According to Osho, solutions arise naturally when you observe a problem to its actual root; the very journey dissolves it. Yet most problems—perhaps nine out of ten—are rootless, mere surface irritations. First discern whether a real root exists; otherwise, chasing roots or quick fixes only entangles you. Seek understanding before solutions, and act simply when a problem is superficial.
First check if a problem is deep and real; if it is, look straight at its cause, and if it’s not, don’t overthink—just fix it simply.
From the Discourses
Passages where Osho speaks to this question — each links to the complete discourse.
Osho, to solve problems, is it necessary to trace each one back to its roots?
Gurudatt! If you can go to the root of a problem, the solution happens by itself. That much capacity for observation brings the solution. People don’t want to go to the roots of a problem. They whitewash the surface. They apply ointments and bandages on top. They treat symptoms. They don’t bother to go to the root. If you reach the root, the very journey there makes the problem evaporate. But keep in mind, many times it happens that a problem has no root at all. And if you start searching for roots, you will get into trouble. So first understand whether the problem even has a root. Many problems are like dodder—rootless parasitic vines that spread over other plants. For example, a man kept going to doctors; all the doctors got tired and perplexed. No one could figure out what his illness was. He was deeply restless—couldn’t sit still…
One can go crazy in trying to solve problems individually. It is like cutting the leaves of a tree. The tree is huge and you go on cutting the leaves and new leaves go on coming up. Instead of one, three leaves will pop up; you cut one and the tree will respond with three leaves. It will become thicker, the foliage will be thicker because the tree takes on the challenge; you cannot defeat it so easily. But cut the roots and the whole tree is gone, all the leaves will fall on their own. But roots are invisible and leaves are visible; hence many people go on pruning the leaves for the whole of their life. The case is exactly the same with man: the root of all problems is the mind, but the mind is invisible.
Osho, what is a problem?
Always be ready to change your mind because life cannot be changed just because of your ideologies. And we have learned ways how to look at life, how to interpret life, and we become fixated in certain routines. Let me tell you one anecdote. A mousy little man used to be very frightened of his boss. One day he told a fellow worker that he was sick. His friend said, "Why don't you go home?" "Oh, I couldn't do that!" "Why not? Don't be silly, he will never know. He is not even here today." Finally the man was convinced and went home. When he got there, he looked in the window -- and there was his boss, kissing and hugging his wife. So he ran all the way back to the office. "A fine friend you are!" he said to his pal. "I nearly got caught." Just an old…
Question: OSHO, WHAT IS THE GREATEST PROBLEM IN THE WORLD? Any small problem, just look at it, at how you have been trying to solve it, and it goes on becoming worse and worse. Certainly in your doing there is something which is becoming a nourishment to it rather than a killer. You are not poisoning it, you are nourishing it, feeding it. And don't try to work on so many knots together. Just choose one small knot, the smallest you can find in yourself; by smallest, I mean the most insignificant. People have the tendency to choose the most significant; even when they are choosing to solve their problems, they choose the greatest problem first. Now, that is simply foolish. Just become a little aware, alert. Start from the small things, very small things.
If you cut the leaves of a tree, the tree is not going to be destroyed by it, the foliage will become thicker. Ask any gardener, ask Mukta. Whenever you go on pruning, the foliage becomes thicker because the tree is an alive phenomenon, it asserts itself. If you cut one leaf, it replies by growing three leaves instead. It says 'Look, this is not the way. I have to survive. You cannot just destroy me by cutting one leaf.' It responds. It takes the challenge. Trees are people -- and very natural and spontaneous. They don't bother much about etiquette, etcetera. You cut one leaf, the tree replies by growing three leaves. You cut three, and you will see many more have come. After all, the tree has tO survive, it has to protect itself.