Tao: The Golden Gate, Vol 2

Man is a Becoming

Man is a Becoming. 'Why do only humans repress, manipulate, kill, try to conquer nature?' Because man is a becoming—not yet complete. Animals are complete; man is a project. Man is a becoming: this is man's greatness and his misery. He can become a Buddha or a Hitler. Freedom is the burden of being human.

It is always today

It is always today. 'Why is it so difficult to forgive?' Because the ego feeds on hurts. It is always today: forgiveness is not about the past—it's about today. The hurt happened yesterday but you carry it today. Drop it now. The ego says 'I was hurt'—the Tao says 'that was then, this is now.'

Transcending the Transcendental

Transcending the Transcendental. 'When he contemplates the void, he realizes the void is also void. The nothingness of nothing is also nothing. When the nethermost nothingness is reached, there is deep and unchanging stillness.' Transcending the transcendental: even transcendence must be transcended. The void must be voided. When all categories dissolve—even void—what remains is stillness.

Just Joking Around

Just Joking Around. 'About innocence and ignorance.' Innocence is not ignorance. The ignorant person doesn't know and doesn't know he doesn't know. The innocent person knows and yet is as fresh as if he didn't know. Just joking around: the Tao is playful—not serious. The sage is like a child playing. Don't make the Tao heavy.

This Moment is All

This Moment is All. 'The silence says thank you better than words.' True—silence is the highest gratitude. This moment is all: the past is memory, the future is imagination—only this moment is real. The Tao is in this moment. Don't seek it elsewhere—it's here, now, always.

I really mean business

I really mean business. 'Why do we keep choosing the mind instead of flowing with Tao?' Because the mind gives a false sense of control. I really mean business: the master is not playing—he means business. But his business is not the world's business—it's consciousness. Choosing the mind is choosing slavery; flowing with Tao is choosing freedom.

I have heard

I have heard. 'The unfoldment of man's mind leads to unchanging truth. He who attains purity and stillness enters the immutable Tao. Although named the possessor of Tao, he knows he does not possess it.' I have heard: the Tao Te Ching says 'he who knows does not speak; he who speaks does not know.' The possessor of Tao knows he possesses nothing.

We can share

We can share. 'About Sanjay Gandhi and his death.' Death is not the end—it's a transition. Sanjay Gandhi respected Osho; death came suddenly. We can share: the master doesn't console with theories about afterlife—he shares his presence. Death is meaningful only when life has been meaningful. Live totally and death becomes the ultimate celebration.

Save me from the Pillar!

Save me from the Pillar! 'What is wrong with me that I cannot see?' Nothing is wrong—you're just looking outward instead of inward. Save me from the pillar: the pillar is the mind, the ego, the conditioning. You're clinging to the pillar and asking to be saved. Let go—there's nothing to cling to.

Religion: the Ultimate Luxury

Religion: the Ultimate Luxury. 'About Eastern indifference and Western attraction to what you're doing.' The East is indifferent because it takes religion for granted. The West is attracted because it has been starved of religion. Religion: the ultimate luxury: not a necessity like food and shelter—but the ultimate luxury. When basic needs are met, the soul begins to seek. The West is ready; the East is asleep.