What does a devotee truly desire—merit, knowledge, or heaven?

Osho, what does a devotee truly desire—merit, or knowledge, or heaven?

Its falling from the eye gives such pain, for in it the whole world of love was housed. Only the devotee knows the value of a tear—only the devotee knows it fully! Lovers get a little hint; the devotee knows through and through. No, the devotee has no use for merit, nor for knowledge, nor for heaven. The devotee asks: Give me weeping. Give me longing. Let me weep for You. Let me ache; give me the pain of separation. Give me thirst. Kindle my thirst. Make me white-hot. Why am I so enamored of the garden? Listen to me: Someone’s radiance has come and hidden itself in the rose. The whole creation has poured into the heart’s reflecting cup; What grain is there that does not hold what the sun contains? There was light in the world of faith and trust; Darkness is all I found in questions and…

Osho, what is the fundamental anguish of human life?

There is only one anguish: that a human being cannot become what he was born to be. There is only one anguish: that the seed remains a seed and does not bloom like a flower; that it cannot scatter its fragrance to the infinite winds; cannot converse with the moon and stars; cannot offer its colors to the sky; cannot be expressed. If the poem within the poet cannot be revealed—anguish. If the painter cannot paint—anguish. If the dancer cannot dance—if chains lie on his feet—anguish. Anguish means only this: that what we are meant to be—our innate nature and destiny—does not come to fruition, and we are forced to be something else. Then anguish is born. Then melancholy gathers over life. And all those countless people you see burdened with sorrow, living in a kind of hell—the reason is only this: each has come carrying the seed of becoming…

Osho, what is the first experience of samadhi like?

You will know only when it happens. It cannot be said; at most a few hints can be given. It is as if, in the dark, a lamp is suddenly lit. Or as if a dying patient, right at the edge of death, suddenly finds a medicine that works; life’s wave, life’s thrill spreads again—so it is. As if a corpse becomes alive—such is the first experience of samadhi. It is the taste of nectar. The experience of the ultimate music. But it will be only when it happens; and only then will you understand. You will not understand by my saying it. It is as with love. How can anyone explain it? To someone who has never loved, never known love, no matter how many explanations you offer—he will hear it all and still ask, “I haven’t understood; please explain a little more.” It is like explaining light to…

Osho, to cross the ocean of becoming and dissolve into the Supreme Self, which should one rely on—insensate devotion, foolish devotion, or blind devotion?

So drop this worry—whether insensate devotion, foolish devotion, blind devotion, or deranged devotion. Drop it; devotion is enough. And in devotion all these labels will take care of themselves. Become a devotee once, and “blind” you will automatically be—meaning: the whole world will call you blind. You will not become blind; rather, you will gain eyes. You will begin to see what ordinary eyes cannot see. The invisible will become visible; the imperceptible will come within perception. That which no one has ever touched will be felt as touch. But the world will call you blind. The world will not be able to accept it—because the world is blind, and the blind call you blind. H. G. Wells has a story: somewhere in Mexico there is a valley where children go blind within three months of birth. The story is based on fact. The climate, the food—something there ruins the…

Osho, “A devotee will remain a devotee; he can never become God,” as Islam, Christianity, and, among Hindus, Madhvacharya have maintained. What is the basis of this doctrinal system? Can it also be used as a method, like a technique?

He spoke rightly; this is the final state of a devotee. He arrived there through prayer. While he prayed in the church, all was fine—then he stopped praying, because he came to the moment Kabir describes: “Who is to worship whom, when the two have become one, duality has dissolved?” When he declared duality dissolved—no church, no worship; whom to worship?—the trouble began. “This man is dangerous—either corrupted or supremely enlightened.” The common people will take him as corrupt. The Pope sent word: stop this talk; it will not be allowed. And they expelled Eckhart from the Church—the most Christian was cast out as un-Christian! That is why I say: if Christ were to come again, he would not be allowed to be Christian; the Church would expel him—just as it did Eckhart. Eckhart’s words are as precious as Kabir’s. If anyone in Christianity stands beside Kabir, it is Eckhart.…