Ask Osho!

What is the significance of the smile before and during discourse?

Synthesized from Source definition

"The smile before speaking acknowledges the absurdity of words, reminding us of the silence that lies beyond; when discourse ends, the smile returns, revealing the true teaching in our nonverbal presence."

He smiles to show that the real teaching is silent; talking is hard but needed, so the smile appears before and after, and fades during the effort of speaking.
Why this matters practically
- Listen for the silence and presence behind words during any conversation.
- Use speech as a bridge to inner stillness, not as the final goal.
- Notice tension while talking and return to relaxed awareness—a simple inner smile.
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