Alertness

Osho, a curiosity has arisen. You have said, in the context of apramad (alertness), that a pramadi (negligent) person does nothing; things happen without his will or choice. So please tell us: what is the difference between the “doer” in a sleeping state and the “doer” in an awakened state? Gurdjieff says that an awakened man becomes crystallized—what does that mean? And doesn’t the awakened man’s ego dissolve rather than crystallize?

The sleeping man is not a doer; things happen to him too. But the sleeping man thinks, “I am doing.” The sleeping man is not a doer, yet he believes he is. The awakened man also is not a doer, but he understands that he is not the doer. That is the only difference. The sleeping man thinks, “I am the doer.” He does nothing; it happens. The awakened man also does nothing; everything happens—but the awakened man knows that everything happens, I am not the doer. Between the sleeping and the awakened there is no difference in doing; the difference is in knowing. Their actions do not differ; what differs is the sense of doership. A Buddha walks, and a non-Buddha also walks. A man filled with awareness walks, and a man filled with unawareness also walks. The unawake walks from the center of “I”—“I am.” The awake walks…

How to be passively alert? How to be neither extrovert nor introvert? Al1d how to be and yet not to be? Please reply not through words but through void.

Then you will have to ask through void. If you want my silent answer, you will have to ask silently. If you cannot ask silently, I can answer silently, still, but you will not understand it. First you have to learn the language of silence. So if you want to receive something from me in silence, then prepare for yourself -- and ask the question in silence. No need to write it. Because I can give you only as much as you are capable of receiving. And don't ask crazy questions, because I can answer in a very crazy way. Let me tell you one anecdote. A mother thought her little girl should be examined for any possible abnormal tendencies, so she took the tot along to the psychologist. Among other questions the doctor asked were: "Are you a boy or a girl?" The little girl answered, "A boy." Somewhat…

Someone questioned, "what do you mean by this alertness and preparedness?

First thing to bear in mind is that life is a journey. We begin at one point and move on to some other point. We are not perfect, but we have to strive to be perfect. For the perfect, there is no travel and no destination. But, for the majority of us, who are far from being perfect, the journey, the quest, the search, -- call it what you will -- -is essential. When we feel that life is a journey, it is a sign of imperfection. But this feeling is important. Concentrate on this imperfection; see the limitation; or at least have a glimpse of your incomplete state. He who realises he is imperfect, will be filled with ambition to be perfect; just as he who is ill and ailing wishes fervently to be well; or just as he who enters a dark room, instinctively thinks of switching on…

Beloved Osho, yesterday you told us very clearly that we need to follow the master's word to the letter. But we cannot consult you on every detail. How can we choose the right path when the mind is always looking for the easy way?

Remember, passivity can become sleep. That's why I emphasize the word alertness -- because you can be passive and you go to sleep. Sleep is not meditation. One quality of sleep is there, one quality, that of passivity, and one quality of waking is there, that of alertness. Relaxed as if you are asleep, alert as you are awake. One thing is taken from sleep -- unconsciousness. That should not be there, because meditation cannot be unconscious, and one thing is taken from your waking state -- occupiedness; because if you are occupied then the mind is working, you are enclosed in thoughts. While you are awake there are two things: alertness and occupiedness. While you are asleep there are two things: passivity and unconsciousness. One thing from awakeness, one thing from sleep: passivity and alertness -- they make meditation. If you take the two other ingredients, occupation and unconsciousness,…