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Osho on Can one become over-addicted to catharsis?

Can one become over-addicted to catharsis?

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Even the most beneficial practices can become harmful when taken to extremes; true renewal lies in the conscious balance of knowing when to stop.

— Osho
Synthesized from Source outcome
Core Insight:
According to Osho, yes—one can become over-addicted to catharsis. The mind loves extremes, and overdoing even helpful practices turns them harmful, leaving you exhausted rather than renewed. The key is conscious balance: stop short of the limit, as with eating three-quarters full. In meditation, end catharsis when vitality drops or heaviness appears, staying in the middle where awareness deepens and the mind subsides.
Yes—if you push release too far, it drains you; listen to your energy and stop before you feel spent.
Why this matters practically
- Prevent burnout by pacing emotional release and meditation; finish while still fresh.
- Use bodily signals (lightness vs. heaviness) to find your balanced “middle.”
- Avoid swinging between excess and abstinence; build steady, sustainable practice.
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