Ask Osho!

What is our investment in repressing memories of previous deaths?

Synthesized from Source definition

"We invest in forgetting our past lives to protect the ego from the unbearable truth of our repetitive foolishness, allowing us to continue playing the same games instead of awakening to the deathless center within."

Core Insight:
According to Osho, we repress memories of former deaths and lives as a deliberate investment in forgetfulness: it protects the ego from seeing our repetitive foolishness, preserves the capacity to ‘enjoy’ the same games, and keeps desire and society running. Remembering would make repetition intolerable, even suicidal, pushing us to drop the wheel of sansara and do our real work—awakening to the deathless center.
We choose to forget dying and past lives so we can keep playing life’s games without feeling stupid or hopeless; true freedom starts when we remember and wake up.
Why this matters practically
- Notice and break repetitive life patterns through awareness and meditation.
- Lessen fear of death; focus on inner work instead of endless distractions.
- Use remembrance of mortality to choose wiser, more conscious actions.
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