Ask Osho!

What is the nature of the self?

Synthesized from Source definition

"The Self is a vast sky of pure witnessing awareness, untouched by the storms of karma; in remaining as the witness, we find liberation both in life and in death."

According to Osho, the Self is sky-like—ageless, deathless, unstained and unattached—pure witnessing awareness. It neither acts nor is affected; karmas play out in body and mind, but the knower has no link with them. Remaining as the witness in suchness, one accepts all that happens without personal will. This steady seeing brings jivanmukti while alive, and, when the body falls, moksha.
Your real self is like open sky that simply watches clouds; body, thoughts, and feelings pass by, but the sky-self stays untouched.
Why this matters practically
- Lessens anxiety by loosening identification with pain, pleasure, roles, and age.
- Trains mindful witnessing so habits and karma unwind without creating new entanglement.
- Builds calm acceptance (suchness), enabling wiser, more compassionate responses.
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