Death

Fear of death often grips individuals as they age, but Osho challenges this fear by questioning the very nature of death and identity. He proposes that what we consider our ‘The Self’—the body and mind—is transient and not the true essence of our being. The true self, according to Osho, is an eternal entity that neither births nor dies. This concept suggests that understanding and recognizing this eternal self can alleviate the fear of death. Osho emphasizes that this realization becomes particularly poignant in one’s later years, marking a significant shift from the invincibility felt in youth where death seems an unlikely, distant event.

Meditation emerges as a crucial practice in Osho’s discourse, serving as a tool to transcend the fear of death by fostering a connection with the eternal self. He describes meditation as a transformative process that changes how one perceives life and death. By meditating, individuals can shift their focus from the perishable body to the imperishable self, essentially preparing themselves for the eventual physical dissolution. Osho argues that this practice not only prepares one for death but enriches the quality of life, making every remaining moment valuable and filled with awareness.

Osho views death not as an end but as a significant aspect of life that reminds us of the impermanence of our physical existence and urges us to seek the eternal. He refers to historical figures like Buddha, whose encounters with death led to profound spiritual awakenings and ultimately to the pursuit of enlightenment. Osho suggests that being mindful of death can serve as a catalyst for a major life transformation—prompting one to explore deeper spiritual truths and embrace a life of meditation and mindfulness. This approach turns the fear of death into a motivational force that guides one toward self-realization and inner peace.

Sannyas, or renunciation, is portrayed by Osho as a deliberate focus on the eternal amidst life’s transience. He advocates for a lifestyle that prioritizes spiritual over material pursuits, especially as one grows older and becomes more aware of life’s fleeting nature. By embracing sannyas, one seeks to understand and connect with the eternal self, thereby diminishing the attachments to the physical aspects of existence that are doomed to perish. This spiritual practice is highlighted as a path to overcoming the existential dread associated with death and discovering a more profound, fulfilling way to live.

Osho points out the cultural tendencies to obscure death, suggesting that more direct encounters with death could foster greater awareness of life’s transient nature and encourage spiritual growth. He uses the example of Buddha, who initiated monks into sannyas by having them meditate in cremation grounds—a practice meant to confront and accept the reality of death directly. This method is proposed as a means to help individuals realize the inevitability of death, thereby inspiring a deeper appreciation of life and an urgency to engage with the spiritual dimensions of existence.

Humans inherently require fantasy to shape their identity, positioned uniquely at the juncture where imagination and reality converge. This notion is encapsulated in the statement “to be the place where the falling angel meets the rising ape,” emphasizing the dual nature of humanity that blends aspirational ideals with earthly origins. The reference to fairies and Hogfather illustrates that even trivial myths serve as practice for embracing more significant beliefs like justice, mercy, and duty—abstract concepts that cannot be physically quantified yet are foundational to human culture and societal structures.

The cultivation of belief in minor falsehoods, such as fairy tales or benign fabrications, is essential for humans to accept and uphold grander, intangible truths. This training in belief is deemed necessary for developing the capacity to adhere to and advocate for larger, more complex principles like justice and mercy. These larger ideals, described metaphorically as entities that cannot be detected even when the universe is reduced to its finest elements, underscore the importance of immaterial values in the human moral and ethical framework, despite their lack of physical presence.

There is a poignant contrast between the tangible, scientific reality of the universe and the intangible, moral ideals that humans uphold. The dialogue challenges the listener to find a single atom of justice or a molecule of mercy—highlighting the absence of these concepts in the physical makeup of the universe. Yet, the necessity for such beliefs is stark; they are what grant life meaning and order. This duality stresses the essential human need to believe in a brightness in the universe, a metaphorical light that guides moral judgment and societal values, despite their empirical elusiveness.