Jinsutra Lecture 08 Samyak Gyan Mukti Hai

This is a summary of Osho Rajnish's lecture "Samyak Gyan Mukti Hai" (Right Knowledge is Liberation), which is part of the JinSutra series. The lecture explores the dynamic nature of existence, the limitations of concepts, and the path to liberation through true understanding.

Here's a breakdown of the key themes and points discussed:

The Nature of Existence: Action vs. State (Page 2-4)

• Everything is a Process: Osho argues that true existence is not a static state ("sanjna" - noun, a state of being) but a continuous process ("kriya" - action, a dynamic flow). He uses the example of a tree constantly changing, growing, and decaying, contrasting it with the static concept of "the tree is."
• Life is Flow: A river is an example of "kriya" (flowing), while a pond is "sanjna" (stagnant). Flow represents life, and stillness represents death.
• Concepts are Static: Love, joy, meditation, and samadhi are not fixed states but processes. They exist only when practiced. The moment you stop the practice, they cease to be.
• The Illusion of Stasis: Even seemingly stable things like a house are undergoing constant change. The scientific understanding, as exemplified by Eddington, also supports the idea that "stasis" is an illusion; everything is in flux.
• Life as an Event, Not a Thing: Life is a happening, a dynamic event, not a solid object. Recognizing this dynamic nature brings a burning intensity to life.
• The Self is Dynamic: You are not the same person you were yesterday. The self is also a continuous process of change. Attachment to past or future selves hinders the present experience.
• Truth is in Action: The true self is not a fixed entity but a continuous flow of consciousness. What you do is what matters, not what you are as a static concept.

The Layers of the Self and Societal Conditioning (Page 4-6)

• The Original State is Zero: Man is born as a "zero," a state of pure potential without any self-awareness or fear of ceasing to be. This is the core of the self, called "Atma" by Mahavir and "Anatma" by Buddha.
• Fear and the "I": The emergence of the "I" brings with it the fear of "not-being." Light is followed by darkness.
• Societal Imposition: Society layers conditioning, values, and norms onto the child, forcing them to conform to its expectations. This creates the first "layer" on top of the original zero state.
• The Contradiction: This societal conditioning often goes against the child's natural disposition.
• The Fourth Layer: Compromise and Duality: As individuals grow, they develop a dual personality, outwardly conforming to societal expectations while secretly pursuing their natural inclinations. This is the layer of compromise.
• The Fifth Layer: Politeness and Ritual: The outermost layer is of social etiquette and politeness, facilitating smoother interactions.
• Sadhana is Removing Layers: True spiritual practice ("sadhana") involves shedding these four layers of conditioning (societal norms, compromise, polite ritual, and ego) to reach the original, pure self.
• Mahavir as a Revolutionary: Mahavir was a revolutionary who lived his natural state, unconcerned by societal judgment. His followers, however, often tried to preserve his legacy by creating traditions and rituals, thus solidifying a "religion" from a living experience.

The Nature of Religion and Tradition (Page 6-9)

• Living Religions vs. Dead Religions: When a master like Mahavir is alive, the religion is vibrant. After their passing, the religion often becomes a set of rituals and traditions, losing its original spirit.
• The Danger of Stagnation: Religions tend to close their doors, fixating on the teachings of the founder, rather than remaining a living, evolving experience. This is why Osho predicts "Tirthankaras" (liberated souls) will continue to appear, as the true religion is always new.
• The Meaning of "Jain": The term "Jain" evolved from the experience of "Jin" (the liberated one). Over time, followers of Mahavir became "Jains" by birth and tradition, rather than by embodying the "Jin" state. This is a natural progression in the lifecycle of religions.
• Tradition as a Crutch: Tradition is necessary for the weak and cowardly, offering a sense of security and a pre-defined path. However, for the courageous, it can become a hindrance.
• Living with Awareness vs. Following Tradition: Living without tradition requires constant self-awareness and personal decision-making. Tradition offers convenience and security, but true liberation comes from independent awakening.
• The Cult of the Dead: Osho criticizes the veneration of the dead, stating that people praise the deceased, but would likely reject or misunderstand them if they were alive. The "Jain" tradition, like other religions, has become a cult of the dead.
• The Essence of Religion is Life: True religion is life itself, a continuous, ever-new unfolding. It is not about adhering to past pronouncements but about living vibrantly in the present.
• The Dangers of Dogma: Religions that close themselves off become stagnant and eventually turn into "adharma" (unrighteousness). The emphasis on "Jainism" as a political entity or a sect, rather than a spiritual path, is seen as detrimental.

The Nature of "Samyak Gyan" (Right Knowledge) and Liberation (Page 10-13)

• Beyond Words and Concepts: True knowledge is not derived from words, scriptures, or traditions but from direct experience. Osho emphasizes that "words are not the truth, they are pointers."
• The Importance of Direct Experience: Relying on tradition or pre-existing interpretations leads to a superficial understanding. True understanding comes from direct, personal exploration.
• The Illusion of Meaning: People impose their own meanings and interpretations onto words and events. What one person sees as a sacred symbol, another may see as mere tradition.
• The Dangers of Superficiality: Visiting religious sites or reading scriptures without inner engagement is like a superficial tour. True understanding requires deep introspection.
• Faith vs. Blind Faith: Faith is not about blindly following a tradition but about a deep inner conviction born from experience.
• The Role of the Guru: A living guru provides guidance and clarity, helping to remove the layers of conditioning. However, eventually, one must become their own guru.
• Liberation from Time and Space: True liberation comes from transcending the limitations of time and space, which are products of our conditioning and ego. This is achieved through complete absorption in an action or experience.
• The Experience of "Nirvana": "Nirvana," often misunderstood, means to extinguish the lamps of intellect, logic, and desire, to merge into the vast, silent emptiness of one's true nature.
• The Present Moment is the Destination: The journey is not towards a distant destination but the very act of moving with full awareness and intensity. The path is in the present.

The Nature of Desire, Love, and Beauty (Page 13-20)

• Desire as a Natural Force: Desire is a natural force. Suppressing it leads to its distortion and eruption in more perverse ways.
• The Problem of Repression: Societal conditioning that labels desire, particularly sexual desire, as sinful leads to guilt, shame, and a fragmented experience of life.
• The Importance of Full Experience: It is crucial to live each stage of life fully. Childhood should be fully experienced to allow for a natural transition to youth, and youth to old age.
• The Transformation of Desire: By consciously observing and understanding desire, rather than suppressing it, one can move towards its sublimation and liberation.
• The Beauty of True Love: True love arises from the experience of beauty, which is the divine manifesting in everything. Vasna (lust) obscures this beauty.
• Vasna vs. Prem: Vasna is about using another person for personal gratification, turning them into an object. Prem (love) is about appreciating the divine in another, recognizing their inherent sacredness.
• The Illusion of Love: Many relationships mistaken for love are merely distorted forms of vasna, driven by unmet desires and societal expectations. This is why such "love" can quickly turn into hatred.
• The Power of Observation: Observing one's desires without judgment, through practices like meditation, can lead to their dissipation and the emergence of true love and beauty.

The Path Forward (Page 20-21)

• Embrace Your True Nature: Do not be afraid to explore your inner world, including your desires, with awareness and without guilt.
• The Body and Mind are Instruments: Understand the body and mind as instruments for experiencing life and consciousness, not as obstacles.
• Seek the Living Truth: If possible, seek a living master who can guide you. If not, rely on the truth you discover within yourself.
• The Journey is Within: The ultimate liberation comes from within, from shedding the layers of conditioning and realizing your true, dynamic nature.

In essence, Osho's lecture is a call to embrace life in its dynamic, flowing nature, to shed the dead weight of concepts and traditions, and to discover liberation through direct experience and self-awareness, transcending the limitations of the ego and societal conditioning.