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Osho on What is the difference between this and hypnosis?

What is the difference between this and hypnosis?

Hypnosis takes you into the depths of unconsciousness, while meditation elevates you to the heights of total awareness; the direction of your intent determines whether you descend or ascend.

— Osho
Synthesized from Source definition
Core Insight:
According to Osho, hypnosis and meditation share the same procedure, but differ in direction and inner state: hypnosis descends into sushupti, deep sleep and unconsciousness, while meditation ascends to samadhi, total alert awareness. Like one staircase used to go down or up, intent determines outcome; hypnosis makes you part of nature, meditation opens the superconscious, the divine.
They may look the same, but hypnosis puts you to sleep inside, while meditation wakes you up completely.
Why this matters practically
- Helps you check your state: are you getting dull or more aware?
- Guides practice: favor alert witnessing over passive suggestibility.
- Prevents confusing therapeutic trance with genuine spiritual awakening.
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