I
n t e l l i g e n c e is intrinsic to life. I n t e l l i g e n c e is a n a t u r a l q u a l i t y of life. Just a...
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I
n t e l l i g e n c e is intrinsic to life. I n t e l l i g e n c e is a n a t u r a l q u a l i t y of life. Just as fire is h o t a n d air is invisible a n d w a t e r flows d o w n w a r d , so is life intelligent. I n t e l l i g e n c e is n o t an a c h i e v e m e n t .
Y o u are born intelligent. Trees are i n t e l l i g e n t i n t h e i r o w n way, t h e y have e n o u g h i n t e l l i g e n c e for t h e i r o w n life. Birds are i n telligent, so are animals. In fact, w h a t r e l i gions m e a n by G o d is only this—that the u n i v e r s e is intelligent, t h a t t h e r e is i n t e l l i g e n c e h i d d e n e v e r y w h e r e . A n d i f y o u have eyes to see, y o u c a n see it e v e r y w h e r e . Life is intelligence. O n l y m a n has b e c o m e u n i n t e l l i g e n t . M a n has
damaged the
n a t u r a l flow
of
life. E x c e p t in m a n , t h e r e is no u n i n t e l l i gence. H a v e y o u ever seen a b i r d y o u can call stupid? H a v e y o u ever seen an animal y o u can call idiotic? N o , s u c h things h a p p e n o n l y t o m a n . S o m e t h i n g has g o n e w r o n g . M a n ' s intelligence has b e e n d a m a g e d , c o r r u p t e d , has b e e n crippled.
1
I N T E L L I G E N C E
A n d meditation is n o t h i n g but the u n d o i n g of that damage. Meditat i o n w i l l n o t be n e e d e d at all if m a n is left alone. If t h e priest a n d t h e politician d o n o t interfere w i t h m a n ' s intelligence, t h e r e will b e n o n e e d for any m e d i t a t i o n . M e d i t a t i o n is m e d i c i n a l
first y o u h a v e to create t h e
disease, t h e n m e d i t a t i o n is n e e d e d . If t h e disease is n o t there, m e d i t a t i o n is n o t n e e d e d . A n d it is n o t accidental that t h e w o r d s medicine a n d meditation c o m e f r o m t h e same root. It is m e d i c i n a l . E a c h child i s b o r n intelligent, a n d t h e m o m e n t t h e child i s b o r n , w e p o u n c e u p o n h i m a n d start d e s t r o y i n g his intelligence, b e c a u s e i n t e l l i g e n c e is d a n g e r o u s to t h e political s t r u c t u r e , to t h e social s t r u c t u r e , to t h e religious structure. It is d a n g e r o u s to t h e p o p e , it is d a n g e r o u s to t h e priest, it is d a n g e r o u s to t h e leader. It is d a n g e r o u s to t h e status q u o , t h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t . Intelligence is naturally rebellious. Intelligence c a n n o t be forced i n t o any s e r v i t u d e . I n t e l l i g e n c e is v e r y assertive, i n d i v i d u a l . I n t e l l i g e n c e c a n n o t be forced i n t o a m e c h a n i c a l i m i t a t i o n . P e o p l e have t o b e c o n v e r t e d t o c a r b o n copies; t h e i r o r i g i n a l i t y has t o b e destroyed, o t h e r w i s e all t h e n o n s e n s e t h a t has existed o n t h e e a r t h w o u l d b e impossible. Y o u n e e d a l e a d e r because first y o u have b e e n m a d e u n i n t e l l i g e n t — o t h e r w i s e t h e r e w o u l d b e n o n e e d for any leader. W h y s h o u l d y o u follow a n y b o d y ? Y o u w i l l follow y o u r intelligence. I f s o m e b o d y w a n t s t o b e c o m e a leader, t h e n o n e t h i n g has t o b e d o n e : Y o u r i n telligence has t o b e destroyed s o m e h o w . You have t o b e s h a k e n f r o m y o u r v e r y roots, y o u have t o b e m a d e afraid. Y o u have t o b e m a d e u n c o n f i d e n t i n y o u r s e l f — t h a t i s a m u s t . O n l y t h e n can t h e l e a d e r c o m e i n . I f y o u are i n t e l l i g e n t , y o u will solve y o u r p r o b l e m s yourself. I n t e l l i g e n c e is e n o u g h to solve all t h e p r o b l e m s . In fact, w h a t s o e v e r p r o b l e m s are created in life, y o u h a v e m o r e i n t e l l i g e n c e t h a n t h o s e p r o b l e m s . It is a provision, it is a gift of n a t u r e . B u t t h e r e are a m b i t i o u s p e o p l e w h o w a n t t o rule, d o m i n a t e ; t h e r e are a m b i t i o u s m a d m e n — t h e y create fear i n y o u . Fear is like rust: It destroys all intelligence. If y o u w a n t to destroy s o m e b o d y ' s intelligence, t h e first t h i n g n e e d e d is to create fear: C r e a t e hell a n d m a k e p e o p l e afraid. W h e n p e o p l e are afraid o f hell, t h e y w i l l g o a n d b o w d o w n t o t h e priest. T h e y w i l l listen t o t h e priest. I f t h e y d o n ' t listen t o 2
Intelligence - A
Gift
of
Nature
t h e p r i e s t t h e n t h e y w i l l face h e l l f i r e — n a t u r a l l y t h e y are afraid. T h e y have t o p r o t e c t themselves f r o m hellfire, a n d t h e priest i s n e e d e d . T h e priest b e c o m e s a m u s t . I
have h e a r d a b o u t t w o
men who
w e r e p a r t n e r s in a business. T h e i r business was v e r y u n i q u e a n d t h e y used t o travel around the country. O n e partner would go into a town, and in the night he w o u l d g o a r o u n d a n d t h r o w coal tar o n p e o p l e ' s w i n d o w s , and then disappear by m o r n i n g . After t w o o r t h r e e days, t h e o t h e r w o u l d c o m e . H e w o u l d offer t o clean t h e coal tar from
people's
windows.
And
people
w o u l d pay, of c o u r s e — t h e y h a d to pay. T h e y w e r e p a r t n e r s i n t h e s a m e business. One
would
do
the
damage, the
other
w o u l d c o m e t o u n d o it. Fear has to be created, a n d g r e e d has to be created. I n t e l l i g e n c e is n o t greedy. Y o u will b e s u r p r i s e d t o k n o w that a n i n t e l l i g e n t m a n i s n e v e r greedy. G r e e d i s p a r t o f u n i n t e l l i g e n c e . Y o u h o a r d for t o m o r r o w b e c a u s e y o u are n o t c o n f i d e n t that t o m o r r o w y o u will b e able t o tackle y o u r life, o t h e r w i s e w h y h o a r d ? You b e c o m e misers, y o u b e c o m e greedy, b e c a u s e y o u d o n ' t k n o w w h e t h e r t o m o r r o w y o u r intelligence w i l l b e capable o f c o p i n g w i t h life o r n o t . W h o k n o w s ? Y o u are n o t c o n f i d e n t a b o u t y o u r i n t e l l i g e n c e s o y o u h o a r d , y o u b e c o m e greedy. A n i n t e l l i g e n t p e r s o n i s n o t afraid, is n o t greedy. G r e e d a n d fear g o t o g e t h e r — t h a t ' s w h y h e a v e n a n d hell g o t o g e t h e r . H e l l is fear, h e a v e n is g r e e d . C r e a t e fear in p e o p l e a n d create g r e e d in p e o p l e — m a k e t h e m as g r e e d y as possible. M a k e t h e m so g r e e d y that life c a n n o t satisfy t h e m , t h e n t h e y w i l l g o t o t h e priest a n d t o t h e leader. T h e n t h e y will start fantasizing a b o u t s o m e future life w h e r e their foolish desires a n d s t u p i d fantasies w i l l b e fulfilled. W a t c h i t — t o d e m a n d t h e i m possible is to be u n i n t e l l i g e n t .
3
I N T E L L I G E N C E
An intelligent p e r s o n is perfectly satisfied w i t h t h e possible. He w o r k s for t h e p r o b a b l e ; h e n e v e r w o r k s for t h e i m p o s s i b l e a n d t h e i m p r o b a b l e , n o . He l o o k s at life a n d its l i m i t a t i o n s . He is n o t a perfectionist. A perfectionist is n e u r o t i c . If y o u are a perfectionist y o u w i l l b e c o m e neurotic. F o r e x a m p l e , if y o u love a w o m a n a n d y o u ask absolute fidelity, y o u will g o m a d a n d she w i l l g o m a d . T h i s i s n o t possible. A b s o l u t e fidelity m e a n s she w i l l n o t e v e n t h i n k , she w i l l n o t e v e n d r e a m o f a n o t h e r m a n — this i s n o t possible. W h o are y o u ? W h y has she fallen i n love w i t h y o u ? B e c a u s e y o u are a m a n . If she can fall in love w i t h y o u , w h y c a n ' t she t h i n k o f others? T h a t possibility r e m a i n s o p e n . A n d h o w i s she g o i n g t o m a n a g e if she sees s o m e beautiful p e r s o n w a l k i n g by a n d a desire arises in her? E v e n to say " T h i s m a n is b e a u t i f u l " is to d e s i r e — t h e desire has e n t e r e d . Y o u o n l y say that s o m e t h i n g is beautiful w h e n y o u feel it is w o r t h y o f b e i n g possessed, o f b e i n g enjoyed. Y o u are n o t indifferent. N o w i f y o u ask a b s o l u t e fidelity—as p e o p l e have a s k e d — t h e n t h e r e i s b o u n d t o b e conflict, a n d y o u w i l l r e m a i n suspicious. A n d y o u w i l l r e m a i n suspicious b e c a u s e y o u k n o w y o u r m i n d , t o o — y o u t h i n k o f o t h e r w o m e n , s o h o w c a n y o u trust that y o u r w o m a n i s n o t t h i n k i n g o f o t h e r m e n ? Y o u k n o w w h a t y o u are t h i n k i n g , s o y o u k n o w she i s t h i n k i n g t h e same t h i n g s . N o w distrust arises, conflict, agony. T h e love that was p o s s i ble has b e c o m e impossible b e c a u s e o f a n i m p o s s i b l e desire. P e o p l e ask that w h i c h c a n n o t b e d o n e . Y o u w a n t s e c u r i t y for t h e f u t u r e , w h i c h i s n o t possible. Y o u w a n t absolute s e c u r i t y for t o m o r r o w — i t c a n n o t b e g u a r a n t e e d ; i t i s n o t i n t h e n a t u r e o f life. A n i n t e l l i g e n t p e r s o n k n o w s t h a t i t i s n o t i n t h e n a t u r e o f life. T h e f u t u r e r e m a i n s o p e n — t h e b a n k can g o b a n k r u p t , t h e wife can escape w i t h s o m e b o d y else, t h e h u s b a n d can die, t h e c h i l d r e n m a y p r o v e u n w o r t h y . W h o k n o w s a b o u t t o m o r r o w ? Y o u m a y fall ill, y o u m a y b e c o m e c r i p p l e d . W h o k n o w s a b o u t tomorrow? T o ask s e c u r i t y for t o m o r r o w m e a n s t o r e m a i n i n c o n s t a n t fear. S e c u r i t y is n o t possible, so w h e n y o u are afraid of insecurity, y o u r fear c a n not be
destroyed.
Fear will b e t h e r e , y o u w i l l b e 4
trembling—and
Intelligence
A
Gilt
of
Nature
m e a n w h i l e t h e p r e s e n t m o m e n t i s b e i n g missed. W i t h t h e desire for s e c u r i t y i n t h e f u t u r e y o u are d e s t r o y i n g t h e present, w h i c h i s t h e o n l y life available. A n d m o r e a n d m o r e w i l l y o u b e c o m e s h a k e n , afraid, greedy. A c h i l d is b o r n ; a child is a very, v e r y o p e n p h e n o m e n o n , u t t e r l y i n telligent. B u t w e j u m p u p o n h i m , w e start d e s t r o y i n g his intelligence. W e start c r e a t i n g fear in h i m . Y o u call it t e a c h i n g , y o u call it m a k i n g t h e child capable o f c o p i n g w i t h life. H e i s unafraid, a n d y o u create fear i n h i m . A n d y o u r schools, colleges, u n i v e r s i t i e s — t h e y all m a k e h i m m o r e a n d m o r e u n i n t e l l i g e n t . T h e y d e m a n d foolish t h i n g s . T h e y d e m a n d f o o l ish t h i n g s t o b e m e m o r i z e d , t h i n g s i n w h i c h t h e child a n d his natural i n telligence c a n n o t see any p o i n t . F o r w h a t ? T h a t child c a n n o t see t h e p o i n t . W h y c r a m these t h i n g s i n t o his head? B u t t h e u n i v e r s i t y says, t h e college says, t h e h o m e , t h e family, t h e w e l l - w i s h e r s say, " C r a m ! Y o u d o n ' t k n o w n o w , b u t later o n y o u w i l l k n o w w h y i t i s n e e d e d . " C r a m history, all t h e n o n s e n s e t h a t p e o p l e have b e e n d o i n g t o o t h e r p e o p l e , all t h e m a d n e s s — s t u d y it! A n d t h e child c a n n o t see t h e p o i n t . W h a t d o e s i t m a t t e r w h e n a c e r t a i n k i n g r u l e d E n g l a n d , f r o m w h a t date t o w h a t date? B u t h e has t o m e m o r i z e t h o s e s t u p i d t h i n g s . Naturally, his intelligence becomes m o r e and m o r e burdened, crippled. M o r e and m o r e dust collects o n his intelligence. B y t h e t i m e a p e r s o n c o m e s b a c k f r o m t h e university, he is u n i n t e l l i g e n t — t h e university has d o n e its j o b . It is v e r y rare t h a t s o m e o n e c a n g r a d u a t e f r o m t h e university a n d still r e m a i n i n t e l l i g e n t . V e r y f e w p e o p l e have b e e n able t o escape t h e university, t o avoid it, pass t h r o u g h t h e u n i v e r s i t y a n d y e t save t h e i r i n t e l l i g e n c e — v e r y rarely. It is such a great m e c h a n i s m to destroy y o u . T h e m o m e n t y o u b e c o m e e d u c a t e d , y o u have b e c o m e u n i n t e l l i g e n t . Can't you see this? The educated person behaves very unintelligently. Go to the primitive people who have never been educated, and you will find a pure intelligence functioning. I have heard . . . A w o m a n was t r y i n g to o p e n a tin, and she c o u l d n o t figure o u t h o w t o d o it. S o she w e n t t o l o o k i n t h e c o o k b o o k . B y t h e 5
I N T E L L I G E N C E
t i m e she l o o k e d i n t o t h e b o o k , t h e c o o k h a d o p e n e d it. She c a m e b a c k , a n d she was surprised. She asked t h e c o o k , " H o w d i d you do it?" H e said, "Lady, w h e n y o u d o n ' t k n o w h o w t o read, y o u have t o use y o u r i n t e l l i g e n c e ! "
Yes, i t i s r i g h t . W h e n y o u d o n ' t k n o w h o w t o r e a d y o u have t o use y o u r intelligence. W h a t else can y o u do? T h e m o m e n t y o u start r e a d i n g — t h o s e t h r e e d a n g e r o u s R s , w h e n y o u have b e c o m e capable i n t h e m — y o u n e e d n o t b e i n t e l l i g e n t , t h e b o o k s w i l l take care o f it. H a v e y o u w a t c h e d it? W h e n a p e r s o n starts t y p i n g , his h a n d w r i t i n g is lost; t h e n his h a n d w r i t i n g i s n o l o n g e r beautiful. T h e r e i s n o n e e d : T h e t y p e w r i t e r takes care of it. If y o u c a r r y a calculator in y o u r p o c k e t , y o u will forget all m a t h e m a t i c s — t h e r e i s n o n e e d . S o o n e r o r later e v e r y b o d y w i l l b e c a r r y i n g small c o m p u t e r s . T h e y w i l l have all t h e i n f o r m a t i o n o f an Encyclopaedia Britannica, a n d t h e n t h e r e w i l l be no n e e d for y o u to be intelligent at all; t h e c o m p u t e r will take care of it. G o t o t h e p r i m i t i v e p e o p l e , t h e u n e d u c a t e d p e o p l e , t h e villagers, a n d y o u will find a subtle intelligence. Yes, t h e y are n o t v e r y i n f o r m e d , that is t r u e . T h e y are n o t k n o w l e d g e a b l e , that i s t r u e — b u t they are t r e m e n d o u s l y intelligent. T h e i r intelligence is like a flame w i t h no s m o k e a r o u n d it. T h e society has d o n e s o m e t h i n g w r o n g w i t h t h e h u m a n b e i n g — f o r c e r t a i n reasons. It w a n t s y o u to be slaves, it w a n t s y o u to be always afraid. It w a n t s y o u to be always greedy, it w a n t s y o u to be always a m b i t i o u s , it w a n t s y o u t o b e always c o m p e t i t i v e . I t w a n t s y o u t o b e u n l o v i n g , i t w a n t s y o u t o b e full o f a n g e r a n d h a t r e d . I t w a n t s y o u t o r e m a i n w e a k , i m i t a t i v e — c a r b o n copies. I t does n o t w a n t y o u t o b e c o m e o r i g i n a l a n d u n i q u e a n d rebellious, n o . T h a t ' s w h y y o u r i n t e l l i g e n c e has b e e n d e stroyed. M e d i t a t i o n i s n e e d e d o n l y t o u n d o w h a t t h e society has d o n e . M e d itation is negative: It simply negates t h e d a m a g e , it destroys t h e illness. A n d o n c e t h e illness has g o n e , y o u r w e l l - b e i n g asserts itself o f its o w n a c cord. 6
IntellIgence —
A
Gift
of
Nature
In t h e last c e n t u r y it has g o n e t o o far: Universal e d u c a t i o n has b e e n a calamity. A n d r e m e m b e r , I am n o t against e d u c a t i o n , I am against this e d u c a t i o n . T h e r e is a possibility of a differe n t k i n d o f e d u c a t i o n w h i c h will b e h e l p ful i n s h a r p e n i n g y o u r intelligence, n o t d e s t r o y i n g it; w h i c h will n o t b u r d e n i t with
unnecessary
facts, w h i c h
will
not
burden it with unnecessary knowledge, w h i c h w i l l n o t b u r d e n i t a t all, b u t r a t h e r w i l l h e l p i t t o b e c o m e m o r e radiant, fresh, young. This education only makes you capable o f m e m o r i z i n g . T h a t e d u c a t i o n will m a k e y o u capable o f m o r e clarity. T h i s e d u c a t i o n destroys y o u r inventiveness. T h a t e d u c a t i o n will h e l p y o u t o b e c o m e m o r e inventive. For
example, the
education
that
I
w o u l d like i n t h e w o r l d will n o t r e q u i r e a child t o a n s w e r i n t h e o l d s t e r e o t y p e d way. It will not encourage repetition, parroting. It will e n c o u r a g e inventiveness. E v e n if t h e i n v e n t e d a n s w e r is n o t as r i g h t as t h e c o p i e d a n s w e r can b e , still it w i l l a p preciate t h e child w h o has b r o u g h t a n e w a n s w e r t o a n o l d p r o b l e m . C e r tainly t h e child's a n s w e r c a n n o t be as r i g h t as Socrates' a n s w e r — n a t u r a l l y , a small child's a n s w e r c a n n o t be as exact as that of A l b e r t E i n s t e i n . B u t to ask that t h e child's a n s w e r s h o u l d be as r i g h t as that of A l b e r t E i n s t e i n is foolish. If t h e child is inventive, he or she is m o v i n g in t h e r i g h t d i r e c t i o n ; o n e day t h e child w i l l b e c o m e a n A l b e r t E i n s t e i n . I f h e i s t r y i n g t o create s o m e t h i n g n e w naturally, h e has his limitations, b u t j u s t his effort i n t r y i n g t o create s o m e t h i n g n e w s h o u l d b e appreciated, s h o u l d b e praised. Education should not be competitive. People should n o t be j u d g e d against e a c h o t h e r . C o m p e t i t i v e n e s s is v e r y v i o l e n t a n d v e r y destructive. 7
INTELLIGENCE
S o m e b o d y i s n o t g o o d a t m a t h e m a t i c s a n d y o u call h i m m e d i o c r e . A n d h e m a y b e g o o d a t c a r p e n t r y , b u t n o b o d y l o o k s a t that. S o m e b o d y i s n o t g o o d at literature a n d y o u call h e r s t u p i d — a n d she w i l l be g o o d at music, at d a n c e . A real e d u c a t i o n will h e l p p e o p l e to find their life w h e r e t h e y can be fully alive. If a child is b o r n to be a c a r p e n t e r , t h e n that is t h e r i g h t t h i n g for h i m t o d o . T h e r e s h o u l d b e n o b o d y t o enforce a n y t h i n g else. T h i s w o r l d c a n b e c o m e s u c h a great, intelligent w o r l d if a child is allowed to b e h i m s e l f o r herself, h e l p e d , s u p p o r t e d i n e v e r y way, a n d n o b o d y i n t e r feres. I n fact, n o b o d y m a n i p u l a t e s t h e child. I f t h e child w a n t s t o b e c o m e a dancer, t h e n t h a t is g o o d — d a n c e r s are n e e d e d . M u c h d a n c e is n e e d e d in the world. If the child wants to b e c o m e a poet, good. M u c h p o e t r y is n e e d e d ; t h e r e is never e n o u g h . If t h e child w a n t s to b e c o m e a c a r p e n t e r or a f i s h e r m a n , perfectly g o o d . If t h e child w a n t s to b e c o m e a w o o d c u t t e r — perfectly g o o d . T h e r e i s n o n e e d t o b e c o m e a p r e s i d e n t o r a p r i m e m i n ister. In fact, fewer p e o p l e will b e c o m e i n t e r e s t e d in t h o s e targets; it will be a blessing. R i g h t n o w everything is topsy-turvy. O n e w h o w a n t e d to b e c o m e a c a r p e n t e r has b e c o m e a d o c t o r ; o n e w h o w a n t e d t o b e c o m e a d o c t o r has b e c o m e a c a r p e n t e r . E v e r y b o d y is in s o m e b o d y else's place, h e n c e so m u c h u n i n t e l l i g e n c e — e v e r y b o d y i s d o i n g s o m e b o d y else's j o b . O n c e y o u start seeing it, y o u w i l l u n d e r s t a n d w h y p e o p l e are b e h a v i n g u n i n t e l ligendy. I n I n d i a w e have b e e n m e d i t a t i n g deeply, a n d w e have f o u n d o n e w o r d : Swadharma, self-nature. T h a t carries t h e greatest i m p l i c a t i o n for a f u t u r e w o r l d . K r i s h n a has said, Swadharme nadhanam shreyah; " I t is g o o d to die in y o u r o w n self-nature, f o l l o w i n g y o u r s e l f - n a t u r e . " Per dharmo bavaha baha; " S o m e b o d y else's n a t u r e is v e r y d a n g e r o u s . " D o n ' t b e c o m e an imitator. Just be yourself.
I have h e a r d . . . Bill always w a n t e d t o g o m o o s e h u n t i n g s o h e saved u p e n o u g h m o n e y a n d w e n t t o t h e n o r t h w o o d s . T h e r e h e was fitted 8
Intelligence
A
Gift
of
Nature
o u t w i t h necessary e q u i p m e n t a n d t h e s t o r e k e e p e r advised h i m to hire Pierre, t h e greatest m o o s e caller in t h e land. "It's t r u e , " said t h e storekeeper, " t h a t P i e r r e is expensive, b u t he has a sexy quality in his call that no m o o s e can resist." " H o w d o e s that w o r k ? " asked Bill. " W e l l , " said t h e o t h e r , " P i e r r e will spot a m o o s e at t h r e e h u n d r e d yards, t h e n c u p his h a n d s a n d m a k e his f i r s t call. W h e n t h e m o o s e hears that, h e will b e c o m e e x c i t e d w i t h a n t i c i p a t o r y desire a n d a p p r o a c h to t w o h u n d r e d yards. P i e r r e will t h e n call again, p u t t i n g a bit m o r e o o m p h i n t o it, and t h e m o o s e will skip w i t h eager glee to a distance of a h u n d r e d yards. T h i s t i m e P i e r r e really gives his call a sexy delivery, p r o l o n g i n g it a bit, w h i c h impels t h e m o o s e , agitated w i t h carnal i n t e n t , t o c o m e t o a p o i n t o n l y t w e n t y - f i v e yards away from y o u . A n d t h a t is t h e t i m e , m y friend, for y o u t o a i m and s h o o t . " " S u p p o s e I miss?" w o n d e r e d Bill. " O h , that w o u l d b e t e r r i b l e ! " said t h e o t h e r . " B u t w h y ? " asked Bill. " B e c a u s e t h e n p o o r P i e r r e gets m a t e d . "
T h a t has h a p p e n e d t o m a n — i m i t a t i n g , i m i t a t i n g . M a n has c o m pletely lost t h e vision o f his o w n reality. T h e Z e n p e o p l e say: Seek o u t y o u r o r i g i n a l face. F i n d o u t w h a t i s y o u r authenticity. W h o are y o u ? I f y o u d o n ' t k n o w w h o y o u are, y o u w i l l always b e i n s o m e a c c i d e n t — always. Y o u r life w i l l be a l o n g series of accidents, a n d w h a t e v e r h a p p e n s i t w i l l n e v e r b e satisfying. D i s c o n t e n t w i l l b e t h e o n l y taste o f y o u r life. Y o u can see i t a r o u n d y o u . W h y d o s o m a n y p e o p l e l o o k s o dull, b o r e d , j u s t passing t h e days s o m e h o w ? Passing t r e m e n d o u s l y valuable t i m e w h i c h t h e y w i l l n o t b e able t o r e c o v e r — a n d passing w i t h s u c h d u l l ness, as if o n l y w a i t i n g for d e a t h . W h a t has h a p p e n e d to so m a n y p e o p l e ? W h y d o n ' t t h e y have t h e same freshness a s t h e trees? W h y d o e s n ' t m a n have t h e same s o n g a s t h e birds? W h a t has h a p p e n e d t o h u m a n beings? O n e t h i n g has h a p p e n e d : M a n has b e e n i m i t a t i n g . M a n has b e e n t r y i n g
I N T E L L I G E N C E
to b e c o m e s o m e b o d y else. N o b o d y is at h o m e . E v e r y b o d y is k n o c k i n g at s o m e b o d y else's d o o r ; h e n c e d i s c o n t e n t , dullness, b o r e d o m , a n g u i s h . A n i n t e l l i g e n t p e r s o n will t r y j u s t t o b e himself, w h a t s o e v e r t h e cost. A n i n t e l l i g e n t p e r s o n w i l l n e v e r copy, will n e v e r imitate. H e w i l l n e v e r p a r r o t . A n i n t e l l i g e n t p e r s o n w i l l listen t o his o w n i n t r i n s i c call. H e w i l l feel his o w n b e i n g a n d m o v e accordingly, w h a t s o e v e r t h e risk. T h e r e i s risk! W h e n y o u c o p y o t h e r s t h e r e i s less risk. W h e n y o u d o n ' t c o p y a n y b o d y y o u are a l o n e — t h e r e i s risk! B u t life h a p p e n s o n l y t o t h o s e w h o live dangerously. Life h a p p e n s o n l y t o t h o s e w h o are a d v e n t u r o u s , w h o are c o u r a g e o u s , almost d a r e d e v i l s — o n l y t o t h e m does life h a p p e n . Life does n o t h a p p e n t o l u k e w a r m p e o p l e . I n t e l l i g e n c e is trust in y o u r o w n b e i n g . I n t e l l i g e n c e is a d v e n t u r e , thrill, joy. I n t e l l i g e n c e is to live in this m o m e n t , n o t t o h a n k e r for t h e future. I n t e l l i g e n c e i s n o t t o t h i n k o f t h e past a n d n o t t o b o t h e r a b o u t t h e f u t u r e — t h e past i s n o m o r e , t h e f u t u r e is n o t yet. Intelligence is t o m a k e t h e u t m o s t use o f t h e p r e s e n t m o m e n t that i s
available.
T h e f u t u r e will
c o m e o u t o f it. I f this m o m e n t has b e e n lived i n d e l i g h t a n d joy, t h e n e x t m o m e n t i s g o i n g t o b e b o r n o u t o f it. I t will b r i n g m o r e j o y naturally, b u t t h e r e i s n o n e e d t o b o t h e r a b o u t it.
I f m y t o d a y has b e e n
golden, my t o m o r r o w will be even m o r e golden.
From
where
will
it
come?
It
will g r o w o u t o f today. If this life has b e e n a b e n e d i c t i o n , my n e x t life w i l l be a h i g h e r b e n e d i c t i o n . F r o m w h e r e can it come? It will grow out o f m e , o u t o f m y lived e x p e r i e n c e . S o a n intelligent p e r s o n is n o t c o n c e r n e d a b o u t heaven a n d hell, is n o t c o n c e r n e d a b o u t t h e afterlife, i s n o t c o n c e r n e d e v e n a b o u t G o d , i s n o t c o n c e r n e d
10
Intelligence A Gift of Nature
e v e n a b o u t t h e soul. A n i n t e l l i g e n t p e r s o n simply lives intelligently, a n d G o d a n d t h e soul a n d h e a v e n a n d n i r v a n a all follow naturally. You live in belief; belief is u n i n t e l l i g e n t . Live t h r o u g h k n o w i n g ; k n o w i n g is intelligence. A n d i n t e l l i g e n c e is m e d i t a t i o n . U n i n t e l l i g e n t p e o p l e also m e d i t a t e , b u t certainly t h e y m e d i t a t e i n a n u n i n t e l l i g e n t way. T h e y t h i n k that y o u have t o g o t o t h e c h u r c h e v e r y S u n d a y for o n e h o u r — t h a t h o u r i s t o b e g i v e n t o religion. T h i s i s a n u n i n t e l l i g e n t w a y t o b e related t o r e l i g i o n . W h a t has t h e c h u r c h t o d o w i t h it? Y o u r real life is in t h e six days. S u n d a y is n o t y o u r real day. Y o u will live n o n r e l i g i o u s l y for six days, a n d t h e n y o u g o t o t h e c h u r c h j u s t for o n e o r t w o h o u r s ? W h o m are y o u t r y i n g t o deceive? T r y i n g t o deceive G o d that y o u are a c h u r c h g o e r . . . O r , if y o u t r y a little harder, t h e n e v e r y day for t w e n t y m i n u t e s in t h e m o r n i n g , twenty in the evening, you do transcendental meditation. You sit w i t h closed eyes a n d y o u repeat a m a n t r a in a v e r y stupid w a y — " O m , O m , O m " — w h i c h dulls t h e m i n d e v e n m o r e . T o repeat a m a n t r a m e chanically takes y o u r i n t e l l i g e n c e away. It does n o t give y o u intelligence, it is like a lullaby. D o w n t h e c e n t u r i e s , m o t h e r s have k n o w n this. W h e n e v e r a child i s restless a n d does n o t w a n t t o g o t o sleep, t h e m o t h e r c o m e s a n d sings a lullaby. T h e child feels b o r e d , a n d t h e child c a n n o t escape. W h e r e t o go? T h e m o t h e r i s h o l d i n g h i m o n t h e b e d . T h e o n l y w a y t o escape i s i n sleep. So he goes to sleep; he s i m p l y s u r r e n d e r s . He says, " I t is foolish to be awake now, because she is d o i n g s u c h a b o r i n g t h i n g , she goes on r e p e a t i n g j u s t a single line." T h e r e are stories that m o t h e r s a n d g r a n d m o t h e r s tell t o c h i l d r e n w h e n t h e y d o n ' t g o t o sleep. I f y o u l o o k i n t o these stories, y o u w i l l find a c e r t a i n p a t t e r n of c o n s t a n t r e p e t i t i o n . Just t h e o t h e r day I was r e a d i n g a s t o r y t o l d b y a g r a n d m o t h e r t o a small c h i l d w h o d o e s n o t w a n t t o g o t o sleep, because he does n o t feel like sleeping r i g h t now. H i s intelligence says that he is perfectiy awake, b u t t h e g r a n d m o t h e r is forcing h i m . She has o t h e r t h i n g s t o d o — t h e child i s n o t i m p o r t a n t . C h i l d r e n are v e r y p u z z l e d , t h i n g s l o o k v e r y absurd. W h e n t h e y w a n t 11
I N T E L L I G E N C E
t o sleep i n t h e m o r n i n g , e v e r y b o d y w a n t s t o w a k e t h e m u p . W h e n t h e y d o n ' t w a n t t o g o t o sleep, e v e r y b o d y i s f o r c i n g t h e m t o sleep. T h e y b e c o m e v e r y p u z z l e d . W h a t i s t h e m a t t e r w i t h these p e o p l e ? W h e n sleep c o m e s , g o o d — t h a t is intelligence. W h e n it is n o t c o m i n g , it is perfectly g o o d t o b e awake. So this old g r a n d m o t h e r is telling a story. At first t h e child r e m a i n s interested, b u t by a n d by . . . A n y intelligent child will feel b o r e d , o n l y a stupid child will n o t feel b o r e d . T h e s t o r y is: A m a n goes to sleep and d r e a m s that he is s t a n d i n g before a great palace. A n d i n t h e palace t h e r e are o n e t h o u s a n d and o n e r o o m s . S o h e goes from o n e r o o m t o a n o t h e r — o n e t h o u s a n d r o o m s — t h e n h e reaches t h e last r o o m . A n d t h e r e is a beautiful b e d , so he falls on t h e b e d , falls asleep a n d d r e a m s . . . that he is s t a n d i n g at t h e d o o r of a b i g palace w h i c h has o n e t h o u s a n d a n d o n e r o o m s . S o h e goes i n t o o n e t h o u s a n d r o o m s , t h e n he reaches t h e o n e t h o u s a n d a n d first r o o m . A g a i n t h e r e is a beautiful b e d , so he goes to sleep . . . a n d d r e a m s t h a t he is s t a n d i n g b e fore a palace. . . . T h i s is t h e w a y it goes! N o w , h o w l o n g can t h e child r e m a i n alert? Just o u t o f sheer b o r e d o m t h e c h i l d falls asleep. H e i s saying, " N o w b e finished!" A m a n t r a does t h e same. You repeat, " R a m , R a m . . . O m , Om . . . A l lah, A l l a h " — o r a n y t h i n g . You g o o n repeating, y o u g o o n repeating. N o w y o u are d o i n g t w o j o b s : b o t h t h e g r a n d m o t h e r ' s a n d t h e child's. Your i n t e l ligence is like t h e child, a n d y o u r l e a r n i n g of t h e m a n t r a is like t h e g r a n d m o t h e r . T h e child tries to stop you, gets interested in o t h e r things, thinks of beautiful things—beautiful w o m e n , beautiful scenes. B u t y o u catch h i m r e d - h a n d e d a n d b r i n g h i m again t o " O m , O m , O m . " B y and by, y o u r i n n e r child feels that it is futile to struggle; t h e i n n e r child goes to sleep. Yes, t h e m a n t r a c a n give y o u a c e r t a i n sleep: It is an a u t o h y p n o t i c sleep. T h e r e is n o t h i n g w r o n g in it if sleep is difficult for y o u — i f y o u suffer f r o m i n s o m n i a it is g o o d . B u t it has n o t h i n g to do w i t h spirituality; it is a v e r y u n i n t e l l i g e n t w a y to m e d i t a t e . T h e n w h a t is the intelligent way to meditate? T h e intelligent way is 12
Intelligence A Gift of Nature
t o b r i n g i n t e l l i g e n c e i n t o e v e r y t h i n g that y o u d o . W a l k i n g , w a l k i n t e l l i gently, w i t h awareness. E a t i n g , eat intelligently, w i t h awareness. D o y o u r e m e m b e r ever e a t i n g intelligently? E v e r t h i n k i n g a b o u t w h a t y o u are eating? Is it n u t r i t i o u s ? H a s it any n u t r i t i o n a l value, or are y o u j u s t stuffi n g yourself w i t h o u t any n o u r i s h m e n t ? H a v e y o u ever w a t c h e d w h a t y o u d o ? You g o o n s m o k i n g . T h e n i n telligence i s n e e d e d — w h a t are y o u d o i n g ? Just t a k i n g i n s m o k e a n d t h r o w i n g i t o u t , a n d m e a n w h i l e d e s t r o y i n g y o u r l u n g s . A n d w h a t are y o u really d o i n g ? W a s t i n g m o n e y , w a s t i n g h e a l t h . B r i n g i n t e l l i g e n c e i n w h i l e y o u are s m o k i n g , w h i l e y o u are eating. B r i n g intelligence i n w h e n y o u g o a n d m a k e love t o y o u r w o m a n o r t o y o u r m a n . W h a t are y o u d o i n g ? H a v e y o u really a n y love? S o m e t i m e s y o u m a k e love o u t o f h a b i t . T h e n it is ugly, t h e n it is i m m o r a l . Love has to be v e r y c o n s c i o u s , o n l y t h e n it b e c o m e s prayer. W h i l e m a k i n g love t o y o u r w o m a n , w h a t exactly are y o u d o i n g ? U s i n g t h e w o m a n ' s b o d y t o t h r o w s o m e e n e r g y t h a t has b e c o m e t o o m u c h for y o u ? O r are y o u p a y i n g respect, are y o u l o v i n g t o t h e w o m a n , d o y o u have s o m e reverence for t h e w o m a n ? I d o n ' t see it. H u s b a n d s d o n ' t respect their wives, t h e y use t h e m . W i v e s use their h u s b a n d s , t h e y d o n ' t respect t h e m . I f reverence d o e s n o t arise o u t o f love, t h e n i n t e l l i g e n c e i s m i s s i n g s o m e w h e r e . O t h e r w i s e y o u w i l l feel t r e m e n d o u s l y grateful t o t h e o t h e r , a n d y o u r l o v e m a k i n g w i l l b e c o m e a great m e d i t a t i o n . W h a t e v e r y o u are d o i n g , b r i n g t h e quality o f i n t e l l i g e n c e i n t o it. D o i t intelligently: T h a t ' s w h a t m e d i t a t i o n is. I n t e l l i g e n c e has to spread all o v e r y o u r life. It is n o t a S u n d a y t h i n g , a n d y o u c a n n o t d o i t for t w e n t y m i n u t e s a n d t h e n forget a b o u t it. I n t e l l i g e n c e has t o b e j u s t like b r e a t h i n g . W h a t e v e r y o u are d o i n g — s m a l l , b i g , w h a t s o e v e r , c l e a n i n g t h e f l o o r — c a n b e d o n e intelligently o r u n i n t e l l i gently. A n d y o u k n o w that w h e n y o u d o i t u n i n t e l l i g e n t l y t h e r e i s n o J o y — y o u are d o i n g a d u t y ; c a r r y i n g t h e b u r d e n o f i t s o m e h o w .
•
* 13
•
INTELLIGENCE
It h a p p e n e d in a c h u r c h - s c h o o l class of n i n t h - g r a d e girls. T h e class was s t u d y i n g C h r i s t i a n love a n d w h a t i t m i g h t m e a n t o t h e m a n d t h e i r lives. T h e y finally d e c i d e d t h a t C h r i s t i a n love m e a n t " d o i n g s o m e t h i n g lovable for someone you
d i d n ' t like."
Children
are v e r y i n t e l l i g e n t . T h e i r c o n c l u s i o n is perfectly r i g h t . Listen to it again. T h e y finally
decided
that Christian
love m e a n t " d o i n g s o m e t h i n g lovable for s o m e o n e y o u d i d n ' t like." T h e teacher suggested that d u r i n g t h e w e e k t h e y m i g h t test o u t t h e i r c o n c e p t . W h e n t h e y r e t u r n e d t h e foll o w i n g w e e k , t h e t e a c h e r asked for r e p o r t s . O n e girl raised h e r h a n d a n d said, " I ' v e d o n e s o m e t h i n g ! " T h e t e a c h e r replied, " M a r v e l o u s ! W h a t did you d o ? " " W e l l , " t h e girl said, " i n m y m a t h class at s c h o o l t h e r e is this g l u n k y kid—" "Glunky ....-?" "Yes, y o u k n o w . . . glunky. She's g o t four heads, a n d she's all t h u m b s , a n d she's g o t t h r e e left feet, a n d w h e n she c o m e s d o w n t h e hall i n school, e v e r y o n e says, ' H e r e c o m e s that g l u n k y k i d again.' She d o e s n ' t have any friends, a n d n o b o d y asks h e r t o parties, a n d y o u k n o w , she's j u s t glunky." T h e t e a c h e r said, " I t h i n k I k n o w j u s t w h a t y o u m e a n . S o what did you d o ? " " W e l l , this g l u n k y kid's in my m a t h class, a n d she's h a v i n g a t o u g h t i m e . I ' m p r e t t y g o o d i n m a t h s o I offered t o h e l p h e r with homework." 14
Intelligence A Gift of Nature
" W o n d e r f u l , " said t h e teacher. " A n d w h a t h a p p e n e d ? " " W e l l , I did help her, a n d it was fun, and she j u s t c o u l d n ' t t h a n k m e e n o u g h , b u t now, I c a n ' t g e t rid o f h e r ! "
If y o u are d o i n g s o m e t h i n g j u s t as a d u t y — y o u d o n ' t love it, a n d y o u are d o i n g it j u s t as a d u t y — s o o n e r or later y o u will be c a u g h t in it a n d y o u w i l l b e i n a difficulty a b o u t h o w t o g e t r i d o f it. Just w a t c h i n y o u r t w e n t y - f o u r - h o u r day, h o w m a n y t h i n g s y o u are d o i n g that y o u d o n ' t d e rive any pleasure f r o m , t h a t d o n ' t h e l p y o u r g r o w t h . I n fact, y o u w a n t t o get r i d o f t h e m . I f y o u are d o i n g t o o m a n y t h i n g s i n y o u r life that y o u r e ally w a n t to get r i d of, y o u are living unintelligently. An i n t e l l i g e n t p e r s o n w i l l m a k e his or h e r life in s u c h a w a y t h a t it will h a v e a p o e t r y of spontaneity, of love, of joy. It is y o u r life, a n d if y o u are n o t k i n d e n o u g h t o yourself, w h o i s g o i n g t o b e k i n d e n o u g h t o y o u ? If y o u are w a s t i n g y o u r life, it is n o b o d y else's responsibility. I t e a c h y o u to be responsible t o w a r d y o u r s e l f — t h a t is y o u r first r e sponsibility. E v e r y t h i n g else c o m e s n e x t . Y o u are t h e v e r y c e n t e r o f y o u r w o r l d , o f y o u r e x i s t e n c e . So, b e i n telligent. B r i n g in the quality of intelligence. A n d the m o r e intelligent y o u b e c o m e , the m o r e capable you will be of b r i n g i n g m o r e intellig e n c e i n t o y o u r life. E a c h single m o m e n t c a n b e c o m e s o l u m i n o u s w i t h i n t e l l i g e n c e . . . . T h e n t h e r e is no n e e d for a n y r e l i g i o n , no n e e d to m e d i t a t e , n o n e e d t o g o t o t h e c h u r c h , n o n e e d t o g o t o any t e m p l e , n o n e e d for a n y t h i n g e x t r a . Life in its i n t r i n s i c n e s s is i n t e l l i g e n t . J u s t live totally, h a r m o n i o u s l y , i n a w a r e n e s s , a n d e v e r y t h i n g else follows b e a u t i fully. A life of c e l e b r a t i o n follows t h e l u m i n o u s n e s s of i n t e l l i g e n c e .
T H E
P O E T R Y
O F
T H E
H E A R T
T h e i n t e l l i g e n c e of t h e h e a d is n o t i n t e l l i g e n c e at all; it is k n o w l e d g e a b i l lty. T h e intelligence of t h e h e a r t is the intelligence, t h e o n l y i n t e l l i g e n c e t h e r e is. T h e h e a d is s i m p l y an a c c u m u l a t o r . It is always old, it is n e v e r 15
I N T E L L I G E N C E
new, it is n e v e r o r i g i n a l . It is g o o d for c e r t a i n p u r p o s e s : F o r filing it is p e r f e c d y good! A n d i n life o n e n e e d s t h i s — m a n y t h i n g s have t o b e r e m e m b e r e d . T h e m i n d , t h e h e a d , i s a b i o c o m p u t e r . Y o u can g o o n a c c u m u l a t i n g k n o w l e d g e i n i t a n d w h e n e v e r y o u n e e d i t y o u can take i t o u t . It is g o o d for m a t h e m a t i c s , g o o d for calculation, g o o d for t h e d a y - t o - d a y life, t h e m a r k e t p l a c e . B u t i f y o u t h i n k this i s y o u r w h o l e life t h e n y o u w i l l r e m a i n s t u pid. Y o u w i l l n e v e r k n o w t h e b e a u t y o f feeling a n d y o u w i l l n e v e r k n o w t h e blessings o f t h e h e a r t . Y o u w i l l n e v e r k n o w t h e grace that descends o n l y t h r o u g h t h e h e a r t , t h e godliness that e n t e r s only t h r o u g h t h e h e a r t . Y o u will n e v e r k n o w prayer, y o u w i l l never k n o w p o e t r y , y o u w i l l n e v e r k n o w love. T h e i n t e l l i g e n c e o f t h e h e a r t creates p o e t r y in y o u r life, gives a d a n c e to y o u r steps, m a k e s y o u r life a joy, a c e l e b r a t i o n , a festivity, a l a u g h t e r . It gives y o u a sense of h u m o r . I t m a k e s y o u capable o f love, o f s h a r i n g . T h a t i s t r u e life. T h e life that is lived f r o m t h e h e a d is a m e c h a n i c a l life. Y o u b e c o m e a r o b o t — m a y b e v e r y efficient. R o b o t s are v e r y efficient, m a c h i n e s are m o r e effic i e n t t h a n m a n . Y o u can e a r n m u c h t h r o u g h t h e h e a d , b u t y o u w i l l n o t live m u c h . Y o u m a y have a b e t t e r standard o f living b u t y o u w o n ' t have any life. Life is of t h e h e a r t . Life c a n o n l y g r o w t h r o u g h t h e h e a r t . It is t h e soil of t h e h e a r t w h e r e love g r o w s , life g r o w s , spirit g r o w s . All that is beautiful, all t h a t is really valuable, all that is m e a n i n g f u l , significant, c o m e s t h r o u g h t h e h e a r t . T h e h e a r t i s y o u r v e r y center, t h e h e a d i s j u s t y o u r p e r i p h e r y . T o live i n t h e h e a d i s t o live o n t h e c i r c u m f e r e n c e w i t h o u t ever b e c o m i n g aware o f t h e beauties a n d t h e treasures o f t h e center. To live on t h e p e r i p h e r y is stupidity. 16
To live in t h e h e a d is stupidity. To live in t h e h e a r t a n d use t h e h e a d w h e n e v e r it is n e e d e d is intelligence. B u t t h e center, t h e master, is at t h e very core of your being. T h e m a s t e r is t h e h e a r t , a n d t h e h e a d is j u s t a s e r v a n t — t h i s is i n t e l l i g e n c e . W h e n t h e h e a d b e c o m e s t h e m a s t e r a n d forgets all a b o u t t h e h e a r t , that is stupidity. It is up to y o u to c h o o s e . R e m e m b e r , t h e h e a d as a slave is a b e a u t i ful slave, of m u c h utility. B u t as a m a s t e r it is a d a n g e r o u s m a s t e r a n d w i l l destroy y o u r w h o l e life, w i l l p o i s o n y o u r w h o l e life. L o o k a r o u n d ! P e o ple's lives are absolutely p o i s o n e d , p o i s o n e d b y t h e h e a d . T h e y c a n n o t feel, t h e y are n o l o n g e r sensitive, n o t h i n g thrills t h e m . T h e s u n rises b u t n o t h i n g rises i n t h e m ; t h e y l o o k a t t h e s u n e m p t y - e y e d . T h e sky b e c o m e s full o f t h e s t a r s — t h e m a r v e l , t h e m y s t e r y ! — b u t n o t h i n g stirs i n t h e i r hearts, n o s o n g arises. Birds s i n g — m a n has f o r g o t t e n t o sing. C l o u d s c o m e i n t h e sky a n d t h e p e a c o c k s dance, a n d m a n d o e s n o t k n o w h o w t o dance. H e has b e c o m e a c r i p p l e . Trees b l o o m — a n d m a n t h i n k s , n e v e r feels, a n d w i t h o u t feeling t h e r e is no f l o w e r i n g possible. W a t c h , scrutinize, observe, have a n o t h e r l o o k a t y o u r life. N o b o d y else is g o i n g to h e l p y o u . Y o u have d e p e n d e d on o t h e r s so l o n g ; that's w h y y o u have b e c o m e stupid. N o w , take care; i t i s y o u r o w n r e s p o n s i b i l ity. Y o u o w e it to yourself to have a d e e p , p e n e t r a t i n g l o o k at w h a t y o u are d o i n g w i t h y o u r life. Is t h e r e any p o e t r y in y o u r heart? If it is n o t there, t h e n d o n ' t w a s t e t i m e . H e l p y o u r h e a r t t o w e a v e a n d spin p o e t r y . I s t h e r e any r o m a n c e i n y o u r life o r n o t ? I f t h e r e i s n o t , t h e n y o u are already i n y o u r grave. C o m e o u t o f it! L e t life have s o m e t h i n g o f t h e r o m a n t i c i n it, s o m e t h i n g like a d v e n t u r e . E x p l o r e ! M i l l i o n s o f beauties a n d s p l e n d o r s are w a i t i n g for y o u . Y o u g o o n m o v i n g a r o u n d a n d a r o u n d , n e v e r e n t e r i n g i n t o t h e t e m p l e o f life. T h e d o o r i s t h e h e a r t . T h e real intelligence is of t h e h e a r t . It is n o t i n t e l l e c t u a l , it is e m o tional. It is n o t like t h i n k i n g , it is like feeling. It is n o t logic, it is love. Love i s available o n l y t o t h o s e w h o g o o n s h a r p e n i n g t h e i r i n t e l l i g e n c e . Love is n o t for t h e m e d i o c r e . . . love is n o t for t h e u n i n t e l l i g e n t . 17
NTELLIGENCE
T h e u n i n t e l l i g e n t p e r s o n m a y b e c o m e a great intellectual. I n fact u n i n telligent p e o p l e t r y t o b e c o m e intellectuals; that i s their w a y o f h i d i n g their u n i n t e l l i g e n c e . Love is n o t for t h e intellectual. Love n e e d s a totally different k i n d o f t a l e n t — a t a l e n t e d h e a r t , n o t a t a l e n t e d h e a d . Love has its o w n intelligence, its o w n w a y of seeing, p e r c e i v i n g , its o w n w a y o f u n d e r s t a n d i n g life, its o w n w a y o f c o m p r e h e n d i n g t h e m y s t e r y o f existence. T h e p o e t i s far closer t o i t t h a n t h e p h i l o s o p h e r . A n d t h e mystic i s exactly inside t h e t e m p l e . T h e p o e t i s o n t h e steps a n d t h e p h i l o s o p h e r i s j u s t o u t s i d e . A t t h e m o s t h e can a p p r o a c h t h e driveway, b u t n e v e r t h e steps. H e goes o n r o u n d a n d r o u n d . H e goes o n m o v i n g a r o u n d t h e t e m p l e , s t u d y i n g t h e o u t e r walls o f t h e t e m p l e , a n d b e c o m e s s o e n c h a n t e d t h a t h e forgets c o m p l e t e l y that t h e o u t e r walls are n o t t h e real t e m p l e a n d t h a t t h e d e i t y is inside. T h e p o e t reaches t h e door, b u t t h e d o o r i s s o beautiful that h e b e c o m e s hypnotized.
H e thinks h e has a r r i v e d —
w h a t m o r e can there be? T h e p h i l o s o p h e r i s lost in guessing w h a t is inside. He never goes there, he simply thinks, philosophizes. T h e p o e t tries t o p e n e t r a t e i n t o t h e m y s t e r y b u t gets h o o k e d near t h e door. T h e mystic enters i n t o t h e v e r y i n n e r m o s t s a n c t u m o f the temple. T h e w a y is love, a n d t h e w a y is a l o v i n g intelligence. W h e n love a n d i n t e l l i g e n c e m e e t t o g e t h e r y o u create t h e space in w h i c h all t h a t is possible to a h u m a n b e i n g can b e c o m e actual. A l o v i n g i n t e l l i g e n c e is w h a t is n e e d e d . I n t e l l i g e n c e alone b e c o m e s intellectual, love a l o n e b e c o m e s sentimentality, b u t
a
l o v i n g intelligence
n e v e r b e c o m e s intellectuality or sentimentality. It gives y o u a n e w k i n d of integrity, a n e w crystallization.
18
AN OPENNESS OF BEING Intelligence i s j u s t a n o p e n n e s s o f b e i n g — c a p a c i t y t o see w i t h o u t p r e j u dice, capacity t o listen w i t h o u t interference, capacity t o b e w i t h t h i n g s w i t h o u t any a p r i o r i ideas a b o u t t h e m — t h a t ' s w h a t i n t e l l i g e n c e is. I n t e l ligence is an o p e n n e s s of b e i n g . T h a t ' s w h y it is so u t t e r l y different f r o m intellectuality. I n t e l l e c t u a l ity i s j u s t t h e o p p o s i t e o f intelligence. T h e intellectual p e r s o n i s c o n stantly c a r r y i n g prejudices, i n f o r m a t i o n , a p r i o r i beliefs, k n o w l e d g e . H e c a n n o t listen; b e f o r e y o u have said a n y t h i n g , h e has already c o n c l u d e d . W h a t s o e v e r y o u say has t o pass t h r o u g h s o m a n y t h o u g h t s i n his m i n d that by t h e t i m e it reaches h i m it is s o m e t h i n g totally different. G r e a t d i s t o r t i o n h a p p e n s i n h i m , a n d h e i s v e r y closed, almost b l i n d a n d deaf. All experts, k n o w l e d g e a b l e p e o p l e , are b l i n d . D o y o u k n o w t h e o l d s t o r y o f t h e five b l i n d p e o p l e g o i n g t o see a n elephant? A t e a c h e r was telling h e r s t u d e n t s , small girls a n d boys, this a n c i e n t fable. She t o l d t h e w h o l e story, t h e n she asked a small boy, " C a n y o u tell m e w h o t h e p e o p l e w e r e w h o w e n t t o see t h e e l e p h a n t a n d t h e n started q u a r r e l i n g ? " She w a n t e d t o k n o w w h e t h e r t h e b o y h a d listened w h i l e she was t e a c h i n g t h e story. A n d t h e b o y stood u p a n d said, "Yes, I k n o w . T h e y w e r e t h e e x p e r t s . " S h e was t h i n k i n g h e w o u l d answer, " T h e y w e r e five b l i n d p e o p l e . " B u t t h e small b o y said, " T h o s e w e r e t h e e x p e r t s . " H e i s far m o r e r i g h t ; yes, t h e y w e r e e x p e r t s . All e x p e r t s are b l i n d . E x p e r t i s e m e a n s y o u b e c o m e b l i n d t o e v e r y t h i n g else. Y o u k n o w m o r e a n d m o r e a b o u t less a n d less, a n d t h e n o n e day y o u arrive a t t h e u l t i m a t e goal o f k n o w i n g all a b o u t n o t h i n g . T h e n y o u are c o m p l e t e l y closed a n d n o t e v e n a w i n d o w i s o p e n ; t h e n y o u have b e c o m e w i n d o w l e s s . T h i s is unintelligence. Intelligence is to be o p e n to w i n d , rain, a n d sun, t o b e o p e n t o all. N o t t o c a r r y t h e past i s intelligence, t o die t o t h e past every m o m e n t is intelligence, to r e m a i n fresh a n d i n n o c e n t is intelligence.
19
I N T E L L I G E N C E
D o n a l d was d r i v i n g his sports car d o w n t h e m a i n a v e n u e w h e n s u d d e n l y he n o t i c e d to his rear a flashing red light. It was a p o lice car. Q u i c k l y D o n a l d pulled over t o t h e side.
"Officer,"
he
b l u r t e d , "I was o n l y d o i n g t w e n t y - f i v e in a t h i r t y - f i v e - m i l e zone." "Sir," said t h e officer, "I j u s t — " " F u r t h e r m o r e , " i n t e r r u p t e d D o n a l d indignantly, "as a c i t i zen I resent b e i n g f r i g h t e n e d like this!" " P l e a s e , " c o n t i n u e d t h e officer, " c a l m d o w n , r e l a x — " "Relax!" shouted Donald, overwrought. "You're going to give me a traffic ticket, a n d y o u w a n t me to relax!" " M i s t e r , " p l e a d e d t h e officer, " g i v e me a c h a n c e to talk. I am not g i v i n g y o u a ticket." " N o ? " said D o n a l d , astonished. "I j u s t w a n t e d to i n f o r m y o u that y o u r r i g h t rear tire is flat."
B u t n o b o d y i s r e a d y t o listen t o w h a t t h e o t h e r i s saying. H a v e y o u ever listened to w h a t t h e o t h e r is saying? Before a w o r d is u t t e r e d , y o u h a v e already c o n c l u d e d . Y o u r c o n c l u s i o n s have b e c o m e f i x e d ; y o u are n o l o n g e r liquid. T o b e c o m e f r o z e n i s t o b e c o m e idiotic, t o r e m a i n l i q u i d i s t o r e m a i n i n t e l l i g e n t . I n t e l l i g e n c e is always f l o w i n g like a river. U n i n t e l l i g e n c e is like an ice c u b e , frozen. U n i n t e l l i g e n c e is always consistent, b e c a u s e it is frozen. It is definite, it is certain. I n t e l l i g e n c e is i n c o n s i s t e n t , it is flowing. I t has n o d e f i n i t i o n , i t goes o n m o v i n g a c c o r d i n g t o situations. I t i s r e sponsible, b u t it is n o t consistent. O n l y s t u p i d p e o p l e are consistent p e o p l e . T h e m o r e intelligent y o u are, t h e m o r e i n c o n s i s t e n t y o u w i l l b e — b e c a u s e w h o k n o w s a b o u t t o m o r r o w ? T o m o r r o w w i l l b r i n g its o w n e x p e r i e n c e s . H o w can y o u b e consistent w i t h y o u r yesterdays? I f y o u are d e a d y o u w i l l b e consistent. I f y o u are alive y o u have to be i n c o n s i s t e n t — y o u have g r o w n , t h e w o r l d has changed, the river is flowing into n e w territory. 20
Intelligence A Gift of Nature
Yesterday t h e river was passing t h r o u g h a desert, today it is passing t h r o u g h a forest; it is totally different. Yesterday's e x p e r i e n c e s h o u l d n o t b e c o m e y o u r d e f i n i t i o n forever; o t h e r w i s e y o u d i e d yesterday.
One
s h o u l d b e able t o g o o n m o v i n g w i t h t i m e . O n e s h o u l d r e m a i n a process, o n e s h o u l d n e v e r b e c o m e a t h i n g . T h a t is intelligence.
21
WHAT
MAKES
PEOPLE
STUPID
T
h e mystics have c o m p a r e d m a n t o a ladder. T h e l a d d e r can b e u s e d for t w o t h i n g s : Y o u can use i t t o g o u p w a r d , a n d y o u can use i t t o g o d o w n w a r d . Y o u use t h e s a m e l a d d e r for b o t h p u r p o s e s , o n l y
y o u r d i r e c t i o n c h a n g e s . T h e l a d d e r i s t h e same, b u t t h e result w i l l b e t o tally different. M a n i s a l a d d e r b e t w e e n h e a v e n a n d hell. T h a t ' s w h y i t i s o n l y h u m a n b e i n g s w h o repress, w h o m a n i p u l a t e , w h o kill, w h o t r y t o c o n q u e r t h e n a t u r a l flow o f n a t u r e . O n l y h u m a n b e i n g s are s t u p i d — a n d that i s b e c a u s e t h e y c a n b e b u d d h a s . B e c a u s e h u m a n beings have intelligence, that's w h y t h e y c a n b e stupid. S t u p i d i t y d o e s n o t m e a n t h e absence o f i n telligence, it s i m p l y m e a n s y o u have n o t u s e d it. If t h e r e is no presence of i n t e l l i g e n c e y o u c a n n o t call h u m a n beings stupid. Y o u c a n n o t call a r o c k s t u p i d — a r o c k is a rock, t h e r e is no q u e s t i o n of stupidity. B u t y o u can call h u m a n s s t u p i d b e c a u s e w i t h h u m a n s t h e r e is h o p e , a ray of great light. W i t h the h u m a n being, a door opens toward the beyond. M a n can trans c e n d h i m s e l f a n d h e i s n o t d o i n g i t — t h a t ' s his stupidity. H e can grow, a n d he is n o t g r o w i n g , he is c l i n g i n g to all k i n d s of i m m a t u r i t y — t h a t is his stupidity. H e g o e s o n a n d o n living i n t h e past, w h i c h i s n o m o r e — that i s his stupidity. O r h e starts p r o j e c t i n g i n t o t h e f u t u r e , w h i c h i s n o t y e t — t h a t is his stupidity. O n e s h o u l d live i n t h e p r e s e n t w i t h d e e p passion, w i t h great love, w i t h intensity, w i t h awareness, a n d that w i l l b e c o m e y o u r intelligence. I t 22
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is t h e same e n e r g y — u p s i d e d o w n it is stupidity; r e a r r a n g e it, p u t it r i g h t , a n d it b e c o m e s intelligence. Intelligence a n d stupidity are n o t separate e n e r g i e s . T h e e n e r g y t h a t functions i n h a r m o n y i s intelligence, t h e same e n e r g y f u n c t i o n i n g i n c o n t r a d i c t i o n s i s stupidity. M a n c a n b e s t u p i d — b u t d o n ' t t h i n k this i s u n f o r t u n a t e . It appears on t h e surface t h a t it is u n f o r t u n a t e , b u t h i d d e n b e h i n d it is great glory, great splendor, w h i c h can be discovered. B u t t h e s o c i e t y — t h e s o - c a l l e d religions, t h e state, t h e c r o w d — w a n t s y o u t o b e stupid. N o b o d y w a n t s y o u t o b e intelligent. T h e y all c o n d i t i o n y o u t o r e m a i n s t u p i d y o u r w h o l e life for t h e simple reason t h a t s t u p i d p e o p l e are o b e d i e n t . I n t e l l i g e n t p e o p l e start t h i n k i n g o n their o w n ; t h e y start b e c o m i n g individuals. T h e y start h a v i n g their o w n life, t h e i r o w n lifestyle, their o w n w a y o f seeing, o f b e i n g , o f g r o w i n g . T h e y are n o l o n g e r p a r t o f t h e c r o w d — t h e y c a n n o t be. T h e y have t o leave t h e c r o w d b e h i n d , o n l y t h e n c a n t h e y grow. A n d t h e c r o w d feels offended; t h e c r o w d does n o t w a n t a n y b o d y t o b e m o r e t h a n t h e "average p e r s o n " — o n e w h o b e c o m e s m o r e i n t e l l i g e n t , m o r e individual, m o r e aware, w i l l n o t b e any l o n g e r p a r t o f t h e m o b psychology. Y o u c a n n o t force a b u d d h a to follow s t u p i d p e o p l e , a n d t h e s t u p i d p e o p l e are m a n y — t h e majority, 9 9 . 9 p e r c e n t . T h e y have a great p o w e r w i t h them, the p o w e r of v i o l e n c e — a n d they s h o w it w h e n e v e r it is needed.
S U R V I V A L O F T H E FITTEST T h e h u m a n b e i n g i s i n a d i l e m m a for t h e simple reason that h e i s n o t o n l y intelligent, he is also aware of his intelligence. T h a t is s o m e t h i n g u n i q u e a b o u t m a n — h i s privilege, his prerogative, his g l o r y — b u t i t c a n t u r n v e r y easily i n t o his agony. M a n is c o n s c i o u s that he is i n t e l l i g e n t . T h a t consciousness b r i n g s its o w n p r o b l e m s . T h e first p r o b l e m i s t h a t i t creates ego. E g o does n o t exist a n y w h e r e else e x c e p t i n h u m a n b e i n g s , a n d e g o 23
starts g r o w i n g as t h e child grows. T h e p a r e n t s , t h e schools, colleges, u n i versity, t h e y all h e l p to s t r e n g t h e n t h e e g o for t h e s i m p l e reason that for c e n t u r i e s m a n h a d t o struggle t o survive, a n d t h e idea has b e c o m e a fixa t i o n , a d e e p u n c o n s c i o u s c o n d i t i o n i n g , that o n l y s t r o n g egos can survive i n t h e strug gle of life. Life has b e c o m e j u s t a struggle t o survive. A n d scientists have m a d e i t even m o r e convincing with the theory of the "survival o f t h e fittest." S o w e h e l p e v e r y child t o b e c o m e m o r e a n d m o r e s t r o n g i n t h e e g o , a n d it is t h e r e that t h e p r o b l e m arises. As t h e e g o b e c o m e s s t r o n g it starts s u r r o u n d i n g intelligence like a t h i c k layer of darkness. Intelligence is light, e g o is d a r k ness. Intelligence is v e r y delicate, ego is v e r y hard. Intelligence is like a rose flower, e g o is like a rock. A n d if y o u w a n t to survive, t h e y s a y — t h e so-called a u t h o r i t i e s — t h e n y o u have t o b e c o m e rocklike, y o u have to be strong, invulnerable. You have to b e c o m e a citadel, a closed citadel, so y o u c a n n o t b e attacked f r o m outside. You have to b e c o m e impenetrable. B u t t h e n y o u b e c o m e closed. T h e n y o u start d y i n g a s far a s y o u r i n telligence is c o n c e r n e d because i n t e l l i g e n c e n e e d s t h e o p e n sky, t h e w i n d , t h e air, t h e s u n in o r d e r to grow, to e x p a n d , to flow. To r e m a i n alive it needs a c o n s t a n t flow; if it b e c o m e s stagnant it b e c o m e s , slowly, a d e a d phenomenon. W e d o n ' t allow c h i l d r e n t o r e m a i n i n t e l l i g e n t . T h e first t h i n g i s that i f t h e y are i n t e l l i g e n t t h e y w i l l b e v u l n e r a b l e , t h e y w i l l b e delicate, t h e y will be o p e n . If t h e y are intelligent t h e y will be able to see m a n y falsities i n t h e s o c i e t y — i n t h e state, i n t h e c h u r c h , i n t h e e d u c a t i o n a l system. 24
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T h e y w i l l b e c o m e rebellious. T h e y will b e individuals; t h e y will n o t b e c o w e d easily. Y o u can c r u s h t h e m , b u t y o u c a n n o t enslave t h e m . Y o u c a n destroy t h e m , b u t y o u c a n n o t force t h e m t o c o m p r o m i s e . In o n e sense i n t e l l i g e n c e is v e r y soft, like a rose flower, in a n o t h e r sense it has its o w n s t r e n g t h . B u t that s t r e n g t h is subtle, n o t gross. T h a t strength i s t h e s t r e n g t h o f r e b e l l i o n , o f a n o n c o m p r o m i s i n g attitude. O n e is ready to die, o n e is ready to suffer, b u t o n e is n o t r e a d y to sell o n e ' s soul. A n d t h e w h o l e society n e e d s slaves; i t n e e d s p e o p l e w h o f u n c t i o n like r o b o t s , m a c h i n e s . I t d o e s n o t w a n t p e o p l e , i t w a n t s m e c h a n i s m s . H e n c e t h e w h o l e c o n d i t i o n i n g i s t o m a k e t h e e g o strong. I t serves a d o u ble p u r p o s e . First, i t gives t h e p e r s o n t h e feeling that n o w h e c a n struggle in life. A n d s e c o n d l y it serves t h e p u r p o s e s of all t h e vested interests. T h e y can e x p l o i t t h e p e r s o n ; t h e y c a n use h i m a s a m e a n s t o t h e i r o w n ends. H e n c e t h e w h o l e e d u c a t i o n a l system rotates a r o u n d t h e idea o f a m b i t i o n ; i t creates a m b i t i o u s n e s s . A m b i t i o u s n e s s i s n o t h i n g b u t ego. " B e c o m e t h e first, b e c o m e t h e m o s t f a m o u s . B e c o m e a p r i m e m i n i s t e r or a president. B e c o m e w o r l d k n o w n , leave y o u r m a r k o n history." I t d o e s n o t t e a c h y o u t o live totally. I t d o e s n o t t e a c h y o u t o love totally. I t does n o t t e a c h y o u to live gracefully, it teaches y o u h o w to e x p l o i t o t h e r s for y o u r o w n p u r p o s e s . A n d w e t h i n k t h a t t h e p e o p l e w h o are clever are t h e ones w h o succeed. T h e y are c u n n i n g , b u t w e call t h e m clever. T h e y are n o t intelligent p e o p l e . An i n t e l l i g e n t p e r s o n can n e v e r use a n o t h e r p e r s o n as a m e a n s ; he will respect t h e o t h e r . A n i n t e l l i g e n t p e r s o n will b e able t o see t h e e q u a l ity of all. Yes, he w i l l see t h e differences t o o , b u t differences m a k e no difference as far as equality is c o n c e r n e d . He will have t r e m e n d o u s respect for o t h e r s ' f r e e d o m — h e c a n n o t e x p l o i t t h e m , h e c a n n o t r e d u c e t h e m t o things, h e c a n n o t m a k e t h e m s t e p p i n g - s t o n e s t o t h e fulfillment o f s o m e absurd desire t o b e t h e f i r s t . H e n c e w e g o o n c o n d i t i o n i n g c h i l d r e n . B u t before t h a t c o n d i t i o n i n g h a p p e n s , c h i l d r e n are i m m e n s e l y i n t e l ligent. I t has b e e n said b y B u d d h a , b y L a o T z u , b y Jesus, b y all t h e a w a k -
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e n e d o n e s . Jesus says: U n l e s s y o u are like a small c h i l d t h e r e is no h o p e for y o u . A g a i n h e says: U n l e s s y o u b e c o m e like small c h i l d r e n y o u c a n n o t e n t e r i n t o m y k i n g d o m o f G o d . A g a i n a n d a g a i n h e repeats o n e o f his m o s t f a m o u s b e a t i t u d e s : Blessed are t h o s e w h o are t h e last i n this w o r l d , b e c a u s e t h e y w i l l b e t h e first i n m y k i n g d o m o f G o d . H e i s t e a c h i n g n o n a m b i t i o u s n e s s — t o b e t h e last. H e says: Blessed are t h e m e e k , for theirs i s t h e k i n g d o m o f G o d — t h e m e e k , t h e h u m b l e , t h e p e o p l e w h o are s t a n d i n g last in t h e q u e u e . It was natural, v e r y natural, that t h e society h e was b o r n i n was against h i m , because h e was d e s t r o y i n g t h e v e r y roots of their ambitiousness. A n d J e w s have b e e n v e r y a m b i t i o u s p e o p l e , s o m u c h s o that for c e n t u r i e s , against all hazards, t h e y have c a r r i e d t h e i d e a in their m i n d s that t h e y are t h e c h o s e n p e o p l e o f G o d . A t h o u s a n d a n d o n e calamities have h a p p e n e d because o f this s t u p i d idea; i f t h e y c a n d r o p i t t h e y will b e m o r e accepted in the world. But they cannot drop it—their w h o l e ego is i n v o l v e d in it. A n d it is an a n c i e n t e g o , at least t h r e e t h o u s a n d years old. Since M o s e s t h e y have b e e n c a r r y i n g t h e i d e a t h a t t h e y are t h e c h o s e n p e o p l e o f G o d . A n d h e r e c o m e s this m a n w h o says, " B e t h e last!" W e are m e a n t t o b e t h e first, a n d h e says, " B e h u m b l e a n d m e e k ! " A n d w e are t h e c h o s e n p e o p l e ! I f w e are h u m b l e a n d m e e k t h e n t h o s e w h o are n o t c h o sen will b e c o m e t h e first! A n d J e w s are e a r t h l y p e o p l e ; t h e y d o n ' t b o t h e r m u c h a b o u t t h e o t h e r w o r l d . T h e y are w o r l d l y : " W h o k n o w s a b o u t t h e o t h e r w o r l d ? H e i s saying, 'If y o u are t h e last h e r e y o u will b e t h e first i n my k i n g d o m of G o d . ' B u t w h e r e is your k i n g d o m of God? It may be just a fiction, j u s t a d r e a m . " Jesus l o o k s like a d r e a m e r , a p o e t m a y b e . B u t he is d e s t r o y i n g their v e r y f o u n d a t i o n . T h e y c a n n o t forgive h i m ; t h e y have n o t e v e n forgiven h i m yet. T h e y still c a r r y t h e idea t h a t " w e are t h e c h o s e n p e o p l e . " T h e y have suffered m u c h for it; t h e m o r e t h e y have suffered t h e s t r o n g e r the idea has b e c o m e — b e c a u s e i f y o u have t o face suffering, y o u have t o b e c o m e m o r e a n d m o r e egoistic, m o r e rocklike, s o t h a t y o u can fight, s t r u g gle, s o that n o b o d y can destroy y o u . B u t t h e y have also b e c o m e v e r y closed. 26
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Jesus was c r e a t i n g a n o p e n i n g for t h e m ; t h e y refused h i m . H e was telling t h e m t o c o m e i n t o t h e o p e n sky. H e was telling t h e m t o b e j u s t o r d i n a r y : " D r o p this n o n s e n s e o f b e i n g special." I f t h e y h a d listened t o Jesus their w h o l e h i s t o r y w o u l d have b e e n different, b u t t h e y c o u l d n o t listen. H i n d u s d i d n o t listen t o B u d d h a for t h e same r e a s o n — H i n d u s are also c a r r y i n g t h e idea t h e y are t h e holiest p e o p l e i n t h e w o r l d a n d t h e i r l a n d i s t h e holiest land. E v e n t h e gods l o n g t o b e b o r n i n India! N o o t h e r c o u n t r y is so holy. A n d B u d d h a said, " T h i s is all n o n s e n s e ! " T h e y h a d to reject h i m . B u d d h i s m was t h r o w n o u t o f India. N o society can t o l e r a t e s u c h p e o p l e , w h o are telling t h e t r u t h , because t h e y s e e m t o sabotage t h e very structure of things. B u t n o w t h e t i m e has c o m e w h e n w e have suffered e n o u g h . All o v e r t h e w o r l d , in different ways, p e o p l e have suffered m u c h , a n d it is t i m e to have a l o o k at h i s t o r y a n d its s t u p i d i t y a n d its ridiculousness a n d d r o p t h e w h o l e idea o f these egoistic p a t t e r n s .
W a t c h small c h i l d r e n a n d t h e n y o u w i l l see their intelligence. T r u e , t h e y are n o t k n o w l e d g e a b l e . I f y o u w a n t t h e m t o b e k n o w l e d g e a b l e , t h e n y o u will n o t t h i n k that t h e y are i n t e l l i g e n t . I f y o u ask t h e m q u e s t i o n s t h a t d e p e n d o n i n f o r m a t i o n , t h e n t h e y w i l l l o o k n o t i n t e l l i g e n t . B u t ask t h e m real questions, w h i c h have n o t h i n g t o d o w i t h i n f o r m a t i o n , w h i c h n e e d a n i m m e d i a t e response, a n d s e e — t h e y are far m o r e i n t e l l i g e n t t h a n y o u are. O f course y o u r e g o w o n ' t a l l o w y o u t o a c c e p t it, b u t i f y o u can a c cept it, it will h e l p t r e m e n d o u s l y . It w i l l h e l p y o u , it w i l l h e l p y o u r c h i l d r e n , because i f y o u c a n see their i n t e l l i g e n c e y o u can l e a r n m u c h f r o m them. E v e n t h o u g h t h e society destroys y o u r i n t e l l i g e n c e i t c a n n o t destroy i t totally; i t o n l y covers i t w i t h m a n y layers o f i n f o r m a t i o n . A n d t h e w h o l e f u n c t i o n of m e d i t a t i o n is to take y o u d e e p e r i n t o yourself. It is a method of digging into your o w n being to the point w h e n you c o m e to t h e living waters o f y o u r o w n intelligence, w h e n y o u discover t h e springs
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o f y o u r o w n intelligence. W h e n y o u have discovered y o u r child again, w h e n y o u are r e b o r n , t h e n , o n l y t h e n w i l l y o u u n d e r s t a n d w h y t h e b u d dhas have b e e n e m p h a s i z i n g again a n d again t h a t c h i l d r e n are really i n t e l ligent. Start w a t c h i n g c h i l d r e n , t h e i r r e s p o n s e s — n o t t h e i r answers b u t their responses. D o n ' t ask t h e m foolish q u e s t i o n s , ask t h e m s o m e t h i n g i m m e diate w h i c h d o e s n o t d e p e n d o n i n f o r m a t i o n a n d see t h e i r response.
T h e m o t h e r was p r e p a r i n g little P e d r o t o g o t o a party. W h e n she finished c o m b i n g his h a i r she s t r a i g h t e n e d his shirt collar a n d said, " G o now, s o n . H a v e a g o o d t i m e . . . a n d b e h a v e yourself!" " C o m e o n , M o t h e r ! " said P e d r o . "Please d e c i d e before I leave w h i c h i t i s g o i n g t o b e ! " Y o u see t h e p o i n t ? T h e child's response is really of t r e m e n d o u s value. He says, "Please d e c i d e before I leave w h i c h it is g o i n g to be. If y o u a l l o w m e t o have a g o o d t i m e , t h e n I c a n n o t b e h a v e ; i f y o u w a n t m e t o b e have, t h e n I c a n n o t have a g o o d t i m e . " T h e child can see t h e c o n t r a d i c t i o n s o clearly; i t m a y n o t have b e e n a p p a r e n t t o t h e m o t h e r .
A passerby asks a boy, " S o n , can y o u please tell me w h a t t i m e it is?" "Yes, o f c o u r s e , " replies t h e boy, " b u t w h a t d o you n e e d i t for? It's always c h a n g i n g ! " A n e w traffic sign was p u t in front of t h e school. It read: " D r i v e Slowly. D o N o t Kill a S t u d e n t ! " T h e f o l l o w i n g day t h e r e was a n o t h e r sign u n d e r i t scribbled in a childish w r i t i n g : " W a i t for t h e T e a c h e r ! " Little P i e r i n o c o m e s h o m e f r o m s c h o o l w i t h a b i g smile o n his face. 28
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" W e l l , dear, y o u l o o k v e r y happy. S o y o u like school, d o you?" " D o n ' t b e silly, M o m , " replies t h e boy. " W e m u s t n ' t confuse the going with the c o m i n g back!" T h e father was telling stories to his sons in t h e living r o o m after d i n n e r . " M y g r e a t - g r a n d f a t h e r f o u g h t i n t h e w a r against R o s a s i n Brazie, m y u n c l e f o u g h t i n t h e w a r against t h e Kaiser, m y grandfather f o u g h t i n t h e w a r o f S p a i n against t h e R e p u b l i c a n s , and m y father f o u g h t i n t h e S e c o n d W o r l d W a r against t h e Germans." T o w h i c h t h e smallest s o n replied, " W h a t ' s w r o n g w i t h this family? T h e y c a n ' t relate t o a n y b o d y ! "
S T R I V I N G FOR E F F I C I E N C Y You will b e s u r p r i s e d t o k n o w that y o u r schools, colleges, and universities d o n ' t exist, in fact, to h e l p y o u to b e c o m e i n t e l l i g e n t — n o , n o t at all. I have b e e n associated w i t h universities as a s t u d e n t a n d t h e n as a professor, for m a n y years. I k n o w t h e v e r y i n n e r s t r u c t u r e o f y o u r e d u c a t i o n a l system. It is n o t c o n c e r n e d w i t h creating intelligence in people. Of course it w a n t s to c r e a t e e f f i c i e n c y — b u t efficiency is n o t i n t e l l i g e n c e , effic i e n c y is m e c h a n i c a l . A c o m p u t e r can be v e r y efficient, b u t a c o m p u t e r is n o t intelligent. N e v e r t h i n k that i n t e l l i g e n c e a n d efficiency are s y n o n y m o u s . I n t e l l i g e n c e is a totally different p h e n o m e n o n . Efficiency is n o t intelligence, it i s m e c h a n i c a l expertise. T h e universities are c o n c e r n e d w i t h c r e a t i n g eff i c i e n c y s o that y o u can b e b e t t e r clerks a n d b e t t e r b u r e a u c r a t s a n d m a n agers. B u t t h e y are n o t c o n c e r n e d w i t h c r e a t i n g i n t e l l i g e n c e — i n fact, t h e y are all against intelligence. T h e w h o l e s t r u c t u r e o f y o u r e d u c a t i o n a l system all over t h e w o r l d i s t o m a k e y o u m o r e a n d m o r e capable o f m e m o r i z i n g things.
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M e m o r y is a b i o c o m p u t e r . I n t e l l i g e n c e is a totally different p h e n o m e n o n . I n t e l l i g e n c e arises o u t o f m e d i t a t i o n , i n t e l l i g e n c e arises o u t o f r e b e l l i o n . I n t e l l i g e n c e does n o t arise o u t o f m e m o r y . B u t y o u r e x a m i n a tions o n l y c o n c e r n themselves w i t h y o u r m e m o r y . W h o e v e r has a b e t t e r m e m o r y i s t h o u g h t t o b e m o r e i n t e l l i g e n t . B u t i t h a p p e n s m a n y times t h a t s t u p i d p e o p l e have beautiful m e m o r i e s , a n d i n t e l l i g e n t p e o p l e are n o t so g o o d as far as m e m o r y is c o n c e r n e d . T h o m a s E d i s o n was n o t g o o d a s far a s m e m o r y i s c o n c e r n e d . H e i n v e n t e d h u n d r e d s o f scientific gadgets; n o b o d y else b e f o r e h i m h a d i n v e n t e d so m a n y t h i n g s . Just t h e q u a n t i t y of his i n v e n t i o n s is e n o r m o u s , unbelievable. Y o u m a y n o t b e aware t h a t y o u are u s i n g E d i s o n ' s i n v e n tions e v e r y day: T h e g r a m o p h o n e r e c o r d , t h e r a d i o , t h e electric b u l b , t h e fan, t h e l o u d s p e a k e r — a l l these things c o m e f r o m t h e creativity o f o n e single p e r s o n , E d i s o n . B u t his m e m o r y was lousy, v e r y sloppy, s o m u c h s o that o n c e he e v e n f o r g o t his o w n n a m e , w h i c h is really v e r y difficult! It is almost impossible t o forget y o u r o w n n a m e . I f y o u c a n forget y o u r o w n n a m e y o u can forget a n y t h i n g . H e m a n a g e d t o d o t h e least likely t h i n g . I n t h e First W o r l d War, r a t i o n i n g c a m e for t h e first t i m e i n t o e x i s t e n c e in A m e r i c a , a n d he was s t a n d i n g in a q u e u e to take his r a t i o n card. Slowly h e c a m e closer t o t h e w i n d o w . T h e n t h e last p e r s o n i n front o f h i m m o v e d a n d t h e y called his n a m e : " T h o m a s Alva E d i s o n ! " A n d h e l o o k e d a r o u n d a s i f t h e y w e r e calling s o m e b o d y else; h e l o o k e d u p a n d d o w n the q u e u e . . . O n e m a n r e c o g n i z e d h i m , a n d said, " A s far as I k n o w , you are T h o m a s Alva E d i s o n . W h y y o u are l o o k i n g h e r e a n d t h e r e ? " E d i s o n said, " Y o u are r i g h t ! I h a d c o m p l e t e l y f o r g o t t e n ! M a n y t h a n k s that y o u r e m i n d e d m e . Yes, I a m T h o m a s Alva E d i s o n . " H i s wife u s e d t o have t o k e e p e v e r y t h i n g i n o r d e r because his w h o l e r o o m was i n c o n s t a n t c h a o s — t h o u s a n d s o f p a p e r s , research p a p e r s — a n d w h e n e v e r h e w a n t e d t o find s o m e t h i n g i t w o u l d take days t o figure o u t w h e r e i t was. H e k e p t f o r g e t t i n g e v e r y t h i n g . H e m i g h t have i n v e n t e d s o m e t h i n g a n d w o u l d start i n v e n t i n g i t again. A n d his wife w o u l d r e m i n d h i m , " Y o u have d o n e it! I t i s already i n t h e m a r k e t ! " 30
H e used t o k e e p loose papers a r o u n d , a n d w o u l d g o o n w r i t i n g d o w n w h a t e v e r t h o u g h t c a m e t o his m i n d . T h e n t h o s e loose papers w o u l d b e lost h e r e a n d t h e r e . H i s wife t o l d h i m , " I t w o u l d b e b e t t e r i f y o u w o u l d keep a notebook." H e said, " T h a t ' s a beautiful idea! W h y d i d i t n e v e r o c c u r t o m e ? " B u t t h e n h e lost t h e w h o l e n o t e b o o k ! H e said, " L o o k w h a t h a p p e n e d w h e n I followed y o u r suggestion. W i t h loose papers a t least o n e t h i n g w a s g o o d — o n c e in a w h i l e I w o u l d lose a f e w n o t e s , b u t n o t all of t h e m . N o w all m y n o t e s are lost!" A l b e r t E i n s t e i n was n o t a m a n w h o h a d a g o o d m e m o r y . H e failed m a n y e x a m s i n s c h o o l simply b e c a u s e h e c o u l d n o t m e m o r i z e a n y t h i n g . T h i s greatest m a t h e m a t i c i a n o f all t h e ages, a n d for ages t o c o m e , was i n capable o f c o u n t i n g small a m o u n t s o f m o n e y . H e w o u l d have t o c o u n t again a n d again. O n c e h e was traveling i n a bus. H e gave t h e c o n d u c t o r some money; the change was returned to him. He c o u n t e d it once, twice, t h r i c e , a n d each t i m e t h e result was different, s o h e started c o u n t i n g t h e fourth time. T h e c o n d u c t o r w a s w a t c h i n g a n d h e said, " W h a t i s t h e m a t t e r w i t h y o u ? D o n ' t y o u k n o w figures? T h r i c e y o u have c o u n t e d , n o w y o u are counting a fourth time! D o n ' t you k n o w h o w to count change?" E i n s t e i n said, "Yes, I am a little lousy in m a t h . " T h i s m a n w h o h a d w o r k e d o u t t h e greatest m a t h e m a t i c s possible was incapable o f c o u n t i n g small a m o u n t s o f m o n e y . H e w o u l d g o i n t o his b a t h r o o m a n d w o u l d n o t c o m e o u t for h o u r s because h e w o u l d forget w h e r e h e was a n d that h e s h o u l d c o m e out. O n e o f m y friends, D o c t o r R a m M a n o h a r Lohia, w e n t t o see h i m . H e t o l d m e , " I h a d t o w a i t six h o u r s because h e was i n t h e b a t h r o o m ! A n d his wife k e p t a p o l o g i z i n g again a n d again. She said, ' H e is in t h e b a t h r o o m , he is still in t h e b a t h r o o m . ' I said, ' B u t w h a t i s h e d o i n g i n t h e b a t h r o o m ? ' T h e wife said, ' N o b o d y k n o w s . . . b u t if y o u disturb h i m he b e c o m e s v e r y a n g r y — h e starts t h r o w i n g things! B u t h e always forgets; w h e n e v e r h e goes i n t h e r e h e forgets t o c o m e o u t . N o w w e have t o w a i t u n t i l w h e n e v e r h e c o m e s . W h e n h e starts t o feel h u n g r y o r thirsty o r s o m e t h i n g , t h e n h e w i l l r e m e m b e r . ' "
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D o c t o r L o h i a asked, " B u t w h a t i s h e d o i n g i n t h e r e ? " T h e w i f e said, "I have also b e e n c u r i o u s a b o u t t h a t for all these years. In the b e g i n n i n g I used to peep t h r o u g h the k e y h o l e — w h a t is he doing? H e sits i n t h e b a t h t u b p l a y i n g w i t h soap b u b b l e s ! W h e n I asked h i m , W h a t are y o u d o i n g ? ' h e said, ' D o n ' t disturb m e — n e v e r disturb m e , b e cause it is in p l a y i n g w i t h soap b u b b l e s that I have discovered t h e t h e o r y of relativity. It is t h r o u g h p l a y i n g w i t h soap b u b b l e s that I c a m e to u n d e r s t a n d that t h e u n i v e r s e is e x p a n d i n g j u s t like a soap b u b b l e . It goes on e x p a n d i n g a n d o n e day it will b u r s t — j u s t like a soap bubble!'" If y o u l o o k d o w n t h e ages y o u will find thousands o f geniuses w i t h v e r y b a d m e m ories a n d t h o u s a n d s o f p e o p l e w h o h a d t r e m e n d o u s m e m o r i e s w i t h n o intelligence a t all—because m e m o r y a n d intelligence c o m e f r o m different sources. M e m o r y is part of t h e m i n d — i n t e l l i g e n c e is p a r t of nomind.
Intelligence
is
part
of y o u r c o n -
sciousness, a n d m e m o r y is part of y o u r brain.
T h e brain
can b e
trained—that's
w h a t t h e universities g o o n d o i n g . All y o u r examinations are tests for y o u r m e m o r y , n o t for y o u r intelligence. T h e universities give y o u t h e w r o n g impression—as i f m e m o r y i s intelligence. It is n o t . T h i s w h o l e e d u c a t i o n a l s y s t e m exists t o destroy i n t e l l i g e n c e o r t o divert y o u f r o m i n t e l l i g e n c e t o w a r d m e m ory. M e m o r y is useful, utilitarian. I n t e l l i g e n c e is d a n g e r o u s ; it has no utility for t h e status q u o , i t has n o utility for t h e v e s t e d interests. I n t e l l i g e n t p e o p l e have always p r o v e d t o b e difficult p e o p l e j u s t b e c a u s e o f their intelligence. T h e y cannot b o w d o w n to any stupid thing. A n d our society is full of s u p e r s t i t i o n s , s t u p i d i t i e s — a l l k i n d s of n o n s e n s e prevails 32
What Makes
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Stupid
i n t h e n a m e o f r e l i g i o n , i n t h e n a m e o f politics, i n t h e n a m e o f l i t e r a t u r e , art.
REPRESSION A N D M A N I P U L A T I O N E a c h child is distracted, is d i v e r t e d . H e n c e t h e r e is so m u c h stupidity. It is really a miracle h o w a few p e o p l e have escaped f r o m this p r i s o n — a B u d d h a , a Z a r a t h u s t r a , a Lao T z u , a Jesus, a P y t h a g o r a s . . . v e r y few p e o p l e . It is almost impossible to escape f r o m this p r i s o n b e c a u s e t h e p r i s o n is all a r o u n d , a n d i t starts f r o m t h e v e r y b e g i n n i n g . F r o m y o u r v e r y c h i l d h o o d y o u are c o n d i t i o n e d to be a p r i s o n e r — a C h r i s t i a n , a H i n d u , a M o h a m m e d a n . A n d w h e n y o u are p r i s o n e r s o f c h u r c h e s , n a t i o n s , races, t h e n naturally t h e r e i s g o i n g t o b e v i o l e n c e . N o a n i m a l i s a s v i o l e n t a s m a n . A n i m a l s kill b u t t h e y kill o n l y w h e n t h e y are h u n g r y , o t h e r w i s e n o t . M a n i s the. o n l y a n i m a l w h o enjoys killing for no reason at all, as if killing in itself is a blissful activity.
O n e day in a restaurant a l i o n a n d a h a r e e n t e r e d . T h e m a n a g e r was shocked; he c o u l d n o t believe his eyes. A great silence fell over t h e restaurant. M a n y p e o p l e w e r e t h e r e eating, talking, g o s siping; all b e c a m e absolutely silent. W h a t was h a p p e n i n g ? T h e manager rushed to the n e w customers. S o m e h o w he managed t o s t a m m e r t o t h e h a r e , " W h a t w o u l d y o u like, sir?" T h e h a r e asked for coffee. T h e m a n a g e r asked, " A n d w h a t w o u l d y o u r friend like t o h a v e ? " T h e h a r e l a u g h e d a n d h e said, " D o y o u t h i n k i f h e w e r e h u n g r y I w o u l d b e here? H e i s n o t h u n g r y ; o t h e r w i s e h e w o u l d have e a t e n his breakfast a n d I w o u l d b e g o n e ! W e can b e t o gether only w h e n he is not hungry."
A Hon w o n ' t kill if he is n o t h u n g r y . It is o n l y m a n w h o kills for no reason a t all—for stupid ideas. O n e c a n u n d e r s t a n d — i f s o m e b o d y i s
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h u n g r y , o n e can u n d e r s t a n d . B u t o n e c a n n o t u n d e r s t a n d H i r o s h i m a a n d Nagasaki—destroying a h u n d r e d thousand people within three minutes, j u s t for t h e sheer j o y o f d e s t r u c t i o n . T h i s i s h a p p e n i n g because w e have n o t allowed m a n ' s intelligence t o flower. A n d w h e n e v e r it has h a p p e n e d in any society that intelligence is all o w e d a little f r e e d o m , that society has b e c o m e w e a k e r t h a n o t h e r societies. It h a p p e n e d in India: India r e m a i n e d a slave for t w o t h o u s a n d years for m a n y reasons. O n e o f t h e reasons was t h e great r e v o l u t i o n that was b r o u g h t b y K r i s h n a , Patanjali, Saraha, M a h a v i r a , B u d d h a . T h e s e p e o p l e b r o u g h t s u c h a great r e v o l u t i o n , s u c h a radical c h a n g e in t h e consciousness of India, that m a n y p e o p l e w e r e released f r o m t h e b o n d a g e of stupidity; a great intelligence was released. T h e result was that t h e intelligent p e o p l e s t o p p e d killing, t h e y b e c a m e n o n v i o l e n t ; t h e y refused t o b e r e c r u i t e d i n t o t h e army. B u d d h i s t s and Jains refused t o b e r e c r u i t e d i n t o t h e army, t h e B r a h m i n s refused t o b e r e c r u i t e d i n t o t h e army. N o w this was t h e cream, a n d t h e c r e a m refused t o fight. T h e n v e r y stupid c o u n t r i e s a n d v e r y o r d i n a r y p e o p l e — H u n s , Turks, M o g h u l s , w h o w e r e b a c k w a r d i n e v e r y possible w a y — o v e r r a n t h e c o u n t r y . A n d because t h e m o s t intelligent p e o p l e o f t h e y o u n g e r g e n e r a t i o n w e r e n o l o n g e r i n t e r e s t e d i n killing a n d violence, there was n o resistance, n o fight. T h e s e p e o p l e c o n q u e r e d t h e c o u n t r y — a b i g c o u n t r y w a s c o n q u e r e d b y v e r y small c o u n t r i e s . For t w o t h o u s a n d years I n d i a r e m a i n e d in slavery for that simple reason. T h e same t h i n g h a p p e n e d i n A t h e n s . Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, P y t h a g o ras, Heraclitus . . . these w e r e t h e p e o p l e w h o released great intelligence, a n d a climate was created of freedom, of free t h i n k i n g . It was o n e of t h e m o s t beautiful p h e n o m e n a that was h a p p e n i n g on t h e earth, and it was destroyed b y stupid p e o p l e , barbarians. T h e w h o l e G r e e k civilization disappeared. M y o w n s u g g e s t i o n i s that unless w e create a w o r l d g o v e r n m e n t , i n telligence c a n n o t b e allowed. T h e t i m e has c o m e for a w o r l d g o v e r n m e n t . N a t i o n a l g o v e r n m e n t s are n o l o n g e r n e e d e d : T h e y are t h i n g s o f t h e past, t h e y are p a r t o f o u r s t u p i d past. N a t i o n s are n o l o n g e r n e e d e d , o n l y a w o r l d g o v e r n m e n t . A n d if t h e r e is a w o r l d g o v e r n m e n t it w i l l have a totally different quality. 34
What
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Stupid
A r m i e s will have t o b e r e d u c e d , b e c a u s e t h e r e w i l l b e n o q u e s t i o n o f fighting w i t h anybody. N o w seventy p e r c e n t o f t h e w o r l d ' s m o n e y , w e a l t h , resources goes t o t h e m i l i t a r y a n d m i l i t a r y w e a p o n s — s e v e n t y p e r c e n t ! O n l y t h i r t y p e r c e n t i s left for o t h e r p u r p o s e s . T h a t m e a n s seve n t y p e r c e n t o f o u r e n e r g y i s d e v o t e d t o killing, t o b e i n g v i o l e n t , t o b e i n g destructive. A w o r l d g o v e r n m e n t is an a b s o l u t e necessity to save h u m a n i t y . A n d t h e quality o f t h e w o r l d g o v e r n m e n t w i l l b e totally different b e c a u s e i t w o n ' t n e e d great armies; j u s t small p o l i c e forces w i l l . b e e n o u g h . I t w i l l take care of all things like t h e p o s t office, t h e railway, t h e airplanes, et c e t e r a — b u t t h e y are n o t destructive; t h e y serve p e o p l e . A n d o n c e t h e a r m i e s disappear f r o m t h e w o r l d , great intelligence will b e r e l e a s e d — because t h e a r m y is destructive of intelligence. It recruits t h e healthiest p e o p l e a n d destroys their m i n d s , b e c a u s e a real soldier is possible o n l y if t h e p e r s o n b e c o m e s absolutely m e c h a n i c a l . M a n kills for n o reason. M a n tries t o repress rather t h a n t o u n d e r stand, t o m a n i p u l a t e r a t h e r t h a n t o relate, because t o relate w i t h s o m e b o d y n e e d s great u n d e r s t a n d i n g . M a n i p u l a t i o n needs n o u n d e r s t a n d i n g . R e p r e s s i o n i s easy, v e r y e a s y — a n y fool can d o it. T h a t ' s w h y i f y o u g o t o t h e m o n a s t e r i e s y o u w i l l find all k i n d s of repressions a n d y o u w i l l find all k i n d s of fools g a t h e r e d t o g e t h e r t h e r e . I have n e v e r c o m e across i n t e l l i g e n t m o n k s a n d n u n s ; i f t h e y are intelligent t h e y will n o t b e m o n k s a n d n u n s a n y m o r e . T h e y w i l l r e n o u n c e that n o n s e n s e , t h e y w i l l c o m e o u t o f their s o - c a l l e d r e l i g i o u s p r i s o n s . B u t repression n e e d s n o w i s d o m ; i t simply needs a p o w e r ful e g o , s o y o u can g o o n suppressing e v e r y t h i n g i n t o t h e u n c o n s c i o u s . B u t w h a t e v e r y o u suppress will have t o b e suppressed again a n d a g a i n — a n d still i t will n e v e r b e e l i m i n a t e d . I t w i l l b e c o m e m o r e a n d m o r e p o w erful a s y o u g r o w o l d e r b e c a u s e y o u w i l l b e c o m e w e a k e r . T h e suppressor w i l l b e c o m e w e a k e r a n d t h e suppressed w i l l r e m a i n fresh a n d y o u n g , b e cause it has n e v e r b e e n used. T h e real p r o b l e m arises i n o l d age w h e n suppression starts e x p l o d i n g a n d creates all k i n d s of ugliness. It is five t h o u s a n d years of suppression
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that is c r e a t i n g all o u r neuroses, all o u r p e r v e r s i o n s . Suppress sex a n d y o u will b e c o m e m o r e sexual; y o u r w h o l e life will b e c o l o r e d w i t h sex. Y o u will t h i n k always i n t e r m s o f sexuality a n d n o t h i n g else. Suppress sex a n d t h e ugly i n s t i t u t i o n of p r o s t i t u t i o n w i l l arise, is bound to arise. T h e m o r e suppressive a society is, t h e m o r e prostitutes w i l l b e f o u n d t h e r e ; t h e p r o p o r t i o n i s always t h e same. Y o u can c o u n t y o u r n u n s a n d m o n k s a n d y o u can k n o w b y c o u n t i n g t h e m h o w m a n y m a l e a n d female prostitutes will b e i n t h e c o u n t r y . I t w i l l b e exactly t h e same n u m b e r because n a t u r e keeps a balance. A n d p e r v e r s i o n s . . . because sexual e n e r g y w i l l find its ways, its o w n ways. E i t h e r it will create neurosis or hypocrisy. B o t h are ill states. T h e p o o r will b e c o m e n e u r o t i c a n d t h e r i c h w i l l b e c o m e h y p o c r i t e s . It is said that w h e n M o s e s in his rage s m a s h e d t h e tablets of t h e T e n C o m m a n d m e n t s , everybody rushed to grab a piece. O f c o u r s e t h e r i c h a n d t h e politicians w e r e t h e first. T h e y g o t all t h e g o o d pieces o n w h i c h w e r e i n s c r i b e d , " C o m m i t adultery," "lie," "steal." T h e p o o r a n d all t h e rest g o t o n l y t h e pieces t h a t said, " T h o u shalt n o t , " " T h o u shalt n o t . " R e p r e s s i o n creates c u n n i n g n e s s . Y o u lose authenticity, y o u lose n a t u ralness, s p o n t a n e i t y Y o u lose t r u t h . Y o u start l y i n g t o o t h e r s , y o u start l y i n g t o yourself. Y o u start f i n d i n g ways t o h e a n d t o g o o n lying. A n d a single lie will n e e d a t h o u s a n d o t h e r lies to p r o t e c t it, to s u p p o r t it.
T H E SIN O F D I S O B E D I E N C E I t i s said that w h e n H e n r y T h o r e a u c a m e o u t o f t h e university, E m e r s o n gave a b i g p a r t y t o celebrate t h e occasion. A n d h e t o l d t h e participants, " I a m g i v i n g this p a r t y n o t b e c a u s e T h o r e a u has a t t a i n e d great k n o w l e d g e i n t h e u n i v e r s i t y b u t because h e has b e e n able t o c o m e b a c k f r o m t h e university a n d h e i s still intelligent. T h e u n i v e r s i t y has n o t b e e n able t o destroy his intelligence. T h e university has failed, that's w h y I am g i v i n g this p a r t y ! I respect this y o u n g m a n for t h e simple r e a s o n that he has e s c a p e d f r o m t h e w h o l e c u n n i n g strategy that i s o u r e d u c a t i o n . " 36
What Makes People Stupid
Intelligence s i m p l y m e a n s t h e ability to r e s p o n d , because life is a flux. You have t o b e aware a n d t o see w h a t i s d e m a n d e d o f y o u , w h a t i s t h e c h a l l e n g e o f t h e situation. T h e i n t e l l i g e n t p e r s o n behaves a c c o r d i n g t o t h e situation, a n d t h e s t u p i d behaves a c c o r d i n g t o t h e r e a d y - m a d e a n swers. W h e t h e r t h o s e answers c o m e f r o m B u d d h a , C h r i s t , o r K r i s h n a , h e always carries " s c r i p t u r e s " a r o u n d himself. H e i s afraid t o d e p e n d o n himself. T h e intelligent p e r s o n d e p e n d s o n his o w n insight. H e trusts his o w n b e i n g . H e loves a n d respects himself. T h e u n i n t e l l i g e n t p e r s o n r e spects others. A n d y o u can see t h e p o i n t — w h y are t h e vested interests interested in c r e a t i n g stupidity? Because that is t h e o n l y w a y t h e y can get respect.
N o parents really w a n t
their children to be intelligent, b e c a u s e if t h e children are intelligent t h e y are r e b e l lious, t o o ; they are d i s o b e d i e n t , too. O b e d i ence has b e e n i m p o s e d on y o u as a great v a l u e — i t is n o t . It is o n e of t h e basic causes o f t h e d e s t r u c t i o n o f y o u r intelligence. I am n o t saying be d i s o b e d i e n t . I am simply saying that w h e n y o u feel like b e i n g o b e d i e n t , b e o b e d i e n t ; w h e n y o u feel like being
disobedient, be
true
to
yourself.
Y o u r o n l y responsibility is t o w a r d y o u r s e l f a n d n o b o d y else. A n intelligent p e r s o n takes risks. H e will b e ready t o d i e r a t h e r t h a n t o c o m p r o mise. O f course, h e w i l l n o t fight a b o u t u n n e c e s s a r y t h i n g s , h e w i l l n o t fight a b o u t n o n e s s e n t i a l s — b u t as far as t h e essentials are c o n c e r n e d h e i s n o t g o i n g t o b e o b e d i e n t . B u t y o u have o b e y e d even a b o u t t h e essentials. W h a t i s y o u r belief i n G o d ? Y o u have simply o b e y e d o t h e r s . W h a t d o you k n o w a b o u t G o d ?
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Y o u have s i m p l y o b e y e d ; y o u have f o l l o w e d y o u r parents, a n d t h e y foll o w e d t h e i r p a r e n t s . Parents are h a p p y w i t h u n i n t e l l i g e n t c h i l d r e n b e cause t h e y are o b e d i e n t — t h e y have t o b e o b e d i e n t . T h e c h i l d r e n c o m e t o k n o w o n e t h i n g , that w h a t e v e r t h e y d o i s b o u n d t o b e w r o n g , s o i t i s b e t ter t o listen t o t h e p a r e n t s ' advice. F o r t h o u s a n d s o f years e v e r y society has b e e n telling c h i l d r e n , " R e spect y o u r p a r e n t s , " because t h e y are afraid o f c h i l d r e n — t h e y m a y n o t respect t h e i r p a r e n t s . A n d I am n o t saying to disrespect y o u r parents. I am s i m p l y saying that y o u m u s t first respect yourself. O u t o f t h a t respect, y o u can respect y o u r parents, y o u r t e a c h e r s — y o u c a n respect everybody. B u t if y o u d o n ' t respect yourself, y o u r respect for a n y b o d y else is g o i n g to be false; d e e p d o w n t h e r e w i l l be h a t r e d . E a c h child hates his parents . . . d e e p d o w n h e feels, " T h e parents are m y e n e m i e s . " H e can see h o w his i n t e l l i g e n c e is b e i n g c r i p p l e d .
After p u t t i n g h e r t w o c h i l d r e n t o b e d o n e n i g h t , a y o u n g m o t h e r c h a n g e d i n t o a r a g g e d blouse a n d a n o l d p a i r o f slacks a n d p r o c e e d e d t o w a s h h e r hair. All d u r i n g t h e s h a m p o o she c o u l d h e a r t h e c h i l d r e n g r o w i n g w i l d e r a n d noisier. F i n i s h i n g a s h u r r i e d l y as possible, she w r a p p e d a large t o w e l a r o u n d h e r h e a d , s t o r m e d into their r o o m , and put t h e m back to bed w i t h a stern w a r n i n g to stay t h e r e . As she left, she h e a r d t h e t w o - y e a r - o l d say to his sister in a t r e m b l i n g voice, " W h o was that?"
T h i s is intelligence! B u t t h e society is n o t i n t e r e s t e d in i n t e l l i g e n t p e o p l e . It is n o t i n t e r ested in seekers, it is i n t e r e s t e d in soldiers. It w a n t s to create soldiers. A n d unless y o u are s t u p i d y o u c a n n o t b e a g o o d soldier. T h e g r e a t e r y o u are i n y o u r s t u p i d i t y t h e better, as far as b e i n g a soldier is c o n c e r n e d .
A s t h e last soldier was a b o u t t o j u m p f r o m t h e a i r p l a n e h e p a n i c k e d , g r a b b e d h o l d o f his sergeant a n d said, " W h a t h a p p e n s if my second parachute doesn't open, either?" 38
What Makes People Stupid
" D o n ' t w o r r y , " said t h e sergeant w i t h a smile. "Just c o m e b a c k a n d I will give y o u a n e w o n e ! " Life is a beautiful j o u r n e y if it is a process of c o n s t a n t l e a r n i n g , e x p l o r a t i o n . T h e n i t i s e x c i t e m e n t e v e r y m o m e n t , because e v e r y m o m e n t y o u are o p e n i n g a n e w d o o r , e v e r y m o m e n t y o u are c o m i n g i n c o n t a c t w i t h a n e w mystery. T h e w o r d disciple m e a n s o n e w h o learns, a n d discipline m e a n s t h e p r o cess o f l e a r n i n g . B u t t h e w o r d has b e e n p r o s t i t u t e d . N o w discipline m e a n s o b e d i e n c e . T h e y have t u r n e d t h e w h o l e w o r l d i n t o a B o y S c o u t c a m p . H i g h above t h e r e i s s o m e b o d y w h o k n o w s — y o u n e e d n o t l e a r n , y o u have simply t o obey. T h e y have t u r n e d t h e m e a n i n g o f discipline i n t o its very opposite. L e a r n i n g a u t o m a t i c a l l y consists o f d o u b t i n g , o f q u e s t i o n i n g , o f b e i n g skeptical, o f b e i n g c u r i o u s — n o t o f b e i n g a believer certainly, b e c a u s e a believer n e v e r learns. B u t t h e y have u s e d t h e w o r d for t h o u s a n d s o f years i n this way. A n d i t i s n o t o n l y o n e w o r d t h a t t h e y have p r o s t i t u t e d , t h e y have p r o s t i t u t e d m a n y w o r d s . Beautiful w o r d s have b e c o m e s o ugly i n t h e hands o f t h e v e s t e d interests t h a t y o u c a n n o t e v e n i m a g i n e t h e o r i g i n a l m e a n i n g of t h e w o r d . . . t h o u s a n d s of years of misuse. T h e y w a n t e v e r y b o d y t o b e disciplined t h e w a y p e o p l e are d i s c i p l i n e d i n t h e army. Y o u are o r d e r e d a n d y o u have t o d o i t w i t h o u t asking why. This is not the way of learning! A n d from the very b e g i n n i n g they have i m p o s e d stories o n t h e m i n d s o f p e o p l e — f o r e x a m p l e that t h e first sin c o m m i t t e d was d i s o b e d i e n c e . A d a m a n d E v e w e r e e x p e l l e d f r o m t h e G a r d e n o f E d e n because t h e y d i s o b e y e d . I have l o o k e d at it in t h o u s a n d s of ways, b u t I d o n ' t see t h a t A d a m a n d E v e c o m m i t t e d any sin o r a n y c r i m e . T h e y w e r e s i m p l y e x p l o r i n g . Y o u are in a g a r d e n a n d y o u start e x p l o r i n g t h e fruits a n d flowers and w h a t is edible a n d w h a t is n o t edible. A n d G o d i s responsible, b e c a u s e h e p r o h i b i t e d t h e m f r o m t w o trees. H e i n d i c a t e d t h e trees: " Y o u s h o u l d n o t a p p r o a c h these t w o trees. O n e i s t h e tree o f w i s d o m , a n d t h e o t h e r i s t h e tree o f e t e r n a l life." Just t h i n k , i f
39
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you w e r e A d a m and E v e — w a s n o t G o d himself t e m p t i n g you to go to these t w o trees? A n d t h o s e t w o trees w e r e o f w i s d o m a n d o f e t e r n a l l i f e — w h y s h o u l d G o d b e against t h e m ? I f h e w e r e really a father, o n e w h o loved y o u , h e m i g h t have p o i n t e d t o t h e m , saying, " T h i s i s a p o i s o n o u s tree, d o n ' t eat f r o m it." O r , " T h i s i s t h e tree o f d e a t h ; i f y o u eat a n y t h i n g f r o m i t y o u will d i e . " B u t these t w o trees are perfectly g o o d ! Eat as m u c h as y o u can, b e c a u s e to be w i s e a n d to have e t e r n a l life is a b solutely r i g h t . E v e r y father w o u l d w a n t his c h i l d r e n t o h a v e w i s d o m a n d e t e r n a l life. T h i s father seems to be absolutely loveless. N o t o n l y loveless b u t , as t h e devil said t o E v e , " H e has p r e v e n t e d y o u f r o m these t w o trees. D o y o u k n o w t h e reason? T h e reason i s that i f y o u eat f r o m these t w o trees y o u will be equal to him, and he is jealous. He does not want you to b e c o m e d i v i n e . H e does n o t w a n t y o u t o b e c o m e gods, full o f w i s d o m and e t e r n a l life." I c a n n o t see t h a t t h e devil's a r g u m e n t has any flaw in it. It is a b solutely r i g h t . In fact, he is t h e first b e n e f a c t o r of h u m a n i t y . W i t h o u t h i m , p e r h a p s t h e r e w o u l d have b e e n n o h u m a n i t y — n o G a u t a m B u d d h a , n o Kabir, n o C h r i s t , n o Z a r a t h u s t r a , n o L a o T z u . . . j u s t buffaloes and d o n k e y s , all e a t i n g grass, c h e w i n g grass c o n t e n t e d l y . A n d G o d w o u l d have b e e n v e r y happy, t h a t his c h i l d r e n are v e r y o b e d i e n t ! B u t this o b e d i e n c e i s p o i s o n , p u r e p o i s o n . T h e devil m u s t b e c o u n t e d a s t h e first r e v o l u t i o n a r y o f t h e w o r l d , a n d t h e first m a n t o t h i n k i n t e r m s o f e v o l u t i o n , o f w i s d o m , o f e t e r n a l life.
J U S T F O L L O W I N G ORDERS All o v e r t h e w o r l d , i n e v e r y army, t h e y are t u r n i n g millions o f p e o p l e i n t o m a c h i n e s — o f c o u r s e , i n s u c h a w a y that y o u d o n ' t u n d e r s t a n d w h a t is going on. T h e i r m e t h o d o l o g y is very indirect. W h a t d o e s i t m e a n t h a t t h o u s a n d s o f p e o p l e e v e r y m o r n i n g are m a r c h i n g , f o l l o w i n g o r d e r s : " R i g h t t u r n , left t u r n , m o v e f o r w a r d , m o v e 40
What Makes People Stupid
b a c k w a r d . " F o r w h a t is all this circus g o i n g o n ? A n d for years i t g o e s o n . T h i s is to d e s t r o y y o u r i n t e l l i g e n c e . F o r years c o n t i n u o u s l y y o u g o o n f o l l o w i n g any k i n d o f s t u p i d o r d e r , m e a n i n g l e s s , e v e r y day in t h e m o r n i n g , e v e r y day in t h e e v e n i n g — a n d y o u are n o t s u p p o s e d to ask why. You j u s t have to do it, to do it as perfectly as possible; t h e r e is no n e e d for y o u t o u n d e r s t a n d w h y . A n d w h e n a p e r s o n goes t h r o u g h s u c h a t r a i n i n g for years, t h e n a t u r a l effect is t h a t he stops asking why. T h e questioning attitude is the very base o f all intelligence. T h e m o m e n t y o u stop asking why, you have s t o p p e d g r o w i n g as far as intelligence is c o n c e r n e d .
It h a p p e n e d in t h e S e c o n d W o r l d War . . . A retired a r m y m a n . . . h e h a d f o u g h t i n t h e First W o r l d W a r a n d h e was h o n o r e d ; h e was a brave m a n . A n d n o w a l m o s t twenty-five years h a d passed. He h a d a small f a r m a n d lived silently. H e was g o i n g f r o m t h e f a r m t o t h e t o w n w i t h a b u c k e t f u l of eggs, a n d a f e w p e o p l e in a restaurant, j u s t j o k i n g l y , played a trick o n t h e p o o r o l d a r m y m a n . O n e o f t h e m e n i n t h e r e s t a u rant s h o u t e d , " A t t e n t i o n ! " a n d t h e m a n d r o p p e d t h e b u c k e t a n d stood i n t h e p o s i t i o n o f a t t e n t i o n . I t h a d b e e n t w e n t y - f i v e years since h e h a d g o n e t h r o u g h t h e training. B u t t h e t r a i n i n g h a d g o n e i n t o t h e b o n e s , i n t o t h e blood, i n t o t h e m a r r o w ; i t h a d b e c o m e p a r t o f t h e u n c o n s c i o u s . H e c o m p l e t e l y f o r g o t w h a t h e was d o i n g — i t h a p p e n e d a l m o s t a u t o n o m o u s l y , mechanically.
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He was v e r y angry. B u t t h o s e p e o p l e said, " Y o u r a n g e r is n o t r i g h t , b e c a u s e w e can call o u t any w o r d w e w a n t . W h o i s telling y o u t o follow i t ? " H e said, " I t i s t o o late for m e t o d e c i d e w h e t h e r t o follow i t o r n o t t o follow it. M y w h o l e m i n d f u n c t i o n s like a m a c h i n e . Those
twenty-five
years
simply
disappeared.
Attention
only
m e a n s a t t e n t i o n . Y o u destroyed my eggs, a n d I am a p o o r m a n . . ."
B u t this i s b e i n g d o n e all o v e r t h e w o r l d . A n d n o t o n l y today; from t h e v e r y b e g i n n i n g a r m i e s have b e e n t r a i n e d n o t t o use t h e i r intelligence b u t t o follow o r d e r s . Y o u have t o u n d e r s t a n d o n e t h i n g v e r y clearly: T o follow a n o r d e r a n d to u n d e r s t a n d a t h i n g are t w o d i a m e t r i c a l l y o p p o s i t e t h i n g s . If, by u n d e r s t a n d i n g , y o u r intelligence feels satisfied a n d y o u d o s o m e t h i n g out o f that, y o u are n o t f o l l o w i n g a n o r d e r f r o m t h e outside; y o u are followi n g y o u r o w n intelligence. I a m r e m i n d e d o f a n o t h e r i n c i d e n t i n t h e First W o r l d War. I n Berlin, a G e r m a n professor of logic was r e c r u i t e d i n t o t h e army. T h e r e was a s h o r t a g e o f soldiers, a n d e v e r y b o d y w h o was physically able was asked t o v o l u n t e e r . O t h e r w i s e , t h e y w e r e f o r c i n g p e o p l e t o j o i n t h e army. All the societies, all t h e n a t i o n s , all t h e cultures, have taken, it for g r a n t e d t h a t the individual exists for t h e m , n o t vice versa. To m e , j u s t t h e o p p o s i t e is t h e case: T h e society exists for t h e i n d i vidual, t h e c u l t u r e exists for t h e individual, t h e n a t i o n exists for t h e i n d i vidual. E v e r y t h i n g else c a n b e sacrificed, b u t t h e i n d i v i d u a l c a n n o t b e sacrificed for a n y t h i n g . Individuality is t h e v e r y f l o w e r i n g of existence n o t h i n g is h i g h e r . B u t no c u l t u r e , no society, no civilization is r e a d y to accept that simple t r u t h . T h e professor was forced t o v o l u n t e e r for t h e army. H e said, " I a m n o t a m a n w h o can fight. I can a r g u e , I am a logician. If y o u n e e d s o m e b o d y t o a r g u e w i t h t h e e n e m i e s I a m ready, b u t fighting i s n o t m y busi ness. It is b a r b a r o u s to fight." 42
What Makes People Stupid
B u t n o b o d y listened, a n d finally h e was b r o u g h t t o t h e p a r a d e g r o u n d s . T h e p a r a d e started, a n d t h e c o m m a n d e r said, "Left t u r n . " E v e r y b o d y t u r n e d left, b u t t h e professor r e m a i n e d s t a n d i n g a s h e was standing. T h e c o m m a n d e r was a little w o r r i e d : " W h a t i s t h e m a t t e r ? P e r h a p s t h e m a n i s deaf." S o h e s h o u t e d loudly, " N o w t u r n t o t h e left again!" All t h e p e o p l e t u r n e d t o t h e left again, b u t t h a t m a n r e m a i n e d s t a n d i n g a s i f h e h a d n o t h e a r d a n y t h i n g . F o r w a r d , b a c k w a r d . . . all t h e o r d e r s w e r e given a n d e v e r y b o d y followed. T h a t m a n r e m a i n e d j u s t s t a n d i n g i n his place. H e was a w e l l - k n o w n professor; e v e n t h e c o m m a n d e r k n e w h i m . H e c o u l d n o t b e treated j u s t like any o t h e r soldier, h e inspired a certain r e spect. Finally, w h e n t h e p a r a d e e n d e d a n d e v e r y b o d y r e t u r n e d t o w h e r e t h e y h a d started, t h e c o m m a n d e r w e n t t o t h e professor a n d asked, "Is t h e r e s o m e p r o b l e m w i t h y o u r ears? C a n ' t y o u h e a r ? " H e said, " I can hear." " B u t t h e n , " t h e c o m m a n d e r said, " w h y did y o u r e m a i n standing? W h y d i d y o u n o t follow t h e o r d e r s ? " H e said, " W h a t i s t h e p o i n t ? W h e n e v e r y b o d y finally has t o c o m e b a c k t o t h e same state, after all this m o v e m e n t g o i n g f o r w a r d a n d b a c k w a r d , left and r i g h t , w h a t have t h e y g a i n e d ? " T h e c o m m a n d e r said, " I t is n o t a q u e s t i o n of g a i n i n g , it is a q u e s t i o n of training!" B u t h e said, " I d o n ' t n e e d any t r a i n i n g . Y o u c o m e t o t h e same place after d o i n g all kinds of s t u p i d t h i n g s , w h i c h I d o n ' t see any p o i n t i n . C a n y o u explain t o m e w h y I s h o u l d t u r n left a n d n o t r i g h t ? " T h e c o m m a n d e r said, " S t r a n g e , n o soldier asks s u c h q u e s t i o n s . " T h e professor said, "I am n o t a soldier, I am a professor. I have b e e n forced t o b e here, b u t y o u c a n n o t force m e t o d o things against m y i n t e l ligence." T h e c o m m a n d e r w e n t t o t h e h i g h e r authorities a n d said, " W h a t t o d o w i t h this m a n ? H e m a y r u i n t h e o t h e r s — b e c a u s e e v e r y b o d y i s l a u g h i n g a t Me and e v e r y b o d y is saying, ' P r o f e s s o r , y o u d i d great!' I c a n n o t tackle t h a t
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m a n . H e asks s u c h questions, a n d each t h i n g has t o b e explained: 'Unless I u n d e r s t a n d it, unless my intelligence supports it, I am n o t g o i n g to do i t . ' " T h e c o m m a n d e r i n c h i e f said, " I k n o w t h e m a n . H e i s a great l o g i cian. H i s w h o l e life's t r a i n i n g is in q u e s t i o n i n g e v e r y t h i n g . I w i l l take care o f h i m , d o n ' t b e w o r r i e d . " H e called t h e professor t o his office a n d said, " I a m sorry, b u t w e c a n n o t d o a n y t h i n g . Y o u have b e e n r e c r u i t e d ; t h e c o u n t r y n e e d s soldiers. B u t I will give y o u s o m e w o r k that w i l l n o t create any difficulty for y o u a n d w i l l n o t create any difficulty for o t h e r s . Y o u c o m e w i t h m e t o the a r m y mess." H e t o o k t h e professor t h e r e , a n d s h o w e d h i m a b i g pile o f g r e e n peas. H e t o l d t h e professor, "Sit d o w n h e r e . Y o u c a n sort o u t t h e b i g peas o n o n e side a n d t h e small peas o n t h e o t h e r side. I n a n h o u r I w i l l c o m e t o see h o w t h i n g s are progressing." After a n h o u r h e c a m e b a c k . T h e professor was sitting t h e r e a n d the peas w e r e also sitting there, i n t h e same place. H e said, " W h a t i s t h e m a t ter? Y o u have n o t e v e n started." T h e professor said, " F o r t h e first a n d for t h e last time, I w a n t y o u all to u n d e r s t a n d that unless y o u e x p l a i n to me . . . W h y s h o u l d I sort o u t the peas? My intelligence feels insulted by y o u . Am I an idiot, to sort these peas? W h a t is t h e n e e d ? M o r e o v e r , t h e r e are o t h e r difficulties. Sitting h e r e , I t h o u g h t that perhaps t h e r e c o u l d be s o m e n e e d , b u t t h e r e are questions w h i c h have to be d e c i d e d : T h e r e are peas that are b i g a n d there are peas that are small, b u t t h e r e are peas of m a n y o t h e r sizes. W h e r e are they g o i n g t o go? Y o u have n o t given m e any criteria." O r d e r s , disciplines, g u i d e l i n e s — t h e s e have b e e n u s e d b y p e o p l e w h o w a n t e d t o d o m i n a t e y o u , b y p e o p l e w h o w a n t e d t o dictate t h e i r t e r m s , t o enforce t h e i r ideas on o t h e r p e o p l e ' s lives. I call all s u c h p e o p l e great c r i m i n a l s . T o i m p o s e t h e i r ideas o n s o m e b o d y , t o enforce s o m e ideal, s o m e m o l d , i s v i o l e n c e , sheer v i o l e n c e . T h e y are b e i n g destructive.
44
MIND-A
M
PANDORA'S
BOX
an's m i n d is a P a n d o r a ' s b o x . I t c o n t a i n s t h e w h o l e o f e v o l u t i o n f r o m t h e lowest c r e a -
t u r e t o t h e h i g h e s t g e n i u s . T h e y are all l i v i n g t o g e t h e r i n
m a n ' s m i n d s i m u l t a n e o u s l y t h e y are all c o n t e m p o r a r i e s . It is n o t that s o m e t h i n g is past, s o m e t h i n g is present, s o m e t h i n g is f u t u r e : As far as m i n d is c o n c e r n e d e v e r y t h i n g is s i m u l t a n e o u s , c o n t e m p o r a r y . I t has t o b e u n d e r s t o o d v e r y clearly because w i t h o u t u n d e r s t a n d i n g i t t h e q u e s t i o n of divisive belief systems a n d fanaticism will r e m a i n u n r e s o l v e d . T h e i d i o t i s in you, and so is the genius. Of course, the idiot is m u c h m o r e p o w e r f u l b e c a u s e it has a l o n g e r history, a n d t h e g e n i u s is a v e r y still, small voice. F r o m K h o m e i n i t o E i n stein y o u are spread; a n d t h e t r o u b l e is t h a t K h o m e i n i i s i n t h e majority, m u c h m o r e i n you than Albert Einstein, w h o is in a very p o o r minority. T h i n k of m a n ' s m i n d as a p y r a m i d . T h e base i s m a d e u p o f K h o m e i n i s , m i l lions o f K h o m e i n i a c s , a n d a s y o u g o u p w a r d there are fewer a n d fewer p e o p l e . At t h e p e a k t h e y are n o t i n m i l l i o n s , n o t i n billions, o n l y i n d o z e n s — a n d a t t h e v e r y peak, p e r h a p s t h e r e is a single i n d i v i d u a l .
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I N T E L L I G E N C E
B u t r e m e m b e r that t h e difference b e t w e e n K h o m e i n i a n d E i n s t e i n i s n o t of quality, it is o n l y of quantity, b e c a u s e p a r t of K h o m e i n i is A l b e r t E i n s t e i n , a n d t h e m a j o r p a r t o f A l b e r t E i n s t e i n i s also K h o m e i n i . R e c e n t l y t h e results o f a t h r e e - y e a r - l o n g s t u d y o f A l b e r t Einstein's b r a i n w e r e p u b l i s h e d . I t t o o k t h r e e years j u s t t o c o u n t t h e cells o f his b r a i n . T h e r e are millions o f cells i n e v e r y b r a i n d o i n g different k i n d s o f specific w o r k : It is a v e r y m i r a c u l o u s w o r l d . H o w a c e r t a i n cell f u n c t i o n s in a c e r t a i n w a y is still n o t k n o w n . A c e r t a i n cell t h i n k s , a c e r t a i n cell d r e a m s , a c e r t a i n cell p o e t i z e s , a certain cell paints. W h a t m a k e s t h e difference b e t w e e n these g r o u p s o f cells? T h e y are all alike as far as c h e m i s t r y a n d p h y s i o l o g y is c o n c e r n e d ; t h e r e seems to be no difference at all. B u t t h e r e are cells w h i c h t h i n k , t h e r e are cells w h i c h i m a g i n e , t h e r e are cells w h i c h are m a t h e m a t i c a l , a n d t h e r e are cells w h i c h are p h i l o s o p h i c a l . It is a w h o l e w o r l d . T h r e e years c o u n t i n g t h e cells o f A l b e r t E i n s t e i n ' s b r a i n — t h e result is v e r y significant. A certain k i n d of cell has b e e n f o u n d in his b r a i n — t w e n t y - s e v e n p e r c e n t m o r e t h a n i n t h e average b r a i n . T h a t c e r t a i n k i n d of cell has o n l y o n e f u n c t i o n : to feed, n o u r i s h , t h e t h i n k i n g cells. It has no direct f u n c t i o n , it is a n o u r i s h m e n t to t h e t h i n k i n g cells. A n d this n o u r i s h i n g cell has b e e n f o u n d t o b e t w e n t y - s e v e n p e r c e n t m o r e n u m e r ous i n E i n s t e i n t h a n i n t h e ordinary, average m a n . N o w t h e difference is of quantity, it is n o t a qualitative difference: T h o s e extra t w e n t y - s e v e n p e r c e n t o f cells can b e g r o w n i n y o u . A n d w h y o n l y t w e n t y - s e v e n ? T w o h u n d r e d a n d seventy p e r c e n t m o r e can b e g r o w n , because it is well k n o w n a n d an established fact h o w those cells grow. I n w h i t e m i c e t h e y have b e e n g r o w i n g all k i n d s o f cells. I f t h e w h i t e m o u s e i s g i v e n m o r e things t o play w i t h , h e starts g r o w i n g t h o s e n o u r i s h i n g cells, b e c a u s e he has to t h i n k . If y o u p u t h i m in a m a z e a n d he has t o find t h e w a y t h r o u g h i t — i f y o u p u t h i m i n a b o x w h e r e food i s h i d d e n s o m e w h e r e a n d h e has t o find t h e w a y t h r o u g h all k i n d s o f l a b y r i n t h s t o r e a c h t h e food, a n d h e has t o r e m e m b e r t h e ways that h e has followed—o f c o u r s e a c e r t a i n k i n d o f t h i n k i n g has started. A n d t h e m o r e h e thinks, t h e g r e a t e r his n e e d for t h e n o u r i s h i n g cell.
46
MIND-A PANDORA'S BOX N a t u r e provides y o u w h a t e v e r y o u n e e d . W h a t e v e r y o u have i s n o t given b y any god, b y fate; i t has b e e n c r e a t e d b y y o u r n e e d . B u t o n e t h i n g o u t of this w h o l e research is v e r y s h o c k i n g a n d s h a t t e r i n g : t h a t t h e difference b e t w e e n E i n s t e i n a n d K h o m e i n i i s o n l y o f quantity. A n d t h a t q u a n tity also is n o t s o m e t h i n g special, it can be created: old K h o m e i n i j u s t has to start playing
chess,
cards . . . O f
course
he
w o n ' t , b u t if he starts p l a y i n g chess a n d cards and o t h e r t h i n g s , h e w i l l have t o think. R e l i g i o n s kill this v e r y n o u r i s h i n g cell because they tell y o u to believe. B e l i e v i n g means: D o n ' t t h i n k , d o n ' t play w i t h ideas. D o n ' t t r y t o find o u t o n y o u r o w n . Jesus has already f o u n d it, B u d d h a has already said i t — w h y s h o u l d y o u b e unnecessarily c o n c e r n e d ? T h e n naturally that p a r t t h a t makes a m a n a n E i n s t e i n d o e s n o t d e v e l o p :
Believing means: D o n t think, d o n t play with ideas. D o n t try to find out on your own. J e s u s has already found it, Buddha has already said it—why should
You r e m a i n average. A n d average m e a n s
you he unnecessarily
the basement of humanity. H e n c e , I call m a n ' s m i n d a P a n d o r a ' s box.
And
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19
concerned!
j
because w h a t e v e r has h a p p e n e d i n e v o l u t i o n has left its traces w i t h i n y o u . Y o u are still afraid of d a r k n e s s — t h a t fear m u s t b e m i l l i o n s o f years old; i t has n o t h i n g t o d o w i t h t h e m o d e r n w o r l d . In fact it is difficult in a p l a c e like N e w Y o r k to find a d a r k c o r ner, e v e r y t h i n g i s s o l i g h t e d . P e o p l e m a y n o t b e e n l i g h t e n e d , b u t places are! W h y this fear o f darkness? B e c a u s e i n m o d e r n life y o u d o n ' t c o m e across darkness in any fearful way. If y o u m e e t darkness at all it is s o o t h m g , relaxing, rejuvenating. R a t h e r t h a n b e i n g afraid o f i t y o u s h o u l d have a certain love for it. B u t t h e v e r y idea of l o v i n g darkness seems absurd. S o m e w h e r e d e e p d o w n i n y o u r h e a r t i s still t h e c a v e m a n w h o was afraid
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o f darkness. T h e fear o f darkness c o m e s f r o m t h o s e days w h e n ways t o create fire h a d n o t b e e n discovered. T h o s e w e r e t h e days o f darkness, and darkness b e c a m e almost s y n o n y m o u s w i t h evil. E v e r y w h e r e evil is p a i n t e d a s dark, black. D a r k n e s s b e c a m e s y n o n y m o u s w i t h d e a t h . E v e r y w h e r e d e a t h is p a i n t e d as black. T h e reason i s v e r y clear: Before m a n l e a r n e d h o w t o create fire, n i g h t was t h e m o s t d a n g e r o u s t i m e . I f y o u survived o n e n i g h t y o u h a d d o n e s o m e t h i n g really great, b e c a u s e i n t h e n i g h t all t h e w i l d animals w e r e r e a d y t o attack y o u . Y o u c o u l d n o t sleep, y o u h a d t o r e m a i n awake—-just t h e fear o f t h e w i l d animals was e n o u g h t o k e e p y o u awake. A n d still they w o u l d attack i n darkness, a n d m a n w a s helpless. S o darkness b e c a m e evil, b a d , a n d s y n o n y m o u s w i t h d e a t h . A n d the fear has e n t e r e d so d e e p in t h e h e a r t t h a t it r e m a i n s e v e n today, w h e n darkness has g o n e t h r o u g h a c o m p l e t e t r a n s f o r m a t i o n . . . N e i t h e r do w i l d animals attack y o u i n t h e dark, n o r d o e s darkness b r i n g any evil o r d e a t h to y o u . It o n l y b r i n g s s o o t h i n g sleep, takes away all t h e tiredness of t h e day; m a k e s y o u again y o u n g , alive, full o f energy, r e a d y t o m e e t t o m o r r o w ' s m o r n i n g s u n . B u t o u r a t t i t u d e r e m a i n s t h e same. S o i s t h e case with everything. I n t h e past, t h r o u g h o u t t h e w h o l e o f e v o l u t i o n , m a n h a d t o b e c o m e p a r t of a c e r t a i n g r o u p , o r g a n i z a t i o n , society, t r i b e , for t h e s i m p l e reason that a l o n e , h e was s o helpless. A l o n e , a n d t h e w h o l e w i l d e r n e s s against y o u — i t was difficult to face it. T o g e t h e r , w i t h a c r o w d , y o u felt m o r e p r o t e c t e d , m o r e secure. Y o u have t o r e m e m b e r t h a t m a n i s t h e m o s t w e a k a n d helpless a n i m a l i n t h e w o r l d , a n d because o f this helplessness a n d w e a k n e s s o u r w h o l e civilization a n d c u l t u r e has g r o w n . So d o n ' t t h i n k of it as a curse; it has p r o v e d a great, t h e greatest, blessing. L i o n s c a n n o t create a society, lions c a n n o t create c u l t u r e because a l i o n has n o n e e d o f t h e g r o u p . H e a l o n e i s p o w e r f u l e n o u g h . S h e e p m o v e i n g r o u p s ; lions d o n ' t m o v e i n g r o u p s . E a c h l i o n has its o w n t e r r i t o r i a l imperative. T h e y have a specific t e c h n i q u e t o declare t h e i r t e r r i t o r y . All t h e animals have i t — t h e y piss o n a c e r t a i n area a n d its smell m a k e s o t h e r s aware that this is t h e b o u n d a r y 48
MIND-A PANDORA'S BOX line t h e fence. O u t s i d e it, e v e r y t h i n g is okay; j u s t a single step inside t h e t e r r i t o r y a n d t h e r e is d a n g e r . Lions like to be a l o n e for t h e simple reason that t h e y are e n o u g h for any e n e m y N o w i f y o u t h i n k a b o u t m a n . . . his b o d y i s n o t s o s t r o n g a s that of an animal. H i s nails are n o t so s t r o n g that he c a n kill any a n i m a l j u s t w i t h his nails. H i s t e e t h are n o t s o s t r o n g that h e c a n eat t h e r a w m e a t o f a n a n i m a l killed w i t h his o w n h a n d s . N e i t h e r c a n h e kill w i t h his h a n d s n o r can h e eat r a w m e a t directly w i t h his t e e t h . All his limbs are w e a k e r t h a n those o f o t h e r animals. H e c a n n o t r u n w i t h a h o r s e o r w i t h a d o g , or w i t h a bull, or w i t h a wolf, or w i t h a d e e r — h e is j u s t a n o b o d y ! I t i s g o o d that these p e o p l e d o n ' t p a r t i c i p a t e i n y o u r O l y m p i c races; o t h erwise y o u r great r u n n e r s w o u l d j u s t l o o k silly. Y o u c a n n o t m o v e like m o n k e y s f r o m o n e tree t o a n o t h e r . T h e y g o o n j u m p i n g f r o m o n e tree t o a n o t h e r tree for miles; t h e y n e e d n o t t o u c h t h e g r o u n d . Y o u c a n n o t fight even w i t h a m o n k e y . I t has t o b e a c c e p t e d t h a t m a n i s t h e weakest a n i m a l o n t h e e a r t h . A n d this i s t h e f o u n d a t i o n o f his w h o l e b e h a v i o r , his c o m m i t m e n t s , his g r o u p i n g s . H e has t o b e p a r t o f s o m e t h i n g b i g g e r t h a n himself; o n l y t h e n does he feel safe. H e h a d t o i n v e n t all k i n d s o f w e a p o n s . N o a n i m a l has b o t h e r e d t o i n v e n t w e a p o n s . T h e r e i s n o n e e d ; t h e i r h a n d s , t h e i r t e e t h , t h e i r nails, are e n o u g h . F r o m t h e earliest days m a n h a d t o i n v e n t w e a p o n s — f i r s t m a d e o f stones, rocks, t h e n slowly w i t h metals. T h e n h e h a d t o a d m i t t h a t e v e n w i t h a w e a p o n i n his h a n d h e c o u l d n o t fight w i t h a l i o n o r a n a n i m a l at close quarters. He h a d to i n v e n t a r r o w s — t h a t is, s h o o t i n g f r o m a d i s t a n c e — b e c a u s e c o m i n g close was d a n g e r o u s . Y o u m a y have a w e a p o n b u t i t w o n ' t b e o f m u c h use against a n e l e p h a n t . H e w i l l take y o u a n d y o u r w e a p o n b o t h t o g e t h e r a n d t h r o w y o u half a m i l e away. S h o o t i n g from a distance in s o m e w a y or o t h e r b e c a m e necessary. T h a t ' s h o w w e have a r r i v e d a t n u c l e a r w e a p o n s . N o w w e have t a k e n t h e m a n c o m p l e t e l y o u t o f it; y o u j u s t p u s h a b u t t o n a n d a r o c k e t s h o o t s . You n e e d n o t k n o w w h e r e t h e r o c k e t is; i t goes o n its p r o g r a m m e d course. I t will r e a c h t h e K r e m l i n o r i t w i l l r e a c h t h e W h i t e H o u s e ; t h a t
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p r o g r a m i s inbuilt. W h o pushes t h e b u t t o n d o e s n o t m a t t e r ; h e can b e miles away. He has to be miles away b e c a u s e after all t h e m a n is n o t a p o p e , h e i s fallible: T h i n g s c a n backfire. T h e rockets m a y b e s o m e w h e r e i n Texas a n d t h e b u t t o n s , t h e switches, m a y b e s o m e w h e r e i n t h e W h i t e House. M a n has created distance b e t w e e n h i m s e l f a n d t h e enemy, a n d finally h e h a d t o create distance b e t w e e n h i m s e l f a n d t h e w e a p o n too, because t h e w e a p o n b e c a m e t o o d a n g e r o u s . T o k e e p i t close i s t a k i n g a n u n n e c e s sary risk. B u t e v e r y t h i n g has g r o w n i n a v e r y logical way. M a n has b e c o m e the c o n q u e r o r o f all t h e animals. O n l y i n this sense c a n it be said, "Blessed are t h e m e e k for t h e y shall i n h e r i t t h e k i n g d o m o f the e a r t h . " T h e y have i n h e r i t e d i t o n l y i n this sense, b u t
in
no
o t h e r , spiritual
sense.
M a n ' s w e a k n e s s has p r o v e d his s t r e n g t h . M a n had to think, he had to work things out. T h e r e were so m a n y problems a n d h e h a d n o n a t u r a l w a y t o find o u t s o l u t i o n s — h e n c e , t h i n k i n g . T h i n k i n g simp l y m e a n s y o u are faced w i t h a p r o b l e m a n d n a t u r e has n o t g i v e n y o u t h e clue to it. All t h e animals are p r o v i d e d w i t h clues. T h e y never face any p r o b l e m . W h e n e v e r t h e y have t o e n c o u n t e r s o m e t h i n g , they k n o w exactly w h a t t h e y have t o d o ; hence thinking
does
not
grow.
M a n was left
w i t h o u t any solutions, w i t h i m m e n s e p r o b lems s u r r o u n d i n g h i m — h e had t o t h i n k . O v e r millions o f years his t h i n k i n g cells b e c a m e m o r e a n d m o r e efficient. But a l o n g t h e w a y he was g a t h e r i n g all k i n d s of dust, all k i n d s of fears. It was necessary, it c o u l d n o t be a v o i d e d ; b u t t h e t r o u b l e is that time 50
MIND-A PANDORA'S BOX has passed, y o u have passed t h r o u g h that way, b u t t h e dust is still c l i n g i n g to you. N o w m a n can b e alone. N o w t h e r e i s n o n e e d for h i m t o b e fanatically c o m m i t t e d to any religious g r o u p , any political i d e o l o g y — C h r i s t i a n i t y , H i n d u i s m , M o h a m m e d a n i s m , c o m m u n i s m , fascism—there i s n o n e e d . B u t the majority consists of idiots. T h e y go on reliving their past again and again. It is said that h i s t o r y repeats itself—that is t r u e as far as n i n e t y - n i n e percent of h u m a n i t y is c o n c e r n e d ; it can't be otherwise. It has to repeat itself because these p e o p l e g o o n c h n g i n g t o their past, a n d they g o o n d o i n g t h e same things again a n d again. T h e y cluster i n g r o u p s — a n d this has t o b e a c o m m i t m e n t , b e c a u s e o t h e r w i s e w h y s h o u l d t h e g r o u p take o n t h e b u r d e n o f i n c l u d i n g y o u ? You have t o pay s o m e t h i n g i n r e t u r n . W h y s h o u l d t h e g r o u p b o t h e r a b o u t y o u r safety? Y o u have t o d o s o m e t h i n g for t h e g r o u p — t h a t i s y o u r c o m m i t m e n t . Y o u say, " I a m r e a d y t o d i e for y o u . I f y o u are r e a d y t o d i e for m e , I am ready to d i e for y o u . " It is a simple b a r g a i n . A n d w h y are t h e y fanatically c o m m i t t e d ? T h e y have t o b e fanatically c o m m i t t e d because i f t h e y start b e i n g c o n s c i o u s , alert, t h e y w i l l see w h a t an idiotic t h i n g it is. T h e r e i s n o n e e d t o b e l o n g t o A d o l f H i t l e r ' s N a z i party. B u t a c o u n t r y like G e r m a n y — o n e o f t h e m o s t e d u c a t e d , c u l t u r e d , sophisticated; t h e c o u n t r y that has g i v e n t h e l o n g e s t list o f t h i n k e r s a n d p h i l o s o p h e r s t o t h e world—falls v i c t i m t o a n u t t e r idiot. A n d a m a n like M a r t i n H e i d e g g e r , o n e o f t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t p h i l o s o p h e r s o f his age, p e r h a p s t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t , was a follower of A d o l f Hitler. O n e c a n n o t believe it. It is s i m ply inconceivable
t h a t a m a n like M a r t i n H e i d e g g e r , w h o
has n o
c o m p a r i s o n a n y w h e r e in t h e w o r l d . , . all of his c o n t e m p o r a r i e s l o o k like pygmies i n c o m p a r i s o n . H e i d e g g e r ' s t h i n k i n g was s o c o m p l e x that h e c o u l d never finish any o f his b o o k s . H e w o u l d start, h e w o u l d w r i t e t h e first part, a n d t h e n t h e w h o l e w o r l d w o u l d b e w a i t i n g for t h e s e c o n d part t o appear. A n d i t w o u l d n e v e r a p p e a r for t h e simple r e a s o n that b y m e e n d o f t h e first p a r t h e h a d created s o m a n y p r o b l e m s for h i m s e l f that n o w h e d i d n o t k n o w w h e r e t o m o v e , w h e r e t o go, w h a t t o d o , o r h o w t o 51
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resolve i t all. H e s i m p l y k e p t silent a n d started a n o t h e r b o o k ! A n d that's w h a t h e d i d his w h o l e life. T h e first p a r t appears, t h e n the s e c o n d p a r t , t h e t h i r d p a r t , i s missing, n o b o o k i s c o m p l e t e . B u t even t h o s e i n c o m p l e t e pieces are simply miracles o f t h e m i n d . T h e fineness o f his logic a n d t h e d e p t h of his a p p r o a c h . . . . B u t e v e n this m a n c o u l d n o t see that A d o l f H i t l e r was a m a d m a n . He was also fanatically c o m m i t t e d to Adolf Hitler. F r o m w h e r e does this u r g e t o b e fanatically c o m m i t t e d c o m e ? I t c o m e s f r o m y o u r d o u b t . Y o u c a n n o t really c o n v i n c e yourself that w h a t y o u are d o i n g is r i g h t , so y o u h a v e to o v e r d o it. Y o u have to shout l o u d l y s o t h a t y o u can h e a r ; y o u have t o c o n v i n c e o t h e r s s o t h a t i n t u r n y o u c a n b e c o n v i n c e d . You have t o c o n v e r t o t h e r s , s o t h a t seeing you have c o n v e r t e d t h o u s a n d s o f p e o p l e y o u are a t ease: T h e r e m u s t b e some t r u t h i n w h a t y o u are saying; o t h e r w i s e , w h y are s o m a n y p e o p l e c o n v i n c e d ? Y o u can be a fool, b u t so m a n y p e o p l e c a n ' t be foolish. J u s t t h i n k o f A d o l f H i t l e r : H e c a n t h i n k o f h i m s e l f a s a fool, but w h a t a b o u t M a r t i n H e i d e g g e r ? H e has c o n v i n c e d M a r t i n H e i d e g g e r ; n o w n o o t h e r p r o o f i s n e e d e d . T h i s m a n i s p r o o f e n o u g h that w h a t h e i s saying is r i g h t . T h i s is a reciprocal process, a vicious circle. Y o u b e c o m e m o r e c o n v i n c e d b y h a v i n g m o r e fanatically c o m m i t t e d p e o p l e a r o u n d y o u , a n d b e c a u s e y o u b e c o m e m o r e c o n v i n c e d y o u start g a t h e r i n g m o r e people around you. A d o l f H i t l e r says i n his a u t o b i o g r a p h y t h a t i t does n o t m a t t e r w h a t y o u are s a y i n g — w h e t h e r i t i s r i g h t o r w r o n g , t r u e o r false—just g o o n r e p e a t i n g i t w i t h c o n v i c t i o n . N o b o d y i s b o t h e r e d a b o u t its rationality a n d logic. H o w m a n y p e o p l e i n t h e w o r l d u n d e r s t a n d w h a t logic is, w h a t rationality is? J u s t g o o n r e p e a t i n g yourself w i t h force, w i t h emphasis. T h o s e p e o p l e are i n search o f c o n v i c t i o n , n o t i n search o f t r u t h . T h e y are i n search o f s o m e b o d y w h o k n o w s it. A n d h o w can t h e y feel that you k n o w it if y o u say if a n d but, perhaps . . .? T h a t ' s w h y t h e J a i n mystic M a h a v i r a c o u l d n o t g a t h e r m a n y followers i n I n d i a — b e c a u s e h e started e v e r y o n e o f his statements w i t h perhapsH e was r i g h t , h e was absolutely c o r r e c t — b u t t h a t i s n o t t h e w a y t o find 52
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f o l l o w e r s . E v e n t h o s e w h o w e r e f o l l o w i n g b y a n d b y disappeared: " P e r h a p s . . . this m a n is t a l k i n g a b o u t ' p e r h a p s ' ? Perhaps t h e r e is a G o d ? " C a n y o u gather a f o l l o w i n g c o m m i t t e d t o y o u r perhaps? T h e y w a n t c e r tainty t h e y w a n t a g u a r a n t e e . M a h a v i r a was t o o w i s e a m a n for all t h o s e idiots
H e b e h a v e d w i t h p e o p l e a s i f t h e y w e r e capable o f t h e same level
of understanding he had. W h a t h e was saying w o u l d b e u n d e r s t o o d b y A l b e r t E i n s t e i n , because w h a t A l b e r t E i n s t e i n says is also w i t h a perhaps. T h a t ' s t h e w h o l e m e a n i n g o f t h e t h e o r y o f relativity: N o t h i n g c a n b e said w i t h c e r t a i n t y b e c a u s e e v e r y t h i n g is o n l y relative, n o t h i n g is c e r t a i n . C a n y o u say this is light? It is o n l y relative. In c o m p a r i s o n to a b r i g h t e r light it m a y l o o k v e r y d i m . In c o m p a r i s o n to a light t h a t is a m i l l i o n times b r i g h t e r , it m a y l o o k l i k e j u s t a black h o l e , j u s t a darkness. W h a t is darkness? Less light. T h e r e are animals, cats, m o v i n g i n t h e h o u s e i n t h e n i g h t perfectly well. I n y o u r h o u s e , even s o m e b o d y else's cat c a n m o v e b e t t e r t h a n y o u c a n m o v e i n t h e darkness. Y o u will s t u m b l e , b u t t h e cat has eyes t h a t c a n c a t c h d i m m e r rays of light. T h e owl o n l y sees i n t h e n i g h t ; t h e day i s t o o b r i g h t . T h e o w l n e e d s sunglasses; w i t h o u t sunglasses h e c a n n o t see, t h e day i s t o o b r i g h t . W h e n it is m o r n i n g to you, it is evening to the owl. N o w w h a t is what? T h i n k of t h e owl, t h e n y o u will u n d e r s t a n d t h e m e a n i n g of perhaps—perhaps it is evening; as far as t h e o w l is c o n c e r n e d p e r h a p s it is m o r n i n g . As t h e n i g h t grows darker, t h e o w l sees b e t t e r . In t h e m i d d l e of t h e n i g h t it is t h e m i d d l e o f t h e day for t h e o w l . T h i n g s are relative; h e n c e to say a n y t h i n g w i t h c e r t a i n t y is to s h o w y o u r stupidity. T h a t ' s w h y M a h a v i r a u s e d a strange a p p r o a c h for t h e first t i m e i n t h e h i s t o r y o f m a n , t w e n t y - f i v e c e n t u r i e s before A l b e r t E i n s t e i n . H i s w o r d for perhaps is syat. H i s p h i l o s o p h y b e c a m e k n o w n as syatvad, the p h i l o s o p h y o f p e r h a p s . " Y o u c o u l d ask any q u e s t i o n ; h e w o u l d n e v e r answer y o u w i t h certainty. Y o u m i g h t have c o m e w i t h s o m e c e r t a i n t y ; b y the t i m e y o u left h i m y o u w o u l d b e m o r e u n c e r t a i n . N o w , w h o w a n t s t o follow such a m a n ? Adolf H i t l e r is g o i n g to be followed b e c a u s e he takes u n c e r t a i n t y , 53
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w h i c h was like a w o u n d , o u t o f y o u . Y o u are t r e m b l i n g inside; y o u d o n ' t k n o w w h a t this life is all a b o u t . B u t somebody k n o w s , a n d y o u can follow that s o m e b o d y . Y o u are relieved of a great b u r d e n of uncertainty. All that is n e e d e d f r o m y o u r side is a fanatical belief. T h e fanatical belief serves b o t h sides. T h e l e a d e r needs i t b e c a u s e h e h i m s e l f i s j u s t like y o u , t r e m b l i n g d e e p inside; h e k n o w s n o t h i n g . All h e k n o w s i s t h a t h e can s h o u t b e t t e r t h a n y o u , t h a t h e i s m o r e articulate t h a n y o u , that he at least can p o s e as if he k n o w s — t h a t he is a g o o d actor, a v e r y refined h y p o c r i t e . B u t d e e p d o w n h e k n o w s t h a t h e i s t r e m b l i n g . H e n e e d s a great f o l l o w i n g , w h i c h will h e l p h i m t o g e t r i d o f his fear, w h i c h will c o n v i n c e h i m t h a t h e k n o w s . I have h e a r d t h a t it h a p p e n e d t h a t a j o u r n a l i s t d i e d a n d r e a c h e d the gates o f paradise. Journalists are n o t s u p p o s e d t o g o t h e r e ; h o w i t h a p p e n e d I d o n ' t k n o w . T h e g a t e k e e p e r l o o k e d a t h i m a n d said, " A r e y o u a journalist?" He said, " O f c o u r s e , a n d as a press r e p o r t e r I am a l l o w e d e v e r y where. Let me in." T h e g a t e k e e p e r said, " T h e r e is a difficulty. In t h e first place, in p a r a dise w e d o n ' t have any n e w s p a p e r b e c a u s e n o n e w s h a p p e n s h e r e — n o c r i m e , n o d r u n k a r d s , n o rape. T h e r e are o n l y saints, d r i e d u p , frozen from e t e r n i t y till eternity. So w h a t n e w s is there? Still, we have a q u o t a of t e n j o u r n a l i s t s , b u t t h a t has b e e n full f r o m t h e v e r y b e g i n n i n g . Y o u will have t o g o t o t h e o t h e r gate o n t h e o t h e r side o f t h e r o a d . " T h e j o u r n a l i s t said, " C a n y o u do a little favor for m e ? I will leave after t w e n t y - f o u r h o u r s , b u t j u s t give me a c h a n c e , at least a t o u r . If y o u c a n n o t allow m e a p e r m a n e n t , residential g r e e n card, y o u can let m e have a t w e n t y - f o u r - h o u r t o u r . T h a t is n o t t o o m u c h to ask. Since I c o m e f r o m s o far away, have m e r c y o n m e . A n d give m e o n e p r o m i s e : I f I can c o n v i n c e o n e o f t h o s e t e n j o u r n a l i s t s t o g o t o hell i n m y place, t h e n will y o u let m e stay h e r e ? " T h e g a t e k e e p e r said, " N o p r o b l e m . I f y o u can c o n v i n c e s o m e b o d y t o g o t o t h e o t h e r place, y o u can b e i n his place. I t m a k e s n o difference t o us; t h e q u o t a is t e n . " 54
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T h e m a n said, " T h e n j u s t give m e t w e n t y - f o u r h o u r s . " H e w e n t i n a n d h e started t a l k i n g t o e v e r y b o d y , w h o m e v e r h e m e t . " H a v e y o u h e a r d t h a t i n hell t h e y are g o i n g t o start a n e w daily n e w s p a p e r t h e biggest that has ever b e e n t r i e d ? A n d t h e y are i n n e e d o f a c h i e f editor, editorial staff, a n d all k i n d s of j o u r n a l i s t s . W e e k l y e d i t o r s , a n d literary e d i t o r s . . . h a v e n ' t y o u h e a r d ? " T h e o t h e r s said, " W e have n o t h e a r d a n y t h i n g , b u t t h a t i s great. I n this r o t t e n place, o n l y o n e issue of a n e w s p a p e r was p u b l i s h e d , w a y b a c k i n t h e b e g i n n i n g o f t i m e , b u t since t h e n n o t h i n g has h a p p e n e d . S o w e g o o n r e a d i n g t h e first issue a g a i n a n d again, w h a t else t o d o ? T h i s n e w p a p e r sounds great!" All t e n j o u r n a l i s t s b e c a m e agitated. T h e n e x t day, after t w e n t y - f o u r h o u r s , t h e j o u r n a l i s t w e n t b a c k t o t h e gate. T h e g a t e k e e p e r immediately closed t h e d o o r a n d said, " R e m a i n i n s i d e ! " H e said, " W h y ? " T h e g a t e k e e p e r said, " Y o u are a t r i c k y fellow. All t h o s e t e n have e s caped t o t h e o t h e r place, n o w I c a n n o t allow y o u t o go. A t least o n e j o u r nalist s h o u l d be h e r e . " T h e j o u r n a l i s t said, " B u t I c a n n o t r e m a i n h e r e ! Y o u have t o let m e go!" T h e g a t e k e e p e r said, " A r e y o u m a d ? Y o u spread that r u m o r , w h i c h i s absolutely false. T h e y g o t t h e i d e a that t h e y will g e t great j o b s i n hell, a n d b e c a m e e x c i t e d — b u t w h y are y o u w a n t i n g t o g o ? " H e said, " W h o k n o w s , t h e r e m a y b e s o m e t h i n g i n it. I c a n n o t stay here and miss it. Y o u c a n n o t stop m e a n y w a y because I a m n o t s u p p o s e d to be here; I am o n l y a t o u r i s t for t w e n t y - f o u r h o u r s . R e m e m b e r , t h a t was o u r basic d e c i s i o n — t h a t for t w e n t y - f o u r h o u r s I will be in, a n d t h e n I will g o o u t . Y o u c a n n o t s t o p m e — y o u c a n n o t g o against y o u r w o r d . " B u t t h e g a t e k e e p e r t r i e d h a r d : " Y o u have spread t h e r u m o r ; i t i s a b solutely false. A n d d o n ' t b r i n g t r o u b l e o n m e because t h e hierarchy, t h e bureaucracy, w i l l ask m e , W h e r e are all t h e t e n j o u r n a l i s t s ? ' O n c e i n a w h i l e t h e y take t h e census a n d t h e y ' l l say, ' N o t a single j o u r n a l i s t ? T h e w h o l e q u o t a i s missing? W h e r e have t h e y g o n e ? ' A t least I can s h o w t h e h i e r a r c h y t h e m a n w h o c o n v i n c e d t h e m ;
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a n d t h e y escaped. A n d b e c a u s e i t has n e v e r h a p p e n e d b e f o r e — a n y b o d y escaping f r o m paradise i n t o h e l l — w e d o n ' t k e e p t h e d o o r s closed from t h e inside. N o b o d y ever escapes; a n y b o d y can o p e n t h e m a n d l o o k out, t h e r e i s n o p r o b l e m . W h o i s g o i n g t o w a n t t o g o t o hell? A n d t h e r e i s n o t h i r d place. S o t h e d o o r s w e r e o p e n a s always, a n d t h e y escaped. T h e y simply said t o m e , ' G o o d - b y e , w e are n o t c o m i n g b a c k again.' I c a n n o t let y o u g o . " B u t t h e j o u r n a l i s t was s t u b b o r n . H e said, " T h e n I will g o i m m e d i ately t o t h e h i e r a r c h y a n d e x p o s e t h e w h o l e t h i n g : t h a t I a m n o t entitled to be h e r e , I d o n ' t have a g r e e n c a r d — I am j u s t a t o u r i s t — a n d t h e gatek e e p e r i s n o t a l l o w i n g m e t o g o o u t . Y o u have c o m m i t t e d t w o crimes: first, y o u allowed m e in; s e c o n d , y o u are n o t a l l o w i n g m e o u t . " T h e g a t e k e e p e r u n d e r s t o o d ; t h a t was perfectly r i g h t . H e said, "Okay, y o u g o . T h e census, i t takes e t e r n i t y — e v e r y t h i n g takes e t e r n i t y here. M e a n w h i l e m a y b e s o m e o t h e r j o u r n a l i s t m a y t u r n u p . B u t this i s strange, t h a t y o u are c o n v i n c e d by a r u m o r that y o u c r e a t e d yourself." H e said, " W h e n t e n o t h e r j o u r n a l i s t s believe it, t h e r e m u s t b e s o m e t h i n g i n it. S o m e p a r t o f i t m u s t b e t r u e ; o t h e r w i s e h o w can y o u c o n v i n c e t e n j o u r n a l i s t s t o g o f r o m paradise t o hell? T h e r e i s b o u n d t o b e s o m e t r u t h i n it." T h e l e a d e r i s c o n t i n u o u s l y i n n e e d o f b e i n g c o n v i n c e d again and again that w h a t he is saying is r i g h t . F o r that he n e e d s g r o w i n g n u m b e r s o f c o m m i t t e d p e o p l e . A n d t h e m o r e fanatically t h e y are c o m m i t t e d , the m o r e c o n v i n c i n g t h e y are t o h i m . I f t h e y are r e a d y t o die o r t o kill, t o g o on a crusade, do jihad, h o l y w a r — t h a t m a k e s h i m c e r t a i n . A n d in a circular way, his c e r t a i n t y c o n v i n c e s t h e followers—because h e b e c o m e s l o u d e r , m o r e s t u b b o r n ; h e b e c o m e s absolutely c e r t a i n . Ifs and buts disappear f r o m his l a n g u a g e — w h a t e v e r he says is t h e truth. A n d this v i c i o u s circle goes o n a n d o n . I t m a k e s t h e l e a d e r fanatic a n d t h e followers fanatics. It is t h e p s y c h o l o g i c a l n e e d of b o t h ; b o t h are in t h e same boat. P e o p l e have a p s y c h o l o g i c a l n e e d to feel c e r t a i n . To have shifting sand c o n t i n u o u s l y u n d e r n e a t h their feet m a k e s t h e i r life difficult. It is 56
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difficult e n o u g h as it i s — a n d t h e n all a r o u n d , u n c e r t a i n t y a n d insecurity, all a r o u n d , p r o b l e m s a n d n o answers. T h i s gives a n o p p o r t u n i t y t o t h o s e few c u n n i n g p e o p l e w h o can p r e t e n d that they deal exactly i n t h e c o m m o d i t i e s y o u need. T h e o n l y quality t h e l e a d e r n e e d s i s that h e s h o u l d always b e
ahead of the
crowd. H e s h o u l d b e c o n s t a n t l y w a t c h f u l of where the crowd is going, and be ahead of it. T h a t keeps t h e c r o w d feeling that t h e leader is leading. T h e leader o n l y has t o b e this clever, that h e goes o n w a t c h i n g t h e m o o d o f t h e people, w h e r e t h e y are m o v i n g . W h e r e v e r the w i n d starts b l o w i n g t h e real l e a d e r never misses t h e c h a n c e : He is always a h e a d of the c r o w d . T h i n k e r s are n o t n e e d e d b e c a u s e a thinker will start w o n d e r i n g w h e t h e r t h e way t h e c r o w d is g o i n g is t h e r i g h t c o u r s e , o r w h e t h e r t h e w a y h e was g o i n g i s t h e right course. I f h e starts t h i n k i n g i n t h a t way t h e n he will n o t be t h e l e a d e r any longer, h e will b e alone. T h e c r o w d w i l l have m o v e d w i t h s o m e i d i o t w h o does n o t b o t h e r t o w o n d e r a b o u t w h e r e t h e y are g o i n g . Y o u m a y b e going t o hell, b u t h e i s t h e l e a d e r — h e i s a h e a d o f y o u . T h e o n l y quality in the leader that is n e e d e d is a faculty t h a t can j u d g e t h e m o o d of t h e crowd. T h i s is n o t v e r y difficult b e c a u s e t h e c r o w d is s h o u t i n g l o u d l y w h a t it w a n t s all t h e time, w h e r e it w a n t s to go, w h a t its n e e d s are. Y o u have j u s t to be a little alert a n d p u t all these voices t o g e t h e r ; t h e n t h e r e will b e n o p r o b l e m , y o u w i l l b e a h e a d o f t h e c r o w d . A n d g o o n p r o m i s i n g w h a t e v e r t h e y are asking f o r — n o b o d y w i l l e x pect y o u t o fulfill y o u r p r o m i s e s , t h e y are asking o n l y t o b e p r o m i s e d . W h o has asked y o u t o fulfill y o u r promises? G o o n g i v i n g p r o m i s e s a n d
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d o n ' t b e w o r r i e d that s o m e day t h e y will c a t c h h o l d o f y o u a n d ask a b o u t t h e m . T h e y n e v e r will, b e c a u s e w h e n e v e r t h e y c a t c h h o l d o f y o u , y o u can give t h e m b i g g e r p r o m i s e s . A n d people's m e m o r i e s are v e r y short. W h a t y o u p r o m i s e d f i v e years ago, w h o r e m e m b e r s ? I n f i v e years' t i m e s o m u c h w a t e r has g o n e d o w n the Ganges, w h o bothers? I n f i v e years s o m u c h has c h a n g e d . D o n ' t b e w o r r i e d , y o u j u s t g o o n m a k i n g bigger a n d b i g g e r promises. A n d p e o p l e believe i n t h o s e promises, p e o p l e w a n t t o believe. T h e y have n o t h i n g else, j u s t h o p e s . S o t h e leaders g o o n g i v i n g o p i u m , h o p e , a n d p e o p l e b e c o m e addicted. Fanatic c o m m i t m e n t t o g r o u p s and o r g a n i z a t i o n s , political, religious, or any o t h e r k i n d , is a k i n d of a d d i c t i o n — j u s t like any o t h e r d r u g . A C h r i s t i a n feels at h o m e surrounded by Christians. T h a t is addiction, a psychological drug. Seeing a person o u t s i d e o f their c r o w d , s o m e t h i n g i n t h e p s y c h e o f p e o p l e i m m e d i a t e l y starts t r e m b l i n g : a q u e s t i o n m a r k has arisen. T h e r e is a m a n w h o d o e s n o t believe in C h r i s t : " I t is possible n o t to believe in C h r i s t ? It is possible to survive w i t h o u t b e l i e v i n g in C h r i s t ? " Suspicions, d o u b t s . . . W h y d o t h e y g e t a n g r y ? T h e y are n o t angry, t h e y are really afraid. A n d to h i d e t h e fear t h e y have to p r o j e c t t h e anger. A n g e r is always to h i d e fear. P e o p l e use all k i n d s o f strategies. T h e r e are p e o p l e w h o will l a u g h j u s t s o t h a t t h e y c a n s t o p their tears. I n l a u g h i n g y o u w i l l forget, t h e y will f o r g e t . . . a n d t h e tears can r e m a i n h i d d e n . In anger, t h e i r fear r e m a i n s hidden. T h e y are v e r y fanatic, defensive . . . T h e y k n o w t h e i r belief is n o t their e x p e r i e n c e , a n d t h e y are afraid s o m e o u t s i d e r m a y scratch, m a y dig d e e p , m a y b r i n g t h e w o u n d i n front o f t h e i r eyes. S o m e h o w t h e y have 58
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been able to cover it u p — t h e y are C h r i s t i a n s a n d C h r i s t is t h e savior, t h e only savior, t h e o n l y real savior, a n d t h e y have t h e H o l y B o o k a n d G o d i s w i t h t h e m so w h a t is t h e r e to fear? T h e y have created a c o z y p s y c h o l o g ical h o m e a n d suddenly, like a bull in a c h i n a s h o p , in c o m e s a stranger w h o d o e s n ' t believe as t h e y d o ! O n e o f m y teachers loved m e v e r y m u c h . I n m y h i g h s c h o o l days h e was t h e o n e t e a c h e r w i t h w h o m I was v e r y i n t i m a t e . So after I w e n t to university, a n d c a m e b a c k t o m y h o m e t o w n o n holidays, I w o u l d g o t o see h i m . He said o n e day, "I w a i t for y o u . It is v e r y strange that I w a i t for y o u , k n o w i n g that n o w t h e holidays are h e r e a n d y o u will b e c o m i n g . A n d your c o m i n g i s j u s t like a fresh b r e e z e . I n m y o l d age y o u r e m i n d m e again o f m y y o u t h a n d m y y o u t h f u l d r e a m s . B u t w h e n y o u c o m e , I b e c o m e afraid a n d I start p r a y i n g to G o d : ' L e t h i m go as s o o n as possible!' Because y o u create suspicion i n m e ; y o u are m y greatest d o u b t . Just seeing y o u is e n o u g h for all my d o u b t s to start arising. S o m e h o w I k e e p t h e m d o w n , b u t w i t h y o u i t i s difficult." H e said, " I t i s strange t h a t j u s t y o u r c o m i n g i n t o m y h o u s e i s e n o u g h and all my efforts at repression fail a n d all my d o u b t s stand u p . I k n o w that I d o n ' t k n o w G o d , a n d I k n o w t h a t m y prayers are j u s t f u t i l e — t h e r e is n o b o d y to h e a r t h e m . Still I go on d o i n g t h e m t h r e e times a day: m o r n i n g , a f t e r n o o n , e v e n i n g . B u t w h e n y o u are h e r e t h e n I c a n n o t d o my prayers as peacefully as I do e v e r y o t h e r day." I said, " B u t I n e v e r d i s t u r b y o u r prayers!" H e said, " I t i s n o t t h a t y o u d i s t u r b t h e m . B u t i f y o u are j u s t sitting here a n d I a m d o i n g m y prayer . . . i t i s impossible. S u d d e n l y I k n o w t h a t w h a t I am d o i n g is s t u p i d a n d I k n o w w h a t y o u are t h i n k i n g . Y o u m u s t b e t h i n k i n g that this o l d fool still goes o n d o i n g t h e same t h i n g . . . I k n o w t h a t i n y o u r eyes this i s n o t i n t e l l i g e n t , w h a t I a m d o i n g . A n d t h e trouble is, that d e e p d o w n I agree w i t h y o u . B u t n o w I am t o o o l d a n d I c a n n o t c h a n g e . Fear arises. I c a n n o t stop. M a n y times I have t h o u g h t , W h y d o n ' t I s t o p praying? B u t I have b e e n p r a y i n g for seventy-five Years . . ."
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A t t h a t t i m e h e m u s t have b e e n a b o u t n i n e t y - t w o . " I have b e e n p r a y i n g for s o l o n g . A n d n o w , a t t h e t i m e o f d e a t h , t o stop? A n d w h o k n o w s ? . . . I f this b o y i s a r o u n d a n d G o d really d o e s exist, t h e n I w i l l b e in a fix: I w i l l n o t be able even to raise my eyes before G o d if at t h e last m o m e n t I d r o p p e d p r a y i n g . So I t h i n k , n o w that I h a v e d o n e it all my life, let me c o n t i n u e , r i g h t or w r o n g . If it is w r o n g , n o t h i n g is lost. A n y way, n o w t h a t I am retired, t h e w h o l e day I am free. A n d if G o d is there, t h e n it is perfectly g o o d — m y prayers have s u c c e e d e d . " I said, " T h i s w o n ' t h e l p . E v e n if G o d is t h e r e , this k i n d of p r a y e r is futile. D o y o u t h i n k y o u c a n d e c e i v e G o d ? W o n ' t h e ask y o u ? Y o u w e r e p r a y i n g w i t h this i d e a t h a t i f h e d o e s n o t exist, g o o d , a n d i f h e exists, y o u c a n say t h a t a t least y o u p r a y e d t o h i m . Y o u t h i n k y o u c a n d e c e i v e God?" He said, " T h i s is t h e trouble. T h a t ' s w h y I say to y o u , please d o n ' t c o m e ! I c a n n o t d r o p it, a n d I c a n n o t do it sincerely. A n d n o w y o u have c r e a t e d a t h i r d p r o b l e m : E v e n if I am d o i n g it, it is useless! B e c a u s e y o u are r i g h t : I f G o d i s t h e r e h e w i l l k n o w this simple t h i n g , t h a t this o l d m a n i s t r y i n g t o deceive h i m . " I said, " T h i s is far w o r s e t h a n n o t p r a y i n g . At least be h o n e s t . A n d I d o n ' t t h i n k b e i n g h o n e s t i s a n y t h i n g against r e l i g i o n . Just b e h o n e s t ; i f y o u d o n ' t feel it, d r o p it!" H e said, " W i t h y o u I again start feeling y o u n g , strong. B u t w h e n y o u are g o n e I am again old, d e a t h is close by, a n d this is n o t t h e t i m e to c h a n g e b o a t s . O n e m a y fall i n t o t h e water. I t i s b e t t e r t o k e e p o n w i t h w h a t y o u are d o i n g . . . w h a t e v e r is g o i n g to h a p p e n , let it h a p p e n . Just c o n t i n u e . A n d I a m n o t alone; t w o h u n d r e d m i l l i o n H i n d u s are w i t h m e . T h a t ' s t h e p o i n t , t w o h u n d r e d m i l l i o n H i n d u s are w i t h m e . " I said, "Yes, that's t r u e . T w o h u n d r e d m i l l i o n H i n d u s are w i t h you a n d I a m alone. B u t a single p e r s o n can destroy y o u r t w o h u n d r e d m i l l i o n H i n d u s ' s u p p o r t , if it is based on a lie. Y o u h a v e t a k e n a w r o n g s t e p — y o u s h o u l d n e v e r h a v e listened t o m e ! " T h a t ' s w h a t fanaticism is: D o n ' t listen t o a n y t h i n g t h a t goes against y o u . Before a n y b o d y says s o m e t h i n g y o u start s h o u t i n g so l o u d l y t h a t you 60
Mind
A
Pandora
s
Box
hear o n l y y o u r o w n voice. R e a d o n l y y o u r o w n b o o k , listen o n l y t o y o u r church, to your temple, to your synagogue. Fanaticism is simply a strategy to p r o t e c t y o u f r o m d o u b t s . B u t a l t h o u g h d o u b t s can b e p r o t e c t e d , t h e y c a n n o t b e destroyed. A n d n o w t h e r e i s n o n e e d either. M a n has passed t h r o u g h t h o s e stages w h e r e h e n e e d e d c r o w d s . N o w h e c a n b e a n i n d i v i d u a l . T h a t does n o t m e a n t h a t you d o n ' t have clubs, y o u d o n ' t have societies, b u t t h e r e i s n o n e e d t o b e c o m m i t t e d fanatically. Y o u c a n b e a R o t a r i a n ; that d o e s n o t m e a n y o u are c o m m i t t e d fanatically, that y o u will die for t h e R o t a r y C l u b . T h a t w i l l be a really great m a r t y r d o m — s o m e b o d y d y i n g for t h e R o t a r y C l u b ! Y o u d o n ' t have t o d i e for t h e R o t a r y C l u b , Lions'
Club . . . you
need
not
die
for
Christianity, M o h a m m e d a n i s m , H i n d u i s m , c o m m u n i s m , socialism. Y o u can have a rapport w i t h people, you can have a dial o g u e w i t h p e o p l e . Y o u c a n have m e e t i n g s w i t h p e o p l e , y o u can c o m m u n e w i t h p e o ple w h o are o f t h e same m i n d , b u t t h e r e i s n o n e e d t o m a k e any fuss a b o u t it. N o crusade, no h o l y w a r . . . Yes, y o u
can
remain
a nation but
there i s n o n e e d t o m a k e t o o m u c h o f t h o s e b o u n d a r i e s that y o u have c r e a t e d o n t h e map. T h e y are o n l y o n t h e m a p , d o n ' t start seeing t h e m o n t h e g r o u n d . T h a t ' s w h e r e you b e c o m e blind. It is perfectly g o o d t h e r e s h o u l d be so
:m a n y
n a t i o n s b u t t h e r e i s n o n e e d for s o
m a n y madnesses. It is perfectly good, p e o p l e can w o r s h i p i n t h e i r o w n ways, pray i n their o w n ways, have their o w n b o o k , love their o w n messiahs, t h e r e i s n o p r o b l e m a b o u t it. B u t d o n ' t
I N T E L L I G E N C E
m a k e it a p r o b l e m for o t h e r h u m a n b e i n g s . It is y o u r p e r s o n a l t h i n g . Y o u like s o m e t h i n g , y o u prefer a c e r t a i n p e r f u m e — p e r f e c t l y g o o d ; if s o m e b o d y else d o e s n o t like it, i t does n o t m a k e h i m y o u r enemy. T h e s e are p r e f e r e n c e s — s o m e b o d y can differ. A n d differing does n o t m e a n a n t a g o n i s m , it s i m p l y m e a n s o n e has a different w a y of l o o k i n g at things, feeling things. T h e r e i s n o n e e d for any fanaticism, t h e r e i s n o n e e d for any c o m m i t m e n t . I f w e c a n have o r g a n i z a t i o n s i n t h e w o r l d w i t h o u t c o m m i t m e n t , w i t h o u t fanaticism, it will be a beautiful w o r l d . O r g a n i z a t i o n s themselves are n o t b a d . O r g a n i z a t i o n s w i t h o u t c o m m i t m e n t , w i t h o u t fanatic attitudes, s i m p l y m a k e a n o r d e r l y w o r l d . A n d o r d e r i s certainly n e e d e d . W h e r e t h e r e are s o m a n y m i l l i o n s o f p e o p l e y o u c a n n o t live w i t h o u t order. I have called that o r d e r a " c o m m u n e . " I h a v e called it " c o m m u n e " j u s t to m a k e it different f r o m o r g a n i z a t i o n , political party, religious cult. I have called i t s i m p l y " c o m m u n e , " w h e r e p e o p l e o f similar v i s i o n live i n a friendliness, w i t h all t h e i r differences. T h e y are n o t t o erase t h e i r differences t o b e p a r t o f t h e c o m m u n e , that b e c o m e s c o m m i t m e n t . T h e i r differences are a c c e p t e d , t h o s e are t h e qualities of t h o s e individuals. A n d i t i s i n fact m a k i n g t h e c o m m u n e r i c h w h e n s o m a n y p e o p l e w i t h so m a n y different qualities, talents, creativities, sensitivities, are j o i n e d w i t h o u t crippling each other, w i t h o u t destroying each other. On t h e c o n t r a r y , t h e y are h e l p i n g each o t h e r t o b e c o m e a perfect individual, a u n i q u e individual . . .
STEPPING O U T OF THE PYRAMID A question: I was shocked to hear you say that the pyramid of humanity consists of Ayatollah Khomeini and Albert Einstein, and there is no qualitative difference between the two. Isn't there a third alternative?
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I am s h o c k e d t o o , b u t o n e is helpless against t h e reality. T h e t r u t h is that t h e r e i s n o qualitative difference b e t w e e n Ayatollah K h o m e i n i a n d A l b e r t E i n s t e i n ; I w o u l d h a v e loved to declare it if t h e r e was e v e n a small possibility o f s o m e qualitative difference. T h a t d o e s n o t m e a n t h a t b o t h are t h e same t y p e o f p e r s o n . Ayatollah K h o m e i n i is a m a d m a n . A l b e r t E i n s t e i n is a g e n i u s , t h e sharpest i n t e l l i g e n c e h u m a n i t y has ever p r o d u c e d . So I am n o t saying t h a t t h e y are t h e s a m e k i n d o f p e o p l e , b u t w h a t c a n I d o ? T h e y b e l o n g t o t h e s a m e r a n g e . T h e Ayatollah i s t h e lowest i n t h e line, A l b e r t E i n s t e i n t h e highest, b u t t h e difference is o n l y of d e g r e e s ; it is t h e same p y r a m i d . A y a t o l l a h K h o m e i n i , A d o l f H i t l e r , J o s e p h Stalin, B e n i t o M u s s o l i n i , M a o T s e - t u n g — t h e y are a s h u m a n a s A l b e r t E i n s t e i n , B e r t r a n d R u s s e l l , J e a n - P a u l Sartre, K a r l Jaspers; t h e y b e l o n g t o o n e h u m a n i t y , t o o n e m i n d . B u t Ayatollah K h o m e i n i a n d his c o m p a n y are sick. T h e m i n d i s t h e s a m e b u t it is a sick m i n d , it is u p s i d e d o w n . A l b e r t E i n s t e i n a n d B e r t r a n d R u s s e l l are healthy. It is t h e s a m e m i n d b u t in t h e r i g h t shape; it is as it should be. B u t I c a n n o t say that t h e y b e l o n g to t w o different categories; that w o u l d be a lie. It w o u l d be c o n s o l i n g — y o u w o u l d n o t be s h o c k e d , I w o u l d n o t b e s h o c k e d , e v e r y b o d y w o u l d b e happy. B u t t o destroy t r u t h for s u c h s t u p i d c o n s o l a t i o n is n o t g o i n g to h e l p anybody. B u t w h y d o y o u l o o k o n l y f r o m o n e side? T h e r e are m a n y aspects w h i c h have to be c o n s i d e r e d . W h y d o n ' t y o u see it as a great revelation? You have t h o u g h t o n l y o f o n e t h i n g , that's w h y y o u g o t s h o c k e d . I g o t s h o c k e d t o o , b u t I also g o t e x c i t e d , ecstatic. Y o u t h o u g h t o n l y o f o n e t h i n g , that A l b e r t E i n s t e i n i s r e d u c e d t o t h e level o f Ayatollah K h o m e i n i . B u t w h y c a n ' t y o u see t h e o t h e r possibility— that Ayatollah K h o m e i n i can b e raised t o t h e level o f A l b e r t Einstein? I am o p e n i n g a t r e m e n d o u s possibility for these m a d p e o p l e . A n d these m a d p e o p l e have d o m i n a t e d h u m a n i t y ; s o m e t h i n g has t o b e d o n e . H u m a n i t y a s s u c h i s n o t b a d , n o t evil, b u t o n e Ayatollah K h o m e i n i can drive a w h o l e c o u n t r y crazy, idiotic.
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T h e n a m e s , t h e w o r d s , t h e p r i n c i p l e s these p e o p l e use t o h i d e their m a d n e s s a n d s t u p i d i t y are beautiful. Ayatollah K h o m e i n i recites t h e h o l y K o r a n e v e r y day. H e d o e s n o t n e e d t o read; h e has m e m o r i z e d i t — t h e w h o l e holy Koran. He quotes continuously from the holy Koran, and t h o s e w h o are l i s t e n i n g t o h i m a n d f o l l o w i n g h i m believe that h e i s a p r o p h e t , a m e s s e n g e r of G o d sent to h e l p Islam s u c c e e d . T h a t ' s w h a t all t h e religions believe: I f t h e y succeed, o n l y t h e n i s t h e r e any future for h u m a n i t y ; o t h e r w i s e t h e r e i s n o future, m a n i s finished. A n d w h a t h e i s d o i n g is so b a r b a r o u s , so ugly, so i n h u m a n . . . P e o p l e are b e i n g s l a u g h t e r e d c o n t i n u o u s l y , b e h e a d e d c o n t i n u o u s l y . P e o p l e are b e i n g b e a t e n t o d e a t h o n t h e crossroads b e f o r e t h o u s a n d s o f s p e c t a t o r s — a n d all t h o s e spectators are r e j o i c i n g b e c a u s e this is t h e success of Islam. Ayatollah K h o m e i n i says t h a t a n y t h i n g d o n e a c c o r d i n g t o t h e Islamic p r i n c i p l e s i s r i g h t . T h e r e i s n o o t h e r way, n o o t h e r c r i t e r i o n t o d e c i d e r i g h t a n d w r o n g . To b e h e a d a m a n is Islamic. If t h e m a n is n o t w i l l i n g to b e c o m e a M o h a m m e d a n t h e n it is b e t t e r he s h o u l d die. L i v i n g as a n o n M o h a m m e d a n i s w o r s e t h a n d y i n g , b e c a u s e d e a t h m a y c h a n g e his life p a t t e r n . P e r h a p s in this body, in this m i n d , he is incapable of b e c o m i n g a M o h a m m e d a n , s o this b o d y a n d m i n d have t o b e destroyed. T h e s e are h i n d r a n c e s to his salvation. A n d to d i e by t h e h a n d s of Islamic soldiers is a g l o r y in itself. Y o u s h o u l d be p r o u d : Y o u attained a great d e a t h . Y o u c o u l d n o t attain a great life b u t y o u a t t a i n e d a great d e a t h . So t h e p e r s o n w h o i s b e i n g killed b y t h e Islamic m u r d e r e r s i s f o r t u n a t e . A n d t h e p e o p l e w h o are killing h i m are also e a r n i n g great v i r t u e , because t h e r e i s n o o t h e r m o t i v e — t h e y are t r y i n g t o h e l p t h e m a n , t o t r a n s f o r m his b e i n g . T h e y are m a k i n g t h e w a y t o G o d clear a n d clean for t h e p e r s o n . T h e y are d o i n g G o d ' s w o r k : T h e y w i l l b e b o r n a s saints i n paradise. S o b o t h are benefited. H o w c a n s o m e t h i n g b e w r o n g a n d evil w h e n b o t h parties are i m m e n s e l y b e n e f i t e d , spiritually benefited? Do y o u see t h e c u n n i n g n e s s of people? B u t this Ayatollah has t h e same m i n d as y o u have, it is j u s t that it has g o n e nuts. B u t it can be repaired. T h i s is h a p p e n i n g all over t h e w o r l d . . . Just t h e o t h e r day in t h e Vatican o n e w o m a n j u m p e d f r o m St. Peter's b a s i l i c a — t h e h i g h e s t c h u r c h 64
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i n C h r i s t e n d o m — a n d killed herself. N o b o d y k n o w s w h y , a n d p e r h a p s n o b o d y will ever k n o w w h y . B u t w h e n I h e a r d this, t h e i m m e d i a t e r e sponse t h a t c a m e t o m e was that this w o m a n has d e c l a r e d s o m e t h i n g significant. T h e w h o l e o f h u m a n i t y i s g o i n g t o d i e i n t h e Vatican, j u m p i n g from St. Peter's basilica. T h i s w o m a n is a p i o n e e r . She has s i m p l y said that this i s g o i n g t o h a p p e n t o t h e w h o l e o f h u m a n i t y . A n d t h e y are d o i n g e v e r y t h i n g — t h e p o p e , t h e cardinals, t h e b i s h o p s , t h e p r i e s t s — t o e n courage this to h a p p e n . A
very
respected
humanitarian,
a
Catholic
nun,
Sister J u d i t h
Vaughan, was e x p e l l e d f r o m t h e C a t h o l i c c h u r c h . I n California she was r u n n i n g a shelter for p o o r w o m e n , a b a n d o n e d w o m e n , rejected w o m e n . A n d she h e l p e d t h o u s a n d s o f w o m e n . B u t all h e r life's w o r k i s n o t h i n g ; she j u s t c o m m i t t e d a small mistake, a m i s t a k e in t h e eyes of t h e C h r i s t i a n bureaucracy. She signed a n e w s p a p e r a d v e r t i s e m e n t in favor of a b o r t i o n rights. T h e n e w s p a p e r h a d asked t h o s e w h o w e r e i n favor t o sign a n d send t h e a d v e r t i s e m e n t b a c k t o t h e n e w s p a p e r , s o t h e y c o u l d say t h a t n o t all C h r i s t i a n s are against t h e r i g h t t o a b o r t i o n . Sister J u d i t h signed i t — and t h a t is a great sin. T h e w o m a n w o r k e d h e r w h o l e life, served t h o u s a n d s o f w o m e n , w a s respected all over California, a n d she u n d e r s t a n d s t h e p r o b l e m s of w o m e n — a b o r t i o n , c h i l d r e n , o r p h a n s — m o r e t h a n t h o s e idiots w h o e x pelled h e r f r o m t h e c h u r c h . N o t o n l y d i d t h e y expell h e r f r o m t h e c h u r c h , t h e y p r e v e n t e d h e r f r o m e n t e r i n g t h e shelter t h a t she c r e a t e d for p o o r w o m e n , for suffering w o m e n . S h e was n o t a l l o w e d t o e n t e r t h e c h u r c h o r t h e shelter, a n d she i s n o l o n g e r a n u n . N o b o d y cares t h a t w h a t she was d o i n g was h u m a n i t a r i a n . M o r e p o p u l a t i o n m e a n s m o r e p r o b l e m s — a n d y o u are n o t able t o solve t h e p r o b l e m s t h a t are present. E a c h child b r i n g s t h o u s a n d s o f p r o b lems w i t h h i m . A l r e a d y m o r e p e o p l e have a r r i v e d o n t h e e a r t h t h a n t h e earth can s u p p o r t . E v e n c o u n t r i e s like A m e r i c a have p r o b l e m s w h i c h s h o u l d have disappeared f r o m t h e w o r l d l o n g b e f o r e — w h a t t o say a b o u t t h e t h i r d w o r l d , t h e p o o r w o r l d ? Africa, Latin A m e r i c a , A s i a — w h a t t o say of t h o s e c o u n t r i e s ?
65
I N T E L L I G E N C E
I n A m e r i c a t h e r e are millions a n d m i l l i o n s o f illiterate adults. I n t h e richest c o u n t r y o f t h e w o r l d — t e c h n o l o g i c a l l y , scientifically, culturally, i n e v e r y w a y at t h e t o p — m i l l i o n s of adults are still u n e d u c a t e d , t h e y c a n ' t read a n e w s p a p e r . A n d y o u g o o n b r i n g i n g m o r e p e o p l e ? Y o u c a n n o t e v e n solve s i m p l e p r o b l e m s — a n d t h e r e are c o m p l i c a t e d p r o b l e m s . I n a gas e x p l o s i o n i n B h o p a l t h o u s a n d s o f p e o p l e d i e d . All t h e w o m e n t h a t w e r e p r e g n a n t a n d d i d n o t d i e t h e n started g i v i n g b i r t h t o children. T h o u s a n d s of children w e r e c o m i n g out of the w o m b dead or c r i p p l e d o r b l i n d o r r e t a r d e d . A f e w w h i c h w e r e b o r n alive d i e d w i t h i n six w e e k s . T h e physicians a n d t h e scientists d i d n o t t h i n k that t h e gas was g o i n g to affect t h e fetus so severely. A n d this was o n l y a small e x p l o s i o n . W h e n y o u r n u c l e a r e x p l o s i o n s a n d a t o m i c e x p l o s i o n s start h a p p e n i n g , h o w t h e y are g o i n g t o affect y o u i s u n i m a g i n a b l e . A n d i t will n o t affect o n l y y o u ; it w i l l affect all t h e g e n e r a t i o n s that follow y o u . It will affect t h e w h o l e future o f h u m a n i t y . W h o i s c r e a t i n g these p r o b l e m s ? T h e m i n d . T h e s a m e m i n d c a n solve t h e m . S o w h e n I say Ayatollah K h o m e i n i a n d A l b e r t E i n s t e i n b e l o n g t o t h e same line . . . i f y o u t h i n k that A l b e r t E i n s t e i n i s also like Ayatollah K h o m e i n i y o u w i l l get o n l y a s h o c k . B u t i f y o u also t h i n k t h a t Ayatollah K h o m e i n i has t h e capacity t o b e a n A l b e r t E i n s t e i n t h e n y o u will b e e x cited like m e . B u t I have talked o n l y a b o u t t h e p y r a m i d of t h e m i n d . I have n o t talked a b o u t p e o p l e w h o have d r o p p e d o u t o f t h e m i n d , I have n o t talked a b o u t t h e m e d i t a t o r s . T h e y are qualitatively different f r o m b o t h . A m a n of m e d i t a t i o n is as far away f r o m Ayatollah K h o m e i n i as he is f r o m A l b e r t E i n s t e i n , b e c a u s e he is far away f r o m m i n d itself. T h e p y r a m i d i s o n l y o f p e o p l e living i n t h e m i n d , s o d o n ' t b e d e pressed. Y o u can j u m p o u t o f t h e p y r a m i d ; n o b o d y i s f o r c i n g y o u t o b e i n it. I t i s y o u r d e c i s i o n t o b e i n i t o r n o t t o b e i n it. Y o u c a n b e c o m e a w a t c h e r . Y o u stand o u t s i d e t h e p y r a m i d a n d w a t c h t h e w h o l e s t u p i d g a m e t h a t goes o n . I am n o t p a r t of t h e p y r a m i d . T h a t ' s w h y I can talk a b o u t t h e p y r a m i d , 66
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describe it in total detail f r o m all aspects, because I am j u s t a w a t c h e r . I can m o v e a r o u n d t h e p y r a m i d , I c a n see all its faces. I can see its lowest d e p t h , I can see its h i g h e s t p e a k — b e c a u s e I am n o t in it. If y o u are in it, t h e n it is impossible for y o u to w a t c h it in its totality; y o u have t o b e o u t s i d e o f it. A n d t h e r e have b e e n s u c h p e o p l e d o w n t h e a g e s — v e r y few, b u t that d o e s n o t m a k e any difference: E v e n if a single p e r s o n c a n escape f r o m t h e p y r a m i d that i s e n o u g h t o prove t h e possibility. A n d m a n y have e s c a p e d f r o m it. Just a little effort on y o u r side, a little alertness, a n d y o u can slip o u t of t h e m i n d — because t h e p y r a m i d i s n o t m a d e o f s o m e t h i n g solid; t h e b r i c k s i t i s m a d e o u t o f are t h o u g h t s . Y o u are s u r r o u n d e d by a wall of t h o u g h t s . It is so easy to c o m e o u t of it. You d o n ' t e v e n have to d i g a h o l e in t h e wall, y o u d o n ' t e v e n have to o p e n a d o o r . You have s i m p l y to stand silently a n d see w h e t h e r t h e wall really exists o r o n l y a p pears to. In t h e East t h e y call it a m i r a g e ; it o n l y appears real. T h e closer y o u c o m e t o it, and t h e b e t t e r y o u l o o k a t it, t h e m o r e i t starts d i s a p p e a r i n g . T h o u g h t s are t h e m o s t insubstantial
things
in
the
world;
they
d o n ' t have a n y t h i n g m a t e r i a l i n t h e m . Y o u r t h o u g h t s are j u s t like ghosts. Y o u
simply g o o n b e l i e v i n g i n t h e m , n e v e r t r y i n g t o have a n e n c o u n t e r , n e v e r t u r n i n g yourself at t h e m . Y o u w i l l be simply s u r p r i s e d t h a t any t h o u g h t that y o u stare at simply melts away. It c a n n o t stand y o u r watchfulness.
So t h e r e is a t h i r d alternative. Y o u n e e d n o t be e i t h e r Ayatollah 67
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Khomeiniac or Albert Einstein. Albert Einstein is a good m a n , but good a n d b a d are t w o sides o f t h e same c o i n . Saint a n d s i n n e r are t w o sides o f t h e same c o i n ; h e a v e n a n d hell, G o d a n d d e v i l — t w o sides o f t h e same c o i n . N e i t h e r can exist w i t h o u t t h e o t h e r . B u t t h e r e i s a t h i r d a l t e r n a t i v e — y o u n e e d n o t b e e i t h e r — a n d that's really to be yourself. To be o u t of the pyramid of the m i n d is to enter into the temple of your being. T h e p y r a m i d i s for t h e d e a d . A c t u a l l y t h e p y r a m i d s w e r e m a d e a s graves for E g y p t i a n k i n g s a n d q u e e n s . T h e y are graveyards; a n d w h e n I u s e d t h e w o r d pyramid for t h e m i n d I u s e d it k n o w i n g l y . M i n d is also a graveyard o f d e a d t h i n g s , past m e m o r i e s , e x p e r i e n c e s , s h a d o w s . . . all s h a d o w s . B u t b y a n d b y t h e y b e c o m e s o t h i c k t h a t t h e y create a d a r k c u r tain a r o u n d y o u . I f y o u w a n t t o escape f r o m y o u r shadow, w h a t d o y o u t h i n k y o u have t o do? R u n ? T h e s h a d o w will follow y o u w h e r e v e r y o u go, i t w i l l b e w i t h y o u ; it is y o u r shadow. A n d a s h a d o w is n o n e x i s t e n t i a l ; it is a ghost. T h e o n l y w a y t o g e t r i d o f i t i s t o t u r n b a c k a n d l o o k a t i t a n d t r y t o find w h e t h e r t h e r e is a n y substance in it. T h e r e is n o t h i n g ! It is p u r e n e g a t i v ity. It is j u s t b e c a u s e y o u are s t a n d i n g in t h e w a y of t h e s u n rays that t h e s u n rays c a n n o t c o m e i n ; a n d t h e absence o f s u n creates t h e shadow. E x a c t l y this i s t h e situation a b o u t y o u r t h o u g h t s . B e c a u s e y o u are n o t w a t c h f u l , b e c a u s e y o u are n o t silent, b e c a u s e y o u c a n ' t see t h i n g s clearly w i t h o u t any d i s t u r b a n c e , t h o u g h t s are substitutes for awareness. Unless y o u b e c o m e aware, t h o u g h t s will c o n t i n u e . T h e m i n d is n o t y o u ; it is s o m e b o d y else: Y o u are o n l y a w a t c h e r . A n d j u s t a f e w glimpses o f w a t c h i n g will p r e p a r e y o u t o g e t o u t o f t h e p y r a m i d w i t h o u t any fighting, w i t h o u t any struggle, w i t h o u t any p r a c t i c e . Y o u s i m p l y stand u p a n d g e t o u t . P e o p l e g o o n b e l i e v i n g i n a n y t h i n g t h a t i s c o n s o l a t o r y . T h e i r ghosts, t h e i r gods, t h e i r h e a v e n a n d h e l l — t h e s e are all j u s t c o n s o l a t i o n s . T h e i r saints, h o l y m e n , sages—all c o n s o l a t i o n . A t r u e m a n n e e d s guts t o g e t o u t o f all this r o t t e n mess. A n d t h e o n l y w a y t o g e t o u t o f i t i s t o b e c o m e
Mind A Pandora's Box
a witness of y o u r o w n t h o u g h t processes. A n d it is easy, it is t h e easiest t h i n g i n t h e w o r l d . You j u s t have t o d o i t o n c e ; b u t y o u n e v e r t r y e v e n once, a n d y o u g o o n t h i n k i n g i t i s t h e m o s t difficult t h i n g . I also u s e d to t h i n k t h a t it was a v e r y difficult t h i n g , b e c a u s e that's w h a t I h a d b e e n t o l d by e v e r y b o d y , r e a d in e v e r y b o o k — t h a t it is s u c h a great, difficult p h e n o m e n o n ; it takes lives t o g e t h e r for a m a n to c o m e to t h e state o f n o - m i n d . W h e n e v e r y b o d y i s saying that, a n d t h e r e i s n o t even a single e x c e p t i o n , it is v e r y n a t u r a l that y o u m a y start b e l i e v i n g it. B u t I a m a little e c c e n t r i c . M y l o g i c d o e s n o t follow t h e o r d i n a r y course, it goes zigzag. O n c e I b e c a m e aware that e v e r y b o d y says it is difficult, e v e r y s c r i p t u r e says it is difficult, t h e first idea that c a m e to me w a s that it is possible t h a t n o b o d y has t r i e d . O t h e r w i s e t h e r e w o u l d be differe n t o p i n i o n s . S o m e b o d y w o u l d say it is this difficult; s o m e b o d y w o u l d say it is m o r e difficult t h a n that; s o m e b o d y w o u l d say it is less difficult t h a n that. It is impossible to have u n a n i m o u s s u p p o r t for its difficulty from all o v e r t h e w o r l d . T h e o n l y possibility was that n o b o d y h a d t r i e d — b u t n o b o d y w a n t s t o confess o n e ' s i g n o r a n c e . T h e n t h e best c o u r s e i s t o agree w i t h t h e collective c o n s e n s u s t h a t it is difficult, v e r y difficult; it takes lives. I d r o p p e d t h a t idea. I said, " I t has to h a p p e n in this life; o t h e r w i s e I will n o t let it h a p p e n in any life, I w i l l struggle against it. E i t h e r this life o r never." " N o w o r n e v e r " b e c a m e m y fixed a p p r o a c h , a n d t h e day I d e cided " N o w o r never," i t h a p p e n e d . Since t h e n I have b e e n s i m p l y amazed h o w p e o p l e have b e e n fooled. T h e simplest t h i n g has b e e n m a d e t h e m o s t i m p o s s i b l e — a n d t h e simplest t h i n g o p e n s t h e d o o r for t h e t h i r d alternative. It takes you o u t of t h e p y r a m i d : You are no l o n g e r a m i n d . A n d t h e n only d o y o u k n o w w h o you are. A n d t o k n o w i t i s t o have a c h i e v e d everything worth achieving.
FROM
MIND
TO
NO-MIND
W
h e n s o m e b o d y b e c o m e s identified w i t h t h e intellect, i n t e l l e c tuality i s b o r n ; w h e n s o m e b o d y r e m a i n s t h e master, u n i d e n t i -
fied w i t h t h e intellect, i n t e l l i g e n c e is b o r n . Intellect is t h e
same. T h e w h o l e t h i n g d e p e n d s o n w h e t h e r y o u g e t identified w i t h i t o r
y o u r e m a i n t r a n s c e n d e n t a l to it. If y o u b e c o m e identified, it is i n t e l l e c t u ality; if y o u r e m a i n u n i d e n t i f i e d , it is intelligence. I n t e l l i g e n c e is of t r e m e n d o u s i m p o r t a n c e ; intellectuality is a barrier. Intellectuality is a b a r r i e r e v e n in t h e w o r l d of science. Intellectuality can, a t t h e m o s t , give y o u scholars, w o r d y p e o p l e w h o g o o n a n d o n , s p i n n i n g a n d w e a v i n g systems o f t h o u g h t w i t h n o substance a t all. I n t h e scientific endeavor, i n t e l l i g e n c e has t o b e focused o n t h e o b j e c t i v e w o r l d ; i n t h e spiritual e x p l o r a t i o n , i n t e l l i g e n c e has t o m o v e i n w a r d . It is t h e same intelligence, o n l y t h e d i r e c t i o n c h a n g e s . In science, t h e object, t h e o u t e r object, i s t h e goal o f i n q u i r y ; i n t h e spiritual r e a l m y o u r subjectivity, y o u r i n t e r i o r i t y i s y o u r a d v e n t u r e . T h e i n t e l l i g e n c e i s t h e same. I f y o u b e c o m e a n i n t e l l e c t u a l t h e n y o u w i l l n o t b e a scientist. You w i l l w r i t e histories o f science o r p h i l o s o p h i e s o f science, b u t y o u will n o t be a scientist, an explorer, an inventor, a discoverer on y o u r o w n . Y o u will be s i m p l y a c c u m u l a t i n g i n f o r m a t i o n . Yes, t h a t t o o has a c e r t a i n use; as far as t h e o u t s i d e w o r l d is c o n c e r n e d , e v e n i n f o r m a t i o n has a c e r t a i n l i m i t e d utility. B u t in t h e i n n e r w o r l d it has no utility at all. It is a b a r r i e r ; it has a negative effect on t h e i n n e r e x p e r i e n c e . 70
FROM MIND TO NO MIND
T h e intellect is n e i t h e r a b a r r i e r n o r a b r i d g e — i n t e l l e c t is n e u t r a l . G e t i d e n t i f i e d w i t h it, it b e c o m e s a b a r r i e r ; r e m a i n u n i d e n t i f i e d w i t h it, it is a b r i d g e . And without meditation you cannot k n o w your transcendental nature. In science, c o n c e n t r a t i o n is e n o u g h ; at the m o s t , c o n t e m p l a t i o n i s n e e d e d . I n t h e i n n e r w o r l d , m e d i t a t i o n is t h e o n l y way. C o n c e n t r a t i o n is n o t n e e d e d — i t is n o t a help, it is a positive h i n d r a n c e . C o n t e m p l a t i o n also is n o t a h e l p ; it is a c o m p e n s a t i o n for n o t b e i n g meditative, it is a p o o r substitute for it. M e d i t a t i o n — o n l y m e d i t a t i o n — can b r i n g t h e i n n e r r e v o l u t i o n . Meditation means getting out of the mind, looking at the m i n d from the o u t side. T h a t ' s exactly t h e m e a n i n g o f t h e w o r d ecstasy: to stand o u t s i d e . To stand o u t side o f t h e m i n d m a k e s y o u ecstatic, b r i n g s bliss to y o u . A n d great i n t e l l i g e n c e is r e leased. W h e n y o u are identified w i t h t h e mind you cannot be very intelligent b e cause y o u b e c o m e identified w i t h a n i n s t r u m e n t , y o u b e c o m e c o n f i n e d b y t h e i n s t r u m e n t a n d its l i m i t a t i o n s . A n d y o u are u n l i m i t e d — y o u are consciousness. U s e t h e m i n d , b u t d o n ' t b e c o m e it. U s e i t a s y o u use o t h e r m a c h i n e s . M i n d is a beautiful m a c h i n e . If y o u c a n use it, it w i l l serve y o u ; if y o u c a n n o t use it a n d it starts u s i n g y o u , it is destructive, it is d a n g e r o u s . It is b o u n d t o take y o u i n t o s o m e t r o u b l e , i n t o s o m e calamity, i n t o s o m e suffering a n d misery, because a m a c h i n e is a b l i n d t h i n g . It has no eyes, it has n o insight. M i n d c a n n o t see; i t c a n o n l y g o o n r e p e a t i n g that w h i c h has b e e n fed into it. It is like a c o m p u t e r ; first y o u have to feed it. T h a t ' s w h a t y o u r 71
INTELLIGENCE
s o - c a l l e d e d u c a t i o n is, y o u go on f e e d i n g it. T h e n it b e c o m e s a great storehouse of m e m o r y in you, so whenever you need to remember anyt h i n g i t can supply it. B u t y o u s h o u l d r e m a i n t h e m a s t e r so t h a t y o u can use it; o t h e r w i s e it starts d i r e c t i n g y o u . D o n ' t b e g u i d e d b y y o u r car; r e m a i n a driver. Y o u h a v e t o d e c i d e t h e d i r e c t i o n , y o u have t o d e c i d e t h e goal. Y o u have t o d e c i d e a b o u t t h e speed, w h e n t o start a n d w h e n t o stop. W h e n y o u lose c o n t r o l a n d w h e n t h e car takes over a n d it starts g o i n g o n its o w n y o u are d o o m e d . I am n o t absolutely against i n f o r m a t i o n . I n f o r m a t i o n is g o o d if it is s t o r e d in the m e m o r y and whenever you need it y o u c a n find it easily. It is d a n g e r o u s o n l y w h e n y o u d o n ' t n e e d i t a n d i t goes o n t h r o w i n g itself at y o u . W h e n it forces y o u t o d o s o m e t h i n g , w h e n y o u are j u s t a v i c t i m , t h e n it is d a n g e r o u s . O t h e r w i s e it is beautiful. It is a beautiful m e a n s , b u t it is n o t t h e e n d .
At Bible school t h e teacher was asking his class questions. He t u r n e d t o J e n k i n s : " W h o k n o c k e d d o w n t h e walls o f J e r i c h o ? " "Please, sir," r e p l i e d J e n k i n s . " I t was n o t m e . " T h e t e a c h e r was v e r y a n n o y e d . H e w e n t t o t h e h e a d m a s t e r a n d said, " I have j u s t asked J e n k i n s w h o k n o c k e d d o w n t h e walls o f J e r i c h o a n d h e said i t was n o t h i m . W h a t d o y o u t h i n k a b o u t that?" T h e h e a d m a s t e r said, " I have k n o w n t h e J e n k i n s family for years, a n d if he said it w a s n ' t h i m , it w a s n ' t . " N o w t h e t e a c h e r was e v e n m o r e a n n o y e d . H e p h o n e d t h e M i n i s t e r o f E d u c a t i o n a n d said, " I asked a b o y i n class, W h o 72
FROM MIND TO NO MIND
k n o c k e d d o w n t h e walls o f J e r i c h o , ' a n d h e said i t w a s n ' t h i m . I t h e n w e n t t o t h e h e a d m a s t e r t o c o m p l a i n a b o u t t h e boy. H e said h e h a d k n o w n t h e family for years a n d i f t h e b o y said i t w a s n ' t h i m , i t wasn't h i m . W h a t d o y o u t h i n k a b o u t t h a t ? " T h e m i n i s t e r was silent for a s e c o n d , t h e n said, "Listen, I am fed u p w i t h c o m p l a i n t s f r o m y o u r s c h o o l . G e t t h e walls repaired, a n d i f t h e r e are m o r e c o m p l a i n t s I a m g o i n g t o shut that s c h o o l down!"
I n f o r m a t i o n i s n o t b a d i n i t s e l f — y o u have t o k n o w w h o k n o c k e d d o w n t h e walls o f J e r i c h o ! B u t i f i n f o r m a t i o n b e c o m e s s o p o w e r f u l i n y o u r m i n d that i t goes o n a n d o n a n d y o u c a n n o t s w i t c h i t off, y o u c a n n o t p u t t h e m i n d i n a state o f relaxation, t h e n t h e m i n d b e c o m e s weary, tired, b o r e d , e x h a u s t e d . I n that state, h o w c a n y o u b e intelligent? Y o u r energies are dissipated. I n t e l l i g e n c e n e e d s o v e r f l o w i n g e n e r g i e s . I n t e l l i gence n e e d s health, w h o l e n e s s . A m e d i t a t o r will b e m o r e i n t e l l i g e n t t h a n a n y b o d y else. A n d a m e d itator w i l l b e able t o use his m i n d objectively a n d subjectively b o t h . H e will be able to m o v e inside as easily as he is able to m o v e outside. He w i l l b e m o r e flexible. H e i s t h e master. H e can take t h e car forward, h e c a n take t h e car b a c k w a r d . W h e n F o r d m a d e his first car t h e r e was no reverse gear in it. It was a difficult p r o b l e m t o c o m e b a c k h o m e . Y o u h a d t o g o r o u n d , y o u h a d t o take t h e l o n g r o u t e , j u s t t o c o m e b a c k h o m e . E v e n i f y o u h a d g o n e a f e w yards past y o u r garage, y o u c o u l d n o t b a c k u p t o t h e g a r a g e — t h e r e was no reverse gear. Later on it was a d d e d . M e d i t a t i o n gives y o u a reverse gear. O r d i n a r i l y y o u d o n ' t have it, a n d you have t o g o r o u n d t h e w o r l d again a n d again a n d still y o u c a n n o t f i n d w h e r e y o u r h o m e is. Y o u c a n n o t c o m e b a c k , y o u c a n n o t g o in; y o u k n o w only h o w t o g o o u t . A m e d i t a t o r b e c o m e s m o r e fluid, m o r e flexible. H i s life b e c o m e s richer. I a m n o t i n favor o f t h o s e p e o p l e w h o i n t h e past, i n t h e n a m e o f religion, b e c a m e fixated in t h e i r i n t r o v e r s i o n ; that is a n o t h e r e x t r e m e . A 73
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f e w p e o p l e are fixated as extroverts—as a r e a c t i o n , a few o t h e r p e o p l e b e c o m e fixated as introverts. B o t h b e c o m e d e a d . Life b e l o n g s to t h e flexible, t o o n e w h o c a n m o v e f r o m e x t r o v e r sion t o i n t r o v e r s i o n a n d f r o m i n t r o v e r s i o n to e x t r o v e r s i o n as easily as y o u m o v e o u t side a n d inside y o u r h o u s e . W h e n i t i s t o o c o l d inside y o u c o m e o u t i n t h e sun; w h e n i t b e c o m e s t o o h o t y o u c o m e inside u n d e r t h e shelter, i n t o t h e coolness o f t h e h o u s e , a n d t h e r e is no p r o b l e m . It is as simple as that. Meditation
does
not
mean
going
against t h e o u t s i d e w o r l d . It has b e e n so in t h e past. T h a t ' s w h y r e l i g i o n has failed, it c o u l d n o t succeed; i t c o u l d n o t have s u c c e e d e d in any way. Life b e l o n g s to t h e fluid, to the flowing. W h e n e v e r you bec o m e fixated y o u b e c o m e a t h i n g . Your
monks
closed t h e i r eyes
were to
introverts;
they
the outside world.
T h a t ' s w h y i n t h e East w e c o u l d n o t d e v e l o p science, a l t h o u g h t h e first steps o f science w e r e t a k e n i n t h e East. M a t h e m a t i c s was d e v e l o p e d i n India. T h e first steps t o w a r d t e c h n o l o g y w e r e t a k e n i n C h i n a . B u t there i t s t o p p e d for t h e s i m p l e reason that t h e greatest p e o p l e i n t h e East b e c a m e fixed as introverts; t h e y lost interest in t h e objective w o r l d , they closed themselves totally to t h e objective. T h i s is b e i n g o n l y half of y o u r total p o t e n t i a l . T h e W e s t has d o n e j u s t t h e o p p o s i t e : I t has b e c o m e u t t e r l y e x t r o v e r t e d , i t does n o t k n o w h o w t o g o i n . I t d o e s n o t believe t h a t there i s any " i n , " i t d o e s n o t believe i n any soul. I t believes i n m a n ' s b e h a v i o r , n o t in m a n ' s i n n e r existence. It studies t h e b e h a v i o r of m a n a n d it says it is all m e c h a n i c a l , t h e r e is n o b o d y inside it. M a n has b e c o m e a r o b o t . If you d o n ' t k n o w t h e soul, m a n b e c o m e s a r o b o t . H e i s u n d e r s t o o d t o b e just 74
From
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to
N o - M i n d
a beautiful m e c h a n i s m d e v e l o p e d over millions o f y e a r s — t h e l o n g , l o n g j o u r n e y of e v o l u t i o n — b u t he is o n l y a sophisticated m a c h i n e . It was n o t difficult for A d o l f H i t l e r to kill so m a n y p e o p l e so easily for t h e s i m p l e reason that if m a n is a m a c h i n e , w h a t is t h e h a r m in killing people? I f y o u destroy y o u r w r i s t w a t c h y o u d o n ' t feel guilty; h o w e v e r s o phisticated it was, it was o n l y a w r i s t w a t c h . If y o u d e c i d e d to destroy it, it i s for y o u t o d e c i d e ; n o b o d y can object. You c a n n o t b e d r a g g e d i n t o c o u r t as a m u r d e r e r . Stalin c o u l d kill millions of p e o p l e easily w i t h o u t any p r i c k in his conscience for t h e simple reason that M a r x i s m believes that t h e r e is no soul. M a n is n o t h i n g b u t m a t t e r ; consciousness is o n l y a b y - p r o d u c t of matter. T h i s is o n e e x t r e m e . Science d e v e l o p e d i n t h e West, b u t spirituality disappeared. I n t h e East, spirituality d e v e l o p e d b u t science disappeared. I n b o t h ways m a n remains p o o r , a n d living o n l y half his p o t e n t i a l . My effort is to create t h e w h o l e h u m a n b e i n g , w h o w i l l b e able t o b e scientific a n d spiritual together.
A big, m a n g y d o g was t h r e a t e n i n g a m o t h e r cat a n d h e r k i t t e n s . He h a d backed t h e m i n t o t h e c o r n e r o f a b a r n , w h e n s u d d e n l y t h e cat reared b a c k o n h e r h i n d legs a n d started b a r k i n g a n d g r o w l i n g loudly. Startled a n d confused, t h e d o g t u r n e d a n d ran f r o m t h e b a r n , its tail t u c k e d b e t w e e n its legs. T u r n i n g t o h e r k i t t e n s , t h e m o t h e r cat lifted a p a w a n d t o l d t h e m , N o w d o y o u see t h e a d v a n t a g e o f b e i n g b i l i n g u a l ? "
I Want h u m a n b e i n g s to be bilingual. T h e y s h o u l d k n o w science as m u c h , a s deeply, a s t h e y s h o u l d k n o w m e d i t a t i o n . T h e y s h o u l d k n o w m i n d a s much as they should k n o w meditation. T h e y should k n o w the language o f the objective w o r l d — t h a t i s s c i e n c e — a n d t h e y s h o u l d k n o w also t h e language of t h e subjective w o r l d — t h a t is spirituality.
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O n l y a p e r s o n w h o i s able t o b r i d g e t h e o b j e c t i v e a n d t h e s u b j e c tive, a p e r s o n w h o i s able t o b r i d g e t h e East a n d t h e W e s t , a p e r s o n w h o i s able t o b r i d g e t h e m a t e r i a l i s t a n d t h e spiritualist, c a n b e a w h o l e p e r s o n . T h e w o r l d i s w a i t i n g for t h e w h o l e h u m a n b e i n g . I f t h e w h o l e h u m a n b e i n g d o e s n o t a r r i v e s o o n , t h e n t h e r e i s n o f u t u r e for h u m a n i t y . A n d the w h o l e h u m a n being can c o m e only t h r o u g h deep, profound intelligence. I am n o t against intellect, I am n o t against intelligence; I am against intellectuality. D o n ' t get identified w i t h y o u r m i n d . Always r e m a i n a w a t c h e r o n t h e hills—a witness t o t h e body, t o t h e m i n d , a witness t o t h e o u t e r a n d t o t h e i n n e r , s o that y o u can t r a n s c e n d b o t h t h e o u t e r a n d the i n n e r a n d y o u can k n o w that y o u are n e i t h e r — y o u are b e y o n d b o t h .
FROM T H I N K I N G T O U N D E R S T A N D I N G T h i n k i n g i s t h e absence o f u n d e r s t a n d i n g . Y o u t h i n k b e c a u s e y o u d o n ' t u n d e r s t a n d . W h e n u n d e r s t a n d i n g arises, t h i n k i n g disappears. It is like a b l i n d m a n g r o p i n g his way; w h e n y o u have eyes, y o u d o n ' t g r o p e for the way, y o u see it. U n d e r s t a n d i n g is like h a v i n g eyes; y o u see, y o u d o n ' t grope. T h i n k i n g is g r o p i n g — n o t k n o w ing what is what, you go on thinking, guessing. T h i n k i n g c a n n o t give y o u t h e right a n s w e r b e c a u s e t h i n k i n g can o n l y repeat that w h i c h i s k n o w n . T h i n k i n g has n o vision for t h e u n k n o w n . H a v e y o u ever tried t h i n k i n g a b o u t t h e u n k n o w n ? H o w will y o u t h i n k a b o u t it? Y o u can t h i n k only a b o u t that w h i c h y o u already k n o w ; it is repetitive. Y o u c a n g o o n t h i n k i n g i t again a n d again, y o u can m a k e n e w c o m b i n a tions of o l d t h o u g h t s , b u t n o t h i n g really is new.
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U n d e r s t a n d i n g i s fresh, new. I t has n o t h i n g t o d o w i t h t h e past. U n d e r s t a n d i n g is h e r e , n o w . It is an insight i n t o reality. W i t h t h i n k i n g t h e r e are q u e s t i o n s a n d q u e s t i o n s a n d n o answers. E v e n s o m e t i m e s w h e n y o u feel that y o u have f o u n d an answer, it is j u s t b e c a u s e o n e has to d e c i d e in s o m e w a y or o t h e r . It is n o t really t h e answer, b u t y o u have t o d e cide in o r d e r to act, so s o m e a n s w e r has to b e c l u n g to. A n d i f y o u l o o k d e e p l y i n t o y o u r answer, y o u w i l l see a t h o u s a n d a n d o n e q u e s t i o n s arising o u t of it. U n d e r s t a n d i n g has n o q u e s t i o n s b u t only answers, because it has eyes. Thinking thoughts
are
is
borrowed.
given
by
others
All to
your you.
W a t c h — c a n y o u find a single t h o u g h t that is y o u r s , a u t h e n t i c a l l y y o u r s , that y o u have given b i r t h to? T h e y are all b o r r o w e d . T h e sources m a y b e k n o w n o r u n k n o w n , b u t they are all b o r r o w e d . T h e m i n d f u n c t i o n s like a c o m p u t e r , b u t before t h e c o m p u t e r can give y o u any a n s w e r y o u have to feed it. Y o u have to s u p p l y all t h e i n f o r m a t i o n ; t h e n i t w i l l give y o u t h e answer. T h a t ' s w h a t t h e m i n d has been doing. M i n d is a b i o c o m p u t e r . Y o u go on c o l l e c t i n g data, k n o w l e d g e , i n f o r m a t i o n , a n d t h e n w h e n a c e r t a i n q u e s t i o n arises y o u r m i n d supplies t h e answer o u t of that c o l l e c t i o n . It is n o t a real response; it is j u s t o u t of t h e dead past. W h a t i s u n d e r s t a n d i n g ? U n d e r s t a n d i n g i s p u r e intelligence. T h a t pure i n t e l l i g e n c e i s o r i g i n a l l y y o u r s ; y o u are b o r n w i t h it. N o b o d y c a n give y o u intelligence. K n o w l e d g e c a n b e g i v e n t o y o u , n o t intelligence. Intelligence i s y o u r o w n s h a r p e n e d b e i n g . T h r o u g h d e e p m e d i t a t i o n o n e sharpens o n e ' s b e i n g ; t h r o u g h m e d i t a t i o n o n e drops b o r r o w e d t h o u g h t s ,
I N T E L L I G E N C E
reclaims o n e ' s o w n b e i n g , reclaims o n e ' s o r i g i n a l i t y — r e c l a i m s o n e ' s c h i l d h o o d , i n n o c e n c e , freshness. O u t o f t h a t freshness, w h e n y o u act, y o u act o u t o f u n d e r s t a n d i n g . A n d t h e n t h e r e sponse is total, h e r e - n o w ; a n d t h e response i s because o f t h e c h a l l e n g e , n o t because o f t h e past. F o r e x a m p l e , s o m e b o d y asks y o u a q u e s t i o n — w h a t d o y o u do? You i m m e d i ately g o inside
t h e m i n d a n d find t h e
answer. Y o u i m m e d i a t e l y g o i n t o t h e b a s e m e n t o f t h e m i n d w h e r e y o u have c o l l e c t e d all y o u r k n o w l e d g e , a n d find t h e a n s w e r there. T h e n it is t h i n k i n g . S o m e b o d y asks a q u e s t i o n a n d y o u b e c o m e silent; y o u l o o k i n t o t h e q u e s t i o n w i t h p e n e t r a t i n g eyes; n o t i n t o t h e m e m o r y , b u t i n t o t h e q u e s t i o n . Y o u face t h e q u e s t i o n , y o u e n c o u n t e r t h e q u e s t i o n . I f y o u d o n ' t k n o w , y o u say y o u d o n ' t k n o w . F o r e x a m p l e , s o m e b o d y asks w h e t h e r G o d exists o r n o t . Y o u i m m e d i a t e l y say, ' Y e s , G o d exists." F r o m w h e r e i s this a n s w e r c o m i n g ? F r o m y o u r memory? Your Christian memory, H i n d u memory, Muslim memory? T h e n i t i s a l m o s t useless, futile. I f y o u h a v e a c o m m u n i s t m e m o r y y o u w i l l say, " N o , t h e r e i s n o G o d . " I f y o u h a v e a C a t h o l i c m e m o r y y o u will say, "Yes, t h e r e is a G o d . " If y o u h a v e a B u d d h i s t m e m o r y y o u w i l l say, " T h e r e i s n o G o d . " B u t these a n s w e r s are c o m i n g f r o m t h e m e m o r y . I f y o u are a p e r s o n o f u n d e r s t a n d i n g y o u w i l l s i m p l y listen t o t h e q u e s tion, you will go deep into the question. You will simply watch. If you d o n ' t k n o w , y o u w i l l say, " I d o n ' t k n o w . " I f y o u k n o w , o n l y t h e n w i l l y o u say y o u k n o w . A n d w h e n I say " i f y o u k n o w , " I m e a n , i f y o u have realized. A m a n of u n d e r s t a n d i n g is t r u e . E v e n if he says, "I d o n ' t k n o w , " his i g n o r a n c e i s m o r e valuable t h a n t h e k n o w l e d g e o f t h e m i n d , because a t least his i g n o r a n c e , his a c c e p t a n c e of t h e i g n o r a n c e , is closer to t r u t h . At least he is n o t t r y i n g to p r e t e n d , he is n o t a h y p o c r i t e .
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W a t c h , a n d y o u w i l l see t h a t all y o u r answers c o m e f r o m y o u r m e m o r y . T h e n t r y t o find t h e place w h e r e m e m o r y does n o t f u n c t i o n a n d p u r e consciousness f u n c t i o n s . T h a t i s w h a t u n d e r s t a n d i n g is.
I have h e a r d . . . T h e d o c t o r s t e p p e d i n t o t h e p a t i e n t ' s r o o m . Five m i n u t e s later h e c a m e o u t a n d asked for a corkscrew, t h e n h e w e n t b a c k t o his patient. I n a n o t h e r five m i n u t e s h e was o u t again a n d d e m a n d e d a chisel a n d h a m m e r . T h e d i s t r a u g h t h u s b a n d c o u l d n ' t stand i t a n y l o n g e r . H e p l e a d e d , " F o r heaven's sake, D o c t o r , w h a t i s w r o n g w i t h m y wife?" " I d o n ' t k n o w y e t , " t h e d o c t o r replied. " I c a n ' t get m y b a g opened."
S o m e t i m e s e v e n w h e n y o u say, " I d o n ' t k n o w , " i t i s n o t necessarily c o m i n g o u t o f u n d e r s t a n d i n g . I t m a y b e s i m p l y that y o u c a n ' t o p e n y o u r bag. I t m a y b e that y o u c a n n o t o p e n y o u r m e m o r i e s , o r y o u are n o t able t o find s o m e t h i n g i n t h e m e m o r y ; y o u n e e d t i m e . Y o u say, " I d o n ' t k n o w . Give m e time, let m e t h i n k a b o u t it." W h a t will y o u d o b y t h i n k i n g ? I f you k n o w , y o u k n o w ; i f y o u d o n ' t k n o w , y o u d o n ' t k n o w . W h a t are y o u g o i n g t o t h i n k a b o u t ? B u t y o u say, " G i v e m e t i m e , I will t h i n k a b o u t it." W h a t are y o u saying? You are saying, " I w i l l have t o g o i n t o t h e b a s e m e n t o f m y m i n d a n d search. A n d t h e r e i s s u c h r u b b i s h a c c u m u l a t e d t h r o u g h the years t h a t it is difficult to find, b u t I w i l l do my best." M e d i t a t e , a n d b e c o m e free f r o m this b a s e m e n t . I t i s n o t that t h e b a s e m e n t is n o t useful; it c a n be used. B u t it s h o u l d n o t b e c o m e a substitute for y o u r u n d e r s t a n d i n g . A m a n o f u n d e r s t a n d i n g l o o k s i n t o t h i n g s directly. H i s i n s i g h t i s d i rect. But he can use all his accumulation of knowledge to help the in sight to reach you. He can use all that he has accumulated to make e v e r y t h i n g t h a t h e i s t r y i n g t o c o n v e y t o y o u clear. B u t t h a t w h i c h h e i s t r y i n g t o c o n v e y i s his o w n . T h e w o r d s m a y b e b o r r o w e d , l a n g u a g e m a y
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be borrowed—has to be borrowed—concepts may be borrowed, but not w h a t he is t r y i n g to convey to you. T h e container will c o m e from the m e m o r y , b u t t h e c o n t e n t s will b e his insight. A n d o f c o u r s e , o n e w h o has n o u n d e r s t a n d i n g i s c o n t i n u o u s l y a v i c t i m o f s o m a n y t h o u g h t s , because h e has n o o n e insight t o give h i m a center. H e has a c r o w d o f t h o u g h t s , u n r e l a t e d t o e a c h other, even d i a m e t r i c a l l y o p p o s i t e t o each o t h e r — c o n t r a d i c t i n g e a c h o t h e r , w i t h d e e p a n t a g o n i s m t o w a r d e a c h o t h e r . H e has a c r o w d — n o t e v e n a g r o u p , n o t e v e n a society, b u t a m o b — o f t h o u g h t s b u z z i n g inside t h e m i n d . So if y o u g o o n w i t h y o u r t h i n k i n g t o o far, o n e day y o u w i l l b e c o m e m a d . T o o m u c h t h o u g h t can create insanity. In p r i m i t i v e societies, m a d n e s s is rare. T h e m o r e civilized a society is, t h e m o r e p e o p l e g o insane. E v e n i n civilized societies, m o r e p e o p l e g o insane w h o w o r k w i t h their intellects. T h i s is u n f o r t u n a t e b u t this is a fact: M o r e psychoanalysts g o m a d t h a n i n any o t h e r profession. W h y ? T o o m u c h t h i n k i n g . I t i s v e r y difficult t o m a n a g e s o m a n y c o n t r a d i c t o r y thoughts together. In trying to manage them, your w h o l e being becomes a chaos. U n d e r s t a n d i n g is single, u n d e r s t a n d i n g is central.
It is simple;
t h o u g h t s are v e r y c o m p l e x . A h e n p e c k e d h u s b a n d visited a psychiatrist a n d said he had a recurring nightmare. " E v e r y n i g h t , " he said, "I d r e a m I am s h i p w r e c k e d w i t h t w e l v e beautiful w o m e n . " " W h a t ' s s o t e r r i b l e a b o u t t h a t ? " asked t h e psychiatrist. " H a v e y o u ever t r i e d c o o i n g for t w e l v e w o m e n ? "
T h a t was his p r o b l e m : h o w t o c o o for t w e l v e w o m e n . E v e n t o coo for o n e w o m a n is difficult. T h i n k i n g i s like c o o i n g for t h o u s a n d s a n d t h o u s a n d s o f w o m e n a r o u n d y o u . O n e naturally goes m a d . U n d e r s t a n d i n g i s v e r y simple: You
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are m a r r i e d to o n e insight, b u t t h a t insight w o r k s like a light, a t o r c h . W h e r e v e r y o u focus y o u r t o r c h , m y s t e r i e s are revealed. W h e r e v e r y o u f o cus y o u r t o r c h , darkness disappears. T r y t o find y o u r h i d d e n u n d e r s t a n d i n g . A n d t h e w a y i s t o d r o p t h i n k i n g . A n d t o d r o p t h i n k i n g t h e r e are t w o possibilities: e i t h e r m e d i t a tion or love.
F R O M R E A C T I O N T O RESPONSE R e a c t i o n i s f r o m t h e t h o u g h t s a n d response i s u n d e r s t a n d i n g . R e a c t i o n c o m e s f r o m t h e past; r e s p o n s e i s always i n t h e present. B u t o r d i n a r i l y w e r e a c t — w e have e v e r y t h i n g already r e a d y inside. S o m e b o d y i s d o i n g s o m e t h i n g a n d we react as if a b u t t o n has b e e n p u s h e d . S o m e b o d y insults y o u a n d y o u b e c o m e a n g r y — t h a t has h a p p e n e d before, a n d i t has b e e n h a p p e n i n g t h e same w a y all t h e w h i l e . It has b e c o m e a l m o s t like a b u t t o n : S o m e b o d y pushes it, y o u b e c o m e angry. T h e r e i s n o t a single m o m e n t o f w a i t i n g , n o t a single m o m e n t w h e r e y o u l o o k a t t h e s i t u a t i o n t o see i f i t m a y b e different. T h e p e r s o n w h o i s i n s u l t i n g y o u m a y b e r i g h t . H e m a y have s i m p l y revealed a t r u t h t o y o u a n d that's w h y y o u feel i n sulted. O r h e m a y b e absolutely w r o n g , o r h e m a y b e j u s t a nasty p e r s o n . B u t y o u have t o l o o k i n t o t h e p e r s o n — i f h e i s r i g h t , y o u h a v e t o t h a n k h i m because h e has s h o w n s o m e t h i n g t o y o u . H e has s h o w n c o m p a s s i o n t o w a r d y o u , h e has b e e n friendly b y b r i n g i n g a t r u t h t o y o u r h e a r t . M a y b e it h u r t s , b u t that is n o t his fault. O r m a y b e h e i s s i m p l y stupid, i g n o r a n t . N o t k n o w i n g a n y t h i n g a b o u t y o u , h e has b l u r t e d o u t s o m e t h i n g . T h e n t h e r e i s n o n e e d t o b e a n g r y ; h e i s s i m p l y w r o n g . N o b o d y i s w o r r i e d a b o u t s o m e t h i n g that i s a b solutely w r o n g . U n l e s s i t has s o m e t r u t h i n it, y o u are n e v e r i r r i t a t e d b y it. Y o u c a n l a u g h at it, at t h e w h o l e absurdity of it. It is r i d i c u l o u s . Or t h e p e r s o n is j u s t nasty a n d t h a t is his way. He is i n s u l t i n g to everybody. S o h e i s n o t d o i n g a n y t h i n g t o y o u i n particular; h e i s simply
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b e i n g h i m s e l f — t h a t ' s all. S o i n fact, n o t h i n g n e e d s t o b e d o n e . H e i s j u s t t h a t type o f p e r s o n . S o m e b o d y i n s u l t e d B u d d h a . H i s disciple A n a n d a said, " I was g e t t i n g v e r y a n g r y a n d y o u k e p t q u i e t . Y o u s h o u l d have a t least a l l o w e d m e t o say s o m e t h i n g ; I w o u l d have p u t h i m r i g h t . " B u d d h a said, " Y o u surprise m e . First h e s u r p r i s e d m e , a n d n o w y o u surprise m e . W h a t e v e r he was saying is s i m p l y irrelevant. It is u n c o n n e c t e d w i t h us, s o w h y get i n t o it? B u t y o u surprise m e e v e n m o r e : Y o u have b e c o m e v e r y a n n o y e d , y o u l o o k angry. T h i s i s foolish. T o p u n i s h oneself for s o m e b o d y else's e r r o r is foolish. Y o u are p u n i s h i n g yourself. C o o l d o w n . T h e r e i s n o n e e d t o b e a n g r y — b e c a u s e a n g e r i s fire. W h y are y o u b u r n i n g y o u r o w n soul? I f h e has c o m m i t t e d s o m e mistake, w h y d o y o u p u n i s h yourself? I t i s stupid." B u t w e react.
I have heard . . . O n e m a n was saying t o o n e o f his friends, " T o please m y wife, I have g i v e n u p s m o k i n g , d r i n k i n g , a n d p l a y i n g cards." " T h a t m u s t m a k e h e r v e r y happy," said his friend. " N o , i t has n o t . N o w , e v e r y t i m e she b e g i n s t o talk t o m e , she c a n ' t t h i n k of a n y t h i n g to say."
P e o p l e live m e c h a n i c a l , r o b o t l i k e lives. I f y o u r wife has b e e n c o n t i n u o u s l y n a g g i n g y o u t o s t o p s m o k i n g , a n d y o u t h i n k she w i l l b e h a p p y i f y o u stop, y o u are w r o n g . I f y o u s m o k e she i s u n h a p p y , a n d i f y o u stop s m o k i n g she w i l l b e u n h a p p y because t h e n she will n o t find a n y excuse to nag you. O n e w o m a n said t o m e t h a t she d i d n ' t w a n t h e r h u s b a n d t o b e p e r fect. I asked, " W h y ? " She said, " B e c a u s e I love n a g g i n g . " If t h e h u s b a n d is perfect w h a t are y o u g o i n g to do? Y o u will be simply at a loss. W a t c h yourself, w a t c h o t h e r s , a n d see h o w t h e y are b e h a v i n g i n a m e c h a n i c a l w a y — u n c o n s c i o u s , like s o m n a m b u l i s t s , sleepwalkers. R e a c t i o n is of the mind; response is of the n o - m i n d .
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F R O M BELIEF T O F A I T H Belief i s o f t h e m i n d , o f t h e t h i n k i n g ; faith i s o f n o - m i n d , o f awareness, understanding.
It h a p p e n e d in a hillside village: t h e h u n t e r said to his g u i d e , " T h i s seems to be a v e r y d a n g e r o u s cliff. It's a w o n d e r t h e y d o n ' t p u t u p a w a r n i n g sign." " T h e y h a d o n e u p for t w o y e a r s , " t h e native g u i d e a d m i t ted, " b u t n o o n e fell off t h e cliff s o t h e y t o o k i t d o w n . "
Belief i s b l i n d — y o u believe b e c a u s e y o u have b e e n t a u g h t t o believe, b u t i t n e v e r goes v e r y d e e p b e c a u s e i t has n o u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f t h e s i t u a t i o n . It is j u s t a superfluous tag, j u s t s o m e t h i n g a d d e d to y o u . It has n o t g r o w n f r o m y o u , it has n o t b e e n a g r o w t h of y o u r u n d e r s t a n d i n g . It is just b o r r o w e d , so it never p e n e t r a t e s y o u r b e i n g . F o r a f e w days y o u c a r r y it, a n d t h e n seeing that it is useless a n d n o t h i n g is h a p p e n i n g , y o u p u t it aside. T h e r e are C h r i s t i a n s w h o are n o t C h r i s t i a n s ; t h e r e are H i n d u s w h o are n o t H i n d u s . T h e y are H i n d u s o n l y b e c a u s e o f t h o s e beliefs that t h e y have n e v e r used, t h o s e beliefs that t h e y h a v e n e v e r respected. T h e y t h i n k they are C h r i s t i a n s , H i n d u s , M o h a m m e d a n s , b u t h o w c a n y o u b e a M o h a m m e d a n i f y o u have n o t lived y o u r belief? B u t t h e t r u t h is that belief cannot be lived. If o n e starts b e c o m i n g m o r e alert, w a t c h i n g life, r e s p o n d i n g , t h e n by a n d by a faith arises. Faith is y o u r s ; belief is s o m e b o d y else's. D r o p beliefs so that faith can arise. A n d d o n ' t be satisfied w i t h beliefs, o t h e r w i s e faith will n e v e r arise.
FROM SYMPATHY TO C O M P A S S I O N S y m p a t h y is of t h e m i n d : You feel s o m e b o d y is in t r o u b l e , s o m e b o d y is in misery; y o u t h i n k s o m e b o d y i s i n m i s e r y a n d y o u have t o help. Y o u have
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b e e n t a u g h t t o help, t o b e o f service, t o b e dutiful, t o b e a g o o d h u m a n b e i n g , to be a g o o d citizen, to be this a n d that. Y o u have b e e n t a u g h t , so you feel sympathy. C o m p a s s i o n has n o t h i n g t o d o w i t h y o u r t e a c h i n g s . C o m p a s s i o n arises as an empathy, n o t as a sympathy. C o m p a s s i o n arises w h e n y o u can see t h e o t h e r p e r s o n a s h e is, a n d w h e n y o u c a n see h i m s o totally that y o u start feeling h i m . Y o u start feeling i n t h e same situation. I t h a p p e n e d : R a m a k r i s h n a was m o v i n g f r o m o n e b a n k t o a n o t h e r o f t h e G a n g e s , n e a r D a k s h i n e s h w a r . O n t h e o t h e r shore, a few p e o p l e h a d s u r r o u n d e d a f i s h e r m a n a n d t h e y w e r e b e a t i n g h i m . R a m a k r i s h n a was i n t h e m i d d l e o f t h e river. H e started c r y i n g a n d w e e p i n g , a n d h e started s h o u t i n g , " S t o p , d o n ' t b e a t m e ! " T h e p e o p l e w h o w e r e sitting a r o u n d h i m , i n t h e b o a t , his disciples, c o u l d n o t believe w h a t w a s h a p p e n i n g : " W h o i s b e a t i n g y o u ? " t h e y said. " W h a t are y o u saying, have y o u g o n e m a d ? " H e said, " L o o k ! T h e y are b e a t i n g m e t h e r e o n t h e o t h e r side." T h e n t h e y l o o k e d ; t h e y saw that t h e p e o p l e w e r e b e a t i n g t h e m a n . A n d R a m a k r i s h n a said, " L o o k a t m y b a c k . " H e u n c o v e r e d his b a c k — t h e r e w e r e m a r k s o n his b a c k , h e was b l e e d i n g . I t w a s impossible t o b e lieve. T h e disciples r u s h e d t o t h e o t h e r shore, c a u g h t h o l d o f t h e m a n w h o was b e a t e n a n d u n c o v e r e d his back: H e h a d exactly t h e same m a r k s . T h i s i s e m p a t h y — p u t t i n g oneself i n t o s o m e b o d y else's place s o t o tally that w h a t i s h a p p e n i n g t o h i m starts h a p p e n i n g t o y o u . T h e n c o m passion arises. B u t these states are all of n o - m i n d .
FROM C O M M U N I C A T I O N T O C O M M U N I O N C o m m u n i c a t i o n i s o f t h e m i n d — v e r b a l , intellectual, c o n c e p t u a l . C o m m u n i o n is of n o - m i n d , of d e e p silence; a transfer of energy, n o n v e r b a l ; a j u m p f r o m o n e h e a r t t o a n o t h e r — i m m e d i a t e , w i t h o u t any m e d i u m . T h e basic, m o s t essential t h i n g t o r e m e m b e r — b e c a u s e i t divides y o u r life, i t divides t h e w h o l e w o r l d i n t o t w o w o r l d s — i s that i f y o u are l o o k i n g t h r o u g h a screen o f t h o u g h t s , t h e n y o u live i n o n e w o r l d . T h e w o r l d 84
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of t h o u g h t s is t h e w o r l d of belief, t h i n k i n g , sympathy. If y o u are l o o k i n g w i t h clean eyes, u n c l o u d e d eyes, y o u r p e r c e p t i o n has a clarity. It is p u r e , j u s t seeing i n t o t h i n g s a s t h e y are, n o t p r o j e c t i n g a n y t h i n g u p o n t h e m . T h e n y o u have u n d e r s t a n d i n g , t h e n y o u have m e d i t a t i o n . T h e n t h e w h o l e w o r l d c h a n g e s . A n d t h e p r o b l e m i s that m i n d can deceive y o u . I t creates sympathy. It creates false c o i n s : In place of c o m p a s s i o n it creates sympathy. S y m p a t h y is a false c o i n . In place of c o m m u n i o n it has o n l y c o m m u n i c a t i o n , w h i c h is a false c o i n . I n s t e a d of faith it has belief, w h i c h is a false c o i n . R e m e m b e r i t — t h e m i n d tries t o substitute. A r e y o u l a c k i n g s o m e thing? T h e m i n d tries t o substitute for it. B e v e r y alert, because w h a t e v e r the m i n d c a n do is g o i n g to be false. M i n d is t h e great falsifier, t h e g r e a t est d e c e i v e r t h e r e is. It helps, it tries to c o n s o l e y o u , it gives y o u s o m e t h i n g false s o that y o u n o l o n g e r h a n k e r for t h e real. F o r e x a m p l e , i f d u r i n g t h e day y o u h a v e fasted, i n t h e n i g h t y o u w i l l d r e a m o f food, d i n i n g i n great restaurants, o r b e i n g i n v i t e d t o t h e palaces o f t h e k i n g s a n d e a t i n g beautiful food. W h y ? T h e w h o l e day y o u h a v e been h u n g r y , n o w it is difficult to sleep b e cause of t h e h u n g e r ; t h e m i n d creates a substitute, a d r e a m . H a v e y o u n o t w a t c h e d it? In t h e n i g h t y o u r b l a d d e r is full a n d y o u would like t o g o t o t h e b a t h r o o m , b u t i f you d o y o u r sleep will b e d i s t u r b e d — t h e m i n d i m m e d i a t e l y creates a d r e a m t h a t y o u are i n t h e b a t h r o o m . T h e n y o u can g o o n sleeping. It gives y o u a substitute. T h e s u b stitute is a c o n s o l a t i o n . It is n o t real, b u t for the t i m e b e i n g it helps. So
beware
of mind's
consolations.
Seek reality, because o n l y reality c a n fulfill you. C o n s o l a t i o n s can n e v e r be fulfilling. You can eat as m u c h food as y o u like in y o u r d r e a m s , y o u can enjoy t h e fragrance of it, t h e taste of it, t h e c o l o r of it, e v e r y t h i n g — b u t it is n o t
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g o i n g t o b e n o u r i s h i n g . Belief can give y o u t h e w h o l e fragrance o f faith, t h e taste, t h e color. Y o u can enjoy i t b u t i t w i l l n o t n o u r i s h y o u . O n l y faith can n o u r i s h . Always r e m e m b e r : T h a t w h i c h n o u r i s h e s y o u i s real, a n d that w h i c h simply gives y o u a c o n s o l a t i o n is v e r y d a n g e r o u s . B e c a u s e of this c o n s o l a t i o n y o u w i l l n o t seek t h e real food. I f y o u start living i n d r e a m s and y o u d o n ' t eat real food, t h e n b y a n d b y y o u w i l l dissipate, disappear, b e c o m e dry, a n d y o u w i l l b e d e a d . S o take i m m e d i a t e a c t i o n : W h e n e v e r t h e m i n d i s t r y i n g t o give y o u a substitute, d o n ' t listen to it. It is a great salesman, a great seducer. It c o n v i n c e s y o u , it says, " T h e s e t h i n g s are c h e a p . Faith is v e r y difficult to find because y o u w i l l have to risk y o u r life; belief is easy, v e r y cheap. You can g e t it for n o t h i n g . " In fact, so m a n y p e o p l e are r e a d y — i f y o u accept their belief t h e y are r e a d y t o give y o u s o m e t h i n g m o r e w i t h it: B e c o m e a C h r i s t i a n , b e c o m e a H i n d u , b e c o m e a M o h a m m e d a n . P e o p l e are ready to give y o u a great w e l c o m e a n d respect, respectability. E v e r y t h i n g is available; j u s t a c c e p t t h e i r belief. Belief is n o t o n l y cheap, it c a n even b r i n g m a n y m o r e t h i n g s w i t h it. Faith is d a n g e r o u s , n e v e r cheap. U n d e r s t a n d i n g is d a n g e r o u s , never cheap. T h e real is d a n g e r o u s . Y o u w i l l have to p u t y o u r w h o l e life at stake. It n e e d s c o u r a g e .
T H E MASTER A N D T H E S E R V A N T I have h e a r d an a n c i e n t s t o r y : A k i n g was v e r y h a p p y w i t h o n e o f his servants. H e w a s s o devoted, so totally d e v o t e d to t h e k i n g ; he was always r e a d y to sacrifice his life for t h e k i n g . T h e k i n g was i m m e n s e l y happy, a n d m a n y times h e h a d saved t h e k i n g , r i s k i n g his o w n life. H e was t h e k i n g ' s b o d y g u a r d . O n e day t h e k i n g was feeling s o h a p p y w i t h t h e m a n , h e said, " I f you desire a n y t h i n g , if y o u have any desire, j u s t tell me a n d I w i l l fulfill it. You have d o n e so m u c h for me that I c a n n e v e r s h o w my g r a t i t u d e , I can
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never repay y o u , b u t today I w o u l d like to fulfill any of y o u r w i s h e s , w h a t s o e v e r it is." T h e servant said, " Y o u have already g i v e n m e t o o m u c h . I a m s o blessed j u s t b y b e i n g always w i t h y o u — I d o n ' t n e e d a n y t h i n g . " B u t t h e k i n g insisted. T h e m o r e t h e servant said, " T h e r e i s n o n e e d , " t h e m o r e t h e k i n g insisted. Finally t h e servant said, " T h e n it's okay. Y o u m a k e m e t h e k i n g for t w e n t y - f o u r h o u r s a n d y o u b e t h e g u a r d . " T h e k i n g was a little apprehensive, afraid, b u t he was a m a n of his w o r d a n d h e h a d t o fulfill t h e desire. S o for t w e n t y - f o u r h o u r s h e b e c a m e the g u a r d a n d t h e g u a r d b e c a m e t h e k i n g . A n d d o y o u k n o w w h a t t h e g u a r d did? T h e first t h i n g t h a t h e d i d , h e o r d e r e d t h e k i n g t o b e killed, s e n t e n c e d t o death! T h e k i n g said, " W h a t are y o u d o i n g ? " H e said, " Y o u k e e p quiet! You are s i m p l y t h e g u a r d a n d n o t h i n g more. It is my wish and n o w I am the king!" T h e k i n g was killed, a n d t h e servant b e c a m e t h e k i n g forever.
Servants have t h e i r o w n d e v i o u s ways t o b e c o m e masters. T h e m i n d i s o n e o f t h e m o s t beautiful, t h e m o s t c o m p l e x , t h e m o s t evolved m e c h a n i s m s . It has served y o u w e l l , it c o n t i n u e s to serve y o u well. B e c a u s e o f its services y o u have r e p e a t e d t h e same s t o r y i n y o u r l i f e — e v e r y b o d y has r e p e a t e d t h e same story. You have m a d e t h e m i n d the master, a n d n o w t h e m a s t e r treats y o u j u s t like a servant. T h i s i s t h e p r o b l e m — n o t that t h e m i n d has t o b e t h r o w n o u t . I f y o u t h r o w t h e m i n d o u t y o u w i l l g o insane. W i t h o u t t h e m i n d t h e r e i s o n l y one profession y o u can be in, a n d t h a t is politics! I have h e a r d t h a t a m a n — i t m u s t be s o m e s t o r y f r o m t h e f u t u r e — a m a n w e n t to t h e hospital because his b r a i n was d a m a g e d in a car a c c i d e n t and h e w a n t e d a n e w o n e . S o h e asked t h e s u r g e o n t o s h o w h i m all t h e kinds o f brains available. T h e s u r g e o n t o o k h i m a r o u n d ; t h e r e w e r e m a n y brains. T h e first b r a i n b e l o n g e d to a professor, a m a t h e m a t i c i a n . He asked the p r i c e — f i f t y dollars. He was surprised: a f a m o u s m a t h e m a t i c i a n ,
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a N o b e l laureate, j u s t fifty dollars! T h e n t h e r e was a m u s i c i a n , a n d his was o n l y t h i r t y dollars. T h e n t h e r e was a b u s i nessman's b r a i n a n d i t was o n l y t w e n t y dollars. A n d so o n , so f o r t h . Finally t h e y c a m e to t h e b r a i n of a p o l i t i c i a n — i t was five t h o u s a n d dollars! T h e m a n was p u z zled. H e said, " W h y d o e s i t cost s o m u c h ? " T h e s u r g e o n said, " B e c a u s e it has n e v e r b e e n used." Y o u will n e e d all t h e m i n d y o u h a v e — j u s t b e t h e m a s t e r o f it. U s e it, a n d d o n ' t b e used by it. And
that's
what
meditation
is
all
a b o u t : t h e art o f m o v i n g away f r o m t h e m i n d , b e i n g above t h e m i n d , b e c o m i n g t r a n s c e n d e n t a l t o t h e m i n d , k n o w i n g that "I am n o t the m i n d . " T h a t does not mean t h a t y o u have t o t h r o w o u t t h e m i n d . K n o w i n g that y o u are n o t t h e m i n d makes y o u again t h e master. T h e n y o u can use the m i n d . R i g h t now, the m i n d is not within your hands.
KNOWN, UNKNOWN, UNKNOWABLE I n t e l l i g e n c e i s t h e clear insight i n t o t h i n g s a b o u t w h i c h y o u d o n ' t have any i n f o r m a t i o n . M e m o r y can f u n c t i o n o n l y w i t h t h o s e t h i n g s w h i c h are k n o w n t o y o u — b u t life consists o f t h e k n o w n , o f t h e u n k n o w n , a n d o f t h e u n k n o w a b l e . As far as t h e k n o w n is c o n c e r n e d , m e m o r y is e n o u g h . T h a t ' s w h a t all y o u r universities a n d all y o u r e d u c a t i o n a l systems are d o i n g : T h e y are s i m p l y f e e d i n g y o u r m e m o r y w i t h m o r e a n d m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , a n d w h a t e v e r i s k n o w n t o y o u r m e m o r y system, y o u will b e 88
From
Mind
to
N o - M i n d
able t o a n s w e r i m m e d i a t e l y . T h a t a n s w e r d o e s n o t p r o v e that y o u are i n telligent. Intelligence is k n o w n only w h e n you encounter the u n k n o w n , about w h i c h y o u d o n ' t have any m e m o r y , any k n o w l e d g e , any i n f o r m a t i o n b e f o r e h a n d . W h e n y o u encounter the u n k n o w n , that is the point w h i c h i s decisive. H o w d o y o u r e s p o n d ? I n t e l l i g e n c e m e a n s t h e capability t o r e s p o n d t o n e w situations. I t c o m e s f r o m y o u r b e i n g — t h e m i n d is o n l y a v e h i c l e — a k i n d o f awareness o f w h a t t h e m i n d is, w i t h o u t b e l o n g i n g to it. I n t e l l i g e n c e is t h e quality o f t h e witness; i t w a t c h e s t h e m i n d and it gives d i r e c t i o n to t h e m i n d .
A story: The student Doko came to the master and asked,
"In what state of mind should
I seek the truth?" The
master replied,
"There
is
no
mind, so you cannot put it in any state, and there is no truth, so you cannot seek it." Doko said, "If there is no mind and no truth, why do all these students gather before you every day to study?" The master looked around and said, The inquirer asked,
"I don't see anyone."
"Then who are you teaching?"
"I have no tongue, so how can I teach?" replied the master. Then Doko said sadly, "I cannot follow you; I cannot understand." The master said,
"I don't understand myself."
Life is s u c h a mystery, no o n e can u n d e r s t a n d it, a n d o n e w h o claims that he u n d e r s t a n d s it is s i m p l y i g n o r a n t . He is n o t aware of w h a t he is
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saying, of w h a t n o n s e n s e he is talking. If y o u are wise, this will be the first realization: Life c a n n o t be u n d e r s t o o d . U n d e r s t a n d i n g is impossible. O n l y this m u c h can b e u n d e r s t o o d — t h a t u n d e r s t a n d i n g i s impossible. T h a t i s w h a t this beautiful Z e n a n e c d o t e says. T h e m a s t e r says, "I d o n ' t u n d e r s t a n d it myself." If y o u go a n d ask the e n l i g h t e n e d ones this w i l l b e their answer. B u t i f y o u g o a n d ask t h e u n e n l i g h t e n e d o n e s t h e y w i l l give y o u m a n y answers, t h e y will p r o p o s e m a n y doctrines; they will t r y t o solve t h e m y s t e r y w h i c h c a n n o t b e solved. It is n o t a r i d d l e . A r i d d l e can be solved, a m y s t e r y is unsolvable by its v e r y n a t u r e — t h e r e is no w a y to solve it. Socrates said, " W h e n I was y o u n g , I t h o u g h t I k n e w m u c h . W h e n I b e c a m e old, r i p e in w i s d o m , I c a m e t o u n d e r s t a n d that I k n e w n o t h i n g . " It is r e p o r t e d of o n e of t h e Sufi masters, J u n n a i d , t h a t he was w o r k i n g w i t h a n e w y o u n g m a n . T h e y o u n g m a n was n o t aware o f J u n n a i d ' s i n n e r w i s d o m , a n d J u n n a i d lived s u c h a n o r d i n a r y life that i t n e e d e d v e r y p e n e t r a t i n g eyes t o realize t h a t y o u w e r e n e a r a b u d d h a . H e w o r k e d like a n o r d i n a r y laborer, a n d o n l y those w h o h a d eyes w o u l d r e c o g n i z e h i m . T o r e c o g n i z e B u d d h a was v e r y e a s y — h e was sitting u n d e r a B o d h i tree; to r e c o g n i z e J u n n a i d was v e r y difficult—he was w o r k i n g like a laborer, n o t sitting u n d e r a B o d h i tree. H e was i n e v e r y w a y absolutely ordinary. O n e y o u n g m a n was w o r k i n g w i t h h i m , a n d that y o u n g m a n was c o n t i n u a l l y s h o w i n g his k n o w l e d g e , s o w h a t s o e v e r J u n n a i d w o u l d do, h e w o u l d say, " T h i s is w r o n g . T h i s can be d o n e in this way, it w i l l be better." H e k n e w a b o u t e v e r y t h i n g . Finally J u n n a i d l a u g h e d a n d said, " Y o u n g man, I am not young enough to k n o w so much." T h i s i s really s o m e t h i n g . H e said, " I a m n o t y o u n g e n o u g h t o k n o w s o m u c h . " O n l y a y o u n g m a n c a n b e s o foolish, s o i n e x p e r i e n c e d . Socrates was r i g h t w h e n h e said, " W h e n I was y o u n g , I k n e w t o o m u c h . W h e n I b e c a m e r i p e n e d , e x p e r i e n c e d , I c a m e t o realize o n l y o n e t h i n g — t h a t I was absolutely i g n o r a n t . " Life is a m y s t e r y ; that m e a n s it c a n n o t be solved. A n d w h e n all efforts t o solve i t p r o v e futile, t h e m y s t e r y d a w n s u p o n y o u . T h e n t h e d o o r s are o p e n ; t h e n y o u are i n v i t e d . As a k n o w e r , n o b o d y e n t e r s t h e divine; as
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a child, i g n o r a n t , n o t k n o w i n g at all, t h e m y s t e r y e m b r a c e s y o u . W i t h a k n o w i n g m i n d y o u are clever, n o t i n n o c e n t . I n n o c e n c e i s t h e d o o r . T h i s Z e n m a s t e r was r i g h t w h e n h e said, " I d o n ' t u n d e r s t a n d i t m y self." It was v e r y d e e p , really d e e p , t h e deepest a n s w e r possible. B u t this is the last p a r t of t h e a n e c d o t e . Start f r o m t h e v e r y b e g i n n i n g . . . T h e disciple c a m e t o t h e Z e n m a s t e r a n d said, " I n w h a t state o f m i n d s h o u l d I seek t h e t r u t h ? " T h e m a s t e r said, " T h e r e i s n o m i n d s o there c a n n o t b e any state o f m i n d . " M i n d i s t h e illusion, that w h i c h i s n o t b u t appears t o be, a n d appears to be so m u c h that y o u t h i n k that y o u are t h e m i n d . M i n d is maya, m i n d is j u s t a d r e a m , m i n d is j u s t a p r o j e c t i o n . . . a soap b u b b l e floating on a river. T h e s u n is j u s t rising, t h e rays p e n e t r a t e t h e b u b b l e ; a r a i n b o w is created a n d n o t h i n g i s t h e r e i n it. W h e n y o u t o u c h t h e b u b b l e i t i s b r o ken a n d e v e r y t h i n g d i s a p p e a r s — t h e r a i n bow, t h e b e a u t y — n o t h i n g is left.
Only
emptiness b e c o m e s o n e w i t h t h e infinite emptiness. Just a wall was t h e r e , a b u b b l e wall. Y o u r m i n d is j u s t a b u b b l e w a l l — inside, y o u r e m p t i n e s s ; outside, m y e m p t i ness. It is j u s t a b u b b l e , p r i c k it, a n d t h e m i n d disappears. T h e m a s t e r said, " T h e r e i s n o m i n d , s o w h a t t y p e o f state are y o u a s k i n g a b o u t ? " It is difficult to u n d e r s t a n d . P e o p l e c o m e t o m e a n d t h e y say, " W e w o u l d like t o attain a silent state of m i n d . " T h e y t h i n k that t h e m i n d can b e silent; m i n d can n e v e r b e silent. M i n d m e a n s t h e t u r m o i l , t h e illness, t h e disease; m i n d m e a n s t h e tense, the a n g u i s h e d state. T h e m i n d c a n n o t b e silent. W h e n t h e r e i s silence t h e r e i s n o m i n d . W h e n silence c o m e s , m i n d disappears; w h e n m i n d i s t h e r e , silence i s n o m o r e . S o t h e r e c a n n o t b e any silent m i n d , j u s t as t h e r e c a n n o t be a n y h e a l t h y disease. Is it possible
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to have a h e a l t h y disease? W h e n h e a l t h is there, disease disappears. Silence is t h e i n n e r h e a l t h ; m i n d is t h e i n n e r disease, i n n e r d i s t u r b a n c e . S o t h e r e c a n n o t b e any silent m i n d , a n d this disciple i s asking, " W h a t type, w h a t sort, w h a t state o f m i n d s h o u l d I a c h i e v e ? " P o i n t - b l a n k , t h e m a s t e r said, " T h e r e i s n o m i n d , s o y o u c a n n o t achieve any state." S o please d r o p this illusion; d o n ' t t r y to achieve a n y state in t h e illusion. It's a s i f y o u are t h i n k i n g t o travel o n t h e r a i n b o w a n d y o u ask m e , " W h a t steps s h o u l d we take to travel on t h e r a i n b o w ? " I say, " T h e r e is no rainbow. T h e r a i n b o w is j u s t an appearance, so no steps c a n be t a k e n . " A r a i n b o w s i m p l y appears; it is n o t t h e r e . It is n o t a reality, it is a false i n t e r p r e t a t i o n of t h e reality. T h e m i n d is n o t y o u r reality; it is a false i n t e r p r e t a t i o n . Y o u are n o t t h e m i n d , y o u have n e v e r b e e n a m i n d , y o u c a n n e v e r b e t h e m i n d . T h a t i s y o u r p r o b l e m — y o u have b e c o m e identified w i t h s o m e t h i n g w h i c h i s n o t . Y o u are like a b e g g a r w h o believes t h a t he has a k i n g d o m . He is so w o r r i e d a b o u t t h e k i n g d o m — h o w t o m a n a g e it, h o w t o g o v e r n it, h o w t o p r e v e n t anarchy. T h e r e i s n o k i n g d o m , b u t h e i s w o r r i e d . C h u a n g T z u o n c e d r e a m t that h e h a d b e c o m e a butterfly. I n the m o r n i n g h e was v e r y m u c h depressed. H i s friends asked, " W h a t has h a p p e n e d ? W e have n e v e r seen y o u s o depressed." C h u a n g T z u said, " I a m i n a puzzle, I am at a loss, I c a n n o t u n d e r s t a n d . In t h e n i g h t , w h i l e asleep, I d r e a m t that I h a d b e c o m e a butterfly." S o t h e friends l a u g h e d . " N o b o d y i s ever d i s t u r b e d b y d r e a m s . W h e n y o u awake, t h e d r e a m has disappeared, s o w h y are y o u d i s t u r b e d ? " C h u a n g T z u said, " T h a t i s n o t t h e p o i n t . N o w I a m puzzled: I f C h u a n g T z u can b e c o m e a butterfly i n t h e d r e a m , i t i s possible that n o w t h e butterfly has g o n e to sleep a n d is d r e a m i n g that she is C h u a n g T z u . " I f C h u a n g T z u can b e c o m e a butterfly i n t h e d r e a m , w h y n o t t h e other? T h e butterfly can d r e a m a n d b e c o m e C h u a n g T z u . S o w h a t i s real— w h e t h e r C h u a n g T z u d r e a m t t h a t h e has b e c o m e a butterfly, o r t h e butterfly is d r e a m i n g that she has b e c o m e C h u a n g T z u ? W h a t is real? R a i n b o w s are t h e r e . Y o u can b e c o m e a butterfly i n t h e d r e a m . A n d you have b e c o m e a m i n d i n this b i g g e r d r e a m y o u call life. W h e n y o u awaken
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y o u d o n ' t achieve a n a w a k e n e d state o f m i n d , y o u achieve a n o - s t a t e o f m i n d , y o u achieve n o - m i n d . W h a t does n o - m i n d m e a n ? I t i s difficult t o follow. B u t s o m e t i m e s , u n k n o w i n g l y , y o u have a c h i e v e d it. Y o u m a y n o t have r e c o g n i z e d it. S o m e times, j u s t sitting ordinarily, n o t d o i n g a n y t h i n g , t h e r e i s n o t h o u g h t in t h e m i n d — b e c a u s e m i n d is j u s t t h e process of t h i n k i n g . It is n o t a s u b stance, it is j u s t a procession. Y o u are h e r e in this a u d i t o r i u m w h e r e I am s p e a k i n g . I c a n say a c r o w d is h e r e , b u t is t h e r e really s o m e t h i n g like a c r o w d ? Is a c r o w d substantial, or are o n l y individuals here? By a n d by i n dividuals w i l l g o away, t h e n will t h e r e b e any c r o w d left b e h i n d ? W h e n individuals have g o n e , t h e r e i s n o c r o w d . T h e m i n d i s j u s t like a c r o w d ; t h o u g h t s are t h e individuals. A n d b e cause t h o u g h t s are t h e r e c o n t i n u o u s l y , you t h i n k t h e process i s substantial. D r o p e a c h individual
thought
and
finally
nothing
is left. There
is
no
mind
as
such,
only
thinking. T h e t h o u g h t s are m o v i n g s o fast that b e t w e e n t w o t h o u g h t s y o u c a n n o t see t h e interval. B u t t h e interval is always t h e r e . T h a t interval i s y o u . I n t h a t interval t h e r e is neither C h u a n g T z u n o r the butterfly— because t h e butterfly is a s o r t of m i n d a n d C h u a n g T z u is also a sort of m i n d . A butterfly
is
a
different
combination
of
t h o u g h t s , C h u a n g T z u again a different c o m b i n a t i o n , b u t b o t h are m i n d s . W h e n the m i n d i s n o t t h e r e , w h o are y o u — C h u a n g T z u o r a butterfly? N e i t h e r . A n d what is t h e state? A r e y o u in an e n l i g h t ened state o f m i n d ? I f y o u t h i n k y o u are i n a n e n l i g h t e n e d state o f m i n d this is again a t h o u g h t , a n d w h e n thought is t h e r e you are n o t . If y o u feel
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t h a t y o u are a b u d d h a , this is a t h o u g h t . T h e m i n d has e n t e r e d ; n o w t h e process of t h i n k i n g is there, again t h e sky is c l o u d e d , t h e blueness lost. Y o u c a n n o l o n g e r see t h e infinite blueness. B e t w e e n t w o t h o u g h t s , t r y t o b e a l e r t — l o o k i n t o t h e interval, t h e space in b e t w e e n . Y o u will see no m i n d ; that is y o u r n a t u r e . B e c a u s e t h o u g h t s c o m e a n d g o — t h e y are a c c i d e n t a l — b u t t h a t i n n e r space always r e m a i n s . C l o u d s g a t h e r a n d go, d i s a p p e a r — t h e y are a c c i d e n t a l — b u t t h e sky r e m a i n s . Y o u are t h e sky. O n c e it h a p p e n e d that a seeker c a m e to Bayazid, a Sufi mystic, a n d asked, " M a s t e r , I a m a v e r y a n g r y p e r s o n . A n g e r h a p p e n s t o m e v e r y easily; I b e c o m e really m a d a n d I do t h i n g s . I c a n n o t e v e n believe later on that I can d o s u c h t h i n g s ; I a m n o t i n m y senses. So, h o w t o d r o p this anger, h o w t o o v e r c o m e it, h o w t o c o n t r o l i t ? " Bayazid t o o k t h e h e a d o f t h e disciple i n his h a n d s a n d l o o k e d i n t o his eyes. T h e disciple b e c a m e a little uneasy, a n d Bayazid said, " W h e r e is that anger? I w o u l d like to see i n t o it." T h e disciple l a u g h e d uneasily a n d said, " R i g h t n o w , I a m n o t angry. S o m e t i m e s i t h a p p e n s . " S o Bayazid said, " T h a t w h i c h h a p p e n s s o m e t i m e s c a n n o t be y o u r n a t u r e . It is an a c c i d e n t . It c o m e s a n d goes. It is like c l o u d s — s o w h y b e w o r r i e d a b o u t t h e clouds? T h i n k o f t h e sky w h i c h i s always t h e r e . " T h i s is t h e d e f i n i t i o n of consciousness, atma,
t h e S e l f — t h e sky
w h i c h is always t h e r e . All that c o m e s a n d goes is irrelevant; d o n ' t be b o t h e r e d by it, it is j u s t s m o k e . T h e sky t h a t r e m a i n s e t e r n a l l y t h e r e never c h a n g e s , n e v e r b e c o m e s different. B e t w e e n t w o t h o u g h t s , d r o p i n t o it; b e t w e e n t w o t h o u g h t s i t i s always t h e r e . L o o k i n t o i t a n d s u d d e n l y you w i l l realize that y o u are i n n o - m i n d . T h e m a s t e r was r i g h t w h e n h e said, " T h e r e i s n o m i n d , s o t h e r e c a n n o t b e any state o f m i n d . W h a t n o n s e n s e are y o u t a l k i n g ? " B u t t h e n o n s e n s e has its o w n l o g i c . I f y o u t h i n k t h a t y o u have a m i n d , y o u w i l l start t h i n k i n g i n t e r m s o f " s t a t e s " — a n i g n o r a n t state o f m i n d , a n e n l i g h t e n e d state o f m i n d . O n c e y o u a c c e p t m i n d , o n c e you a c c e p t t h e illusory, y o u are b o u n d t o g o o n d i v i d i n g it. A n d o n c e you
From Mind To No Mind
a c c e p t t h a t t h e m i n d exists, y o u w i l l start s e e k i n g s o m e t h i n g o r o t h e r . T h e m i n d can exist o n l y i f y o u k e e p s e e k i n g s o m e t h i n g . W h y ? S e e k i n g is desire, s e e k i n g is m o v i n g i n t o t h e future, s e e k i n g creates d r e a m s . So s o m e b o d y is s e e k i n g p o w e r , politics, s o m e b o d y is s e e k i n g riches, k i n g doms, and then somebody is seeking the truth. B u t seeking is there, and seeking is t h e p r o b l e m , n o t what y o u are seeking. T h e o b j e c t is n e v e r t h e p r o b l e m , any object will d o . T h e m i n d can h a n g o n t o any object. A n y excuse is e n o u g h for it to exist. T h e m a s t e r said, " T h e r e i s n o state o f m i n d b e c a u s e t h e r e i s n o m i n d . A n d t h e r e i s n o t r u t h , s o w h a t are y o u t a l k i n g a b o u t ? T h e r e c a n b e n o seeking." T h i s is o n e of t h e greatest messages ever delivered. It is v e r y difficult; t h e disciple c a n n o t c o n c e i v e that t h e r e i s n o t r u t h . W h a t d o e s this m a s t e r m e a n w h e n h e says that t h e r e i s n o t r u t h ? D o e s h e m e a n t h a t t h e r e i s n o truth? N o , h e i s saying that for y o u , w h o are a seeker, t h e r e c a n b e n o t r u t h . S e e k i n g always leads i n t o t h e u n t r u e . O n l y a n o n s e e k i n g m i n d realizes that w h i c h is. W h e n e v e r y o u seek, y o u have missed t h a t w h i c h is. S e e k i n g always m o v e s i n t o t h e future, s e e k i n g c a n n o t b e h e r e a n d n o w . H o w can y o u seek h e r e a n d n o w ? H e r e a n d n o w , y o u can o n l y be. S e e k i n g is d e s i r e — f u t u r e e n t e r s , t i m e c o m e s i n — a n d this m o m e n t , this h e r e a n d n o w is missed. T r u t h is h e r e , n o w . I f y o u g o t o a b u d d h a a n d ask, "Is t h e r e G o d ? " h e w i l l d e n y i t i m mediately: " T h e r e is no G o d . " If he says t h e r e is, he creates a seeker; if he says t h e r e i s G o d , y o u will start s e e k i n g . H o w can y o u r e m a i n q u i e t w h e n there i s G o d t o b e s o u g h t ? W h e r e s h o u l d y o u r u n t o find h i m ? Y o u have created a n o t h e r illusion. F o r millions of lives y o u have b e e n a seeker, after this or after that, this object, t h a t object, this w o r l d o r t h a t w o r l d , b u t a seeker. N o w y o u are a seeker after t r u t h b u t t h e m a s t e r says t h e r e is no t r u t h . He cuts away the v e r y g r o u n d o f seeking, h e pulls away t h e v e r y g r o u n d w h e r e y o u are standing, w h e r e y o u r m i n d i s s t a n d i n g . H e simply pushes y o u i n t o t h e abyss.
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T h e i n q u i r e r said, " T h e n w h y are these m a n y seekers all a r o u n d y o u ? I f t h e r e i s n o t h i n g t o seek a n d n o t r u t h , t h e n w h y this c r o w d ? " T h e i n q u i r e r w e n t o n m i s s i n g t h e p o i n t . T h e m a s t e r l o o k e d a r o u n d a n d said, " I d o n ' t see a n y o n e , t h e r e i s n o o n e h e r e . " T h e i n q u i r e r w e n t o n m i s s i n g t h e p o i n t b e c a u s e t h e intellect always goes o n missing. H e c o u l d have l o o k e d . T h i s was t h e fact: T h e r e was n o o n e . If y o u are n o t s e e k i n g y o u are not, b e c a u s e it is s e e k i n g that gives y o u t h e e g o . R i g h t this m o m e n t , i f y o u are n o t s e e k i n g a n y o n e , a n y t h i n g , t h e n y o u are n o t h e r e — t h e r e i s n o c r o w d . I f I a m n o t t e a c h i n g a n y t h i n g — because t h e r e i s n o t h i n g t o b e t a u g h t , n o t r u t h t o b e t a u g h t — i f I a m n o t t e a c h i n g a n y t h i n g a n d i f y o u are n o t l e a r n i n g a n y t h i n g , w h o i s here? E m p t i n e s s exists, a n d t h e bliss of p u r e e m p t i n e s s . Individuals disappear a n d i t b e c o m e s a n o c e a n i c consciousness. Individuals are t h e r e because of i n d i v i d u a l m i n d s . Y o u have a differe n t desire, that's w h y y o u differ f r o m y o u r n e i g h b o r . Desires create dist i n c t i o n s . I a m s e e k i n g s o m e t h i n g , y o u are s e e k i n g s o m e t h i n g else; m y p a t h differs f r o m y o u r s , my goal differs f r o m y o u r s . T h a t ' s w h y I differ f r o m y o u . I f I a m n o t s e e k i n g a n d y o u are n o t seeking, goals disappear, paths are n o l o n g e r t h e r e . H o w , t h e n , can t h e m i n d s exist? T h e c u p i s b r o k e n . M y tea flows i n t o y o u a n d y o u r tea flows i n t o m e . I t b e c o m e s a n o c e a n i c existence. T h e m a s t e r l o o k e d a r o u n d a n d said, " I d o n ' t see a n y o n e — t h e r e i s n o one." B u t t h e intellect goes o n missing. T h e i n q u i r e r said, " T h e n w h o m are y o u t e a c h i n g ? I f t h e r e i s n o o n e , t h e n w h o m are y o u t e a c h i n g ? " A n d t h e m a s t e r said, " I have g o t n o t o n g u e , s o h o w c a n I t e a c h ? " H e goes o n g i v i n g h i n t s t o b e c o m e alert, t o l o o k , b u t t h e i n q u i r e r i s e n g u l f e d i n his o w n m i n d . T h e m a s t e r goes o n h i t t i n g , h a m m e r i n g o n his head; h e i s t a l k i n g n o n s e n s e j u s t t o b r i n g h i m o u t o f his m i n d . If you had been there you w o u l d have been convinced by the inquirer, n o t b y t h e master. T h e i n q u i r e r w o u l d have a p p e a r e d t o b e exactly r i g h t . T h i s m a s t e r s e e m e d t o b e m a d , absurd. H e was talking! A n d h e said, " T h e r e is no t o n g u e , so h o w can I t a l k ? "
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H e was saying, " L o o k a t m e , I a m w i t h o u t f o r m . L o o k a t m e , I a m n o t e m b o d i e d . T h e b o d y appears t o y o u b u t I a m n o t that, s o h o w c a n I talk?" T h e m i n d goes o n missing. T h i s i s t h e m i s e r y o f t h e m i n d . Y o u p u s h it, it again gathers itself; y o u h i t it, a n d for a m o m e n t t h e r e is a s i n k i n g a n d a t r e m b l i n g , a n d again it is established. H a v e y o u seen t h e Japanese doll? T h e y call it a daruma doll. Y o u t h r o w i t w h a t e v e r w a y — t o p s y - t u r v y , upside d o w n — b u t w h a t e v e r y o u do, t h e doll sits i n a b u d d h a p o s t u r e . T h e b o t t o m p a r t i s s o h e a v y y o u c a n n o t d o a n y t h i n g . T h r o w it in any w a y a n d t h e doll again sits in a b u d d h a p o s t u r e . T h e n a m e daruma c o m e s f r o m B o d h i d h a r m a ; i n J a p a n , B o d h i d h a r m a ' s n a m e i s D a r u m a . B o d h i d h a r m a u s e d t o say that y o u r m i n d i s j u s t like this doll. H e w o u l d t h r o w it, k i c k it, b u t w h a t s o e v e r h e d i d h e c o u l d n o t d i s t u r b t h e doll; t h e b o t t o m p a r t was s o heavy. Y o u t h r o w i t u p s i d e d o w n , i t will c o m e r i g h t side u p . S o this m a s t e r w e n t o n p u s h i n g . A little s h a k i n g , a n d t h e doll sat u p straight again, missed t h e p o i n t . Finally, desperate, t h e i n q u i r e r said, "I d o n ' t follow, I d o n ' t u n d e r s t a n d . " A n d w i t h t h e u l t i m a t e h i t , t h e m a s t e r said, "I d o n ' t u n d e r s t a n d myself." I go on teaching, k n o w i n g well there is n o t h i n g to be taught. That's w h y I can g o o n infinitely. I f t h e r e w e r e s o m e t h i n g t o b e t a u g h t I w o u l d have finished already. B u d d h a s can g o o n a n d o n b e c a u s e t h e r e i s n o t h i n g to be t a u g h t . It is an endless story, it n e v e r c o n c l u d e s , so I c a n go on a n d o n . I w i l l n e v e r b e finished; y o u m a y b e finished before m y s t o r y e n d s , because t h e r e is no e n d to it. S o m e b o d y was asking m e , " H o w d o y o u m a n a g e t o g o o n t a l k i n g e v e r y d a y ? " I said, " B e c a u s e t h e r e is n o t h i n g to be t a u g h t . " S o m e d a y y o u will s u d d e n l y feel i t — t h a t I am n o t talking, that I am n o t t e a c h i n g . Y o u have realized t h e r e i s n o t h i n g t o b e t a u g h t because t h e r e i s n o t r u t h . W h a t discipline am I g i v i n g to y o u ? N o n e . A disciplined m i n d is again a m i n d , even m o r e s t u b b o r n , m o r e adamant; a disciplined m i n d is m o r e stupid. Go a n d see t h e disciplined m o n k s all over t h e w o r l d — C h r i s t i a n , H i n d u , Jain. W h e n e v e r y o u see a m a n w h o is absolutely disciplined y o u
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will find a stupid m i n d b e h i n d it. T h e flowing has s t o p p e d . He is so c o n c e r n e d w i t h finding s o m e t h i n g that he is ready to do w h a t e v e r y o u say. If y o u say, " S t a n d on y o u r h e a d for an h o u r , " he is ready to stand on his head. It is because of desire. If G o d can be achieved o n l y t h r o u g h standing on his h e a d for h o u r s , he is ready, b u t he m u s t achieve. I a m n o t g i v i n g y o u any a c h i e v i n g , a n y desiring; t h e r e i s n o w h e r e t o r e a c h a n d n o t h i n g t o achieve. I f y o u realize this, y o u have a c h i e v e d this v e r y m o m e n t . T h i s v e r y m o m e n t y o u are perfect; n o t h i n g i s t o b e d o n e , nothing is to be changed. T h a t ' s w h y t h e m a s t e r said, "I d o n ' t u n d e r s t a n d it myself." It is difficult to find a m a s t e r w h o says, "I d o n ' t u n d e r s t a n d it myself." A m a s t e r has t o c l a i m t h a t h e k n o w s , o n l y t h e n w i l l y o u follow h i m . A m a s t e r m u s t n o t o n l y c l a i m t h a t h e k n o w s , h e m u s t c l a i m that only h e k n o w s , n o b o d y else: " A l l o t h e r masters are w r o n g , I a l o n e k n o w . " T h e n y o u w i l l follow. Y o u m u s t b e absolutely certain, t h e n y o u b e c o m e a follower. T h e c e r t a i n t y gives y o u t h e feeling that h e r e i s t h e m a n , a n d i f y o u follow y o u will reach.
I w i l l tell y o u o n e story. It h a p p e n e d o n c e , a s o - c a l l e d m a s ter w a s traveling. I n e v e r y village h e w o u l d g o , h e w o u l d d e clare, "I have a c h i e v e d , I have k n o w n t h e d i v i n e . If y o u w a n t , c o m e a n d follow m e . " P e o p l e w o u l d say, " T h e r e are m a n y responsibilities. S o m e day, w e h o p e w e will b e able t o follow y o u . " T h e y w o u l d t o u c h his feet, give h i m respect, serve h i m , b u t n o b o d y w o u l d follow b e c a u s e t h e r e w e r e m a n y o t h e r t h i n g s t o b e d o n e first before o n e w e n t t o seek t h e divine. First t h i n g s first. T h e d i v i n e i s a l ways t h e last, a n d t h e last t h i n g n e v e r c o m e s b e c a u s e t h e first are infinite; t h e y are n e v e r finished. B u t i n o n e village, a m a d m a n — h e w a s m a d , o t h e r w i s e w h o w o u l d follow this m a s t e r — s a i d , " R i g h t . H a v e y o u have f o u n d G o d ? " T h e m a s t e r hesitated a little, l o o k i n g a t t h e m a d m a n — b e c a u s e this m a n s e e m e d d a n g e r o u s , h e m i g h t follow a n d create 98
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t r o u b l e — b u t i n front o f t h e w h o l e village h e c o u l d n ' t d e n y it, so he said, "Yes." T h e m a d m a n said, " N o w , initiate m e . I will follow y o u t o t h e v e r y e n d . I w a n t t o realize G o d myself." T h e so-called m a s ter b e c a m e p e r t u r b e d , b u t w h a t t o d o ? T h e m a d m a n started foll o w i n g h i m , h e b e c a m e j u s t like his shadow. O n e year passed. T h e m a d m a n said, " H o w far, h o w far i s t h e t e m p l e ? " H e said, " I a m n o t i n a h u r r y b u t h o w m u c h t i m e will b e n e e d e d ? " B y this time the master had b e c o m e very uncomfortable and uneasy w i t h this m a n . T h i s m a d m a n w o u l d sleep n e x t t o h i m , h e w o u l d m o v e w i t h h i m ; h e h a d b e c o m e his shadow. A n d b e c a u s e o f h i m , his c e r t a i n t y was dissolving. W h e n e v e r he w o u l d say, in a village, " F o l l o w m e , " h e w o u l d b e c o m e afraid, b e c a u s e this m a n w o u l d l o o k a t h i m a n d say, " I a m f o l l o w i n g y o u , master, a n d still I have n o t r e a c h e d . " T h e s e c o n d year passed, t h e t h i r d year p a s s e d — t h e sixth year passed, a n d t h e m a d m a n said, " W e have n o t r e a c h e d a n y w h e r e . W e are simply traveling t o different villages a n d y o u g o o n telling p e o p l e , ' F o l l o w m e . ' I a m f o l l o w i n g — w h a t s o e v e r y o u say, I do it, so y o u c a n n o t say I am n o t f o l l o w i n g t h e discipline." T h e m a d m a n was really m a d — w h a t e v e r was t o l d t o h i m h e w o u l d d o . S o t h e m a s t e r c o u l d n ' t deceive h i m b y saying t h a t h e w a s n o t t r y i n g h a r d e n o u g h . Finally, o n e n i g h t , t h e m a s t e r said t o h i m , " B e c a u s e o f y o u I have lost m y o w n p a t h . Before I m e t y o u I was certain; n o w I a m n o m o r e . N o w y o u please leave
W h e n e v e r t h e r e i s s o m e o n e c e r t a i n a n d y o u are m a d e n o u g h , y o u start f o l l o w i n g . C a n y o u follow this t y p e o f m a n w h o says, " I myself d o n ' t k n o w . I myself d o n ' t u n d e r s t a n d ? " I f y o u can follow this m a n , y o u will reach. Y o u have already r e a c h e d i f y o u d e c i d e t o follow this m a n , b e cause it is t h e m i n d that asks for certainty, t h e m i n d that asks for k n o w l edge. T h e m i n d also asks for d o g m a t i c assertions, so if y o u can be ready 99
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t o follow a m a n w h o says, " I d o n ' t k n o w myself," s e e k i n g has s t o p p e d . N o w y o u are n o t asking for k n o w l e d g e . O n e w h o i s asking for k n o w l e d g e c a n n o t ask for b e i n g . K n o w l e d g e i s r u b b i s h ; b e i n g i s life. W h e n y o u stop a s k i n g for k n o w l e d g e y o u have s t o p p e d asking a b o u t t h e t r u t h , because t r u t h i s t h e goal o f k n o w l e d g e . I f y o u d o n ' t i n q u i r e w h a t is, b u t y o u b e c o m e silent, m i n d l e s s — t h a t w h i c h is, is revealed. E v e r y t h i n g is available, has b e e n available always; y o u have n e v e r missed it. B u t j u s t b e c a u s e o f y o u r s e e k i n g — b e c a u s e o f t h e future, t h e g o a l — y o u c a n n o t l o o k . T h e t r u t h s u r r o u n d s y o u , y o u exist i n it. J u s t like t h e fish exist in t h e o c e a n , y o u exist in t h e t r u t h . Godliness is n o t a goal, godliness is w h a t is h e r e a n d n o w . T h e s e trees, these w i n d s b l o w i n g , these c l o u d s m o v i n g , t h e sky, y o u , I — t h i s is w h a t godliness is. It is n o t a goal. D r o p t h e m i n d and t h e g o d . G o d is n o t an object, it is a m e r g e r . T h e m i n d resists a m e r g e r , t h e m i n d is against s u r r e n d e r ; t h e m i n d is v e r y c u n n i n g a n d calculating. T h i s s t o r y i s beautiful. Y o u are t h e i n q u i r e r . Y o u have c o m e t o a c q u i r e k n o w l e d g e , to solve t h e mystery, a n d I repeat to y o u : T h e r e is no state o f m i n d , b e c a u s e t h e r e i s n o m i n d . T h e r e i s n o t r u t h , s o n o seeking m a k e s any sense. All s e e k i n g is futile; search as s u c h is foolish. Seek and y o u will lose. D o n ' t seek a n d i t i s t h e r e . R u n a n d y o u w i l l miss. S t o p — i t has always b e e n t h e r e . And don't try to understand—be. B e c o m e i g n o r a n t , b e c o m e like a child. O n l y t h e h e a r t of a child can k n o c k at t h e d o o r s of t h e b e y o n d , a n d o n l y t h e h e a r t of a c h i l d is heard.
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ll k i n d s of c o n d i t i o n i n g s are p o i s o n s . To t h i n k of oneself as a H i n d u i s t o t h i n k o f oneself a s o p p o s e d t o h u m a n i t y . T o t h i n k of oneself as G e r m a n , as C h i n e s e , is to t h i n k of oneself as o p -
p o s e d t o h u m a n i t y , i s t o t h i n k i n t e r m s o f enmity, n o t friendship. T h i n k of yourself o n l y as a h u m a n b e i n g . If y o u have any intelligence, think of yourself o n l y as a simple h u m a n being. A n d w h e n y o u r intelligence grows a little m o r e y o u will d r o p even t h e adjective human; y o u will think of yourself o n l y as a b e i n g . A n d t h e b e i n g includes a l l — t h e trees a n d the m o u n t a i n s a n d t h e rivers a n d t h e stars a n d t h e birds a n d t h e animals. B e c o m e bigger, b e c o m e h u g e . W h y are y o u living i n tunnels? W h y are y o u c r e e p i n g i n t o small d a r k b l a c k holes? B u t y o u t h i n k y o u are l i v ing i n great i d e o l o g i c a l systems. Y o u are n o t living i n great i d e o l o g i c a l systems, because t h e r e are n o great i d e o l o g i c a l systems. N o idea i s great enough to contain a h u m a n being; being-hood cannot be contained by a n y c o n c e p t . All c o n c e p t s c r i p p l e a n d paralyze. D o n ' t be a Catholic and don't be a communist, just be a h u m a n b e ing. T h e s e are all p o i s o n s , these are all prejudices. A n d d o w n t h e ages y o u W e b e e n h y p n o t i z e d i n t o these prejudices. T h e y have b e c o m e p a r t o f
your b l o o d , y o u r b o n e s , y o u r v e r y m a r r o w . Y o u will have t o b e v e r y alert t o get r i d o f all this p o i
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Y o u r b o d y is n o t p o i s o n e d as m u c h as y o u r m i n d is. T h e b o d y is a simple p h e n o m e n o n , i t can b e easily cleaned. I f y o u have b e e n eating n o n v e g e t a r i a n foods it can be s t o p p e d , it is n o t s u c h a b i g deal. A n d i f y o u s t o p eating m e a t , w i t h i n t h r e e m o n t h s y o u r b o d y will b e c o m p l e t e l y free o f all t h e p o i s o n s c r e ated by n o n v e g e t a r i a n foods. It is simple. Physiology is n o t very complicated. B u t t h e p r o b l e m arises w i t h p s y c h o l ogy. A J a i n a m o n k n e v e r eats any p o i s o n e d food, n e v e r eats a n y t h i n g n o n v e g e t a r i a n . B u t his m i n d i s p o l l u t e d a n d p o i s o n e d b y J a i n i s m as n o b o d y else's is. T h e real f r e e d o m is f r e e d o m f r o m any ideology. C a n ' t y o u s i m p l y live w i t h o u t any i d e o l o g y ? I s a n i d e o l o g y n e e d e d ? W h y is an i d e o l o g y n e e d e d so m u c h ? It is n e e d e d because it helps y o u to r e m a i n stupid, it is n e e d e d b e c a u s e i t helps y o u t o r e m a i n u n intelligent. It is n e e d e d b e c a u s e it supplies y o u r e a d y - m a d e answers a n d y o u n e e d n o t find t h e m o n y o u r o w n . T h e real m a n o f i n t e l l i g e n c e w i l l n o t c l i n g t o any i d e o l o g y — f o r w h a t ? H e w i l l n o t c a r r y a l o a d o f r e a d y - m a d e answers. H e k n o w s that h e has e n o u g h i n t e l l i g e n c e so that w h a t e v e r situation arises, he will be able t o r e s p o n d t o it. W h y c a r r y a n u n n e c e s s a r y l o a d f r o m t h e past? W h a t i s t h e p o i n t o f c a r r y i n g it? A n d i n fact t h e m o r e y o u c a r r y f r o m t h e past, t h e less y o u w i l l b e able to r e s p o n d to t h e present, b e c a u s e t h e p r e s e n t is n o t a r e p e t i t i o n of t h e past, it is always n e w — a l w a y s , always new. It is n e v e r t h e old; it may s o m e t i m e s a p p e a r like t h e old, b u t it is n o t old, t h e r e are basic differences. Life n e v e r repeats itself. It is always fresh, always new, always g r o w i n g , always e x p l o r i n g , always m o v i n g i n t o n e w a d v e n t u r e s . Y o u r old 102
r e a d y - m a d e answers are n o t g o i n g t o h e l p y o u . I n fact t h e y will h i n d e r you; t h e y will n o t allow y o u t o see t h e n e w situation. T h e situation will b e new, a n d t h e a n s w e r w i l l b e old. T h a t ' s w h y y o u l o o k s o s t u p i d i n life. B u t t o r e m a i n s t u p i d seems cheaper. T o b e intelligent n e e d s effort, t o b e i n t e l l i g e n t m e a n s y o u have t o grow. A n d g r o w t h i s painful. T o b e i n t e l l i g e n t m e a n s y o u have t o b e c o n t i n u o u s l y alert a n d aware; y o u c a n n o t fall asleep, y o u c a n n o t live like a somnambulist. A n d t o b e i n t e l l i g e n t has a f e w m o r e dangers, t o o . To be i n t e l l i g e n t is v e r y difficult b e c a u s e y o u have t o live w i t h t h e s t u pid c r o w d s . T o live w i t h b l i n d p e o p l e a n d have eyes is a d a n g e r o u s situation; t h e y are b o u n d t o destroy y o u r eyes. T h e y c a n n o t tolerate y o u , y o u are an offense. H e n c e Jesus is crucified, Socrates is p o i s o n e d , Al-Hillaj is killed, S a r m a d is b e headed. These were the most intelligent p e o p l e t h a t have ever w a l k e d o n t h e e a r t h , and h o w have w e b e h a v e d w i t h t h e m ? W h y did a m a n of the intelligence of Socrates have t o b e killed? H e b e c a m e i n t o l e r a b l e . H i s p r e s e n c e b e c a m e such a n offense. T o l o o k i n t o his eyes m e a n t t o l o o k i n t h e m i r r o r . A n d we are so ugly that rather t h a n a c c e p t i n g t h e fact that we are ugly, t h e easier c o u r s e is to destroy t h e m i r r o r a n d forget all a b o u t y o u r ugliness, a n d start living again i n t h e o l d d r e a m t h a t y o u are t h e m o s t beautiful p e r s o n in t h e w o r l d . W e destroyed Socrates because h e was a m i r r o r . H e n c e p e o p l e have decided it is b e t t e r to r e m a i n m e d i o c r e , it is b e t t e r to r e m a i n u n i n t e l ligent.
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Just t h e o t h e r day, I was r e a d i n g a r e p o r t . A few psychologists in E n gland have discovered that by t h e t i m e great politicians r e a c h t h e h i g h e s t p o s t s , t h e i r i n t e l l i g e n c e is already w i t h e r i n g away. J u s t t h i n k of a m a n o f e i g h t y - f o u r b e c o m i n g a p r i m e m i n i s t e r ! T h o s e psychologists have w a r n e d t h e w h o l e w o r l d that this i s d a n g e r o u s . P e o p l e w h o have g o n e b e y o n d t h e age o f sixty, seventy, eighty, t h e y b e c o m e p r i m e m i n i s t e r s a n d presidents. T h i s is d a n g e r o u s for t h e w o r l d because t h e y have so m u c h p o w e r a n d so little i n t e l l i g e n c e left. B u t t h o s e psychologists are n o t aware o f a n o t h e r t h i n g that I w o u l d like t o tell y o u . I n fact t h o s e p e o p l e are c h o s e n t o b e p r i m e ministers a n d presidents b e c a u s e t h e y are n o l o n g e r i n telligent. P e o p l e d o n ' t like i n t e l l i g e n t p e r sons. P e o p l e like p e o p l e w h o l o o k like t h e m , w h o are like t h e m ; t h e y feel t h e y are n o t strangers. I n t e l l i g e n t p e o p l e w i l l b e strangers. I
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c o u l d c h o o s e Socrates t o b e t h e p r i m e m i n i s t e r — i m p o s s i b l e . He is so different, his a p p r o a c h to life is so different, his i n sight i n t o t h i n g s i s s o d e e p . N o c o u n t r y c o u l d afford it, or no c o u n t r y c o u l d be so courageous as to make h i m the prime minister because h e w o u l d b r i n g chaos. H e w o u l d start c h a n g i n g each a n d e v e r y thing, because each and every thing needs to be changed. T h i s r o t t e n society has t o b e destroyed c o m p l e t e l y ; o n l y t h e n c a n a n e w society be created. R e n o v a t i o n is n o t g o i n g to helpW e have b e e n r e n o v a t i n g t h e same old ruins for c e n t u r i e s . N o m o r e p r o p s , n o m o r e r e n o v a t i o n s , n o m o r e w h i t e w a s h ! All t h a t is n e e d e d is to d e m o l i s h it, a n d let us create a n e w society-
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Let us b r i n g a n e w h u m a n b e i n g , Homo Novus. L e t us give b i r t h to s o m e t h i n g new, a n e w m i n d , a n e w consciousness. P e o p l e c h o o s e dull, d e a d p e r s o n s t o b e i n p o w e r because y o u can b e safe w i t h t h e m . C o u n t r i e s c h o o s e m e d i o c r e p e o p l e t o b e i n p o w e r b e cause t h e y will save their t r a d i t i o n , t h e i r c o n v e n t i o n s , their prejudices. T h e y w i l l p r o t e c t their p o i s o n s . Instead o f d e s t r o y i n g t h e m , t h e y will e n hance t h e m and strengthen t h e m . It is certainly d a n g e r o u s to have u n i n t e l l i g e n t p e o p l e in p o w e r f u l posts. A n d i t i s b e c o m i n g m o r e a n d m o r e d a n g e r o u s , b e c a u s e t h e y have m o r e a n d m o r e p o w e r a n d less a n d less intelligence. B u t w h y d o e s i t h a p pen? T h e r e is a subtle logic in it. P e o p l e d o n ' t w a n t to c h a n g e . C h a n g e is arduous, c h a n g e is difficult.
A DIFFERENT K I N D OF D I S O B E D I E N C E It is i m p o r t a n t to u n d e r s t a n d w h a t I m e a n by disobedience. It is n o t t h e disobedience y o u will find i n t h e d i c t i o n a r i e s . M y i d e a o f d i s o b e d i e n c e i s not t o h a t e b e i n g t o l d w h a t t o d o o r t o d o j u s t t h e o p p o s i t e o f w h a t y o u are told, in r e a c t i o n . O b e d i e n c e needs n o intelligence. All m a c h i n e s are o b e d i e n t ; n o b o d y has ever h e a r d of a d i s o b e d i e n t m a c h i n e . O b e d i e n c e is simple, t o o . It takes f r o m y o u t h e b u r d e n o f any responsibility. T h e r e i s n o n e e d t o r e act, y o u have simply to do w h a t is b e i n g said. T h e responsibility rests w i t h t h e s o u r c e f r o m w h e r e t h e o r d e r c o m e s . I n a c e r t a i n w a y y o u are very free: Y o u c a n n o t b e c o n d e m n e d for y o u r act. After t h e S e c o n d W o r l d War, i n t h e N u r e m b e r g trials, s o m a n y o f Adolf H i t l e r ' s t o p m e n s i m p l y said t h a t t h e y w e r e n o t responsible, a n d they d i d n ' t feel guilty. T h e y w e r e s i m p l y b e i n g o b e d i e n t — w h a t e v e r t h e y were t o l d to d o , t h e y d i d it, a n d t h e y d i d it w i t h as m u c h efficiency as they w e r e capable of. I n fact t o m a k e t h e m responsible a n d c o n d e m n them, p u n i s h t h e m , t o send t h e m t o t h e gallows, a c c o r d i n g t o m e , w a s n o t fair. It was n o t justice, it was r e v e n g e . If A d o l f H i t l e r h a d w o n t h e war, 105
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t h e n C h u r c h i l l ' s p e o p l e , R o o s e v e l t ' s p e o p l e , Stalin's p e o p l e , o r t h e y t h e m selves w o u l d have b e e n i n t h e same situation a n d t h e y w o u l d have said exactly t h e s a m e — t h a t t h e y w e r e n o t responsible. I f Stalin h a d b e e n o n t h e s t a n d i n c o u r t , h e w o u l d h a v e said t h a t i t was t h e o r d e r o f t h e h i g h c o m m a n d o f t h e c o m m u n i s t party. I t w a s n o t his r e s p o n s i b i l i t y b e c a u s e i t w a s n o t his d e c i s i o n ; h e h a d n o t d o n e a n y t h i n g o n his o w n . S o i f y o u w a n t t o p u n i s h s o m e b o d y , p u n i s h the s o u r c e o f t h e o r d e r . B u t y o u are p u n i s h i n g a p e r s o n w h o s i m p l y fulfilled w h a t all t h e r e l i g i o n s t e a c h , a n d all t h e l e a d e r s o f t h e w o r l d teach—obedience. O b e d i e n c e has a simplicity; d i s o b e d i e n c e needs a little h i g h e r order o f intelligence. A n y idiot can b e o b e d i e n t — i n fact, o n l y idiots c a n b e o b e d i e n t . T h e p e r s o n o f i n t e l l i g e n c e i s b o u n d t o ask w h y : " W h y a m I s u p p o s e d to do it? U n l e s s I k n o w t h e reasons a n d t h e c o n s e q u e n c e s of it, I a m n o t g o i n g t o b e i n v o l v e d i n it." T h e n h e i s b e i n g responsible. R e s p o n s i b i l i t y is n o t a g a m e . It is o n e of t h e m o s t a u t h e n t i c ways of l i v i n g — d a n g e r o u s , t o o — b u t i t d o e s n o t m e a n d i s o b e d i e n c e for d i s o b e d i ence's sake. T h a t w i l l b e again idiotic.
T h e r e is a s t o r y a b o u t a Sufi mystic, M u l l a N a s r u d d i n . F r o m t h e v e r y b e g i n n i n g i t was t h o u g h t t h a t h e w a s u p s i d e d o w n . H i s p a r e n t s w e r e i n t r o u b l e . I f t h e y w o u l d say, " G o t o t h e r i g h t , " h e w o u l d g o t o t h e left. Finally his o l d father t h o u g h t t h a t rather than b o t h e r i n g w i t h h i m , it w o u l d be better, if they w a n t e d h i m t o g o t o t h e left, t o o r d e r h i m t o g o t o t h e right—-he was b o u n d t o g o t o t h e left. O n e day t h e y w e r e crossing t h e river. T h e y w e r e c a r r y i n g a b i g b a g o f sugar strapped t o t h e d o n k e y a n d t h e b a g was l e a n i n g to t h e r i g h t , so t h e r e was a d a n g e r t h a t it m i g h t slip i n t o t h e river. I t h a d t o r e m a i n b a l a n c e d o n t h e d o n k e y . B u t t o tell N a s r u d d i n t o m o v e t h e b a g t o w a r d t h e left w o u l d m e a n l o s i n g t h e sugar—he w o u l d m o v e it toward the right.
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S o t h e father said t o N a s r u d d i n , " M y son, y o u r b a g i s slipping; move it toward the right." A n d Nasruddin moved it t o ward the right. T h e father said, " T h i s is strange, for t h e first t i m e y o u h a v e been obedient!" N a s r u d d i n said, " F o r t h e first t i m e y o u have b e e n c u n n i n g . I k n e w y o u w a n t e d this t o b e m o v e d t o t h e left; I c o u l d see w i t h m y eyes w h e r e i t n e e d e d t o b e m o v e d . E v e n i n s u c h a subtle w a y you cannot make me obedient." B u t j u s t t o g o against o b e d i e n c e i s n o t m o v i n g y o u r i n t e l l i g e n c e higher. You r e m a i n o n t h e same p l a n e . O b e d i e n t o r d i s o b e d i e n t , b u t there is no c h a n g e of intelligence. To m e , d i s o b e d i e n c e is a great r e v o l u t i o n . It does n o t m e a n saying an absolute n o i n e v e r y situation. I t s i m p l y m e a n s d e c i d i n g w h e t h e r t o d o i t or n o t , w h e t h e r it is beneficial to do it or n o t . It is t a k i n g t h e r e s p o n s i b i l ity o n yourself. I t i s n o t a q u e s t i o n o f h a t i n g t h e p e r s o n o r h a t i n g t o b e told, because i n that h a t i n g y o u c a n n o t act o b e d i e n t l y o r d i s o b e d i e n t l y ; you act v e r y unconsciously. Y o u c a n n o t act intelligently. W h e n y o u are t o l d t o d o s o m e t h i n g , y o u are g i v e n a n o p p o r t u n i t y t o respond. P e r h a p s w h a t is b e i n g asked of y o u is r i g h t — t h e n do it, and be grateful t o t h e p e r s o n w h o t o l d y o u a t t h e r i g h t m o m e n t t o d o it. P e r haps it is n o t r i g h t — t h e n m a k e it clear. B r i n g up y o u r reasons, w h y it is not r i g h t . T h e n h e l p t h e p e r s o n t o see that w h a t h e i s asking i s g o i n g i n a w r o n g d i r e c t i o n . B u t h a t e has no place. If it is r i g h t , do it l o v i n g l y If it is n o t r i g h t , t h e n e v e n m o r e love is n e e d e d , b e c a u s e y o u w i l l have to tell the p e r s o n , e x p l a i n to t h e p e r s o n , that it is n o t r i g h t . T h e w a y o f d i s o b e d i e n c e i s n o t stagnant, j u s t g o i n g against e v e r y o r der a n d feeling a n g e r a n d h a t e a n d r e v e n g e t o w a r d t h e p e r s o n . T h e w a y of d i s o b e d i e n c e is a w a y of great intelligence. So it is not ultimately about obedience or disobedience. R e d u c e d to the basic fact, it is s i m p l y a q u e s t i o n of i n t e l l i g e n c e — b e h a v e intelligently.
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S o m e t i m e s you will have to o b e y a n d s o m e t i m e s you will have to say, "I am sorry, I c a n n o t do it." B u t t h e r e is no q u e s t i o n of hate, t h e r e is no q u e s t i o n of r e v e n g e , anger. If h a t e , anger, or r e v e n g e arises, that simply m e a n s you k n o w that w h a t is b e i n g told to y o u is r i g h t , b u t it goes against y o u r e g o to o b e y it; it h u r t s y o u r ego. T h a t h u r t feeling c o m e s up as hate, as anger. B u t t h e issue is n o t y o u r e g o ; t h e issue is t h e action that you have to t a k e — a n d y o u have to b r i n g forth y o u r total intelligence to figure it out. If it is r i g h t , t h e n be o b e d i e n t ; if it is w r o n g , be d i s o b e d i e n t . But t h e r e is n o conflict, t h e r e are n o h u r t feelings. If y o u are o b e y i n g , it is easier; y o u n e e d n o t explain to anybody. But i f y o u are n o t o b e y i n g , t h e n y o u o w e a n e x p l a n a t i o n . A n d p e r h a p s your e x p l a n a t i o n i s n o t r i g h t . T h e n y o u have t o m o v e back, you have t o d o it. A p e r s o n s h o u l d live i n t e l l i g e n t l y — t h a t ' s all. T h e n w h a t e v e r he does is his responsibility. It h a p p e n s that even great intellectuals are n o t living intelligently. M a r tin H e i d e g g e r , o n e of t h e greatest intellectuals of this age, was a follower of A d o l f Hitler. A n d after A d o l f H i d e r ' s defeat a n d t h e e x p o s u r e of his basic animality brutality, murderousness, violence, even M a r t i n H e i d e g g e r shrank back a n d said, "I was simply following t h e leader of t h e n a t i o n . " B u t a p h i l o s o p h e r has no business f o l l o w i n g t h e l e a d e r of t h e nation. In fact, a p h i l o s o p h e r ' s basic d u t y is to g u i d e t h e leaders of t h e n a t i o n , not to be g u i d e d by t h e m . B e c a u s e he is o u t s i d e of active politics, his vision s h o u l d be clearer t h a n theirs. He is s t a n d i n g aloof, he can see things that p e o p l e w h o are i n v o l v e d i n t h e a c t i o n c a n n o t see. B u t it is easy to t h r o w responsibility on s o m e b o d y else . . . I f A d o l f H i t l e r h a d b e e n v i c t o r i o u s , I a m c e r t a i n M a r t i n Heidegger w o u l d have said, " H e i s v i c t o r i o u s b e c a u s e h e f o l l o w e d m y p h i l o s o p h y A n d certainly H e i d e g g e r was a great i n t e l l e c t u a l c o m p a r e d to Adolf Hitler. A d o l f H i t l e r was j u s t a r e t a r d e d p e r s o n . B u t p o w e r . . . W e h a v e b e e n b r o u g h t u p t o follow t h e p o w e r f u l — t h e father, the m o t h e r , t h e teacher, t h e priest, t h e G o d . Essentially we have b e e n told that w h o e v e r has t h e p o w e r is r i g h t : " M i g h t is r i g h t , a n d y o u have to foliow
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it." It is s i m p l e b e c a u s e it n e e d s no intelligence. It is s i m p l e b e c a u s e y o u can n e v e r b e h e l d responsible, y o u c a n n e v e r b e t o l d that w h a t e v e r h a p p e n e d was y o u r responsibility. I n all t h e a r m i e s a r o u n d t h e w o r l d o n l y o n e t h i n g i s t a u g h t t h r o u g h years o f t r a i n i n g , a n d t h a t i s o b e d i e n c e . I n G e r m a n y , i n t h e S e c o n d W o r l d War, t h e r e w e r e g o o d p e o p l e — b u t t h e y w e r e heads o f c o n c e n t r a t i o n camps! T h e y w e r e g o o d fathers, g o o d h u s bands, g o o d friends. N o b o d y c o u l d have c o n c e i v e d o f it, w a t c h i n g t h e m w i t h their families, w i t h t h e i r friends, i n t h e club, t h a t these p e o p l e w e r e m u r d e r i n g t h o u s a n d s o f Jews e v e r y day. A n d t h e y w e r e n o t feeling guilty at all, b e c a u s e it was o n l y an o r d e r from above. T h a t was their w h o l e t r a i n i n g , that y o u have t o follow t h e o r d e r . I t h a d b e c o m e p a r t o f their b l o o d a n d t h e i r b o n e s and t h e i r m a r r o w : W h e n t h e o r d e r c o m e s , o b e d i e n c e is t h e o n l y way. T h i s i s h o w m a n k i n d has lived u p t o now, a n d that's w h y I say o b e d i e n c e is o n e of t h e greatest c r i m e s , because all o t h e r crimes are b o r n o u t o f it. I t deprives y o u of intelligence, it deprives y o u of decisiveness, it deprives y o u of responsibility. It d e stroys y o u as an i n d i v i d u a l . It c o n v e r t s y o u into a r o b o t . H e n c e I am all for d i s o b e d i e n c e . B u t disobedience is n o t j u s t against o b e d i e n c e . D i s o b e d i e n c e is above o b e d i e n c e and t h e s o - c a l l e d d i s o b e d i e n c e d e s c r i b e d i n t h e d i c t i o n a r i e s . D i s o b e d i e n c e i s s i m p l y t h e assertion o f y o u r i n t e l l i gence: "I take t h e responsibility, a n d I w i l l do e v e r y t h i n g t h a t feels r i g h t t o m y h e a r t , t o m y b e i n g . I will n o t d o a n y t h i n g that goes against m y i n telligence." 109
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M y w h o l e life, f r o m m y c h i l d h o o d t o t h e university, I was c o n d e m n e d for b e i n g d i s o b e d i e n t . A n d I insisted, " I a m n o t d i s o b e d i e n t . I a m simply t r y i n g t o figure o u t , w i t h m y o w n intelligence, w h a t i s r i g h t , w h a t s h o u l d b e d o n e . A n d I take t h e w h o l e responsibility for it. I f s o m e t h i n g goes w r o n g , i t was m y fault. I d o n ' t w a n t t o c o n d e m n s o m e b o d y else b e c a u s e he has t o l d me to do it." B u t it was difficult for my parents, for my teachers, professors. I n m y s c h o o l i t w a s c o m p u l s o r y t o w e a r caps, a n d I e n t e r e d t h e h i g h school w i t h o u t a cap. I m m e d i a t e l y t h e t e a c h e r said, " A r e y o u aware or n o t that t h e cap is c o m p u l s o r y ? " I said, "A t h i n g like a cap c a n n o t be c o m p u l s o r y . H o w c a n it be c o m p u l s o r y t o p u t s o m e t h i n g o n y o u r head? T h e h e a d i s c o m p u l s o r y , b u t n o t t h e cap. A n d I have c o m e w i t h t h e head; p e r h a p s y o u have c o m e only w i t h t h e cap." He said, " Y o u l o o k a strange type. It is j u s t w r i t t e n in t h e s c h o o l code that w i t h o u t a cap, n o s t u d e n t c a n e n t e r t h e s c h o o l . " I said, " T h e n that c o d e has t o b e c h a n g e d . I t i s w r i t t e n b y h u m a n b e ings, n o t b y G o d ; a n d h u m a n beings c o m m i t mistakes." T h e t e a c h e r c o u l d n o t believe it. H e said, " W h a t i s t h e m a t t e r w i t h you? W h y can't you just wear a cap?" I said, " T h e t r o u b l e is n o t w i t h t h e cap; I w a n t to find o u t w h y it is c o m p u l s o r y , its reason, its results. If y o u are u n a b l e to e x p l a i n it, y o u can take m e t o t h e p r i n c i p a l a n d w e c a n discuss it." H e h a d t o take m e t o the principal. I n India, Bengalis are t h e m o s t i n t e l l i g e n t p e o p l e ; t h e y d o n ' t wear caps. A n d Punjabis are t h e m o s t unintelligent, simple p e o p l e , and they wear t u r b a n s . So I said to t h e p r i n c i p a l , " L o o k i n g at t h e situation—Bengalis d o n ' t w e a r any caps a n d t h e y are t h e m o s t i n t e l l i g e n t p e o p l e i n t h e c o u n try, a n d Punjabis w e a r n o t o n l y a cap b u t a v e r y t i g h t t u r b a n , a n d t h e y are t h e m o s t u n i n t e l l i g e n t p e o p l e . I f i t really has s o m e t h i n g t o d o w i t h your intelligence, I w o u l d r a t h e r n o t take t h e risk." T h e p r i n c i p a l listened t o m e a n d h e said, " T h e b o y i s s t u b b o r n , but w h a t he is saying m a k e s sense. I h a d n e v e r t h o u g h t a b o u t i t — t h i s is true.
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A n d w e can m a k e this c o d e n o n c o m p u l s o r y . A n y b o d y w h o w a n t s t o w e a r a cap can w e a r o n e ; a n y b o d y w h o d o e s n o t w a n t to, t h e r e i s n o n e e d — b e c a u s e i t has n o t h i n g t o d o w i t h l e a r n i n g . " T h e t e a c h e r c o u l d n o t believe it. O n t h e w a y b a c k h e asked m e , " W h a t did you d o ? " I said, "I have d o n e n o t h i n g , I s i m p l y e x p l a i n e d t h e situation. I am n o t angry, I am perfectly w i l l i n g to w e a r a cap. If y o u feel it helps i n t e l l i gence, w h y o n l y one? I c a n w e a r t w o caps, t h r e e caps, caps u p o n caps, if i t helps m y i n t e l l i g e n c e . . . I a m n o t angry. B u t y o u have t o p r o v e t h e value of it." T h e t e a c h e r said t o m e , I still r e m e m b e r his w o r d s , " Y o u w i l l b e i n trouble y o u r w h o l e life. Y o u w i l l n o t fit i n a n y w h e r e . " I said, " T h a t ' s perfectly okay, b u t I d o n ' t w a n t to be an idiot a n d fit in e v e r y w h e r e . It is g o o d to be 'unfit' b u t intelligent. A n d I have c o m e to t h e school to l e a r n intelligence, so I c a n be a misfit intelligently! Please n e v e r try again t o c h a n g e m e f r o m a n individual i n t o a c o g i n t h e m a c h i n e . " A n d f r o m t h e n e x t day t h e caps disappeared; o n l y t h e t e a c h e r h a d • c o m e w i t h a cap. A n d l o o k i n g at t h e class a n d a r o u n d t h e s c h o o l . . . because t h e n e w r u l e h a d c o m e i n t o force that caps w e r e n o t c o m p u l s o r y , and all t h e o t h e r teachers, e v e n t h e p r i n c i p a l , h a d c o m e w i t h o u t caps. H e l o o k e d so silly. I said to h i m , " T h e r e is still t i m e . Y o u c a n take it off a n d put i t i n y o u r p o c k e t . " A n d h e did! H e said, " T h a t ' s r i g h t . I f e v e r y b o d y i s against t h e cap . . . I was s i m ply b e i n g o b e d i e n t t o t h e law." So r e m e m b e r , w h e n I talk a b o u t d i s o b e d i e n c e I d o n ' t m e a n r e p l a c i n g o b e d i e n c e w i t h d i s o b e d i e n c e . T h a t w i l l n o t m a k e y o u better. I use t h e w o r d disobedience o n l y to m a k e it clear to y o u that it is up to y o u , t h a t y o u have to be t h e decisive factor in all y o u r actions in hfe. A n d t h a t gives t r e m e n d o u s strength, b e c a u s e w h a t e v e r y o u do, y o u d o w i t h a c e r t a i n r a tional s u p p o r t to it. Just live intelligently. If s o m e t h i n g is told to y o u , d e c i d e w h e t h e r it is r i g h t or w r o n g . T h e n you can avoid all guilt Feelings. O t h e r w i s e , if y o u d o n ' t do it, y o u feel
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guilty; if you do it, again you fee) guilty. If you do it y o u feel that you are b e i n g subservient, that y o u are n o t b e i n g assertive, that y o u are n o t b e i n g yourself. A n d i f y o u d o n ' t d o it, t h e n y o u start feeling guilty a g a i n — because p e r h a p s i t was t h e r i g h t t h i n g t o d o , a n d y o u are n o t d o i n g it. T h e r e i s n o n e e d for all this clumsiness. Just b e simple. I f s o m e t h i n g i s asked o f y o u , r e s p o n d intelligently. A n d w h a t e v e r y o u r intelligence d e cides, do it this w a y or t h a t — b u t you are responsible. T h e n t h e r e is no q u e s t i o n o f guilt. I f y o u are n o t g o i n g t o d o it, e x p l a i n t o t h e p e r s o n w h y y o u are n o t g o i n g t o d o it. A n d e x p l a i n w i t h o u t any anger, b e c a u s e a n g e r simply s h o w s t h a t y o u are w e a k , that y o u d o n ' t really have a n i n t e l l i g e n t answer. A n g e r is always a sign of w e a k n e s s . Just plainly a n d simply e x p l a i n the w h o l e t h i n g ; p e r h a p s t h e o t h e r p e r s o n m a y find that y o u are r i g h t and m a y b e grateful t o y o u . O r p e r h a p s t h e o t h e r p e r s o n m a y have b e t t e r reasons t h a n y o u ; t h e n y o u will b e t h a n k f u l t o t h e o t h e r p e r s o n b e c a u s e h e has raised y o u r consciousness. U s e e v e r y o p p o r t u n i t y i n life for raising y o u r i n t e l l i g e n c e , y o u r c o n sciousness. O r d i n a r i l y w h a t we are d o i n g is u s i n g e v e r y o p p o r t u n i t y to create a hell for ourselves. O n l y y o u suffer, a n d b e c a u s e of y o u r suffering, you m a k e o t h e r s suffer. A n d w h e n s o m a n y p e o p l e are living t o g e t h e r , i f they all create suffering for e a c h o t h e r , it goes on m u l t i p l y i n g . T h a t ' s h o w the w h o l e w o r l d has b e c o m e a hell. It c a n be instantly c h a n g e d . Just t h e basic t h i n g has t o b e u n d e r s t o o d , t h a t w i t h o u t intelligence t h e r e is no h e a v e n .
THE I N T E L L I G E N C E O F I N N O C E N C E A c h i l d is p u r e i n t e l l i g e n c e b e c a u s e a child is yet u n c o n t a m i n a t e d . A child is a clean slate, n o t h i n g is w r i t t e n on h i m . A child is absolute emptiness, tabula rasa.
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T h e society will start w r i t i n g i m m e d i a t e l y t h a t y o u are a C h r i s t i a n , C a t h o l i c , H i n d u , M o h a m m e d a n , C o m m u n i s t . T h e society w i l l i m m e d i ately start w r i t i n g t h e B h a g a v a d g i t a , t h e K o r a n , t h e B i b l e o n y o u . T h e s o ciety c a n n o t wait. T h e society i s v e r y m u c h afraid t h a t i f t h e child's i n t e l l i g e n c e is left intact, t h e n he w i l l n e v e r be a p a r t of any slavery, of any s t r u c t u r e o f d o m i n a t i o n . H e w i l l n e i t h e r d o m i n a t e n o r b e d o m i n a t e d . H e w i l l n e i t h e r possess n o r b e possessed. H e will b e a p u r e r e b e l l i o n . H i s i n n o c e n c e has t o b e c o r r u p t e d i m m e d i a t e l y . H i s w i n g s have t o b e c u t , h e has t o b e g i v e n c r u t c h e s t o l e a n u p o n s o h e n e v e r learns h o w to w a l k on his o w n feet, so he r e m a i n s always in a k i n d of d e p e n d e n c e . First t h e c h i l d r e n are d e p e n d e n t o n t h e parents, a n d t h e p a r e n t s enjoy i t v e r y m u c h . W h e n e v e r c h i l d r e n are d e p e n d e n t , parents feel v e r y g o o d . T h e i r life starts h a v i n g s o m e m e a n i n g : T h e y k n o w that t h e y are h e l p i n g s o m e n e w p e o p l e t o g r o w u p , s o m e beautiful p e o p l e t o g r o w u p . T h e y are n o t meaningless. T h e y have a v i c a r i o u s e n j o y m e n t of b e i n g creative. It is n o t t r u e creativity, b u t at least t h e y can say that t h e y are d o i n g s o m e t h i n g , t h e y are o c c u p i e d . T h e y c a n forget their o w n p r o b l e m s i n t h e a n x iety o f b r i n g i n g u p
the
children. A n d the m o r e
the
c h i l d r e n are
d e p e n d e n t o n t h e m , t h e m o r e h a p p y t h e y feel. A l t h o u g h o n t h e surface they g o o n saying t h e y w o u l d like t h e i r c h i l d r e n t o b e i n d e p e n d e n t , t h a t is o n l y on t h e surface. A really i n d e p e n d e n t child h u r t s t h e p a r e n t s . T h e y d o n ' t like t h e i n d e p e n d e n t c h i l d b e c a u s e t h e i n d e p e n d e n t child has n o need o f t h e m . T h a t is o n e of t h e b i g p r o b l e m s t h e o l d e r g e n e r a t i o n is facing today: C h i l d r e n i n t h e m o d e r n age are n o t d e p e n d e n t o n t h e m , a n d b e c a u s e they are n o t d e p e n d e n t y o u c a n n o t force t h i n g s u p o n t h e m . Y o u c a n n o t tell t h e m w h a t t o d o a n d w h a t n o t t o d o , y o u c a n n o t b e their masters. T h e o l d g e n e r a t i o n i s suffering v e r y m u c h . F o r t h e first t i m e i n h u m a n history t h e o l d g e n e r a t i o n is feeling u t t e r l y e m p t y , m e a n i n g l e s s , b e c a u s e their w h o l e o c c u p a t i o n i s g o n e , a n d their j o y i n b r i n g i n g u p c h i l d r e n i s shattered. In fact t h e y are feeling guilty, afraid that t h e y m a y be d e s t r o y ing t h e c h i l d r e n . W h o k n o w s ? W h a t t h e y are d o i n g m a y n o t b e t h e r i g h t thing.
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INTELLIGENCE
Parents destroy t h e i n t e l l i g e n c e of t h e c h i l d r e n b e c a u s e t h a t is t h e o n l y w a y t o enslave t h e m ; t h e n t h e teachers, school, college, university d o t h e same. N o b o d y w a n t s a rebel, a n d i n t e l l i g e n c e i s r e b e l l i o n . N o b o d y w a n t s t o b e q u e s t i o n e d , n o b o d y w a n t s his a u t h o r i t y t o b e q u e s t i o n e d , a n d i n t e l l i g e n c e is q u e s t i o n i n g . I n t e l l i g e n c e is p u r e d o u b t . Yes, o n e day o u t of this p u r e d o u b t arises trust, b u t n o t against d o u b t ; i t arises o n l y t h r o u g h doubt. Trust comes out of d o u b t as a child comes o u t of the mother's w o m b . D o u b t i s t h e m o t h e r o f t r u s t . T h e real t r u s t c o m e s o n l y t h r o u g h doubt, questioning, inquiring. And false
trust,
which
we
know
as
the
belief,
comes by killing the doubt, by destroying q u e s t i o n i n g , b y d e s t r o y i n g all q u e s t , i n quiry, search, b y
giving people
ready-
made truths. The
politician
is
n o t interested in
children's intelligence, b e c a u s e leaders are leaders
o n l y b e c a u s e p e o p l e are stupid.
A n d w h e n p e o p l e are s o stupid, t h e y will find stupid leaders. P e o p l e are so u n i n t e l l i g e n t that t h e y w i l l b e r e a d y t o fall i n t o t h e trap o f a n y b o d y w h o can p r e t e n d t o lead them. C h i l d r e n are b o r n w i t h p u r e intelligence, a n d w e have n o t y e t b e e n able t o r e spect it. C h i l d r e n are t h e m o s t e x p l o i t e d class in t h e w o r l d , even m o r e than w o m e n . After w o m e n ' s liberation s o o n e r o r later t h e r e is g o i n g to be children's l i b e r a t i o n ; it is far m o r e necessary. M e n have enslaved w o m e n , a n d m e n a n d w o m e n b o t h have enslaved t h e child r e n . A n d b e c a u s e t h e child i s v e r y helpless, naturally h e has t o d e p e n d o n y o u . I t i s v e r y m e a n o f y o u t o e x p l o i t t h e child's helplessness. B u t h i t h e r t o parents have b e e n m e a n . A n d I a m n o t saying that deliberately o r
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consciously t h e y have b e e n so, b u t almost unconsciously, n o t k n o w i n g w h a t t h e y are d o i n g . T h a t ' s w h y t h e w o r l d i s i n s u c h a misery, t h e w o r l d is in s u c h a mess. U n c o n s c i o u s l y , u n k n o w i n g l y , e v e r y g e n e r a t i o n goes on destroying the next generation. T h i s is t h e first g e n e r a t i o n w h i c h is t r y i n g to escape o u t of t h e trap a n d this is t h e b e g i n n i n g of a totally n e w history. B u t children certainly are utterly intelligent. Y o u j u s t w a t c h c h i l d r e n , l o o k i n t o their eyes, l o o k a t the way they respond.
Little P a p o s e e m e d t o b e e n j o y i n g h i m s e l f t h o r o u g h l y a t t h e z o o w i t h his father. As t h e y w e r e l o o k i n g at t h e lions, h o w e v e r , a t r o u b l e d l o o k c a m e o v e r t h e b o y ' s face a n d his father asked h i m w h a t t h e m a t t e r was. " I was j u s t w o n d e r i n g , d a d d y . . . I n case a l i o n breaks loose a n d eats y o u , w h a t n u m b e r bus d o I take h o m e ?
Just w a t c h c h i l d r e n , b e m o r e o b s e r v a n t .
A t e a c h e r asked h e r class of small c h i l d r e n to m a k e a d r a w i n g o f t h e O l d T e s t a m e n t s t o r y t h e y l i k e d best. O n e small b o y d e p i c t e d a m a n d r i v i n g a n o l d car. I n t h e b a c k seat w e r e t w o passengers, b o t h scantily dressed. " I t is a n i c e p i c t u r e , " said t h e teacher. " B u t w h a t s t o r y d o e s i t t e l l ? " T h e y o u n g artist s e e m e d s u r p r i s e d a t t h e q u e s t i o n . " W e l l , " h e e x c l a i m e d . " D o e s n ' t i t say i n t h e Bible t h a t G o d drove A d a m and Eve out of the Garden of E d e n ? "
N o p r o o f o f their i n t e l l i g e n c e i s n e e d e d ! Just l o o k a r o u n d — c h i l d r e n are e v e r y w h e r e , j u s t w a t c h . A n o t h e r s t o r y I have h e a r d . . .
I n a n o t h e r s c h o o l t h e t e a c h e r h a d asked t h e c h i l d r e n t h e same q u e s t i o n : t o m a k e s o m e p i c t u r e s o f any s t o r y t h a t t h e y liked. T h i s child m a d e a n a i r p l a n e instead o f a car. T h e a i r p l a n e
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h a d four w i n d o w s . F r o m o n e w i n d o w G o d t h e F a t h e r was l o o k i n g o u t , f r o m t h e o t h e r , t h e H o l y G h o s t , f r o m t h e third, Jesus C h r i s t . B u t t h e t e a c h e r was p u z z l e d , a n d asked, " T h e s e t h r e e I can u n d e r s t a n d , b u t w h o is this f o u r t h ? " T h e child said, " T h a t i s P o n t i u s t h e P i l o t ! "
B u t n o b o d y w a t c h e s c h i l d r e n . I n fact, e v e r y b o d y t h i n k s t h e y are j u s t a nuisance. T h e y s h o u l d n o t b e h e a r d , t h e y s h o u l d o n l y b e seen; that has b e e n t h e d i c t u m d o w n t h e ages. W h o cares w h a t t h e y ask? W h o cares w h a t t h e y say? W h o listens?
A child c a m e r u n n i n g h o m e p a n t i n g a n d b r e a t h i n g h a r d , a n d t o l d his m o t h e r , " L i s t e n to w h a t h a p p e n e d ! A tiger chased me from the school up to the house! S o m e h o w I managed; I had to r u n so hard!" T h e m o t h e r said, "Listen, I have told y o u millions of times n o t t o e x a g g e r a t e — m i l l i o n s o f t i m e s n o t t o exaggerate! A n d h e r e y o u go again! Y o u f o u n d a tiger in t h e street? W h e r e is t h e tiger?" H e said, " Y o u c a n l o o k o u t o f t h e w i n d o w , h e i s s t a n d i n g there." A small d o g ! T h e m o t h e r l o o k e d a n d said, " T h i s i s a tiger? Y o u k n o w perfectly well t h a t this is a d o g ! Y o u go up a n d pray to G o d , a n d ask for forgiveness!" S o t h e child left. After a f e w m i n u t e s h e c a m e b a c k . A n d t h e m o t h e r said, " Y o u prayed? Y o u asked G o d ? " He said, "Yes! I said, ' G o d forgive m e ! It w a s totally w r o n g o f m e t o t h i n k o f that little d o g a s a tiger.' A n d G o d said, ' D o n ' t be w o r r i e d ! W h e n I first saw h i m , I also t h o u g h t t h a t he was a tiger!'" C h i l d r e n have i m m e n s e i n t e l l i g e n c e b u t d o w n t h e ages t h e y have n o t b e e n allowed t o d e v e l o p it. 116
W e have t o create a n e w k i n d o f e d u c a t i o n i n w h i c h n o t h i n g i s i m p o s e d o n t h e c h i l d r e n , b u t w h e r e t h e y are h e l p e d t o s t r e n g t h e n t h e i r n a t ural, G o d - g i v e n intelligence. T h e y are n o t t o b e stuffed w i t h i n f o r m a t i o n w h i c h is in fact almost useless. N i n e t y eight p e r c e n t o f t h e i n f o r m a t i o n that w e g o o n t h r o w i n g i n t o children's m i n d s i s j u s t stupid, foolish. B u t because o f that load, that baggage, t h e child will n e v e r b e free o f t h e b u r d e n . I have b e e n a professor in t h e u n i versity, a n d I have b e e n a s t u d e n t f r o m p r i m a r y s c h o o l t o university. M y o w n o b servation is that n i n e t y - e i g h t p e r c e n t of the i n f o r m a t i o n that w e g o o n t h r o w i n g on children is utterly futile; it is n o t n e e d e d at all. A n d n o t o n l y is it futile, it is h a r m f u l , positively h a r m f u l . Children should be helped to be m o r e inventive, n o t repetitive, w h i c h i s w h a t o u r e d u c a t i o n i s based
on right now.
Our
w h o l e e d u c a t i o n a l system is geared to r e p etition. If a child can repeat b e t t e r t h a n o t h e r s , t h e n he is t h o u g h t to be m o r e intelligent. I n fact h e o n l y has a b e t t e r m e m o r y , n o t b e t t e r i n t e l l i gence. I t almost always h a p p e n s t h a t t h e m a n w i t h a v e r y g o o d m e m o r y may n o t have v e r y g o o d intelligence, a n d vice versa. A l b e r t E i n s t e i n d i d n ' t have a v e r y g o o d m e m o r y . N e w t o n , E d i s o n , and s o m a n y m o r e great i n v e n t o r s w e r e really v e r y forgetful o f t h i n g s . B u t o u r w h o l e e d u c a t i o n a l system i s c e n t e r e d o n m e m o r y , n o t i n t e l ligence. Stuff m o r e a n d m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n i n t h e m e m o r y , m a k e t h e m a n a m a c h i n e ! O u r universities are factories w h e r e m e n are r e d u c e d t o m a chines. T w e n t y - f i v e years are w a s t e d — o n e - t h i r d o f y o u r l i f e — i n m a k i n g You a m a c h i n e ! A n d t h e n it b e c o m e s really difficult to u n w i n d y o u again, to m a k e you a h u m a n b e i n g again.
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T h a t i s m y w o r k . Y o u c o m e a s m a c h i n e s , v e r y u p t i g h t , full o f m e m ories, i n f o r m a t i o n , k n o w l e d g e a b i l i t y a b s o l u t e l y i n t h e h e a d , h u n g u p t h e r e . Y o u have lost all c o n t a c t w i t h y o u r h e a r t a n d y o u r b e i n g . T o pull y o u d o w n t o w a r d t h e h e a r t a n d t h e n t o w a r d t h e b e i n g i s really a difficult task. B u t i n a b e t t e r w o r l d this w i l l n o t b e n e e d e d . E d u c a t i o n s h o u l d help people to b e c o m e m o r e and m o r e intelligent, n o t m o r e and m o r e repetitive. R i g h t n o w i t i s r e p e t i t i o n : Y o u c r a m i n t o y o u r h e a d w h a t s o ever n o n s e n s e i s t o l d t o y o u , a n d t h e n y o u r e g u r g i t a t e i t i n t h e e x a m i n a t i o n p a p e r s — a n d t h e b e t t e r y o u v o m i t t h e b e t t e r m a r k s y o u get. T h e r e i s o n l y o n e t h i n g t h a t y o u h a v e t o r e m e m b e r : t o b e exactly repetitive. D o n ' t a d d a n y t h i n g , d o n ' t d e l e t e a n y t h i n g , d o n ' t b e inventive, d o n ' t b e original. O r i g i n a l i t y is killed, repetitiveness praised. A n d i n t e l l i g e n c e can g r o w o n l y i n t h e a t m o s p h e r e w h e r e o r i g i n a l i t y i s praised.
I n n o c e n c e is y o u r v e r y n a t u r e . Y o u do n o t have to b e c o m e it, y o u are alr e a d y it. Y o u are b o r n i n n o c e n t . T h e n layers a n d layers o f c o n d i t i o n i n g are i m p o s e d u p o n y o u r i n n o c e n c e . Y o u r i n n o c e n c e is like a m i r r o r and c o n d i t i o n i n g i s like layers o f dust. T h e m i r r o r has n o t t o b e achieved, the m i r r o r is already t h e r e — o r rather, h e r e . T h e m i r r o r is n o t lost, it is only h i d d e n b e h i n d t h e layers o f dust. Y o u d o n ' t have to follow a w a y to r e a c h y o u r n a t u r e because you c a n n o t leave y o u r n a t u r e , y o u c a n n o t g o a n y w h e r e else. E v e n i f you w a n t e d t o , it is impossible. T h a t ' s exactly t h e d e f i n i t i o n of n a t u r e : Nature m e a n s t h a t w h i c h c a n n o t b e left b e h i n d , t h a t w h i c h c a n n o t b e ren o u n c e d . B u t y o u c a n forget a b o u t it. Y o u c a n n o t lose it b u t it can be forgotten. A n d that's exactly w h a t has h a p p e n e d . T h e m i r r o r i s n o t lost but f o r g o t t e n — f o r g o t t e n because it is n o t f u n c t i o n i n g a n y m o r e as a mirrorN o t t h a t a n y defect has arisen in it, j u s t layers of dust are c o v e r i n g it- All t h a t is n e e d e d is to clean it, to r e m o v e t h o s e layers of dust. T h e process of b e c o m i n g i n n o c e n t is n o t really a process of becoming,
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I it is a process of d i s c o v e r i n g y o u r b e i n g . It is a discovery, n o t an a c h i e v e m e n t . You d o n ' t attain t o s o m e t h i n g new, y o u s i m p l y attain t o that w h i c h y o u have always b e e n . It is a f o r g o t t e n l a n g u a g e . I t h a p p e n s m a n y t i m e s : Y o u see a p e r s o n o n t h e r o a d , y o u r e c o g n i z e h i m , his face seems familiar. S u d d e n l y y o u r e m e m b e r also t h a t y o u k n o w his n a m e . Y o u say, " I t i s j u s t o n t h e tip o f m y t o n g u e , " b u t still i t i s n o t c o m i n g t o y o u . W h a t i s h a p p e n i n g ? I f i t i s j u s t o n t h e tip o f y o u r t o n g u e , t h e n w h y c a n ' t y o u say it? Y o u k n o w t h a t y o u k n o w it, b u t still y o u are n o t able t o r e m e m b e r it. A n d t h e m o r e y o u try, t h e m o r e diffi:ult i t b e c o m e s , b e c a u s e m a k i n g a n effort m a k e s y o u m o r e t e n s e , a n d w h e n y o u are t e n s e y o u are f a r t h e r away f r o m y o u r n a t u r e , y o u are f a r t h e r away f r o m t h a t w h i c h i s already t h e r e . W h e n y o u are r e l a x e d y o u are closer; w h e n y o u are u t t e r l y relaxed, i t w i l l surface o f its o w n accord. S o y o u t r y h a r d , b u t i t d o e s n ' t c o m e , s o y o u forget all a b o u t it. T h e n l y i n g d o w n i n y o u r b a t h , o r j u s t s w i m m i n g i n t h e p o o l , y o u are n o t e v e n t r y i n g t o r e m e m b e r that m a n ' s n a m e w h e n s u d d e n l y i t b u b b l e s u p . W h a t h a s h a p p e n e d ? Y o u w e r e n o t t r y i n g t o r e m e m b e r , a n d y o u w e r e relaxed, W h e n y o u are relaxed y o u are w i d e , w h e n y o u are tense y o u b e c o m e n a r r o w — t h e m o r e tense, t h e m o r e n a r r o w . T h e passage b e t w e e n y o u a n d t h a t w h i c h i s inside y o u b e c o m e s s o n a r r o w t h a t n o t h i n g can pass t h r o u g h it, n o t e v e n a single n a m e . All t h e great scientific discoveries have b e e n m a d e i n this v e r y m y s terious w a y — i n this v e r y unscientific way, so to speak.
M a d a m e C u r i e was w o r k i n g o n a c e r t a i n m a t h e m a t i c a l p r o b l e m for t h r e e years c o n t i n u o u s l y a n d t h e m o r e she tried, t h e farther a n d farther away h e solution s e e m e d . She t r i e d e v e r y possible way, b u t n o t h i n g was w o r k n o t h i n g was h a p p e n i n g . A n d t h e r e was s o m e w h e r e a d e e p , tacit feeing that " t h e s o l u t i o n exists. I am n o t s t r u g g l i n g w i t h s o m e t h i n g absurd." "his tacit feeling c o n t i n u e d all t h e t i m e as an u n d e r c u r r e n t ; h e n c e she c o u l d n o t d r o p t h e effort, either. She was g e t t i n g t i r e d — t h r e e years
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w a s t e d for a single p r o b l e m . B u t d e e p d o w n w i t h i n herself s o m e b o d y was saying, " T h e s o l u t i o n I S possible. T h i s exercise i s n o t futile. G o o n . " A n d she w e n t o n s t u b b o r n l y , she persisted. She d r o p p e d all o t h e r p r o j ects, she forced herself totally i n t o t h e o n e p r o b l e m . B u t t h e m o r e she tried, t h e m o r e i m p o s s i b l e i t b e c a m e . O n e n i g h t i t h a p p e n e d , almost a s i t h a p p e n e d t o G a u t a m a t h e B u d d h a ; o f c o u r s e , t h e p r o b l e m s w e r e different, b u t t h e process was t h e same. B u d d h a h a d s t r u g g l e d for six years t o attain e n l i g h t e n m e n t a n d h e h a d att a i n e d n o t h i n g . T h e n o n e n i g h t h e d r o p p e d t h e w h o l e effort, w e n t t o sleep, and, b y t h e m o r n i n g w h e n t h e last star was setting, h e b e c a m e e n lightened. T h a t n i g h t M a d a m e C u r i e d r o p p e d t h e idea, t h e w h o l e p r o j e c t — s h e closed t h e chapter. " E n o u g h i s e n o u g h ! T h r e e years w a s t e d i s t o o m u c h for o n e p r o b l e m . " T h e r e w e r e o t h e r p r o b l e m s w h i c h w e r e w a i t i n g t o b e solved. It was finished in h e r m i n d , a l t h o u g h t h e tacit u n d e r s t a n d i n g was still t h e r e j u s t like a c o n s t a n t m u r m u r . B u t she h a d f o l l o w e d it long e n o u g h , it was t i m e . O n e has o n l y a l i m i t e d t i m e ; t h r e e years is t o o m u c h for o n e p r o b l e m . D e l i b e r a t e l y she d r o p p e d t h e idea. As far as she was c o n c e r n e d she closed t h e w h o l e project. S h e w e n t t o sleep n e v e r t o b e b o t h e r e d b y that p r o b l e m again. A n d i n t h e m o r n i n g w h e n she g o t u p she was s u r p r i s e d . O n a piece o f p a p e r o n h e r table, t h e s o l u t i o n was t h e r e , w r i t t e n i n h e r o w n handw r i t i n g . She c o u l d n o t believe h e r eyes. W h o h a d d o n e it? T h e servant c o u l d n o t have d o n e i t — h e k n e w n o t h i n g o f m a t h e m a t i c s , and i f M a d a m e C u r i e h a d n o t b e e n able t o d o i t i n t h r e e years, h o w could the servant have d o n e it? A n d t h e r e was n o b o d y else i n t h e h o u s e . A n d the servant h a d n o t e n t e r e d i n t h e n i g h t — t h e d o o r s w e r e l o c k e d f r o m inside. She l o o k e d closely a n d t h e h a n d w r i t i n g r e s e m b l e d h e r s . T h e n s u d d e n l y she r e m e m b e r e d a d r e a m . In t h e d r e a m she had seen t h a t she h a d g o t u p , g o n e to t h e table, w r i t t e n s o m e t h i n g . . . Slowly, slowly, t h e d r e a m b e c a m e clear. Slowly, slowly, she r e m e m b e r e d that she h a d d o n e it in t h e n i g h t . It was n o t a d r e a m , she h a d actually d o n e it. And this was t h e s o l u t i o n ! F o r t h r e e years she h a d b e e n s t r u g g l i n g hard and
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n o t h i n g was h a p p e n i n g — a n d t h e n i g h t she d r o p p e d t h e project, i t h a p p e n e d . W h a t h a p p e n e d ? She b e c a m e relaxed.
O n c e y o u have d r o p p e d t h e effort y o u b e c o m e relaxed, y o u b e c o m e restful, y o u b e c o m e soft, y o u b e c o m e w i d e , y o u b e c o m e o p e n . I t was t h e r e inside her, i t surfaced. F i n d i n g t h e m i n d n o l o n g e r tense, i t surfaced. I n n o c e n c e i s there, y o u have s i m p l y f o r g o t t e n i t — y o u have b e e n m a d e t o forget it. Society i s c u n n i n g . F o r c e n t u r i e s m a n has l e a r n e d that you c a n survive i n this society o n l y i f y o u are c u n n i n g ; t h e m o r e c u n n i n g you are, t h e m o r e successful y o u w i l l b e . T h a t ' s t h e w h o l e g a m e o f p o l i tics: Be c u n n i n g , be m o r e c u n n i n g t h a n o t h e r s . It is a c o n s t a n t struggle and c o m p e t i t i o n a s t o w h o can b e m o r e c u n n i n g . W h o s o e v e r i s m o r e c u n n i n g is g o i n g to succeed, is g o i n g to be powerful. After c e n t u r i e s
of cunningness m a n
has l e a r n e d o n e t h i n g : t h a t t o r e m a i n i n n o cent is d a n g e r o u s , y o u will n o t be able to survive. H e n c e parents t r y t o drive t h e i r children o u t o f t h e i r i n n o c e n c e . Teachers, schools, colleges, universities exist for t h e simple w o r k o f m a k i n g y o u m o r e c u n ning, m o r e clever. A l t h o u g h t h e y call it tellij intelligence it is n o t intelligence.
Intelligence is n o t against i n n o c e n c e , m e m b e r . Intelligence is t h e flavor of innocence, intelligence is t h e fragrance of 'innocence. C u n n i n g n e s s is against i n n o cence; and c u n n i n g n e s s , cleverness, are n o t s y n o n y m o u s w i t h intelligence. B u t t o b e intelligent n e e d s a t r e m e n d o u s j o u r n e y i n ward. N o schools c a n help, n o colleges, n o universities can help. Parents,
I
Priests, t h e society, t h e y are all e x t r o v e r t e d ; t h e y c a n n o t h e l p y o u to go
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i n w a r d . A n d b u d d h a s are v e r y rare, few a n d far b e t w e e n . N o t e v e r y b o d y is f o r t u n a t e e n o u g h to find a b u d d h a . O n l y a b u d d h a can h e l p y o u to be a n i n t e l l i g e n t p e r s o n , b u t y o u c a n n o t find s o m a n y b u d d h a s w h o w a n t t o b e c o m e p r i m a r y s c h o o l teachers a n d h i g h s c h o o l teachers a n d university professors; it is impossible. So t h e r e is a substitute for intelligence. C u n n i n g n e s s is a substitute for i n t e l l i g e n c e — a v e r y p o o r substitute, r e m e m b e r . A n d n o t o n l y is it a p o o r substitute, it is j u s t t h e o p p o s i t e of it, too. T h e intelligent person is not cunning; certainly intelligent, b u t his intelligence keeps his i n n o c e n c e intact. H e d o e s n o t sell i t for m u n d a n e t h i n g s . T h e c u n n i n g p e r s o n is r e a d y to sell his soul for small things. J u d a s sold Jesus for o n l y t h i r t y silver c o i n s — j u s t t h i r t y silver c o i n s . A n d a Jesus c a n b e sold. J u d a s m u s t h a v e t h o u g h t that h e w a s b e i n g v e r y i n t e l l i g e n t , b u t h e was simply cunning.
If you
d o n ' t like the
w o r d cunning y o u c a n call h i m clever; that is j u s t a g o o d n a m e for t h e s a m e t h i n g , for the same ugly thing. T h e society prepares y o u t o b e c u n n i n g s o that y o u are capable o f c o m p e t i n g in this struggle for existence, t h e struggle to survive. It is a c u t t h r o a t c o m p e t i t i o n , e v e r y b o d y is after e v e r y b o d y else's t h r o a t . P e o p l e are ready to d o a n y t h i n g t o succeed, t o b e f a m o u s , t o c l i m b t h e l a d d e r o f success, n a m e a n d fame. T h e y are r e a d y t o use y o u a s s t e p p i n g - s t o n e s . Unless you are also c u n n i n g y o u will b e simply used, m a n i p u l a t e d . H e n c e t h e society trains e v e r y child to be c u n n i n g , a n d these layers of c u n n i n g n e s s are hiding your innocence. I n n o c e n c e has n o t to be achieved, it is already there. H e n c e it is not a q u e s t i o n of b e c o m i n g , it is y o u r b e i n g . It has o n l y to be d i s c o v e r e d — o r 122
rediscovered. You have t o d r o p all that y o u have l e a r n e d f r o m o t h e r s , a n d y o u will i m m e d i a t e l y b e i n n o c e n t . H e n c e m y a n t a g o n i s m t o w a r d all k n o w l e d g e that i s b o r r o w e d . D o n ' t q u o t e t h e Bible, d o n ' t q u o t e t h e Gita. D o n ' t b e h a v e like p a r r o t s . D o n ' t just g o o n living o n b o r r o w e d i n f o r m a t i o n . Start s e e k i n g a n d s e a r c h i n g for y o u r o w n intelligence. A negative process is n e e d e d ; it is to be a c h i e v e d t h r o u g h via negativa. T h a t is t h e B u d d h a ' s way. Y o u have to n e g a t e all t h a t has b e e n g i v e n to you. Y o u have to say, " T h i s is n o t m i n e ; h e n c e I have no c l a i m o v e r it. It may b e t r u e , i t m a y n o t b e t r u e . W h o k n o w s ? O t h e r s say i t i s so; unless i t b e c o m e s my e x p e r i e n c e I c a n n o t agree or disagree. I w i l l n o t believe or disbelieve. I w i l l n o t be a C a t h o l i c or a c o m m u n i s t , I will n o t be a H i n d u or a M o h a m m e d a n . I w i l l s i m p l y n o t follow any ideology." B e c a u s e , w h o e v e r y o u follow, y o u will b e g a t h e r i n g dust a r o u n d yourself. S t o p following. [. . . ] M y w o r k is n o t to t e a c h y o u s o m e t h i n g , b u t to h e l p y o u to d i s cover yourself. Just d r o p all k n o w l e d g e . It h u r t s because y o u have c a r r i e d that k n o w l e d g e for s o l o n g a n d y o u have b e e n b r a g g i n g s o m u c h a b o u t that k n o w l e d g e — y o u r d e g r e e s , M . A . s a n d P h . D . s a n d D.Litt.s, a n d y o u have b e e n b r a g g i n g about, all t h o s e degrees. A n d s u d d e n l y I am saying to you: D r o p all that n o n s e n s e . Just be as simple as a child. Just be again a child as y o u w e r e b o r n , as G o d sent y o u i n t o this w o r l d . I n t h a t m i r r o r l i k e state y o u w i l l b e able t o reflect that w h i c h is. I n n o c e n c e is t h e d o o r to k n o w i n g . K n o w l e d g e is the b a r r i e r and i n n o c e n c e is t h e b r i d g e .
THE GIFT OF BEING ALIVE y o u have n e v e r b e e n a c c e p t e d b y y o u r parents, teachers, n e i g h b o r s , s o c i ety, a s y o u are. E v e r y b o d y was t r y i n g t o i m p r o v e u p o n y o u , t o m a k e y o u better. E v e r y b o d y was p o i n t i n g at t h e flaws, at t h e mistakes, at t h e e r r o r s , a t the weaknesses, a t t h e frailties t h a t e v e r y h u m a n b e i n g i s p r o n e t o .
I N T E L L I G E N C E
N o b o d y e m p h a s i z e d y o u r beauty, n o b o d y e m p h a s i z e d y o u r i n t e l l i g e n c e , n o b o d y emphasized your grandeur. Just b e i n g alive is s u c h a gift, b u t n o b o d y ever t o l d y o u to be t h a n k ful t o existence. O n t h e contrary, e v e r y o n e was g r u m p y , c o m p l a i n i n g . Naturally, i f e v e r y t h i n g s u r r o u n d i n g y o u r life f r o m t h e v e r y b e g i n n i n g goes o n p o i n t i n g o u t t o y o u t h a t y o u are n o t w h a t y o u s h o u l d b e , goes o n g i v i n g y o u great ideals t h a t y o u have t o follow a n d y o u have t o b e c o m e . . . Y o u r isness is n e v e r praised. W h a t is praised is y o u r f u t u r e — i f y o u c a n b e c o m e s o m e o n e respectable, p o w e r f u l , r i c h , intellectual, i n some way famous, n o t just a nobody. C o n s t a n t c o n d i t i o n i n g against y o u has c r e a t e d i n y o u t h e idea, " I a m n o t e n o u g h as I a m , s o m e t h i n g is missing. A n d I have to be s o m e w h e r e e l s e — n o t h e r e . T h i s i s n o t t h e place I a m s u p p o s e d t o b e , b u t s o m e w h e r e higher, m o r e p o w e r f u l , m o r e
d o m i n a n t , m o r e respected, m o r e well
known." Y o u r h e a d , y o u r m i n d , has b e e n t u r n e d i n m a n y ways b y m a n y p e o p l e a c c o r d i n g t o t h e i r ideas o f h o w y o u s h o u l d be. T h e r e was n o t any bad i n t e n t i o n . Y o u r p a r e n t s loved y o u , y o u r teachers l o v e d y o u , y o u r society wants you to be somebody. Their intentions were good, but their unders t a n d i n g was v e r y l i m i t e d . T h e y f o r g o t that y o u c a n n o t m a n a g e t o make a m a r i g o l d i n t o a rose flower, or vice versa. All that y o u c a n d o i s h e l p t h e roses t o g r o w bigger, m o r e colorful, m o r e fragrant. Y o u c a n give all t h e e l e m e n t s t h a t are n e e d e d to transform t h e c o l o r a n d t h e f r a g r a n c e — t h e m a n u r e t h a t i s n e e d e d , t h e r i g h t soil, the r i g h t w a t e r i n g a t t h e r i g h t t i m e s — b u t y o u c a n n o t m a k e t h e rosebush p r o d u c e lotuses. A n d i f y o u start g i v i n g t h e idea t o t h e rosebush, "You h a v e to p r o d u c e lotus f l o w e r s " — a n d of c o u r s e t h e l o t u s flowers are beautiful a n d b i g — y o u are g i v i n g a w r o n g c o n d i t i o n i n g . N o t o n l y will this b u s h n e v e r b e able t o p r o d u c e lotuses; its w h o l e e n e r g y w i l l b e directed on a w r o n g p a t h so it w i l l n o t p r o d u c e e v e n roses, b e c a u s e f r o m where will i t g e t t h e e n e r g y t o p r o d u c e roses? A n d w h e n i t t u r n s o u t that there are n o lotuses, n o roses, o f c o u r s e this p o o r b u s h w i l l feel continuously e m p t y , frustrated, b a r r e n , u n w o r t h y .
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T h i s i s w h a t i s h a p p e n i n g t o h u m a n beings. W i t h all g o o d i n t e n tions, p e o p l e are t u r n i n g y o u r m i n d . In a b e t t e r society, w i t h m o r e u n d e r s t a n d i n g p e o p l e , n o b o d y will t r y t o c h a n g e y o u . E v e r y b o d y will h e l p y o u t o b e yourself— a n d to be oneself is t h e richest t h i n g in t h e w o r l d . To be oneself gives y o u all t h a t y o u n e e d to feel fulfilled, all that c a n m a k e y o u r life m e a n i n g f u l , significant. Just b e i n g yourself a n d g r o w i n g a c c o r d i n g t o y o u r n a t u r e will b r i n g t h e fulfillment o f y o u r destiny. T h i s is real richness. T h i s is real p o w e r . I f e v e r y b o d y g r o w s t o b e himself, y o u will find t h e w h o l e e a r t h full o f p o w e r f u l people, of tremendous
strength, intelli-
gence, u n d e r s t a n d i n g , a n d a fulfillment, a j o y t h a t t h e y have c o m e h o m e .
D I S C O V E R I N G T H E "OFF" S W I T C H Create a little distance. W a t c h t h e m i n d , h o w it f u n c t i o n s , a n d create t h e distance. W a t c h i n g a u t o m a t i c a l l y creates distance. H e n c e again a n d again the b u d d h a s i n s i s t — w a t c h . W a t c h day a n d n i g h t . Slowly, y o u will b e g i n t o see t h a t y o u are consciousness a n d t h e m i n d i s j u s t a n i n s t r u m e n t available t o y o u . T h e n y o u can use i t w h e n n e e d e d a n d w h e n i t i s n o t n e e d e d you c a n s w i t c h it off. R i g h t now, y o u d o n ' t k n o w h o w to s w i t c h it off; it is always o n . It is like a radio in y o u r r o o m that is always on a n d y o u d o n ' t s n o w h o w t o t u r n i t o f f — s o y o u h a v e t o sleep w i t h t h e r a d i o o n , a n d goes o n s h o u t i n g all k i n d s o f a d v e r t i s e m e n t s a n d p l a y i n g all k i n d s o f songs t h a t y o u have h e a r d a t h o u s a n d times. B u t y o u d o n ' t k n o w h o w t o t u r n i t off. T h e w h o l e day y o u are tired, m a n y times y o u w a n t t o g e t r i d 125
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o f t h e n o i s e o f t h e radio, b u t y o u c a n n o t b e c a u s e y o u d o n ' t k n o w h o w t o t u r n i t off. I t i s like sleeping w i t h t h e lights o n b e c a u s e y o u d o n ' t k n o w h o w t o t u r n t h e m off. F r e u d r e m e m b e r s that w h e n electricity c a m e t o V i e n n a for t h e f i r s t t i m e , a friend, a villager, c a m e to visit h i m . F r e u d t o o k e v e r y care of t h e visitor, t o o k h i m t o t h e r o o m w h e r e h e was g o i n g t o sleep, left h i m there, a n d said g o o d n i g h t . T h e villager was v e r y p u z z l e d b y j u s t o n e t h i n g — t h e electricity, the electric b u l b . H e k n e w h o w t o p u t o u t a l a m p , h o w t o b l o w a candle out, b u t w h a t t o d o w i t h this electric bulb? H e t r i e d all that h e k n e w : standing o n a chair, h e b l e w o n i t m a n y times b u t n o t h i n g w o u l d h a p p e n t o it. H e e x a m i n e d i t f r o m e v e r y angle; t h e r e was n o h o l e i n it, t h e r e was n o t h i n g . H o w c o u l d h e i m a g i n e that j u s t o n t h e wall t h e r e was a switch? T h a t was impossible for h i m t o i m a g i n e , h e h a d n e v e r seen electricity. B u t h e was also afraid to go a n d ask F r e u d or s o m e b o d y else, b e c a u s e t h e y w o u l d t h i n k he was a f o o l . . . " Y o u c a n ' t even p u t t h e light o u t — w h a t k i n d of m a n are y o u ? " So, feeling embarrassed, h e t r i e d t o sleep w i t h t h e light o n . H e c o u l d n o t sleep. M a n y times h e stood u p a g a i n o n t h e chair, tried again. T h e w h o l e n i g h t i t c o n t i n u e d ; sleep w o u l d n ' t c o m e b e c a u s e o f the l i g h t — t o o m u c h light, s u c h a b r i g h t light, he h a d n e v e r seen such a b r i g h t light. H e h a d k n o w n candles, b u t t h e b u l b m u s t have sent t h e light o f a h u n d r e d candles o r m o r e i n t o t h e r o o m . I n t h e m o r n i n g h e was dead tired. F r e u d asked h i m , " Y o u l o o k v e r y tired. C o u l d n ' t y o u sleep?" H e said, " N o w t h e r e i s n o p o i n t i n h i d i n g it, b e c a u s e I a m g o i n g t o stay t h r e e d a y s — t h i s b u l b is g o i n g to kill m e ! E v e n to l o o k at it makes a shiver g o u p m y spine. H o w t o t u r n i t o f f ? " F r e u d said, " Y o u fool! W h y d i d n ' t y o u ask m e ? " He said, "I was j u s t feeling e m b a r r a s s e d — s o foolish to ask such a simple t h i n g ! " F r e u d t o o k h i m t o t h e wall, s h o w e d h i m t h e s w i t c h . H e tried it, t u r n e d it on a n d off, a n d l a u g h e d . A n d he said, " S u c h a simple t h i n g , and t h e w h o l e n i g h t I t r i e d a n d c o u l d n o t find it!" 126
H e c o u l d have t r i e d his w h o l e life a n d m i g h t have n e v e r c o n n e c t e d t h e s w i t c h w i t h t h e light.
This is h o w it is happening to you; your m i n d is continuously on. T h e y say t h a t t h e m i n d is s u c h a m a g n i f i c e n t m e c h a n i s m that it starts w o r k i n g t h e m o m e n t y o u are b o r n a n d i t goes o n w o r k i n g till y o u stand before a n a u d i e n c e — t h e n s u d d e n l y i t stops, t h e n s o m e t h i n g h a p p e n s t o it. O t h e r wise it c o n t i n u e s till y o u die. A n d v e r y few p e o p l e n e e d t o stand b e f o r e a n a u d i e n c e , so the m i n d continues u n h i n d e r e d and it keeps y o u u t t e r l y tired, e x h a u s t e d , weary, b o r e d . A n d i t goes o n saying t h e same things again a n d again. W h y are p e o p l e s o b o r e d ? Life i s n o t b o r i n g , r e m e m b e r . Life is always a t r e m e n dous mystery, it is always a surprise, it is a l ways new, it is c o n s t a n t l y r e n e w i n g itself. N e w leaves are c o m i n g , o l d leaves are falling; n e w
flowers
are
appearing, old
f l o w e r s d i s a p p e a r i n g . B u t y o u c a n n o t see life b e c a u s e y o u are c o n s t a n t l y b o r e d by y o u r o w n m i n d . I t g o e s o n saying t h i n g s i t has said t h o u s a n d s of t i m e s . Y o u l o o k so tired, for t h e s i m p l e r e a s o n that y o u d o n ' t k n o w h o w to s w i t c h it off. T h e m i n d has n o t t o b e t h r o w n o u t , the m i n d has to be p u t in its place. It is a beautiful servant b u t a v e r y u g l y master. Take
the
reins
in your hands, be
the
m a s t e r — a n d t h e first act, t h e first step, is to b e c o m e d e t a c h e d f r o m t h e m i n d . See t h a t i t i s n o t y o u , create t h e d i s tance; t h e greater t h e distance t h e g r e a t e r is t h e ability to t u r n it off.
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A n d o n e m o r e m i r a c l e y o u will b e c o r n i n g across i s that w h e n y o u t u r n t h e m i n d off, t h e m i n d b e c o m e s fresher a n d m o r e i n t e l l i g e n t . Just t h i n k : F r o m t h e day y o u are b o r n t h e m i n d starts a n d i t g o e s o n w o r k i n g till y o u d i e — a n d o n e n e v e r k n o w s , i t m a y even b e w o r k i n g w h e n y o u are in t h e grave, b e c a u s e a f e w t h i n g s c o n t i n u e to h a p p e n t h e n . Nails g o o n g r o w i n g e v e n w h e n y o u are i n t h e grave, h a i r goes o n g r o w i n g , s o s o m e k i n d o f m e c h a n i s m still c o n t i n u e s . E v e n i n a d e a d b o d y t h e nails a n d h a i r go on g r o w i n g , so s o m e t h i n g is still w o r k i n g . M a y b e t h e r e is s o m e local m e c h a n i s m , n o t t h e m i n d itself, b u t m a y b e t h e b o d y has small, local m i n d s t o s u p p o r t t h e b i g m i n d — l i k e agents o f t h e b i g m i n d . M a y b e these small agents have n o t y e t c o m e t o k n o w that t h e b i g g u y i s d e a d and t h e y g o o n d o i n g t h e o l d t h i n g ! T h e y k n o w n o t h i n g else s o t h e y c o n t i n u e t o repeat t h e i r o l d j o b . H a i r s g o o n g r o w i n g , nails g o o n g r o w i n g — a n d j u s t small, local m i n d s , m i n i m i n d s ! T h e m i n d has t o b e p u t i n its r i g h t place, a n d b e used o n l y w h e n you n e e d it. Just a s y o u use y o u r legs w h e n y o u n e e d t h e m — w h e n y o u don't n e e d to, y o u d o n ' t use y o u r legs. If y o u are sitting in a chair a n d y o u go on m o v i n g y o u r legs u p a n d d o w n , t h e n p e o p l e will t h i n k y o u are m a d . That's exactly w h a t is h a p p e n i n g in t h e m i n d , a n d still y o u t h i n k y o u are n o t mad? A m e d i t a t i v e awareness c o m e s to k n o w t h e key. W h e n e v e r it wants t o t u r n t h e m i n d off i t s i m p l y says, " N o w s h u t u p , " a n d that's it. T h e m i n d s i m p l y keeps q u i e t a n d great silence prevails inside. A n d t h e mind can also rest i n t h o s e m o m e n t s ; o t h e r w i s e e v e r y t h i n g b e c o m e s tired. E v e r y t h i n g tires, e v e r y t h i n g gets t i r e d — e v e n metals g e t tired. And y o u r m i n d is m a d e of v e r y delicate tissues, so delicate that t h e r e is n o t h i n g m o r e delicate i n t h e w h o l e o f existence. I n y o u r small skull, millions of small fibers are f u n c t i o n i n g . T h e y are so t h i n t h a t y o u r hairs, when c o m p a r e d w i t h t h e nerves t h a t f u n c t i o n i n y o u r b r a i n , are v e r y thick, h u n d r e d s o f t h o u s a n d s o f t i m e s thicker. S u c h a delicate p h e n o m e n o n , b u t w e d o n ' t k n o w h o w t o use it. I t n e e d s rest. H e n c e a m e d i t a t i v e p e r s o n b e c o m e s m o r e intelligent, h e becomes saner. W h a t e v e r h e d o e s t h e r e i s a n art i n it. W h a t e v e r h e touches,is transformed into gold.
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M i n d is a blessing w i t h m e d i t a t i o n , o t h e r w i s e it is a curse. A d d m e d itation t o y o u r b e i n g a n d t h e curse disappears, a n d t h e curse itself b e c o m e s t h e blessing; it is a blessing in disguise.
Simplicity is to live w i t h o u t ideals. Ideals create c o m p l e x i t y ; ideals create division i n y o u a n d h e n c e c o m p l e x i t y . T h e m o m e n t y o u are i n t e r e s t e d i n b e c o m i n g s o m e b o d y else y o u b e c o m e c o m p l e x . T o b e c o n t e n t e d w i t h yourself a s y o u are i s simplicity. T h e f u t u r e b r i n g s c o m p l e x i t y ; w h e n y o u are u t t e r l y i n t h e p r e s e n t y o u are simple. Simplicity d o e s n o t m e a n to live a life of poverty. T h a t is u t t e r l y s t u j i d because t h e p e r s o n w h o i m p o s e s a life o f p o v e r t y o n h i m s e l f i s n o t simple at all. He is a h y p o c r i t e . T h e n e e d to i m p o s e p o v e r t y m e a n s , d e e p d o w n , h e h a n k e r s for t h e d i a m e t r i c a l l y o p p o s i t e ; o t h e r w i s e w h y s h o u l d there b e any n e e d t o i m p o s e it? Y o u i m p o s e a c e r t a i n c h a r a c t e r u p o n yourself because y o u are j u s t t h e o p p o s i t e o f it. T h e angry person wants to b e c o m e compassionate; the violent pero n w a n t s t o b e c o m e n o n v i o l e n t . I f y o u are n o n v i o l e n t y o u w i l l n o t t r y to b e c o m e nonviolent. For what? T h e person w h o imposes poverty u p o n himself is simply t r y i n g to live o u t a life a c c o r d i n g to o t h e r s , n o t a c c o r d n g t o his o w n i n n e r m o s t c o r e , n o t a c c o r d i n g t o his o w n spontaneity. A n d to live a c c o r d i n g to o t h e r s is n e v e r to be simple. To live a c c o r d i n g to o t h e r s m e a n s to live a life of i m i t a t i o n . It w i l l be a plastic life: You will be o n e t h i n g on t h e surface a n d j u s t t h e o p p o s i t e of i t i n y o u r d e p t h s . A n d o n l y t h e d e p t h s m a t t e r , t h e surface n e v e r m a t t e r s . You w i l l be a saint on t h e surface a n d a s i n n e r d e e p d o w n . A n d that's what i s g o i n g t o b e decisive a b o u t y o u b e c a u s e G o d i s o n l y i n c o n t a c t With y o u r d e p t h , n o t w i t h y o u r surface. T h e surface i s i n c o n t a c t w i t h t h e society, t h e existence i s i n c o n t a c t With t h e d e p t h . T h e existence o n l y k n o w s w h a t y o u are, i t n e v e r k n o w s What y o u are p r e t e n d i n g . T h e existence n e v e r k n o w s a b o u t y o u r acts.
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You m a y be p r e t e n d i n g to be a great saint, a m a h a t m a , b u t existence will never k n o w a b o u t it, because i t n e v e r k n o w s a b o u t a n y t h i n g false. A n y t h i n g false h a p p e n s o u t o f existence. I t k n o w s o n l y t h e real, t h e real y o u . S i m p l i c i t y m e a n s t o b e j u s t yourself, w h o s o e v e r y o u are, i n t r e m e n d o u s acceptance, w i t h n o goal, w i t h n o ideal. All ideals are c r a p — s c r a p all of them. I t n e e d s guts t o b e simple. I t n e e d s guts b e c a u s e y o u will b e i n c o n stant r e b e l l i o n . I t n e e d s guts b e c a u s e y o u w i l l n e v e r b e adjusted t o the s o - c a l l e d r o t t e n society that exists a r o u n d y o u . Y o u w i l l c o n s t a n t l y b e a n outsider. B u t y o u will b e simple, a n d simplicity has beauty. Y o u will b e u t t e r l y i n h a r m o n y w i t h yourself. T h e r e w i l l b e n o conflict w i t h i n y o u , t h e r e w i l l b e n o split w i t h i n you. T h e ideal b r i n g s t h e split. T h e bigger t h e ideal, t h e b i g g e r is g o i n g to be t h e split. T h e ideal m e a n s s o m e w h e r e i n t h e future o n e day, m a y b e in this life or a n o t h e r life, y o u w i l l be a great saint. M e a n w h i l e you are a sinner. It helps y o u to go on hoping; i t helps y o u t o g o o n b e l i e v i n g i n t h e surface, that t o m o r r o w e v e r y t h i n g will be okay, that t o m o r r o w y o u w i l l be as you s h o u l d b e . T h e t o d a y c a n b e tolerated. You c a n i g n o r e it, y o u n e e d n o t n o t e it, you n e e d n o t take any n o t i c e o f it. T h e real t h i n g i s g o i n g t o b e t o m o r r o w . B u t t h e t o m o r r o w n e v e r c o m e s . I t i s always t o d a y . . . i t i s always today. A n d t h e p e r s o n w h o lives i n ideals goes o n m i s s i n g reality because reality is n o w , h e r e . To be n o w a n d to be h e r e is to be simple: to be like trees, h e r e n o w , t o b e like c l o u d s , h e r e n o w , t o b e like birds, h e r e n o w
"to
be like b u d d h a s , h e r e n o w . T h e ideal n e e d s t h e future. Simplicity is not an
130
ideal. P e o p l e have m a d e a n ideal o u t o f simplicity, t o o ; s u c h i s h u m a n stupidity. Simplicity can n e v e r b e a n ideal, because n o ideal can create s i m p l i c ity. It is t h e ideal w h i c h p o i s o n s y o u a n d m a k e s y o u c o m p l e x , divides y o u , m a k e s t w o p e r s o n s i n y o u — t h e o n e that y o u are a n d t h e o n e that y o u w o u l d like to be. N o w t h e r e is g o i n g to be a c o n s t a n t war, a civil war. A n d w h e n y o u are fighting w i t h y o u r s e l f — t h e v i o l e n t p e r s o n t r y i n g t o b e n o n v i o l e n t , t h e ugly p e r s o n t r y i n g t o b e beautiful, a n d s o o n , s o f o r t h — w h e n y o u are c o n s t a n t l y t r y i n g , e n d e a v o r i n g t o b e s o m e t h i n g that y o u are n o t , y o u r e n e r g y is dissipated in that conflict, y o u r e n e r g y goes on leaking. A n d e n e r g y is delight. A n d to have e n e r g y is to be alive, t o b e fresh, t o b e y o u n g . L o o k at people's faces, h o w dull t h e y appear. L o o k i n t o their eyes, their eyes have lost all luster a n d all d e p t h . Feel their presence a n d y o u will n o t feel any radiance, y o u will n o t feel any e n e r g y streaming from t h e m . O n the c o n t r a r y y o u will feel as if t h e y are s u c k i n g you. R a t h e r t h e n overf l o w i n g w i t h energy, t h e y have b e c o m e black holes: T h e y suck you, t h e y exploit y o u r energy. B e i n g w i t h t h e m y o u will b e c o m e p o o r e r . T h a t ' s w h y w h e n y o u go i n t o a c r o w d a n d c o m e b a c k y o u feel tired, weary, y o u feel exhausted, y o u n e e d rest. W h y ? W h y after b e i n g in a c r o w d do y o u feel as if you have lost s o m e t h i n g ? You certainly lose s o m e t h i n g , because t h e crowd consists o f black holes. A n d t h e m o r e u n i n t e l l i g e n t t h e c r o w d is, t h e more of a m o b it is, the m o r e y o u will feel exhausted. T h a t ' s w h y w h e n y o u are a l o n e , sitting silently, n o t w i t h a n y b o d y — in a t r e m e n d o u s celibate state, j u s t a l o n e — o n e b e c o m e s r e p l e n i s h e d , r e j u venated. T h a t ' s w h y m e d i t a t i o n m a k e s y o u y o u n g e r , m a k e s y o u livelier. You start s h a r i n g s o m e t h i n g w i t h existence. Y o u r e n e r g y is frozen no more; it starts flowing. Y o u are in a k i n d of dance, as stars are. A s o n g arises in y o u . B u t i n t h e c r o w d y o u always lose. I n m e d i t a t i o n y o u always gain, why? W h a t h a p p e n s i n m e d i t a t i o n ? I n m e d i t a t i o n y o u b e c o m e s i m p l e : T h e future i s y o u r c o n c e r n n o m o r e . T h a t ' s w h a t m e d i t a t i o n i s all a b o u t : d r o p p i n g t h e c o n c e r n w i t h past a n d future, b e i n g h e r e n o w . O n l y this
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m o m e n t exists. A n d w h e n e v e r i t h a p p e n s , w h e n e v e r o n l y this m o m e n t e x i s t s — w a t c h i n g a sunrise, or l o o k i n g at a w h i t e c l o u d floating in t h e sky, or j u s t
being with
a
tree, silently
c o m m u n i n g , o r o b s e r v i n g a bird o n t h e w i n g — w h e n e v e r y o u forget all a b o u t past a n d f u t u r e a n d t h e p r e s e n t m o m e n t takes possession o f y o u , w h e n y o u are utterly possessed b y this m o m e n t , y o u w i l l feel r e j u v e n a t e d . W h y ? T h e split disappears, the split c r e a t e d by t h e ideals. Y o u are o n e in that m o m e n t , i n t e g r a t e d ; y o u are all t o gether. S i m p l i c i t y is n o t an ideal; y o u c a n n o t i m p o s e simplicity o n yourself. T h a t ' s w h y I
never
say
that p e o p l e
like
Mahatma
G a n d h i are simple. T h e y are n o t , t h e y c a n n o t b e . S i m p l i c i t y is t h e i r ideal, t h e y are t r y i n g to attain it. S i m p l i c i t y is a goal far away in t h e f u t u r e , distant, a n d t h e y are striving, t h e y are straining, t h e y are in great effort. H o w can y o u create simplicity out of effort?
S i m p l i c i t y simply m e a n s that
w h i c h is. O u t o f effort y o u are t r y i n g t o i m p r o v e u p o n existence. E x i s t e n c e is perfect as it is, it needs no i m p r o v e m e n t . T h e so-called saints g o o n constantly improving upon
themselves—
d r o p this, d r o p that, repress this, i m p o s e that, this is n o t g o o d , that is g o o d . . . C o n t i n u o u s effort, a n d in this v e r y effort t h e y are lost. S i m p l i c i t y is a state of effortlessness; it is h u m b l e n e s s — n o t t h e h u m bleness c r e a t e d against a r r o g a n c e , n o t h u m b l e n e s s c r e a t e d against the e g o , n o t h u m b l e n e s s o p p o s i t e t o t h e p r o u d m i n d . N o , h u m b l e n e s s i s not o p p o s i t e to p r i d e . H u m b l e n e s s is simply absence of p r i d e . T r y to see the
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p o i n t . If y o u r h u m b l e n e s s is against y o u r p r i d e , if y o u have strived to d r o p y o u r p r i d e , y o u r e g o , y o u r arrogance, t h e n w h a t y o u have d o n e i s o n l y repression. N o w y o u w i l l b e c o m e p r o u d a b o u t y o u r h u m b l e n e s s ; n o w y o u w i l l start b r a g g i n g , h o w h u m b l e y o u are. T h i s i s w h a t h a p p e n s . Just see t h e so-called h u m b l e p e o p l e — t h e y are c o n s t a n t l y b r o a d c a s t i n g that t h e y are h u m b l e . T h e really h u m b l e p e o p l e w i l l n o t k n o w that t h e y are h u m b l e ; h o w can t h e y t h e n b r a g a b o u t it? H o w can t h e h u m b l e p e r s o n k n o w that h e i s -humble? T h e h u m b l e p e r s o n i s a p e r s o n n o m o r e . T h e h u m b l e p e r s o n i s in a state of fana: T h e h u m b l e p e r s o n has dissolved. N o w he is o n l y a presence. H u m b l e n e s s is a presence, n o t a characteristic of personality, n o t a trait, b u t j u s t a presence. O t h e r s w i l l feel it, b u t y o u w i l l n o t be able to feel it yourself. So is t h e case w i t h simplicity. Simplicity s i m p l y m e a n s l i v i n g m o m e n t t o m o m e n t spontaneously, n o t a c c o r d i n g t o s o m e philosophy, n o t a c c o r d i n g t o J a i n i s m , B u d d h i s m , H i n d u i s m , n o t a c c o r d i n g t o any philosophy. W h e n e v e r y o u live a c c o r d ing t o a p h i l o s o p h y y o u have b e t r a y e d yourself, y o u are a n e n e m y t o yourself. Simplicity m e a n s to be in a d e e p friendship w i t h oneself, to live y o u r life w i t h n o idea i n t e r f e r i n g . I t needs guts, certainly, b e c a u s e y o u will b e living c o n s t a n t l y i n i n s e curity. T h e m a n w h o lives w i t h ideals is secure. He is p r e d i c t a b l e ; t h a t is his security. H e k n o w s w h a t h e i s g o i n g t o d o t o m o r r o w . H e k n o w s , i f a certain situation arises, this is t h e w a y he will react to it. He is always c e r tain. T h e m a n w h o i s s i m p l e k n o w s n o t h i n g a b o u t t o m o r r o w , k n o w s n o t h i n g a b o u t t h e n e x t m o m e n t , b e c a u s e h e i s n o t g o i n g t o act o u t o f his past. H e will r e s p o n d o u t o f his p r e s e n t awareness. T h e simple p e r s o n has n o " c h a r a c t e r , " o n l y t h e c o m p l e x p e r s o n has character. G o o d o r b a d , t h a t i s n o t t h e p o i n t . T h e r e are g o o d characters and b a d characters, b u t b o t h are c o m p l e x . T h e simple p e r s o n i s c h a r a c terless, h e i s n e i t h e r g o o d n o r b a d , b u t h e has a b e a u t y w h i c h n o g o o d people, n o b a d p e o p l e c a n ever have. A n d t h e g o o d a n d t h e b a d are n o t v e r y different; t h e y are aspects o f t h e same c o i n . T h e g o o d p e r s o n i s b a d behind it a n d t h e b a d p e r s o n is g o o d b e h i n d it.
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Y o u will b e s u r p r i s e d t o k n o w that saints always d r e a m that t h e y are c o m m i t t i n g sins. I f y o u l o o k i n t o t h e d r e a m s o f y o u r s o - c a l l e d saints you will b e v e r y m u c h surprised. W h a t k i n d s o f d r e a m s d o t h e y g o o n seeing? T h a t is their suppressed m i n d that b u b b l e s u p , surfaces i n t o their d r e a m s . S i n n e r s always d r e a m t h a t t h e y have b e c o m e saints. Sinners have t h e m o s t beautiful d r e a m s , because t h e y have b e e n c o m m i t t i n g sins their w h o l e life. T h e y are tired o f all t h o s e t h i n g s . N o w t h e d e n i e d p a r t starts s p e a k i n g t o t h e m i n their d r e a m s . I n d r e a m s t h e d e n i e d p a r t speaks t o y o u , y o u r u n c o n s c i o u s speaks t o y o u : T h e u n c o n s c i o u s i s t h e d e n i e d p a r t . R e m e m b e r , i f y o u are g o o d i n y o u r c o n s c i o u s , i f y o u have cultivated g o o d characteristics i n y o u r c o n scious, y o u w i l l b e bad: All that y o u have d e n i e d w i l l b e c o m e y o u r u n c o n s c i o u s , a n d vice versa. T h e s i m p l e p e r s o n has n o c o n s c i o u s , n o u n c o n s c i o u s ; h e has n o division. H e i s s i m p l y aware. H i s w h o l e h o u s e i s full o f light. H i s w h o l e b e i n g k n o w s o n l y o n e t h i n g : awareness. H e has n o t d e n i e d a n y t h i n g , hence h e has n o t c r e a t e d t h e u n c o n s c i o u s . T h i s i s s o m e t h i n g t o b e u n d e r s t o o d . S i g m u n d F r e u d a n d C a r l G u s t a v J u n g a n d Alfred A d l e r a n d others t h i n k that t h e c o n s c i o u s a n d u n c o n s c i o u s are s o m e t h i n g natural. T h e y are n o t . T h e u n c o n s c i o u s is a b y - p r o d u c t of civilization. T h e m o r e a person is civilized, t h e b i g g e r an u n c o n s c i o u s he has, b e c a u s e civilization means repression. R e p r e s s i o n m e a n s y o u are d e n y i n g a few parts of y o u r being f r o m c o m i n g i n t o light, y o u are p u s h i n g t h e m i n t o darkness, y o u are t h r o w i n g t h e m i n t o y o u r b a s e m e n t s o t h a t y o u n e v e r c o m e across t h e m . P e o p l e have t h r o w n their sex, t h e i r anger, their v i o l e n c e , i n t o the b a s e m e n t a n d t h e y have l o c k e d t h e d o o r s . B u t v i o l e n c e , sex, a n d anger a n d t h i n g s like that c a n n o t b e l o c k e d u p . T h e y are like ghosts. T h e y can pass t h r o u g h t h e walls, t h e r e i s n o w a y t o p r e v e n t t h e m . I f y o u succeed i n p r e v e n t i n g t h e m i n y o u r d a y t i m e , t h e y w i l l c o m e i n t h e n i g h t — t h e y will haunt you in your dreams. I t i s b e c a u s e o f t h e u n c o n s c i o u s that p e o p l e d r e a m . T h e m o r e civilized a p e r s o n , t h e m o r e h e d r e a m s . G o t o t h e a b o r i g i n a l s , t h e natural p e o p l e — a f e w are still in e x i s t e n c e — a n d y o u will be again s u r p r i s e d to 134
k n o w that t h e y d o n ' t d r e a m m u c h , v e r y rarely, o n c e i n a w h i l e . Years pass and t h e y n e v e r r e p o r t any d r e a m i n g . T h e y simply sleep, w i t h o u t d r e a m s , because t h e y have n o t repressed a n y t h i n g . T h e y have b e e n living n a t u rally. T h e simple p e r s o n w i l l n o t have t h e u n c o n s c i o u s , t h e simple p e r s o n will n o t have d r e a m s , b u t t h e c o m p l e x p e r s o n will have d r e a m s . T h a t ' s w h a t h a p p e n s to y o u . If y o u have a fast o n e day, in t h e n i g h t you will have a feast in y o u r d r e a m s . T h e fast creates t h e feast in t h e d r e a m . A n d t h e p e o p l e w h o are feasting i n t h e day m a y start t h i n k i n g o f fasting; t h e y always t h i n k a b o u t it. It is o n l y r i c h c o u n t r i e s w h i c h b e c o m e interested in fasting. A m e r i c a is i n t e r e s t e d in fasting, d i e t i n g , a n d all things like that. A p o o r c o u n t r y c a n n o t t h i n k of fasting. A p o o r c o u n t r y is always fasting, always d i e t i n g , always u n d e r n o u r i s h e d . O n l y r i c h p e o p l e t h i n k of fasting. In India, Jainas are t h e richest c o m m u n i t y ; t h e i r r e l i g i o n consists o f fasting. M o h a m m e d a n s are t h e p o o r e s t , their r e l i g i o n consists o f feasting. W h e n a p o o r m a n celebrates a religious day he gives a feast. W h e n a r i c h m a n celebrates his religious day he fasts. Y o u c a n see t h e l o g i c i n it. W e g o o n compensating. T h e dream is compensatory, i t c o m p e n s a t e s y o u r w a k i n g life. T h e simple m a n w i l l n o t d r e a m , t h e s i m p l e m a n w i l l n o t h a v e any u n c o n s c i o u s . T h e s i m p l e m a n will b e simple. H e will live m o m e n t t o m o m e n t w i t h n o idea h o w t o live; h e w i l l n o t h a v e any p h i l o s o phy o f life. H e w i l l trust i n his intelligence. W h a t is t h e n e e d of h a v i n g a p h i l o s o p h y ? W h y s h o u l d o n e have a p h i l o s o p h y ? So that it c a n g u i d e y o u . It m e a n s if y o u are s t u p i d y o u n e e d a p h i l o s o p h y of l i f e s o that i t c a n g u i d e y o u . I f y o u are i n t e l l i g e n t y o u d o n ' t n e e d any
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p h i l o s o p h y of life. I n t e l l i g e n c e is e n o u g h u n t o itself, a light u n t o itself. A b l i n d m a n asks for g u i d a n c e : " W h e r e is t h e d o o r ? In w h a t d i r e c t i o n s h o u l d I m o v e ? W h e r e i s t h e t u r n ? " O n l y t h e b l i n d m a n prepares h i m s e l f before h e takes any m o v e . T h e m a n w h o has eyes simply m o v e s because h e can see. W h e n t h e d o o r c o m e s h e w i l l k n o w a n d w h e n the t u r n c o m e s h e will k n o w . H e can trust i n his eyes. A n d t h a t i s t h e case w i t h t h e i n n e r w o r l d , t o o . T r u s t i n y o u r intellig e n c e , d o n ' t trust i n p h i l o s o p h i e s o f life; o t h e r w i s e y o u w i l l r e m a i n stupid. T h e m a j o r p a r t o f h u m a n i t y has r e m a i n e d u n i n t e l l i g e n t because i t has t r u s t e d i n p h i l o s o p h i e s o f l i f e — C h r i s t i a n , H i n d u , M o h a m m e d a n . A g a i n , s o m e t h i n g o f v e r y great i m p o r t a n c e t o b e r e m e m b e r e d : E a c h child is b o r n intelligent. I n t e l l i g e n c e is n o t s o m e t h i n g t h a t a f e w have a n d a f e w d o n ' t have. I n t e l l i g e n c e is t h e fragrance of life itself. Life has i t — i f y o u are alive y o u are intelligent. B u t t h e n if y o u n e v e r trust in it, it starts slowly, slowly d i s a p p e a r i n g f r o m y o u r life. If y o u d o n ' t use y o u r legs y o u w i l l lose t h e capacity t o r u n . I f y o u d o n ' t use y o u r eyes for three years a n d y o u r e m a i n w i t h a b l i n d f o l d y o u will b e c o m e b l i n d . Y o u can k e e p y o u r senses alive o n l y i f y o u g o o n c o n t i n u o u s l y u s i n g t h e m . I n t e l l i g e n c e is a n a t u r a l p h e n o m e n o n ; e v e r y child is b o r n intelligent. V e r y f e w p e o p l e live intelligently, a n d v e r y f e w p e o p l e d i e intelligently. N i n e t y - n i n e p o i n t n i n e p e r c e n t o f p e o p l e r e m a i n s t u p i d their w h o l e life—and they were n o t unintelligent in the beginning. So w h a t happens? T h e y n e v e r use t h e i r intelligence. W h e n t h e y are small children t h e y trust t h e i r parents a n d t h e i r g u i d a n c e . In a b e t t e r w o r l d t h e parents, if t h e y really love t h e i r c h i l d r e n , will t e a c h t h e m t o trust t h e i r o w n intelligence. I n a b e t t e r w o r l d t h e parents w i l l h e l p t h e c h i l d r e n to be i n d e p e n d e n t as s o o n as possible, to be on their own. T h e n , t h e y have t o trust t h e teachers i n t h e s c h o o l ; t h e n t h e professors i n t h e c o l l e g e a n d i n t h e university. B y t h e t i m e o n e - t h i r d o f their hfe is g o n e , t h e y c o m e o u t of t h e u n i v e r s i t y u t t e r l y stupid. O n e - t h i r d of t h e i r life t h e y have b e e n t a u g h t to trust s o m e b o d y else: that's h o w their i n t e l l i g e n c e has b e e n p r e v e n t e d f r o m f u n c t i o n i n g .
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Look a t small c h i l d r e n , h o w intelligent t h e y are, h o w alive, h o w fresh, h o w t r e m e n d o u s l y r e a d y t o l e a r n . A n d l o o k a t o l d e r p e o p l e , dull, insipid, n o t ready to l e a r n a t h i n g , c l i n g i n g to all that t h e y k n o w , c l i n g i n g t o t h e k n o w n , n e v e r r e a d y t o g o o n any a d v e n t u r e . In a b e t t e r w o r l d children will be t h r o w n u p o n themselves as s o o n as possible; t h e w h o l e effort o f t h e parents s h o u l d b e t o m a k e t h e child use his intelligence. A n d t h e w h o l e effort, if e d u c a t i o n is r i g h t — i f it is e d u c a tion a n d n o t m i s e d u c a t i o n — w i l l b e t o t h r o w t h e child again a n d again back to his o w n intelligence so t h a t he can f u n c t i o n , so that he can use it. H e m a y n o t b e s o efficient i n t h e b e g i n n i n g , that i s t r u e — t h e t e a c h e r m a y have t h e r i g h t answer, a n d i f t h e s t u d e n t has t o w o r k o u t his o w n a n s w e r the a n s w e r m a y n o t b e s o r i g h t — b u t that i s n o t t h e p o i n t a t all. T h e a n swer m a y n o t b e s o right, i t m a y n o t c o r r e s p o n d t o t h e answers g i v e n i n the b o o k s , b u t it w i l l be intelligent. A n d that is t h e real c r u x of t h e m a t t e r . W a t c h c h i l d r e n a n d y o u will b e c o n s t a n t l y surprised. B u t w e start destroying their i n t e l l i g e n c e b e c a u s e w e are t o o c o n c e r n e d a b o u t t h e right a n s w e r — n o t t h e i n t e l l i g e n t answer, b u t t h e r i g h t answer. T h a t is a w r o n g c o n c e r n . L e t t h e a n s w e r be intelligent, let t h e a n s w e r be a little bit original, let t h e a n s w e r b e t h e child's o w n . D o n ' t b e b o t h e r e d a b o u t t h e . right, d o n ' t b e i n s u c h a h u r r y ; t h e r i g h t w i l l c o m e o n its o w n . L e t t h e child search for it, let h i m s t u m b l e u p o n i t o n his o w n . W h y are w e i n such a h u r r y ? W e simply d r o p t h e child's g r o w t h o f intelligence; w e s u p p l y t h e right answer. Just t h i n k : T h e w h o l e process is that t h e child is n e v e r allowed t o find t h e a n s w e r himself. W e give h i m t h e answer. W h e n t h e answer i s g i v e n f r o m t h e outside, i n t e l l i g e n c e n e e d n o t grow, b e c a u s e i n telligence o n l y g r o w s w h e n it has to find t h e a n s w e r itself. B u t w e are s o obsessed w i t h t h e idea o f t h e r i g h t . N o w r o n g s h o u l d ever b e c o m m i t t e d . W h y n o t ? A n d t h e p e r s o n w h o never c o m m i t s any Wrong never grows. G r o w t h needs that y o u s h o u l d go astray s o m e t i m e s , that y o u s h o u l d start p l a y i n g a r o u n d , fooling a r o u n d , t h a t y o u s h o u l d find o r i g i n a l things, even t h o u g h t h e y m a y b e w r o n g . You s h o u l d c o m e t o t h e right b y y o u r o w n efforts, b y y o u r o w n g r o w t h ; t h e n t h e r e i s intelligence.
I N T E L L I G E N C E
To be simple m e a n s to be intelligent. Simplicity is intelligence, living w i t h o u t ideals, w i t h o u t guides, w i t h o u t m a p s , j u s t living m o m e n t t o m o m e n t w i t h o u t any security. O u r concern w i t h the right and our fear o f t h e w r o n g i s n o t h i n g b u t o u r fear o f t h e insecure. T h e r i g h t m a k e s u s secure, t h e w r o n g m a k e s us insecure, b u t life is i n security. T h e r e i s n o s e c u r i t y a n y w h e r e . Y o u m a y have a b a n k balance, b u t t h e b a n k c a n go b a n k r u p t any day. Y o u m a y have t h e s e c u r i t y of h a v i n g a h u s b a n d or a wife, b u t t h e wife c a n leave y o u any m o m e n t , she c a n fall in love; or t h e h u s b a n d may die. Life is insecure. S e c u r i t y is o n l y an illusion that we create a r o u n d ourselves, a c o z y illusion. A n d b e c a u s e of this cozy illusion w e kill o u r intelligence. T h e man w h o w a n t s to live s i m p l y w i l l have to live in insecurity, w i l l h a v e to accept the fact t h a t n o t h i n g is secure a n d certain, that we are o n a n u n k n o w n j o u r n e y , that nobody can b e c e r t a i n w h e r e w e are g o i n g and nob o d y c a n b e c e r t a i n f r o m w h e r e w e are coming. In fact, e x c e p t for t h e stupid people nobody
has
illusions
of
certainty. the
m o r e i n t e l l i g e n t y o u are, t h e m o r e u n c e r t a i n y o u are. T h e m o r e intellig e n t y o u are, t h e m o r e h e s i t a n t — b e c a u s e life is vast. Life is immense, i m m e a s u r a b l e , m y s t e r i o u s . H o w can y o u b e certain? L i v i n g in u n c e r t a i n t y , l i v i n g in insecurity, is simplicity. Living a life w i t h o u t ideals, w i t h o u t character, a life n o t r o o t e d in t h e past, n o t moti v a t e d by t h e f u t u r e ; a life u t t e r l y h e r e a n d n o w .
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A L I G H T U N T O YOURSELF T h e last w o r d s of G a u t a m a t h e B u d d h a on t h e e a r t h w e r e : Be a light unto yourself. D o n o t follow o t h e r s , d o n o t imitate, b e c a u s e i m i t a t i o n , f o l l o w ing, creates stupidity. Y o u are b o r n w i t h a t r e m e n d o u s possibility of i n t e l ligence. Y o u are b o r n w i t h a light w i t h i n y o u . Listen to t h e still, small voice w i t h i n , a n d that will g u i d e y o u . N o b o d y else can g u i d e y o u , n o b o d y else can b e c o m e a m o d e l for y o u r life, b e c a u s e y o u are u n i q u e . T h e r e has n e v e r b e e n a n y o n e w h o was exactly like y o u , a n d n o b o d y i s ever again g o i n g t o b e exactly like y o u . T h i s i s y o u r glory, y o u r g r a n d e u r — t h a t y o u are u t t e r l y irreplaceable, t h a t y o u are j u s t y o u r s e l f and n o b o d y else. T h e p e r s o n w h o follows o t h e r s b e c o m e s false, h e b e c o m e s p s e u d o , he b e c o m e s m e c h a n i c a l . He can be a great saint i n t h e eyes o f o t h e r s , b u t d e e p d o w n , he is simply u n i n t e l l i g e n t a n d n o t h i n g else. He m a y have a v e r y respectable c h a r a c t e r but that is o n l y on t h e surface, it is n o t even s k i n - d e e p . Scratch h i m a little a n d you will be s u r p r i s e d t h a t inside he is a t o tally different p e r s o n , j u s t t h e o p p o s i t e of his outside. B y f o l l o w i n g o t h e r s y o u can cultivate a beautiful character, b u t y o u c a n n o t have a beautiful consciousness, a n d unless y o u have a beautiful consciousness y o u
can
never b e free. Y o u can g o o n c h a n g i n g your prisons, y o u can g o o n c h a n g i n g y o u r bondages, y o u r slaveries. You c a n be a Hindu or a M o h a m m e d a n or a C h r i s t i a n or a Jaina—that is n o t going to help you. To be a Jaina m e a n s to follow M a h a v i r a as t h e m o d e l . N o w , t h e r e is n o B o d y w h o i s like M a h a v i r a o r ever can b e . F o l l o w i n g M a h a v i r a , y o u w i l l
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b e c o m e a false entity. Y o u w i l l lose all reality, y o u will lose all sincerity, y o u w i l l b e u n t r u e t o yourself. Y o u will b e c o m e artificial, u n n a t u r a l , and t o b e artificial, t o b e u n n a t u r a l , i s t h e w a y o f t h e m e d i o c r e , t h e stupid, t h e fool. B u d d h a defines w i s d o m a s living i n t h e light o f y o u r o w n c o n s c i o u s ness, a n d he defines foolishness as f o l l o w i n g o t h e r s , i m i t a t i n g o t h e r s , b e c o m i n g a s h a d o w to s o m e b o d y else. T h e real m a s t e r creates m a s t e r s , n o t followers. T h e real master t h r o w s y o u b a c k t o yourself. H i s w h o l e effort i s t o m a k e y o u i n d e p e n d e n t o f h i m , b e c a u s e y o u have b e e n d e p e n d e n t for c e n t u r i e s , a n d i t has n o t l e d y o u a n y w h e r e . Y o u still c o n t i n u e t o s t u m b l e i n t h e d a r k n i g h t o f t h e soul. O n l y y o u r i n n e r light can b e c o m e t h e sunrise. T h e false m a s t e r persuades y o u t o follow h i m , t o i m i t a t e him, t o b e j u s t a c a r b o n c o p y o f h i m . T h e real m a s t e r will n o t a l l o w y o u t o b e a carbon copy, h e w a n t s y o u t o b e t h e original. H e loves y o u ! H o w c a n h e m a k e y o u imitative? H e has c o m p a s s i o n for y o u , h e w o u l d like y o u to be u t t e r l y free—free f r o m all outer dependencies. B u t t h e o r d i n a r y h u m a n b e i n g does n o t w a n t t o b e free. H e w a n t s t o b e dep e n d e n t . H e w a n t s s o m e b o d y else t o guide h i m . W h y ? B e c a u s e t h e n h e can t h r o w the w h o l e responsibility o n t h e s h o u l d e r s o f s o m e b o d y else. A n d t h e m o r e responsibility y o u t h r o w away o n t o s o m e b o d y else's s h o u l d e r s , t h e smaller t h e possibility of y o u r ever b e c o m i n g intelligent. It is responsibility, t h e c h a l l e n g e of responsibility, t h a t creates w i s d o m . O n e has to accept life w i t h all its p r o b l e m s . O n e has to go t h r o u g h life u n p r o t e c t e d ; o n e has to seek a n d search o n e ' s way. Life is an opportunity'
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a c h a l l e n g e , to find yourself. B u t t h e fool does n o t w a n t to go t h e h a r d , way, t h e fool chooses t h e s h o r t c u t . He says to himself, " B u d d h a has a t t a i n e d — w h y s h o u l d I b o t h e r ? I w i l l j u s t w a t c h his b e h a v i o r a n d imitate it. Jesus has attained, so w h y s h o u l d I search a n d seek? I can s i m p l y b e c o m e a s h a d o w t o Jesus. I can s i m p l y g o o n f o l l o w i n g h i m w h e r e v e r h e goes." B u t b y f o l l o w i n g s o m e b o d y else, h o w are y o u g o i n g t o b e c o m e i n telligent? Y o u will n o t p r o v i d e any c h a n c e for y o u r i n t e l l i g e n c e t o e x p l o d e . It needs a c h a l l e n g i n g life, an a d v e n t u r o u s life, a life that k n o w s h o w t o risk a n d h o w t o g o i n t o t h e u n k n o w n , for i n t e l l i g e n c e t o arise. A n d o n l y i n t e l l i g e n c e c a n save y o u — n o b o d y else. Y o u r o w n intelligence, m i n d y o u , y o u r o w n awareness, can b e c o m e y o u r n i r v a n a . B e a light u n t o yourself a n d y o u w i l l b e wise; let o t h e r s b e c o m e y o u r leaders, y o u r guides, a n d y o u will r e m a i n stupid, a n d y o u will g o o n m i s s ing all t h e treasures of l i f e — w h i c h w e r e y o u r s .
S Y M P T O M S , STEPPING-STONES, S T U M B E I N G
A N D
BLOCKS
RESPONSES T O Q U E S T I O N S
Can
computers
take
over the work
of human
intelligence?
T h e q u e s t i o n m a y n o t appear v e r y serious, b u t i t i s o n e o f t h e m o s t serious q u e s t i o n s possible. T h e first t h i n g to r e m e m b e r is t h a t it is g o i n g to h a p p e n . T h e r e is no possibility to avoid it; n e i t h e r is t h e r e any n e e d to avoid it. P e r h a p s I a m t h e o n l y o n e i n t h e w o r l d w h o i s i n absolute supp o r t o f m e c h a n i c a l brains t a k i n g over t h e w o r k o f h u m a n intelligence. T h e reasons are v e r y clear, w h y I am in s u p p o r t of s u c h a strange thing. First, w h a t we call t h e h u m a n m i n d is itself a b i o c o m p u t e r . Just because y o u are b o r n w i t h i t d o e s n o t m a k e m u c h difference. A b e t t e r c o m p u t e r can b e i m p l a n t e d i n y o u r m i n d — f a r m o r e efficient, far more intelligent, far m o r e c o m p r e h e n s i v e . T h e r e are always p e o p l e w h o are afraid o f e v e r y n e w t h i n g . Every n e w t h i n g has b e e n o p p o s e d b y religions, b y c h u r c h e s vehemently, because e v e r y n e w t h i n g c h a n g e s t h e w h o l e s t r u c t u r e o f h u m a n life. f o r e x a m p l e , t h e c o m p u t e r can c h a n g e all t h e s t u p i d i t y t h a t m a n has shown t h r o u g h t h e w h o l e of history. I d o n ' t t h i n k t h a t c o m p u t e r s will like to
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create war, o r c o m p u t e r s will e x p l o i t p e o p l e , o r c o m p u t e r s will d i s c r i m i n a t e b e t w e e n black a n d w h i t e , b e t w e e n m a n a n d w o m a n . M o r e o v e r , y o u are always t h e master, n o t t h e c o m p u t e r . Y o u c a n a l ways c h a n g e t h e p r o g r a m o f t h e c o m p u t e r . T h e c o m p u t e r i s s i m p l y a t r e m e n d o u s i n s t r u m e n t , w h i c h gives y o u i m m e n s e possibilities t h a t are n o t available t o y o u biologically. Y o u can d o t h i n g s w h i c h m a n has n e v e r d r e a m t of. T h e c o m p u t e r c a n b e a t h o u s a n d times m o r e s u p e r i o r t h a n A l b e r t E i n s t e i n . N a t u r a l l y t h e c o m p u t e r can p r o d u c e a science far m o r e f u n d a m e n t a l , far m o r e real, n o t c h a n g i n g e v e r y day b e c a u s e n e w d i s c o v eries g o o n h a p p e n i n g a n d t h e o l d discovery b e c o m e s o u t o f date. T h e c o m p u t e r can r e a c h t h e v e r y c e n t e r o f reality. I t can reveal t o y o u w h a t e v e r y o u w a n t . I t i s a n i n s t r u m e n t i n y o u r h a n d s . It is n o t a danger. A n d because i t w i l l b e d o i n g all t h e intellectual, m e n t a l w o r k , n o b o d y has seen t h e possibility t h a t I am telling y o u , that y o u w i l l be left v e r y simply t o relax i n t o m e d i t a t i o n . T h e c o m p u t e r c a n b e p u t t o t h e side. T h e c o m p u t e r c a n d o all t h e t h i n k i n g ; y o u n e e d n o t g o o n c o n t i n u o u s l y c h a t t e r i n g unnecessarily. A n d t h e c o m p u t e r i s n o t C h r i s t i a n , i s n o t H i n d u , is n o t M o h a m m e d a n . It is s i m p l y a m e c h a n i c a l device c r e a t e d by h u m a n consciousness. A n d i n r e t u r n i t can h e l p h u m a n consciousness t o reach its h i g h e s t p o t e n t i a l . B u t e v e r y n e w t h i n g w i l l b e o p p o s e d , because e v e r y n e w t h i n g will m a k e o l d t h i n g s o u t o f date. O l d factories w i l l close, o l d i n d u s t r i e s will close. T h e r e are m a n y i n v e n t i o n s t h a t are n e v e r m a r k e t e d i n t h e w o r l d because t h e p e o p l e w h o s e business w i l l b e affected b y t h e m p u r c h a s e their p a t e n t s . A n d t h e scientist has n o t t h e m o n e y t o m a k e his o w n c o n c e p t i o n i n t o a reality. T h e r e are h u n d r e d s o f i n v e n t i o n s that can h e l p h u m a n i t y t o b e m o r e comfortable, t o b e m o r e j o y o u s , t o have b e t t e r clothes, b e t t e r food. B u t they will n o t ever c o m e t o light b e c a u s e t h e r e are p e o p l e w h o are g o i n g to be ruined if those n e w things c o m e o n t o the market. A n d n e w things naturally create fear. B u t today, m a n y factories are r u n b y r o b o t s . T h e y n e v e r tire, t h e y 143
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n e v e r retire; they d o n ' t ask for a salary or for a raise; t h e y d o n ' t f o r m u n i o n s , they d o n ' t g o o n strike. T h e y are t h e nicest p e o p l e you can find. A n d t h e y w o r k t w e n t y - f o u r h o u r s , day in, day o u t . T h e i r efficiency is perfect, a h u n d r e d p e r c e n t . B u t it is a d a n g e r because p e o p l e are b e c o m i n g u n e m p l o y e d . N o w these u n e m p l o y e d p e o p l e are g o i n g t o c r e ate t r o u b l e ; t h e y d o n ' t w a n t r o b o t s . B u t I am
all
in
favor
of robots.
Everybody
s h o u l d b e u n e m p l o y e d a n d p a i d — p a i d for b e i n g u n e m p l o y e d . R o b o t s are d o i n g the w o r k , y o u g e t t h e pay. A n d life b e c o m e s sheer joy. T h e n y o u can meditate, y o u can dance, y o u can sing, y o u can go for w o r l d trips. The
problem
arises
because
we
cannot
t h i n k of t h e solution. T h e solution is simple. You w e r e p a i d because y o u w e r e p r o d u c i n g . N o w t h e r o b o t i s p r o d u c i n g more, m u c h m o r e efficiently, a n d he is n o t being paid. T h e r e is no n e e d for y o u to remain u n e m p l o y e d , h u n g r y , poor. It is such simple arithmetic: You s h o u l d b e p a i d — p a i d more because n o w y o u have vacated t h e place for a r o b o t that produces a h u n d r e d times m o r e . So if y o u r salary is d o u b l e d there is no loss. A n d i f t h e w h o l e w o r l d i s u n e m p l o y e d a n d has e n o u g h m o n e y t o enjoy, d o y o u t h i n k a n y b o d y i s g o i n g t o j o i n t h e a r m y ? P e o p l e will j o i n carnivals, c i r c u s e s . . . All k i n d s of celebrations will h a p p e n , b u t there is no n e e d for war. A n d even if w a r is an absolute necessity, r o b o t s are there, just let t h e m fight. N o b o d y is g o i n g to w i n . B o t h sides are robots; n o b o d y is g o i n g t o b e killed. E v e r y day they c o m e b a c k w i t h a few parts missing; r e p a i r t h e m a n will b e n o q u e s t i o n o f defeat o r victory.
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B u t p e o p l e are afraid because t h e y c a n n o t conceive of a w o r l d in w h i c h p e o p l e d o n ' t suffer. Y o u r c o n c e r n is that these c o m p u t e r s are g o i n g to take t h e place of intelligence. T h e y will be far s u p e r i o r in intelligence, b u t r e m e m b e r o n e t h i n g : T h o s e c o m p u t e r s are i n y o u r h a n d s . Y o u are n o t in their h a n d s , so there is no p r o b l e m . U p t o n o w y o u have lived a c c o r d i n g t o m e m o r y , w h i c h i s a n u n n e c essary b u r d e n , c a r r y i n g i t i n y o u r h e a d . T w e n t y - f i v e years o f t e a c h i n g i n t h e schools, colleges, universities; P h . D . s , D . L i t t . s . . . W h a t are y o u d o ing? You are c r e a t i n g a c o m p u t e r , b u t w i t h a n old, o u t - o f - d a t e m e t h o d — forcing small c h i l d r e n t o m e m o r i z e . T h e r e i s n o n e e d . T h e c o m p u t e r can d o e v e r y t h i n g , i t j u s t has t o b e g i v e n i n f o r m a t i o n . You can b u y a c o m p u t e r that k n o w s e v e r y t h i n g a b o u t m e d i c a l science. Y o u n e e d n o t go to a m e d i c a l college; y o u simply ask t h e c o m p u t e r and i m m e d i a t e l y t h e a n s w e r is there. Y o u r m e m o r y is n o t so reliable. A n d the c o m p u t e r can always b e fed w i t h n e w m e m o r y , because n e w discoveries are b e i n g m a d e e v e r y day. T h e c o m p u t e r can b e p l u g g e d i n t o t h e m a i n c o m p u t e r o f t h e university, s o w i t h o u t y o u r even b o t h e r i n g , e v e r y n e w discovery c o n c e r n i n g y o u r subject is i m m e d i a t e l y fed i n t o y o u r c o m p u t e r . I t waits there, y o u m a k e a n i n q u i r y , a n d t h e c o m p u t e r tells y o u . You can have a m u l t i d i m e n s i o n a l c o m p u t e r w h i c h has all k i n d s of m e m o r y , o r a o n e - d i m e n s i o n a l c o m p u t e r w h i c h has o n l y history, t h e w h o l e h i s t o r y o f m a n k i n d . N o w , y o u c a n n o t have t h e w h o l e h i s t o r y o f m a n k i n d . D o y o u k n o w o n w h a t date Socrates was m a r r i e d t o X a n t h i p p e ? T h e c o m p u t e r can tell y o u immediately. T h a t u n f o r t u n a t e date . . . I have always suspected that Socrates a c c e p t e d t h e p o i s o n so easily because of his wife, because life was so t o r t u r o u s — d e a t h c a n n o t be w o r s e t h a n that. H o w m u c h c a n y o u m e m o r i z e ? Y o u r m e m o r y has a l i m i t a t i o n . B u t the c o m p u t e r c a n m e m o r i z e a l m o s t u n l i m i t e d a m o u n t s o f t h i n g s . A n d there are m a n y m o r e possibilities: O n e c o m p u t e r can j o i n t o g e t h e r w i t h another c o m p u t e r a n d m a n a g e t o figure o u t n e w i n v e n t i o n s , n e w m e d i cines, n e w ways o f h e a l t h , n e w ways o f living. C o m p u t e r s s h o u l d n o t be t a k e n as m o n s t e r s . T h e y are a great blessing. A n d w h a t m a n ' s i n t e l l e c t has d o n e i s v e r y small. O n c e t h e c o m p u t e r
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takes over, s o m u c h can b e d o n e that t h e r e w i l l b e n o n e e d for a n y b o d y t o b e h u n g r y , n o n e e d for a n y b o d y t o b e p o o r , n o n e e d for a n y b o d y t o b e a thief, no n e e d for a n y b o d y to be a j u d g e , b e c a u s e these all b e l o n g to t h e same p r o f e s s i o n — j u d g e s a n d thieves, criminals a n d l a w m a k e r s . T h e r e is n o n e e d for a n y b o d y t o b e p o o r a n d n o n e e d for a n y b o d y t o b e r i c h . E v e r y b o d y c a n b e affluent. B u t p e r h a p s n o g o v e r n m e n t will allow this t o h a p p e n . N o r e h g i o n will a l l o w this to h a p p e n , because it w i l l go against t h e i r scriptures, it will g o against t h e i r d o c t r i n e s . H i n d u s believe t h a t y o u h a v e t o suffer because i n y o u r past life y o u c o m m i t t e d evil acts. N o b o d y k n o w s a b o u t past lives. T h e y c a n n o t a c c e p t a n i n v e n t i o n w h i c h c a n r e m o v e misery, poverty, sickness, b e c a u s e t h e n w h a t w i l l h a p p e n t o t h e t h e o r y o f r e i n c a r n a t i o n , and rewards a n d p u n i s h m e n t s o f g o o d a n d b a d deeds? T h e w h o l e d o c t r i n e o f H i n d u i s m will be simply meaningless.
A y o u n g m a n c a m e f r o m t h e university w i t h t h e d e g r e e o f M . D . H i s o l d father was w a i t i n g for h i m , b e c a u s e h e was tired, w o r k i n g his w h o l e life. T h r e e o f his sons w e r e s t u d y i n g a t m e d i c a l c o l l e g e — i f at least o n e c o m e s b a c k , he can take his place a n d s u p p o r t t h e o t h e r t w o . A n d t h e y o u n g m a n i m m e d i a t e l y said, " Y o u n e e d n o t b e w o r r i e d . Y o u rest a n d relax, I will take care." A n d t h e t h i r d day h e a p p r o a c h e d his father a n d said, " D a d , t h e w o m a n y o u have b e e n t r e a t i n g for t h i r t y years I have c u r e d . " T h e father said, " Y o u idiot! T h a t i s t h e w o m a n w h o has p a i d for y o u r e d u c a t i o n a n d was p a y i n g for y o u r t w o o t h e r b r o t h e r s . I was k e e p i n g h e r in this c o n d i t i o n . S h e was so r i c h she c o u l d afford t o b e sick. S h e was n o t p o o r . "
T o b e r i c h a n d t o b e sick i s v e r y d a n g e r o u s . T o b e p o o r a n d t o b e sick i s n o t v e r y d a n g e r o u s . Y o u will b e c u r e d v e r y s o o n , because y o u cann o t pay m u c h . O n t h e contrary, y o u m a y ask t h e d o c t o r , " W h a t about the m e d i c i n e , w h a t a b o u t t h e food y o u have prescribed? I d o n ' t have any m o n e y . " T h e d o c t o r will t h i n k , " I t i s b e t t e r t o c u r e h i m a n d get rid o f
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h i m . " B u t w h e n a r i c h m a n is sick, t h e n it b e c o m e s professionally a v e r y strange d i l e m m a i n t h e m i n d o f t h e physician: t o c u r e h i m o r t o have h i m l i n g e r o n — b e c a u s e t h e m o r e h e lingers o n , t h e m o r e m o n e y y o u get. I f y o u c u r e h i m , y o u d o n ' t get that m o n e y . B u t if c o m p u t e r s can m a n a g e , t h e n many
professions
will
be
affected. A n d
these will be t h e professions that will p r e v e n t it; they will m a k e a t h o u s a n d a n d o n e excuses: G o d never created a c o m p u t e r , c o m p u t e r s are d a n g e r o u s because t h e y will take all intelligence away from y o u . W h a t are you d o i n g w i t h y o u r intelligence? B e i n g miserable, b e i n g j e a l o u s ? A t least c o m p u t e r s will n o t be j e a l o u s a n d will n o t b e miserable. W h a t are y o u d o i n g w i t h your intelligence? Destructiveness, all k i n d s of wars, all k i n d s of v i o l e n c e . C o m p u t e r s can give y o u a c o m p l e t e h o l i d a y for y o u r w h o l e life. Y o u can relax. Y o u w i l l have t o l e a r n h o w t o relax, b e c a u s e y o u have all b e c o m e w o r k a h o l i c s . F o r t h o u s a n d s o f years, w o r k , w o r k , w o r k hard! C o m puters will g o against y o u r w h o l e c o n d i t i o n i n g a b o u t w o r k . Laziness w i l l become for t h e first t i m e a spiritual quality: Blessed are t h e laziest, for theirs i s t h e k i n g d o m o f this p l a n e t . A n d i n their laziness, i f t h e y w a n t , they can m a k e beautiful gardens. I t i s j u s t o u t o f joy, for n o p u r p o s e . T h e y can p a i n t — n o t t o sell, b u t j u s t t o rejoice i n t h e colors, t h e m i x i n g o f colors, t h e d a n c e o f colors. T h e y c a n play m u s i c — n o t for any m o n e tary reason, n o t as a business, b u t s i m p l y as a playful joy. W h a t m a n has d r e a m t o f f i n d i n g i n paradise, life c a n really b e c o m e here o n this p l a n e t . T h e r e i s n o n e e d t o g o t h a t far. A n d n o b o d y k n o w s the w a y a n d n o b o d y has ever g o n e t h e r e . A n d t h o s e w h o h a v e g o n e have n o t e v e n d r o p p e d a card: " W e h a v e a r r i v e d ! " S u c h m i s e r l y p e o ple—just a C h r i s t m a s c a r d . . . B u t p a r a d i s e has to be c r e a t e d ; t h e r e is 147
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n o paradise i n e x i s t e n c e . I t has t o c o m e o u t o f m a n ' s awareness, c o n sciousness. T h e c o m p u t e r i s also p a r t o f m a n ' s creativity. T h e r e i s n o n e e d t o b e c o m e a c o m p e t i t o r ; y o u are t h e master. A n d for t h e first t i m e t h e c o m p u t e r a n d y o u are separate. T h a t ' s w h a t all t h e t e a c h i n g s o f t h e mystics have b e e n telling y o u , that y o u r m i n d a n d y o u are separate. B u t it is difficult b e c a u s e t h e m i n d is inside y o u r h e a d a n d y o u r consciousness is so close t o it, s o t h o u s a n d s o f mystics have b e e n t e a c h i n g this b u t n o b o d y listens. T h e distance i s n o t v e r y great. B u t w i t h c o m p u t e r s , t h e distance will b e v e r y clear; t h e r e will b e n o n e e d for a n y mystic t o tell y o u . E v e r y b o d y has his o w n c o m p u t e r in his p o c k e t a n d k n o w s that it is separate. A n d o n e is free f r o m t h i n k i n g — t h e c o m p u t e r is d o i n g it. You w a n t t o t h i n k s o m e t h i n g , tell t h e c o m p u t e r t o t h i n k it. I f y o u r o l d habit o f c h a t t e r i n g arises, tell t h e c o m p u t e r , " C h a t t e r , " a n d i t will chatter. B u t y o u can b e for t h e first t i m e w h a t t h e b u d d h a s have b e e n t a l k i n g a b o u t — j u s t aware, silent, peaceful, a p o o l of consciousness. A c o m p u t e r c a n n o t be aware. A c o m p u t e r c a n be intellectual, a c o m p u t e r can be k n o w l e d g e a b l e ; a c o m p u t e r c a n be so k n o w l e d g e a b l e that it c a n c o n t a i n all t h e i n f o r m a t i o n o f all t h e libraries i n t h e w h o l e w o r l d — a single c o m p u t e r t h a t y o u can k e e p in y o u r p o c k e t . It will relieve m i l lions o f p e o p l e f r o m m e m o r i z i n g u n n e c e s s a r y t h i n g s .
I t will keep
millions of people from teaching and t o r t u r i n g students. Examinations a n d all k i n d s of s t u p i d things will disappear. T h e c o m p u t e r can b e o n e o f t h e greatest p h e n o m e n a that has ever h a p p e n e d . I t c a n b e c o m e t h e q u a n t u m leap. I t c a n b r e a k away f r o m the past a n d all c o n d i t i o n i n g s of t h e past.
H y m i e G o l d b e r g answers a classified advertisement in a n e w s p a p e r w h i c h says, " O p p o r t u n i t y of a lifetime!" He is given an address a n d finds himself face to face w i t h old m a n Finkelstein. " W h a t I a m l o o k i n g for," explains o l d m a n F i n k , "is s o m e b o d y t o d o all m y w o r r y i n g for m e . Y o u r j o b will b e t o s h o u l d e r all my cares."
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" T h a t ' s q u i t e a j o b , " says H y m i e . " H o w m u c h d o I g e t paid?" " Y o u w i l l g e t t w e n t y t h o u s a n d dollars a year," says o l d m a n Fink, "to m a k e every w o r r y of m i n e your own." " O k a y , " says H y m i e , " w h e n d o I g e t p a i d ? " " A h a ! " says F i n k . " T h a t ' s y o u r first w o r r y . "
Why
does
humanity
seem
so
willing
to
walk
the path
toward global
suicide?
T h e reason is clear. P e o p l e have realized t h a t their life has no m e a n i n g , that e x c e p t for misery, n o t h i n g h a p p e n s ; e x c e p t for anxiety, a n g u i s h , life has n o t h i n g to offer. Individuals have always c o m m i t t e d suicide. A n d y o u w i l l b e s u r prised: T h e p e o p l e w h o have c o m m i t t e d suicide have always b e e n a litde m o r e i n t e l l i g e n t t h a n t h e n o r m a l p e o p l e . Psychologists c o m m i t suicide t w i c e as m u c h as any o t h e r profession. P a i n t e r s , p o e t s , p h i l o s o p h e r s e i t h e r g o m a d o r c o m m i t suicide. Idiots have n e v e r b e e n k n o w n t o c o m m i t s u i i l e i d e , nor do they go mad. T h e idiots have n e v e r c o m m i t t e d suicide b e c a u s e t h e y c a n n o t e v e n t h i n k a b o u t m e a n i n g , significance, p u r p o s e . T h e y d o n ' t t h i n k a t all; t h e y simply live, t h e y vegetate. T h e h i g h e r t h e intelligence, t h e m o r e d a n g e r ous, b e c a u s e it m a k e s y o u aware t h a t t h e life t h a t y o u are l i v i n g is j u s t h o l low, u t t e r l y empty. T h e r e i s n o t h i n g t o h o l d o n to. Y o u k n o w t o m o r r o w will be a r e p e t i t i o n of today, so w h a t is t h e p o i n t of c o n t i n u i n g ? Individuals have c o m m i t t e d suicide because o n l y individuals have c o m e to a c e r t a i n stage of intelligence, of u n d e r s t a n d i n g w h e t h e r life has any m e a n i n g o r n o t . N o w , for t h e first t i m e , millions o f p e o p l e a r o u n d the e a r t h have r e a c h e d that m a t u r i t y w h e r e t h e y feel life is m e a n i n g l e s s . That's w h y h u m a n i t y is m o v i n g t o w a r d a global suicide. T h e r e seems to h e n o reason t o c o n t i n u e — f o r w h a t ? Y o u have lived y o u r life, a n d y o u have f o u n d n o t h i n g . N o w y o u r c h i l d r e n will live a n d t h e y w i l l find
149
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n o t h i n g : g e n e r a t i o n after g e n e r a t i o n , o n l y e m p t i n e s s i n y o u r h a n d s — n o fulfillment, n o c o n t e n t m e n t . B u t to m e , this gives m a n a t r e m e n dous opportunity. O n l y very highly intelligent p e o p l e have c o m m i t t e d suicide o r have b e c o m e m a d , b e c a u s e t h e y c o u l d n o t live w i t h this insane w o r l d . T h e y c o u l d n o t adapt themselves to all k i n d s of insanities that are g o i n g a r o u n d . T h e y felt themselves fallen a p a r t — t h a t was t h e i r m a d n e s s . But o n l y t h e same k i n d o f p e o p l e have also b e come enlightened. So these are t h e t h r e e possibilities for intelligence. E i t h e r t h e i n t e l l i g e n t person goes m a d b e c a u s e h e c a n n o t figure out w h a t is h a p p e n i n g , w h y it is h a p p e n i n g , w h y h e i s s u p p o s e d t o d o this o r that. Or, seeing t h e situation, t h a t it is d r i v i n g him m a d , h e c o m m i t s suicide, h e puts a n end t o life. T h i s has b e e n m o s t l y t h e case in the West. In t h e East t h e same k i n d of people have t r i e d s o m e t h i n g e l s e — n o t madness, b u t m e d i t a t i o n . T h e West is poor in that way. It does n o t k n o w t h e richness of m e d i t a t i o n . It does n o t know that m e d i t a t i o n can t r a n s f o r m y o u r w h o l e vision of life; it can give you t r e m e n d o u s meaningfulness, beauty, b e n e d i c t i o n . T h e n life is something sacred, y o u c a n n o t destroy it. Y o u m u s t l o o k at it, that in t h e East t h e rate of suicide is very low c o m p a r e d t o t h e West, t h e rate o f p e o p l e g o i n g m a d i s v e r y l o w comp a r e d t o t h e W e s t . A n d o n e t h i n g m o r e : I n t h e East, t h e p e o p l e w h o g o m a d are really n o t v e r y i n t e l l i g e n t p e o p l e . T h e y are psychologically sick' It is n o t t h e i r i n t e l l i g e n c e t h a t has l e d t h e m to m a d n e s s , it is something m i s s i n g in t h e i r m i n d s . Perhaps their f o o d is n o t r i g h t , it is n o t enough to
150
h e l p their m i n d b e c o m e m a t u r e . T h e i r v e g e t a r i a n i s m i s l a c k i n g c e r t a i n p r o t e i n s w h i c h are absolutely n e e d e d for intelligence t o grow. S o t h e m a d n e s s i n t h e W e s t a n d i n t h e East i s totally different. T h e m a d n e s s in t h e East is s o m e t h i n g p s y c h o l o g i c a l : T h e y are m i s s i n g c e r t a i n things, their g r o w t h i s r e t a r d e d , t h e i r m i n d s c a n n o t g r o w t h e w a y t h e y w o u l d have g r o w n . T h e p e o p l e w h o c o m m i t suicide i n t h e East are also different f r o m the p e o p l e w h o c o m m i t suicide i n t h e West. I n t h e East p e o p l e c o m m i t suicide because o f h u n g e r , b e c a u s e o f starvation, because t h e y c a n n o t m a n a g e to l i v e — a n d life b e c o m e s s u c h a t o r t u r e . So t h e r e is a qualitative difference. B u t t h e intelligent p e o p l e i n t h e East have
always
turned
toward
meditation.
W h e n e v e r they have felt that life has no m e a n i n g , t h e y have t r i e d t o find t h e m e a n ing w i t h i n themselves; that's t h e w a y o f meditation. T h e y have t r i e d t o find o u t t h e very source of life, love, a n d they have found it. A n y b o d y w h o looks i n w a r d is b o u n d to find it. It is n o t far away, it is j u s t within y o u . You are c a r r y i n g it all t h e time! T h e W e s t e r n intelligentsia i s l o o k i n g for m e a n i n g outside, a n d t h e r e is no m e a n ing outside. T h e y are l o o k i n g for blissfulness outside. R e m e m b e r , t h e b e a u t y is in the eyes of t h e o n l o o k e r ; it is n o t t h e r e outside. A n d t h e same i s t r u e a b o u t m e a n ingfulness, blissfulness, b e n e d i c t i o n . It is Within y o u r vision, it is w i t h i n y o u . W h e n you have it, y o u can p r o j e c t it o v e r t h e hole of existence. B u t first y o u have to find it w i t h i n yourself. If Jean-Paul
Sartre,
Marcel
Proust, Martin
Heidegger,
Ludwig
Wittgenstein, B e r t r a n d R u s s e l l , p e o p l e like these, h a d b e e n b o r n i n t h e 151
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East, t h e y w o u l d all have b e c o m e e n l i g h t e n e d b e i n g s . B u t i n t h e West, t h e y all b e c a m e t r e m e n d o u s l y b u r d e n e d w i t h anguish, anxiety. T h e y f o u n d that it is all accidental a n d m e a n i n g l e s s , that t h e r e is no p u r p o s e in life, a n d j o y is j u s t a d r e a m , j u s t a h o p e ; it does n o t exist in reality. T h e W e s t n e e d s m e d i t a t i o n . T h e East n e e d s m e d i c i n e ; i t i s sick i n the body. T h e W e s t i s sick i n t h e soul. O n c e w e u n d e r s t a n d t h e p r o b l e m clearly . . . N o w it is n o t t h e East w h i c h is a d a n g e r to t h e w o r l d ; at the m o s t t h e y c a n starve a n d die as t h e y are d y i n g in E t h i o p i a . B u t it is n o t a d a n g e r to t h e w o r l d . In fact, in a w a y t h e s t a r v i n g East is h e l p i n g the w o r l d by d y i n g . It is r e d u c i n g t h e p o p u l a t i o n of t h e w o r l d . It is m a k i n g e v e r y b o d y r i c h e r , w i t h o u t y o u r k n o w i n g it. O n e t h o u s a n d Ethiopians d y i n g e v e r y d a y — y o u m a y n o t see that s o m e h o w t h e y are h e l p i n g your c o m f o r t , b u t t h e y are, because i f t h e p o p u l a t i o n o f t h e w o r l d i s reduced, p e o p l e can live m o r e comfortably, m o r e easily, m o r e joyously. T h e p r o b l e m i s n o t c o m i n g f r o m t h e East; t h e p r o b l e m i s c o m i n g f r o m t h e West. T h e p r o b l e m is t h a t t h e W e s t e r n intelligentsia is fed up w i t h life, so t h e r e is no real resistance f r o m t h e intelligentsia against nuclear w e a p o n s , against a t h i r d w o r l d war. In fact, it seems d e e p d o w n the W e s t e r n m i n d is s o m e h o w h o p i n g that it h a p p e n s soon, b e c a u s e life is meaningless. R a t h e r t h a n t a k i n g t h e risk o f c o m m i t t i n g suicide yourself, i f politicians can m a n a g e to destroy t h e w h o l e w o r l d , t h a t w i l l be far easier. You will n o t b e i n t h e d i l e m m a o f t o b e o r n o t t o b e . Y o u w i l l n o t have t o t h i n k w h e t h e r t o destroy yourself o r n o t , t o w o n d e r i f p e r h a p s t o m o r r o w t h i n g s m a y b e different. It is an i n d i v i d u a l responsibility to c o m m i t suicide, b u t a global war, a n u c l e a r w a r — a l l y o u r p e r s o n a l responsibility disappears. It is n o t your d o i n g , it is j u s t h a p p e n i n g . W h y is t h e W e s t e r n intelligentsia n o t really fighting against nuclear w e a p o n s ? W h y are t h e s c i e n t i s t s — w h o are p a r t o f t h e intelligentsia s t i l l s e r v i n g g o v e r n m e n t s ? T h e simplest w a y w o u l d b e for all t h e scientists w h o are c r e a t i n g n u c l e a r w e a p o n s to resign. T h e y s h o u l d say, " E n o u g h is e n o u g h . W e c a n n o t create these w e a p o n s w h i c h are g o i n g t o destroy l i f e
152
on the earth." A n d the poets, the philosophers, the painters—they don't s e e m t o protest. T h e y have j u s t b e c o m e spectators. T h e r e i s a reason b e h i n d it. W e s t e r n h u m a n i t y has b e e n t u r n e d b y a n d b y i n t o s p e c t a t o r s — about everything. Y o u d o n ' t play football, b u t t w e n t y - t w o p e r s o n s w h o are p r o f e s s i o n als, this is t h e i r business, to play football. A n d millions of p e o p l e are j u s t spectators, a n d t h e y are so e x c i t e d . . . j u m p i n g in their seats, s c r e a m i n g , s h o u t i n g . I f t h e y are n o t i n t h e s t a d i u m , t h e n t h e y are sitting i n t h e i r h o m e s before t h e television screen a n d t h e y are d o i n g t h e same gestures there. S o m e b o d y else is playing; y o u are j u s t a spectator. T h e average A m e r i c a n is l o o k i n g at t h e television five to six h o u r s a day: six h o u r s of j u s t b e i n g a spectator, n o t a p a r t i c i p a n t . T h e n t h e r e are movies w h e r e y o u are spectators, a n d t h e r e are b o x i n g m a t c h e s w h e r e you are spectators. It seems y o u h a v e lost c o n t a c t w i t h life. Y o u s i m p l y see o t h e r s living; y o u r life is j u s t to w a t c h . S o m e b o d y is in a c o m p e t i t i o n for a w o r l d c h a m p i o n s h i p in chess, a n d y o u are w a t c h i n g . C a n ' t y o u play chess yourself? C a n ' t y o u play football yourself? It is n o t far away, it is already h a p p e n i n g . . . y o u w i l l n o t be m a k i n g love t o y o u r wife, t o y o u r g i r l f r i e n d — s o m e b o d y else w i l l b e d o i n g i t a n d you will b e w a t c h i n g , j u m p i n g : " A h a ! Great! G o o n ! " You have left t h e w h o l e o f life for o t h e r s t o live o n y o u r behalf, a n d then y o u ask w h e r e t h e m e a n i n g has g o n e , w h y y o u d o n ' t feel alive, why t h e r e i s n o t s o m e significance i n y o u r life. S p e c t a t o r s c a n n o t h a v e s i g n i f i c a n c e — o n l y p a r t i c i p a n t s , totally involved, intensely i n v o l v e d in every a c t i o n . S o p e r h a p s t h e W e s t e r n intelligentsia i s j u s t i n t h e situation o f s p e c tators, w a t c h i n g w h e n i t i s a n n o u n c e d o n t h e television t h a t t h e t h i r d World w a r has b e g u n . L i s t e n i n g to t h e radio, r e a d i n g t h e n e w s p a p e r . . . But are y o u g o i n g t o d o s o m e t h i n g o r n o t ? It is doing t h a t k e e p s y o u r j u i c e s r u n n i n g . If y o u are simply w a t c h i n g , your o w n j u i c e s d r y u p . Y o u b e c o m e j u s t a skeleton.
I am s u r p r i s e d t h a t t h e W e s t has a great, e d u c a t e d , intelligent majority in t h e w o r l d , b u t t h
153
INTELLIGENCE
s p r e a d i n g — y o u are simply w a t c h i n g . Y o u r g o v e r n m e n t s are piling u p n u c l e a r w e a p o n s , p r e p a r i n g y o u r funeral p y r e — a n d y o u are j u s t w a t c h i n g . Y o u have t o b e t a k e n o u t o f this h y p n o t i c state o f b e i n g a m e r e spectator. T h e r e are n o t m a n y p e o p l e w h o are m a k i n g n u c l e a r w e a p o n s . T h e r e are o n l y a few scientists w h o k n o w h o w . C a n ' t t h e y s i m p l y say, " N o , w e are n o t g o i n g t o b e servants o f d e a t h " ? A n d all t h e p o e t s a n d all t h e painters and
all
the
great
Nobel
prizewinners,
novelists, actors, musicians, d a n c e r s — w h a t are t h e y d o i n g ? T h e r e s h o u l d be a great protest—all the nuclear weapons should be d r o w n e d i n t h e Pacific. W h o e v e r n a m e d i t t h e " P a c i f i c " m u s t h a v e h a d a great insight i n t o t h e future. N o w let that n a m e b e c o m e a reality. B u t t h e t r o u b l e is, unless y o u start feeli n g s o m e m e a n i n g i n life, s o m e j o y arising i n y o u , s o m e fragrance s u r r o u n d i n g you, y o u c a n n o t fight for life. A n d life needs, for t h e first t i m e in t h e h i s t o r y of m a n , to be f o u g h t for. M e d i t a t i o n w i l l create t h e necessary a t m o s p h e r e . I t w i l l b r i n g y o u b a c k t o act i o n , b a c k t o love, b a c k t o m e a n i n g . And t h e n , naturally, y o u will see that it is time for s o m e t h i n g t o b e d o n e . T h i s beautiful e a r t h s h o u l d n o t die. T h i s is a u n i q u e planet, v e r y small. In this i m m e n s e universe, which k n o w s no limits, this small e a r t h is u n i q u e — u n i q u e because birds sing h e r e , flowers b l o s s o m h e r e , life has r e a c h e d a n e w level: consciousness. A n d in a f e w p e o p l e consciousness has t o u c h e d its o m e g a p o i n t : enlightenment. C o m p a r e d to this e a r t h , t h e w h o l e u n i v e r s e is d e a d . It is big, vast, b u t e v e n a single rose flower is far m o r e v a l u a b l e t h a n t h e b i g g e s t stars-
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A n y b o d y w h o w a n t s t o destroy this e a r t h w a n t s t o destroy s o m e t h i n g u n i q u e that i s evolving. A n d i t has t a k e n m i l l e n n i a t o c o m e t o this state of consciousness. E v e n if o n l y a f e w p e o p l e have a t t a i n e d to u l t i m a t e bliss a n d ecstasy, t h a t is e n o u g h to m a k e this e a r t h t h e greatest treasure. T h e r e are millions of solar systems, b u t no solar system c a n c l a i m a G a u t a m B u d d h a , a L a o T z u , a B o d h i d h a r m a , a Kabir. T h i s e a r t h has d o n e s o m e t h i n g i m m e n s e l y great, i t has m a d e t h e w h o l e u n i v e r s e r i c h . I t c a n n o t b e destroyed. W a r s h o u l d b e s t o p p e d — a n d i t i s w i t h i n o u r h a n d s t o d o so. D o n ' t b e o n l y a spectator. R a t h e r t h a n j u s t r e m a i n i n g i n y o u r misery, start f i n d ing sources of life a n d m y s t e r y w i t h i n yourself. T h a t is t h e o n l y possibility for saving t h e w h o l e w o r l d .
I cannot cope with many social situations I help
of
find
myself in. Do I need the
a psychiatrist?
Your m i n d is perfectly okay. In fact, this situation h a p p e n s to e v e r y b o d y w h o has a c e r t a i n intelligence. It is n o t t h a t y o u are l a c k i n g s o m e t h i n g , it i s that y o u have m o r e t h a n average intelligence. T h i s p r o b l e m i s n o t b e cause o f lack, this p r o b l e m i s b e c a u s e o f s o m e t h i n g plus: Y o u have m o r e intelligence t h a n average. W h e n t h e m i n d is a little m o r e i n t e l l i g e n t it is n e v e r satisfied b e c a u s e it can always i m a g i n e b e t t e r situations; that is t h e p r o b l e m . If y o u have o n e t h o u s a n d r u p e e s a n d y o u are s t u p i d y o u can h e satisfied! B u t h o w c a n a n i n t e l l i g e n t m a n b e satisfied? H e t h i n k s o f t w o t h o u s a n d , t h r e e t h o u sand, f i v e t h o u s a n d ; w h a t s o e v e r h e has h e can always i m a g i n e m o r e . Y o u have a beautiful w o m a n ; a i n t e l l i g e n t p e r s o n starts t h i n k i n g of m o r e beautiful w o m e n , h e goes o n fantasizing. A n i d i o t i s satisfied b e cause h e c a n n o t i m a g i n e . . . h e c a n n o t e v e n i m a g i n e a b e t t e r situation, s o w h y b e unsatisfied, h o w t o b e unsatisfied? S o psychiatrists c a n n o t h e l p b e c a u s e y o u d o n ' t have a n y t h i n g w r o n g ! They cannot put anything right because there is n o t h i n g w r o n g . You 155
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have m o r e t h a n average intelligence. N o w , y o u w i l l have t o apply this i n telligence t o y o u r p r o b l e m s m o r e deeply. R a t h e r t h a n asking s o m e b o d y else's help, y o u w i l l have t o a p p l y y o u r o w n i n t e l l i g e n c e t o y o u r p r o b lems. F o r e x a m p l e , w h e n y o u are unsatisfied w i t h a c e r t a i n t h i n g , b e c o m e v e r y aware o f w h y y o u are unsatisfied—see t h e w h o l e dissatisfaction, g o i n t o it deeply. Layer by layer, o p e n all t h e d o o r s , e x a m i n e e v e r y situation, e v e r y m o o d . Awareness i s g o i n g t o h e l p y o u b e c a u s e y o u have intellig e n c e a n d i n t e l l i g e n c e can b e c o n v e r t e d i n t o awareness. S e r m o n s w o n ' t h e l p — s o m e b o d y saying, "Just b e satisfied," i s n o t g o i n g t o h e l p y o u ; that y o u c a n n o t d o . Y o u will have t o g o i n t o d e e p analysis o f y o u r o w n m o o d s . S o w h e n e v e r y o u are feeling unsatisfied, n o t h i n g is w r o n g — t h e first t h i n g to be u n d e r s t o o d is t h a t n o t h i n g is w r o n g ! You s h o u l d feel f o r t u n a t e b e c a u s e y o u c o u l d have b e e n s t u p i d — s t u p i d people n e v e r have this p r o b l e m , idiots d o n ' t have any p r o b l e m s . A p r o b l e m is a good indication. A n d w h e n y o u t h i n k a b o u t life, w h e n y o u b e c o m e aware of life . . . life is m e a n i n g l e s s , so h o w to be satisfied w i t h it? If y o u go d e e p l y into this, by a n d by y o u w i l l start f e e h n g t h a t in life t h e r e is no possibility of any satisfaction. T h e n y o u have s t u m b l e d u p o n t h e first basic t r u t h — t h a t life i s m e a n i n g l e s s . T h e n o n e can t u r n w i t h i n ; t h e n t h e r e i s n o n e e d t o g o outside, b e c a u s e o u t s i d e t h e r e i s n o m e a n i n g possible. T h e r e i s o n l y a n x iety a n d a n g u i s h . A n d p e o p l e l i k e y o u c o m m i t suicide. W h e n l i f e b e c o m e s t o o heavy a n d e v e r y t h i n g is unsatisfactory a n d n o t h i n g b r i n g s happiness, o n e starts feeling, " W h a t i s t h e p o i n t o f g o i n g o n living? T h e n destroy yourself!" P e o p l e o f y o u r t y p e e i t h e r c o m m i t suicide o r t h e y b e c o m e great seekers; b o t h are possibilities. I f t h e y d o n ' t destroy themselves t h e y start t u r n i n g i n w a r d a n d t h e y create a n e w life. T h e life t h a t is available t h r o u g h the senses is m e a n i n g l e s s , b u t t h a t is n o t t h e o n l y life. T h e r e is o n e m o r e life, far greater, far m o r e g l o r i o u s , a n d t h a t is t h e life of an i n w a r d consciousness. So n o w y o u are b e c o m i n g a seeker, y o u are at t h e d o o r of it, so please
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d o n ' t t h i n k that y o u are ill. I f y o u t h i n k i n t h o s e t e r m s y o u will start feeli n g ill, y o u will h y p n o t i z e yourself i n t o b e l i e v i n g that y o u are ill. You are n o t ill at all. C o m p l e t e l y d r o p that idea! N e v e r go to a psychiatrist, b e cause if y o u go t h e y w i l l find s o m e t h i n g w r o n g w i t h y o u e v e n if it is n o t there. T h e y have t o find i t — t h e y also have t o live, s o w h e n s o m e b o d y c o m e s t h e y have t o find s o m e t h i n g w r o n g a n d treat h i m . I can see d e e p l y i n t o y o u that t h e r e is n o t h i n g w r o n g . It is j u s t that y o u are u n f o r t u n a t e i n o n e w a y t h a t y o u have m o r e t h a n average i n t e l l i gence. So y o u can m a k e a m i s e r y o u t of it or y o u can m a k e a blessing o u t of it—it depends on you.
I feel fed up with myself, feel no connection between my inner world and the outer one. I used to with
have many
interests
but no
longer feel in
touch
them.
T h i s is h o w any i n t e l l i g e n t p e r s o n will feel. B o r e d o m is t h e p r i c e o n e pays for intelligence. It s h o u l d n o t be t a k e n negatively. T h i s is g o o d , b e cause in u n d e r s t a n d i n g this t h e r e is a possibility to t r a n s c e n d . If y o u are n o t fed u p , y o u can n e v e r t r a n s c e n d yourself. Blessed are t h o s e w h o are really fed up b e c a u s e t h e y c a n transcend. Of course, to t r a n s c e n d is a difficult a n d a r d u o u s j o b ; it is n o t easy. It is like c l i m b i n g E v e r e s t — i t is a difficult t h i n g — b u t o n c e y o u are really fed u p , t h e n e v e n i n t h e difficulty there is a c h a l l e n g e . So t h e first t h i n g is, d o n ' t be w o r r i e d a b o u t i t — i t is g o o d that it is so. A n d d o n ' t take i t n e g a t i v e l y — i t i s p a r t o f intelligence, a n d y o u are a n i n telligent p e r s o n , s o naturally y o u are b o u n d t o c o m e t o this state o f b o r e dom. T h e second thing . . . W h e n y o u start b e i n g fed u p , naturally y o u w i l l start w o n d e r i n g h o w t o g o i n w a r d b e c a u s e y o u are fed u p w i t h t h e outside, y o u k n o w all that is outside. I was j u s t r e a d i n g t o d a y a v e r y a n c i e n t s t o r y of a k i n g — h i s n a m e was B h a r t i r h a r i .
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W h e n h e b e c a m e t h e k i n g , h e called all his m i n i s t e r s a n d t o l d t h e m , " T h i s w i l l b e m y r u l e a n d this i s m y o r d e r t o y o u : I w a n t t o e x p e r i e n c e e v e r y t h i n g o n c e b u t n e v e r t w i c e . S o t h e same food has n o t t o b e served t o m e again, t h e same w o m a n has n o t t o b e b r o u g h t t o m e again—• everything just once!" B y t h e e n d o f t h e year t h e y c a m e a n d said, " N o m o r e i s possible. All t h a t w e c o u l d d o , w e have d o n e . N o w w e are d r i v i n g ourselves c r a z y — we cannot find n e w things!" T h e k i n g said, " I t is o k a y — I will r e n o u n c e it all!" A n d he b e c a m e a sannyasin. He said, " N o w finished! I have tasted e v e r y t h i n g o n c e , w h a t is t h e p o i n t of tasting it twice? I am n o t so stupid! O n c e is o k a y — n o w I k n o w t h e taste o f i t — b u t w h a t i s t h e p o i n t o f r e p e a t i n g t h e taste o f it?" I l o v e d t h e s t o r y . . . i t i s t r e m e n d o u s l y beautiful.
T h i s i s h o w any i n t e l l i g e n t p e r s o n w i l l b e ! S o t h e r e i s n o t h i n g t o b e w o r r i e d a b o u t — d o n ' t b e c o m e serious a b o u t it. It is g o o d , it is perfectly okay to feel fed u p . P e o p l e w h o d o n ' t feel fed up w i t h themselves are in a w r o n g situation; t h e y are i n danger, they will n e v e r c h a n g e . T h e r e i s n o n e e d for t h e m t o c h a n g e . T h e y will g o o n revolving i n t h e w h e e l — t h e y are m e c h a n i c a l people. T h i s is t h e first ray of consciousness in y o u — t h a t y o u feel fed u p . W h o i s this o n e w h o feels fed up? T h i s awareness is y o u — t h i s is t h e first ray of consciousness. So t h e w a y that y o u have lived u p t o n o w a n d all t h e things that you have d o n e u p t o n o w are meaningless. Now, the second thing . . . T h e probl e m arises that n o w t h e o u t s i d e is almost f i n i s h e d — h o w t o g o i n w a r d ? I f y o u start s t r u g g l i n g t o g o in, i t w i l l not b e i n . I f y o u t r y a n d m a k e a n effort t o g o in, i t w i l l n o t b e i n , because
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w h a t s o e v e r w e d o w i t h effort leads outside, takes u s outside; a n y t h i n g d o n e b y effort m o v e s o u t w a r d . T o g o i n m e a n s t o relax, t o let g o — t h e r e i s n o o t h e r way. W h e n y o u relax y o u g o i n , w h e n y o u start d o i n g s o m e t h i n g y o u g o o u t . D o i n g means going out, n o n d o i n g means going in. That's w h y it is arduous. If t h e r e w e r e s o m e t h i n g t o d o I w o u l d have t o l d y o u , " D o this a n d y o u will be i n . " It is n o t a q u e s t i o n of d o i n g . Y o u w i l l have to l e a r n p a t i e n c e , y o u will have t o l e a r n infinite p a t i e n c e . A n d j u s t start sitting. W h e n e v e r y o u have t i m e j u s t sit silently w i t h closed eyes n o t d o i n g a n y t h i n g . Y o u are fed u p w i t h t h e outside? B y a n d b y t h e d r e a m s o f t h e o u t s i d e w i l l disappear because t h e r e i s n o n e e d for the dreams to continue. You will n o t t h i n k o f f o o d — i f y o u t h i n k o f food, t h e n k n o w well y o u are n o t fed u p . I f y o u t h i n k o f w o m e n , k n o w well y o u are n o t yet fed u p . Your dreams will s h o w y o u w h e t h e r y o u are really fed up or if t h e r e is still s o m e l i n g e r i n g interest. If a l i n g e r i n g interest is there, t h e n finish that, t o o ; there is no h a r m in it. If y o u are really fed u p , by a n d by y o u will start feeli n g that t h e e n e r g y i s m o v i n g i n w a r d o n its o w n accord. You are n o t d o i n g anything, y o u are simply sitting there a n d it is g o i n g in, it is falling in. A n d t h r o u g h that i n w a r d n e s s y o u r c e n t e r i n g w i l l arise. T h r o u g h that inwardness n e w interests, n e w e n t h u s i a s m , n e w style, a n e w w a y t o live will c o m e . Y o u c a n n o t cultivate i t — a l l t h a t y o u c a n cultivate w i l l b e j u s t a r e p e t i t i o n of t h e o l d . . . m a y b e a little m o d i f i e d h e r e a n d there, b u t it w o n ' t m a k e m u c h difference. S o start sitting passively a n d d o m o r e p a s sive m e d i t a t i o n s .
In my work I am always afraid of losing confidence in myself.
I n fact, w e d o n ' t n e e d a s m u c h c o n f i d e n c e a s w e t h i n k w e n e e d . C o n f i d e n c e c a n e i t h e r be a great quality or it can be a h i n d r a n c e to s o m e . F o r e x a m p l e , foolish p e o p l e are always m o r e c o n f i d e n t t h a n i n t e l ligent p e o p l e . S t u p i d i t y has a c e r t a i n c o n f i d e n c e to it. Foolish p e o p l e are
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m o r e s t u b b o r n , a n d b e c a u s e t h e y are blind, b e c a u s e t h e y c a n ' t see, t h e y r u s h a n y w h e r e — e v e n w h e r e angels fear t o tread. A p e r s o n w h o is i n t e l l i g e n t is b o u n d to have a little hesitancy. I n t e l l i g e n c e is hesitant. T h a t s i m p l y s h o w s that t h e r e are millions o f o p p o r t u n i t i e s , millions o f alternatives, a n d o n e has t o c h o o s e . E v e r y c h o i c e is arbitrary, so a c e r t a i n lack of c o n fidence i s b o u n d t o b e t h e r e . T h e m o r e i n telligent y o u are, t h e m o r e y o u w i l l feel it. So n o t all c o n f i d e n c e is g o o d . N i n e t y n i n e p e r c e n t o f c o n f i d e n c e i s foolish. O n l y o n e p e r c e n t is g o o d , a n d that o n e p e r c e n t is n e v e r absolute. T h a t o n e p e r c e n t i s always hesitant b e c a u s e t h e r e are really so m a n y alternatives. Y o u are always s t a n d i n g at the crossroads, n o t k n o w i n g w h i c h r o a d will really b e t h e r i g h t o n e . H o w can y o u b e confident? W h y do you expect to be confident? All roads l o o k a l m o s t t h e same b u t one has to c h o o s e . It is a g a m b l e r ' s c h o i c e . But that's h o w life i s — a n d it is g o o d that it is that way. If e v e r y t h i n g was c l e a r - c u t , p r e p l a n n e d , prefabricated, a n d you w e r e j u s t g i v e n i n s t r u c t i o n s — " M o v e r i g h t a n d left a n d d o this and t h a t " — t h e r e w o u l d b e c o n f i d e n c e b u t o f w h a t use w o u l d i t be? T h e thrill w o u l d b e lost. T h e r e w o u l d b e n o light i n life t h e n . I t w o u l d b e a dead routine. Life is always t h r i l l i n g b e c a u s e e a c h step b r i n g s y o u to a n o t h e r crossroads . . . again so m a n y roads, again y o u have to c h o o s e . Y o u start tremb l i n g . W i l l t h e c h o i c e b e r i g h t o r n o t ? H o w t o b e r i g h t l y c o n f i d e n t then? To be r i g h t l y c o n f i d e n t is to t h i n k a b o u t all t h e alternatives a n d whatsoever y o u feel is a little b e t t e r t h a n t h e o t h e r s . . .
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D o n ' t ask for a b s o l u t e g o o d a n d absolute w r o n g . In life t h e r e is n o t h i n g like that. It is o n l y a p e r c e n t a g e ; o n e is o n l y a little b e t t e r t h a n t h e o t h e r , that's all. Life is n o t d i v i d e d like t w o polarities i n t o g o o d a n d b a d . T h e r e are a t h o u s a n d a n d o n e situations b e t w e e n good and bad. So just look around objectively, silently, feelingly, see e v e r y possibility, u n w o r r i e d , a n d w h a t s o e v e r feels a little b i t b e t t e r t h a n o t h e r s , m o v e o n it. O n c e y o u d e c i d e t o m o v e , forget a b o u t o t h e r a l ternatives, b e c a u s e t h e y d o n ' t m a t t e r n o w . T h e n m o v e confidently. T h i s is really i n t e l l i g e n t c o n f i d e n c e . It does n o t destroy hesitation c o m p l e t e l y . It uses hesitation. It d o e s n o t destroy a l t e r n a tives. Alternatives are t h e r e . It c o n s c i o u s l y b r o o d s a n d c o n t e m p l a t e s o v e r all t h e alternatives as silently as h u m a n l y possible. Intelligence never d e m a n d s a n y t h i n g i n -
T h e s e are t h e p a t h s . M a n y are m o v i n g to t h e r i g h t ; t h e y t h i n k it is b e t t e r . Y o u still feel t h a t to m o v e to t h e left is better, so of course t h e r e i s g o i n g t o b e h e s i t a t i o n b e cause y o u k n o w that m a n y i n t e l l i g e n t p e o ple are m o v i n g i n t h e o p p o s i t e d i r e c t i o n . H o w c a n y o u b e c o n f i d e n t ? Y o u are n o t a l o n e h e r e . M a n y i n t e l l i g e n t p e o p l e are g o i n g that w a y a n d still y o u feel that this is r i g h t for y o u . S t a n d o n t h e crossroads, t h i n k , m e d i t a t e , b u t o n c e y o u d e c i d e t h e n f o r g e t all o t h e r a l t e r n a t i v e s — m o v e .
O n c e you decide to move, your
w h o l e e n e r g y i s n e e d e d t h e r e . D o n ' t b e split a n d d o n ' t let half o f y o u r m i n d t h i n k a b o u t alternatives. T h i s i s h o w o n e has t o use hesitation. A n d t h e r e i s n o c e r t a i n t y t h a t y o u are b o u n d t o b e r i g h t . T h a t I a m 161
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n o t saying. T h e r e i s n o w a y t o b e c e r t a i n . Y o u m a y b e w r o n g , b u t t h e r e i s n o w a y t o k n o w i t unless y o u follow t h e r o a d t o t h e v e r y e n d , all t h e way. B u t m y u n d e r s t a n d i n g i s that o n e s h o u l d t h i n k righdy. T h e v e r y t h i n k i n g gives y o u g r o w t h . Y o u m o v e o n t h e r o a d — r i g h t o r w r o n g i s i r relevant. T h e v e r y m o v e m e n t gives y o u g r o w t h . T o m e i t i s n o t a q u e s t i o n o f w h e r e y o u g o . T o m e t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t t h i n g i s that y o u are n o t stuck, b u t g o i n g . E v e n if this r o a d c o m e s to a d e a d e n d a n d it leads n o w h e r e a n d y o u have to c o m e back, n o t h i n g to w o r r y about. It is good that you went. T h e v e r y m o v e m e n t has g i v e n y o u m u c h e x p e r i e n c e . You h a v e k n o w n a w r o n g road. Y o u are a c q u a i n t e d w i t h w r o n g n o w m o r e t h a n before.
N o w y o u k n o w w h a t is false; it w i l l h e l p y o u to find o u t t h e truth.To k n o w t h e false as false i o n l y w a y t h a t o n e c o m e s b y a n d b y t o k n o w w h a t t r u t h is. T o k n o w t r u t h
as t r u e , t h e path m o v e s f r o m t h e e x p e r i e n c e of k n o w i n g false as false. A n d o n e has t o m o v e o n m a n y w r o n g roads before o n e comes to the right one. S o t o m e , e v e n i f y o u are g o i n g t o w a r d hell, I bless y o u b e c a u s e t h e r e is no o t h e r w a y t o k n o w hell. A n d i f y o u d o n ' t k n o w hell y o u w i l l n e v e r b e able t o k n o w w h a t h e a v e n is. Go i n t o t h e d a r k b e c a u s e that is t h e w a y t o k n o w light. G o i n t o d e a t h b e cause that is t h e w a y to k n o w life. T h e only thing that is i m p o r t a n t is not t o b e s t u c k s o m e w h e r e . D o n ' t j u s t stand on the
crossroads, hesitating, n o t g o i n g
anywhere.
Don't
make
hesitation
your
habit. U s e i t — i t i s a g o o d device. T h i n k a b o u t all t h e alternatives. I ' m n o t saying d o n ' t t h i n k , d o n ' t hesitate at all. D o n ' t m o v e like a s t u p i d m a n and r u n w i t h closed eyes, b l i n d f o l d e d , s o t h e r e i s n o p r o b l e m a n d y o u d o n ' t
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k n o w that o t h e r roads exist. T h a t ' s w h y s t u p i d p e o p l e are m o r e c o n f i d e n t , b u t t h e y have d o n e m u c h h a r m i n t h e w o r l d . T h e w o r l d w o u l d b e b e t t e r i f t h e r e w e r e fewer c o n f i d e n t p e o p l e . L o o k a t t h e A d o l f H i t l e r s — t h e y are v e r y c o n f i d e n t . T h e y t h i n k G o d has given t h e m great w o r k t o c h a n g e t h e w h o l e w o r l d . T h e y are s t u p i d p e o p l e b u t v e r y c o n f i d e n t . E v e n B u d d h a is n o t as c o n f i d e n t as A d o l f Hitler, b e c a u s e B u d d h a i s n o t stupid. H e u n d e r s t a n d s t h e c o m p l e x i t y o f life. It is n o t so simple as H i t l e r t h i n k s , b u t he j u s t rushes a n d p e o p l e follow him. W h y d o s o m a n y p e o p l e follow s u c h stupid leaders? W h y d o s o m a n y p e o p l e g o o n f o l l o w i n g politicians? W h a t h a p p e n s ? R a r e l y i t h a p p e n s that a politician is i n t e l l i g e n t — b e c a u s e if he is i n t e l l i g e n t he will n o t be a politician. I n t e l l i g e n c e n e v e r chooses s u c h a s t u p i d t h i n g . B u t w h y d o s o m a n y p e o p l e follow t h e m ? T h e reason i s that p e o p l e are n o t v e r y c o n f i d e n t . T h e y d o n ' t k n o w w h e r e t o go, so t h e y are j u s t w a i t i n g for s o m e messiah, s o m e b o d y to tell t h e m t h a t this is t h e r i g h t p a t h a n d t o tell t h e m w i t h s u c h certainty, w i t h s u c h obsessive
certainty, t h a t t h e i r
fears are dissipated. So t h e y say, "Yes, h e r e i s t h e leader. N o w w e will follow h i m . Here
comes
the
right
man—so
confi-
dent!" That confidence of the leader—which is
because
of
stupidity—helps
him
to
gather a great following, because p e o p l e are lacking in courage, in confidence. T h e y are stuck. T h e y are afraid t o m o v e . T h e y are a l m o s t p a r a l y z e d b e c a u s e o f t h e i r h e s i tations. T h e y n e e d s o m e b o d y w h o can b e c o m e a t o r c h a n d w h o i s s o c o n f i d e n t that their o w n fear a n d lack o f c o n f i d e n c e d o e s n o t t r o u b l e
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t h e m . N o w t h e y c a n m o v e w i t h this m a n . T h e y c a n say, "Yes, w e are n o t c o n f i d e n t , y o u are. Y o u r c o n f i d e n c e b e c o m e s a substitute for u s . " So c o n f i d e n c e is n o t always a v i r t u e . I n t e l l i g e n c e is always a v i r t u e . So insist on intelligence. S o m e t i m e s it will m a k e y o u v e r y hesitant, n e r v o u s . It has to be so . . . it is natural. Life i s s o c o m p l e x a n d o n e i s m o v i n g i n t h e u n k n o w n c o n t i n u o u s l y . H o w can o n e b e c o n f i d e n t ? T h e v e r y d e m a n d i s absurd. S o m a k e i n t e l l i g e n c e y o u r goal a n d t h e n hesitation, nervousness, e v e r y t h i n g , can be used in a creative way.
J can see that my mind is still childish. Wliat can I do?
T h e r e are things w h i c h o n e has j u s t t o b e aware of. T h e v e r y awareness b r i n g s t h e t r a n s f o r m a t i o n ; i t i s n o t t h a t after b e i n g aware y o u have t o d o something to make the change. S e e i n g y o u r m i n d a s childish, y o u c a n also see t h a t y o u are n o t t h e m i n d — o t h e r w i s e , w h o i s seeing t h e m i n d a s childish? T h e r e i s s o m e t h i n g b e y o n d t h e m i n d — t h e w a t c h e r o n t h e hills. Y o u are o n l y l o o k i n g a t t h e m i n d . Y o u have c o m p l e t e l y f o r g o t t e n w h o i s l o o k i n g a t it. W a t c h t h e m i n d , b u t d o n ' t forget t h e w a t c h e r — b e c a u s e y o u r reality i s c e n t e r e d i n t h e w a t c h e r , n o t i n t h e m i n d . A n d the w a t c h e r is always a fully g r o w n - u p , m a t u r e , c e n t e r e d consciousness. It needs n o g r o w t h . A n d o n c e y o u b e c o m e aware that t h e m i n d i s o n l y a n i n s t r u m e n t i n t h e h a n d s o f y o u r w i t n e s s i n g soul, t h e n t h e r e i s n o p r o b l e m ; t h e m i n d can b e u s e d i n t h e r i g h t way. N o w t h e m a s t e r i s awake, a n d t h e servant can b e ordered to do whatever is needed. O r d i n a r i l y t h e m a s t e r is asleep. We have f o r g o t t e n t h e w a t c h e r , and t h e servant has b e c o m e t h e master. A n d t h e servant is a s e r v a n t — i t is certainly n o t v e r y intelligent. Y o u have to be r e m i n d e d of a basic fact: I n t e l l i g e n c e b e l o n g s to the w a t c h i n g consciousness; m e m o r y b e l o n g s t o t h e m i n d .
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M e m o r y i s o n e t h i n g — m e m o r y i s n o t intelligence. B u t t h e w h o l e o f h u m a n i t y has b e e n d e c e i v e d for c e n t u r i e s a n d t o l d i n d i r e c t l y t h a t t h e m e m o r y i s i n t e l l i g e n c e . Y o u r schools, y o u r c o l l e g e s , y o u r u n i v e r s i t i e s are n o t t r y i n g to find y o u r intelligence; they arc t r y i n g to find o u t w h o is capable o f m e m o r i z i n g m o r e . A n d n o w w e k n o w perfectly well that m e m o r y i s a m e c h a n i c a l t h i n g . A c o m p u t e r can have m e m o r y , but a c o m p u t e r c a n n o t have i n t e l ligence. A n d a c o m p u t e r can have a b e t t e r m e m o r y t h a n you have. M a n ' s | m e m o r y is n o t so reliable. It can forget, it can get m i x e d up, it can get b l o c k e d . S o m e t i m e s y o u say that "I r e m e m b e r it, it is j u s t on t h e tip of m y t o n g u e . " Strange, i t i s o n t h e tip o f y o u r t o n g u e , t h e n w h y d o n ' t y o u speak? B u t y o u say it is n o t c o m i n g , " I t is on t h e tip o f m y t o n g u e . . . I k n o w that I k n o w , a n d it is n o t v e r y f a r — i t is v e r y close." B u t still s o m e block, s o m e v e r y t h i n block—it may be just a curtain—is n o t all o w i n g i t t o surface. A n d t h e m o r e y o u try, the m o r e tense y o u b e c o m e , t h e smaller the possibility of r e m e m b e r i n g it. Finally, you forget all a b o u t it, you start d o i n g s o m e t h i n g e l s e — p r e p a r i n g a c u p of tea or d i g g i n g a h o l e in t h e g a r d e n — a n d s u d denly it is t h e r e because y o u w e r e relaxed, you h a d f o r g o t t e n all a b o u t it, t h e r e was no !' tension. It surfaced. A tense m i n d b e c o m e s n a r r o w . A r e laxed m i n d b e c o m e s w i d e — m a n y m o r e m e m o r i e s can pass t h r o u g h it. A tense mind becomes so narrow that only very few m e m o r i e s can pass t h r o u g h it. B u t for t h o u s a n d s of years a m i s u n d e r s t a n d i n g has c o n t i n u e d , a n d it I c o n t i n u e s still, as if m e m o r y is intelligence. It is n o t . 165
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I n I n d i a — a s i n Arabia, C h i n a , G r e e c e , R o m e , i n all o l d c o u n t r i e s — all t h e o l d l a n g u a g e s d e p e n d o n m e m o r y , n o t o n intelligence. Y o u can b e c o m e a great Sanskrit scholar w i t h o u t a bit of i n t e l l i g e n c e — n o n e e d for intelligence, j u s t y o u r m e m o r y has to be perfect. Just like a p a r r o t . . . t h e p a r r o t d o e s n o t u n d e r s t a n d w h a t h e i s saying, b u t h e c a n say i t a b solutely correctly, w i t h t h e r i g h t p r o n u n c i a t i o n . Y o u can t e a c h h i m w h a t ever y o u w a n t . All o l d languages d e p e n d o n m e m o r y . A n d t h e w h o l e e d u c a t i o n a l system o f t h e w o r l d d e p e n d s o n m e m ory. I n t h e e x a m i n a t i o n s , t h e y d o n ' t ask t h e s t u d e n t s o m e t h i n g that will s h o w his i n t e l l i g e n c e b u t s o m e t h i n g t h a t w i l l s h o w his m e m o r y , h o w m u c h h e r e m e m b e r s f r o m t e x t b o o k s . T h i s i s o n e o f t h e reasons for y o u r r e t a r d e d m i n d . Y o u have u s e d t h e m e m o r y a s i f i t w e r e y o u r i n t e l l i g e n c e — a t r e m e n d o u s l y grave m i s u n d e r s t a n d i n g . Because y o u k n o w a n d r e m e m b e r a n d y o u can q u o t e scriptures, y o u start t h i n k i n g that you are g r o w n - u p , y o u are m a t u r e , that y o u are k n o w l e d g e a b l e , y o u are wise. T h i s is t h e p r o b l e m , that y o u are feeling. I am n o t a m a n of m e m o r y . A n d my effort h e r e is to p r o v o k e a chall e n g e i n y o u s o t h a t y o u start m o v i n g t o w a r d y o u r intelligence. I t i s o f n o use h o w m u c h y o u r e m e m b e r . W h a t i s significant i s h o w m u c h y o u have e x p e r i e n c e d yourself. A n d for e x p e r i e n c i n g t h e inner w o r l d , y o u n e e d great i n t e l l i g e n c e — m e m o r y is of no help. Yes, if you w a n t to be a scholar, a professor, a p u n d i t , y o u c a n m e m o r i z e scriptures a n d y o u can have a great p r i d e t h a t y o u k n o w s o m u c h . A n d o t h e r peop l e will also t h i n k that y o u k n o w s o m u c h , a n d d e e p d o w n y o u r m e m o r y is n o t h i n g but ignorance. I n front o f m e , y o u c a n n o t h i d e y o u r i g n o r a n c e . I n e v e r y possible way, I t r y to b r i n g y o u r i g n o r a n c e in f r o n t of y o u b e c a u s e t h e sooner you get h o l d o f y o u r i g n o r a n c e , t h e s o o n e r y o u can g e t r i d o f it. A n d t o know is s u c h a beautiful e x p e r i e n c e that t h e b o r r o w e d k n o w l e d g e , in c o m p a r t ' son, is j u s t idiotic. I have h e a r d a b o u t t h e a r c h b i s h o p of J a p a n . He w a n t e d to convert a Z e n m a s t e r t o Christianity. N o t k n o w i n g , n o t u n d e r s t a n d i n g anything
166.
t h e i n n e r w o r l d , h e w e n t t o t h e master. H e was received w i t h great love a n d respect. H e o p e n e d his B i b l e a n d started r e a d i n g t h e S e r m o n o n t h e M o u n t . H e w a n t e d t o impress u p o n t h e Z e n m a s t e r : W e follow this m a n . W h a t d o y o u t h i n k a b o u t these w o r d s , a b o u t this m a n ? H e h a d r e a d o n l y t w o sentences a n d t h e Z e n m a s t e r said, " T h a t will do. Y o u are f o l l o w i n g a g o o d m a n , b u t h e was f o l l o w i n g o t h e r g o o d m e n . N e i t h e r y o u k n o w n o r d o e s h e k n o w . Just g o h o m e . " T h e a r c h b i s h o p was v e r y s h o c k e d . H e said, " Y o u s h o u l d a t least let m e finish t h e w h o l e t h i n g . " T h e Z e n m a s t e r said, " N o n o n s e n s e h e r e . I f y o u k n o w s o m e t h i n g , you say it. C l o s e t h e b o o k ! B e c a u s e w e are n o t believers i n b o o k s . Y o u are c a r r y i n g t h e v e r y t r u t h i n y o u r b e i n g , a n d y o u are s e a r c h i n g i n d e a d books? G o h o m e a n d l o o k w i t h i n . I f y o u have f o u n d s o m e t h i n g inside, t h e n c o m e . I f y o u t h i n k these lines that y o u have r e p e a t e d t o m e are f r o m Jesus C h r i s t , y o u are w r o n g . " Jesus C h r i s t was s i m p l y r e p e a t i n g t h e O l d T e s t a m e n t . H e was t r y i n g his w h o l e life t o c o n v i n c e p e o p l e that " I a m t h e last p r o p h e t o f t h e J e w s . " H e h a d n e v e r h e a r d t h e w o r d Christian, h e h a d n e v e r h e a r d t h e w o r d Christ. He was b o r n a Jew, he lived a Jew, he d i e d a Jew. A n d his w h o l e eff o r t was t o c o n v i n c e t h e J e w s t h a t " I a m t h e awaited p r o p h e t , t h e savior that M o s e s has p r o m i s e d . I have c o m e . " T h e J e w s c o u l d have f o r g i v e n h i m . . . J e w s are n o t b a d p e o p l e . A n d Jews are n o t v i o l e n t p e o p l e , either. N o b o d y w h o is as i n t e l l i g e n t as t h e Jews are can be v i o l e n t . F o r t y p e r c e n t of N o b e l prizes go to J e w s ; it is simply o u t o f all p r o p o r t i o n t o their p o p u l a t i o n . A l m o s t half t h e N o b e l prizes g o t o J e w s , a n d t h e o t h e r h a l f t o t h e rest o f t h e w o r l d . S u c h i n t e l ligent p e o p l e w o u l d n o t have crucified Jesus i f h e h a d b e e n saying s o m e thing o f his o w n e x p e r i e n c e . B u t h e was saying t h i n g s that w e r e n o t his e x p e r i e n c e — a l l b o r r o w e d . Yet h e was p r e t e n d i n g t h e y w e r e his. J e w s could n o t forgive t h a t dishonesty. O t h e r w i s e , Jesus was n o t c r e a t i n g any t r o u b l e for anybody. H e was
INTELLIGENCE
a little b i t o f a n u i s a n c e . J u s t like t h e W i t n e s s e s o f J e h o v a h o r t h e H a r e K r i s h n a p e o p l e ; t h e y are a little bit of a nuisance. If t h e y c a t c h h o l d of y o u t h e y will n o t listen t o y o u a t all a n d t h e y w i l l g o o n g i v i n g y o u all k i n d s o f w i s d o m , a d v i c e — a n d y o u are n o t i n t e r e s t e d ; y o u are g o i n g for s o m e o t h e r w o r k , y o u w a n t t o b e left alone. B u t t h e y are d e t e r m i n e d t o save y o u . W h e t h e r y o u w a n t t o b e saved o r n o t d o e s n o t m a t t e r — y o u have t o b e saved. It h a p p e n e d t h a t I was sitting n e a r t h e G a n g e s in A l l a h a b a d , a n d it w a s j u s t as t h e s u n w a s setting. A m a n started s h o u t i n g f r o m t h e water, "Save m e ! Save m e ! " I am n o t i n t e r e s t e d in saving anybody. So I l o o k e d all a r o u n d . . . i f s o m e b o d y i s i n t e r e s t e d i n saving h i m , let h i m have the first c h a n c e . B u t t h e r e was n o b o d y , so finally I h a d to j u m p . A n d w i t h difficulty . . . h e was a h e a v y m a n , fat. T h e fattest m e n i n I n d i a y o u will find i n A l l a h a b a d a n d V a r a n a s i — t h e B r a h m i n s , t h e H i n d u priests, w h o d o n o t h i n g e x c e p t eat. S o m e h o w I p u l l e d h i m o u t . A n d h e b e c a m e angry. " W h y d i d y o u pull m e o u t ? " I said, " T h i s is s o m e t h i n g ! You w e r e asking for help, y o u w e r e s h o u t i n g , 'Save m e ! ' " He said, " I t was b e c a u s e I was b e c o m i n g afraid of d e a t h . B u t in fact I was c o m m i t t i n g suicide." I said, "I am sorry, I h a d no idea t h a t y o u w e r e c o m m i t t i n g suicide." I p u s h e d t h e m a n back! A n d h e started s h o u t i n g again, " H e l p ! " I said, " N o w w a i t for s o m e b o d y else to c o m e . I w i l l sit h e r e and w a t c h y o u c o m m i t suicide." H e said, " W h a t k i n d o f m a n are y o u ? I a m d y i n g ! " I said, " D i e ! T h a t is y o u r business!" B u t t h e r e are p e o p l e w h o are b e n t u p o n saving y o u . T h e Z e n m a s t e r said t o t h e a r c h b i s h o p , "Jesus was r e p e a t i n g t h e old p r o p h e t s . Y o u are r e p e a t i n g Jesus. R e p e t i t i o n is n o t g o i n g to help anybody. Y o u n e e d y o u r o w n e x p e r i e n c e — t h a t i s t h e o n l y deliverance, the only liberation." It is g o o d t h a t y o u are b e g i n n i n g to u n d e r s t a n d that y o u r m i n d behaves like a child, i m m a t u r e . R e m e m b e r also w h o is w a t c h i n g t h e childish,
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i m m a t u r e m i n d , a n d b e w i t h t h e w a t c h e r . Pull all y o u r a t t a c h m e n t s away . f r o m t h e m i n d — b e c a u s e t h e m i n d is o n l y a m e c h a n i s m — a n d t h e m i n d w i l l start f u n c t i o n i n g perfectly well. O n c e y o u r w a t c h e r i s alert, y o u r i n telligence starts g r o w i n g for t h e first t i m e . M i n d ' s w o r k i s m e m o r y , w h i c h t h e m i n d can d o v e r y well. B u t t h e m i n d has b e e n b u r d e n e d b y t h e society w i t h intelligence, w h i c h i s n o t its w o r k . I t has c r i p p l e d its m e m o r y . I t has n o t m a d e y o u m o r e i n t e l l i g e n t , i t has simply m a d e y o u r m e m o r y e r r o n e o u s , fallible. Always r e m e m b e r : Y o u r eyes are for seeing, d o n ' t t r y t o listen w i t h t h e eyes. Y o u r ears are for listening, d o n ' t t r y t o see w i t h t h e ears. O t h e r wise, y o u will get i n t o an insane state. W h i l e y o u r eyes are perfectly all r i g h t , y o u r ears are perfectly all r i g h t , y o u are t r y i n g t o d o s o m e t h i n g w i t h a m e c h a n i s m t h a t is n o t m e a n t to do it.
If y o u r w a t c h e r is clear, t h e n t h e b o d y takes care of its o w n functions, t h e m i n d takes care o ; o w n f u n c t i o n s . N o b o d y interferes i n each o t h e r ' s w o r k . A n d life b e c o m e s a h a r m o n y , an orchestra.
J sometimes feel
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losing
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memory.
M e m o r y o n e day has to go c o m p l e t e l y . If it is d i s a p p e a r i n g , it is a g o o d sign. T o b e clean o f m e m o r y m e a n s t o b e clean o f past, a n d t o b e clean of past is to be absolutely o p e n a n d available to t h e future. M e m o r y is n o t of t h e future, m e m o r y is of t h e past; it is always a graveyard. A n d t h e future belongs to life, to intelligence, to silence, to meditativeness. It d o e s not b e l o n g to m e m o r y . O n c e a m a n b e c o m e s e n l i g h t e n e d h e does n o t f u n c t i o n o u t o f m e m ory, h e f u n c t i o n s spontaneously. A n d even o n t h e p a t h t o w a r d e n l i g h t e n m e n t , slowly s p o n t a n e i t y goes o n r e p l a c i n g m e m o r y . M e m o r y i s t h e w a y
o f t h e u n i n t e l l i g e n t m a n . O n e w h o c a n n o t r e s p o n d t o reality i m m e d i a t e l y needs a m e m o r y s s i t u a t i o n s — w h a t h e has d o n e before. B u t t h e n his r e s p o n s e i s n o l o n g e r
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a r e s p o n s e , it b e c o m e s a r e a c t i o n . A n d all reactions fall s h o r t of t h e situat i o n t h a t is a h e a d of y o u , b e c a u s e t h e situation is c o n t i n u o u s l y c h a n g i n g a n d t h e answers i n y o u r m e m o r y d o n ' t c h a n g e . T h e y are j u s t d e a d c o m m o d i t i e s , t h e y r e m a i n t h e same. T h a t ' s why, as a p e r s o n g r o w s old, he finds h i m s e l f g e t t i n g o u t of t o u c h w i t h t h e n e w g e n e r a t i o n t h a t i s g r o w i n g . T h e fault i s n o t o f the n e w g e n e r a t i o n , t h e fault i s o f t h e o l d m a n w h o has n o t h i n g b u t m e m ory, a n d m e m o r y b e l o n g s t o t h e past a n d t h e past i s n o l o n g e r t h e r e . T h e n e w g e n e r a t i o n i s m o r e responsive t o t h e p r e s e n t — t h a t creates t h e gap. T h e o l d g e n e r a t i o n always w a n t s old answers, o l d scriptures, o l d saints; t h e o l d e r they are t h e m o r e t r u e this is. E v e r y r e l i g i o n tries to p r o v e that t h e i r scriptures are t h e oldest. It is strange t h a t t h e y w a n t t o p r o v e that. A n d t h e y g l o r y i n t h e i r ancientness. In fact, t h e m o r e a n c i e n t t h e y are, t h e m o r e useless t h e y are, b e c a u s e they have lost t o u c h w i t h reality c o m p l e t e l y . T h e m a n o f consciousness and w i s d o m , alive, actually r e s p o n d s to t h e situation. O t h e r w i s e all answers fall s h o r t a n d life b e c o m e s m o r e a n d m o r e a mess. S o t h e r e i s n o n e e d t o b e w o r r i e d a b o u t it, i f y o u are losing your m e m o r y a n d y o u see t h a t y o u d o n ' t feel any parallel u p s u r g e o f intellig e n c e . Y o u will n o t feel it. I n t e l l i g e n c e is so subtle that y o u w i l l n o t hear t h e s o u n d of its footsteps. B u t slowly, slowly, it w i l l t r a n s f o r m y o u r w h o l e b e i n g a n d t h e n suddenly, w h e n t h e w o r k i s c o m p l e t e , y o u will awake f r o m a d e e p sleep a n d y o u w i l l see y o u r s e l f as a n e w b e i n g , r e b o r n . I f y o u start b e c o m i n g m o r e sharp, m o r e i n t e l l i g e n t , f r o m w h e r e will y o u get t h e e n e r g y ? T h e e n e r g y t h a t i s i n v o l v e d a n d invested i n m e m o ries has t o b e w i t h d r a w n , a n d t h e r e i s n o h a r m i n it. I n t h e o r d i n a r y m a r k e t p l a c e , p e r h a p s , n o t t o have a g o o d m e m o r y can b e d a n g e r o u s . But i f y o u l o o k a t t h e geniuses o f t h e w o r l d , y o u will b e s u r p r i s e d that one o f t h e m o s t c o m m o n p o i n t s a m o n g all t h o s e geniuses i s t h e i r lapse o f memory. E d i s o n is g o i n g for a l e c t u r e t o u r to a f e w universities. He is saying g o o d - b y e to his wife a n d t h e m a i d s e r v a n t is also s t a n d i n g t h e r e . He kisses t h e m a i d s e r v a n t , t h i n k i n g that she is his wife, a n d waves to his wife
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t h i n k i n g t h a t she i s t h e m a i d s e r v a n t . T h e d r i v e r o f t h e car w h o was t a k i n g h i m c a n n o t believe w h a t i s h a p p e n i n g . H e said, "Sir, y o u h a v e f o r g o t t e n , y o u have g o t m i x e d u p . T h e w o m a n w h o m y o u are w a v i n g t o i s y o u r w i f e a n d t h e o t h e r w o m a n i s
H e said, " M y G o d . T h e r e i s n o h a r m , I can g e t o u t o f t h e car a n d p u t 1
things r i g h t . " He kissed his wife, w a v e d to t h e m a i d s e r v a n t , a n d he said, " I t o f t e n h a p p e n s t h a t I forget v e r y essential t h i n g s . " O n c e , G e o r g e B e r n a r d S h a w was traveling i n a train. T h e ticket c h e c k e r c a m e a n d B e r n a r d S h a w l o o k e d all over, h e a l m o s t felt like h e was h a v i n g a n e r v o u s b r e a k d o w n because t h e ticket c o u l d n o t b e f o u n d . T h e ticket c h e c k e r said, " D o n ' t b e w o r r i e d , sir. I k n o w y o u , t h e w h o l e world k n o w s you. T h e ticket must be somewhere in your luggage and I will b e c o m i n g i n t h e n e x t r o u n d , y o u c a n s h o w m e t h e n — a n d e v e n i f y o u d o n ' t s h o w m e t h e r e i s n o n e e d t o w o r r y . " H e was n o t r e a d y t o list e n t o w h a t B e r n a r d S h a w said t o h i m : " Y o u s h u t u p . Y o u d o n ' t u n d e r stand m y p r o b l e m . W h o cares a b o u t y o u ? T h e p r o b l e m i s i f I d o n ' t find m y ticket, t h e n I d o n ' t k n o w w h e r e I a m g o i n g . I t i s w r i t t e n o n t h e t i c k e t . S o are y o u g o i n g t o d e c i d e for m e ? I a m i n s u c h t r o u b l e , t h e ticket has to be f o u n d . " T h e ticket c h e c k e r m u s t have b e e n t a k e n a b a c k — t h i s was a strange situation. S h a w w a s n o t w o r r i e d a b o u t b e i n g c a u g h t w i t h o u t a ticket, his w o r r y w a s far d e e p e r . N o w t h e q u e s t i o n was, w h e r e was h e g o i n g ? A n d because h e c o u l d n o t find t h e ticket h e h a d t o g o b a c k h o m e o n t h e n e x t train. H e c o u l d n o t b r i n g t o his m e m o r y t h e place h e was g o i n g to. B u t for t h e m o s t part, e a c h m o m e n t i n t e l l i g e n c e i s n e e d e d , n o t m e m o r y M y o w n u n d e r s t a n d i n g i s that i f w e w a n t t o m a k e h u m a n i t y m o r e conscious, m o r e alert, m o r e e n l i g h t e n e d , t h e n t h e e m p h a s i s has t o b e taken away f r o m m e m o r y ; t h e emphasis has t o b e p u t o n intelligence. B u t for universities, for professors, for p e d a g o g u e s , emphasis on m e m o r y is simpler. Y o u j u s t ask five q u e s t i o n s a n d if t h e p e r s o n can memorize the books, he can answer them. M y o w n professor was v e r y m u c h w o r r i e d — b e c a u s e h e l o v e d m e s o
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INTELLIGENCE
m u c h — b e c a u s e I n e v e r b o t h e r e d a b o u t t h e p r e s c r i b e d b o o k s . A n d h e was s o c o n c e r n e d : " U n l e s s y o u a n s w e r exactly w h a t i s w r i t t e n i n t h e b o o k s , i t will be a great s h o c k to all of us. Y o u have t h e capacity to t o p t h e w h o l e university, b u t t h e w a y y o u are b e h a v i n g y o u c a n n o t e v e n pass." I said, " D o n ' t b e w o r r i e d . " B u t h e was s o c o n c e r n e d t h a t h e u s e d t o c o m e early i n t h e m o r n i n g t o p i c k m e u p f r o m t h e hostel a n d take m e t o t h e e x a m i n a t i o n hall. H e w a s n o t c e r t a i n w h e t h e r I w o u l d g o o r n o t , w h e t h e r I w o u l d r e m e m b e r t o g o o r n o t . A n d h e w o u l d stand t h e r e until I h a d g o n e i n a n d h e w o u l d tell e v e r y e x a m i n e r , " K e e p a n eye o n this s t u d e n t , d o n ' t let h i m get o u t o f t h e hall before t h e t h r e e h o u r s are over, because he m a y answer w i t h i n o n e h o u r and be gone. Force him, w h e t h e r h e has a n s w e r e d o r n o t , t o b e h e r e for t h r e e h o u r s . " I said, " T h i s is strange . . ." B u t t h e e x a m i n e r s listened to h i m b e cause h e was also t h e d e a n o f t h e Faculty o f A r t s . All m y professors, m y vice chancellors, e v e r y b o d y was s o surprised w h e n I t o p p e d t h e university a n d g o t t h e g o l d m e d a l . N o b o d y was e x p e c t i n g that. B u t a c o i n c i d e n c e — o n e o f t h e m o s t f a m o u s professors o f A l l a h a b a d University, Professor R a n a d e . . . I t was w e l l k n o w n that i n his life h e h a d g i v e n o n l y t w o p e r s o n s first class. T h o s e t w o w e r e t h e bare m i n i m u m . O t h e r w i s e i t was v e r y difficult e v e n t o g e t passing m a r k s from h i m . A n d h e was t h o u g h t t o b e n o t o n l y a professor b u t a sage. H e had w r i t t e n great b o o k s w i t h great insight; t h e r e w a s n o d o u b t a b o u t his intellectual a c u m e n . Just b y c o i n c i d e n c e m y papers r e a c h e d his hands. And h e w r o t e a n o t e , w h i c h t h e vice c h a n c e l l o r s h o w e d t o m e b e c a u s e Professor R a n a d e h a d w r i t t e n , " T h i s n o t e s h o u l d b e s h o w n t o t h e s t u d e n t . " H e said, " Y o u are t h e o n l y p e r s o n in my life w h o has fulfilled my desire. I always h a t e d m e m o r i z e d answers; y o u r answers are so fresh a n d so short, to t h e p o i n t . Y o u are n o t a m a n of m e m o r y . I w a n t e d to give y o u a hundred p e r c e n t , b u t t h a t m a y l o o k a little s u s p i c i o u s — p e r h a p s I am favoring y o u — t h a t ' s w h y I a m g i v i n g y o u n i n e t y - n i n e p e r c e n t . B u t i f y o u happen t o c o m e t o A l l a h a b a d any t i m e , I w o u l d love t o m e e t y o u . I n m y whole lifelong career as a professor, I have b e e n w a i t i n g for y o u . I w a n t e d these
112
k i n d s o f answers. I w a n t e d this c o u r a g e — r a t h e r t h a n a n s w e r i n g t h e question, you questioned the question and you demolished the question completely. Y o u have n o t a n s w e r e d it b e c a u s e t h e r e is n o t h i n g to answer; t h e q u e s t i o n i s absurd. A n d w h e n y o u a n s w e r a q u e s t i o n , y o u a n s w e r t o t h e p o i n t . I d o n ' t w a n t to read l o n g answers, w h i c h are all repetitive. E v e r y b o d y else is w r i t i n g t h e m , n o b o d y is u s i n g his intelligence." H e was aware o f t h e fact t h a t m e m o r y i s o n l y m e c h a n i c a l ; i n t e l l i g e n c e i s y o u r real treasure. A n d n o w i t has b e c o m e a n absolute fact. I n t h e future, m e m o r y will n o t be u s e d at all, because y o u can c a r r y a small c o m p u t e r in a p o c k e t w i t h all t h e answers for all t h e q u e s t i o n s that c a n be asked. E v e n absurd q u e s t i o n s . . . for e x a m p l e , on w h a t day Socrates was m a r r i e d . O r , w h o was t h e first m a n t o use t h e b o w a n d arrow. E v e r y t h i n g can b e r e a d y - m a d e . Y o u c a n g e t any a n s w e r f r o m t h e c o m p u t e r . A n d c o m p u t e r s c a n b e s o small t h a t y o u can k e e p t h e m i n y o u r p o c k e t . T h e y can b e s o small t h a t y o u can m a k e j u s t a w r i s t w a t c h o u t o f t h e m . O n t h e surface i t w i l l l o o k like a w r i s t w a t c h , b u t d e e p d o w n i t i s c a r r y i n g all t h e answers that y o u n e e d . Just ask t h e q u e s t i o n a n d t h e a n swer is t h e r e . Y o u d o n ' t have t o b e w o r r i e d a b o u t y o u r m e m o r y . W h a t i s essential i s intelligence. A n d t h e w h o l e e n e r g y s h o u l d m o v e t o w a r d intelligence. I t will m a k e y o u feel v e r y light. A n d as far as m e m o r y is c o n c e r n e d , j u s t use a n o t e b o o k . A n y t h i n g essential, f u n d a m e n t a l , j u s t n o t e i t d o w n . T h e n t h e r e is no leakage. L e a k a g e as s u c h n e v e r h a p p e n s .
Paddy, Sean, a n d M i c k w e r e o u t h u n t i n g o n e day w h e n they c a m e u p o n s o m e tracks. After l o o k i n g a t t h e m closely, P a d d y said, " T h o s e are bear tracks." " N o , n o , " said Sean, " t h o s e are d e e r tracks." "Hey, M i c k , " they b o t h asked, " w h a t d o you t h i n k they are?" B u t before he c o u l d answer, all t h r e e w e r e hit by a train.
Intelligence is g o i n g to be t h e savior, n o t m e m o r y .
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How
can
lovers
behave
more
intelligently?
W h e n y o u have m o v e d i n d e e p relationship w i t h s o m e b o d y , a great n e e d arises to be alone. Y o u start feeling spent, e x h a u s t e d , tired—-joyously tired, happily tired, b u t e a c h e x c i t e m e n t is e x h a u s t i n g . It was t r e m e n d o u s l y beautiful t o relate, b u t n o w y o u w o u l d like t o m o v e i n t o aloneness, s o that y o u can again gather yourself t o g e t h e r , s o that again y o u can b e c o m e overflowing, s o that again y o u b e c o m e r o o t e d i n y o u r o w n b e i n g . I n love y o u m o v e d i n t o t h e o t h e r ' s b e i n g , y o u lost c o n t a c t w i t h yourself. Y o u b e c a m e d r o w n e d , d r u n k . N o w y o u w i l l n e e d t o find y o u r self again. B u t w h e n y o u are alone, y o u are again c r e a t i n g a n e e d for love. S o o n y o u w i l l b e s o full t h a t y o u w o u l d like t o share, y o u w i l l b e s o overf l o w i n g that y o u w o u l d like s o m e b o d y t o p o u r y o u r s e l f i n t o , t o w h o m t o give of yourself. Love arises o u t of aloneness. A l o n e n e s s m a k e s y o u overfull. Love receives y o u r gifts. Love empties y o u s o that y o u can b e c o m e full again. W h e n e v e r y o u are e m p t i e d b y love, aloneness is t h e r e to n o u r i s h y o u , to i n t e g r a t e y o u . A n d this is a rhythm. M a k e y o u r w o m a n o r y o u r m a n also alert t o t h e r h y t h m . People s h o u l d be t a u g h t that n o b o d y c a n love t w e n t y - f o u r h o u r s a day; rest p e riods are n e e d e d . A n d n o b o d y can love on o r d e r . Love is a s p o n t a n e o u s p h e n o m e n o n : W h e n e v e r i t h a p p e n s , i t h a p p e n s , a n d w h e n e v e r i t doesn't h a p p e n i t d o e s n ' t h a p p e n . N o t h i n g c a n b e d o n e a b o u t it. I f y o u D O anyt h i n g , y o u w i l l create a p s e u d o p h e n o m e n o n , a n acting. R e a l lovers, intelligent lovers, will m a k e e a c h o t h e r alert t o t h e p h e n o m e n o n : " W h e n I w a n t t o b e a l o n e that d o e s n o t m e a n that I a m rejecti n g y o u . In fact, it is because of y o u r love that y o u have m a d e it possible for m e t o b e alone." A n d i f y o u r w o m a n w a n t s t o b e left alone for one n i g h t , for a few days, y o u will n o t feel h u r t . Y o u w i l l n o t say that you have b e e n rejected, that y o u r love has n o t b e e n received a n d w e l c o m e d . Y o u will respect h e r d e c i s i o n to be alone for a f e w days. In fact, y o u will be happy! Y o u r love was so m u c h that she is feeling e m p t y ; n o w she needs rest to b e c o m e full again.
174
T h i s is intelligence. Ordinarily, y o u t h i n k y o u are rejected. You g o t o y o u r w o m a n , a n d i f she i s n o t w i l l i n g t o b e w i t h y o u , o r n o t v e r y l o v i n g t o y o u , y o u feel great rejection. Y o u r e g o is h u r t . T h i s e g o is n o t a v e r y i n t e l l i g e n t t h i n g . All egos are idiotic. I n t e l l i g e n c e k n o w s n o e g o ; i n t e l l i g e n c e s i m p l y sees t h e p h e n o m e n o n , tries t o u n d e r s t a n d w h y the w o m a n does n o t want to be w i t h you. N o t t h a t she i s r e j e c t i n g y o u — y o u k n o w she has loved y o u s o m u c h , she loves y o u so m u c h — b u t this is a m o m e n t she w a n t s t o b e alone. A n d i f y o u love her, y o u w i l l leave h e r alone; y o u w i l l n o t t o r t u r e her, y o u w i l l n o t force h e r t o m a k e love t o y o u . A n d if the m a n wants to be alone, the w o m a n will n o t think, " H e is no longer i n t e r e s t e d i n m e — m a y b e h e has b e c o m e interested in some other w o m a n . " An i n telligent w o m a n w i l l leave t h e m a n a l o n e , s o h e c a n again g a t h e r t o g e t h e r his b e i n g , s o t h a t again h e has e n e r g y t o share. A n d this r h y t h m is like day a n d n i g h t , s u m m e r a n d w i n t e r ; i t goes o n c h a n g i n g . And
if
two
persons
are
really
respectful—-and love is always respectful, it reveres t h e o t h e r , it is a v e r y worshipful, prayerful s t a t e — t h e n slowly y o u will u n d e r stand each o t h e r m o r e and m o r e . A n d y o u will b e c o m e aware o f t h e other's r h y t h m and y o u r r h y t h m . A n d s o o n y o u will find that o u t o f love, o u t o f respect, y o u r r h y t h m s are c o m i n g closer a n d closer: W h e n y o u feel loving, she feels loving. T h i s settles. T h i s settles on its o w n . It is a synchronicity. H a v e y o u w a t c h e d ever? I f y o u c o m e across t w o real lovers, y o u w i l l see m a n y things similar i n t h e m . R e a l lovers b e c o m e a s i f t h e y are b r o t h ers a n d sisters. Y o u w i l l be s u r p r i s e d — e v e n b r o t h e r s a n d sisters are n o t so 175
I N T E L L I G E N C E
alike. T h e i r expressions, their ways o f w a l k i n g , t h e i r ways o f talking, their g e s t u r e s — t w o lovers b e c o m e alike, a n d yet so different. T h i s naturally starts h a p p e n i n g . Just b e i n g t o g e t h e r , slowly t h e y b e c o m e a t t u n e d t o each o t h e r . R e a l lovers n e e d n o t say a n y t h i n g t o t h e o t h e r — t h e o t h e r i m m e diately u n d e r s t a n d s , intuitively u n d e r s t a n d s . If t h e w o m a n is sad, she m a y n o t say it is so, b u t t h e m a n u n d e r s t a n d s a n d leaves h e r alone. If t h e m a n is sad, t h e w o m a n u n d e r s t a n d s a n d leaves h i m a l o n e — f i n d s s o m e e x c u s e t o leave h i m alone. S t u p i d p e o p l e d o j u s t t h e o p p o s i t e : T h e y n e v e r leave e a c h o t h e r a l o n e — t h e y are constantly w i t h e a c h o t h e r , t i r i n g a n d b o r i n g e a c h o t h e r ; n e v e r l e a v i n g a n y space for the other to be. L o v e gives f r e e d o m a n d love helps t h e o t h e r t o b e h i m s e l f o r herself. Love is a v e r y paradoxical p h e n o m e n o n . In o n e w a y it m a k e s y o u o n e soul i n t w o b o d i e s ; i n a n o t h e r w a y i t gives y o u individuality, u n i q u e n e s s . It helps y o u to d r o p y o u r small selves, b u t it also helps y o u to attain to the s u p r e m e self. T h e n t h e r e i s n o p r o b l e m : L o v e a n d m e d i t a t i o n are t w o w i n g s , a n d t h e y balance e a c h o t h e r . A n d b e t w e e n t h e t w o y o u grow.
Sometimes
I have
doubts
about
my
intelligence.
D o n ' t start t h i n k i n g that i f y o u are n o t i n t e l l i g e n t , t h e n w h a t ? E v e r y b o d y is b o r n intelligent. Intelligence is an intrinsic quality—just as e v e r y b o d y is b o r n breathing, everybody is b o r n intelligent. T h e idea that a few p e o p l e are intelligent a n d a few are n o t is utterly w r o n g — a n d has b e e n d e h u m a n i z i n g many, m a n y p e o p l e . It is v e r y insulting, d e g r a d i n g . All are b o r n intelligent, a l t h o u g h their intelligences may differ in their expressions. O n e is intelligent in music, a n o t h e r is intelligent i n m a t h e m a t i c s , b u t i f y o u m a k e m a t h e m a t i c s t h e c r i t e r i o n t h e n t h e musician looks unintelligent. I f y o u p u t t h e m b o t h i n t o o n e e x a m i n a t i o n where m a t h e m a t i c s i s t h e c r i t e r i o n , t h e m u s i c i a n fails. C h a n g e t h e criterion, let music b e t h e c r i t e r i o n , a n d p u t t h e m b o t h i n t o t h e e x a m i n a t i o n where music will decide, t h e n t h e m a t h e m a t i c i a n looks stupid.
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W e have c h o s e n certain criteria; that's w h y m a n y p e o p l e have b e e n c o n d e m n e d as s t u p i d — t h e y are n o t . I have never c o m e across a single p e r s o n w h o i s s t u p i d — i t does n o t h a p p e n — b u t his intelligence m a y be a different k i n d of intelligence.
P o e t r y n e e d s a different
k i n d o f intelligence t h a n b e i n g i n business. A p o e t c a n n o t be a businessman, a n d t h e businessman will find it v e r y difficult to be a p o e t . O n e k i n d of intelligence is n e e d e d in b e i n g a politician, a n o t h e r k i n d of i n t e l ligence is n e e d e d in b e i n g a painter. A n d t h e r e are millions of possibilities. R e m e m b e r : E v e r y o n e i s b o r n intellig e n t , so t h a t is n o t e x c l u d i n g anybody. You j u s t have t o f i n d y o u r i n t e l l i g e n c e — w h e r e i t is. A n d o n c e y o u have f o u n d y o u r i n t e l ligence y o u w i l l be clear. P e o p l e are living w i t h u n c l a r i t y because t h e y are living w i t h w r o n g ideas a b o u t themselves. S o m e b o d y has told y o u — a teacher, a professor, an e m p l o y e r — t h a t y o u are n o t intelligent. B u t their c r i t e r i o n is o n l y a c h o 1 sen c r i t e r i o n ; their c r i t e r i o n is n o t applicable to all. T h e universities are n o t yet universal. T h e y d o n ' t allow e v e r y k i n d o f intelligence, t h e y d o n ' t accept all manifestations of intelligence. O n c e y o u have a c c e p t e d y o u r i n t e l l i g e n c e a n d y o u start r e s p e c t i n g it, y o u will b e c o m e clear; t h e r e w i l l b e n o p r o b l e m . T h e p o e t feels stupid because h e c a n n o t b e a g o o d businessman. N o w this creates confusion. He b e c o m e s inferior in his o w n eyes, disrespectful, c o n d e m n i n g . H e tries t o succeed i n business b u t h e c a n n o t . T h i s creates great s m o k e a r o u n d h i m . If he simply understands that he is a p o e t a n d he is n o t m e a n t to be a businessman, a n d to succeed as a businessman will be a suicide to h i m , he has to succeed as a p o e t . . . T h a t is his intelligence, a n d his intelligence has to flower in his o w n way. He has n o t to imitate a n y b o d y else. M a y b e t h e society will n o t pay for it, because p o e t r y is n o t n e e d e d as
I N T E L L I G E N C E
m u c h as b o m b s are n e e d e d . Love is n o t n e e d e d as m u c h as hatred is n e e d e d . T h a t ' s w h y i n t h e films, o n t h e radio, o n t h e television, m u r d e r i s all o w e d ; it is n o t called obscene. B u t l o v e m a k i n g is called obscene. T h i s s o ciety lives t h r o u g h h a t e n o t t h r o u g h love. If s o m e b o d y is m u r d e r i n g , it is perfectly okay. If s o m e b o d y puts a d a g g e r i n t o y o u r h e a r t a n d t h e b l o o d rushes like a f o u n t a i n , it is perfectly okay. B u t if s o m e b o d y hugs y o u , kisses y o u , loves y o u , t h e society is afraid. T h i s is strange, t h a t love is o b s c e n e a n d m u r d e r is n o t , t h a t lovers are c o n d e m n e d a n d soldiers r e w a r d e d , that w a r is r i g h t a n d love is w r o n g . I f y o u a c c e p t y o u r intelligence, i f y o u accept yourself, y o u w i l l b e c o m e clear, absolutely clear; all c l o u d s will disappear.
How can
I support
my
own growth
of intelligence?
First b e c o m e m o r e a n d m o r e alert in small things. W a l k i n g along t h e road, b e c o m e m o r e alert, t r y to be m o r e alert. F o r such a simple process as walki n g a l o n g t h e road y o u n e e d n o t have any alertness. You can r e m a i n stupid a n d w a l k well. T h a t ' s w h a t e v e r y o n e i s d o i n g . T h e stupidity does n o t h i n d e r y o u at all. Start f r o m small things. T a k i n g y o u r bath, be alert; standing u n d e r t h e shower, b e c o m e v e r y alert. T h a t cold w a t e r falling o n you, the b o d y enjoying i t . . . b e c o m e alert, b e c o m e conscious of w h a t is happening, be relaxed yet conscious. A n d this m o m e n t o f consciousness has t o b e b r o u g h t i n again and again, in a t h o u s a n d a n d o n e ways: eating, talking, m e e t i n g a friend, list e n i n g t o m e , m e d i t a t i n g , m a k i n g love. I n all situations t r y t o b e c o m e m o r e a n d m o r e alert. It is h a r d , it is certainly difficult, b u t it is n o t i m possible. Slowly, slowly, t h e dust w i l l disappear a n d y o u r m i r r o r l i k e consciousness w i l l reveal itself; y o u w i l l b e c o m e m o r e i n t e l l i g e n t . T h e n live intelligently. You live in such a confused way, in such a stup i d way, t h a t if y o u saw s o m e b o d y else living that w a y y o u w o u l d immediately say that he is stupid. B u t y o u are d o i n g t h e same, a l t h o u g h somehow o n e m a n a g e s n o t t o l o o k a t one's o w n life.
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A m a n c a m e t o m e a n d h e said, " W h a t t o d o , O s h o ? I have fallen i n love w i t h t w o w o m e n . " N o w o n e i s e n o u g h , o n e will d o e n o u g h h a r m , b u t h e has fallen i n love w i t h t w o w o m e n . S o b o t h are s t r u g g l i n g a n d h e i s c r u s h e d . A n d h e says, " I a m i n misery. B o t h are f i g h t i n g o v e r m e . " A n d n a t u r a l l y f r o m b o t h sides h e i s b e i n g hit! A n d i f I say t o h i m , " C h o o s e o n e , " he says t h a t it is difficult. T h i s m e a n s t h a t o n e p e r s o n is r i d i n g o n t w o h o r s e s . H e says i t i s difficult t o c h o o s e o n e . T h e n l e t i t b e , h a v e i t y o u r o w n way. Y o u w i l l destroy y o u r life. C h o o s i n g t w o w o m e n o r t w o m e n a s y o u r l o v e objects i s b o u n d t o split y o u . Y o u w i l l start falling apart. T h i s is stupid. It is so s i m p l e to l o o k i n t o t h e p h e n o m e n o n . M a y b e s o m e t i m e s it is difficult—it is difficult—but t h e n t o o o n e has to c h o o s e . Y o u c a n n o t g o i n all t h e d i r e c t i o n s simultaneously. I f y o u look, i n t o y o u r life y o u w i l l find h o w u n i n t e l l i g e n t l y y o u have b e e n b e h a v i n g . Y o u r e a d a b o o k a n d y o u a c c u m u l a t e k n o w l e d g e a n d y o u start t h i n k i n g t h a t y o u k n o w . Y o u have l e a r n e d t h e w o r d God a n d y o u t h i n k y o u have k n o w n G o d . Y o u are r e a d y t o a r g u e — n o t o n l y a r g u e , y o u are r e a d y t o kill a n d b e killed. H o w m a n y M o h a m m e d a n s , h o w m a n y H i n d u s , h o w m a n y C h r i s t i a n s , h a v e b e e n killed for s o m e t h i n g t h e y have r e a d o n l y i n a b o o k ! T r e m e n d o u s l y s t u p i d p e o ple. O n e i s f i g h t i n g for t h e K o r a n , a n o t h e r i s f i g h t i n g for t h e G i t a , a n o t h e r i s f i g h t i n g for t h e B i b l e — f o r b o o k s y o u are f i g h t i n g a n d killing living p e o p l e a n d sacrificing y o u r t r e m e n d o u s l y valuable life! W h a t are you doing? B u t m a n has behaved in stupid ways. Just because e v e r y b o d y else is b e having in t h e same w a y does n o t m a k e it intelligent. If all are fools it does n o t m a k e y o u intelligent because y o u are following t h e m .
I have heard. A flock of birds was flying i n t o t h e sky a n d o n e b i r d asked a n o t h e r , " W h y d o w e always follow this s t u p i d l e a d e r ? " A n d t h e o t h e r said, " I d o n ' t k n o w . I have h e a r d t h a t o n l y h e has t h e m a p . " 179
T h e m a p ! N o b o d y has t h e m a p . B u t y o u g o o n f o l l o w i n g t h e p o p e , t h e S h a n k a r a c h a r y a , t h e p u n d i t , t h e politician, a n d y o u t h i n k t h e y have t h e m a p , y o u t h i n k t h e y k n o w . Just l o o k i n t o their l i v e s — w h a t d o t h e y k n o w ? T h e y m a y e v e n b e far m o r e s t u p i d t h a n y o u are. Just l o o k at t h e u n i n t e l l i g e n t w a y t h e y are living. W a t c h t h e i r life. A r e t h e y happy? Is t h e r e a d a n c e in t h e i r life? Is t h e r e frag r a n c e in their life? Just l o o k i n g at t h e m do you
feel
a
silence
showering
on
you?
N o t h i n g o f t h e sort. Just because t h e y have a b o o k a n d t h e y have r e a d it a n d s t u d i e d it for years, it d o e s n o t m a k e any sense to follow them. B e c o m e a p e r s o n of k n o w i n g , n o t a p e r s o n o f k n o w l e d g e . T h e n y o u live i n t e l ligendy. T o m e i n t e l l i g e n c e i s t h e basic m o r a l ity, t h e basic v i r t u e . If y o u are intelligent y o u w i l l n o t h a r m a n y b o d y b e c a u s e that i s foolish. I f y o u are i n t e l l i g e n t y o u w i l l n o t h a r m yourself b e c a u s e t h a t is foolish. Life is so p r e c i o u s , it is n o t to be wasted; it has t o b e lived i n d e e p c e l e b r a t i o n , i n d e e p gratitude. A n d o n e has t o b e v e r y careful and w a t c h f u l b e c a u s e a m o m e n t g o n e is g o n e forever. It will n e v e r r e t u r n . So if y o u waste it in s t u p i d i t y y o u are w a s t i n g a great o p p o r t u n i t y . Live each m o m e n t so totally, so fully aware, that y o u n e v e r r e p e n t later on that you d i d n ' t live, t h a t y o u c o u l d have lived m o r e , t h a t y o u c o u l d have enjoyed m o r e . T h a t ' s w h a t i n t e l l i g e n c e is: to live life so totally t h a t t h e r e is no r e p e n t a n c e , ever. O n e i s always c o n t e n t e d . O n e k n o w s that o n e has lived t o one's utmost.
180
R E D I S C O V E R I N G
T H R O U G H
T
I N T E L L I G E N C E
M E D I T A T I O N
h e r e is a s w i t c h in t h e m i n d . T h e n a m e of t h e s w i t c h is w a t c h f u l ness, awareness, w i t n e s s i n g . I f y o u start w i t n e s s i n g t h e m i n d i t b e gins t o stop. T h e m o r e t h a t w i t n e s s i n g g r o w s , t h e m o r e a n d m o r e
do y o u b e c o m e aware of a secret key, t h a t t h e m i n d can be s t o p p e d easily. A n d t h a t m o m e n t i s o f great L i b e r a t i o n , w h e n y o u c a n t u r n t h e m i n d off for h o u r s . A n d w h e n i t c o m e s b a c k , w h e n y o u recall it, i t c o m e s b a c k r e j u v e n a t e d , fresh. H e n c e m e d i t a t o r s are b o u n d t o b e m o r e i n t e l l i g e n t t h a n o t h e r p e o ple. I f t h e y are n o t t h e n t h e i r m e d i t a t i o n i s false, t h e n t h e y d o n ' t k n o w w h a t m e d i t a t i o n is; t h e y are d o i n g s o m e t h i n g else i n t h e n a m e o f m e d i t a t i o n . A m e d i t a t i v e p e r s o n i s b o u n d t o b e m o r e sensitive, m o r e i n t e l l i g e n t , m o r e creative, m o r e l o v i n g , m o r e c o m p a s s i o n a t e . T h e s e qualities g r o w o f t h e i r o w n a c c o r d . A n d t h e w h o l e secret i s i n o n e t h i n g : L e a r n t o stop the m i n d . T h e m o m e n t you k n o w h o w t o stop the m i n d y o u b e c o m e t h e master, a n d t h e n m i n d is a b e a u t i f u l m e c h a n i s m . Y o u use it w h e n y o u w a n t t o use it, w h e n i t i s n e e d e d , a n d y o u p u t i t off w h e n i t i s not needed.
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W h a t is m e d i t a t i o n ? Is it a t e c h n i q u e t h a t can be practiced? Is it an effort t h a t y o u have t o d o ? I s i t s o m e t h i n g w h i c h t h e m i n d c a n achieve? I t is n o t . All that t h e m i n d c a n d o c a n n o t b e m e d i t a t i o n — i t i s s o m e t h i n g b e y o n d t h e m i n d , t h e m i n d i s absolutely helpless t h e r e . T h e m i n d c a n n o t p e n e t r a t e m e d i t a t i o n ; w h e r e m i n d ends, m e d i t a t i o n b e g i n s . T h i s has t o b e r e m e m b e r e d , because i n o u r life, w h a t s o e v e r w e do, we do through the mind; whatsoever w e achieve, w e achieve t h r o u g h t h e m i n d . A n d t h e n , w h e n w e t u r n i n w a r d , w e again start
thinking
in
terms
of techniques,
methods, doings, because the w h o l e of life's e x p e r i e n c e s h o w s us that e v e r y t h i n g c a n b e d o n e b y t h e m i n d . Yes. E x c e p t m e d i t a t i o n , e v e r y t h i n g can b e d o n e b y the mind; everything is done by the m i n d except m e d i t a t i o n . B e c a u s e m e d i t a t i o n is n o t an a c h i e v e m e n t — i t is already t h e case, it is y o u r n a t u r e . It has n o t to be achieved; it has o n l y to be r e c o g n i z e d , it has o n l y to be r e m e m b e r e d . It is t h e r e w a i t i n g for you-— j u s t a t u r n i n g in, a n d it is available. You have b e e n c a r r y i n g it always a n d always. M e d i t a t i o n is y o u r i n t r i n s i c n a t u r e — i t is y o u , it is y o u r b e i n g , it has n o t h i n g to do w i t h y o u r d o i n g s . Y o u c a n n o t have it, you c a n n o t n o t have it, it c a n n o t be possessed. It is n o t a t h i n g . It is y o u . It is y o u r being. O n c e y o u u n d e r s t a n d w h a t m e d i t a t i o n i s t h i n g s b e c o m e v e r y clear. O t h e r w i s e , y o u c a n g o o n g r o p i n g i n t h e dark.
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M e d i t a t i o n is a state of clarity, n o t a state of m i n d . M i n d is c o n f u sion. M i n d i s n e v e r clear. I t c a n n o t b e . T h o u g h t s create clouds a r o u n d y o u — t h e y are subtle clouds. A m i s t is created by t h e m , a n d t h e clarity is lost. W h e n t h o u g h t s disappear, w h e n t h e r e are n o m o r e clouds a r o u n d y o u , w h e n y o u are i n y o u r s i m p l e b e i n g n e s s , clarity h a p p e n s . T h e n y o u can see far away; t h e n y o u can see t o t h e v e r y e n d o f existence; t h e n y o u r gaze b e c o m e s p e n e t r a t i n g — t o t h e v e r y c o r e o f b e i n g . M e d i t a t i o n is clarity, a b s o l u t e clarity, of vision. Y o u c a n n o t t h i n k a b o u t it. Y o u have to d r o p t h i n k i n g . W h e n I say, " Y o u have to d r o p t h i n k i n g , " d o n ' t c o n c l u d e in a h u r r y , b e c a u s e I have to use l a n g u a g e . So I say, " D r o p t h i n k i n g , " b u t if you start dropping y o u will miss, because again y o u w i l l r e d u c e it to a d o i n g . " D r o p t h i n k i n g " s i m p l y m e a n s : D o n ' t d o a n y t h i n g . Sit. L e t t h o u g h t s settle themselves. L e t m i n d d r o p of its o w n a c c o r d . You j u s t sit g a z i n g at t h e wall, in a silent c o r n e r , n o t d o i n g a n y t h i n g at all. R e l a x e d . Loose. W i t h n o effort. N o t g o i n g a n y w h e r e . A s i f y o u are falling asleep a w a k e — y o u are awake a n d y o u are r e l a x i n g b u t t h e w h o l e b o d y i s falling i n t o sleep. Y o u r e m a i n alert i n s i d e b u t t h e w h o l e b o d y m o v e s i n t o d e e p r e laxation. T h o u g h t s settle o f their o w n a c c o r d , y o u n e e d n o t j u m p a m o n g t h e m , y o u n e e d n o t t r y to p u t t h e m r i g h t . It is as if a stream has b e c o m e m u d d y . . . w h a t d o y o u d o ? D o y o u j u m p i n i t a n d start h e l p i n g t h e s t r e a m t o b e c o m e clear? Y o u w i l l m a k e i t m o r e m u d d y . Y o u s i m p l y sit o n t h e b a n k . Y o u wait. T h e r e i s n o t h i n g t o b e d o n e . B e c a u s e w h a t s o e v e r jyou d o w i l l m a k e t h e s t r e a m m o r e m u d d y . I f s o m e b o d y has passed t h r o u g h a s t r e a m a n d t h e d e a d leaves have surfaced a n d t h e m u d has arisen, j u s t p a t i e n c e i s n e e d e d . Y o u s i m p l y sit o n t h e b a n k . W a t c h , indifferently. A n d a s t h e s t r e a m goes o n f l o w i n g , t h e d e a d leaves will b e t a k e n away, a n d t h e m u d will start settling because i t c a n n o t h a n g forever. After a w h i l e , s u d d e n l y y o u w i l l b e c o m e a w a r e — t h e s t r e a m is c r y s tal clear again. W h e n e v e r a desire passes t h r o u g h y o u r m i n d t h e s t r e a m b e c o m e s w i d e l y . S o j u s t sit. D o n ' t t r y t o d o a n y t h i n g . I n J a p a n this "just s i t t i n g " i s
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called Zazen; j u s t sitting a n d d o i n g n o t h i n g . A n d o n e day, m e d i t a t i o n h a p p e n s . N o t that y o u b r i n g i t t o y o u ; i t c o m e s t o y o u . A n d w h e n i t c o m e s , y o u i m m e d i a t e l y r e c o g n i z e it; i t has b e e n always t h e r e b u t y o u w e r e n o t l o o k i n g i n t h e r i g h t direction. T h e treasure has b e e n w i t h y o u b u t y o u w e r e o c c u p i e d s o m e w h e r e else: i n t h o u g h t s , i n desires, i n a t h o u s a n d a n d o n e t h i n g s . Y o u w e r e riot i n t e r e s t e d in t h e o n l y o n e t h i n g . . . and that was y o u r o w n b e i n g . R e m e m b e r , m e d i t a t i o n w i l l b r i n g y o u m o r e a n d m o r e intelligence, infinite intelligence, a radiant intelligence. M e d i t a t i o n will m a k e y o u m o r e alive a n d sensitive; y o u r life w i l l b e c o m e r i c h e r .
Y o u can g o i n t o m e d i t a t i o n j u s t b y sitting, b u t t h e n b e j u s t sitting; d o n o t d o a n y t h i n g else. I f y o u can b e j u s t sitting, i t b e c o m e s m e d i t a t i o n . B e c o m p l e t e l y i n t h e sitting; n o n m o v e m e n t s h o u l d b e y o u r o n l y m o v e m e n t . In fact, t h e w o r d Zen com.es f r o m t h e w o r d Zazen, w h i c h m e a n s , j u s t sitt i n g , d o i n g n o t h i n g . I f y o u can j u s t sit, d o i n g n o t h i n g w i t h y o u r b o d y a n d n o t h i n g w i t h y o u r m i n d , i t b e c o m e s m e d i t a t i o n ; b u t i t i s difficult. Y o u c a n sit v e r y easily w h e n y o u are d o i n g s o m e t h i n g else, b u t the m o m e n t y o u are j u s t sitting a n d d o i n g n o t h i n g , i t b e c o m e s a p r o b l e m . E v e r y fiber o f t h e b o d y b e g i n s t o m o v e inside; e v e r y v e i n , e v e r y muscle, b e g i n s to m o v e . Y o u w i l l b e g i n to feel a s u b t l e t r e m b l i n g ; y o u will be aware o f m a n y p o i n t s i n t h e b o d y o f w h i c h y o u h a v e n e v e r b e e n aware before. A n d t h e m o r e y o u t r y t o j u s t sit, t h e m o r e m o v e m e n t y o u will feel i n s i d e y o u . S o sitting c a n b e u s e d o n l y i f y o u h a v e d o n e o t h e r things first. Y o u c a n j u s t w a l k , that is easier. Y o u can j u s t dance, that is even easier. A n d after y o u have b e e n d o i n g o t h e r t h i n g s t h a t are easier, t h e n you c a n sit. S i t t i n g in a b u d d h a p o s t u r e is t h e last t h i n g to d o , really; it should n e v e r b e d o n e i n t h e b e g i n n i n g . O n l y after y o u have b e g u n t o feel identified totally w i t h m o v e m e n t can y o u b e g i n t o feel totally identified with nonmovement. S o I n e v e r tell p e o p l e t o b e g i n w i t h j u s t sitting. B e g i n f r o m where
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b e g i n n i n g is
easy, o t h e r w i s e y o u w i l l b e g i n
t o feel m a n y t h i n g s
u n n e c e s s a r i l y — t h i n g s t h a t are n o t t h e r e . I f y o u b e g i n w i t h sitting, y o u will feel m u c h disturbance inside. T h e m o r e y o u t r y t o j u s t sit, t h e m o r e disturbance will b e felt; y o u will b e c o m e aware o n l y o f y o u r insane m i n d a n d n o t h i n g else. I t will create depression, y o u will feel frustrated. You will n o t feel blissful; rather, y o u will b e g i n to feel that y o u are insane. A n d s o m e t i m e s y o u m a y really go insane. If y o u m a k e a sincere effort to "just sit," y o u m a y really go insane. O n l y because p e o p l e d o n o t really t r y sincerely does insanity n o t h a p p e n m o r e often. W i t h a sitting p o s t u r e y o u b e g i n t o k n o w s o m u c h m a d n e s s i n s i d e y o u that i f y o u are sincere a n d c o n t i n u e it, y o u m a y really g o i n sane. It has h a p p e n e d before, so m a n y times; so I n e v e r suggest a n y t h i n g t h a t can create frustration, depression, s a d n e s s — a n y t h i n g t h a t will a l l o w y o u t o b e t o o aware o f y o u r insanity. Y o u m a y n o t b e r e a d y t o b e aware o f all t h e insanity that i s inside y o u ; y o u m u s t b e allowed t o g e t t o k n o w c e r t a i n things gradually. K n o w l e d g e is n o t always g o o d ; it m u s t u n f o l d i t self slowly as y o u r capacity to absorb it g r o w s . I b e g i n w i t h y o u r insanity, n o t w i t h a sitting p o s t u r e ; I a l l o w y o u r i n sanity. I f y o u d a n c e madly, t h e o p p o s i t e h a p p e n s w i t h i n y o u . W i t h a m a d dance, y o u b e g i n t o b e aware o f a silent p o i n t w i t h i n y o u ; w i t h sitting silently, y o u b e g i n t o b e aware o f m a d n e s s . T h e o p p o s i t e i s always t h e p o i n t o f awareness. W i t h y o u r d a n c i n g madly, chaotically, w i t h c r y i n g , w i t h chaotic breathing, I allow y o u r madness. T h e n y o u begin to be aware of a subtle p o i n t , a d e e p p o i n t inside y o u w h i c h is silent a n d still, in c o n t r a s t to t h e m a d n e s s on t h e p e r i p h e r y . Y o u will feel v e r y blissful; at y o u r c e n t e r t h e r e i s a n i n n e r silence. B u t i f y o u are j u s t sitting, t h e n t h e i n n e r o n e i s t h e m a d o n e ; y o u are silent o n t h e outside, b u t inside y o u are mad. I f y o u b e g i n w i t h s o m e t h i n g a c t i v e — s o m e t h i n g positive, alive, m o v i n g — i t w i l l b e b e t t e r ; t h e n y o u w i l l b e g i n t o feel a n i n n e r stillness [growing. T h e m o r e i t g r o w s , t h e m o r e i t w i l l b e possible for y o u t o use a sitting p o s t u r e o r a l y i n g p o s t u r e — t h e m o r e silent m e d i t a t i o n w i l l b e possible. B u t b y t h e n things w i l l b e different, totally different. 185
A m e d i t a t i o n t e c h n i q u e that b e g i n s w i t h m o v e m e n t , action, helps y o u in o t h e r ways, also. It b e c o m e s a catharsis. W h e n y o u are j u s t sitting, y o u are frustrated; y o u r m i n d w a n t s t o m o v e a n d y o u are j u s t sitting. E v e r y m u s c l e t u r n s , e v e r y n e r v e t u r n s . Y o u are t r y i n g t o force s o m e t h i n g u p o n yourself that i s n o t natural for y o u ; t h e n y o u have d i v i d e d yourself into t h e o n e w h o i s forcing and t h e o n e w h o i s b e i n g forced. A n d really, the p a r t that is b e i n g forced a n d suppressed is t h e m o r e a u t h e n t i c part; it is a m o r e m a j o r p a r t o f y o u r m i n d t h a n t h e p a r t t h a t i s suppressing, and the major part is b o u n d to win. T h a t w h i c h y o u are suppressing i s really t o b e t h r o w n , n o t s u p pressed. I t has b e c o m e a n a c c u m u l a t i o n w i t h i n y o u because y o u have b e e n c o n s t a n t l y suppressing it. T h e w h o l e u p b r i n g i n g , t h e civilization, t h e e d u c a t i o n , i s suppressive. Y o u have b e e n suppressing m u c h that could have b e e n t h r o w n v e r y easily w i t h a different e d u c a t i o n , w i t h a m o r e c o n s c i o u s e d u c a t i o n , w i t h a m o r e aware p a r e n t h o o d . W i t h a better awareness o f t h e i n n e r m e c h a n i s m o f t h e m i n d , t h e c u l t u r e c o u l d have allowed y o u to t h r o w m a n y things. F o r e x a m p l e , w h e n a child i s a n g r y w e tell h i m , " D o n o t b e angry." He begins to suppress anger. By and by, w h a t was a m o m e n t a r y h a p p e n i n g b e c o m e s p e r m a n e n t . N o w h e will n o t act angry, b u t h e will r e m a i n angry. W e have a c c u m u l a t e d s o m u c h a n g e r from w h a t w e r e j u s t m o m e n t a r y things; n o o n e can b e a n g r y c o n t i n u o u s l y unless a n g e r has b e e n suppressed. A n g e r is a m o m e n t a r y t h i n g that c o m e s a n d goes: If it is expressed, then y o u are no l o n g e r angry. So w i t h m e , I w o u l d allow t h e child to be angry m o r e authentically. Be angry, b u t be d e e p in it; do n o t suppress it. O f c o u r s e , t h e r e will b e p r o b l e m s . I f w e say, " B e a n g r y , " t h e n you are g o i n g t o b e a n g r y a t s o m e o n e . B u t a child c a n b e m o l d e d ; h e can b e g i v e n a p i l l o w a n d told, " B e a n g r y w i t h t h e pillow. B e v i o l e n t w i t h the pillow." F r o m t h e v e r y b e g i n n i n g , a child c a n be b r o u g h t up in a way in w h i c h the anger is just deviated. S o m e object can be given to him: He can g o o n t h r o w i n g t h e object u n t i l his a n g e r goes. W i t h i n minutes, w i t h i n seconds, h e w i l l have dissipated his a n g e r a n d t h e r e w i l l b e n o acc u m u l a t i o n o f it.
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Y o u have a c c u m u l a t e d anger, sex, v i o l e n c e , greed, e v e r y t h i n g ! N o w this a c c u m u l a t i o n is a m a d n e s s w i t h i n y o u . It is there, inside y o u . If y o u b e g i n w i t h any suppressive m e d i t a t i o n — f o r e x a m p l e , w i t h j u s t s i t t i n g — y o u are s u p p r e s s i n g all o f this, y o u are n o t a l l o w i n g i t t o b e released. S o I b e g i n w i t h a catharsis. First, let t h e s u p p r e s s i o n s b e t h r o w n i n t o t h e air; a n d w h e n y o u c a n t h r o w y o u r a n g e r i n t o t h e air, y o u have b e c o m e mature. If I c a n n o t be l o v i n g a l o n e , if I can be l o v i n g o n l y w i t h s o m e o n e I love, t h e n , really, I a m n o t m a t u r e yet. T h e n I a m d e p e n d i n g o n s o m e o n e e v e n t o b e loving; s o m e o n e m u s t b e t h e r e , t h e n I can b e l o v i n g . T h e n t h a t l o v i n g can o n l y be a v e r y superficial t h i n g ; it is n o t my n a t u r e . If I am alone in t h e r o o m I am n o t l o v i n g at all, so t h e l o v i n g quality has n o t g o n e d e e p ; i t has n o t b e c o m e a p a r t o f m y b e i n g . Y o u b e c o m e m o r e a n d m o r e m a t u r e w h e n y o u are less a n d less d e p e n d e n t . I f y o u can b e a n g r y a l o n e , y o u are m o r e m a t u r e . Y o u d o n o t n e e d any o b j e c t to be angry. So I m a k e a catharsis in t h e b e g i n n i n g a m u s t . Y o u m u s t t h r o w e v e r y t h i n g i n t o t h e sky, i n t o t h e o p e n space, w i t h o u t b e i n g c o n s c i o u s o f any object. B e a n g r y w i t h o u t t h e p e r s o n w i t h w h o m y o u w o u l d like t o b e a n gry. W e e p w i t h o u t f i n d i n g a n y cause; l a u g h , j u s t l a u g h , w i t h o u t a n y t h i n g t o l a u g h at. T h e n y o u can j u s t t h r o w t h e w h o l e a c c u m u l a t e d t h i n g — y o u can j u s t t h r o w it. A n d o n c e y o u k n o w t h e way, y o u are u n b u r d e n e d o f t h e w h o l e past. W i t h i n m o m e n t s y o u can b e u n b u r d e n e d o f t h e w h o l e l i f e — o f lives even. I f y o u are ready t o t h r o w e v e r y t h i n g , i f y o u c a n allow y o u r m a d ness t o c o m e o u t , w i t h i n m o m e n t s t h e r e i s a d e e p cleansing. N o w y o u are cleansed: fresh, i n n o c e n t — y o u are a child again. N o w , in y o u r i n n o c e n c e , sitting m e d i t a t i o n can b e d o n e — j u s t sitting, o r j u s t lying, o r a n y t h i n g — b e c a u s e n o w t h e r e i s n o m a d o n e inside t o disturb t h e sitting. C l e a n s i n g m u s t b e t h e first t h i n g — a c a t h a r s i s — o t h e r w i s e , w i t h b r e a t h i n g exercises, w i t h j u s t sitting, w i t h p r a c t i c i n g yoga asanas, p o s t u r e s , y o u are j u s t suppressing s o m e t h i n g . W h e n silence c o m e s t o y o u , w h e n i t descends o n y o u , i t i s n o t a false 187
t h i n g . You h a v e n o t b e e n cultivating it; i t c o m e s t o y o u ; i t h a p p e n s t o y o u . Y o u b e g i n to feel it g r o w i n g inside y o u j u s t like a m o t h e r b e g i n s to feel a child g r o w i n g . A d e e p silence is g r o w i n g inside y o u ; y o u b e c o m e p r e g n a n t w i t h it. O n l y t h e n is t h e r e t r a n s f o r m a t i o n ; o t h e r w i s e it is j u s t s e l f - d e c e p t i o n . A n d o n e can deceive oneself for lives a n d l i v e s — t h e capacity to do so is infinite.
I n t e l l i g e n c e can b e rediscovered. T h e o n l y m e t h o d t o rediscover i t i s m e d i t a t i o n . M e d i t a t i o n o n l y d o e s o n e t h i n g : I t destroys all t h e b a r r i e r s that t h e society has created t o p r e v e n t y o u f r o m b e i n g intelligent. I t s i m ply r e m o v e s t h e b l o c k s . Its f u n c t i o n is negative: It r e m o v e s t h e rocks that are p r e v e n t i n g y o u r w a t e r s f r o m f l o w i n g , y o u r springs f r o m b e c o m i n g alive. E v e r y b o d y is c a r r y i n g t h e great p o t e n t i a l , b u t society has p u t great rocks to p r e v e n t it. It has c r e a t e d C h i n a Walls a r o u n d y o u ; it has i m p r i s oned you. If y o u are a C h r i s t i a n y o u are i m p r i s o n e d by t h e C h r i s t i a n priests. If y o u are a H i n d u y o u are i m p r i s o n e d b y H i n d u priests. Y o u r p r i s o n s are different; m a y b e t h e i r a r c h i t e c t u r e is different, t h e r o o m s are m a d e differently, w i t h different m a t e r i a l . A n d m a y b e a f e w p r i s o n s are m o r e c o m fortable t h a n o t h e r s , m o r e sophisticated t h a n o t h e r s .
Of course the
A m e r i c a n p r i s o n i s b e t t e r t h a n t h e I n d i a n p r i s o n , far better, m o r e c o m fortable: t h e r a d i o is available, t h e TV is available to t h e p r i s o n e r . T h e I n d i a n p r i s o n i s b o u n d t o b e I n d i a n . Indians are l i v i n g i n s u c h a n u n c o m f o r t a b l e way, h o w can t h e y p r o v i d e television a n d r a d i o a n d c o m f o r t t o t h e prisoners? Impossible. T h e y are t h e r e t o b e p u n i s h e d ; t h e y c a n n o t be allowed to enjoy. C h r i s t i a n i t y m a y b e a little b e t t e r p r i s o n t h a n M o h a m m e d a n i s m , b u t a p r i s o n is a p r i s o n . A n d in fact a b e t t e r p r i s o n is far m o r e d a n g e r o u s b e cause y o u m a y start c l i n g i n g t o it, y o u m a y n o t like t o g e t o u t o f it; you m a y start l o v i n g it as if it is y o u r h o m e . B u t these are all p r i s o n s . A n d s o m e t i m e s p e o p l e get fed u p w i t h o n e p r i s o n a n d t h e y c h a n g e their p r i s o n s . T h e H i n d u b e c o m e s t h e C h r i s t i a n , t h e C h r i s t i a n b e c o m e s
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t h e H i n d u . N o w t h e r e are m a n y foolish C h r i s t i a n s w h o have b e c o m e H a r e K r i s h n a p e o p l e — t h e same s t u p i d i t y b u t m a s q u e r a d i n g i n a n e w f o r m . T h e r e are m a n y H i n d u s w h o have b e c o m e C h r i s t i a n s , b u t t h e same superstitiousness persists; t h e r e is no difference at all. I have seen t h o s e H i n d u s w h o have b e c o m e C h r i s t i a n s — n o change. I have seen those C h r i s tians w h o have b e c o m e H i n d u s — n o c h a n g e . T h e y have j u s t c h a n g e d t h e prison. T o c o m e o u t o f all p r i s o n s i s i n t e l l i g e n c e — a n d n e v e r t o get i n t o a n o t h e r again. I n t e l l i g e n c e can b e discovered t h r o u g h m e d i t a t i o n b e c a u s e all t h o s e p r i s o n s exist i n y o u r m i n d . T h e y c a n n o t r e a c h y o u r b e i n g , f o r tunately. T h e y c a n n o t p o l l u t e y o u r b e i n g , t h e y can o n l y p o l l u t e y o u r m i n d — t h e y can o n l y cover y o u r m i n d . I f y o u c a n g e t o u t o f t h e m i n d y o u w i l l g e t o u t o f Christianity, H i n d u i s m , J a i n i s m , B u d d h i s m , a n d all k i n d s of r u b b i s h will be j u s t finished. Y o u can c o m e to a full stop. A n d w h e n y o u are o u t o f t h e m i n d , w a t c h i n g it, b e i n g aware o f it, j u s t b e i n g a witness, y o u are intelligent. Y o u r i n t e l l i g e n c e is discovered. Y o u have u n d o n e w h a t t h e society has d o n e t o y o u ; y o u have destroyed t h e mischief; y o u have destroyed t h e c o n s p i r a c y o f t h e priests a n d t h e p o l i t i c i a n s . Y o u h a v e c o m e o u t o f it, y o u are free. I n fact, y o u are for t h e f i r s t t i m e a real h u m a n b e i n g , a n a u t h e n t i c h u m a n b e i n g . N o w t h e w h o l e sky is y o u r s .
189
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sho's t e a c h i n g s defy c a t e g o r i z a t i o n , c o v e r i n g e v e r y t h i n g f r o m t h e i n d i v i d u a l quest for m e a n i n g t o t h e m o s t u r g e n t social a n d
political issues facing society today. H i s b o o k s are n o t w r i t t e n
b u t are t r a n s c r i b e d f r o m a u d i o a n d v i d e o r e c o r d i n g s o f e x t e m p o r a n e o u s talks g i v e n to i n t e r n a t i o n a l a u d i e n c e s over a p e r i o d of thirty-five years. O s h o has b e e n d e s c r i b e d by t h e Sunday Times in L o n d o n as o n e of t h e "1,000 Makers of the 20th C e n t u r y " and by American author T o m R o b b i n s a s " t h e m o s t d a n g e r o u s m a n since Jesus C h r i s t . " A b o u t his o w n w o r k O s h o has said t h a t h e i s h e l p i n g t o create t h e c o n d i t i o n s for t h e b i r t h o f a n e w k i n d o f h u m a n b e i n g . H e has often c h a r a c t e r i z e d this n e w h u m a n b e i n g a s " Z o r b a t h e B u d d h a " — c a p a b l e o f e n j o y i n g b o t h t h e e a r t h y pleasures o f a Z o r b a t h e G r e e k a n d t h e silent serenity of a G a u t a m B u d d h a . R u n n i n g like a t h r e a d t h r o u g h all aspects o f O s h o ' s w o r k i s a vision that e n c o m p a s s e s b o t h t h e timeless w i s d o m o f t h e East a n d t h e h i g h e s t p o t e n t i a l o f W e s t e r n science a n d t e c h n o l o g y . O s h o i s also k n o w n for his r e v o l u t i o n a r y c o n t r i b u t i o n t o t h e science o f i n n e r t r a n s f o r m a t i o n , w i t h a n a p p r o a c h t o m e d i t a t i o n that a c k n o w l edges t h e accelerated p a c e o f c o n t e m p o r a r y life. H i s u n i q u e " A c t i v e M e d i t a t i o n s " are d e s i g n e d to first release t h e a c c u m u l a t e d stresses of b o d y a n d m i n d , s o t h a t i t i s easier t o e x p e r i e n c e t h e t h o u g h t - f r e e a n d r e laxed state of m e d i t a t i o n .
191
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he O s h o M e d i t a t i o n R e s o r t is a place w h e r e p e o p l e can have a d i rect p e r s o n a l e x p e r i e n c e o f a n e w w a y o f living w i t h m o r e a l e r t ness, relaxation, a n d f u n .
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southeast o f M u m b a i i n P u n e , India, t h e resort offers a v a r i e t y o f p r o grams t o t h o u s a n d s o f p e o p l e w h o visit e a c h year f r o m m o r e t h a n a h u n dred countries around the world. O r i g i n a l l y d e v e l o p e d as a s u m m e r retreat for maharajas a n d w e a l t h y B r i t i s h colonialists, P u n e is n o w a t h r i v i n g m o d e r n city t h a t is h o m e to a n u m b e r o f universities a n d h i g h - t e c h i n d u s t r i e s . T h e m e d i t a t i o n resort spreads over forty acres in a t r e e - l i n e d s u b u r b k n o w n as K o r e g a o n Park. T h e resort c a m p u s provides a c c o m m o d a t i o n for a l i m i t e d n u m b e r o f guests, a n d t h e r e is a plentiful v a r i e t y of n e a r b y h o t e l s a n d private a p a r t m e n t s available for stays of a f e w days up to several m o n t h s . R e s o r t p r o g r a m s are all b a s e d on t h e O s h o vision of a qualitatively n e w k i n d o f h u m a n b e i n g w h o i s able b o t h t o p a r t i c i p a t e creatively i n e v e r y d a y life a n d t o relax i n t o silence a n d m e d i t a t i o n . M o s t p r o g r a m s take place in m o d e r n , a i r - c o n d i t i o n e d facilities a n d i n c l u d e a v a r i e t y of i n d i v i d u a l sessions, courses, a n d w o r k s h o p s c o v e r i n g e v e r y t h i n g f r o m creative arts to holistic h e a l t h t r e a t m e n t s , p e r s o n a l t r a n s f o r m a t i o n a n d therapy, e s o t e r i c sciences, t h e " Z e n " a p p r o a c h t o sports a n d r e c r e a t i o n , relationship issues, a n d significant life transitions for m e n a n d w o m e n . I n dividual sessions a n d g r o u p w o r k s h o p s are offered t h r o u g h o u t t h e year, alongside a full daily s c h e d u l e of m e d i t a t i o n s . 193
O u t d o o r cafes a n d restaurants w i t h i n t h e resort g r o u n d s serve b o t h t r a d i t i o n a l I n d i a n fare a n d a c h o i c e of i n t e r n a t i o n a l dishes, all m a d e w i t h organically g r o w n vegetables f r o m t h e c o m m u n e ' s o w n f a r m . T h e c a m pus has its o w n private supply of safe, filtered water.
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a b o u t O s h o a n d his w o r k , see:
w w w . osho. c o m T h i s is a c o m p r e h e n s i v e W e b site in several l a n g u a g e s , f e a t u r i n g an o n l i n e t o u r of t h e m e d i t a t i o n resort, a calendar of its c o u r s e offerings, a catalog of b o o k s a n d tapes, a list of O s h o i n f o r m a t i o n c e n t e r s w o r l d w i d e , a n d selections f r o m O s h o ' s talks.
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