Will I get anything in death?

Osho, I got nothing in life, and now death stands at the door. Will I get anything in death?

In life there is only one real attainment: that we know the eternal. And if you have not known That yet, do not wait for death. Death is unreliable—who knows when it comes! Use whatever time remains. And if your longing becomes intense, even a little time is enough. Death will give you nothing. But if you use this little time rightly, if you devote it to meditation, if you dedicate it to samadhi, if you bow your head at the feet of the Divine and lay it there—then it will happen here, in life. And only if it happens in life can it be there in death. Not every morning, not every evening, not every night— rather, every single moment you keep breaking me: not like the stem of jasmine, but like a dry hemp stalk. Not every morning, not every evening, not every night— rather, every single moment…

Someone asked Osho's views on death and dying.

There is nothing as sure as death. Where there is life, there is bound to be death. He who bears not this fact in mind, wastes life, whereas he who knows this truth, obtains that which is immortal. I do not feel depressed at anybody's death, because there is no need to feel anything about it. However, it is a matter of sorrow, no doubt, if I see a life wasted. We have not to grieve after a dead body, but over a wasted life. You know, King Janak was called 'videh', i.e., without or beyond the body. Once, a young minister of his asked him, 'Your Excellency! How can you be considered without a body, when you do have a physical body? The king smiled but said nothing. After a few days, however, the king invited the minister for lunch. Such an invitation from the king himself was a…

Osho, you say sadness isn’t right, but in the presence of death, how can one be free of sadness?

It’s a matter of vision. Where is death right now! Right now you are alive. One thing is certain: you haven’t died yet. If, while life is here, you are not filled with the joy of life, then by bringing up death... Death hasn’t happened yet; it may happen someday. And who knows whether it happens at all! For those who know say: it never happens. They say death is the greatest lie. It doesn’t happen—only an appearance. The body does not die, because the body is already dead. And the soul cannot die, because the soul is immortal. The conjunction of the two breaks. The breaking of the conjunction is called death—that’s all. Understand it this way: the needle and the thread have come apart. Just that. Nothing more. The needle is there; the thread is there. You can thread them again. If a little desire remains, the thread…

Osho, what is the essence of Gorakhnath’s teaching?

Very small, concise— Laugh, play, live in color. Do not keep company with lust and anger. Laugh, play, sing songs. Keep your heart-mind steady and firm. This is my teaching too: Laugh, play, live in color. Live in color! In delight, in merriment, in joy. So much has the Divine given—dance, hum, sing! A song of gratitude should rise from your heart; that is prayer. Laugh, play, live in color. Laugh. If you cannot laugh, understand that you can never be religious. Your so‑called sadhus and saints have forgotten how to laugh. They simply cannot; to laugh is a sin, a transgression. That’s why you can’t stay long with them. You go, quickly touch their feet, bow, and leave. If you stay a full day, you’ll see the difficulty—your own laughter will be snatched away. People become grave around sadhus and saints. They stiffen up—dry, solemn, ultra‑serious! Laughter will feel…

Osho, there is a great fear of death. Is there any way to be free of it?

I have heard that on his campaigns Alexander reached a place where he learned there was a spring whose water, if drunk, makes one immortal. He went in search of it. When he reached the spring, he rejoiced; never had he seen water so crystal clear. He was about to cup it in his palms when a crow perched on a branch said, “Stop, Alexander! You will regret it. First hear me.” Alexander was astonished—one marvel: water that grants immortality; another marvel: a speaking crow. “What do you want to say?” The crow said, “I too drank this water. I am no ordinary crow; as you are Alexander among men, I am Alexander among crows. I spent my life searching and found this spring. I drank—and now I writhe. I have been alive for thousands of years; I cannot die. I throw myself from cliffs, dash my head on rocks,…