Was Jesus essentially selfish, and what did he mean by denying oneself and taking up the cross?
Synthesized from Source
definition
"To deny yourself is to dissolve the ego's boundaries and merge with the infinite, while taking up the cross is the courageous acceptance of the ego's death, allowing true life, bliss, and love to flow through you."
According to Osho, Jesus was 'selfish' in the highest sense: centered in his own realized Self, overflowing with compassion. 'Deny yourself' means drop the ego’s boundaries—like a drop merging into the ocean—to discover your true, infinite life. 'Take up the cross' signifies consenting to the ego’s death and necessary suffering of surrender, so real life, bliss, and love can flow and be shared.
Let the small ‘me’ die so your big, joyful Self can shine and naturally love everyone.
Why this matters practically
- Fill your own center first; real compassion and service arise naturally.
- Trade ego-clinging and material chasing for surrender, simplicity, and presence.
- Meet hardships as the ‘cross’ that dissolves the false self and reveals lasting joy.
- Trade ego-clinging and material chasing for surrender, simplicity, and presence.
- Meet hardships as the ‘cross’ that dissolves the false self and reveals lasting joy.
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