The Invitation

Throw the bucket and draw the water

Throw the bucket and draw the water. The paradox—throw the bucket, draw water. Throw the bucket and draw the water: the Zen paradox—the way to draw water is to throw the bucket. The invitation: don't try to catch—let go and it comes. The master's invitation is paradoxical.

Get out! get out from your blankets!

Get out! get out from your blankets! Come out of your comfort—get out! Get out! get out from your blankets! the master's urgency—come out of your comfortable sleep. The invitation: the blankets (comfort zones) are the trap. Get out—into the cold, clear air of awareness.

Let yourself be a mystery

Let yourself be a mystery. Don't define yourself—be a mystery. Let yourself be a mystery: the mystic doesn't define himself—he remains a mystery. The invitation: definitions limit; mystery expands. Don't label yourself—be the mystery.

Your god is as rich as your consciousness

Your god is as rich as your consciousness. God's richness equals your consciousness. Your god is as rich as your consciousness: your experience of God depends on your consciousness. The invitation: expand consciousness—God expands. The poor consciousness sees a poor God.

To hell with enlightenment!

To hell with enlightenment! Don't seek enlightenment—forget it. To hell with enlightenment! the master's provocation—stop seeking enlightenment. The invitation: seeking is the obstacle. To hell with enlightenment—just be. It comes when you stop seeking.

You don't have to become a mountain climber

You don't have to become a mountain climber. You don't need to climb—just be. You don't have to become a mountain climber: the invitation is not about climbing (effort) but being. The mountain is where you are. Don't climb—recognize you're already on the peak.

Even donkeys are not worried

Even donkeys are not worried. Don't worry—even donkeys aren't. Even donkeys are not worried: the master's humor—donkeys aren't worried, but humans are. The invitation: worry is uniquely human—and unnecessary. Be like the donkey—unworried, present.

Only unripe mangoes are safe

Only unripe mangoes are safe. Unripe is safe—ripe is dangerous. Only unripe mangoes are safe: the unripe (immature) is safe—nobody bothers it. The ripe (mature) is eaten. The invitation: maturity is dangerous—it changes you. But ripen anyway.

Who is this man osho?

Who is this man Osho? The question—who is Osho? Who is this man Osho? the question others ask—and the disciple asks too. The invitation: Osho can't be defined—only experienced. Don't ask who—experience the presence.

The only romance that knows no divorce

The only romance that knows no divorce. The romance with existence—no divorce. The only romance that knows no divorce: the romance with existence is the only one that lasts. The invitation: human romances end; the romance with the divine is eternal.

Just be happy that your hat is back

Just be happy that your hat is back. Simple happiness—hat is back. Just be happy that your hat is back: the invitation to simple happiness—don't seek grand enlightenment. Be happy with small things. The hat is back—rejoice.

A meditator needs no personal guidance

A meditator needs no personal guidance. Meditation is self-guiding—no guru needed. A meditator needs no personal guidance: the meditator doesn't need external guidance—awareness guides. The invitation: meditation is the inner guide. No guru needed—just awareness.

Three tickets for titsburg

Three tickets for Titsburg. The humor of enlightenment—lightness. Three tickets for Titsburg: the master uses humor to lighten the spiritual path. The invitation: enlightenment is not solemn—it's light. Laugh on the path. The Titsburg joke is the path.

Silence is the right soil

Silence is the right soil. Silence is the soil—for the seed. Silence is the right soil: the seed of awareness needs silence to grow. The invitation: cultivate silence—the soil. In silence, the seed sprouts. Noise is barren ground.

Kissing is absurd to the eskimos

Kissing is absurd to the Eskimos. Cultural differences—kissing absurd to Eskimos. Kissing is absurd to the Eskimos: what's sacred to one is absurd to another. The invitation: don't judge by your conditioning. The Eskimo rubs noses; you kiss. Both are valid.

Drowned in spaghetti

Drowned in spaghetti. The absurdity of life—drowned in spaghetti. Drowned in spaghetti: the master's humor—life's absurdity is like drowning in spaghetti. The invitation: don't take life's absurdities seriously. Laugh at the spaghetti.

G-d

G-d. God without the O—G-d. G-d: the Jewish way of writing God—too sacred to spell. The invitation: God is not a word but an experience. Don't spell it—live it. The O (wholeness) is missing when God is just a concept.

A good laugh is the greatest prayer

A good laugh is the greatest prayer. Laughter as prayer—the greatest. A good laugh is the greatest prayer: the master's heresy—laughter is greater than any prayer. The invitation: laugh from the belly—that's the true prayer. Laughter opens to the divine.

Pick up the roses and avoid the thorns

Pick up the roses and avoid the thorns. Take the roses—avoid the thorns. Pick up the roses and avoid the thorns: the invitation—life has roses (beauty) and thorns (suffering). Pick the roses; avoid the thorns. Don't curse the thorns—enjoy the roses.

Those third rate politicians, those dwellers of the gutter

Those third rate politicians, those dwellers of the gutter. Politicians as gutter dwellers—third rate. Those third rate politicians, those dwellers of the gutter: the master's contempt for politicians. The invitation: don't follow politicians—follow consciousness. The gutter is their home.

To know oneself and to be oneself

To know oneself and to be oneself. Know and be—the two steps. To know oneself and to be oneself: the invitation—first know yourself, then be yourself. Knowing is the discovery; being is the living. Both are needed—know and be.

A sannyasin is never retired

A sannyasin is never retired. Sannyas is not a job—no retirement. A sannyasin is never retired: the spiritual path has no retirement—it's 24/7, lifelong. The invitation: sannyas is not a job you retire from—it's a being you are. Forever.

What kind of vehicle are you using

What kind of vehicle are you using. What vehicle are you—body, mind, or soul? What kind of vehicle are you using: the master asks—what vehicle are you? The body (animal), the mind (human), or the soul (divine)? The invitation: upgrade your vehicle—use the soul.

Virtue is the currency of heaven

Virtue is the currency of heaven. Virtue as currency—heaven's money. Virtue is the currency of heaven: the invitation—virtue is not morality but awareness. It's the currency of the divine realm. The sage is rich in virtue—not in gold.

Just go and tell everybody

Just go and tell everybody. Share—go tell everyone. Just go and tell everybody: the invitation—don't keep the truth to yourself. Share it. The mystic doesn't hoard—he gives. Go and tell—but don't preach—share.

You have your problem -- I'm going home

You have your problem -- I'm going home. Not my problem—I'm going home. You have your problem—I'm going home: the master's detachment—your problems are yours. The invitation: the master shows the way but doesn't carry your burden. Go home (to yourself).

Still time to change the trains

Still time to change the trains. Still time—change direction. Still time to change the trains: the invitation—it's not too late to change direction. The train (life path) can be changed. Change now—before it's too late. The station is now.

Opening the doors of light and beyond

Opening the doors of light and beyond. Opening doors—light and beyond. Opening the doors of light and beyond: the invitation—the master opens doors—to light (awareness) and beyond (the transcendental). Walk through the doors. The beyond is your destination.

The crescendo of the insanity of centuries

The crescendo of the insanity of centuries. Humanity's insanity—reaching crescendo. The crescendo of the insanity of centuries: the master sees humanity's insanity reaching a peak. The invitation: the crescendo is also the breaking point—awakening follows. Out of insanity, sanity.

Avoid the priests

Avoid the priests. Priests are the obstacle—avoid them. Avoid the priests: the final invitation—avoid the intermediaries. The priest stands between you and God. The invitation: go direct—no priest needed. You and existence—directly. Avoid the priests.