Nupur Jha
Osho was a not just any spiritual guru, but also a philosopher, mystic, and the founder of the Rajneesh movement. Before changing his name to Osho, he was originally called Rajneesh Chandra Mohan Jain.
Osho was a spiritual teacher known for his provocative thoughts on love, spirituality, life, and love. He was famous for breaking traditions and focusing on a personal form of spirituality, free from rituals and dogmas. While he had his fair share of controversies and criticism, his teaching remained profound, giving insights into different subjects. Through his lessons, he inspired and influenced lots of people, which led to huge numbers of followers and believers.
Let’s explore some of his meaningful quotes on religion that could offer valuable insights to religious fundamentalists.
“Truth is not something outside to be discovered, it is something inside to be realized.”
Osho challenges the notion of seeking truth through religious authorities or doctrines. Instead, he turns inward and explores inner wisdom and intuition. With this quote, he emphasizes personal insight and realization; Osho says you should trust your own spiritual journey rather than depend on external sources to find the truth.
“Don’t be serious about life. Be playful. If you cannot play with life, how can you be religious?”
Osho advocates spirituality without being serious. A person should know how to be playful and let go of rigidity and seriousness. The quote suggests having a joyful and playful attitude towards religion and life, fostering a connection that goes beyond the surface level.
“Be — don’t try to become.”
Osho emphasizes the importance of authenticity. He believes in being true to oneself rather than trying to be someone else. This quote shows that you should let go of the pressure to follow what others expect you to be. Instead, focus on being yourself, embracing what you are, and accepting the true essence. By simply being the real you, individuals can access the deeper self, channeling their authentic spiritual journey.
“Don’t seek, don’t search, don’t ask, don’t knock, don’t demand — relax. If you relax, it comes. If you relax, it is there. If you relax, you start vibrating with it.”
Osho says religion and spirituality have an open approach to finding answers and enlightenment. Instead of frantically searching or striving, it is better surrender to the flow and relax. By being in the present moment, you open yourself to deeper insight and experiences.
“The real question is not whether life exists after death. The real question is whether you are alive before death.”
Osho challenges the ideology of emphasizing life after death. Instead of being fixated on the afterlife, individuals should prioritize their lives and live to the fullest. Through the quote, he encourages us to shift our focus from being concerned about what happens after death to being in the present. He says spiritual awakening happens when you are present in the moment and have a meaningful existence.
Even though Osho had different views on religious beliefs and understanding, he believed in individuality. His teachings say to focus on being yourself, trust inner wisdom, and plan your own spiritual journey instead of following what a religious guru or authority fixed the path for you.
Through these teaching, religious fundamentalists can learn how not to just follow customs or what’s written in text blindly but to explore more and find their own truth about their religious beliefs.
