Ask Osho!

Do we have the choice to be aware or not?

Synthesized from Source definition

"Real awareness is not a choice; it is your very being, a natural state that cannot be turned on or off. Once awakened, even the desire to ignore it only deepens your experience of it."

According to Osho, you don’t ultimately choose awareness: real awareness is choiceless and self-sustaining. It is not a quality you turn on and off but your very being—like heartbeat or breath. Once awakened, even attempts to not be aware only intensify it. Choice applies only before awakening; afterward, awareness simply is.
You might try to be aware, but true awareness wakes up by itself—like breathing—and once awake, you can’t switch it off.
Why this matters practically
- Reduces strain from forcing mindfulness; relax and notice what is present.
- Encourages steady practice so awareness stabilizes into effortlessness.
- Less inner conflict: accept awareness as your nature, not a task.
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