What is the greatest obstacle on the path of love for the Lord?

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, for the first time I have fallen in love, but my ego doesn’t allow me to dive fully into it. My heart is with Narada, but my intellect is with Mahavira. Inside I want to love, but outwardly something else gets displayed. As a result, there is a great tug-of-war. Is there any hope of getting out of this confusion?

On Narada’s path there is no danger of Nietzsche—not that there is no danger at all. Danger exists in every journey. Only those who sit at home face none. Fly by airplane—there is danger. Ride in a bullock cart—even that sometimes overturns. But when a bullock cart overturns, you don’t see people dying; at most a few bruises. Generally, if a bullock cart overturns, there is not much danger, because the speed is low and the distance from the ground is small. Narada’s path is very close to the earth. The path of love is close to the earth. And it is not far from your ordinary life. Even while living your ordinary life you can easily practice Narada. What is the danger? Only this: that love may turn into lust. When love becomes devotion, that is Narada’s path. And if love remains mere lust, that is the danger. Just…

Verse (Sanskrit): सूत्र प्रकरणाच्च।। 11।। दर्शनफलमितिचेन्न तेनव्यवधानात्‌।। 12।। दृष्टत्वाच्च।। 13।। अत एव तदभावाद्वल्लवीनाम्‌।। 14।। भक्त्या जानातीतिचेन्नभिज्ञप्तया साहाय्यात्‌।। 15।। Transliteration: sūtra prakaraṇācca|| 11|| darśanaphalamiticenna tenavyavadhānāt‌|| 12|| dṛṣṭatvācca|| 13|| ata eva tadabhāvādvallavīnām‌|| 14|| bhaktyā jānātīticennabhijñaptayā sāhāyyāt‌|| 15|| Translation: Sūtra And from the context।। 11।। If it be said, “the fruit is vision,” no—for thereby an interruption arises।। 12।। And because it has been seen।। 13।। Therefore, for that very reason, its absence among the cowherd maidens।। 14।। If it be said, “one knows by devotion,” no—for aid comes through disclosure।। 15।। My feet are frozen at the same bend, I stand, gathering my gaze back. This frenzy forces me to look over my shoulder, The self says, take the turn and move on; But love insists, turn back. And yet a feeling keeps saying: Behind the open lattice, two eyes are peering; She too is awake, waiting for me now.

Osho, this ego of mine from lifetimes is perhaps the greatest obstacle between you and me. This very ego does not let me bow at your feet, does not let me be effaced. Lord, have compassion on me and erase me; in this very life, absorb me into yourself and make me one.

Put your whole effort into meditation. I am standing with you! And the divine stands with you. The whole existence is with you. Whenever one sets out toward meditation, the whole existence, in bliss, extends help—for someone lost is coming home; someone far away is returning; a seed is sprouting, shooting, leafing. The sky gives it shade, the sun warmth, the clouds water. The earth gives it life. The whole existence becomes a helper. Yes—if you move against existence, then you are alone. The journey of ego is a solitary journey. In the journey of meditation, the whole existence is your ally. But do not leave it all to existence; you must labor. Existence will support. And what you have done so far is auspicious, in the right direction. Your steps are falling in the right direction. Look back and remember your face of five or seven years ago, saint!…

Osho, in one discourse you said that for men the “I-sense” and for women the “mine-sense,” that is, possessiveness, are obstacles. Isn’t possessiveness just another form of love? Must I really drop such a loving quality, which has overtaken my life? And then will I have to live dry and arid? Please guide me.

Kashmeera, you are right. If I were producing monks of the old style, your statement would be absolutely right—that then life would become dry and arid. But I am talking of a very different sannyas: a renunciation that does not run away from love, rather awakens to the truth of love; a renunciation that does not accept love as merely momentary, but embraces it as its eternal truth; that does not flee the world or flee love, but drops the ego. For sorrow does not come from love; from love comes joy, even if momentary. Yes, when love goes and the ego becomes strong, then sorrow comes. This is a subtle process; you will understand only if you look carefully. Sorrow never comes from love. Sorrow comes from ego, from attachment, from possessiveness, from the sense of I. Therefore in the beginning, love relations are very pleasant and delightful. The…