When it comes to spiritual thinking and life philosophy, Osho’s name is first taken. His teachings influence the lives of people not only in India but all over the world. Osho believed that the biggest bond of human being is his “ego”. This ego removes the person from his true nature and pushes him to sorrow, struggle and suffering. But what was the definition of ego according to Osho? Let’s know in detail.
Why did Osho say confusion to the ego?
According to Osho, ego is actually no real power. This is just a concoction that man makes about himself. As soon as the child grows up, society, family and education system teaches him to “who are you”. This identity, caste, religion, position, achievements-gradually makes an artificial personality within it. This artificial identity is “ego”. Osho used to say that this is a kind of illusion, because the real “self” of the person is hidden behind it.
‘I’ and ‘My’ game
Osho connected the ego with the notion of “me and my”. When a person starts saying this – “This is my home, this is my achievement, this is my identity” – then he nourishes the ego within himself. Osho believed that the real existence is neither “I” nor “mine”, but just “being”. As soon as a person understands the state of this ‘being’, the ego automatically disappears.
Relationship of ego and pain
Osho said that the root of every struggle and suffering is ego. When someone’s ego is injured, he becomes angry, when someone’s ego is satisfied, he feels happy. That is, the happiness and sorrow of a human being is based on the state of his ego, not on the external conditions. According to Osho, if a person ends the ego from within, then he will automatically experience peace and joy.
Ego vs soul
In the eyes of Osho, the soul and ego are two completely opposite states. The soul is pure consciousness, which is always calm, stable and blissful. While the ego always looks for comparison, competition and recognition. This is the reason that a person walking on the path of ego can never be satisfied. Osho used to say that if the soul wants to know, then the ego has to be abandoned, because both cannot live together.
Role of ego in society
Osho also clarified that society plays a big role in maintaining ego. From childhood, children are taught that they have to get ahead of others, make their identity and reach the pinnacle of success. Gradually this competition makes the person egoistic. Osho believed that society needed to understand that real education should be the person going to “self”, not to further strengthen his ego.
Carefully gets rid of ego
Osho stated the path of freedom from ego. He said that when a person goes to meditation, he connects with his inner true nature. In a state of meditation, the spirit of ‘I’ and ‘My’ gradually ends and the person starts recognizing his real soul. This identity frees him from ego and he experiences peace and joy for the first time in life.
Osho’s message
Osho’s message was to break the ego and know yourself. According to him, “Ego is a wall and the soul is an open sky.” Till the human does not break the ego wall, he cannot experience the infinite sky hidden within him. Osho also used to say that the real purpose of life is to recognize the truth of its existence, and this is possible only when we abandon the ego and follow the path of meditation and awareness.