /ant to &rove something6 *ou /ant to )o something, *ou /ant to s/im against the current, then *ou are not a man of Tao6 $onBt s/im at all6 There is no Guestion of going against the current, (ut Fust going /ith the river /herever it lea)s6 .ot &ushing, not &ulling, not tr*ing to mani&ulate life, (ut Fust rising an) falling /ith it, then *ou are )issolve)6 Then ho/ can an*thing harm *ouBD ;ave *ou /atche) itD Taoists go on telling these stories again an) again6 'ou ma* have /atche) it ha&&ening man* times AA a )runkar) falls on the roa), (ut is not hurtE *ou fall an) *ou (reak a fe/ (ones6 <hat ha&&ensD <h* has the )runkar) not (een /oun)e) (* the roa)BD ?n) he falls ever* night, an) ever* night he has to (e (rought home666 some(o)* carries him6 ?n) again in the morning he is going to the office smiling an) ha&&*6 2 use) to live /ith a )runkar)6 ;e /as Fust m* neigh(our for a fe/ *ears, a ver* (eautiful man ?n) sometimes his /ife /oul) come to me an) she /oul) sa* BC* hus(an) has not returne)6 ;e ma* (e l*ing some/here in the gutter an) it is )ark an) 2 cannot go6 <ill *ou not hel& me a littleD %anBt *ou go an) fin) himDB ?n) 2 /oul) go an) fin) him6 Can* times 2 /oul) go an) fin) him L*ing )o/n in some gutter or on some roa) or Fust leaning against a &ost an) 2 /oul) (ring him6 :ut he /as never hurtH ?n) in the morning he /as as fresh as ever again rushing to the office, an) in the evening again the same stor*6 <atching him, one thing (ecame a(solutel* certain: Taoists are right, (ecause /hen he fell he /as unselfconscious6 <hen he fell, he sim&l* fell, he /as not resisting6 <hen *ou fall, *ou 1"1

)onBt sim&l* fall, *ou tr* to &rotect, *ou (ecome har), *ou resist6 2n that ver* resistance is )anger6 <hen *ou are har) *our (ones are (oun) to (reak6 .ot (ecause the earth is going to hurt *ou, *our o/n resistance hurts *ou6 Out of this Taoist attitu)e have arisen man* arts in the 9ar #ast: aiki)o, FuFitsu, an) others6 The a&&roach is to (e relaxe)6 #ven if the enem* hurts *ou, a(sor( it rather than fight /ith it, an) *ou /ill not (e hurt AA )ifficult, a great art6 To &ersua)e *ourself not to (ecome har) /hen some(o)* is striking *ou is )ifficult (ecause /e have (een traine) for centuries to &rotect, to fight, to struggle, to make effort to survive6 The Taoist attitu)e is to go /ith life, to go all the /a*, to go /ithout an* con)itions6 <herever it lea)s, go /ith it6 Trust life so tremen)ousl* that *ou )onBt fear, that *ou )onBt have an* fear of life6 'ou come from life, *ou are &art of life, so ho/ is there an* &ossi(ilit* that life /ill harm *ouD There is no nee) to (e afrai), to have fear6 666 52+2.@ ?.$ 9?LL2.@ <2T; T;# +CO7# ?.$ ?+;#+666 the man came out of the stone cliff666 /alke) through fire6 T;# %5O<$ T;O>@;T ;# <?+ ? $#CO.6 <;#. T;# 925# ;?$ P?++#$, ;# %?C# O>T <?L72.@ %?+>?LL' ?+ T;O>@; T;# 9 25# ;# ;?$ P?++#$ T;5O>@; $2$ .OT #J2+T6 2t looks like a miracle, (ut this miracle can ha&&en to *ou6 2 am not sa*ing B@o an) /alk through fire6B That is Fust &ara(le AA a (eautiful stor* to sa* something of great significance6 Tr* it in *our life: (ecome unselfconscious6 $onBt carr* this self an) a constant struggle /ith life6 +ometimes relax, sometimes let things (e an) see /hat ha&&ens, an) *ou /ill (e sur&rise)6 Once *ou let things (e, once *ou start L2V2.@ 2. ? L#TA@O, or living as letAgo, then *ou /ill see that life is not an enem* to *ou, it is tremen)ousl* frien)l*6 2t has to (e AA it is *our mother, it is *our father, it is *our source an) it is *our goal6 'ou come out of it, an) one )a* *ou /ill )isa&&ear in it6 <h* fearD Out of fear comes fight6 Out of fight *ou (ecome a se&arate in)ivi)ual6 .aturall*, /hen *ou (ecome a se&arate in)ivi)ual *ou are in trou(le6 Then this vast existence *ou take as the enem*6 That is the <estern a&&roach: the /hole of nature is *our enem*6 it has to (e conGuere)6 B%onGuest of natureB AA thatBs /hat science has (een )oing for t/o, three centuries an) it has )estro*e) all the (eaut* of life6 2t has &ollute) the /hole atmos&here6 The /hole ecolog* of the earth is )istur(e) (ecause of these &eo&le /ho have (een tr*ing to conGuer6 2t is foolish6 2t is as if m* one han) tries to conGuer m* /hole (o)* AA it is as foolish as that6 Can tr*ing to conGuer earth, man tr*ing to conGuer the sk*, man tr*ing to conGuer nature is Fust a(sur)6 ?n) once *ou tr* to conGuer nature, naturall* one )a* or other *ou /ill tr* to conGuer *our innermost nature also6 That is a corollar* to it, a natural corollar* to it6 9irst *ou tr* to conGuer the outer nature, then *ou start tr*ing to conGuer the inner nature, (ut then *ou are al/a*s in conflict, friction6 'ou (ecome a ver* shar& ego, an) of course tremen)ousl* misera(le, terri(l* misera(le, infinitel* misera(le6 Ciser* is to fall out of ste& /ith existence6 ;a&&iness is to fall in ste& /ith existence6 ?n) to fall in ste& /ith existence is so sim&le (ecause it is so natural6 666 52+2.@ ?.$ 9?LL2.@ <2T; T;# +CO7#666 T;# C?. <?L7#$ O>T %?+>?LL' ?+ T;O>@; T;# 925# ;# ;?$ P?++#$ T;5O>@; $2$ .OT #J2+T6 2. ;2+ +;?P#, ;2+ %OLO>5, ?.$ T;# +#V#. ;OL#+ 2. ;2+ ;#?$ ;# <?+ ;>C?.E 2. ;2+ :5#?T;2.@, 2. ;2+ VO2%#, ;# <?+ ;>C?.6 ;# ?+7#$ T;# C?. :' <;?T <?' ;# L2V#$ 2. +TO.# ?.$ <#.T T;5O>@; 925#6 Of course %hao ;siang Tzu /as ver* sur&rise), intrigue), (* the &henomenon6 ;e coul) not (elieve his o/n e*es AA ho/ coul) this man (e humanD <e have lost all meaning of real 1"

humanit*6 This man looke) like a )emon, something not human AA either something evil or something go)l*, (ut not human6 Then %hao ;siang Tzu looke) at the man: 2. ;2+ +;?P#, ;2+ %OLO>5, ?.$ T;# +#V#. ;OL#+ 2. ;2+ ;#?$, ;# <?+ ;>C?.E 2. ;2+ :5#?T;2.@, 2. ;2+ VO2%#, ;# <?+ ;>C?.6 5emem(er, in the human is the a(o)e of the su&erhuman6 Can is not an en), man has infinite &ossi(ilitiesE man is ver* &otential6 Can is not onl* the &ast, (ut the future also6 Can has an infinite )estin* in front of him6 ;e has to gro/ AA an) he can gro/ to su&erhuman heights (ut the gro/th )oes not come out of effort6 The gro/th comes in coo&eration /ith nature6 The gro/th comes through harmon*, through harmonious coo&eration6 The gro/th comes not as a conGuest, (ut as a surren)er6 ThatBs the )ifference (et/een other religions an) the Taoists6 The other religions em&hasise the /ill too much, an) Taoists sa*: <ill is reall* the calamit*6 +urren)er6 One shoul) (ecome as /illAless as &ossi(le6 The moment *ou are /illAless, then there is no &ro(lem: all (locks remove)666 an) )ee& insi)e *ou the su&erhuman rises to its o&timum height6 'es, he looke) like a man6 :u))ha also looke) like a man, so looke) Lao Tzu, so looke) 7rishna, so looke) %hrist6 The* /ere all men, (ut still something of the (e*on) ha) &enetrate) them6 :ecause of that :#'O.$ /e have given )ifferent names: -esus is calle) %hrist, Bthe onl* (egotten son of @o)B6 These are Fust meta&horical /a*s of sa*ing one thing, an) one thing onl*, that something of the (e*on) has ha&&ene) in -esus6 ;e is no more Fust the son of -ose&h an) Car*6 +omething of the (e*on), something of the infinite has entere) into his (eing AA he is the son of @o)6 ;in)us call 7rishna ?V?T?56 ?V?T?5 means that @o) has )escen)e), @o) has come to the earth6 .ames )iffer, meta&hors )iffer, (ut one thing is certain: that /henever some human (eing has reall* fallen in tune /ith nature, something so su&er( ha&&ens in his life that /e cannot Fust call him a man6 <e have to call him (* a ne/ name to in)icate that he has gone (e*on) humanit*6 :ut remem(er, he has gone (e*on) humanit* (ecause it is human to go (e*on) humanit*6 2t is &art of (eing human to go (e*on) humanit* an) unless *ou have gone (e*on) *ou have not fulfille) *our )estin*, then *ou are not reall* human6 Then *ou are Fust a man6 ThatBs the )ifference 2 make (et/een man an) human: Can is a stasis, human is a &rocess6 Can is a static conce&tE human is a gro/th conce&t, a gro/ing conce&t, a movement6 ? human (eing is one /ho is constantl* changing into su&erhumanE an) a man is one /ho has (ecome )ormant, is not moving an*/here, is sim&l* )r*ing an) )*ing6 +tart movingH Can is like frozen ice6 ;uman is like a river flo/ing666 the ice has melte)6 ?n) /hen the river flo/s it is (oun) to reach the ocean6 The river is meant to reach the ocean AA it /ill reach AA an) there is no nee) for an* ma&6 The rivers )onBt carr* an* ma&6 There is no nee) for milestones6 There is no nee) even for a gui)e6 The river sim&l* flo/s, not kno/ing /here it is going, an) one )a* it arrives6 +o it ha&&ens to the consciousness, the stream of consciousness6 -ust float naturall*, in a relaxe) /a*, not in a hurr*, not in im&atience6 %ool, collecte), in )ee& coo&eration /ith nature666 flo/, an) one )a* *ou /ill arrive6 -ust (* allo/ing the flo/ to ha&&en, *ou reach6 %hao ;siang Tzu ?+7#$ T;# C?. :' <;?T <;' ;# L2V#$ 2. +TO.# ?.$ <#.T T;5O>@; 925#6 ThatBs natural6 <e also ask B:* /hat /a*BD ;o/ )i) *ou achieveDB AA the metho), the technolog*6 :u))ha is aske) again an) again B:* /hat /a* have *ou achieve)DB ?n) :u))ha sa*s The moment *ou ask this Guestion *ou create trou(le for me, (ecause 2 achieve) it onl* /hen 2 )ro&&e) all the /a*s: the &athless &ath6 <hen 2 /as on the /a*, 2 coul) not achieve it6 9or six *ears 2 /as struggling har)6 2 /as )oing the utmost that 2 coul) )o an) 2 faile)6 ?n) 2 faile) 1",

utterl*6 Then one )a* there /as nothing left to (e )one6 2 ha) )one all that coul) (e humanl* )one6 .othing to )o, 2 relaxe)666 an) that ver* moment 2 attaine)6 +o /hen *ou ask me (* /hat /a*, *ou create trou(le for me, (ecause 2 attaine) it onl* /hen 2 ha) )ro&&e) all the /a*s6B ?n) that is one of the greatest insights ever, an) that is one of the ver* fun)amental things of the Taoist a&&roach to/ar)s life6 .ever ask B:* /hat /a*DB 2f *ou ask, *ou ask a /rong Guestion6 ?n) there is a &ossi(ilit* that some foolish &erson ma* ans/er6 9ools are all aroun)6 2f *ou ask a foolish Guestion, *ou are (oun) to get a foolish ans/er6 Once a Guestion is aske), *ou /ill get an ans/er6 Peo&le are ver* rea)* to su&&l* a)vice an) ans/ers, (ut if the Guestion is /rong, the ans/er is (oun) to (e /rong, (ecause onl* a /rong ans/er can fit in /ith the /rong Guestion6 2f *ou ask a /rong Guestion an) 2 su&&l* *ou /ith a right ans/er *ou /ill think 2 am irrelevant6 'ou ha) aske) something an) 2 am talking a(out something else6 This ha&&ens again an) again6 2n $?5+;?. 2 /atch &eo&le6 2f the* ask a /rong Guestion an) 2 give them a right ans/er the* look a little &uzzle), the* look uneas*6 The* feel as if the* ha) aske) one thing an) 2 have ans/ere) something else: it )oes not fit AA it is not an ans/er to their Guestion6 ?n) the* are right too6 2t is not an ans/er to their Guestion (ecause their Guestion /as so /rong that onl* a /rong ans/er coul) fit in /ith it6 5emem(er not to ask a /rong Guestion, other/ise there are &riests an) there are P>.$2T+ an) the* /ill su&&l* *ou /ith ans/ers6 The* have (een cheating humanit* (ecause humanit*, out of foolishness, asks /rong Guestions6 Then the* su&&l* /rong ans/ers, an) those /rong ans/ers fit &erfectl* /ell /ith *our /rong Guestions AA an) then the* cheat *ou6 2 have hear)6666 2n a countr* village there /as a la(ourer /ho kille) his hogE an) it /as the custom in such cases to sen) &ieces of meatE sausages, (lack &u))ings an) liver to all the neigh(ours6 This farmer, /ho ha) alrea)* receive) innumera(le &resents of this kin), foun) that if he a)here) to this custom he shoul) have nothing left for himself6 %onfi)ing in one of his neigh(ours, he sai) B2 have kille) m* hog, an) if 2 shoul) sen) a &iece to all from /hom 2 have receive), there /ill (e none left for m*selfE no/, 2 &ra* *ou, a)vise me /hat is to (e )oneDB To /hich his neigh(our re&lie) B2f 2 /ere in *our case, 2 /oul) hang u& m* hog at m* o&en /in)o/ for the greater &art of the night, an) the next )a* 2 /oul) tell ever*(o)* it /as stolen6 :* this means, 2 shoul) (e excuse) from making &resents6B The la(ourer, much &lease) /ith his frien)Bs a)vice, returne) home an) &ut it in &ractice6 The giver of this frien)l* a)vice, not failing to &rofit (* the )arkness of the night, seize) the hog an) carrie) it home6 ;o/ astonishe) /as the farmer /hen earl* in the morning he foun) nothing of his hogH ;e rave) at his neigh(ourBs invention, /hich he ha) the evening (efore so much a&&rove) of6 ;e sallie) out to give the alarm, an) the first he met /as his frien)l* a)viser to /hom he relate) the /hole affair, sa*ing BOh neigh(our, /hat )o *ou thinkD The* have stolen m* hogHB BThere, thereB sai) his neigh(our BthatBs right, stan) to it6 Tell the same stor* to ever*(o)* *ou meet, an) 2Bve no )ou(t the* /ill all (elieve *ou6B The farmer (egan to s/ear, an) to &rotest most solemnl* that it /as no Foke AA that his hog /as a(solutel* gone6 :ut the stronger he /as in his ex&ressions of grief an) vexation, the more his neigh(our exclaime) BThatBs right, thatBs right6 m* frien)6 +tan) to it /ell6 an) the*Bll all excuse *our &resent6B The &riests have (een ex&loiting humanit*6 (ecause man out of his stu&i)it* has (een asking /rong Guestions6 Of course *ou get /rong ans/ers, an) *ou have to &a* for those /rong ans/ers6 The* )onBt come chea&6 the* )onBt come freeE *ou have to &a* )earl* for them6 This man, %hao ;siang Tzu aske) B:* /hat /a*BDB The Guestion seems logical, relevant, meaningful6 2t is not, (ecause a /a* means a /ill6 'ou kno/ the &rover( B<here thereBs a /ill, thereBs a /a*6B Let me sa* to *ou: <here thereBs a /a*, thereBs a /ill6 The /a* comes out of the 1""

/ill6 The /a* is nothing (ut /ill translate) &racticall* into life6 Tao has no /a*, (ecause Tao has no /ill6 <ill means struggle, /ill means fight6 ?ll /a*s are /a*s of struggle6 Tao is a &athless &ath AA no /a* AA things are goo) as the* are6 There is no/here to go, so /hat is the &oint of an* /a*BD One has sim&l* to relax an) (e hereAno/6 ?n) remem(er, relaxation is not a /a* that *ou have to follo/6 2f *ou make it a /a* there /ill not (e relaxation, there /ill come /ill6 2 have rea) one (ook AA ?merican, of course6 The title of the (ook: 'O> C>+T 5#L?JH .o/, BmustB is ver* ?merican an) naturall* ver* tense6 'ou must relaxH #ven relaxation has to (e a mustD Then ho/ /ill *ou relaxD 2t is something to )o an) *ou ;?V# to )o AA it is almost like a comman)ment6 'ou have to follo/ the comman)ment6 2f *ou )onBt relax it /ill almost look as if *ou are committing a sin AA *ou must relaxH ?n) /hat /ill *ou )o /hen *ou /ill (e relaxingBD 'ou /ill )o something, an) /hatsoever *ou )o /ill (e /rong, (ecause relaxation comes onl* /hen *ou are not )oing an*thing at all6 2f *ou are )oing something666 counting shee&, or Fust going from one to a hun)re) an) then coming (ack from a hun)re), ninet*Anine, ninet*Aeight, (ack to one666 /hatsoever *ou are )oing666 or Fust tr*ing to relax the /hole (o)*: relax the legs an) then relax the stomach an) relax the han)s666 (ut *ou are $O2.@ it6 ?ll )oing is a tension6 5elaxation is not something that *ou have to )o6 <hen *ou )onBt )o an*thing, it is there6 <hen *ou are not )oing, it is there6 2t is in *our nonA)oing6 2f *ou )o something, that /ill (e *our un)oing6 This is a(solutel* /rong, to sa* to some(o)* B'ou must relaxHB 2t is almost as if *ou go to an insane &erson an) *ou sa* B'ou must (e saneHB .o/ /hat /ill he )oBD ;e is insane6 ;e can make great efforts to (ecome sane AA he /ill (ecome more insane6 ;e is insane (ecause he is tense6 .o/ *ou are giving him another goal to (ecome more tense a(out, even more6 There is no /a*6 Tao sa*s: $ro& all /a*s6 ?ll /a*s are min)Ainventions6 ?ll /a*s are manAfa(ricate)6 Tao is /hen there is no /a*, no /ill6 <hen *ou are not going an*/here AA no goal to achieve, nothing to (ecome, no/here to arrive AA then /hat /ill *ou )oBD 'ou /ill sim&l* &lo&, *ou /ill relax into existence6 2n that ver* moment *ou have crosse) humanit*: *ou have (ecome su&erhuman6 ;# ?+7#$ T;# C?. :' <;?T <?' ;# L2V#$ 2. +TO.# ?.$ <#.T T;5O>@; 925#6 B<;?T ?5# T;#+# T;2.@+ 'O> %?LL +TO.# ?.$ 925#DB That is innocence6 ;e )oes not kno/ /hat stone is an) /hat fire isE he must (e a ver* chil)like man6 This is the i)ea, the Taoist i)ea, that a man shoul) (e so innocent AA Bthe clou) of unkno/ingB6 B<;?T ?5# T;#+# T;2.@+ 'O> %?LL +TO.# ?.$ 925#DB +?2$ T;# C?.6 BT;# T;2.@ 'O> ;?V# ->+T %OC# O>T 95OC <?+ +TO.#, T;# T;2.@ 'O> ;?V# ->+T :##. <?L72.@ T;5O>@; <?+ 925#6B B2 $2$.BT 7.O<,B +?2$ T;# C?.6 2n his notAkno/ing is his kno/ing: (ecause he /as in a state of notkno/ing there /as no (arrier6 ;o/ can fire (urn *ou if *ou )onBt kno/ that it is fire an) that it (urnsD .o/ this has to (e un)erstoo)6 2 f *ou /ant to un)erstan) it exactl* *ou /ill have to ask the h*&notists6 'ou can ask our +antosh /hat it means exactl*6 ;e can, some )a*, )o an ex&eriment in )ee& h*&nosis (efore *ou6 2n )ee& h*&nosis *ou can &ut an or)inar* &e((le on the han) of the h*&notise) &erson an) *ou can tell the &erson /ho is )ee&l* in unconsciousness BThis is a (urning coal, (urning hot, an) *ou /ill (e (urne)6B ?n) it is Fust an or)inar* &e((le, col)6 ?n) /hen *ou &ut the &e((le on the han), the man /ill (e (urne), an) his han) /ill sho/ that there has (een a (urning coal on it6 <hat ha&&ene)D ?n) *ou can )o the o&&osite also6 'ou can &ut a (urning coal into his han) an) *ou can sa* that it is Fust a col) stone an) he /ill not (e (urne)6 .o/, these are &rove) scientific 1"0

facts6 <hat ha&&ens exactl*D <hen *ou &ut a (urning coal on the han) of the man /h* is he not (eing (urne)D 2f fire (urns, then he shoul) (e (urne)6 <hat )oes it matter /hether he is conscious or unconscious, h*&notise) or not h*&notise)D <hat )oes it matter if *ou sa* it is a col) stoneD :* *our sa*ing ho/ )o things changeD ;*&nosis is a ver* revealing force6 2t has (een con)emne) too much in the <est, &articularl* (ecause of the /rong attitu)es of %hristianit*, other/ise h*&nosis is a )oor to inner realit*6 ?n) it has to (ecome a )oor in the coming )a*s6 :* an) (*, more an) more &eo&le are getting intereste) in it an) more an) more scientific research is (eing )one6 ?n) it reveals a tremen)ous &henomenon6 One of the &henomena /hich is relevant to this &ara(le is that *ou create *our realit* (* (elieving in it6 This is a tremen)ous )iscover*6 'O> %5#?T# 'O>5 5#?L2T' :' :#L2#V2.@ 2. 2T6 The realit* is as *ou (elieve it6 'our (elief (ecomes *our realit*6 2f *our (elief changes, *our realit* changes6 Can lives in a ver* unreal realit*6 That is the meaning of the ;in)u /or) C?'?6 C?'? means magic, C?'? means that /hich a&&ears (ut is not6 <e live in C?'?, /e live in a ver* illusor* /orl)6 <e create our o/n /orl)6 'ou can go to )ee& forests in 2n)ia /here &rimitive societies still live6 The* have their (elief s*stemsE *ou /ill (e sur&rise) AA the* /ork6 +ome(o)* can kill a &erson far a/a*, miles far a/a*, (* )oing a certain ritual6 2f he /ants to kill some(o)* /ho )oes not (elong to the &rimitive societ*, he /ill not (e a(le to, (ut he can kill an*(o)* /ho (elongs to his societ* (ecause their (elief s*stem is the same6 Once a &erson comes to kno/ that a certain ritual has (een )one /hich has al/a*s kille) &eo&le, he /ill imme)iatel* )ie6 ;e /ill sim&l* la&se into )eath6 2n ?merica, in 140 , the* ma)e a small la/, the ?ntiAh*&nosis ?ct, (ecause in a certain universit* a fe/ stu)ents, Fust curious, /ere )oing some ex&eriments6 9our stu)ents /ere )oing an ex&eriment in their room: one /as l*ing on the (e) an) three /ere h*&notising him6 ?n) the (o* /ho /as (eing h*&notise) must have (een of a tremen)ous ca&acit*, he must have (een a me)iumistic &erson: he fell into a reall* )ee& h*&nosis, /hich rarel* ha&&ens6 Or)inaril*, thirt*A three &er cent of &eo&le are h*&notisa(le, an) out of that thirt*Athree &er cent not more than three &er cent are )ee&l* h*&notisa(le6 +o out of one hun)re) &ersons, onl* three are reall* )ee& h*&notic su(Fects /ho can go into a )ee& trance6 Other/ise, others go into a trance, (ut the* remain Fust on the &eri&her*: the* /ill )o something /hich the* agree to )o6 2f *ou tell them to )o something to /hich the* )onBt agree, the* /ill imme)iatel* come out of their h*&nosis6 :ut that (o* must have (een one of those rare, three &er cent &eo&le6 ?n) the three /ere h*&notising him an) the* /ere &la*ing AA Fust like a Foke AA the* ha) rea) a (ook an) the* /ere tr*ing6 2t /as Fust coinci)ental that the (o* /as ver* h*&notisa(le, suggesti(le6 ?n) the* sai) man* things an) he )i) man* things, an) then su))enl* the i)ea came to one an) the* sai) to him B.o/ *ou are )ea)6B ?n) the (o* )ie)6 Then the* trie) to (ring him (ack, (ut once a &erson is gone, he is goneE then h*&nosis cannot /ork6 ;*&nosis reveals one thing: that if *ou (elieve in something ver* )ee&l*, it starts functioning on *our min), on *our (eing AA it (ecomes realit*6 5ealit* is not al/a*s real6 Or)inaril*, /hatsoever *ou think is real is ninet* &er cent imaginar*, (ut it <O57+ as realit*6 :u))ha has )efine) realit* as Bthat /hich /orksB an) that )efinition is reall* meaningful6 <hatsoeverA/orks is real6 2f some(o)*, in a )ee& h*&notic trance, is (urne) (ecause *ou &ut a col) stone in his han), then it is fire for him6 2t /orks, an) he /ill carr* the /oun) for man* )a*s6 The (o)* (elieve) it, the consciousness (elieve) it, then it functione)6 B2 $2$.BT 7.O<B +?2$ T;# C?.6 'ou must have hear) a(out fire/alkers6 The* /alk (ecause of a great trust: the* (elieve that the fire is not going to (urnE the* move in a )ee&, h*&notic trance6 2n 2n)ia there are man* fire/alkers6 2n %e*lon the (est grou& of fire/alkers are the :u))hist monks6 #ver* *ear, once a *ear, the* gather aroun) the tem&le of 7an)* an) the* /alk on fire6 The (elief is that :u))ha 1"1

&rotects, an) certainl* the (elief /orks6 .ot that :u))ha &rotects, (ut if *ou think that :u))ha &rotects then the (elief /orks AA 'O>5 (elief &rotects6 2t ha&&ene) once that a %hristian missionar* /ent to see it, an) of course it /as a challenge to him666 :u))hist monks /alking on fire an) :u))ha &rotectingD +ome(o)* challenge) him an) sai) B'ou (elieve in %hrist666 /hat a(out *ouD <h* )onBt *ou /alkDB .o/ the challenge /as such that hecoul) not sa* no6 ;e /as a missionar* an) he /as teaching &eo&le that :u))ha is nothing, %hrist is all6 +o the* sai) B.o/ then, let us see /hat ha&&ens6B ;e ma* not have (een (urne) if he ha) reall* (elieve), (ut no missionar* ever (elieves6 ;e (ecame sus&icious, he /as afrai)6 ;e /alke) out of ego not out of trustE he /alke) sa*ing B2f these thirt* &eo&le are not (urne) /h* shoul) 2 (eDB .ot onl* that he remem(ere) %hrist, he even remem(ere) :u))ha too insi)e AA B2t is oka*, &rotect me too if *ou are &rotecting these thirt* &eo&le6B :ut it /as a )ou(tful min)6 ;e /as (urne), terri(l* (urne)6 The same grou& /as invite) to Oxfor) in 1410 an) the* /alke) there6 Thousan)s of &eo&le /atche), an) a &rofessor of &hiloso&h*, a sim&le man, Fust looking at this /hole &henomenon (ecame so enchante) that /ithout sa*ing an*thing to an*(o)* he Fum&e) into the fire, an) he /alke) an) he /as not (urne)6 <hat ha&&ene)D .either :u))ha nor %hrist AA sim&l* seeing that if thirt* human (eings can /alk, BThen /h* notD 2 am also a human (eing6 2t is humanl* &ossi(le6B The ver* i)ea that it /as humanl* &ossi(le (ecame a trust6 There /as no )ou(t in it6 ;e Fum&e) /ithout hesitation an) he coul) /alk6 2 am not sa*ing that *ou shoul) go an) /alk on fire, (ut /atch *our life an) *ou /ill see: man* things ha&&en onl* (ecause *ou (elieve, man* things cannot ha&&en to *ou (ecause *ou )is(elieve6 Can* things are not &ossi(le (ecause there is )ou(tE man* things (ecome &ossi(le (ecause there is trust6 'ou create *our realit*6 Look at the s&len)our of human consciousness AA *ou create *our realit*, *ou are the centre of *our /orl)6 'ou create *our /orl), *ou hol) *our /orl)6 2f *ou are misera(le, remem(er, it is *ou /ho are creating it6 2f *ou are ha&&*, kno/ /ell it is *ou /ho are creating it6 2t is *our /orl): *ou can create a ha&&* /orl), *ou can create an unha&&* /orl)6 ;ell is *our ha(it of creating unha&&* /orl)s aroun) *ou6 ;eaven is another ha(it of creating ha&&* /orl)s aroun) *ou6 ?n) .25V?.? is to kno/ that all that min) creates is useless6 <h* not move into that /hich is uncreate) (* min)D That is the ultimate6 Then there is no miser* an) no ha&&iness: no goo), no (a), no heaven, no hell6 B2 $2$.BT 7.O<B +?2$ T;# C?.6 ;e /alke) into fire (ut /as not (urne)6 9ire (urns onl* (ecause the i)ea is in *ou that it (urns6 The i)ea (urns reall*, not the fire6 'ou can /atch it in small things6 <hen <estern &eo&le come to 2n)ia the* start suffering from man* )iseases: )*senter*, )iarrhoea, he&atitis6 The* are ver* afrai) a(out the unh*gienic con)itions here6 The /ater is not clean, not scientificall* clean, (ut 2n)ians have live) on that /ater for centuries an) there has never (een an* &ro(lem6 :ut /hen *ou come /ith the i)ea that the /ater is unh*gienic an) *ou )rink it, *ou are )rinking *our i)eaE it is )angerous, more )angerous than the unh*gienic /ater6 The /ater ma* (e unh*gienic, (ut it is not as )angerous as the i)ea that *ou are )rinking /ith it: B2t is unh*gienic6B .o/ *ou are taking a )angerous ste&6 2t is a suggestion6 #ach time *ou )rink /ater the suggestion goes in: *ou are creating an autoh*&nosis6 ;o/ long /ill *ou (e a(le to stan)D 'ou /ill fall, *ou /ill have he&atitis6 ?n) /hen *ou have he&atitis, of course, *our ol) i)ea is strengthene) even more: B2 /as right6 The /ater /as not h*gienic6B .o 2n)ian suffers6 'ou shoul) Fust go to 2n)ian villages6 2n the same small &on) the (uffaloes, the (ullocks, the co/s are enFo*ing )oing their thing, an) man is also )oing his thing, an) ever*thing goes on an) no(o)* is /orrie)6 .o(o)* has an* i)ea6 #ver*thing is goo)6 2f *ou go to a ;in)u sacre) &lace *ou /ill not fin) an* i)ea6 an* conce&t, of h*giene6 ?n) &eo&le think that it is a sacre) &lace an) the /ater is hol* AA *ou /ill not even (e a(le to get into that /ater AA an) the* are enFo*ing6 The* have /aite) their /hole lives to come to this hol* /ater 1"!

an) take a )i&6 ?n) the* are )rinking it, an) the* /ill carr* the /ater, in (ottles an) flasks, to their home: it is hol* /ater6 :ut if *ou take it to the scientist6 he /ill sa* B2t is the unholiestH Thro/ it a/a*H $onBt (ring it here6 .ever touch it an) never go close to it6B <hat is ha&&eningD ?n i)ea (ecomes a realit*6 2 /as once for fe/ months in a &rimitive communit* in :astar6 The /omen go to the fiel) AA the* /ork there AA or in the forest, an) su))enl* the* have a (irth contraction an) the* give (irth to a chil)6 .o(o)* to look after them, no hos&italisation, no nurses, no )octors, no human (eing6 The /oman ma* (e /orking alone in the fiel) AA she /ill kee& the chil) un)er the tree an) start /orking again6 .o &ain, nothing /hatsoever: the* have not hear) a(out the &ain that ever* civilise) /oman suffers from, an) (ecause the* have not hear), so the* )onBt suffer6 %ivilise) /omen suffer ver* much: the more civilise) a countr*, the more6666 2n fact, a <estern /oman thinks continuousl* for nine months B.o/ the )a* is coming666 the )a* is coming666 )ooms)a* is coming6B ?n) she goes on h*&notising an) h*&notising an) h*&notising6 Then, of course, it comes6 'ou create AA nine months is a long h*&nosis an) (* an) (* the energ* (uil)s u& an) then the &ain, then the tremen)ous &ain6 'ou ma* not have hear) (ut in the ?mazon there exists a tri(e in /hich not onl* the /oman suffers from the (irth &ain, (ut even the hus(an) suffers6 B;us(an)DB *ou /ill sa*6 'es, for centuries in that tri(e the i)ea has remaine) &revalent6 ?n) it seems ver* logical too, an) ver* socialistic6 2 think the li(6 /omen /ill agree to it6 <h* shoul) onl* /omen sufferD <h* shoul)nBt there (e eGualit*D +o /hen a chil) is (orn, the /oman lies on one cot an) on another cot lies the hus(an), an) the* (oth sufferH ?n) of course /hen a man suffers, he suffers more6 ;e is more vigorous an) screams more an) shouts more an) s/ears more6 ;e )efeats the /omanH ?n) *ou /ill think that he is sim&l* &reten)ing AA then *ou are /rong, he is not &reten)ingE it reall* ha&&ens6 $octors have gone there an) the* have /atche) an) the* have examine) the (o)ies AA real cram&s an) &ain in the (o)*E it reall* ha&&ens6 :ecause for centuries the* have (een living /ith the i)ea that the chil) (elongs to (oth, so naturall* (oth have to suffer6 .o/ /hen &eo&le starte) reaching that tri(e an) telling them B.o/, this if foolish (ecause in our societies hus(an)s have never suffere)HB the* coul) not (elieve it6 The* sai) B;o/ can it (e &ossi(leD 2t cannot (eHB 2t looke) a(sur) to them as it looks a(sur) to us6 2f *ou go to :astar an) *ou tell that our /omen suffer ver* much, the* laugh, the* sa* BThis is foolish6 There is no &ain at all6B .o/, in a fe/ <estern countries, &articularl* in 9rance, &ainless (irth is (eing re)iscovere)6 ? fe/ )octors are /orking, an) thousan)s of chil)ren have (een given (irth to /ithout an* &ain (ut again the h*&nosis, the i)ea, has to (e &ut )ee& )o/n into the /oman that there is going to (e no &ain6 Once the i)ea settles there, there is no &ain6 'ou live in *our selfA create) /orl)6 C?5I>2+ <#. O9 <#2 ;#?5$ O9 2T ?.$ I>#+T2O.#$ T=> ;+2?666 a /ellA kno/n, ver* /ellAkno/n, learne) man6 B<;?T +O5T O9 C?. <?+ T;?TDB ?%%O5$2.@ TO <;?T 2 ;?V# ;#?5$ C' C?+T#5 +?', T;# C?. <;O 2+ 2. ;?5CO.' 2+ ?:+OL>T#L' T;# +?C# ?+ OT;#5 T;2.@+ ?.$ .O T;2.@ +>%%##$+ 2. <O>.$2.@ O5 O:+T5>%T2.@ ;2C6B This man, Tzu ;sia, is a scholar, a P>.$2T6 ;e has hear), he sa*s B2 have hear) m* Caster sa* that /hen a man is in )ee& harmon* /ith nature, nothing o(structs, nothing harms, nothing /oun)s him6 ;armon* is &rotection6B BTO P?++ T;5O>@; C#T?L ?.$ +TO.#, ?.$ T5#?$ T;5O>@; <?T#5 ?.$ 925# ?5# ?LL PO++2:L#6B B <;' $O.BT 'O> $O 2T 'O>5+#L9DB ?+7#$ C?5I>2+ <#.6 .aturall*, /hen *ou kno/, /h* )onBt *ou )o it *ourselfD 1"3

B2 OC .OT '#T %?P?:L# O9 %>TT2.@ OP#. C' ;#?5T ?.$ T;5O<2.@ ?<?' T;# 7.O<L#$@# 2. 2T6B ThatBs the onl* (arrier6 The man /as a P>.$2T (ut must have (een a sincere an) honest man6 ;e )i)nBt )efen) his kno/le)ge, he acce&te) his ignorance6 ;e sai) B2 am not a man of kno/ing AA Fust a man of kno/le)ge6 2 have hear) &eo&le sa*, 2 have (een close to &eo&le /ho kno/, (ut 2 )onBt kno/ m*self6 2 onl* 7.O< ?:O>T these things6B B;O<#V#5, 2 %?. T#LL 'O> ?LL 'O> <?.T TO 7.O< ?:O>T 2T6B B:ut 2 )onBt kno/ exactl* /hat it is6 ?(out it 2 kno/ AA 2 have all the information &ossi(le, 2 have gathere) all the information AA (ut as far as 2 am concerne), 2 have not *et (een a(le to thro/ a/a* the kno/le)ge in m* heart, hence 2 am not in harmon*6B 7no/le)ge is )isharmon* /ith existence6 To kno/ is to miss kno/ing6 To (e (ur)ene) /ith kno/le)ge is to (e far a/a* from realit*6 B2 ?C .OT '#T %?P?:L# O9 %>TT2.@ OP#. C' ;#?5T666B The other )a* some(o)* ha) aske) B<h* is m* heart em&t*DB The heart is em&t* (ecause *our hea) is too full6 Cake the hea) em&t*666 *our heart /ill (ecome fullE it is the same energ*6 2f it gets involve) /ith the hea), the heart remains em&t*6 2f it is not involve) /ith the hea), it falls into the heart6 ?n) onl* /hen *our heart is full, are *ou full6 Onl* /hen *our heart is full )o *ou flo/er, *ou (loom6 B<;' $O#+.BT 'O>5 C?+T#5 $O 2TDB ?+7#$ C?5I>2+ <#.6 BC' C?+T#5 2+ O.#, <;O T;O>@; ?:L# TO $O 2T, 2+ ?:L# .OT TO $O 2T6B That is the &innacle of a miraculous man6 To )o a miracle is great, (ut not great enough6 To )o a miracle is still to (e in the /orl) of the ego6 The ver* i)ea of )oing it means that *ou are still se&arate from realit*6 ? real greatness is so or)inar* that it claims nothingE it is so or)inar* that it never tries to &rove an*thing6 BC' C?+T#5 2+ O.# <;O, T;O>@; ?:L# TO $O 2T, 2+ ?:L# .OT TO $O 2T6B This is the Taoist conce&t of the real Caster: real Casters have never )one miracles6 2n the <est, %hristians go on tr*ing to &rove that -esus )i) miracles6 2f *ou ask Taoists, :u))hists, the* /ill laugh6 The* /ill sa* these &eo&le are insulting -esus6 2f it is true that he )i) miracles then it sim&l* &roves that he /as not a real Caster AA :u))ha never )i) an* miracles6 :ut then are the* sim&l* fantasizing, creating lies aroun) -esusD .o, sometimes miracles ha&&en aroun) a Caster, that is &ossi(le (ut he never )oes them6 Ciracles ma* have ha&&ene) aroun) -esus, that is &ossi(le, (ut he has not )one them an) he goes on re&eating it again an) again6 ? /oman came6 +he touche) the garment of -esus an) she /as heale)6 ;e looke) (ack an) the /oman /as ver* thankful an) she sai) B2 am ver* grateful6 'ou heale) me6B ?n) he sai) B$onBt sa* such a thing6 'our faith has heale) *ou6B ;eBs tremen)ousl* true6 2t is not the garment of -esus that has heale), B2t is *our faith6 2t is not that -esus has )one an*thing, it is *our o/n faith that has )one something to *ou6B .o, in the #ast /e have never claime)6 ?n) if some(o)* in the #ast claims that he is )oing miracles, that sim&l* sho/s that the #ast is losing its #asternAness, its great heightsE it is coming to the marketA&lace, to the ver* or)inar*, to the (usinesslike /orl) /here claims are significant6

1"4

.o666BC' C?+T#5 2+ O.# <;O, T;O>@; ?:L# TO $O 2T, 2+ ?:L# .OT TO $O 2T6B C?5I>2+ <#. <?+ $#L2@;T#$ <2T; T;# ?.+<#56 The ans/er /as (eautiful AA he /as )elighte)6 Of course to (e )elighte) is not to (e enlightene)6 2t /as Fust a scholarl* ans/er from a man /ho himself )i) not kno/ an*thing, /ho onl* Bkne/ a(outB6 'es, the ans/er )elighte), (ut if it ha) come from a man of kno/ing it /oul) have ma)e him enlightene)6 $elight i s Fust entertainment6 @oo) to listen to great truths, (ut nothing of value6 -ust listening to great truths is not of much value unless *ou listen so tremen)ousl*, so totall*, that it (ecomes a transformation, that *ou (ecome enlightene) through it6 2t )e&en)s on t/o things6 9irst: there shoul) (e a man /ho has himself kno/n through ex&erience6 Then there shoul) (e some(o)* /ho is rea)* to receive it /ith an o&en heart6 <herever this rare o&&ortunit* arises AA that a man is there /ho kno/s, /ho reall* kno/s, not through kno/le)ge, (ut through his ex&erience, an) there is a )isci&le, a receiving o&en heart AA /herever this rare o&&ortunit* arises, there is great lightening666 enlightenment6

88888 %ha&ter 1 : This is not 7aa(a 88888 9e(ruar* 14!! am in :u))ha ;all Iuestion 1 T;# P>.$2T 2. TO$?'B+ +TO5' AA <?+ ;# .OT ?L+O ? :#?>T29>L T?O2+TD P#5;?P+ .OT 5#?%;#$ T;# O%#?., :>T O. T;# <?'D ;e can (e calle) a Taoist, (ut not a man of Tao6 Taoist in the sense that he (elieves that Tao is true, (ut not a man of Tao (ecause his (elief is un(ase)6 2t is not his o/n ex&erience, it is not his o/n existential un)erstan)ingE it is still kno/le)ge, it is not kno/ing6 To (e a Taoist is eas*, it is ver* chea&: *ou can al/a*s (orro/ kno/le)ge6 To (e a man of Tao is ar)uous, it nee)s guts6 +ometimes *ou ma* (e more im&resse) (* a Taoist than a man of Tao, (ecause the Taoist is un)erstan)a(le (* *our intellect6 ;e has some affinit* /ith *ou, he talks the same logic an) the same language that *ou can un)erstan)6 To un)erstan) the man of Tao ma* (e )ifficult (ecause there is no (ri)ge *et (et/een *ou an) him6 ;e exists in a ver* transcen)ental /orl), in a totall* )ifferent realit*6 ;e is &art of a se&arate realit*6 2f he is right, *ou are totall* /rong6 The Taoist can (e right an) he )oes not make *ou feel that *ou are totall* /rong6 The Taoist is in tune /ith *ou, not in tune /ith Tao6 That is the meaning of the en) of the stor*: T;# C?5I>2+ <?+ $#L2@;T#$666 (ut not enlightene)6 The ans/er /as reall* (eautiful, )elicious, (ut it has no nourishment in it6 'ou can enFo* it, (ut *ou cannot live on it6 2t is a meaningless, su(stanceAless thing6 2t is an em&t* gesture AA ho/soever (eautiful, (ut still an em&t* gesture6 2t is im&otent, it is not creative6 'es, it can entertain *ou AA (ut thatBs all6 +o 2 can conce)e that the &un)it, the scholar /as a Taoist6 ;e (elieve) in the &hiloso&h* of Tao, (ut it /as a &hiloso&h*, a )ogma to (e (elieve) in6 ;e has not live) it, he has not taste) itE it is not *et his heart6 2t has not ha&&ene) to him6 2t is like a (lin) man /ho has hear) man* things a(out light, colours, rain(o/s, flo/ers, the sun, the moon, the stars, an) has (ecome ver* clever in talking a(out those things6 Ca*(e /hatsoever he sa*s is right, (ut still ho/ can it (e rightD ? (lin)6man can un)erstan) all that is /ritten a(out light an) he can re&l* to *our Guestions a(out light &erfectl*6 Ca*(e he uses the exact /or)s that a man of e*es /ill use AA as far as /or)s are concerne), the* are similarE (ut as far as ex&erience is concerne), one has ex&erience), the other has no ex&erience6 This has to (e remem(ere)6 The thing that he sai), BC* Caster can )o these 100

miracles, an) he has (ecome ca&a(le of )oing them, (ut he is also ca&a(le of not )oing themB is a tremen)ous sa*ing, a great statement, (ut it is coming from a (lin) man6 2f it comes from Lieh Tzu, it /ill have tremen)ous significance6 2f it comes from :u))ha, it /ill have tremen)ous significance6 :ut it comes from a &un)it AA it is meaningless, remem(er it al/a*s6 2t is much more im&ortant <;O has ma)e the statement, than the statement itself6 'ou can re&eat the /or)s of -esus exactl*, (ut *ou are re&eating them6 'our &arrot can (e taught to re&eat the exact /or)s of -esus, Cohamme)666 (ut /hat /ill it meanD The &arrot re&eating AA it is an em&t* gesture, there is nothing insi)e the &arrotE it is mechanical6 :ut /hen -esus sai) those /or)s the* /ere coming from his heart he /as not re&eating, he /as not imitating AA the* /ere authentic, the* /ere true6 Truth means that /hich comes from *our o/n ex&erience, arises out of *our o/n ex&erienceE is &art of *our life, &art of *our (loo), (ones, marro/, circulates in *our (eingE *ou (reathe it in an) out6 Then, remem(er al/a*s, the statement in itself )oes not mean much, (ut from /hom it comes6 +ometimes *ou /ill (e sur&rise) listening to me: if Lao Tzu sa*s the thing 2 /ill su&&ort it, if %onfucius sa*s it 2 /ill criticise it6 The same thingH The same /or)sH 2f +ocrates sa*s it 2 /ill su&&ort it, if ?ristotle sa*s it 2 /ill con)emn it6 ?n) *ou /ill (e sur&rise), *ou /ill think that this is not fair, (ut tr* to un)erstan) me6 2 look into the &erson, not into the statement6 2 look into the (eing, into the ex&erience, into kno/ing6 <hat a &erson sa*s is not ver* relevant666 /hat he is, the (eing is relevant, not kno/le)ge6 +o, 2 can conce)e that he /as a Taoist an) (eautiful too, (ut all imitationE no real )iamon)s AA artificial6 ?rtificial )iamon)s also can (e (eautiful AA at least, the* can a&&ear (eautiful6 9lo/ers of &lastic can look (eautiful, the* can (e ma)e in such a /a* that the* can attract *ou, (ut the* are not real6 There is )ece&tion, frau)6 The secon) thing: *ou ask BPerha&s not reache) the ocean, (ut on the /a*DB Then *ou have not un)erstoo) me666 /hatsoever 2 have (een sa*ing here6 Tao is a P?T;L#++ P?T;6 <hat )oes it meanD 2t means that the <a* an) the goal are oneE if *ou are on the <a*, *ou have arrive)6 That is the (eaut* of Tao: 2f *ou are on the <a*, *ou have arrive) home666 (ecause the <a* an) the goal are not se&arate, the Fourne* an) the )estin* are not se&arate AA the Fourne* itself is the goal6 That is the meaning of the /or) BtaoB6 Tao means T;# <?': the <a* itself is the goal6 T;# C#?.+ is the en), there is no other en)6 <hatsoever *ou sa* looks logical, BThe man ma* (e Fust on the /a* AA ma* not (e *et enlightene), (ut on the /a*6B <hat )o *ou meanD $oes it mean Ba little (it enlightene)DB B&artiall* enlightene)DB on the /a* AA moving to/ar)s itD There is no &ossi(lit* of an* &artial enlightenment: either it is or it is not, either *ou have arrive) or *ou have not arrive), an) (et/een these t/o there is none6 There are no mi)A/a* stations6 ? man on the <a* means a man in the ocean AA )ro/ne), arrive), )isa&&eare)6 ?s far as Tao is concerne), the <a* an) the goal cannot (e se&arate), the* are not se&arate6 ThatBs the (eaut* of Tao an) the great un)erstan)ing of Tao6 Once there is a goal, then *ou /ill (ecome tense, (ecause then there /ill arise the )esire an) the am(ition to achieve it6 Then *ou /ill have to &re&are for it: time /ill (e nee)e)E metho)s, techniGues /ill (e nee)e)E virtue, character, /ill (e nee)e)6 ?n) *ou /ill al/a*s (e anxious an) afrai) /hether *ou are going in the right )irection or not6 <ill *ou (e a(le to make it or notD ?re *ou going to miss it againD The fear, the anxiet*, the trem(ling /ill continue, (ecause there is a future /ith the goal6 <hen the <a* is the goal there is no future AA future is sim&l* )estro*e), time )isa&&ears6 There is no tomorro/6 ;ereAno/ ever*thing is availa(le, there is no nee) to &ost&one6 These are the tricks of the min) /hich /ants to &ost&one, the min) /hich /ants to &ost&one )ivi)es the <a* an) the goal6 ?n) then the <a* is also )ivi)e) into man* milestones, into man* stages: the first, the secon), the thir)666 one goes on )ivi)ing6 Then there is ver* much s&ace for *our min) to (e &roFecte) into6 Tao leaves no s&ace for the min)6 2t utterl* )estro*s the min) (ecause there is no goal6 -ust think a(out it, contem&late it: if there is no goal, ho/ can the min) existD Then this moment is all there isE this is all6 $esire is not &ossi(le (ecause there is no tomorro/ an) there is no goal6 101

.othing to (e achieve) AA then /here /ill *ou goD <here /ill *ou esca&eD <here /ill *ou hi)eD The goal gives *ou an esca&e6 'ou can ho&e6 BTo)a* 2 am not right, tomorro/ 2 /ill (e right6 To)a* 2 am Fust a (eginner, tomorro/ 2 /ill (ecome an a)e&t6B :ut if there is no goal, no/here to reach, no/here to arrive, then all tricks, )evices, have (een taken a/a*, all &ro&s have (een remove)6 Then *ou are left /ith this moment6 This moment is all, an) in this ver* moment there is li(eration6 Cin) li(erate) from )esire is /hat li(eration is6 Cin) no more in )esire is /hat enlightenment is6 Cin) no more &roFecting, ho&ing, is /hat coming to the ocean 2+6 Please )onBt )ivi)e6 Look at life as an un)ivi)e) /hole, as one /hole6 Iuestion 2 >.$#5+T?.$ <;?T 'O> +?' ?:O>T T;# +OA%?LL#$ 7.O<L#$@#, :>T 2T +T2LL P#5+2+T+6 -ust (* intellectuall* un)erstan)ing /hat 2 sa* it is not going to leave *ou6 -ust intellectual un)erstan)ing is not going to hel&6 2n fact, if *ou onl* un)erstan) /hat 2 am sa*ing intellectuall*, this /ill also (ecome another kno/le)ge AA this /ill a)) to the kno/le)ge that *ou have alrea)* thereE it /ill &ile u& more kno/le)ge6 The foolish &erson, listening to me, /ill (ecome more kno/le)gea(le6 The /ise &erson /ill )ro& all his kno/le)gea(ilit* an) /ill (ecome ignorantE an) the foolish &erson /ill accumulate kno/le)ge an) /ill (ecome more kno/le)gea(le AA it )e&en)s on *ou6 ?n) remem(er, Fust (* un)erstan)ing a thing intellectuall* AA of course, if *ou have un)erstoo) totall* then there is no &ro(lem, then in that ver* un)erstan)ing the &ro(lem )isa&&ears AA if the &ro(lem remains, it sim&l* sho/s that it is onl* an intellectual un)erstan)ing6 Logicall* *ou feel B2 am rightB, (ut /ho lives through logicD .o(o)* lives through logic6 Logicall* *ou kno/ anger is /rong, (ut /hen some(o)* insults *ou then all logic is forgotten, then the anger comes u&6 #ach time *ou have fallen in love, *ou have gone (e*on) logic6 ?n) /henever a love )isa&&ears6 *ou again )eci)e B2t /as foolish, it /as ma)ness6 .ever againH The frustration of it, the hell of itHB AA *ou are tire) of it6 :ut /ithin onl* a fe/ )a*s *ou forget all a(out that frustration, the hell that the other ha) create)6 ?gain a face starts looking (eautiful, again a &erson starts looking heavenl*, again *ou are falling in the tra& AA logic is forgotten6 <ho lives accor)ing to logicD <hen *ou un)erstan) me logicall* it is not going to hel&6 Logic never transforms an*(o)* (ecause *ou are )ominate) (* the unconscious, not (* the conscious6 <hen *ou un)erstan) that kno/le)ge is futile, that is Fust on the surface6666 :ut )ee& )o/n kno/le)ge is a great investment6 2t is through kno/le)ge that *ou are im&ortant, it is through kno/le)ge that *ou are some(o)*, it is through kno/le)ge that *our ego is fulfille) an) strengthene), it is through kno/le)ge that *ou can feel su&erior AA su&erior to those /ho )onBt kno/ AA it is through kno/le)ge that *ou have the u&&er han)6 These are all the investments in it6 >nless *ou )ro& these investments, kno/le)ge is not going to (e )ro&&e)6 ?n) then, ha(its )ie har)6 ?n) the ha(it of kno/le)ge is the ancientmost ha(it that man has carrie)E it is the most )angerous ha(it6 +moking or )rinking or gam(ling are nothing6 This is the most )angerous ha(it (ecause it &revents *ou from seeing, it &revents *ou from coming into )ee& contact /ith realit*6 2t is the greatest (arrier: the %hina <all6 :ut ha(its )ie har), remem(er it, an) it is the longest, the ancientmost, ha(it6 ?n ol) gam(ler /as talking to his son as he la* )*ing6 B+on, &romise me *ouBll never touch a car)6 ?(ove all, never &la* (lackFack6 2tBs a game that /ill cost *ou a fortune, /aste *our time, ruin *our health an) cause *ou untol) moments of anguish an) &ain6 $o *ou &romise me, here on m* )*ing (e), /ith the merciful angel of )eath hovering a(out an) ?lmight* @o) as a /itness, that *ou /ill never &la* (lackFack, that *ou /ill never touch &la*ing car)sDB B'es, 9atherB muttere) the &ious son6 10

B?n) remem(erB shoute) the ol) gam(ler Bif *ou must &la*, al/a*s (e sure to take the (ankHB Ol) ha(it: a gam(ler is a gam(ler6 <hat he is sa*ing )oes not matter much, )ee& insi)e he is the ol) gam(ler6 ?ll this great sermon against gam(ling is Fust su&erficial6 $ee& )o/n, from the unconscious, arises this statement: B?n) remem(erB shoute) the ol) gam(ler Bif *ou must &la*, al/a*s (e sure to take the (ankHB 'ou listen to me, *ou listen, to these murmurs, /his&erings, of Tao6 9or a moment a small light (urns on the surface of *our consciousness, it lights a little, (ut it is a ver* flickering light AA it comes an) it goes6 2n that flickering light, for a moment, *ou seem to un)erstan)6 :ut from *our )ee& unconscious /ill come the great storm an) /ill (lo/ out this small light ver* easil*6 2 have hear) a(out a great gentleman6666 The area ha) (een hit /ith an e&i)emic of ro((eries &er&etrate) (* the notorious gentleman (urglar6 One night +a)ie /oke an) shook ;*mie6 B;*mie, thereBs a (urglar in the houseB she sai)6 BThere is notB ;*mie sai) slee&il*6 B@o (ack to slee&, stu&i)6B -ust then a man s&rang from insi)e a closet6 BThere is tooB he )eclare)6 B.o/ a&ologise to the la)*6B ? gentleman is a gentleman AA even if he (ecomes a (urglar6666 -ust then a man s&rang from insi)e a closet6 BThere is tooB he )eclare)6 B.o/ a&ologise to the la)*6B ;a(its )ie har)6 The* continue )ee& )o/n6 >& in $artmouth, an #nglish &rofessor su))enl* sur&rise) another colleague /riting on a /ashroom /all6 B#lmerHB gas&e) the &rofessor6 B$onBt tell me *ouBre the kin) of fello/ /ho /rites on /ashroom /allsHB B+tuff an) nonsenseB huffe) the &rofessor6 B2Bm merel* correcting the grammar6B -ust ol) ha(its of correcting AA must have foun) some grammatical mistakes there6 ? miser, a ver* famous miser6666 The (ig cro/) gathere) on the %one* 2slan) (each an) /atche) the man a&&l* artificial res&iration to the heiress heB) Fust rescue)6 ;er &arents (roke through the cro/)s, Fo*ful at seeing their )aughter alive an) /ell6 BCamaB sai) the ol) man Bgive that fella a )ollar6 ;e save) her life6B B:ut, Pa&aB &roteste) the girl B2 /as half )ea)6B B?ll rightB &a&a sai)6 B@ive him fift* cents6B <atch /hat comes from insi)e *ou6 :e more /atchful a(out it AA it sho/s )ee&Aroote) ha(its, an) *ou /ill have to (ecome a/are of all those ha(its6 2 am not sa*ing fight /ith them, no6 2 am not sa*ing )ro& them /ith effort, no6 ?n*thing )ro&&e) (* effort /ill come (ack an) /ill come (ack /ith a vengeance6 .ever fight /ith an* ol) ha(it, (ecause fighting /ill create a s&lit: *ou /ill (e fighting /ith *ourself6 +im&l* un)erstan)6 :ecome more /atchful6 .o/ *ou have un)erstoo) one thing AA that kno/le)ge is futile6 2t is Fust a glim&se6 .o/ carr* this glim&se )ee& into *our unconscious6 <atch6 <henever *ou start sho/ing *our kno/le)ge, /atch /h*6 <hat are the )ee& motivesD Look into the motives an) *ou /ill fin) motives (ehin) motives (ehin) motives6 <hen *ou have come to kno/ all the motives an) all the investments, /hen *ou have searche) all aroun) in *our (eing, su))enl* *ou /ill see that through that un)erstan)ing ha(its )isa&&ear6 .o nee) to fight, no nee) to make an* effort AA other/ise this small glim&se that comes sometimes /ill never (e translate) into *our life6 There are t/o t*&es of &eo&le: one, once he un)erstan)s something intellectuall*, starts thinking he has un)erstoo)6 ;e is (efooling himself6 +ooner or later situations /ill sho/ that the un)erstan)ing /as Fust skin)ee&6 +cratch a little an) the realit* comes u&6 Then there is a secon) t*&e of &erson /ho is not (efoole) (* this small glim&se6 2t is a small /in)o/, significant, (ut not enough in itself6 2t has to (e translate) )ee&l* into *our (eing, (ut translation means that *ou 10,

have to /atch all the things that are against this glim&se6 ?n) /atch /ithout Fu)ging, /atch /ithout conflicting /ith them6 +im&l* /atch an) see /hat is /hat6 Once *ou have kno/n /ho is /ho an) /hat is /hat insi)e *ou, things /ill start changingE an) that change /ill (e a sur&rise to *ou (ecause *ou have not )one an*thing for that change )irectl*6 2t comes as a (*A&ro)uct, as a conseGuence of un)erstan)ing6 Iuestion , :#LOV#$ O+;O, T;2+ ?+;5?C +##C+ TO C# TO :# L27# ?. O?+2+ 2. ? $#+#5T, ?.$ 2. T;# C2$$L# O9 T;# O?+2+ 2+ ?. >.9?T;OC?:L# <#LL O9 P>5# %5'+T?L <?T#5, ?.$ T;# <#LL 2+ O+;O6 :>T 5O>.$ T;# #$@# O9 T;# O?+2+, >.$#5 T;# P?LC T5##+, +OC# V#5' +T5?.@# @?C#+ ?5# :#2.@ PL?'#$6 2 7.O< 2T 2+ @OO$ 9O5 %;2L$5#. TO PL?' @?C#+, 2T %?. ;#LP T;#C TO @5O< >P ?.$ <2$#. T;#25 >.$#5+T?.$2.@ O9 T;2+ <O5L$, :>T <;#. T;#+# @?C#+ @#T O>T O9 ;?.$, T;#' C?' #?+2L' $O CO5# ;?5C T;?. @OO$, ?.$ 2 :#L2#V# T;2+ 2+ $?.@#5O>+6 ?.$, TOO, T;25+T' P2L@52C+ %OC2.@ ?%5O++ T;# $#+#5T 2. +#?5%; O9 <?T#5 C?' +## T;#+# +T5?.@# @?C#+ 925+T ?.$ $#P?5T :#<2L$#5#$ <2T; T;#25 T;25+T +T2LL >.I>#.%;#$6 2 T#LL C'+#L9 B->$@# T;?T '# :# .OT ->$@#$B :>T 2 ?C ? L2TTL# T5O>:L#$H PL#?+# %OCC#.T6 9irst: /hatsoever is ha&&ening here is certainl* a strange game, an) /hatsoever is ha&&ening on the &eri&her*, Bun)er the &alm treesB, is &art of me6 5emem(er that al/a*s: /hatsoever is going on here 2 am &erfectl* a/are of6 'ou nee) not (e trou(le) a(out it6 .othing is out of m* han) AA /hatsoever is going on6 2 give enough ro&e: it seems ever*thing is com&letel* free AA it is not so AA Fust that the ro&e is long enough6 +o it is not going to an* )angerous en)6 $anger ha&&ens onl* /hen there is re&ression, /ith free)om there is no )anger6 'es, to chil)ren, total free)om cannot (e given AA not that total free)om is )angerous, no, free)om is never )angerous AA (ut chil)ren are una/are: total free)om to them ma* (ecome suici)al6 ;ence the long ro&e, (ut still the ro&e is in m* han)s6 The moment 2 see a &erson (ecomes mature, then that ro&e is com&letel* (roken, thro/n a/a*, then he has total free)om6 :ut to make a &erson ca&a(le of total free)om, free)om has to (e given, other/ise ho/ is he going to &ractiseD To make a &erson reall* ca&a(le of (eing himself one has to allo/ man* things, (ut /hatsoever is allo/e) is ver* much 7.O<2.@L' allo/e)6 2t can a&&ear to a ne/comer that these games can (e )angerous, (ut *ou can trust me6 These games cannot (e )angerousE in fact, these games /ill hel& *ou to go (e*on) all )angers6 The real )anger comes from re&ression, never out of free)om6 2f *ou are re&ressing something, one )a* or other, it is going to ex&lo)e6 ?n) that /ill (e the )a* of *our ma)ness or *our suici)e or *ou /ill )o a mur)er or something6 ;umanit* has truste) the techniGue of re&ression too much, hence the /hole earth has (ecome almost a ma)house6 This ma)ness that has gathere) has (ecome accumulate) into human min) an) has to (e release), hence all the soAcalle) B)angerous gamesB (eing &la*e) aroun) here6 The ma)ness has to (e release) slo/l*, metho)icall*6 +ome(o)* coming from the outsi)e for the first time ma* start feeling: <hat is ha&&ening hereD 2n fact, never has such an ashram existe)6 +ometimes efforts have (een ma)e on a ver* small scale AA some +ufi schools have existe), (ut on a ver* small scale6 T/ent*, t/ent*Afive &ersons /orking in a close) /orl)666 no(o)* kno/ing /hat /as ha&&ening there6 .o/ this is an o&en universit*6 ?lmost the /hole /orl) is &artici&ating in it: *ou can fin) ever* nationalit*, ever* race, ever* religion re&resente)6 2t is an o&en &henomenon6 .ever has free)om (een ex&erimente) /ith on such a (ig scale6 On the gate of a +ufi house in 2sfahan, 2ran, are inscri(e) these /or)s of 7huaFah #smat :okharai6 Listen to these /or)s: This is no kaa(a for i)iots to circle 10"

nor a mosGue for the im&olite to clamour in This is a tem&le of total ruin6 2nsi)e are the )runk, from &reAeternit* to the Fu)gement )a*, gone from themselves6 :ut that school of 7huaFah #smat :okharai /as a small school6 <hat /as ha&&ening insi)e no(o)* kne/ a(out from the outsi)e6 @reat things /ere going on there, great games /ere (eing &la*e), (ut it /as a ver* secret school6 +uch secret schools have al/a*s existe)6 -esus /as traine) in such a small school calle) the #ssenes6 2n =en monasteries, in Taoist monasteries in %hina, small grou&s have al/a*s existe), /orking together in )ee& secrec* an) &rivac*6 9or the first time all secrec* is thro/n an) all &rivac* is thro/n AA for a certain reason: (ecause no/ there is no time for secrec* left6 ;umanit* is at such a )angerous crossroa)s that it is ver* &ossi(le that /ithin a centur* humanit* ma* not exist at all6 2n the &ast there /as enough timeE the game of secrec* coul) (e &la*e), (ut no/ it cannot (e &la*e)6 ?ll the secrets have to (e ma)e availa(le to each an) ever* one, hence 2 am taking all secrecies a/a*E an) the more *ou (ecome rea)*, the more /ill )ro& other secrecies6 C* effort /ill (e to (ring *ou the truth, ho/soever )angerous it is, as nu)el* as &ossi(le, (ecause the /hole of humanit* is at stake6 2f man cannot (e taught ho/ to (e free an) *et sane, then there is no future for humanit*6 To teach man ho/ to (e free an) sane /e /ill have to )evise all sorts of ma) games6 Through those ma) games the accumulate) ma)ness /ill have to (e catharte) out, acte) out, thro/n out6 ;ence *ou see so man* games going aroun) here6 :ut nothing is (e*on) m* vision6 2 ma* not come out666 2 never come out of m* room6 2 never go to the ashram to see /hat is ha&&ening (ecause there is no nee) for me to go there &h*sicall*, thatBs /h*6 +itting in m* room, 2 am /atching ever*thing that is going on6 2 am &erfectl* a/areE *ou nee) not (e trou(le)6 2 kno/ *ou have aske) out of love6 2t is from a ne/ sann*asin, an ol) la)*, @ram*a6 +he is ne/, ol), has much love in her heart6 +he must have (ecome a little /orrie) a(out /hat is going on6 .o nee) to (e /orrie)6 5est at ease6 ?n), &eo&le /ho ma* sometimes come an) (ecome frightene) an) go (ack are not the &eo&le for me6 +o that is not a loss6 2f *ou are reall* thirst* in the )esert, *ou /ill not (other a(out /hat games are going on aroun) the oasis, *ou /ill rush into the oasis6 2f *ou are not thirst*, onl* then /ill *ou go (ack6 2t is so sim&le, it is so arithmetical6 2f *ou are reall* thirst*, /ho (othersD -ust think a(out *ourself6 9or )a*s together *ou have (een thirst* in the )esert an) *ou have not seen even a single tree, no greener*, all over a (urning fire6 ?n) then, one )a*, *ou come across an oasis /ith (eautiful &alm trees6 'ou come close, (ut un)er the &alm trees ma) games are going on6 <ill *ou (other a(out themD 'ou /ill sa* B2 /ill see later on6 9irst let me go to the oasis6 9irst let me )rink to the full, to m* heartBs )esire, then 2 /ill see /hat is going on6B 2n fact, *ou /ill not even (e a(le to see /hat is going on if *ou are thirst* AA *ou /ill see onl* /ater, *ou /ill hear the soun) of running /ater6 'ou /ill not (e a(le to see, (ecause /e onl* see that /hich /e are intereste) in6 2f *ou are intereste) in /ater, *ou /ill see /ater6 'ou /ill let those ma) &eo&le )ance an) sing an) )o /hatsoever the* are )oing6 'ou /ill sa* B9irst let me Guench m* thirst, then 2 /ill also rest un)er a &alm tree an) see /hat is going on hereB AA (ut not (efore that6 ?n) if *ou fin) that some(o)* (ecomes frightene) an) goes a/a* from the oasis, then onl* one thing is certain AA he /as not thirst*6 ;e ma* (e thinking a(out the oasis, it ma* have (een a curiosit*, (ut it /as not thirst6 ;e is not the man for me, or the /oman6 This is no kaa(a for i)iots to circle nor a mosGue for the im&olite to clamour in This is a tem&le of total ruin6

100

>nless *ou are rea)* to )ie, it is (etter *ou shoul) not (e here, (ecause onl* through *our )eath is resurrection6 >nless *ou are rea)* to (e re(orn, )onBt /aste m* time6 This is a tem&le of total ruin6 2nsi)e are the )runk, from &reAeternit* to the Fu)gement )a*, gone from themselves6 Onl* those /ho are rea)* to )ro& their egos an) selves, their Fu)gements, their rationalit*, their intellects, onl* those /ho are rea)* to cut their hea)s /ill (e a(le to un)erstan) /hat is going on here6 ?n) 2 am also intereste) onl* in such ma) &eo&le6 C* /hole /ork here is not for the curious, (ut for the thirst*, so )onBt (e /orrie) a(out those &eo&le /ho come to the gate an) go a/a*6 Core an) more ma) games /ill ha&&en aroun) here AA more an) more6 ?n) more an) more /ill it (ecome im&ossi(le for those /ho come out of curiosit*, out of the )esire to kno/ a little (it a(out @o), religionE for those /ho come in search of theories an) kno/le)ge, or in search of moralit* an) character6 .o, 2 am not for them6 2t Bis a tem&le of total ruinB, (ut onl* /hen *ou )ie totall* are *ou (orn as a ne/ (eing, as a ne/ man, as a ne/ energ*6 >n(ur)ene) from the &ast, )iscontinuous /ith the &ast, *ou (ecome as fresh as )e/)ro&s in the morning, an) onl* then *ou kno/ /hat @o) is6 Onl* in that virgin freshness )o *ou kno/ /hat @o) is, onl* in that innocence, &rimal innocence, )o *ou come in contact /ith realit*6 ?n) @ram*a has aske) B2 tell m*self "-u)ge that *e (e not Fu)ge)" (ut 2 am a little trou(le)HB C* feeling is that she has Guote) /rongl*6 -esus sa*s B-u)ge *e .OT that *e (e not Fu)ge)B666 -u)ge *e .OT that *e (e not Fu)ge)6 +he sa*s B-u)ge that *e (e not Fu)ge)6B .o, that is not exact AA in fact, it is Fust the o&&osite of /hat -esus sa*s6 ?n) she has &ut it in inverte) commas, thatBs /h*666 other/ise there is no &ro(lem AA she can sa* so of her o/n accor)6 5emem(er the /or)s are B-u)ge *e .OT that *e (e not Fu)ge)6B ? &erson /ho goes on Fu)ging is in )anger, (ecause out of all Fu)gements a su(tle ego is create)6 ?n) @ram*a is ver* sim&le an) innocent, thatBs /h* 2 have given her the name @ram*a6 2t means Bso sim&leB666 Like a villager6 B@ram*aB means one /ho comes from a ver* &rimitive village, not kno/le)gea(le, sim&le, innocent, &rimitive6 +he is, an) thatBs /h* she feels trou(le) (ecause this Fu)gement is creating a su(tle ego6 B-u)ge *e not666B There is no nee) to Fu)ge6 <hatsoever is ha&&ening, acce&t it6 <hatsoever &eo&le are )oing, the* have to go through it6 There is a metho) to all this ma)ness aroun) here, it is ver* metho)ological6 'ou Fust kee& Guite silent, nonFu)ging6 2t ha&&ene) once: ? great +ufi m*stic, -alalu))in 5umi, use) to live /ith his one hun)re) )isci&les in a monaster*6 9e/ travellers came6 The monaster* /as far a/a* from an* to/n, far a/a* even from an* roa)s, (ut &eo&le (ecame intereste) AA curious &eo&le can go an*/here: the* go to the moon6 %urious &eo&le are curious &eo&le, the* can go an*/here6 The* (ecame curious an) the* /ent there6 2t /as far a/a* from to/ns, off the roa), (ut the* took all the trou(les of the Fourne* an) the* reache) the )esert6 The )oors /ere not close) AA (ecause 5umi ha) never thought that an*(o)* /oul) come so far a/a* AA so the* coul) /atch /hat /as ha&&ening insi)e6 #xactl* this scene, @ram*a, that *ou see here6666 +ome(o)* /as laughing lou)l*, ma)l*, some(o)* /as )ancing, some(o)* /as singing, some(o)* /as stan)ing on his hea), &eo&le /ere )oing a thousan) an) one things AA an) -alalu))in 5umi /as sitting Fust in the mi))le of it all, silent, /ith close) e*es6 +o the* thought B<hat is going onD ;ave these &eo&le gone ma)D <hat are these lunatics )oing hereD ?n) /hat is this man )oingD ;e is sim&l* sitting, /ith close) e*es6 ;e shoul) sto& these &eo&le AA it is )angerousE the* ma* go (e*on) the limit6B ?n) some(o)* /as raving like a maniac, an) some(o)* /as hitting the /all, an) ever*thing /as going on6 The* (ecame ver* afrai)6 The* (ecame so afrai) that the* /ent a/a*6 :ut after one *ear curiosit* took &ossession of them again an) the* thought B<e shoul) go an) see /hat is 101

ha&&ening no/6 Things must have gone /orse6 #ither the* must have kille) that -alalu))in 5umi (* no/, (ecause he /as Fust sitting in the mi))le of it, or the* must have committe) suici)e666 mur)ers must have ha&&ene)HB +o the* /ent again6 The* coul) not (elieve it: the* /ere all sitting silentl*6 Onl* -alalu))in 5umi /as )ancing6 B+o /hat has ha&&ene) thenD Things have com&letel* change)6B The* thought B2t seems this man has taken the ma)ness of all, so that the* have (ecome silent an) he is )ancing6B :ut this /as a /orse situation (ecause the* thought at least he ha) (een sane, no/ he also /as insane6 :ut the* took &it* on the man6 The* thought B2t is natural AA Fust to (e ami)st these ma) &eo&le for so long, he must have gone out of his min)6B The* /ent a/a*6 :ut after one *ear curiosit* again took &ossession of them an) the* thought B<e must go an) see /hat is ha&&ening no/6B +o the* /ent there6 There /as no(o)*, onl* -alalu))in 5umi /as sitting alone AA the /hole grou& ha) )isa&&eare)6 .o/ it /as too much6 <hat ha&&ene)D The* (ecame too curious6 The* /ent to -alalu))in 5umi an) the* sai) B<e /ant to ask /hat ha&&ene)D <here are those nutsD <hat ha&&ene) to themD ?n) /hat are *ou )oing sitting here aloneDB ?n) -alalu))in 5umi sai) BThe /ork is )one6 .o/ the* have gone into the /i)er /orl) to fin) other nuts AA to hel& them6 The /ork is com&lete6B Then the* aske) B<h* /ere *ou )ancing last *ear /hen /e cameDB ;e sai) B2 /as )ancing (ecause 2 /as so ha&&* that m* )isci&les ha) achieve)6 2t /as )angerous, it /as ver* ar)uous, to release their ma)nesses accumulate) )o/n the centuries, (ut the* /ere reall* ca&a(le &eo&le6 2 /as ha&&*, thatBs /h* 2 /as )ancing6 .o/ the* have gone to fin) other ma) &eo&le6 .o/ the* /ill make a hun)re) monasteries all aroun) the earth6B #xactl*6 <hen *ou come ne/ to this ashram, it )oes not a&&ear like an ashram6 Peo&le have ver* )ifferent notions a(out an ashram6 2f *ou go to other ashrams, the first thing: *ou /ill never fin) *oung &eo&le there6 'ou /ill al/a*s fin) ol), )ea) &eo&le, (ecause &eo&le go to the ashrams onl* /hen the* think that no/ one foot is alrea)* in the grave6 +o, to (ri(e @o), the* go to the ashrams6 Of course )ull, )ea)E the* sit there /ith their C?L?+, turning (ea)s AA thatBs all the* can )o6 ?ll energ* is gone6 2n fact, nothing is left6 The* are no more rivers of clerg* (ut )r* (e)s, )r*ing u& ever* moment6 The* are alrea)* too late6 ?n) their religion is not true, cannot (e true, (ecause it has not come out of un)erstan)ing, it has come out of fear6 .o/ )eath is a&&roaching6666 <hen a man (ecomes religious (ecause of life, then it is true religion6 <hen a man (ecomes religious (ecause of )eath6 it is an untrue religion6 ;ere *ou /ill fin) *oung &eo&le6 #ven if *ou fin) ol) &eo&le *ou /ill fin) them ver* *oung6 2n fact, to (e ol) an) here /ith m* *oung sann*asins is almost im&ossi(le6 2f some ol) &erson can tolerate these &eo&le, that sim&l* means he is *oung, s&irituall* *oung6 ;e has the Gualit* of *outh, he is not *et )ea)6 Ca*(e the (o)* is getting ol), (ut his s&irit is *oung, a)venturous, courageous6 These &eo&le are here (ecause of L29# &ro(lems6 The* /ant to solve their living &ro(lems, the* /ant to solve the m*ster* of life, not the fear of )eath6 These &eo&le are here not in search of an* @o), the* are here in search of their o/n (eing6 The* are here to kno/ /hat truth isE not a truth of the scri&tures, (ut something existential that the* feel in love, that the* feel in ha&&iness, that the* feel in sa)ness, that the* can touch, that the* can live, go into, feel, enFo*, )ance a(out6 The* are in search of a cele(ration, the* are in search of a )ance6 The* are in search of the song that the* feel is there in their heart, (ut are not ca&a(le of singing6 The* have not (een a(le to fin) the /a* to allo/ this song to (e ex&resse), to (ecome manifest6 The* are in search of the fragrance that the* are carr*ing an) the* /ant to release this fragrance to the /in)s (ut the* have lost contact /ith their source6 This is a totall* )ifferent &henomenon6 9or these &eo&le, religion means sim&l* to (e more alive6 These &eo&le are not serious &eo&le, (ecause seriousness is a )isease6 These &eo&le are in search of )elight6 .aturall*, the /hole a&&roach is )ifferent an) 2 am intereste) onl* in these &eo&le6 ?n) the* /ill (e coming in thousan)s soon6 The* /ill come from all over the /orl), the* /ill have to come6 <hosoever is in search of cele(ration /ill have to come6 10!

Of course, the /hole a&&roach is so )iametricall* o&&osite6 2 am not against love: 2 am all for love6 2f *ou go into the ashrams, the first thing the* /ill start )estro*ing is *our love: the* /ill teach *ou :5?;C?%;?5'?, celi(ac*6 2 kno/ the (eaut* of :5?;C?%;?5'?, (ut that (eautiful :5?;C?%;?5'? comes onl* out of )ee& ex&erience of love AA never other/ise6 2t is not an im&osition, it is a flo/ering6 Loving the other, (* an) (* *ou are thro/n (ack again an) again to *ourself6 One )a* *ou realise that the search for the other outsi)e is meaningless, is )oome) from the ver* (eginning6 Loving the other, looking into the e*es of the other, *ou are reflecte) again an) again6 Through the other is selfAkno/le)ge: the other functions as a mirror6 Once *ou have kno/n it, *ou start settling in *our aloneness6 ?n) a celi(ac* arises /hich is not a &ractise) celi(ac*, /hich is not afrai) of love, /hich is not afrai) of relationshi&, /hich is not afrai) of the /oman or the man, /hich is not afrai) at all, /hich is so confi)ent, so strong, so /ellAroote) that6666 2n fact, a /ellAroote) tree /aits for the storm to come (ecause that /ill (e a challenge, an) /hen the storm comes, the /ellAroote) tree kno/s ho/ /ellAroote) it is an) feels the strength, the vitalit*6 The storm is not the enem* (ut a challenge /hich takes a/a* all )ust, /hich takes a/a* all frustration, /hich takes a/a* all sa)ness6 ?n) the tree starts cele(rating again, feels alive to the ver* roots, (ecomes *oung again6 #ach storm makes the tree *ounger, again an) again *oung6 ? celi(ac* that comes out of fear is an esca&ism, *ou (ecome /eakE *ou (ecome so /eak that even a &icture of a /oman666 an) *ou (ecome afrai)6 #ven the i)ea of a /oman666 an) *ou start trem(ling6 This is stu&i)it*, enough of itH ;umanit* has suffere) enough of it6 This cha&ter has to (e close) com&letel*6 'ou have (een taught an) tol) in other ashrams )o/n the centuries to enforce a character u&on *ourself6 .o, 2 am not )oing that here6 2 /oul) like a character to arise in *ou, (ut not a structure6 ? structure is an armour, a structure is a )ea) scaffol) aroun) *ou AA it kills, it im&risons *ou6 'ou are alrea)* im&risone)6 C* /hole effort is to hel& *ou to get out of the &rison6 -ust the other )a* 2 /as rea)ing a stor*: The la/*er ha) come to the state &rison to visit his client, /ho ha) recentl* (een sentence) (* the court to life im&risonment6 ;e /as seate) in the visiting room across the ta(le from his &risonerAclient, ex&laining the various legal &roce)ures he ha) follo/e)6 B2 have file) an a&&eal in the lo/er court, an) that /as )enie)B he ex&laine)6 BThen 2 file) an a&&eal in the +tate +u&reme %ourt6 That /as )enie)6 .ext, 2 file) an a&&eal in the 9e)eral $istrict %ourt, /hich /as )enie)6 ?n) as a last resort, last /eek 2 file) an a&&eal /ith the >nite) +tates +u&reme %ourt AA an) that has (een )enie)6B B:ut there must (e something else /e can fileB exclaime) the frantic &risoner6 BThere is onl* one more thingB confi)e) the attorne*6 ;e cautiousl* took an iron ro) out of his (riefcase an) sli&&e) it to the &risoner6 BThe onl* thing left to fileB he sai) Bare the (ars of *our cellHB C* /hole effort here is to hel& *ou to file the (ars, an) sometimes those (ars are exactl* the thing *ou call character, moralit*, sanit*, res&onsi(ilit*, )ut* AA )ut* to the societ*, to @o), to the church, to the nation6 These are *our (ars in /hich *ou are cage) like an animal6 +o, naturall*, the effort to make *ou free /ill create man* sorts of a(sur) things aroun) here6 ?(sur), (ecause the* are not ex&ecte) of *ouE a(sur), (ecause the societ* has com&letel* forgotten a(out them6 The* have to (e (rought to consciousness, hence @ram*aBs fear6 +he is innocent, com&assionate, a ver* loving ol) la)*, (ut she ha) to un)erstan) /hat is ha&&ening here6 The /ork that is (eing )one here is ver* invalua(le /ork6 2t is not chea&6 2t is not even valua(le6 V?L># 2+ .OT T;# .?C# 9O5 2T6 2 have hear)6666

103

BListen6 +ol, /hat a (argainH 2f *ou go to 5a)io %it* (efore noon it is onl* a Guarter6 +uch a gorgeous &lace6 %han)eliers, rugs, &lush seats, fullAlength feature movie, short su(Fects, ne/sreels, animate) cartoons, fift* (eautiful girls, a one hun)re) an) ten &iece orchestra666B B?ll for the same GuarterDB B?ll for the same Guarter6 ?n) /hat is more, /hen *ou leave the movie *ou can go u&stairs an) see a real art sho/6B B?ll for the same GuarterDB B?ll for the same Guarter6 ?n) then the* give *ou a )elicious cu& of coffee6B B?ll for the same GuarterDB B?ll for the same Guarter6B B;mmm666 must (e an a/ful chea& (ran) of coffee6B The churches, the tem&les, the mosGues are giving *ou a ver* chea& (ran) of religion at no cost at all6 'ou )onBt reall* have to &a* AA it is chea&E naturall*, at the most a consolation, not a revolution6 ;ere, /hat /e are )oing is a revolution, it is not a consolation6 ?n) man has come to a &oint /here evolution has sto&&e), no/ onl* revolution can hel&6 #volution means unconscious gro/th AA it has come to a &oint (e*on) /hich it cannot go6 %anBt *ou o(serve the fact that for centuries man has remaine) the sameD #ver*thing else has change): the (ullock cart has (ecome the Fet, (ut manD The man /ho /as )riving the (ullock cart an) the man /ho is &iloting the Fet &lane are not )ifferent at all AA exactl* the same6 ? s/or) has (ecome a h*)rogen (om(, (ut the man /ho /as /iel)ing the s/or) is not )ifferent from the man /ho is hol)ing the ke* for the h*)rogen (om(6 #ver*thing has change) exce&t man6 2f a man from the times of the Ve)as (ecame alive again, he /oul) not (e a(le to un)erstan) an*thing exce&t man6 ;e /oul) not (e a(le to un)erstan) /hat these trains are, these cars, these aero&lanes, the ra)io, the TV, the electricit*, the movie AA no, he /oul) not (e a(le to un)erstan) an*thing exce&t man6 Can /oul) (e a(solutel* un)erstan)a(le6 There is no )ifference at all: as Fealous as ever, as ma) as ever, as angr* as ever, as violent as ever6 <atch, /hat )oes this meanD 2t means that man has attaine) to the last stage that can (e attaine) through unconscious evolution6 .o/ ever*thing is stuck6 Peo&le come to me an) the* sa* B<e are feeling ver* stuck6B 2t is not an in)ivi)ual &ro(lemE the /hole of humanit* is stuck, ever*(o)* is stuck6 ? culA)eAsac has come6 .o/ evolution is not going to hel&6 'ou /ill have to take the reins in *our o/n han)s AA thatBs /hat revolution is6 ?n) /hen *ou start evolving on *our o/n, naturall* *ou are taking great risks, it is a great a)venture6 ?n) it is costl*6 +o this is m* suggestion for @ram*a: Please, )onBt get trou(le)6 2f *ou start getting trou(le), one trou(le /ill create another trou(leE it is a vicious circle6 +oE from the ver* (eginning, (e alert6 ? little ol) la)* entere) a su(ur(an home an) foun) a la) of four in sole &ossession &la*ing /ith his to* train6 B'ou )onBt kno/ meB the ol) la)* sai) B(ut 2Bm *our gran)mother AA that is, on *our fatherBs si)e6B <ithout looking u& from his train, the la) re&lie) B<ell, 2 can tell *ou right no/ AA *ouBre on the /rong si)e6B To @ram*a 2 have to sa* this, that if *ou start Fu)ging, from the ver* (eginning *ou are on the /rong si)e6 $ro& it from the ver* (eginning, forget a(out it6 +tart enFo*ing6 9orget /hat others are )oing6 $o /hat *ou al/a*s /ante) to )o an) have not )one *et6 'ou /ante) to )anceD $ance6 'ou /ante) to singD +ing6 .o/here can *ou get so much free)om as is &ossi(le here, an) no(o)* /ill make an* Fu)gement a(out it, no(o)* is going to interfere6 ThatBs ho/ an ashram shoul) (e AA a free)om, a nonAinterference6 .o(o)* shoul) interfereE unless *ou start interfering in their life, no(o)* shoul) take an* notice of *ou6 'ou )o *our thing, the* are )oing their thing6 104

:* an) (* un)erstan)ing /ill arise: un)erstan)ing arises onl* /hen *ou are, exactl*, )oing *our o/n thing6 One more anec)ote for @ram*a: @ran)ma ha) alrea)* exten)e) her unannounce) visit for three /eeks, an) her )aughterAinA la/ an) son /ere slo/l* going craz*6 9inall* the* concocte) a scheme: the* /oul) fake a fight an) the one /ith /hom she si)e) /oul) tell her the other /as so insulte) that sheB) sim&l* have to leave6 +o that night the /ife )eli(eratel* s&ille) a &late of hot sou& )o/n her hus(an)Bs neck6 B'ouBre the clumsiest, ugliest, stu&i)est clunk 2Bve ever seenB roare) the hus(an)6 B?n) *ouB shot (ack the /ife Bare the laziest, )eman)ingest, meanest &oo& in the /orl)6 <hat )o 'O> sa*, @ran)maDB B2Bm not sa*ing a /or)B re&lie) @ran)ma cheerfull*6 B2Bm sta*ing t/o more months6B 7ee& that attitu)e6 2f *ou /ant to sta* /ith these &eo&le, )onBt sa* a single thing, Fust (e cheerful6 Iuestion " 752+;.?C>5T2 2+ V#;#C#.TL' ?@?2.+T @>5>+, C#$2T?T2O. T#%;.2I>#+ ?.$ B?LL T;# 5#+T O9 2TB6 ?PP?5#.TL' 'O> ?5# ? @>5> ?.$ @2V2.@ C#$2T?T2O. T#%;.2I>#+6 TO C#, 'O> ?.$ 752+;.?C>5T2 ?5# :OT; +;O<2.@ T;# T5>T;, #?%; O.# 2. ;2+ O<. <?'6 <;?T 2+ 'O>5 9##L2.@ ?:O>T 752+;.?C>5T2B+ O:-#%T2O.+ %O.%#5.2.@ @>5>;OO$D 2 enFo* them666 an) es&eciall* so /hen the* come from such a (ig guru6 ?n) remem(er, he is not Bvehementl* againstB, /hatsoever the a&&earanceE he cannot (e vehementl* against an*thing6 'es, sometimes he looks almost in a rage AA that is all acting6 $onBt &a* much attention to it6 2 kno/ him (etter than *ou: that is his game an) he has at least to act in that /a*, (ecause that is the &ath 2 call V2? .#@?T2V?6 On the negative &ath nothing is to (e allo/e)6 .o has to (e sai) to ever*thing: no to metho)s, no to gurus, no to scri&turesE no to ever*thing6 .O is the metho)6 $en*ing all metho)s is the metho) of the &ath 2 call V2? .#@?T2V?6 .o guru is nee)e) AA (ut even to sa* this a guru is nee)e)6 ;e has (een sa*ing this for fift* *ears, continuousl*6 2n fact, no(o)* has (een /orking as har) as he has (een /orking6 #ven in his ol) age he is running from one to/n to another, from one countr* to another, aroun) the /orl), telling &eo&le that the guru is not nee)e)6 <h* )o *ou (other at allD Peo&le are so stu&i) that even this has to (e sai), so /hat a(out other thingsD #ven to make them alert that the guru is not nee)e), a guru is nee)e)6 To tell them that metho)s are not nee)e), that techniGues are not nee)e), some(o)* is nee)e) to tell them6 Peo&le are so una/are6 The* have to (e gui)e)6 #ven on the negative &ath the* /ill not move on their o/n6 Once a 7rishnamurtiAite came to me an) he sai) B2 )onBt (elieve in an* techniGues an) 2 )onBt (elieve that an*(o)* can (e a guru to an*(o)* else an) 2 )onBt (elieve in an* me)itation metho)s6B 2 sai) BPerfectl* goo)6 -ust tell me one thing6 %oul) *ou have )iscovere) this /ithout 7rishnamurti telling *ouDB ;e (ecame sa)6 ;e &on)ere) over it an) he sai) B2t /oul) have (een )ifficult for me to have come u&on it (* m* o/n self6B Then 2 sai) B<hat is the &oint of sa*ing all thisD #ven to sa* this some(o)* /as nee)e), a guru /as nee)e)6B <hat is a guruD 'ou are una/are, so some(o)* is nee)e) to make *ou a/are AA thatBs all that a guru is all a(out6 'ou are so fast aslee& that *ou nee) the alarm, thatBs all6 2f *ou can /ake u& on *our o/n, goo) AA at least 2 /ill (e ver* ha&&* if *ou can /ake u& on *our o/n: *ou /ill save me much trou(le6 :ut it has never ha&&ene)6 7rishnamurti is the &urest statement of the negative &ath as &ure as Lao Tzu, as &ure as ?shtavakra6 ? ver* &ure statement, (ut &ure statements (ecome ver* )ifficult (ecause *ou cannot 110

un)erstan) themE the* are so far a/a*6 'ou can onl* misun)erstan) them6 +o he has (een misun)erstoo)6 ;e is the most misun)erstoo) man6 .o(o)* un)erstan)s him, not even those /ho sa* that the* follo/ him6 The* also cannot un)erstan), (ecause he sa*s B.o follo/ing is allo/e)6 'ou shoul) not (ecome imitators6B ?n) the* have (ecome imitators6 ;e sa*s B'ou cannot learn from me6B ?n) the* have learne) from him6 ThatBs /h* he sometimes (eats his o/n hea), an) he sai)6666 ?gain an) again, &eo&le ask the same Guestion6 ;e goes on sa*ing for one hour that there is no metho), an) then a gentleman, a ver* ol) gentleman /ho ma* have (een hearing him for fort* *ears AA is as ol) as he himself AA an) /as no))ing continuousl* B'ou are right6 'ou are rightB, then stan)s u& an) sa*s B;o/ to attain itDB ;o/D .aturall* he (ecomes ver* vehement6 9or one hour he has (een telling *ou that there is no metho), no/ *ou again ask ho/6 B;o/B means that *ou ask for the metho): Bho/B means metho)6 .o(o)* un)erstan)s him (ecause &eo&le are in such )ee& slee& that the* cannot un)erstan) such a su&er( statement6 The* have to (e le) slo/l*, &ersua)e) slo/l*E (* an) (* the* gather courage, in small ste&s the* gather courage6 2t is his com&assion, (ut it has not /orke)6 ;e has /orke) har), (ut /hatsoever he has (een /orking at has not given an* result6 ThatBs /h*, as he (ecomes ol)er, he (ecomes more an) more vehement, (ecause he can see that his /hole life he has (een struggling /ith these &eo&le, an) the* go on asking the same stu&i) Guestions6 2f the* ha) reall* un)erstoo) him, the* /oul) have left him6 #xactl* /hat ha&&ene) to -alalu))in 5umi AA sitting alone, an) all the )isci&les gone AA that /oul) have ha&&ene) to 7rishnamurti if &eo&le ha) un)erstoo) him6 Then /hat is the &oint of coming to him, listening to him, rea)ing his (ooksD The guru is not &ossi(le, it cannot (e taught, so /hat is the &oint of coming to him an) listening to him again an) again, *ear (* *ear, for half a centur*D 2f *ou ha) un)erstoo) *ou /oul) have sai) goo)A(*e, he /oul) have (een left alone6 :ut no, &eo&le go on listening6 C* feeling is that his com&assion is infinite, (ut it has not (een of much use (ecause he cannot see a sim&le thing: that the &eo&le /ho go on listening to him listen to him, even &reten) that the* (elieve in him, for a /rong motive6 The /rong motive is that /henever some(o)* sa*s to *ou BThere is no nee) of a guru, an) there is no nee) for a scri&ture AA no nee) to follo/ an*(o)*B, *our ego feels ver* goo)6 'ou feel ver* goo): B+o there is no nee) to surren)erD @oo), &erfectl* goo)6B ;e sa*s BThere is no guru, no guru is nee)e)6B 'ou feel BPerfectl* right6 +o 2 nee) not (ecome a )isci&le6B ;e )enies the guruE *ou )en* the )isci&lehoo)6 2t looks almost alike, (ut it is not6 C* o(servation has (een this: that 7rishnamurti is surroun)e) (* the most egoistic &eo&le of this /orl), an) the reason is (ecause there is a safe &lace AA no nee) to surren)er, no nee) to )ro& *our ego, no nee) to follo/ an*(o)*6 'our ego feels ver* strengthene) an) *our ego feels that man* rationalisations are given to *ou6 +o *ou &rotect *ourself /ith those rationalisations6 ;is com&assion is infinite, (ut it has not /orke)6 C* feeling is that if a &erson is egoless no guru is nee)e)6 :ut this is the &ara)ox of life that the onl* &eo&le /ho (ecome intereste) in the teaching that Bno guru is nee)e)B are the egoists6 2f a &erson is an egoist, then the guru is a must6 :ut the egoists never come to a &erson to surren)er6 This is the &ro(lem, the )ilemma6 The egoist (ecomes intereste) in the teaching of 7rishnamurti an) the nonAegoist (ecomes intereste) in the teaching of Ceher :a(a6 9or the nonAegoist there is no nee) for the guru (ecause the /hole nee) consists in cancelling *our ego AA the guru is nothing (ut a cancellation of *our ego6 'ou surren)er unto some(o)*Bs feet an) *ou sa* B.o/ 2 /ill listen to *ou an) 2 /ill not listen to m*self6 .o/ m* /ill is surren)ere) an) *our /ill /ill (e m* /ill6 .o/ even if *ou tell me to Fum& into the a(*ss 2 /ill Fum& /ithout thinking a(out it6 .o/ 2 am no more the controller of m* life6 'ou /ill control6B This is a /a*, Fust a /a*, to )ro& the ego6 2f the ego is there, then a guru is a must, (ecause the guru is Fust a )evice6 2f the ego is not there, then the guru is not nee)e) at all6 <hen *ou are ill, the me)icine is nee)e)6 <hen *ou are not ill, the me)icine is not nee)e) at all6 111

7rishnamurti is talking to ill &eo&le an) telling them that the me)icine is not nee)e)6 ?n) onl* those &eo&le /ho are afrai) of taking the me)icine come to him, an) the* are the &eo&le /ho are most in nee) of me)icine6 2f the &eo&le /ho surroun)e) Ceher :a(a /ere /ith 7rishnamurti there /oul) (e no trou(le AA much /oul) ha&&en6 :ut the* never go to 7rishnamurti, the* go to Ceher :a(a6 The* are egoless &eo&le, the* can surren)er6 ?n) the &eo&le /ho are surroun)ing 7rishnamurti, ha) the* gone to Ceher :a(a /oul) have (een tremen)ousl* (enefite)666 (ut the* never go6 This is ho/ life is AA a )ilemma: the ill avoi) the )octor an) the health* go to the )octor6 Iuestion 0 O+;O, 2 ?C +2JT'A92V# ?.$ '#T .OT $#%2+2V# ?:O>T +?..'?+6 <;?T ;?V# 'O> TO +?' ?:O>T 2TD 2 /ill Fust tell *ou an anec)ote an) /ill not sa* an*thing6 The tail gunner /as (eing trie) for )ereliction of )ut* an) the courtmartial &rocee)ings /ere ver* stern6 BTell us /hat *ou hear) in the hea)setB the court )eman)e)6 B2 hear) a sGua)ron lea)er hollering "-a&anese &lanes coming in at five oBclock6 -a&anese &lanes coming in at five oBclock666"B BThen /h* )i)nBt *ou )o somethingDB B<h* shoul) 2D 2t /as onl* fourAthirt*6B Iuestion 1 29 +OC# $?' 2T ;?PP#.+ T;?T T;#5# 2+ .O:O$' 2. T;# %;>?.@ T=> ?>$2TO52>. O5 T;# CO5.2.@ T?L7 #J%#PT T##5T;? TO 5#?$ T;# +>T5? <;?T <2LL 'O> $OD 'ears ago, the circuit ri)er, Fust starting out, /ent to a small countr* church to &reach6 Onl* one farmer sho/e) u&6 The* sat there /aiting in mutual em(arrassment6 9inall* the *oung &reacher &ut it u& to the farmer6 BC* frien)B sai) he Bif *ou took a loa) of ha* )o/n to the &asture for *our co/s, an) onl* one co/ sho/e) u&, /oul) *ou fee) herDB The farmer consi)ere)6 B'eah, &reacherB he finall* sai) B2 (elieve 2 /oul)6B The &reacher took the challenge, got u&, sang a fe/ songs, &asse) the collection &late, &reache) for an hour, &ronounce) the (ene)iction, an) /alke) out /ith the farmer6 ?t the )oor the* shook han)s, an) the farmer sai) B'ou kno/, &reacher, 2 (een thinkinB /hile *ou /as &reachinB6 2f 2 took that loa) of ha* )o/n tB the &asture, anB onl* one co/ came u& *eah, 2B) fee) Ber all right, (ut 2 )onBt (elieve 2B) give Ber the /hole loa)HB Iuestion ! $2+%2PL#+ .##$ ? @>5>, $O#+ ? @>5> .##$ $2+%2PL#+D The guru exists onl* (ecause the )isci&le nee)s him6 The guru )oes not exist from the si)e of the guru himselfE it is the )isci&leBs &roFection6 <hen the )isci&le has un)erstoo), there is neither )isci&le nor guru6 <hen the )isci&le is in the nee) to un)erstan), there is a )isci&le an) a guru6 The guru an) the )isci&le (oth exist in the min) of the )isci&le6 2t has to (e un)erstoo) :1 exist not as far as 2 am concerne), 2 exist in *our min)6 'ou also exist in *our min)6 2t is *our .##$ to kno/ that &roFects guru)om, that *ou start thinking of me as the Caster, as *our CasterE it is &art of *our )isci&lehoo)6 The )a* *ou /ill have un)erstoo), a/akene), an) *our )isci&le )isa&&ears, in the same moment the guru /ill also )isa&&ear6 ?s the &eak exists, so the valle* exists (* the si)e of it6 <hen the &eak )isa&&ears, the valle* has )isa&&eare)E no valle* can exist /ithout a &eak6 'ou see a (ig /ave in the ocean6 9ollo/ing the /ave comes a hollo/ /ave, the valle* /ave, in the /ake of itE the* (oth are 11

together6 <hen the /ave has )isa&&eare), the hollo/ /ave that /as follo/ing it has )isa&&eare) also6 +ilence exists /ith soun)6 2f soun) )isa&&ears, silence /ill )isa&&ear6 +ilence exists as an interval (et/een t/o soun)s6 2f those /ho soun)s )isa&&ear, the silence /ill )isa&&ear6 There is a state of silence an) there is a state (e*on) (oth silence an) soun)6 The man /ho is reall* a Caster AA an) /hen 2 sa* Breall* a CasterB 2 mean: /hose &resence can hel& )isci&lesE not that he )oes something, his &resence is Fust a catal*tic agent AA in his &resence things ha&&en6 <hen something ha&&ens to *ou, 2 )onBt feel that 2 have )one it6 2 am not here to )o it6 2 sim&l* kno/ it has ha&&ene)6 'ou ma* feel grateful to me, (ut 2 kno/ /ell that it is Fust a ha&&ening: 2 have not )one it6 'ou have allo/e) it, 2 have not )one it, hence it has ha&&ene)6 2t is, more (asicall*, )e&en)ent on *our ?LLO<2.@ it6 2f *ou allo/, things /ill ha&&en in the &resence of a Caster6 2f things ha&&en in the &resence of a Caster /hen *ou allo/, then he is a Caster6 ThatBs /hat 2 mean /hen 2 sa* Ba CasterBE not a )oer666 (ut Fust his &resence hel&s things to ha&&en6 ;e has no nee)666 no nee) for the )isci&le, the lea)er has the nee) for the follo/er AA that is the )ifference (et/een a lea)er an) a Caster6 ? Caster is not a lea)er6 The lea)er cannot exist /ithout the follo/er, the lea)er nee)s the follo/er6 2n fact, the lea)er nee)s the follo/er more than the follo/er nee)s the lea)er6 The lea)er goes on &ersua)ing follo/ers: B2 am ver* much nee)e)B (ut ;# )e&en)s on the follo/er6 ? lea)er is a follo/er of the follo/ers6 ;e looks at the follo/ers AA /hat the* /ant, an) he /ill )o that6 5emem(er, -esus is a Caster, the Po&e is a lea)er6 The original +hankarachar*a /as a Caster, the +hankarachar*a of the Puri no/ is a lea)er6 Cohamme) is a Caster, (ut the Caul/i is a lea)er6 ? Caster is one /hose nee)s have )isa&&eare), /ho himself has )isa&&eare)666 /here can nee)s clingD .ee)s nee) an ego to cling to6 ;e has no nee): /hether *ou are there or not makes no )ifference6 -ust look at it in this /a*: the sun rises in the morning an) the flo/ers o&en an) the (ir)s sing6 2f no flo/er o&ens, it )oes not make an* )ifference to the sun AA it /ill go on rising6 There are millions of stars /here no flo/er o&ens, there are &lanets /here no flo/er o&ens, (ut the sun goes on shining6 The flo/er cannot o&en /ithout the sun AA that is certain AA (ut the sun can go on rising /ithout the flo/er o&ening6 The Caster is Fust a light6 2f *ou o&en, if *our flo/er o&ens in his &resence AA goo)6 2f nothing o&ens in his &resence goo)6 There is no )ifference (et/een the t/o6 2f there is a )ifference, then the Caster is a lea)er, not *et a C aster6 ? flo/er o&ens in a )ee& forest6 .o(o)* /ill ever &ass6 The fragrance /ill still continue to s&rea) aroun)6 2t )oes not /ait for a traveller, )oes not /ait for some(o)* to come an) a&&reciate AA thatBs not the &oint at all6 2f some(o)* comes an) a&&reciates AA goo)E if no(o)* comes an) no(o)* a&&reciates, it is as goo) as the other6 There is no )istinction6 no )ifference6 The Caster an) the )isci&le (oth exist in the )isci&le6 <hen the )isci&leBs min) (ecomes a/akene), he /ill laugh an) he /ill come to kno/ /ho is a )isci&le an) /ho is a Caster6 The /hole game (ecomes ri)iculous6 :ut since the )isci&le is not *et alert, the game continues6 7rishnamurti is right /hen he sa*s no Caster is nee)e)6 'es, one )a* *ou /ill also kno/ that no Caster is nee)e), (ut *ou /ill kno/ onl* /hen some(o)* has a/akene) *ou or *ou have (ecome a/akene) in some(o)*Bs &resence6 Then *ou /ill kno/, *ou /ill sa* B7rishnamurti is right6B :ut if *ou listen to 7rishnamurti right no/ an) (elieve that no Caster is nee)e), *ou /ill never come to kno/ that 7rishnamurti is right6 'ou /ill remain una/akene)6 This /ill look like a &ara)ox6 Listening an) (elieving in 7rishnamurti *ou /ill never come to kno/ that he is right6 2f *ou /ant to kno/ that he is right, for,,et all that he sa*s, fin) a CasterE an) one )a* *ou /ill kno/ that the Caster is not nee)e), /as never nee)e) reall*6 :ut it /ill (e kno/n onl* /hen *ou have (ecome a/akene)6 <hen *ou /ill look (ack/ar)s, then *ou can sa* B'es, the Caster /as not nee)e) reall*6 2 coul) have (ecome a/akene)666B6 :ut *ou coul) not, remem(er6 This looks like a &uzzle AA it is not, it is sim&le6 ;ave *ou not /atche) it sometimesD 'ou are tr*ing to solve a ri))le, a &uzzle, a cross/or) &uzzle or something6 The moment it is solve), 11,

*ou start feeling ver* ri)iculous6 <h*, for hours, coul) *ou not solve itD .o/ *ou see that it is so sim&le6 2t is so foolish AA to struggle for three hours an) *ou coul) not solve it, an) no/ it is so sim&le6 Once solve), it is so sim&le that *ou kno/ an*(o)* coul) have solve) it, (ut *ou also kno/ that for three hours *ou /ere struggling, or for three )a*s, an) *ou coul) not solve it6 2t ha&&ens to ever* scientist6 <hen he makes a )iscover*, sometimes it takes ten *ears, t/ent* *ears, to /ork6 The )a* it is solve) he sim&l* cannot (elieve ho/ he /as missing it6 2t /as so sim&le6 <h* /ere t/ent* *ears /aste)D <h* coul) it not have ha&&ene) on the first )a*D Once an*thing is kno/n, it looks ver* sim&le, (ut it looks sim&le onl* /hen *ou have kno/n it6 ?fter kno/ing, after ex&eriencing, truth is so sim&le, so availa(le, so Balrea)* thereB6 :ut right no/, /hen *ou are fast aslee& an) lost in *our )reams, some(o)* is nee)e) to shake *ou out of *our slee&6 This nee) is *ours6 The Caster has no nee) of the )isci&le6 2n fact, a man is a Caster onl* /hen he has no nee) of the )isci&le6 2f he still hankers for )isci&les then he himself is fast aslee& an) snoring6 ?voi) himH #sca&e from himH Iuestion 3 2 ?L+O 9##L O. :OT; P?T;+, :>T 'O> +?2$ T;?T 2T 2+ .OT PO++2:L# TO :# O. :OT; P?T;+6 2 sai) it is not &ossi(le, (ut 2 have not sai) that if *ou tr* har) *ou cannot succee) a little (it6 2f *ou tr* har), reall* har), *ou ma* succee) a little (it6 #ven the im&ossi(le can (ecome &ossi(le if *ou )o reall* har) /ork6 ?n) 2 kno/ *ou can )o reall* har) /ork (ecause *ou have ma)e man* im&ossi(le things &ossi(le6 9or exam&le, to (e misera(le is an im&ossi(ilit*6 Through har) effort an) &erseverance *ou have ma)e it &ossi(le6 To (e ha&&* is naturalE to (e unha&&* is unnatural6 2t nee)s reall* great effort, much ca&acit*, much a(ilit*, efficienc*, to (ecome misera(leE it nee)s long &ractice6 2n fact, /hen 2 look at *ou an) 2 see that *ou are misera(le, 2 am sim&l* sur&rise): it is a miracle6 ;o/ are *ou )oing itD 2n the first &lace, it shoul) not (e there, it cannot (e there6 :ut man is a ver* im&ossi(le animal: he can )o things6 2 sa* it is )ifficult to (e on (oth &aths AA the negative an) the &ositive AA (ecause the* are )iametricall* o&&osite, (ut *ou can tr*6 Listen to this anec)ote6 The rather (roa) la)* sho/e) u& at the theatre Fust (efore the &erformance starte) an) han)e) the usher t/o tickets6 B<hereBs the other &art*DB aske) the usher6 B<ellB sai) the la)*, /ith a (lush B*ou can see one seat is rather uncomforta(le so 2 (ought t/o6 :ut the*Bre reall* (oth for me6B BOka* /ith me, la)*B the usher re&lie), scratching his hea)6 B:ut *ouBre gonna have a rough time6 'our seats are num(ers fift*Aone an) sixt*Athree6B :ut *ou can go on )oing666 *ou can sit on this seat for a fe/ minutes an) then *ou can move to the other, an) then come (ack againE *ou can alternate6 To (e on (oth the &aths is im&ossi(le reall*, (ut *ou can alternate6 9or one )a* *ou can (e on the &ath of the &ositive, another )a* *ou can (e on the &ath of the negative AA an) *our min) is so contra)ictor* that *ou can make it &ossi(le6 +o one )a* *ou make something, another )a* *ou )estro* it6 >ltimatel* *ou /ill fin) that eventuall* *ou are stan)ing /here *ou have al/a*s (eenE *ou have not move) a single inch6 2n the )a* *ou make the house, in the night *ou )estro* itE the house is never (uilt6 'es, *ou can )o (oth6 'ou can (e (oth the (uil)er an) the )estro*er (ut it is im&ossi(le6 To (e on the &ositive nee)s a totall* )ifferent a&&roach: affirmative, *esAsa*ing6 To (e on the negative nee)s a )iametricall* o&&osite a&&roach: noAsa*ing, negating, eliminating, .#T2A .#T2, neither this nor that6 On the &ositive *ou (ecome (igger, (igger, (igger666 so (ig, so huge, that one )a*, the /hole existence is covere) /ith *our (eing, the /hole existence (ecomes &art of 11"

*ou6 On the negative *ou go on )en*ing, )en*ing, )en*ing, an) *ou come to a &oint /here *ou are Fust a zero, a nonentit*6 >ltimatel* (oth (ring *ou to the same goal6 #ither *ou (ecome so huge that *ou are the /hole existence or *ou (ecome so much a nothingness that *ou are Fust a zero6 2n (oth cases )ualit* )isa&&ears AA 2 an) thou )isa&&ear6 2n one case, thou is )issolve) into 2E in the other case, 2 is )issolve) into thou6 :ut the ultimate result is one: that there remains onl* one, t/o are no more6 The &ositive &erson /ill tr* to gro/, to ex&an)E the negative &erson /ill tr* to shrink an) )isa&&ear6 #ither gro/ so (ig that onl* *ou exist an) nothing else, or (ecome so small, so small, that ever*thing exists exce&t *ouE an) from (oth stan)&oints *ou /ill take the Fum& into oneness, the organic unit* of the /hole6 #x&ressions /ill (e )ifferent6 One /ho has move) on the &ositive &ath /ill sa* B2 am @o)B, ?;?C :5?;C?+C2E ?.? #LA;?II, B2 am truth6B ?n) the &erson /ho has move) on the V2? .#@?T2V? <2LL sa* B2 am notB ?.?TT?, nonA(eing6 :ut *ou /ill see that (oth are tremen)ousl* (lissful, silent6 Their silence has the same taste, an) their (lissfulness has the same colour6 2f *ou meet :u))ha an) if *ou meet 7rishna *ou /ill fin) that the* are the same, (ut the* talk )ifferentl*6 7rishna talks in &ositive terms, affirmative, an) :u))ha talks in negative terms6 :ut if *ou /atch them, *ou /ill fin) the same &resence, the same overflo/ing love, com&assion, (lissfulness, cheerfulnessE the same silence, the same cele(ration AA (ut their statements /ill (e )ifferent (ecause the* have learne) )ifferent languages6 :ut one /ho is still tr*ing to seek cannot (e on (oth6 One /ho has arrive)666 (oth have )issolve) for him6 One /ho has not *et arrive)666 it is (etter for him to choose6 That /ill (e more &ractical an) *ou /ill (e less in trou(le, conflict, schizo&hrenia6 .ever choose t/o o&&osite things together other/ise the* /ill create a s&lit in *our (eing6

88888 %ha&ter 1, : 2nner integrit* 88888 , 9e(ruar* 14!! am in :u))ha ;all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

.OT LO.@ ?9T#5<?5$+, <;#. POA;>. <>A-#. <#.T TO %?LL O. ;2C, L2#; T=>B+ PO5%; <?+ 9>LL O9 T;# +;O#+ O9 V2+2TO5+6 POA;>. <>A-#. +TOO$ 9?%2.@ .O5T;E ;# L#?.#$ O. ;2+ >P52@;T +T?99 ?.$ <52.7L#$ ;2+ %;##7 ?@?2.+T 2T6 ?9T#5 +T?.$2.@ T;#5# 9O5 ? <;2L#, ;# L#9T <2T;O>T +P#?72.@6 T;# $OO57##P#5 TOL$ L2#; T=>6 L2#; T=> 5?. O>T :?5#9OOT ;OL$2.@ ;2+ +;O#+ 2. ;2+ ;?.$+ ?.$ %?>@;T >P <2T; ;2C ?T T;# @?T#6 B.O< T;?T 'O> ;?V# %OC#, C?+T#5B ;# +?2$ B?5#.BT 'O> #V#. @O2.@ TO @2V# C# C' C#$2%2.#DB B#.O>@;H 2 TOL$ 'O> %O.92$#.TL' T;?T OT;#5+ <O>L$ L?' 5#+PO.+2:2L2T2#+ O. 'O>, ?.$ 2T T>5.+ O>T T;?T T;#' ;?V#6 2T 2+ .OT T;?T 'O> ?5# %?P?:L# O9 ?LLO<2.@ T;#C TO $O +O, VO> ?5# 2.%?P?:L# O9 P5#V#.T2.@ T;#C6 <;?T >+# 2+ 2T TO 'O> TO ;?V# T;2+ #99#%T O. P#OPL# <;2%; 2+ 2.%OCP?T2:L# <2T; 'O>5 O<. :?+2% P#?%#D 29 'O> 2.+2+T O. C?72.@ ?. #99#%T, 2T <2LL >.+T#?$' 'O>5 :?+2% +#L9, ?.$ TO .O P>5PO+#6B TO :# is to miss Tao6 To (e is to miss the /hole6 To (e is to (e se&arate, so not to (e is the )oor6 To (e is going astra*6 .ot to (e is coming home6 <hen *ou are not, go) is6 <hen *ou are, @o) is not6 an) (oth have never (een seen togetherE the* cannot (e together (* their ver* nature6 -ust as )arkness an) light cannot exist together: if one is, the other is not6 +o the (asic, the ver* (asic, teaching of Tao is to (e in a state of nonA(eing, /hat :u))hists call ?.?TT?, a state of noAself6 #m&t*, a )ee& nothingness, no(o)* insi)e666 then *ou reall* are6 :ut then *ou are not: the /hole is6 The moment *ou start thinking a(out *ourself as a se&arate in)ivi)ual the &art is claiming to (e the /holeE the &art has gone ma)6 The* ego is the onl* insane thing in the /orl)6 The ego is neurosis, an) an*(o)* /ho suffers from the ego suffers from neurosis, (ecuase he thinks as if the &art /ere the /hole6 The &art is not the /hole6 2f a leaf in the tree starts thinking B2 amB, then the leaf has gone ma)6 The tree is an) the leaf exists onl* as a &art, an organic &art, of the tree6 #ven to conceive of the leaf as se&arate is im&ossi(le6 The tree is flo/ing in it6 2t is the treeBs energ* that has (ecome the leaf6 2f a /ave in the ocean thinks B2 am se&arate: 2 amB, then the /ave has gone ma)6 The ocean is6 ?ll /aves are nothing (ut the ocean /aving6 ?ll human (eings are nothing (ut the universal consciousness /aving6 <e are /aves6 The moment *ou un)erstan) B2 am a /aveB that means *ou have un)erstoo) *ou are not AA onl* the ocean is6 +ometimes the ocean /aves an) *ou are, an) sometimes the ocean remains silent an) *ou )isa&&ear6 Tao sa*s: The ego is the onl* (arrier6 ?ll other religions sa* the same, (ut Tao goes )ee&est in its a&&roachE its insight is the greatest6 ?ll religions sa* that the ego has to (e )ro&&e), (ut if *ou listen, if *ou rea), if *ou look into those religious &eo&le, *ou /ill fin) that their insight is not ver* )ee& an) the ego comes u& in )ifferent forms again an) again6 ?(out the ego onl* t/o &ersons have touche) the ver* su(stratum an) these t/o &ersons are Lao Tzu an) @autam :u))ha6 5eligions go on sa*ing B$ro& the ego6 :e egolessB, (ut in a su(tle /a*, someho/, the* go on &rotecting it too6 The* sa* B2f *ou )ro& the ego, *ou /ill (ecome s&iritual6 2f *ou )ro& the ego *ou /ill (e the first in the king)om of @o)6 2f *ou )ro& the ego *ou /ill (e the chosen one6 2f *ou )ro& the ego great is going to (e the &a*Aoff in the other /orl) AA the heaven, the &ara)ise, CO7+;?6B On the one han) the* sa* B$ro& the egoB, on the other han) the* &ersua)e *ou, the* (ri(e *ou, the* (uttress *our gree)6 The* sa* B'ou /ill (e s&ecial6 'ou /ill (e extraor)inar*6B On the one han) the* sa* B$ro& the egoB, on the other han) the* go on strengthening the same ego un)er )ifferent names6 B'ou /ill (ecome a miracle man6 'ou /ill have +2$$;2s AA *ou /ill have s&iritual &o/ers, occult forces6 'ou /ill (e a(le to mani&ulate the existence more )ee&l*6 'ou /ill (ecome tele&athic6 'ou /ill (e a(le to rea) othersB min)s6 'ou /ill (e clairvo*ant6 This an) that666 all the +2$$;2+ of the *ogis AA all the miraculous &o/ers of 'oga6666 :ut again *ou are )ecorate), again *ou (ecome ver*, ver* strong6 111

5emem(er, there are three la*ers of *our (eing: the (o)*, the min)6 an) the self6 ?n) (e*on) the three is *our noAself6 ?n) so there are three &ossi(ilities for the ego to assert itself6 #ither it asserts itself on the la*er of (o)* AA a (eautiful (o)*, a strong (o)*, B2 have the most han)some (o)*, the most &o/erful (o)*6B +ome(o)* is a (eaut* Gueen, a Ciss >niverse, an) some(o)* is Cohamme) ?li, the greatest man, Cr >niverse6 On the la*er of the (o)* the ego can assert itself6 2f the ego asserts itself on the la*er of the (o)* one (ecomes animalistic6 ?ll *our /restlers, great /restlers, are nothing (ut too attache) to their animal &art, so that /hen *ou see the (o)* of a Cr >niverse *ou can feel itE he looks more like an animal than like a human (eing6 %ertainl* he is ver* strong &h*sicall*6 ;is ego is asserting itself on that &ath6 ;e /ill (e ver* aggressive, (rutal, violent6 ;e /ill (e ver* sexual, in)ulgent, unconscious6 ;e /ill move like a ro(ot, like a machine6 ;e /ill not have an* consciousness /hatsoever6 ;is /hole life /ill (e: #at, )rink an) (e merr*6 ;e /ill live on the ver* su&erficial la*er of his life6 %ivilisations are against it, cultures are against it6 The* sa* BThis is not goo)6 $ro& this ego6B The* go on teaching to ever* chil) /ho is (orn on this earth B$ro& this ego6 :ecome nonAaggressive, (ecome nonA violent6 $onBt (e (rutal, have kin)ness, s*m&ath*6B Then ego starts asserting itself on another level, the level of the min)6 ?t the min) level it (ecomes kno/le)ge, kno/le)gea(ilit*, mone*6 Cone* is a higher thing than sexualit*, so those &eo&le /ho (ecome intereste) in mone* forget all a(out sexE the* are no more intereste) in sex6 Their /hole sexualit* (ecomes mone*Aoriente)666 or &o/er, &olitics, am(ition6 Those &eo&le /ho (ecome &oliticians, (ecome am(itious for &o/erE the* can also sacrifice sex, in)ulgence AA ever*thing the* can sacrifice6 On the first la*er the* can sacrifice, (ecause on the secon) la*er the* nee) all the energ* availa(le6 +o the* re&ress on the first la*er an) the ego asserts itself on the secon) la*er6 ?ll cultures )e&en) on this6 2n fact, all cultures use it as a techniGue: 5e&ress the chil)Bs ego on the first la*er an) he /ill (ecome egoistic on the secon) la*er6 Then he /ill start hankering for gol) me)als in the universit*, to (ecome more kno/le)gea(le, to come first in the universit*6 ;e /ill start (ecoming more aggressive mentall* than &h*sicall*6 'ou can see it in the universities6 ?ll the stu)ents /ho are in s&orts are ver* &oor as far as their min) )evelo&ment is concerne), an) all the stu)ents /hose min)s are ver* clever an) cunning are &oor &h*sicall*6 The s&ortsman lives on the first la*er an) the scholar on the secon) la*er6 The scholar /ill have a )elicate (o)*, /ill /ear glasses from the ver* (eginningE he /ill (e ol) even /hile he is *oung6 On the &h*sical level his ego has )isa&&eare)6 ;e cannot fight, (ut he can argue6 ;is fight no/ asserts itself as argument6 ;e can )iscuss an) )e(ateE he has foun) a finer instrument to conGuer an) (e aggressive /ith6 ;e /ill not (ecome a /restler, he /ill (ecome a la/*er6 ;e /ill live through argument, through his kno/le)ge AA sa* an*thing against his kno/le)ge an) he is rea)* to fight6 Of course his fight /ill (e of /or)s, ver(al6 2f *ou fight /ith the (o)* he /ill call it (rutal, animalistic, &rimitiveE if *ou fight on the level of /or)s an) language an) logic he /ill sa* that this is Bcivilise) fightB666 (ut the same ego is asserting itself on the secon) la*er6 5eligions )e&en) on re&ressing this secon) la*er of ego6 %ivilisation )e&en)s on the first re&ression: re&ress the ego on the (o)* level so that it asserts itself on the min) level6 5eligions )e&en) on re&ressing on the secon) level so that the ego starts asserting itself on the thir) level, the level of the self6 +o religions sa*: 7no/le)ge is nothing, &olitics is nothing, mone* is nothing, to (ecome a great artist is nothing, to (ecome a great novelist, /riter, is nothing6 Then /hat is real &o/erD 5eal &o/er is +2$$;26 2f *ou can )o miracles, if *ou touch a man an) he is heale) /hen he /as ill, an) if *ou touch a )ea) (o)* an) the )ea) (o)* is resurrecte), then *ou have something6 2f *ou can &ro)uce things out of nothing, if *ou (ecome a miracle man, then *ou have something6 +o religions re&ress the ego on the secon) la*er, then the ego asserts itself on the thir) la*er6 Tao sa*s: The ego has to )isa&&ear from all the la*ers6 One has to un)erstan) it so totall* that it cannot fin) another /a* for its existence, so that it cannot fin) another shelter in *our (eing6 <hen ego )isa&&ears com&letel* an) there is no /a* for it to assert itself then 'O> ?5# 11!

.OT in one sense an) 'O> ?5#, for the first time, in another sense6 'ou are not as an in)ivi)ual an* more, *ou are the /hole6 This is the meaning of a hol* man in Taoism: ? hol* man is one /ho is not6 Ver* &ara)oxical6 ?n) remem(er, Tao )oes not teach *ou to (ecome hum(le6 2f *ou (ecome hum(le the ego /ill continue AA it /ill (ecome the ego of the hum(le &erson, it /ill hi)e (ehin) hum(leness6 +o a &ractise) hum(leness, a cultivate) hum(leness, is not going to hel&6 Then /hat is to (e )oneD 2f *ou ask Lieh Tzu, %huang Tzu or Lao Tzu, the* /ill sa* that nothing has to (e )one (ecause /hatsoever *ou )o /ill create the egoE ego is create) out of )oing6 .othing is to (e )one6 One has Fust to see the /a*s of the ego, the su(tle /a*s of the ego, the cunning /a*s of the egoE one has to see them so totall*6666 One has to follo/ the ego into oneBs (eing from (o)* to min), from min) to self, one has to seek an) see all the hi)eouts6 Once *ou have kno/n all the &ossi(ilities of egoAassertion, in that ver* un)erstan)ing, in that ver* a/areness, ego )isa&&ears6 <hen ego )isa&&ears *our (o)* is )ifferent, *our min) is )ifferent, *our self is )ifferent6 <hen ego )isa&&ears, man* things ha&&en6 9irst, no/ *ou are no more i)entifie) /ith *our (o)*6 'ou are in the (o)*, (ut *ou are not the (o)*6 <hen the ego )isa&&ears *ou are no more i)entifie) /ith the min)6 'ou use the min), the min) (ecomes an instrument AA a (eautiful instrument AA (ut *ou are not i)entifie) /ith the min) either6 <hen the ego )isa&&ears *ou use the self6 (ut *ou are not i)entifie) /ith self either6 'ou remain an in)ivi)ual: *ou /alk an) live like an in)ivi)ual6 (ut continuousl* a/are that the /ave is Fust an a&&earance, the realit* is the oceanE that B2 am Fust a /ave6 @o) is the ocean, Tao is the ocean6B The )isa&&earance of the ego is the )isa&&earance of /hat @ur)Fieff calls i)entification6 That is the right /or): i)entification6 <e get i)entifie) /ith ever*thing, /hatsoever /e are close to6 'ou are ver* close to the (o)*, so *ou start thinking B2 am the (o)*6B 'ou feel hungr* an) *ou sa* B2 am hungr*6B That is not right6 The (o)* is hungr*, *ou are the kno/er, *ou are the one /ho kno/s that the (o)* is hungr*6 +ometimes *ou arc insulte) an) the min) is feeling misera(le, (ut *ou are not misera(le6 'ou are the kno/er /ho notices that the min) is misera(le6 +ometimes *ou see miracles ha&&ening in *our life, (ut *ou kno/ that *ou are not the )oer, *ou are not the self6 The* are ha&&ening, (ut the* are ha&&ening from the /hole6 ThatBs /h* -esus goes on sa*ing again an) again6666 ? man came to -esus an) sai) B<e are ver* grateful to *ou6 'ou are goo) an) great6B ?n) -esus sai) B$onBt assert such a thing6 Onl* @o) is goo) an) great6 2 am not6B <hat is he sa*ingD ;e is sa*ing B2 am not a self6 2 function as a self, (ut the function is not the realit*, the function is Fust a function6 The realit* is far huger, far (igger, enormous, infinite6B 2t is as if *ou /ere stan)ing in *our house (* the si)e of a /in)o/ an) looking outsi)e6 The frame of the /in)o/ (ecomes the frame of the sk* although *ou kno/ /ell that the sk* has no frame66 There is a tren) in mo)ern &ainting not to frame the &ainting6 2t has significance6 The moment *ou frame the &ainting it (ecomes artificial, (ecause existence is unframe)E all frames are manAma)e6 #xistence has no frame6 :ut if *ou look from the /in)o/, then the frame of the /in)o/ (ecomes the frame of the sk*E an) the sk* has no frame6 ?n) if *ou have al/a*s looke) from the /in)o/ an) *ou have never (een outsi)e the house, then naturall* *ou /ill think that the limitation of the /in)o/ is the limitation of the sk*6 Looking from the (o)*, *ou (ecome frame) /ithin the (o)*E it is Fust a /in)o/6 Looking from the min), *ou (ecome frame) /ithin the min)E it is again Fust a /in)o/6 Looking from the self, *ou (ecome frame) /ithin the selfE it is again Fust a /in)o/6 Once *ou start coming out of these /in)o/s, then *ou kno/ that even the sk* is not *our limitE *ou are unlimite)6 'ou are as unlimite) as the /hole: *ou are the /hole6 There /ill (e great transformations6 On the (o)* level sexualit* /ill )isa&&ear6 +ex /ill (e there, (ut sexualit* /ill )isa&&ear6 <hen *ou get i)entifie) /ith sex it (ecomes sexualit*6 <hen *ou are not i)entifie) /ith sex then it is as (eautiful as an*thing else, (ut it is not sexualE it is sim&le sex, natural sex6 ?nimals are not sexual6 The* have sex, (ut the* are not sexual6 2f *ou sho/ a )og the nu)e &icture of his 113

girlfrien) he /ill not (e intereste) AA not at all6 'ou cannot circulate magazines like PL?':O' to the animalsE the* /ill not (e intereste) at all, the* /ill not look6 The* are not sexual, the* have no sexual fantas*, the* )onBt think a(out it6 Their sex is &ure an) sim&le6 2t has not (ecome cere(ral, it has not entere) into their hea)6 <hen sex enters into the hea) it (ecomes sexualit*6 <hen sex is sex it is (eautiful6 <hen *ou eat (ecause *ou are hungr* it is (eautiful, (ut /hen *ou (ecome o(sesse) /ith foo) then *ou are ma)6 <hen *ou start thinking a(out foo), sitting an) me)itating on foo) /ith close) e*es, in the night )reaming a(out foo), then *ou are ma)6 Then *our hunger has move) (e*on) the limits of sanit*6 'ou take a (ath AA goo), (ut *ou )onBt think a(out it the /hole )a*6 'ou )onBt fantasize a(out stan)ing un)er the sho/er again an) againE if *ou start )oing that, then something is /rong6 2 have hear)6666 ? /oman /as ver* fat6 ;er &s*choanal*st suggeste) to her that she shoul) fin) a (eautiful nu)e &icture of a /oman6 B+tick it on *our fri)ge so that /henever *ou o&en the fri)ge, *ou /ill see the (eautiful, &ro&ortionate (o)* of the /oman an) that /ill (ring *ou to *our senses: <hat are *ou )oing /ith *our (o)*DB ?n) it hel&e)6 ?gain an) again she /oul) (e o&ening it, taking things out an) in, an) she /oul) see the (eautiful, &ro&ortionate (o)*6 <ithin one month she lost t/elve &oun)s6 :ut another thing ha&&ene) AA the hus(an) gaine) t/elve &oun)sH :ecause of that nu)e &icture, he starte) going to the fri)ge again an) again an) /hen *ou go to the fri)ge AA of course AA %ocaA %ola, 9anta, iceAcream666 he starte) eating6 +o the /ife lost, the hus(an) gaine)6 +exualit* sim&l* means that sex has (ecome a min) thing, it has entere) into *our mentalit*6 ?n*thing, /hen it moves (e*on) its centre, (ecomes ill6 @ur)Fieff use) to sa* that manBs centres have got ver* confuse)6 2f *ou search in man *ou /ill fin) great confusion6 +ex *ou /ill fin) in the hea) AA /here it shoul) not (eE that is not the centre for it6 Can has re&resse), change) arrangements insi)e himself, so much, that if @o) )issecte) man he /oul) (e sim&l* sur&rise), (ecause he ha) never ma)e man this /a*E ever*thing has change), the /hole arrangement has change)6 ?n) the greatest calamit* that has ha&&ene) is that ever*thing /hich shoul) function on its o/n is no longer functioning on its o/n AA it nee)s the min)6 #ver*thing goes via the min), so min) has (ecome ver* &ollute), &oisone)6 2f the ego )isa&&ears from the (o)*, there are t/o &ossi(ilities6 2f *ou re&ress it, it /ill assert itself on the min) level6 2f *ou )onBt re&ress it, if *ou sim&l* un)erstan) it AA an) through un)erstan)ing it )isa&&ears AA then it /ill not assert itself an*/here, an) *our (o)* /ill change6 'ou /ill attain to ne/ insights6 'our (o)* /ill (ecome more affectionate, more /arm6 'our (o)* /ill have a certain ne/ Gualit* to it, the Gualit* of /eightlessness, as if gravitation )oes not affect *ou as much as it use) to affect *ou (efore6 'ou /ill almost feel that *ou can fl*6 'ou /ill (ecome more loving6 <h6en sex is no more sexualit*, then sex starts on the right &ath an), (* an) (*, the sex energ* starts turning into love energ*6 Love is a transformation of sex energ*6 +exualit* is a re&ression, an) re&ressions are never transformations6 5emem(er, re&ressions are regressions6 ? transformation is a totall* )ifferent thing: *ou reach higher levels AA sex energ* (ecomes love6 ? &erson (ecomes more loving an) less sexual, more sensitive an) less sensual6 ;e thinks no more in terms of sensualit*, his (o)*Amin), his (o)*A/is)om has change): his (o)* has (ecome mature6 Of course, if he looks at the trees, he /ill fin) more greener* than *ou can fin) (ecause he has (ecome more sensitive6 2f he looks at the sk*, the sk* /ill (e more (lue an) )ee& than *ou /ill fin) it6 The /hole of life (ecomes a great m*ster*6 2t ha&&ens sometimes un)er )rugs that *our senses (ecome so sensitive that *ou cannot (elieve it6 <hen ?l)ous ;uxle* took L+$ for the first time, he /as sitting (efore a chair an) su))enl* the chair (ecame luminous, multicoloure), as if it /ere a rain(o/6 ;e coul) not (elieve his e*es666 an or)inar* chair6666 ?n) he ha) (een seeing that chair for *ears it ha) al/a*s (een in 114

his stu)* AA (ut there /as never an* colour in it, /as never alive6 .o/ su))enl* it ha) a life of its o/n, so man* colours, an) so (eautiful6 ;e /ent an) touche) it an) he coul) not (elieve again (ecause its texture /as sim&l* incre)i(le6 ;e /ante) to hug the chair an) to sing a song for it, to )ance a )ance for it6 ?n or)inar* chair can (ecome extraor)inar*6 To &ainters it has al/a*s (een so6 'ou ma* have seen the great &ainting of Vincent van @ogh, T;# %;?256 Or)inaril* *ou /ill think B<h* shoul) a &ainter think to &aint a chair, an or)inar* chairDB :ut to van @ogh that chair /as not or)inar*6 <hat ha&&ene) to ?l)ous ;uxle* un)er the im&act of the )rug /as ver* natural to van @ogh6 ;is e*es /ere ver* sensitive, he coul) see through an) through: there /ere no more screens AA nothing to (ar the /a*6 ;is sensitivit* /as ver* clear6 'ou /ill live more, *ou /ill love more, *ou /ill eat /ith taste6 <hen *ou touch a thing *ou /ill kno/ the texture6 <hen *ou listen to a song it /ill go to *our ver* heart6 'our (o)* /ill not )istur( itE *our (o)* /ill (e Fust a &assage, a tremen)ous rece&tivit*: it /ill sim&l* soak it u& an) take it to *our heart6 ?n) the /hole of life /ill take a )ifferent luminosit* AA it /ill (ecome colourful, &s*che)elic6 Can nee)s )rugs (ecause civilisation has )ulle) *our senses6 .o/ this is a &ro(lem6 The government, the societ*, the &oliticians the* are against )rugs, (ut the* are the source, (ecause the* have create) such an ugl* humanit* that &eo&le have lost all sensitivit*6 .o/ the* are tr*ing )es&eratel* to fin) that sensitivit* in an* /a* AA even if it comes through )rugs6 $rugs are harmful, (ut to live /ithout sensitivit* is not to live at all6 To live /ithout sensitivit* is to live a ver* )ull life, a )ea) life6 9ive thousan) *ears of culturisation, five thousan) *ears of civilisation, have )ulle) humanit* so much that the* are (oun) to re(el against it6 .o/ the &oliticians an) the &riests are the source6 2t is the* /ho are res&onsi(le for )riving humanit* to such a )es&erate state /here &eo&le /ant to take )rugs6 ?n) )rugs cannot (e sto&&e) unless man is ma)e sensitive again6 $rugs /ill )isa&&ear once man (ecomes sensitive again6 C* a&&roach is that if *ou are sensitive, *ou /ill not take the )rug6 9or /hatD -ust to harm *ourselfD <hen *ou are sensitive, even if some(o)* gives *ou a )rug free *ou /ill not take it, (ecause a sensitive man /ill feel his sensitivit* lessene) through )rugs6 ? )ull &erson /ill feel that his sensitivit* gro/s an) a sensitive &erson /ill feel that his sensitivit* is )ulle)6 2t is relative: it )e&en)s on *ou6 2f *ou feel goo) through a )rug, it sim&l* sho/s that *ou have (ecome ver* )ullE an) to feel sensitive through chemicals is sim&l* meaningless (ecause the* are not going to make *ou sensitive6 'ou /ill nee) more an) more )rugs, in larger an) larger Guantities, (ut the (asic &ro(lem remains there6 The (asic &ro(lem is ho/ to attain the rece&tivit*, the sensitivit*, of the (o)* again, ho/ to make *our (o)* alive again6 The resurrection of the (o)* is nee)e), an) that resurrection is &ossi(le onl* /hen *ou are no longer using *our (o)* as an ego vehicle6 #go is the greatest )rug6 L+$ is nothing, mariFuana is nothing, alcohol is nothing6 #go kee&s *ou so )rugge), so aslee&, so unconscious6 Once the (o)* attains to sensitivit*, *ou /ill fin) Fo* through the (o)*, great Fo*6 +mall things (ecome so )elightful6 -ust taking a sho/er an) it is so )elightful that *ou /ill feel great gratitu)e to/ar)s @o) AA Fust for a sho/er6 The /ater falling on *ou, the coolness of it, the freshness that comes in *ou6666 'ou /ill (e lost to its (eaut*6 +mall things: eating, taking to a frien), hol)ing the han) of a frien), looking at the sk* or looking at the trees, Fust s/imming in the river, or L*ing )o/n on the san) Fust taking a sho/er of sunra*s, an) ever*thing (ecomes so Fo*ful6 The /hole of life takes a ne/ hue of reFoicing6 'ou /ill (e a(le to )ance an) sing if the (o)* is resurrecte)6 The ego is the )eath of the (o)*6 The ego has to )isa&&ear6 :ut let me re&eat again: it has not to (e re&resse), other/ise it /ill (u((le u& on a )ee&er level6 <hen the ego )isa&&ears from the min), kno/le)ge )isa&&ears, kno/ing arises: *ou )onBt have an* kno/le)ge, (ut *ou have a ca&acit* to kno/6 <herever *ou look, /hatever *our e*es see, *ou can see through an) through6 'ou ma* not have an* information, (ut *our insight is great6 +cri&tures )isa&&ear6 (orro/e) kno/le)ge (ecomes meaningless, *our o/n kno/ing ca&acit* arises6 'ou have an inner lam&, an) silence gro/s6 1!0

7no/le)ge is a continuous clattering insi)e *ou, a chattering insi)e *ou, a continuous talk6 +ometimes *ou arc &uzzle) /h* *ou go on talking insi)e6 <h* this monologueD 9or /hatD ?n) *ou go on re&eating the same thing again an) again an) again6 'ou have thought those thoughts man* times6 then /h* are *ou re&eating againD There is a reason: onl* (* continuousl* re&eating can *ou maintain *our kno/le)ge, other/ise *our kno/le)ge /ill )isa&&ear6 :* continuousl* re&eating, chattering, muttering insi)e, *ou maintain *our kno/le)ge, other/ise it /oul) )isa&&earE *ou /oul) not (e a(le to &ossess it6 This is the onl* /a* to &ossess it6 :ecause it is (orro/e), the onl* /a* to &ossess it is through constant re&etition6 :ut /hen the ego is no more there in the min), all the (arriers )isa&&ear6 Cin) (ecomes a mirror: *ou reflect realit*6 ?n) it is *our o/n ex&erience, so *ou nee) not continuousl* kee& it moving in *our min), *ou nee) not re&eat itE it is *our insight6 Tomorro/, also, *ou /ill (e a(le to look into realit* in the same /a* AA ma*(e even far more )ee&l*, (ecause time /ill give *ou )e&th6 +o /h* re&eat itD ? man of kno/ing never carries an* loa)6 ;e can )e&en) on his kno/ing6 'ou cannot )e&en) on *our kno/ing, so *ou have to carr* kno/le)ge, other/ise *ou /ill (e in )ifficult* at an* moment6 2f some &ro(lem arises, *ou cannot trust *ourself: *ou have to carr* the kno/le)ge6 2f *ou can trust *ourself, then there is no nee)6 'ou can Fust look into the &ro(lem an) the solution /ill come out of it, (ecause each &ro(lem has its o/n (uiltAin solution6 2t has not to (e (rought from the outsi)e, the &ro(lem has Fust to (e un)erstoo) rightl*, an) it /ill give *ou the solution6 +ilence /ill arise6 ? man of kno/ing is ver* silent6 <or)s )onBt go on floating in his consciousnessE there is no monologue6 ;e is not continuousl* in the inner talk666 an) a/areness arises, an) cele(rationE a man (ecomes creative6 ThatBs /hat cele(ration is: one starts &artici&ating in @o) the %reator6 ThatBs /hat cele(ration is all a(out6 <henever *ou are reall* cele(rating, *ou create something6 <hatsoever it is, *ou create something: *ou (ecome a &artici&ant in the creative &rocess of life6 ?n) /hen on the thir) level the self, the ego, )isa&&ears, a great ex&losion ha&&ens6 ThatBs /hat =en &eo&le call +?TO52, 'oga calls +?C?$;26 <hen in the self, the self )isa&&ears, /hen *ou look insi)e *ourself an) *ou )onBt fin) an*(o)* there: Fust a &ure a/areness6 a /itnessing, a noAself, *ou have arrive) home6 This is the ver* (asic a&&roach of Tao, that the ego has to )isa&&ear on three levels6 The ego gone666 the (o)* (ecomes the tem&le, the min) (ecomes the innermost shrine, an) the self (ecomes the /hole AA m no/, (ut it can (e transforme) into realie religious /hen *our (o)* is a tem&le, *our min) is a shrine an) *ou are nothing (ut @o) himself, the /hole itself This is the vision to (e carrie)6 2t is a )ream no/, (ut it can (e transforme) into realit* an* moment *ou are courageous enough to go into it6 2t can (e transforme) into realit* ver* easil*, (ecause the egoAgame is Fust a )ream6 Once *ou come out of the )ream, the realit* /ill (e availa(le6 2t is availa(le right no/ AA onl* *ou are )reaming6 2t is as if *ou fall aslee& here in Poona an) *ou )ream of %onstantino&le or Tim(uktu6 2n the night *ou )ream of %onstantino&le, (ut *ou are still in Poona: *our )reaming )oes not take *ou to %onstantino&le6 2n the morning, /hen *ou o&en *our e*es, *ou /ill not fin) *ourself in %onstantino&le, *ou /ill (e in Poona, an) *ou /ill have a goo) laugh6 2n fact6 in the night, /hen *ou ha) su))enl* foun) *ourself in the streets of %onstantino&le, *ou /ere /orrie) a(out ho/ *ou /oul) manage to go (ack666 an) at eight oBclock in the morning *ou ha) to (e here in %huang Tzu ?u)itorium AA ho/ /ere *ou going to manageD 'ou ma* have rushe) to the air&ort to enGuire /hether there /as an* &lane going right no/6 :ut in the morning, su))enl* *ou /ill fin) that there /as no nee) to go to the air&ort, there /as no nee) to go an*/here, *ou ha) al/a*s, all the time, (een here6 'ou ha) never gone in realit*6 The ego is a )ream, an) /hatsoever *ou have )reame) through the ego is a falsit*, it is illusor*6 ThatBs /hat ;in)us call C?'?6 .o/ this (eautiful stor*6 2t has to (e un)erstoo) ste& (* ste&6 1!1

L2#; T=> <?+ @O2.@ TO %;B2 :>T T>5.#$ :?%7 ;?L9 <?'6 O. T;# 5O?$ ;# C#T POA;>. <>A-#. <;O ?+7#$ ;2C <;' ;# ;?$ T>5.#$ :?%76 %hBi /as the ca&ital of the king)om /here Lieh Tzu live), so he /as going to the ca&ital of his nation (ut turne) (ack in mi)Fourne*6 <hen he came (ack, he met PoAhun <uFen6 PoAhun <uFen /as an ol) Taoist Caster, a man /ho ha) reall* arrive)6 +o the ol) man aske) B<h* have *ou come (ackDB Lieh Tzu sai) B2 <?+ ?L?5C#$ :' +OC#T;2.@6B Listen carefull*, (ecause no(o)* has gone so )ee&l* into these &henomena as the Taoists6 B<;?T <?+ 2TDB aske) the ol) man6 B2 ?T# ?T T#. 2..+ ?.$ ?T 92V# T;#' +#5V#$ C# 925+T6B .o/ look6 ;e sa*s B2 ?T# ?T T#. 2..+ ?.$ ?T 92V# T;#' +#5V#$ C# 925+T666 that alarme) me6B <h* shoul) it alarm *ouD 2n fact it shoul) make *ou ver* )elighte), that &eo&le are recognising that *ou are extraor)inar*, that *ou are exce&tional, that *ou are a V6l6P6E *ou are (eing serve) (efore others6 :ut Lieh Tzu is a )isci&le of TaoE he un)erstan)s that this is )angerous6 <hen &eo&le start thinking that *ou are exce&tional, there is )anger6 <hat is the )angerD The )anger is that *ou ma* move again on an egoAtri&E the )anger is the* ma* again give *ou an am(itionE the )anger is that the* /ill not allo/ *ou to relax an) to (e *ourself6 <hen &eo&le give im&ortance to *ou, the* start )ominating *ou6 ThatBs the /hole art of mani&ulating &eo&le6 <hen *ou /ant to mani&ulate a &erson /hat )o *ou )oD 'ou make him feel ver* im&ortant6 'ou sa* B'ou are sim&l* great6B ?n) the moment *ou have sai) B'ou are sim&l* greatB, *ou have (ecome &o/erful over him6 .o/, if he /ants to maintain his greatness, he /ill have to consi)er *ouE no/ his greatness /ill )e&en) on *ou6 2f *ou go against him, then /hat a(out his greatnessD 'ou have ma)e him great AA no/ *ou have the ke*6 .o/, in a su(tle /a*, he /ill (ecome *our slave6 +o /henever some(o)* comes an) exaggerates a(out *ou, (e/areH ;e is tr*ing to catch hol) of *ou, an) once *ou allo/ it, it /ill (e )ifficult to go (ack home6 Cin) /ants to &la* these games ver* much6 #ven /hen sometimes a &erson is sa*ing a lie (ut it is fulfilling to *our ego, *ou acce&t it6 'ou can tr* it6 +a* to an ugl* /oman B'ou are ver* (eautifulB an) even she /ill not sa* Ll am not6 +to& all this nonsenseH 2 am Fust &lain an) homel*6B 2f *ou sa* even to an ugl* /oman that she is the most (eautiful /oman in the /orl) she /ill acce&t it, she /ill not sa* B.o, )onBt )eceive me6B Once she acce&ts it, she is )eceive)6 .o/ she /ill (e in *our &o/erE no/ she /ill al/a*s have to think a(out *ou an) conce)e things to *ou, (ecause *ou are the onl* &erson /ho has ma)e her (eautiful6 'ou are the onl* mirror in /hich she has looke) (eautiful AA all other mirrors /ere sa*ing that she is ugl*, no/ she cannot affor) to lose *ou6 +he /ill cling to *ou, she /ill (ecome a servant to *ou, she /ill (ecome a slave to *ouA (ut she cannot affor) to lose *ou6 5emem(er, /henever *ou are (eing ma)e im&ortant there is )anger6 $angerH 2f *ou are not so alert that ego has )isa&&eare) from all the la*ers of *our (eing, there is )anger6 ?n) Lieh Tzu must have (een a )isci&le /hen this ha&&ene), he /as not *et a Caster6 ? Caster can affor) to (e in an* situationE a )isci&le cannot affor) to, he has to (e ver* alert (ecause still there are )angers, still he has not arrive)6 There are tremen)ous &ossi(ilities of getting lost6 B2 ?T# ?T T#. 2..+ ?.$ ?T 92V# T;#' +#5V#$ C# 925+T6B 29 T;?T 2+ ?LL, <;' +;O>L$ 'O> :# ?L?5C#$DB aske) the ol) man6 1!

B<;#. ? C?.B+ 2..#5 2.T#@52T' 2+ .OT 925C, sometimes, +OC#T;2.@ OO=#+ 95OC ;2+ :O$' ?.$ :#%OC#+ ?. ?>5?, <;2%;, O>T+2$# ;2C, P5#++#+ O. T;# ;#?5T+ O9 OT;#5+E 2T C?7#+ OT;#5 C#. ;O.O>5 ;2C CO5# T;?. ;2+ #L$#5+ ?.$ :#TT#5+, ?.$ @#T+ ;2C 2.TO $2992%>LT2#+6B This is a ver* great insight6 .o(o)* has ever mentione) it AA not even PatanFali /ho has com&letel* covere) the ma& of consciousness, not even he has mentione) it in this /a*6 The cre)it goes to the Taoists6 ;e is sa*ing B<;#. ? C?.B+ 2..#5 2.T#@52T' 2+ .OT 925C66B Or)inaril* *ou think that a man has an aura /hen his integrit* is ver* firm6 .o, it is /rongE the aura comes from some leakage6 'our integrit* is not a(solute *et, so *our energ* starts leaking an) it creates an aura, a su(tle magnetism aroun) *ou6 Of course, /henever *ou come in contact /ith others the* /ill (e im&resse)6 'our aura /ill function like an intoxicantE the* /ill sim&l* (e im&resse)6 'ou /ill have a ver* charismatic effect on them, (ut Taoists sa* that it sim&l* sho/s that *ou have not *et (ecome reall* or)inar*, *ou are still hankering for something6 +ome/here, the ego is still there, (ecause onl* through the ego )o *our inner energies leak out6 B<;#. ? C?.B+ 2..#5 2.T#@52T' 2+ .OT 925C666B ?n) /hat )o the* mean (* Binner integrit*BD <hen there is no ego, *ou are integrate) /ith the /hole6 <hen there is ego, *ou are not integrate) /ith the /hole6 <hen there is ego, *ou are s&litE /hen there is ego6666 2n fact6 there are man* egos AA *ou are a cro/) an) there is a constant fight insi)e6 #ach ego tries to (e more &o/erful than the others an) there is a continuous struggle, an) in that struggle *our energ* starts flo/ing out: it (ecomes a sort of aura6 5emem(er, this is not the aura that ha&&ens to a :u))ha or a Lao Tzu or to -esus6 ?n aura ha&&ens to :u))ha, (ut that aura is not energ* coming out AA no6 ;is /hole (eing has (ecome so luminous, that even from his (o)* *ou can see the su(tle ra*s of his luminosit*6 2t is as if a lam& is (urning in a house an) even through the curtains *ou can see that there is no )arkness insi)e6 2t is not a leakage, it has a totall* )ifferent Gualit* to it6 ?n) ho/ /ill *ou make out the )ifferenceBD <hen *ou come in contact /ith the :u))ha, his &resence )oes not &ress *our heartE in fact, his &resence makes *ou more free6 ;is &resence )oes not turn *ou into slaves, his &resence turns *ou into Casters6 ;is &resence )oes not (ecome a (in)ing on *ou, (ut (ecomes a free)om: he li(erates6 <hen the energ* comes out, it (ecomes a ver* re&ressing force6 2t is almost violent6 2t is as if some(o)* has Fum&e) u&on *ou /ith a s/or) in his han) an) forces *ou to su(mit6 These /or)s are goo)6 <hen *ou come in contact /ith a :u))ha /hose energ* is not oozing out, /ho has no leakage left, surren)er ha&&ens, (ut there is no su(mission in surren)er6 <hen *ou come in close contact /ith a &erson /ho is not *et reall* integrate) an) he is creating great energ* through his +?$;?.? an) the energ* is leaking out, su(mission ha&&ens, (ut there is no surren)er6 'ou (ecome a slave, *ou (ecome an imitator6 'our in)ivi)ualit* is crushe) an) )estro*e), *ou (ecome a car(on co&*6 5emem(er, this /ill hel& *ou al/a*s6 Onl* kee& com&an* /ith a Caster /ith /hom *ou )onBt (ecome a car(on co&*, /ith /hom free)om is &ossi(le, /ith /hom even surren)er gives *ou in)ivi)ualit*, follo/ing /hom *ou )onBt (ecome a follo/er, /ith /hom *ou earn more an) more free)om6 ;e makes *ou so free, he gives *ou tremen)ous free)om AA more than *ou can give to *ourself6 ;e )oes not give *ou a )isci&line, he gives *ou a/areness, an) through a/areness *ou flo/er6 'ou are not re&resse), *ou are not force)E great things ha&&en, (ut the* ha&&en naturall*, s&ontaneousl*6 1!,

'ou must have seen auras aroun) the &ictures of :u))ha an) -esus an) 7rishna6 The* are not the aura Lieh Tzu is talking a(out6 2f *ou /ant to see this t*&e of aura, then *ou have to come in contact /ith a man like 5as&utin6 Then *ou /ill fin) an aura, a great aura6 <hoever came in contact /ith 5as&utin imme)iatel* su(mitte) to him an) (ecame a slave, even the Tsar an) the Tsarina6 2n fact, for a fe/ *ears, 5as&utin ha) (ecome the real ruler of 5ussia6 <hoever came in contact /ith him, /oul) sim&l* lose his in)ivi)ualit*, lose his free)om an) /oul) (ecome Fust an a*eAsa*er, /oul) (ecome more unconscious than he /as (efore an) /oul) start )oing things /hich he coul) never )o in his right senses6 ?roun) 5as&utin such things /ere an ever*)a* affair6 ;e coul) tell &eo&le to )o foolish things, (ut his or)er /as an or)er /hich the* /oul) )o an) not even for a single moment feel that the* /ere (eing stu&i)6 <hen the* /oul) go (ack home, then the* /oul) su))enl* recognise the fact of /hat the* ha) )one6 2t /as ri)iculous6 5as&utin /as kille) (* &eo&le /ho (ecame more an) more a/are of this &henomenonE he /as mur)ere)666 an) he /as reall* a man of great energ*6 The &eo&le /ho mur)ere) him /ere his victims6 :* an) (*, man* &eo&le (ecame a/are that /henever the* /ere aroun) him, something sim&l* /ent off /ithin their (eing an) the* (ecame Fust &u&&etsE an) /henever the* /ere far a/a* from him the* /oul) again regain themselves6 The* starte) feeling this &henomenon so )ee&l* that the* cons&ire) against him AA his o/n )isci&les AA an) the* kille) him6 ?n) it /as ver* )ifficult to kill him6 ;e /as a man of energ*, of great energ* AA )isintegrate), (ut still of great energ*6 ?n) the energ* /as oozing so much6666 9irst the* &ersua)e) him to )rink, an) he )rank too much, (ut nothing affecte) him6 ;e /as &erfectl* alert6 Then the* &oisone) him, the* gave him &oison in foo), (ut nothing affecte) him6 Then the* (ecame afrai): the* shot him AA eighteen (ullets AA (ut he /as still aliveH ?n) then the* /ere ver* afrai)666 if he survive), /hat /oul) ha&&en to themD +o the* tie) him in a (ag /ith rocks an) thre/ him into the river6 ?fter fort*Aeight hours his (o)* /as foun), an) the &ost mortem re&ort sa*s that he /as not )ea) /hen he /as thro/n in the /ater, that even un)er/ater he remaine) alive for at least four hours6 ? man of tremen)ous energ* AA (ut the im&act /as evil, the im&act /as not goo)6 Let this (e *our )efinition: <henever *ou are in close contact /ith a man /hose energ* makes *ou a slave, esca&e from him6 #sca&e from him like the &lague6 .ever look (ack6 'ou are in )anger: that man has an oozing energ*6 2t is )angerous for him (ecause he is losing the energ* /hich can (ecome integration, an) it is )angerous for *ou6 B<;#. ? C?.B+ 2..#5 2.T#@52T' 2+ .OT 925C, +OC#T;2.@ OO=#+ 95OC ;2+ :O$' ?.$ :#%OC#+ ?. ?>5?, <;2%;, O>T+2$# ;2C, P5#++#+ O. T;# ;#?5T+ O9 OT;#5+666B 2t is a &ressure6 These are things to (e felt6 2f in contact /ith some(o)* *ou feel a &ressure on the heart, a crushing &ressure, then that man has more energ* than *ouE (ut that energ* /ill &rove evil: it is aggressive energ*6 <hen, in the &resence of some(o)*, *ou feel that *ou are u&lifte), that *ou are taken to a higher altitu)e, that *ou start floating u&/ar)s, that gravitation is lessE that the &resence is soothing, gives *ou silence, a/areness: makes *ou more conscious an) there is no &ressure in it6666 2n fact, the or)inar* &ressures of *our life )issolve in the &resence of a man /ho has (ecome integrate)6 B666 2T C?7#+ OT;#5 C#. ;O.O>5 ;2C CO5# T;?. ;2+ #L$#5+ ?.$ :#TT#5+, ?.$ @#T+ ;2C 2.TO $2992%>LT2#+6B ?n) Lieh Tzu sai) B2t is (a) for others, (ut that is not the &oint: it is (a) for the &erson himself6B 2t is (oun) to get him into )ifficulties6 ThatBs ho/ 5as&utin got into )ifficulties6 ;e coul) have (ecome a :u))ha AA he ha) the &ossi(ilit*6 ;e /as a man of great energ*, he /as 1!"

reall* ver* rare, (ut others got into )ifficult*, he got into )ifficult*6 ;e got into man* )ifficulties an) he /ent astra*6 The more an) more he (ecame &o/erful over &eo&le, the more an) more he forgo6 his o/n training, his o/n inner )isci&line6 ;e ha) /orke) har) u&on himself: for *ears he ha) me)itate) an) &ra*e) an) his &ra*er /as going )ee&6 Then he (ecame a/are that he ha) great influence over &eo&le6 The moment he (ecame a/are that he ha) great influence over &eo&le, he forgot a(out his &ra*ers6 ;e (ecame am(itious6 The ego asserte) itself on the last la*er, the self AA not on the (o)*6 not on the min), (ut on the self6 ?n) /hen the ego asserts itself on the thir), the )ee&est, la*er, man* &eo&le are )eceive) (ecause it is ver* )ifficult to make )istinctions, sometimes the energ* feels reall* hel&ful6 The Tsar ha) onl* one son an) the son use) to suffer from a )isease for /hich there /as no cure6 The )isease /as that if he /oul) get an* /oun), the /oun) /oul) not heal an) the (loo) /oul) start oozing out of his (o)* an) not sto&6 ;is life /as al/a*s in )anger AA a small /oun) an)666 a chil) is a chil)6 Pla*ing, he /oul) fall an)666 a small /oun) an) a little (loo) /oul) come, an) then it /as im&ossi(le to &revent the (loo): that /as the &ro(lem6 ?n) /hen too much (loo) /oul) go out, the chil) /oul) (ecome unconscious, /oul) fall into a coma, an) there /as no me)icine an) there /as no cure6 ?n) then came 5as&utin, an) he sim&l* touche) him an) the (loo) sto&&e)6 ;e /oul) sim&l* touch the chil) an) he /oul) (ecome conscious AA an) that /as the TsarBs onl* chil)6 .o/ 5as&utin (ecame a must6 The* /oul) not even allo/ him to go far a/a* from Cosco/, from the ca&ital, (ecause it /as )angerous: if he coul) not come in time6666 +o his &resence ha) to (e there in the &alace6 The Tsanna (ecame too im&resse), then the Tsar (ecame too im&resse), then the /hole court6 ?n) he starte) or)ering: he (ecame the real em&eror6 ?n) his or)ers ha) to (e listene) to, other/ise he use) to threaten B2 /ill goB an) the life of the chil) /as in )anger6 The )octors ha) sai) B;e has to (e ke&t here, other/ise /e cannot hel& at all6 ?n* moment the chil) can )ie6B :ut he forgot his &ra*ers, he forgot his o/n inner )isci&lineE he create) man* )ifficulties for others, create) much )ifficult* for himself6 2n fact, if some )a* the real histor* /ill (e /ritten, then he /as the cause for the 5ussian revolution, not Lenin, not +talin, not Trotsk*6 ;e /as the cause: he create) such a ri)iculous state that the &eo&le re(elle)6 The revolution came (ecause of 5as&utinE an) (ecause of 5as&utin6 5ussia has suffere) for almost half a centur*6 The /hole of 5ussia has (ecome a great &rison AA all free)om lostE millions of &eo&le have (een kille)6 ?n) if *ou look, )ee& )o/n *ou /ill fin) 5as&utin at the (eginning of this /hole communist m*th AA the m*th of revolution, the m*th of the )ictatorshi& of the &roletariat6 .o(o)* talks a(out him, (ut he /as the &rovocation6 ;is &resence /as so ugl*, so re&ressive, so o&&ressive, that not onl* he /as kille), the Tsar an) the Tsarina an) the chil) /ere all kille), an) the /hole em&ire )isa&&eare) into )isor)er an) chaos6 Lieh Tzu sa*s it 666 @#T+ ;2C 2.TO $2992%>LT2#+6 T;# O.L' COT2V# O9 ?. 2..7##P#5 2+ TO +#LL ;2+ 52%# ?.$ +O>P, ?.$ 2.%5#?+# ;2+ #?5.2.@+6 ;2+ P5O92T+ ?5# C#?@5#, ?.$ T;# %O.+2$#5?T2O.+ <;2%; +<?' ;2C ;?V# L2TTL# <#2@;T6 29 C#. <2T; +O L2TTL# TO @?2. 95OC C# V?L># C# +O ;2@;L' ?+ ? %>+TOC#5, <2LL 2T .OT :# #V#. <O5+# <2T; T;# LO5$ O9 T#. T;O>+?.$ %;?52OT+ <;O ;?+ <O5. O>T ;2+ :O$' ?.$ $5?2.#$ ;2+ 7.O<L#$@# 2. +T?T# ?99?25+D T;# P52.%# O9 %;B2 <2LL ?PPO2.T C# TO +OC# O992%# ?.$ 2.+2+T T;?T 2 92LL 2T #992%2#.TL'6 T;2+ 2+ <;?T ?L?5C#$ C#6B 666 5eall* a man of un)erstan)ing6 ;e sa*s B2f 2 go to the ca&ital an) the king comes to kno/ a(out me, 2 am (oun) to (e in trou(le6 ;e /ill a&&oint meE he ma* make me a &rime minister, a minister6 ;e /ill certainl* get hol) of me6 2f or)inar* &eo&le like an innkee&er, /ho has nothing much to gain from me, (ecome so much im&resse), then /hat a(out the great king, the lor) of ten 1!0

thousan) chariots, /ho has /aste) his energ* in state affairs, /ho has lost his soul in the /orl), /ho is reall* &oor as far as the inner integrit* is concerne)D 2f 2 come in contact /ith him, he /ill imme)iatel* take hol) of meE he /ill sa* "'ou come here6 'ou serve the king)om, *ou serve the state6" ?n) 2 /ill (e in )ifficult*6 ThatBs /h* 2 (ecame alarme)6B Look at the (eautiful un)erstan)ing of Lieh Tzu6 ;e is still a )isci&le, (ut has great insight6 One shoul) avoi) am(ition, one shoul) avoi) an* &ossi(ilities /here one can get into unnecessar* trou(les6 B?. #J%#LL#.T <?' TO LOO7 ?T 2TH :>T #V#. 29 'O> +T?', OT;#5 C#. <2LL L?' 5#+PO.+2:2L2T2#+ O. 'O>B sai) the ol) man6 One thing more (efore /e go )ee&er into this &ara(le: <hen *our energies ooze out an) *ou are not *et centre), *ou /ill certainl* (ecome a man of great influence, (ut *our &resence /ill (e a violence to others, an aggression6 #ven if *ou are nonAviolent *ou /ill )o violence to &eo&le6 The same thing ha&&ene) in the case of Cahatma @an)hi6 ;e (elieve) in nonAviolence, (ut his &resence /as ver* violent6 ?ll those /ho live) aroun) him /ere ver* much &resse) u&on6 9or small things he /oul) &ress them too much6 9or small fla/s, human fla/s, human limitations6 he /oul) create much fuss6 ;e /oul) ver* easil* go on a fastE if a )isci&le )i) something /rong, he /oul) go on a fast6 .o/ this looks ver* nonviolent AA he /as not )oing an*thing to the )isci&le AA (ut look )ee&l*, he /as )oing6 )oing in a ver* su(tle /a*: he /oul) go on a fast6 <hen *ou are on a fast, more energ* comes out of *ou than at an* other time AA thatBs /h* &eo&le /ho fast (ecome ver*, ver* influential6 ?n) /hen *ou are fasting for a &articular &erson6666 9or exam&le, some(o)* ha) (een foun) smoking a cigarette AA no/ this /as not allo/e), or some(o)* ha) (een foun) enFo*ing a cu& of tea AA no/ this /as not allo/e)666 @an)hi /oul) go on a fast6 ?n) the )isci&le /oul) certainl* start feeling ver*, ver* guilt*: @an)hi /as suffering for him he /oul) not eat for three )a*s6 ? )isci&le fell in love /ith a /oman an) @an)hi faste) (ecause this /as not allo/e)6 ?n) the )isci&le /as no or)inar* )isci&le, he /as his secretar*, so it create) much fuss, great controvers*6 ;e shoul) have tol) him /h* he lie) AA not that he ha) reall* lie), the onl* thing /as that he ha) not )eclare) it AA (ut /h* shoul) he have ke&t it secretD 2t shoul) have (een ma)e &u(lic6 ;e acce&te) that it /as /rong: he aske) to (e forgiven, (ut it coul) not (e forgiven so easil*666 @an)hi faste)6 .o/, /hat /oul) the situation (e for the )isci&leD 9or three )a*s @an)hi faste)6 The )isci&le coul) not slee&, he crie) an) /e&t, an) he /oul) go again an) again, he /oul) sa* B2 am sorr*, forgive me6B ?n) @an)hi /oul) sa* B2 am not )oing an*thing to *ou6 2 am )oing it to m*self6B ?n) he /oul) sa* B'ou are not at fault6B Look at his logic: he /oul) sa* B2 must (e at fault, (ecause if the Caster is right, the )isci&le has to (e right6 Then something must (e /rong in me, so 2 am &urif*ing m* soul6B .o/ this is ver* violentE it is (etter to hit a &erson /ith a s/or)6 This is more violent: *ou are &ressing his heart /ith a su(tle s/or)6 2n the name of nonAviolence much violence can (e )one to &eo&le6 2n the name of love much violence can (e )one to &eo&le6 'ou all kno/6 Parents go on )oing violence to their chil)ren in the name of love6 The* sa* B666 (ecause /e love *ou6B The* go on making them feel guilt*, the* go on torturing them in su(tle /a*s, in a thousan) an) one /a*s: an) the* are al/a*s )oing it for *ou, for *our o/n goo)6 B5emem(er, Tao sa*s: 2. ?.' <?', the )esire to im&ress the other, the )esire to change the other, the )esire to )o goo) to the other, is violence6 There shoul) (e no )esire6 ?n) this is the (eaut* AA /hen *ou )onBt )esire to hel& the other, others are hel&e)6 ?n) /hen *ou )onBt )esire to im&ress them, the* learn out of their o/n insight6 The* are never &resse)6 The* are transforme), (ut not (ecause *ou /ant to transform them6 'our sim&le &resence /ith no &ressure is a great transforming force6 The ol) man sai) 1!1

B?. #J%#LL#.T <?' TO LOO7 ?T 2TH :>T #V#. 29 'O> +T?', OT;#5 C#. <2LL L?' 5#+PO.+2:2L2T2#+ O. 'O>6B B:e/are of itH 2f *ou )onBt go to the ca&ital it )oesnBt make much )ifference6 #ven if *ou sta* home, other &eo&le are going to la* their res&onsi(ilities on *ou6B .OT LO.@ ?9T#5<?5$+, <;#. POA;>. <>A-#. <#.T TO %?LL O. ;2C, L2#; T=>B+ PO5%; <?+ 9>LL O9 T;# +;O#+ O9 V2+2TO5+6 POA;>. <>A-#. +TOO$ 9?%2.@ .O5T;E ;# L#?.#$ O. ;2+ >P52@;T +T?99 ?.$ <52.7L#$ ;2+ %;##7 ?@?2.+T 2T6 ?9T#5 +T?.$2.@ T;#5# 9O5 ? <;2L#, ;# L#9T <2T;O>T +P#?72.@6 T;# $OO57##P#5 TOL$ L2#; T=>6 L2#; T=> 5?. O>T :?5#9OOT ;OL$2.@ ;2+ +;O#+ 2. ;2+ ;?.$+ ?.$ %?>@;T >P <2T; ;2C ?T T;# @?T#6 B.O< T;?T 'O> ;?V# %OC#, C?+T#5B ;# +?2$ B?5#.BT 'O> #V#. @O2.@ TO @2V# C# C' C#$2%2.#DB This is calle) Bme)icineB in the Taoist circles AA /hen a Caster gives his &resence to *ou6 2t is me)icinalE his &resence is thera&eutic, his &resence is a healing force6 -ust (* (eing in close contact /ith him, Fust (eing in front of him, a great healing ha&&ens6 This is calle) BThe me)icine the Caster givesB6 The /or) Bme)icineB comes from the same root as Bme)itationB6 :oth come from the same root AA thatBs ver* goo)E (oth have something in common6 BCe)icineB, Bme)itationB, (oth come from a root /hich means to take care AA a caring, loving care6 Ce)icine takes care of *our (o)*, me)itation takes care of *our soul6 %ertainl* the Caster is a &h*sician, :u))ha use) to call himself Bthe &h*sicianB6 <hen &eo&le /oul) come an) ask him great &hiloso&hical Guestions he /oul) sim&l* &ut them asi)e an) he /oul) sa* B$onBt talk nonsense6 2 am not a &hiloso&her, 2 am a &h*sician6B .anak also use) to sa* B2 am a V?2$'?, 2 am a &h*sician6 2 )onBt ans/er Guestions, 2 treat &eo&le6 2 am not concerne) a(out their Guestions, 2 am concerne) /ith their illnesses, /ith their )isease6B 2n Taoist circles the &resence of the Caster is calle) Bme)icineB, Bthe me)icineB6 'ou cannot fin) a more me)icinal energ* an*/here else6 <henever a man (ecomes enlightene) his surroun)ing is thera&eutic6 -ust (eing in close contact /ith him *ou /ill (e heale)6 .ot that he /ill )o something AA no, a Caster never )oes an*thing: he has forgotten all )oing6 :ut (ecause he is a nonA)oer healing ha&&ens, (ecause he is a no(o)* he gives *ou s&ace: in that ver* s&ace *ou (ecome integrate), *ou (ecome centre)6 B#.O>@;H 2 TOL$ 'O> %O.92$#.TL' T;?T OT;#5+ <O>L$ L?' 5#+PO.+2:2L2T2#+ O. 'O>, ?.$ 2T T>5.+ O>T T;?T T;#' ;?V#6 2T 2+ .OT T;?T 'O> ?5# %?P?:L# O9 ?LLO<2.@ T;#C TO $O +O, VO> ?5# 2.%?P?:L# OL P5#V#.T2.@ T;#C6 <;?T >+# 2+ 2T TO 'O> TO ;?V# T;2+ #99#%T O. P#OPL# <;2%; 2+ 2.%OCP?T2:L# <2T; 'O>5 O<. :?+2% P#?%#D 29 'O> 2.+2+T O. C?72.@ ?. #99#%T, 2T <2LL >.+T#?$' 'O>5 :?+2% +#L9, ?.$ TO .O P>5PO+#6B ? great sentence, a great sutra B#noughHB sai) the ol) man6 B2 tol) *ou confi)entl* that others /oul) la* res&onsi(ilities on *ou an) it has ha&&ene)6 +o man* &eo&le are gathering aroun) *ou6 <h*DB ?n) the ol) man sai) LT 2+ .OT T;?T 'O> ?5# %?P?:L# O9 ?LLO<2.@ T;#C TO $O +O666B 9or that one nee)s to (ecome &erfectl* enlightene) AA to allo/ others to )o so AA (ecause one has come to his o/n centre6 .o/ there is no &ossi(ilit* of getting )istracte)6 One has arrive)E then there is no &ro(lem6 1!!

B:ut, Lieh TzuB sai) the ol) man B*ou have not *et arrive)6 'ou are still struggling, *ou are still far a/a*6 'ou have not *et (ecome reall* integrate)6 9rom the (o)* the ego has )isa&&eare), from the min) the ego has )isa&&eare), (ut from the self it has not )isa&&eare) *et6 On the most su(tle la*er, the ego is still hi)ing6B To see that &henomenon, the ol) man stoo) there666 666 ;# L#?.#$ O. ;2+ >P52@;T +T?99 ?.$ <52.7L#$ ;2+ %;##7 ?@?2.+T 2T6 ?9T#5 +T?.$2.@ T;#5# 9O5 ? <;2L#, ;# L#9T <2T;O>T +P#?72.@6 <hat /as he )oingD ;e looke) )ee&l* into his frien), Lieh Tzu6 ;e looke) )ee&l* into him: B;ave *ou reall* (ecome integrate)D Then there is no &ro(lem6 Then *ou can have )isci&les, then *ou can have a cro/) aroun) *ou, then *ou can allo/ them to la* their res&onsi(ilities on *ou (ecause *ou )onBt exist, so nothing (ur)ens *ou6 'ou are not, so ho/ can *ou (e (ur)ene)D ;o/ can *ou (ur)en a nothingnessD Then there is no &ro(lem6B The Caster looke) )ee&l* an) foun) that at the thir) la*er the ego /as still vi(rating6 2t can (e hear)6 2f *ou listen silentl*, it is ver* sim&le to hear the ego of the other, an) a man /ho has come home can imme)iatel* see6 B2T 2+ .OT <;?T 'O> ?5# %?P?:L# O9 ?LLO<2.@ T;#C TO $O +O666B B.o, it has not *et (ecome &ossi(le6B B666 'O> ?5# 2.%?P?:L# O9 P5#V#.T2.@ T;#C6B 'our state is negative, not *et &ositive6 'ou are enFo*ing it6 'ou still nee) &eo&le to make *ou feel im&ortant6 'ou still nee) themE an) if *ou nee) them, *ou cannot hel& them6 2n fact, on the contrar*, the* /ill )istract *ou, the* /ill harm *ou6 The other )a* *ou ha) aske) B? )isci&le nee)s a Caster, )oes a Caster nee) a )isci&le tooDB .o/ *ou /ill un)erstan)6 The Caster is a Caster onl* /hen he nee)s no(o)*, /hen his nee) has com&letel* )isa&&eare)6 2f he still nee)s some(o)*, then he is still far from his homeE he has not *et arrive)6 2f he nee)s )isci&les, then he is not a Caster6 ;e is a Caster onl* /hen he nee)s no )isci&les, an) onl* then can he (e of hel&666 not that he /ill hel&, (ut he can (e of hel&6 B2T 2+ .OT T;?T 'O> ?5# %?P?:L# O9 ?LLO<2.@ T;#C TO $O +O, 'O> ?5# 2.%?P?:L# O9 P5#V#.T2.@ T;#C6 <;?T >+# 2+ 2T TO 'O> TO ;?V# T;2+ #99#%T O. P#OPL# <;2%; 2+ 2.%OCP?T2:L# <2T; 'O>5 O<. :?+2% P#?%#DB B'our o/n &eace is not *et there6 'ou are still /avering, s/a*ing6 'our centre is still not fixe), an) these &eo&le /ill make *ou go more astra*E the* /ill (e a )istraction, so /hat is the &oint of it allD 'ou )i)nBt go to the ca&ital, (ut the ca&ital has come hereE the &eo&le have come, an) sooner or later the king /ill (e coming6 These &eo&le /ill s&rea) the ne/s6 +o /hat is the &ointDB B29 'O> 2.+2+T O. C?72.@ ?. #99#%T, 2T <2LL >.+T#?$' 'O>5 :?+2% +#L9E ?.$ TO .O P>5PO+#6B B?n) no(o)* gains out of it6 'ou lose, an) no(o)* gains out of it6B 2t is a great &ara(le6 Let it sink )ee& into *our heart6 Think a(out it, an) /henever *ou /ant to influence &eo&le, (ecome ca&a(le first6 ?n) the ca&a(ilit* comes onl* /hen *ou )onBt have an* )esire to influence &eo&le AA onl* then /ill *ou (e of hel&6 2f *ou /ant to influence &eo&le, that sim&l* sho/s that *ou are on an egoAtri&6 #noughH These games *ou have &la*e) long enoughE for man* lives *ou have (een &la*ing6 .o/ it is time to sto& these games6 :ecause of 1!3

these games *ou cannot contact realit*6 5ealit* is not a game6 <hen *ou sto& all games an) all &la*s, then realit* ex&lo)es into *our (eing6 :ut all the games have one thing in common an) that is the egoE (o)*Agames, min)Agames, selfAgames, (ut all have one thing in common AA the ego6 ThatBs /h* 2 ex&lain to *ou not to re&ress the ego, (ut to )is&erse it, an) that )is&ersal comes6 9in) out6 <henever *ou are feeling some ego arising, Fust go insi)e *ourself an) look at it6 +ee its movement, ho/ it moves from one s&ace to another s&ace, ho/ it takes more an) more energ* from *ou, ho/ it takes *ou on farAa/a* Fourne*s, ho/ it al/a*s takes *ou a/a* from *ourself6 -ust /atch6 2 am not sa*ing B9ightB, 2 am not sa*ing B+to&B AA noE Fust /atch6 9irst *ou /ill (ecome a/are of the ego in the (o)* AA that is the most gross6 Then, (* an) (*, *ou /ill start hearing the /his&erings of the secon) la*er AA the ego in the min): that is su(tle6 ?n) if *ou (ecome ca&a(le of listening to that, one )a* *ou /ill un)erstan) a(out even a thir) la*er /hich is ver* su(tle6 'ou /ant to (ecome a C?;?TC?, *ou /ant to (ecome a great saint, *ou /ant to (ecome a great *ogi, C?;?'O@2, *ou /ant to (ecome this an) that6 'ou /ant to (ecome a great (enefactor to humanit*, *ou /ant to (ecome a :u))ha AA then, again *ou are &la*ing the same game on a ver* su(tle level6 The =en &eo&le have the right /or) for it, the* call it Bthe :u))haA)iseaseB /hen the ego asserts itself on the thir) level6 The (o)*, the min), the self666 one has to go on looking, la*er u&on la*er, into the ego AA its functioning6 -ust looking into it is enough6 <hen *ou have looke) /ell, /hen *ou have looke) at all the nooks an) corners of *our (eing, one )a*, *ou /ill su))enl* fin) that it has eva&orate), it is not there6 ?n) /hen it is not there, @o) is, Tao is6 <hen *ou are not, *ou reall* are6 To )ie on one &lane is to (e (orn on another &lane6 To )ie on the &lane of games is to (e (orn on the &lane of existence6 That is the meaning of -esusBs crucifixion an) resurrection6 %rucif* *ourself as far as ego is concerne), so that *ou can (e resurrecte)6

88888 %ha&ter 1" : -ust give /a* 88888 " 9e(ruar* 14!! am in :u))ha ;all Iuestion 1 T;# <O5$ B#+OT#52%B ;?+ :##. >+#$ 2. ? V#5' +?%5#$ +#.+#6 <O>L$ 'O> PL#?+# T#LL >+ <;?T 2.+P25#+ 'O> TO >+# 2T 2. ? 52$2%>LO>+ ?.$ ;>CO5O>+ +#.+#D The Guestion is from 'oga %hinma*a6 The /or) BesotericB means the hi))en AA it is ri)iculous (ecause nothing is hi))en6 ?ll is o(vious, @o) is o(viousE if *ou cannot see, it is not (ecause @o) is hi))en, (ut (ecause *ou are kee&ing *our e*es close)6 The sun is there, the light is thereE if *ou kee& *our e*es close) an) then *ou call the sun BesotericB, that means *ou )onBt even /ant to acce&t that *ou are kee&ing *our e*es close)6 'ou are thro/ing the res&onsi(ilit* onto the sun itself: B<hat can /e )oD 2f @o) is hi))en, /hat can /e )oD 2t is ;is res&onsi(ilit*6B ?n) the &riests have love) the /or) ver* much, (ecause if @o) is o(vious then /hat /ill (e the nee) for the &riestD @o) has to (e hi))en6 2f he is not, then he has to (e force) to hi)e some/hereH Then the nee) for the &riest arises AA a me)iator /ho /ill make *ou a/are of things /hich are hi))enE /ho /ill hel& *ou, /ho /ill gui)e *ou to the secret /orl) of the truth6 Truth is ver* o(vious6 2n =en the* have a sa*ing: 9rom the ver* (eginning nothing is hi))en6 2t is the )eclaration of truth, hence the /or) BesotericB is ri)iculous, stu&i)6 ?n) *ou ask BThe /or) "esoteric" has (een use) in a ver* sacre) sense666B6 1!4

There is nothing sacre) either6 Life is sim&leE there is nothing sacre) an) nothing secular6 C* /hole effort here is to hel& *ou to )issolve the )istinction (et/een the sacre) an) the secular6 The secular shoul) (ecome the sacre) an) the sacre) shoul) (ecome the secular6 ThatBs /h* 2 insist that *ou shoul) remain &art of the market /orl) an) me)itate6 Ce)itation shoul) not (e a thing a&art from lifeE it shoul) (e ami)st life, it shoul) (e a &art of life an organic &art, nothing B&ut se&arateB6 The tem&le shoul) exist exactl* in the mi))le of the market, an) all )istinctions (et/een the sacre) an) the secular shoul) (e )issolve)6 Life is one6 :ut again the &riest comes in6 ;e /ants to make )istinctions, he /ants to tell *ou that *our life is ugl*, that *our life is mun)ane, that *ou are a /orl)l* (eing6 ;e is s&iritual, he is something su&erior (e*on) *ou, (e*on) *our reach6 ;e is hol*, *ou are unhol*E he is a saint an) *ou are a sinner6 These )istinctions have to (e create)6 These are ego )istinctions: some(o)* is rich, some(o)* is &oor AA then the ego can exist6 +ome(o)* is hol* an) some(o)* is not hol* AA again the ego can exist6 The ego can exist onl* through )istinctions of inferiorit* an) su&eriorit*6 BThis /orl) is inferior6B ? man /ho lives an or)inar* life6 Loves his /ife, chil)ren, goes to /ork6 is an or)inar* human (eing con)emne) (* the &riests, (* the soAcalle) C?;?TC?+6 The* ex&loit this same or)inar* man, the* live on him, the* are suckers AA (ut the* are hol*, the* are s&iritual6 Their han)s are never mu))ie) (ecause the* )onBt /ork, the* )onBt move into life6 The* remain far a/a*: the* are Bhol*B6 ?n) the man /ho lives is Bunhol*B6 2f *ou look )ee&l* *ou /ill fin) that the ver* /or) Bsacre)B is (ase) on ego )istinctions6 <hat is sacre) an) /hat is not sacre)D 2f @o) is ever*/here, then ever*thing is sacre)6 2f @o) is in the rock an) in the tree an) in the man an) in the /oman, then ever*thing is sacre)6 @o) is ever*/here, in ever*thingE @o) is the onl* realit* AA then ho/ can an*thing (e un)ivineD #ven the )evil has to (e )ivine6 ?n) that is the (eaut* of the /or) B)evilB: it comes from the same root as B)ivineB6 The )evil has to (e )ivine other/ise he cannot (e6 +o 2 /ant to )issolve all )istinctions, (ecause through )istinctions ego exists6 +o 2 )onBt sa* /hat is sacre) an) /hat is or)inar*6 To me the or)inar* is extraor)inar*, the mun)ane is sacre)6 the )a*AtoA)a* life is hol* life AA hence 2 use the /or) BesotericB as a ri)iculous /or)6 2t hurts man* &eo&le (ecause there are man* &eo&le /ho think that if religion is o(vious then /here /ill the* fin) their egoAtri&D 2f ever*thing is unhi))en from the ver* (eginning, then their ego has no challenge6 #go is challenge) onl* (* the )ifficult6 This is m* o(servation: that if *ou fin) one hun)re) &erson intereste) in religious enGuir* ninet*Anine /ill (e there onl* (ecause @o) is almost im&ossi(le6 That gives the thrill, that makes them feel goo) AA that the* are going to attain the im&ossi(le6 Others are onl* /orking for the &ossi(le an) the* are /orking for the im&ossi(le6 The* feel ver* goo)E their ego is strengthene)6 ;ere /ith me, @o) is the onl* &ossi(ilit*6 nothing else is &ossi(le6 ?n) @o) is not im&ossi(le6 ;e is Fust in front of *ou, he is not hi))en6 ;e is hol)ing *our han), he is sitting (* *our si)e6 ;e is in *our chil) in *our /ife, in *our hus(an)6 ;e is in *our frien) an) he is in *our foe6 ;e surroun)s *ou from ever*/here: *ou exist in the ocean of @o)6 :ut then the egoist feels )ull6 ;e sa*s BThen /hat is the &ointDB The egoist /ants to go to the moon (ecause it is im&ossi(le6 The egoist /ants to go to Ct6 #verest (ecause it is im&ossi(le6 <hen some(o)* aske) #)mun) ;illar* B<h*D <h* in the first &lace )i) *ou (ecome intereste) in going to Ct6 #verestD ?n) /hat /as the &ointD There /as nothing to gain6B #)mun) ;illar* sai) B2 ha) to go, man ha) to conGuer it6B B:ut /h*DB the Guestioner aske)6 ;illar* sai) B<h*D AA (ecause it is there, stan)ing there so aloof, so im&ossi(le6 Can ha) to conGuer it for no other reason666 Fust (ecause it is a great challenge6B @o) is far a/a* in the heavens AA then the ego feels thrille), then there is a)venture6 ?n) 2 sa* he is ver* close (* AA then the ego feels no interest6 5emem(er this tri& of the ego6 130

#go can &la* such (eautiful games, such (eautiful, su(tle games, that if *ou are not a/are, *ou /ill never get out of it6 ?n) unless *ou get out of it, *ou /ill never see @o)6 #go is /hat 2 mean /hen 2 sa* *our e*es are close): it is the curtain of the ego that is kee&ing them close)6 $ro& the curtain an) *ou /ill kno/ that from the ver* (eginning nothing is hi))en an) there is nothing that is not sacre), so /hat is the &oint in making such )istinctionsD 2 )onBt make them6 2 am not a &riest, 2 am not a C?;?TC?, 2 am not a saint6 2 am a ver* or)inar* &erson, as or)inar* as *ou are6 C* /hole /ork consists in this: to )eclare that or)inar* human (eings are )ivine6 Or)inar* human (eings like me are )ivine6 'ou are also )ivine6 Iuestion O+;O, 'O> %O.9>+# C#6 <hatsoever 2 sa* *ou )onBt hear, hence the confusion6 The /a* that 2 sa* it, *ou )onBt hear in the same /a*E *ou inter&ret it, *ou (ring *our min) in6 ? constant commentar* is going on in *our min)s: /hile 2 am s&eaking *ou are continuousl* commenting insi)e *ou6 'our commentar* )oes not allo/ me to reach to *our heart6 ?ll that 2 &our into *ou never reaches6 Onl* fragments reachE much is misse), hence the confusion6 Those fragments *ou cannot &ut together6 #ven if *ou tr* to &ut them together the* never fit, (ecause much is missing an) then *ou start feeling confuse)6 2 am not confusing *ou AA *ou confuse *ourself6 2f *ou listen to me all confusion /ill )isa&&ear6 'ou /ill (ecome 9>+#$, *ou /ill (ecome one6 :ut 2 sa* something, *ou hear something else6 The* strolle) into the &ark6 2t /as a (eautiful )a*6 Perfect for the *outh an) romance that *outh is entitle) to enFo*6 B+ee those humming (ir)s fla&&ing their /ings a thousan) times a minuteDB she sai)6 B'esB he ans/ere) softl*6 B?n) the* have their (ills together6B BLetBs )o thatB she im&lore)6 B@eeB he sai) (reathlessl* B2Bm afrai) 2 canBt fla& m* arms that fast6B This is continuousl* going on666 2 sa* something, *ou un)erstan) something else6 'ou go on misun)erstan)ing meE *our &reFu)ices come in the /a*6 'our &hiloso&hies, *our religions, *our accumulate) kno/le)ge, continuousl* )istract *ou, hence the confusion6 Those /ho hear me AA the* are never confuse)6 Those /ho )onBt hear me AA onl* the* are confuse)6 +o learn ho/ to listen6 :ecome more alert6 <hen *ou listen to me, )onBt thinkH :ecome &ure a/areness, trans&arentE Fust a clarit*, mirrorAlike AA )onBt )istort6 -ust listen to it, there is no hurr* to )eci)e6 2 am not sa*ing (elieve /hat 2 am sa*ing AA 2 am neither sa*ing (elieve it nor am 2 sa*ing )onBt (elieve it AA 2 am sim&l* sa*ing listen to it6 There is no Guestion of (elief or )is(elief6 2f *ou have listene) rightl*, things /ill start ha&&ening6 +o )onBt (e in a hurr* to Fu)ge /hether /hat 2 am sa*ing is right or /hat 2 am sa*ing is /rong6 2 am not asking for *our conviction, *our a&&roval, )isa&&rovalE 2 am sim&l* asking for *our trans&arent, mirrorAlike clarit*6 2n that ver* clarit*, /hatsoever is true reaches )ee& into *our heart, sinks )ee&E an) /hatsoever is untrue never &enetrates that clarit*, that trans&arence6 Trans&arence is the onl* &rotection against the untrue6 <hat is ha&&ening right no/D 'ou are not trans&arent, so onl* )istorte) things enter6 <hatsoever goes /ith *our &reFu)ices enters in, an) /hatsoever goes against *our &reFu)ices AA *ou )onBt allo/ it, *ou )onBt hear it6 'ou )onBt even /ant to hear that it has (een sai), (ecause *ou feel afrai)6 2f *ou hear it, *our &reFu)ices ma* (ecome /eakene), ma* (ecome loose6 'our /hole investment in the &ast is at stake ever* moment /ith me6 ?n) /hat 2 am sa*ing is re(ellion, it is not tra)ition6 2f *ou cling to the tra)ition, there /ill (e great confusion6 2f *ou cling to the scri&ture, there /ill (e great confusion6 $onBt cling to an*thing6 -ust listen to me an) *ou /ill see that there is no confusion6 ?n) out of that clarit* un)erstan)ing arises6 131

>n)erstan)ing is not intellectualE it is not a (*A&ro)uct of thinking6 >n)erstan)ing arises /hen *ou listen to me totall* AA as if *our /hole (o)* ha) (ecome *our earsE min), (o)*, soul, all together, Fust )rinking me in6 Then arises un)erstan)ing6 ?n) un)erstan)ing never confusesE un)erstan)ing has no &ossi(ilit* of confusion6 +ometimes 2 sa* things to shock *ou (ecause that is the onl* /a* to /ake *ou6 The &ur&ose is not to shock *ouE the &ur&ose is to /ake *ou6 +ometimes 2 sa* things to u&root *our &reFu)ices6 2 am not against them6 2 am sim&l* tr*ing to clean *our groun)666 as if a &erson /ante) to &lant a ne/ gar)en, a ne/ la/n6 <hat is he going to )o firstD The /ee)s have to (e remove), the soil has to (e cleane) of all stones, /ee)s, grass6 2f that is not )one, then roses cannot gro/ there6 <hile 2 am talking to *ou it is a continuous effort to u&root /ee)s6 2f *ou cling to those /ee)s, *ou /ill feel ver* )istur(e): 2 am u&rooting an) *ou are tr*ing to &rotect them AA then there is a constant fight (et/een me an) *ou6 ThatBs /h* 2 insist so much that this fight )isa&&ears if *ou (ecome a sann*asin, if *ou (ecome an initiate6 'ou are more in tune /ith me, *ou are less afrai) of me6 'ou feel more )ee&l* in love /ith me, more #. 5?PPO5T, an) /ork (ecomes eas*6 <hen *ou )onBt &rotect, things can (e )one fastE the groun) can (e cleane) ver* easil*6 ?n) once the groun) is clean, then there is a &ossi(ilit* for (eautiful roses6 ? /ellA(rought u& *oung la)*, /ho can han)le a car in the countr* (ut isnBt so sure of herself in traffic, )eci)e) recentl* to take a course at one of the cit* auto schools to (rush u& on her )riving6 To her utter astonishment, soon after she ha) starte) out on her first lesson, the instructor leane) over, close to her ear an) Guerie) softl*6 B$i) 2 hear *ou call me ")arling"DB B+irHB crie) the *oung la)*, hotl*, forgetting all a(out her )riving an) turning to glare6 BThatBs Fust to teach *ou, CissB the instructor res&on)e) sternl* Bno matter /hat an*(o)* sa*s to *ou, kee& *our e*es on the roa)6B +ometimes 2 shock *ou, sometimes 2 sa* things that *ou ha) never ex&ecte) 2 /oul) sa*6 >nex&ecte), *ou cannot (elieve /hat 2 am sa*ingE it sim&l* shakes *ou to *our ver* roots6 :ut remem(er onl* one thing: 2 am not enFo*ing shocking *ou6 The &ur&ose is to a/aken *ou6 <hen the alarm goes in the morning it is not against *ou6 'ou ma* feel it is against *ou AA it looks like an enem*: *ou /ant to slee&, it is col), *ou /oul) like to have another turn an) snuggle un)er the (lanket an) have a little more of a (eautiful )ream, an) no/ this alarm goes on an) on an) on6 2 have kno/n &eo&le /ho have thro/n their alarm clocks6 2t is natural, (ut foolish too6 +ometimes *ou ma* (e ver* hurt (* me AA *our &reFu)ices are )ee&Aroote), of long stan)ing AA (ut m* &ur&ose is not to shock, m* &ur&ose is to /ake *ou6 %onfusion is coming (ecause *ou are not hearing me6 2 am not res&onsi(le for it, *ou are res&onsi(le for it6 5emem(er one ver* (asic rule: /hatsoever ha&&ens to *ou, *ou are finall* res&onsi(le for itE no(o)* else can (e res&onsi(le for it6 Take res&onsi(ilit*6 <hatsoever ha&&ens to *ou AA miser*, ha&&iness, confusion, sa)ness, clarit* AA no(o)* else is res&onsi(le6 .ever thro/ *our res&onsi(ilit* on some(o)* else, (ecause that is the /a* of the slave6 Then *ou /ill remain a slave for ever an) everE *ou /ill never (ecome free6 2f 2 can confuse *ou, then /hat sort of clarit* )o *ou haveD Then an*(o)* can confuse *ouE then /herever *ou go, &eo&le /ill confuse *ou6 <hen /ill *ou (ecome unconfuse) then, an) ho/D .o, *ou have to un)erstan): unless *ou /ant to (e confuse), no(o)* can confuse *ou6 ?n) unless *ou /ant to (ecome clear, no(o)* can give *ou the clarit* either6 2f 2 coul) give *ou the clarit* 2 /oul) have given it6 There /oul) (e no nee) to /restle /ith *ou ever* )a*6 2 /oul) sim&l* give it to *ou an) (e finishe), (ut it cannot (e given6 'ou have to learn one (asic la/: that /hatsoever ha&&ens to *ou, 'O> are res&onsi(le for it AA no(o)* else, never AA it is al/a*s *ou6 ?n) this is the /a* that one (ecomes a master of oneBs o/n (eing6 <hen *ou are unha&&*, remem(er *ou are making *ourself unha&&*6 Ca*(e there is an excuse outsi)e, (ut the excuse can never make an*(o)* unha&&* unless *ou /ant to (e 13

unha&&*6 <hen *ou are ha&&* there is an excuse outsi)e6 ?n) once *ou have un)erstoo) *ou /ill fin) there are al/a*s millions of excuses outsi)e, *ou have to choose6 2f *ou /ant to have miser*, if *ou nee) miser*, if *ou love miser*, *ou can al/a*s fin) excuses, the* are availa(le6 The /orl) gives a great o&&ortunit* to each kin) of moo), to each state of min)6 'ou can choose, (ut the choice is *ours6 Iuestion , 2 <?.T TO :# ;OL' :>T #V#5' T2C# 2 T5' 2T ?L<?'+ %OC#+ O>T B@OO$ @25LB6 The Guestion is from ?mi)a6 The ver* i)ea Bto (e hol*B is stu&i)6 ?mi)a, (e a/are of it AA it is an egoAtri&6 The ver* i)ea of (eing hol* means to (e holier than othersE it is com&arative6 2n that ver* i)ea *ou /ant to have *our su&eriorit* over others: others are unhol*, ?mi)a is hol*6 +o naturall* it al/a*s comes out Bgoo) girlB AA it is (oun) to6 'ou /ill (ecome a goo)*Agoo)*, an) that is one of the ugliest things that can ha&&en to a &erson6 'ou /ill lose all life6 'ou /ill (ecome a saint, (ut a saint is a )ea) man, Fust &ure ego, &ious ego, an) nothing else6 This is a ne/ turn in the /orl) of the ego6 9irst *ou /ant to (e a famous star, or *ou /ant to (e the richest man in the /orl), or the &resi)ent of a countr*, or a &rime minister AA things like that6 Then one )a* *ou feel that is useless6 'ou see the &rime ministers an) *ou see the &resi)ents an) *ou see the richest man an) the most famous star committing suici)e, an) then *ou start feeling frustrate) (ecause the* have not attaine) an*thing6 Then there is onl* one more /a*: to look into the /orl) of religion6 B:ecome hol* AA ma*(e these hol* &eo&le have attaine)6B :ut 2 tell *ou, those /ho /ant to attain, never attain6 <hatsoever their goal, /hatsoever their o(Fect, the* al/a*s fail6 9rustration is their fate, the* are )oome) to failE failure is their )estin*6 <h*D AA (ecause all attainment is in the future, an) life is hereAno/6 +o )onBt (other to (e goo), )onBt (other to (e this an) that, Fust (e /hosoever *ou are6 ?cce&t it an) live it6 2f *ou can start living totall*, full*, not hol)ing an*thing (ack, if *ou start flo/ing totall*, *our life /ill have a fragranceE that fragrance 2 call BreligionB6 2t has nothing to )o /ith hol* or unhol*, /ith virtue an) sin AA no6 2t is the fragrance of a flo/ing life, of a )*namic life, or one /ho is not stagnant, of one /ho is not )ivi)e), of one /ho has no future, no &ast, of one /ho has onl* the &resent AA the onl* moment AA an) lives it6 Live each moment as if *ou /ere going to )ie the next, an) then there /ill (e a great intensit* an) a great &assion6 'ou /ill (e aflame /ith life6 That (eing aflame is /hat (eing )ivine is to me6 2f *ou ask me, that /ill (e m* )efinition of the hol*: Baflame /ith lifeB AA as if a torch /ere (urning from (oth en)s together6 ? great &assion, a great fire6666 This is the last moment, /h* not live it totall*D 2f @o) allo/s *ou another moment, again it is the last moment6 $onBt /ait, )onBt &ost&one6 ?ll these i)eas of (eing goo) are of &ost&onement6 ;o/ can *ou (e goo) right no/D 'ou /ill have to /ait for tomorro/6 To (e goo) means to train, to )isci&line, *ourself, to )ro& man* things, to gro/ ne/ Gualities, to have a ne/ character AA moralit*, an) of course it is going to (e ver* &ainful (ecause *ou /ill constantl* (e in a fight /ith *ourself6 ?n*thing that creates a rift in *our (eing is ugl*6 5emem(er, an*thing that creates a )ivision in *our (eing, /hich makes *ou s&lit, makes *ou schizo&hrenic, is &athological6 :e total, (e one6 +o )onBt Fu)ge6 The moment *ou sa* BThis is goo) an) that is (a)B, *ou have Fu)ge), *ou have )ivi)e)6 .o/ *ou /ill (e in trou(le6 <henever *ou /ill (e )oing (a), *ou /ill onl* (e )oing it halfAhearte)l* (ecause one &art /ill sa* BThis is (a), )onBt )o itH 'ou kno/ this is (a), )onBt )o itHB ?n) if *ou )o goo), *ou /ill kno/ that it is not satisf*ing, an) the (a) &art /ill go on &ulling *ou AA B<h* are *ou /asting *our energ*, /h* are *ou fasting /hile *ou coul) have feaste)D <h* )o *ou remain in celi(ac* /hen *ou coul) have love) a (eautiful /omanDB <hen *ou are tr*ing to (e goo), /hatsoever *ou have calle) (a) /ill take revenge, /ill go on &ulling *ou from the (ack an), sooner or later, it /ill &ull *ou into the (a)6 <hen *ou are 13,

)oing the (a), /hen *ou are making love to a /oman, su))enl* *ou /ill remem(er that Cahatma @an)hi sa*s :5?;C?%;?5'? 2+ the onl* thing to (e )one6 Caking love to a /oman666 an) in comes a C?;?TC? an) stan)s Fust (et/een *ou an) *our /oman6 ?gain ever*thing is )istur(e)6 'ou cannot love &erfectl*, totall*, a(solutel*E an) then there is frustration6 'ou feel that *ou have committe) a sin, then *ou /ant to )o something goo) to kee& the (alance, other/ise *ou /ill (ecome ver* lo&si)e)6 This is ho/ 2 see &eo&le: moving from goo) to (a), from (a) to goo), again an) againE their /hole life is Fust a continuous movement (et/een o&&osite &olarities6 <hat is m* teachingD <hat is TaoD Tao is to acce&t life in its totalit* an) not to )ivi)e it6 There is nothing goo) an) nothing (a)6 <hatsoever ha&&ens, let it ha&&en6 ?llo/ it6 $onBt struggle6 <hen *ou listen to me, su))enl* *our min) /ill sa* that this is )angerous, (ecause *ou kno/ *ou have re&resse) man* (a) things666 so if *ou allo/ it, those (a) things /ill start coming into *our min)6 -ust listening to me, /atch *our min)6 <hen 2 sa* B<hatsoever ha&&ens, let it ha&&enB *ou have starte) &lanning to esca&e /ith the neigh(ourBs /ife, (ecause that has (een coming naturall* to *ou AA *ou have (een avoi)ing it (ecause *ou are a goo) &erson, a res&ecta(le citizen6 <hat to )o thenD 2 have hear) a(out an office6666 The (oss /as ver* /orrie) (ecause &eo&le /ere not /orking as the* shoul)6 ;e aske) a &s*chologist /hat to )o6 The &s*chologist sai) B'ou Fust &ut man* signs in the office: $o it To)a* (ecause Tomorro/ .ever %omes6B +o he fixe) man* signs AA on almost ever* ta(le, ever* /all AA an) (* the evening the &s*chologist came to enGuire /hat ha&&ene)6 The (oss /as cr*ing an) he sai) B'ou )estro*e) m* /hole (usinessHB B:utB he sai) B/hat ha&&ene)DB ;e sai) B<hat ha&&ene)H C* t*&ist esca&e) /ith the rece&tionist, the cashier has taken all the mone*, an) the office (o* /ante) to mur)er me6 ?ll finishe)H The* sai) "$o it to)a*6 <h* are *ou /aitingD Tomorro/ never comes6" The* /ere all thinking to )o these things6666 "+o this is the last chance if *ou /ant to )o it" AA so the* have )one it6B <hen 2 sa* B$o /hatsoever ha&&ensB, su))enl* *ou /ill feel the great urge of all that *ou have re&resse)6 ThatBs natural, (ut that is onl* (ecause *ou have re&resse)E it /ill come an) go6 2f *ou allo/ it, soon it /ill (e release)E *ou /ill (ecome normal6 'ou /ill (ecome a(solutel* normal an) health*6 ?n) once *ou have (ecome (alance) an) *ou are not (eing &ulle) in o&&osite )irections continuousl*, an integrit* arises in *ou AA an) 2 call that integrit* real holiness6 2t has nothing to )o /ith goo), nothing to )o /ith (a)E it has something to )o /ith totalit*6 The /or) Bhol*B comes from the /or) B/holeB6 <hole means total6 The (asic root is right: Bhol*B means one /ho is living a /hole life6 $onBt tr* to (e goo)*Agoo)*, allo/ ever*thing, then *our life /ill have richness6 ? goo)*Agoo)* &erson is nauseating6 2f *ou have the misfortune of living /ith a goo)*Agoo)* &erson *ou /ill feel like vomiting6 ;e is so goo), no salt at all666 saccharine6 ? man nee)s a little salt too, a man nee)s a little (itterness too, a man nee)s a little sourness too that makes life enriche)6 ? man nee)s a little )evil too, then *ou live more full*6 2 am not against the )evilE 2 am all for @o), (ut 2 am not against the )evil6 2n fact, if a @o) is reall* @o) he /ill a(sor( the )evil into himself too, he /ill not )en* him6 ? @o), if he reall* is @o), must (e ca&a(le of a(sor(ing the )evil too6 2f *ou ask m* )efinition666 @o) is one /ho can a(sor( the )evil /ithout (ecoming )evilish, an) the )evil is one /ho cannot a(sor( @o) at all /ithout (ecoming go)l* AA thatBs the )efinition6 The )evil is ver* inca&a(le6 ;e cannot a(sor( @o) /ithout (ecoming go)l* an) @o) is infinit*: he can a(sor( the )evil /ithout (ecoming )evilish6 #ven a )evil /ill have a &lace in @o)Bs (eing an) /ill give some (eaut* to @o)6 /ill function as a (ackgroun), /ill (ecome the fiel)6 2f @o) is the figure, the )evil /ill (ecome the fiel)6 13"

2f *ou /ant to &aint *ou have to use man* colours6 2f *ou use onl* one colour *our &ainting /ill (e ver* )ull an) (oring6 The more colours, the more rich the &ainting /ill (e6 ?n) if *ou )ro& the (lack colour com&letel*, *our &ainting /ill miss something6 The (lack is nee)e) (ecause onl* through the (lack )oes the /hite come clear an) lou)6 +o 2 am not teaching *ou to (e goo), 2 am not teaching *ou to (e (a)E 2 am teaching *ou onl* to (e /hole6 To (e /hole is to (e health* an) to (e health* is to (e hol*6 :ut the ego )oes not /ant to (e /hole, (ecause once *ou are /hole the ego cannot exist6 The ego exists onl* in the s&lit6 <hen *ou are fighting /ith *ourself, the ego exists6 The ego al/a*s exists through conflictE conflict is its foo), nourishment6 +o if *ou are /hole, the ego cannot exist6 'ou can /atch it6 'ou can go an) /atch the criminals AA the* have their ego, *ou can go an) /atch *our saints AA the* have their ego: the ego of the goo) an) the ego of the (a)6 :ut if *ou can fin) a man /ho has no ego, he /ill (e neither a sinner nor a saint, he /ill (e ver* sim&le6 ;e /ill not claim an*thing goo) or (a)E he /ill not claim at all6 The ego is create) (* the rift6 <hen *ou are fighting, the ego comes inE /hen *ou are not fighting, the ego cannot come in6 #go is a T#.+2O.6 2f *ou /ant the ego, then )ivi)e *ourself as full* as &ossi(le AA (ecome t/o &ersons6 That is /hat is ha&&ening to man* &eo&le, that is /hat has ha&&ene) to /hole of humanit*6 #ver*(o)* has (ecome t/o &ersons: one voice sa*s B$o thisB, the other voice sa*s B$onBt )o thatB AA then the ego arises6 Out of friction ego arises, an) ego is ver* intoxicatingE it makes *ou unconscious6 This is the /hole mechanism6 9or ego, *ou have to fight, )ivi)e, create conflict6 ?n inner violence, an inner /ar AA an) then ego arises, an) ego intoxicates6 2t makes *ou ver* unconscious, as if *ou /ere al/a*s on )rugs6 2t )oes not allo/ *ou to see things as the* are6 ?nother athletic )runk a&&eare) at a ticket /in)o/ in Louisville /ith a com&anion slung over his shoul)er out col)6 BOne seat to %incinnatiB he )eman)e)6 The ticket seller sai) B;o/ a(out that (ig lug *ouBre carr*ingDB B;imDB )e&recate) the )runk6 BThass FusB m* little sixA*earAol) (o* ?(ner6B B+ix *ears ol), ehDB sai) the ticket seller6 B<h*, heBs full* six feet tall, /eight a(out one eight*Afive, an) has a (ear) three inches longHB The )runk )um&e) his com&anion on the &latform an) grum(le) B$ammit, ?(nerH 2 tol) *ou to shaveHB ? )runk is a )runkE he cannot see things as the* are6 ;e &roFects, imagines, an) thinks that if he is (efoole), he can (efool the /hole /orl)6 The egoist AA /atch the egoist AA thinks that if he is (efoole), he can (efool ever*(o)*6 ;ave *ou not o(serve) the fact that *our ego (ecomes ver* a&&arent to ever*(o)* else exce&t *ouD 'ou kno/ ever*(o)* elseBs ego exce&t *our o/n6 The hus(an) kno/s the ego of the /ife, the /ife kno/s the ego of the hus(an), the chil)ren kno/ the ego of the &arents, the &arents kno/ the ego of the chil)ren AA no(o)* kno/s his o/n6 $ee& )o/n it creates such an intoxicate) state that /hen ever*(o)* is a/are of *our ego, onl* *ou are not a/are6 ?n) if &eo&le sa* something to make the truth an) the facts kno/n to *ou, *ou are (oun) to misinter&ret or *ou are (oun) to hear something else6 <hen some(o)* sa*s that *ou are ver* egoistic, *ou /ill sa* B2 kno/ he himself is an egoist an) it is his ego6B +he /asnBt exactl* an*thing to look at, (ut she ha) heart an) a )esire for sho/ (usiness6 B2Bm going to Lon)onBs Theatrical ?genc* a(out a Fo(B she tol) a frien)6 The frien) e*e) her carefull*6 ;e sa/ her (ul(ous figure, her ugl* face, her string* hair6 ;e thought a(out her scratch* voice an) her slo&&* )ress6 BThereBs no use going thereB he sai) )i&lomaticall* Bunless *ouBve got goo) legs6B B<h*DB she /as genuinel* &uzzle)6 B;avenBt the* got an elevatorDB

130

2t is ver* )ifficult to un)erstan) even if it is &ointe) outE even if ever*(o)* &oints at it *ou /ill not un)erstan)6 'ou remain )rugge)6 T/o )runks registere) at a hotel an) aske) for t/in (e)s6 ;o/ever, in the )arkness the* (oth got into the same (e)6 B;e*B *elle) the first )runk Bthe* g*&&e) me6 ThereBs another man in m* (e)6B BThereBs a gu* in m* (e) tooB calle) the secon)6 LetBs thro/ Bem outB calle) (ack the first6 ? terrific /restling match ensue) an) finall* one )runk /ent sailing out of the (e)6 B;o/B) *ou make outDB the )runk on the floor calle)6 B2 thre/ m* gu* outB the (e))e) )runk re&lie)6 B;o/ a(out *ouBDB B;e thre/ me out6B B<ell, that makes us even6 @et into (e) /ith me an) go to slee&6B :e /atchful a(out the ego6 2t is the greatest )rug that exists an) it )rugs *ou so (a)l* that *ou (ecome almost inca&a(le of seeing /hat is /hat6 :ut the ego is create) (* conflict (et/een goo) an) (a), so if *ou /ant to )ro& the ego, *ou /ill have to )ro& the conflict (et/een goo) an) (a)6 ?n) to )ro& the conflict (et/een goo) an) (a) is the greatest act of courage a man can affor), an) that (rings *ou to the ver* )oor of )ivinit*6 @o) is neither goo) nor (a)6 The )a* *ou are neither goo) nor (a) *ou (ecome )ivine6 Iuestion " O+;O, 2 LOV# 'O>, :>T T;#+# I>#+T2O.+ 'O> ?5# C?72.@ >P ?5# TOO C>%; AA +O 2 C>+T ?+7 O.#, .OT T;?T 2 ?C %>52O>+, :>T <;?T 2+ T;2+ ;OLL'<OO$ :>+2.#++D The Guestion is from $evesh6 ;e /ill not ask unless he is reall* in )ifficult*, so 2 have to ans/er6 ;e is not the one to ask Fust (ecause of curiosit*6 ;is slee& must (e )istur(e)6 2t must (e haunting his min)6 ;e must have (roo)e) over it for man* )a*s, (ecause this is nothing ne/, this ;oll*/oo) (usiness: it is alrea)* ver* ol) ne/s6 ? fe/ things: first6 *ou kno/ Fournalists6666 ?ll over the /orl) that is the /orst &rofession a &erson can choose an) then 2n)ian Fournalists6666 2 cannot stan) t/o t*&es of &ersons: the Fournalist an) the &rofessor an) unfortunatel* 2 have (een (oth in m* life ma*(e thatBs /h* 2 cannot stan) them6 +o it is a fiction create) (* Fournalists6 Ca*(e Laxmi /as talking to them an) she ma* have sai) something /hich coul) have (een inter&rete) as if 2 /ere going to ;oll*/oo)6 Ca*(e she /as talking a(out the Bhol* /oo)B6 ?)olf ;itler /as ver* /orrie) a(out his )eath6 .aturall*666 he ha) kille) so man* &eo&le, it /as natural that he shoul) (e /orrie) a(out his o/n )eath AA all those kille) -e/s must have (een haunting him6 +o he enGuire)6 +ome(o)* suggeste) BThere is a great -e/ish astrologer, the greatest in @erman*6 Onl* he can sa* something a(out /hen *ou /ill )ie, ho/ *ou /ill )ieE an) he has al/a*s &re)icte) rightl* AA he can (e relie) u&on6 ?ll his &re)ictions have (een one hun)re) &er cent correct6B :ut he /as a -e/6 +till ?)olf ;itler calle) him aske) him6 The -e/ (roo)e) over it close) his e*es an) he sai) B'es it has come: *ou /ill )ie on a -e/ish holi)a*6B ;itler sai), BCake it exact6 <hat )o *ou meanD <hat -e/ish holi)a*DB ?n) the man sai) BThat is )ifficult6 One thing is certain: /henever *ou )ie that /ill (e a -e/ish holi)a*6B +o, /herever Osho goes6 that /ill (e ;oll*/oo) thatBs natural6 $onBt (e /orrie) a(out such things6 131

Iuestion 0 2. T;# L?+T 9#< $?'+ C' C2.$ ;?+ :##. PL?'2.@ <2T; T;2+ I>#+T2O.6 <;?T ;?PP#.+ <;#. ? ;?5$A<?' P#5+O., 9O5 #J?CPL# ? 9OLLO<#5 O9 @>5$-2#99, %OC#+ ?%5O++ ? T?O2+T C?+T#5D The Guestion is from PurnaE a (eautiful Guestion, significant: <hat /ill ha&&en if a follo/er of @ur)Fieff comes across a Taoist CasterD <hat ha&&ens /hen a river comes falling, tum(ling, )o/n off a hillock u&on strong rocksD 2f *ou look, *ou /ill think BThose rocks are so har), /hat can the river )o, /hat can this /aterfall )oDB :ut if *ou come after a fe/ *ears, *ou /ill fin) those rocks are goneE the* have (ecome san)6 The soft /ater has (ecome victorious over har) rocks6 Lao Tzu calls it Bthe /atercourse /a*B, the /a* of the soft, the /a* of the feminine6 <hat ha&&ens /hen a man, a ver* strong man an) a ver* fragile (eautiful /oman come across each other, /hat ha&&ensD The man looks like a rock an) the /oman looks like Fust a small rivulet, tum(ling from a hillock666 (ut /hatsoever the a&&earances, the final victor* is of the feminineE the /oman /ins over6 +he is soft, the man is har), an) the &ara)ox is that the /oman surren)ers an) through surren)er she conGuersE an) the man never surren)ers, (ut even never surren)ering, one )a* the fin)s that he has (een taken over, he has (een &ossesse)6 #ven the strongest men, .a&oleon or ?lexan)er, are strong /hen the* are outsi)e: /hen the* come home the* are no more strong6 Then their fragile /ife is all strong6 There is a strength in softness6 Tao is the /a* of the soft, the feminine /a*, the /atercourse /a*6 @ur)Fieff s /a* is the /a* of the rock6 2f it ha&&ens that a Taoist an) a follo/er of @ur)Fieff meet, in the (eginning *ou /ill sa* that the follo/er of @ur)Fieff is /inning, (ut finall*, eventuall*6 *ou /ill fin) that he has )isa&&eare) an) the Taoist has /on over6 That has al/a*s (een so6 'ou cannot )efeat the soft6 Ca*(e, for the time (eing, *ou can have a certain victor*, (ut *ou cannot reall* )efeat the soft6 2t is im&ossi(le to )efeat the soft6 The soft is so fragile, so rea)* to )isa&&ear666 thatBs /h* it cannot (e 9O5%#$ to )isa&&ear6 Lao Tzu sa*s B.o(o)* can )efeat me (ecause 2 am alrea)* )efeate)6 .o(o)* can )efeat me (ecause 2 )onBt hanker for victor* at all6B ;o/ can *ou )efeat him /ho has no )esire to (e victoriousD The /a* of the har), /hat :u))hists call V?-5?'?.?, Bthe /a* of the )iamon)B6666 The )iamon) is the har)est thing in the /orl) AA that is exactl* the right /or) for it, V?-5?'?.?, Bthe /a* of the )iamon)B6 :ut even the )iamon) /ill have to give /a* to /ater6 2t has al/a*s (een so an) it is goo) that it is so AA that sim&l* sho/s that @o) /ins6 The one /ho is hum(le, the one /ho is meek, /ins6 +a*s -esus B:lesse) are the meek, for theirs is the king)om of @o)6B The @ur)Fieffian /a* is the /a* of the /ill6 2t takes *ou to the lastA(utAone ste&6 2t takes *ou exactl* to the lastA(utAone ste&6 The final ste& has to (e Taoist, (ecause through the /ill *ou can come to a &eak of *our /ill, (ut then one has to surren)er that &eak of the /illE it has to (e surren)ere)6 The onl* )ifference (et/een the &ath of surren)er an) the &ath of /ill is that on the &ath of surren)er *ou surren)er as the first ste&, on the &ath of /ill *ou surren)er as the last ste& AA thatBs the onl* )ifference6 <hat is reGuire) as the last ste& on the &ath of /ill is reGuire) as the first ste& on the &ath of surren)er6 +o those /ho are /ise /ill choose the &ath of surren)er (ecause /hat is the &oint in struggling so har) for so long, an) then finall* relaxing, then finall* )ro&&ing ever*thingD <hat is the &ointD 2f *ou are inca&a(le of relaxation, oka*, then *ou go on the &ath of /illE other/ise the &ath of surren)er is sim&l* the /isest /a* (ecause it is the &ath of least resistance, in fact of nonAresistance6 The Guestion is significant an) it is from Purna6 +he herself is a little rockAlike, ver* har)6 +he is a /oman, (ut ver* har), ver* @erman AA she is a @erman, ver*A/ille)6 +he coul) have move) on the @ur)Fieffian &ath ver* easil*6 ;ere she is in /rong com&an*, (ut she is relaxing666 (* an) (* she is un)erstan)ing6 ;er struggle, fight, is going, her ego is )ro&&ing6 The soft /ill /in over6 13!

The Guestion is not Fust an intellectual one, thatBs /h* 2 sa* it is significantE it is ver* im&ortant to Purna: it is her situation6 2f she /ere in a @ur)Fieffian school she /oul) (e on the right track as far as her o/n nature is concerne) AA su&erficial nature, of course AA the /a* she is right no/, she /oul) have felt ver* in tune6 ;ere she is in a Taoist /orl), (ut great is her courage AA she is tr*ing, an) she /ill succee)6 +he /ill (ecome effortless one )a*6 +o the Guestion has come from the ver* core of her heart6 2t is ;#5 GuestionE it is not an intellectual g*mnastic6 2t is not that she has rea) it some/here, it has come out of her o/n situation6 +he is rockAlike an) the rock has starte) to hurt, an) so no/ she un)erstan)s it6 .o/ the rock has to (e melte)6 -ust relax an) allo/ me to melt it AA it /ill )isa&&ear, it /ill (ecome san) an) /ill (e gone6 The /ater is alrea)* falling on *ou, Purna666 Fust give /a*6 Iuestion 1 <;' ?C 2 +O PO++#++2V# ?:O>T T;2.@+D The Guestion is from ?nam6 Or)inaril* ever*(o)* is &ossessive of things, (ecause no(o)* &ossesses themselvesE it is a su(stitute6 <hen *ou )onBt &ossess *ourself, *ou start &ossessing things6 2t gives a sort of securit* AA at least *ou &ossess something: a (ig house, a (ig (alance in the (ank, a (eautiful /oman, a /ife, a hus(an)6 chil)ren, securit*, res&ecta(ilit*6 'ou &ossess something, *ou )onBt &ossess *ourself6 To take *our e*es a/a* from that inner zeroness, nothingness, that em&tiness, *ou go on filling things all aroun) *ou6 :ut it is not going to satisf*, (ecause /hatsoever *ou &ossess /ill never make *ou full insi)eE *ou /ill remain em&t*6 The i)ea to &ossess things arises (ecause /e )onBt &ossess our (eing6 :ecause the (eing is missing, /e start moving into the /orl) of having AA B;ave this, have thatB (ut *ou /ill remain frustrate)6 $ee& )o/n the em&tiness /ill (e felt again an) again an) again6 'ou cannot )eceiveE one )a* or other *ou /ill have to recognise the futilit* of it6 'ou can &ossess the /hole /orl) an) *et *ou /ill remain &oor6 >nless *ou &ossess *ourself, *ou /ill remain &oor6 There is onl* one richness an) that is to &ossess oneself, to (e oneself6 +o it is not onl* a Guestion /ith *ou, ?namE it is /ith ever*(o)*: it is a ver* human Guestion6 ;ave *ou /atche)D Cen are less intereste) in things than /omen AA /h*D :ecause the /oman has (een so re&resse) )o/n the centuries that she cannot even imagine &ossessing herself6 +he has (een &ossesse) like a thingE she has (een com&letel* )is&ossesse) from her centre, hence she has (ecome so intereste) in things6 +he continuousl* thinks a(out things: B;ave more mone*, have a (igger house, have a (igger car, ornaments, Fe/els, )iamon)s, this an) that666 go on having6B The /oman seems to (e almost craz*6 <h*D +he has (een com&letel* )is&ossesse) (* man, she has (een thro/n offAcentre, she has (een turne) into a thing, so the onl* /a* to feel that she is, is to have a fur coat, to have )iamon)s, to have gol)6 That is the onl* /a* she can have a little feeling that she is also some(o)*6 2 have hear) a )efinition: One /oman talking is monologue, t/o /omen talking is a catalogue6 The catalogue is their :i(le, their 7oran6 2t is the onl* thing the* rea) AA T;# <;OL# #?5T; %?T?LO@>#6 :ut /h*D <h* has this ugl* situation arisenD :ecause the* have never (een allo/e) to &ossess themselves6 The man is the master an) the /oman is the slave, thatBs /h*6 :ut man is also onl* the master for the nameBs sake, so he is also intereste) in things6 'ou (ecome reall* human onl* /hen *ou start moving in the inner )irection of &ossessing *ourself6 2t can ha&&en onl* through me)itation6 Cone* an) me)itation are the t/o )irections6 2f *ou /ant to &ossess things mone*E if *ou /ant to &ossess *ourself AA me)itation6 ?n) if *ou &ossess *ourself, mone* loses all meaning6 2 am not sa*ing that *ou /ill renounce mone*, 2 am not sa*ing that *ou /ill not earn mone*, (ut it loses all meaning6 Then it is fun, then it is a utilit*E then *ou earn an) *ou s&en), then *ou are not a miserE then it is a goo) me)ium of exchange AA ver* hel&ful, (ut nothing more6 2t is not *our soul, it is not *our go)6 Or)inaril* mone* seems to (e the onl* go) in the /orl)6 Peo&le look on mone* as the* look on @o): the* &ra*6 2n 2n)ia666 *ou /ill (e sur&rise)E the* sa* that 2n)ia is a religious countr*, 133

(ut in fact *ou cannot fin) a more materialistic countr* an*/here6 This is one of the most materialistic countries AA the* /orshi& mone*6 The* have a festival, $2<?L2, then the* /orshi& mone* AA exactl*, the* /orshi&6 The* &ile u& mone* an) /orshi& it like @o) /ith C?.T5?+, chanting, an) a &riest offering flo/ers to the mone*6 <hen *ou &ossess *ourself *ou use mone*, *ou )onBt allo/ mone* to use *ou6 +o this is Fust in)icative of *our (ecoming a little alert6 #ver*(o)* is )ee&l* intereste) in things, (ut /hen *ou (ecome a little alert then *ou recognise the fact: B<h* am 2 so intereste) in thingsDB ? goo) in)ication, a goo) s*m(ol, that *ou have (ecome alert a(out it6 Through this alertness *ou /ill start turning in/ar)s6 5ecognise the fact that *ou are em&t*666 an) then imme)iatel* the i)ea /ill arise BThen /hat am 2 to )oDB @o into this em&tiness6 2t cannot (e fille) (* an* thing from the outsi)e6 2f *ou go in, it can (e fille)6 2f *ou reach to *our centre of (eing, it /ill (e full6 ?n) that is real fullness6 Then *ou are an em&eror AA out/ar)l* *ou ma* (e Fust a (eggar6 Then *ou are reall* rich, an) the richness is such that no(o)* can take it a/a* from *ou6 #ven )eath cannot se&arate *ou from *our richness6 This richness *ou are carr*ing as a treasure in *our (eing, (ut *ou have not looke) there6 +tart looking insi)e, search *our house6 Take a small can)le of me)itation an) go in6 Iuestion ! 'O> +?' T;?T 'O> ?5# B?LL L2@;TB6 <;?T ?:O>T 'O>5 .?C# BLO5$ O9 T;# .2@;TBD -ust one of those consistent inconsistencies of mine6 Iuestion 3 +2.%# T;# 925+T $2+%O>5+#, 2 ;?V# .OT2%#$ 'O> ?L<?'+ LOO72.@ >P :#9O5# 'O> :#@2. ? I>#+T2O.6 2 ;?$ T;O>@;T T;?T T;#5# <?+ +OC#T;2.@ C'+T2%?L 2. T;2+, T;?T 'O> <#5# BLOO72.@ TO<?5$+ @O$B6 +O T;2+ CO5.2.@, ?9T#5 L#%T>5#, 2 <#.T >P TO T;# $?2+ ?.$ LOO7#$6 <;?T ? @OO$ L?>@; 2 ;?$6 T;?.7 'O> O+;O, 'O> T52%7+T#56 2 /ill tell *ou a fe/ anec)otes: The /itness /as (eing (a)gere) (* the crossAexamining la/*er6 B'ou sure it /as exactl* five minutesDB B'es, sir6B B2Bm going to give *ou a testB the la/*er sai), taking out a &ocket /atch6 BTell me /hen five minutes are u&6B ?t exactl* five minutes la&se the /itness *elle) BTimeBs u&HB ?fter losing the case, the la/*er, (eing a goo) s&ort, /alke) over to the /itness an) aske) B;o/ coul) *ou tell the time so exactl*DB B+im&leB /as the ans/er6 B:* the clock on the /all at the (ack of *ou6B 2 am not looking at @o) (ecause @o) is ever*/hereE there is no /a* to avoi) him6 'ou cannot look at an*thing else: @o) is ever*/here6 <hen 2 look at *ou, 2 look at @o)6 <hen 2 look at the trees, 2 look at @o)6 <hen 2 close m* e*es, 2 look at @o), (ecause onl* @o) is6 @o), to me, is exactl* s*non*mous /ith existence6 +o 2 cannot look for @o) an*/here6 There is a (eautiful stor* in .anakBs life6 ;e /ent to the 7aa(a6 2n the night, /hen he /as &re&aring his (e) an) /as Fust rea)* to go to slee&, the &riests of the 7aa(a came an) the* sai) B<e have hear) *ou are a hol* man, (ut *ou seem to (e stu&i) AA *ou have *our feet to/ar)s the 7aa(a6 This is insultingH 5emove *our feet some/here else6B

134

?n) .anak sai) B'ou )o it, (ecause 2 )onBt kno/ of an* &lace /here it /oul) not (e )isres&ectful6 @o) is ever*/hereE /herever 2 &ut m* feet, in /hatever )irection, @o) /ill (e there6 'ou &lease )o it6B The stor* goes on6666 >& to this &oint the stor* seems to (e factual, then it takes a m*thological turn, it (ecomes a &ara(le6 2t is sai) that the &riests trie) to turn .anakBs feet in ever* )irection, (ut /herever the* turne) his feet, there move) the 7aa(a6 2t cannot ha&&enE things like that )onBt ha&&en, (ut the meaning is clear6 2 cannot look an*/here /ithout looking at @o), so there is no /a* to look at @o)6 'ou thought that it /as something m*stical6 The min) is al/a*s hankering for m*ster*, for sensation, for some thrill6 The min) is al/a*s creating an) &roFecting an) hankering for m*steries, an) (ecause of *our create), fa(ricate) m*steries, *ou are not a/are of the great m*ster* that surroun)s *ou6 +to& these chil)ish games6 The /hole of life is m*steriousE there is no nee) for other m*steries6 +to& &la*ing these games, other/ise *ou /ill go on creating fictions, *ou /ill go on imagining things6 'ou imagine something, an) if it is not &rove) right, then *ou are frustrate)6 2f it is &rove) right, *our ego soars high6 2n (oth /a*s it is )angerous6 -ust look, (ut )onBt look for m*steries666 an) the greatest m*ster* /ill (e reveale) to *ou6 Other/ise &eo&le create >9OBs an) a thousan) an) one things AA ?tlantis an) the continent of Cu6 ?n) &eo&le go on creating an) &eo&le (ecome ver* involve) in such things: that in the &ast astronauts ha) lan)e) on the earth666 an) (ooks like that are sol) in millions6 That sim&l* sho/s the foolish human min) AA al/a*s seeking for something miraculous6 That s /h* magicians (ecome C?;?TC?+6 2f the* can )o a trick, /hich an* or)inar* magician can )o, the* (ecome great C?;?TC?+ AA (ecause *ou are in search of some m*ster*6 'ou /ant some m*ster*6 2 am a nonAm*sterious &erson6 There is no m*ster* at all6 +o, once an) for all, let it (e )ro&&e)6 +im&l* start looking at things as the* are6 $onBt tr* to fin) some m*ster*, )onBt create fictions, )onBt (e too imaginative, an) 2 can &romise *ou that if *ou sto& creating m*steries, @o)Bs m*ster* /ill (e reveale) to *ou6 Then ever*thing is m*sterious: the trees, the (ir)s, the rocks, the moon, the sun, the stars666 ever*thing is m*sterious6 ? small )e/)ro& is so m*sterious, /hat else can *ou /antD ? s&routing see) is so m*sterious, /hat else can *ou /antD ? man, a /oman, a chil), is so m*sterious, (ut (ecause of *our create) fictions *our e*es have (ecome )ull6 2t /as goo) that *ou came an) looke) AA there is nothing (ut a clock6 ?n) the clock is nee)e), (ecause m* o/n inner clock sto&&e) long ago6 9or me time has )isa&&eare) so 2 have to )e&en): 2 have to look again an) again at the clock6 C* o/n sense of time has com&letel* gone6 The )a* *our &ast )isa&&ears an) the future, *our timeAsense )isa&&ears also, (ecause the &resent is not &art of timeE the &resent is &art of eternit*6 +ome(o)* aske) -esus B%an *ou tell us /hat /ill (e one of the most significant factors in *our king)om of @o)DB ?n) he sai) BThere shall (e time no longer6B 2n the king)om of @o) there is no time6 Time is a min)Afiction6 C2.$ 2+ T2C#6 The )a* *our min) )isa&&ears, time )isa&&ears6 Then *ou have to (e constantl* )e&en)ent on the clock outsi)e, (ecause in the inner /orl) there is al/a*s Fust .O< nothing moves6 2t is al/a*s &resent, it is Fust &resentE it never (ecomes &ast, it never (ecomes future6 .othing is moving insi)e me6 The future is not turning into the &resent, the &resent is not turning into the &ast6 The inner clock has sto&&e)6 9ailing (usiness ha) )riven the textile man out of the in)ustr* an) into an as*lum, /here his relatives came to visit him6 The* stoo) aroun) for a /hile, an) then, as the en) of visiting hours a&&roache), one of them aske) B<hat time is itDB B9ifteen toB sai) the textile man6 B9ifteen to /hatDB B2 )onBt kno/B he re&lie)6 BTimes got so (a) 2 ha) to la* off one of the han)s6B 140

+o /hen *ou have onl* one han) in *our /atch, *ou can onl* sa* B9ifteen to, t/ent* to, thirt* to666B (ut to /hatD thirt* to /hatD it is im&ossi(le6 ?n) in m* clock, times got so (a) that 2 ha) to la* off (oth han)sE (oth han)s have )isa&&eare)6 Once a ma)man offere) a /atch to me6 ;e sai) to me B2 have a most unusual /atch to offer *ou6 2t never nee)s an* re&airs or /in)ing6 2t has no han)s, no s/ee& secon) )ial an) no face6B B:ut ho/ can *ou tell the timeDB 2 aske) him6 BThatBs eas*6 ?sk an*(o)*6B 888 #.$ 888

141