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Osho on Is the desire for awareness antithetical to awareness itself?

Is the desire for awareness antithetical to awareness itself?

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Desire for awareness is the greatest barrier to it; true awareness blossoms in the absence of wanting, in the simple presence of now.

— Osho
Synthesized from Source definition
Core Insight:
According to Osho, the very desire to be aware is a barrier to awareness. Desire projects awareness into tomorrow; true awareness is a choiceless, desireless presence happening now, in simple listening and being. When you stop wanting to be aware, you are aware—silently, here and now. Practice is not to chase a goal but to wake up instantly, again and again, in ordinary life.
Wanting awareness keeps it away; just be fully here now and noticing, and awareness is already there.
Why this matters practically
- Ends postponement: brings attention back from future goals to the present moment.
- Reduces strain: dropping the goal quiets inner tension and anxiety.
- Portable mindfulness: you can ‘wake up’ anywhere—work, home, or the marketplace.
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