What happens when one is declared enlightened?

Beloved Osho, I was one of those who was taken for a ride when the list of enlightened people was announced, because I thought, "if Osho says I'm enlightened, why not try it out?" I enjoyed it: I threw a party for a hundred or so friends, and for the next six months -- until I became endarkened again -- tried to use what I saw as a really potential situation. The main thing I saw was that I really am okay. Am I kidding myself about that experience?

No, if you can understand it you cannot be kidding. First let me explain a few other things. After I declared a few people enlightened -- Santosh was also one of them. He wrote me a letter saying, "Your declaration of my enlightenment gives me no excitement, but my being accepted as a member of the committee of the enlightened ones makes me feel very great." I sent him the message, "Why does your being enlightened not make you feel excited? The reason is that you think that you are already enlightened -- and that is not true. That's why your becoming a member of the committee of the enlightened ones makes you feel great -- at last your enlightenment has been recognized. It is not a declaration for you but a recognition that you have been enlightened long before. "But if enlightenment is not an excitement, then how can…

Osho, when Swami Chaitanya Bharati goes to conduct camps, he says, “I too have attained enlightenment.” From what attitude does he say this?

You have erected a needless Gaurishankar. Enlightenment is no Gaurishankar; it is walking on level ground. Even “walking” is not right—it is sitting on the plain ground. Enlightenment is rest; it is repose. But we waste time in pointless questions and problems. If Chaitanya Bharati says it, then clap heartily and welcome him, garland him with flowers. What’s the harm? Say: “Good—one more person has become enlightened!” Strike up the band, play the shehnai. Be exuberant. What is wrong in it? No catastrophe has occurred. But I want to say to my sannyasins: I will make your announcement. Do not be in haste. Haste is the hallmark of the ignorant. If I can speak for you, you remain silent. By speaking you will raise unnecessary obstacles for yourself. And the fear is that in your speaking there may be the very juice of ego—the greater likelihood is exactly that. Your…

Osho, what is the most significant thing about enlightenment?

People want definite answers to believe in: this way or that. Either be a Catholic or be a communist, but be clear. People want clarity because they are so confused, and this man brings all these seven categories; now their confusion is worse, they are even more confounded. First you were at least aware that you were confused. Now you will not be aware to which category you belong: yes, no, yes -- no both, neither yes nor no, or indescribable. Mahavira could not create a world religion for the simple reason that perhaps he had the deepest penetration into reality. If you ask about his enlightenment, he will answer in seven sentences. You will not be able to come to any conclusion -- and I feel this is something tremendously valuable. Why this urge to come to a conclusion? If existence is a continuum, an ongoing process -- never…

Osho, I think I have become enlightened. What do you say about it?

THE moment one becomes enlightened, one does not think that one is enlightened; one simply knows. Thinking is guessing, it is not knowing. And when one becomes enlightened one never asks 'whether I have become enlightened', because it is self-evident; no certificate is needed. And Nisarga, when you become enlightened I will come to you to bless you. You will not need to come to me and ask. An old Welsh lady, seventy-five years old, is in the doctor's surgery. "Well, I know it is hard to believe, Mrs. Jones, but the tests are conclusive: you are pregnant!" the doctor tells her. "But I am seventy-five years old, doctor, and my husband is eighty-five years old. Are you certain? This will be such a shock for him." "Yes, I am certain. You must tell him very carefully because of his age. I suggest you telephone him from my office now."…

What is it that happens when one becomes awakened?

Nothing special, no big deal; nothing really happens. All happening stops, the world stops. The smoke from the eyes disappears; you start looking at things as they are. Don't make much fuss about it. Sooner or later many of you are going to become enlightened. Don't make much fuss about it. When you become enlightened, just keep quiet. Don't say anything to anybody -- it is nothing to brag about. When the nearsighted Nancy first met Kazantzakis, she thought he looked like a Greek god. But now that she has been fitted with contact lenses she thinks he looks like a goddamned Greek. That's what happens: you start seeing things as they are. Greek gods become goddamned Greeks. The last question: BELOVED OSHO,