Ask Osho!

If the ego is unreal, does that mean the unconscious mind and the process of transformation in spirituality are also unreal?

Synthesized from Source definition

"Enlightenment does not erase the mind; it simply dissolves the illusion of the 'I', allowing you to master your thoughts and memories rather than be mastered by them."

According to Osho, the ego is a false byproduct of identification between two real facts—consciousness (soul) and the body/brain—but the mind’s functions (memory, thoughts, even the unconscious) are real. Enlightenment doesn’t erase mind; it dissolves the ‘I’-feeling. Then memory and thinking become clearer and obedient: you are the knower and master, using mind as an instrument rather than being used by it. Transformation is real; only the ego-image is unreal.
The ego is a fake mirror image—your body and mind are real tools, and spiritual growth means stop mistaking the reflection for you and use the tools wisely.
Why this matters practically
- Disidentify from thoughts to reduce suffering and reactivity.
- Use the mind deliberately—think when needed, rest when not.
- Make clearer choices as memory and perception are less ego-distorted.
AI Confidence Score: 86% Read Original Discourse →