Jinsutra Lecture 28 Jivan Ka Rut Bhav Prem Bhakti

This document is a transcript of Osho Rajneesh's 28th lecture from the "Jinsutra" series, titled "Jivan ka Rut Bhav Prem Bhakti" (The Seasonal Nature of Life: Emotion, Love, Devotion). The lecture delves into complex spiritual and philosophical concepts, primarily through a dialogue format addressing questions from seekers.

Here's a comprehensive summary:

Key Themes and Questions Addressed:

The lecture revolves around several core questions and themes:

• The Nature of Karma and the Tirthankaras: A central question is why the compassionate actions of Tirthankaras (enlightened beings in Jainism) do not bind them with karma (both merit and demerit), unlike ordinary individuals.
• The Conflict Between Love and Ego: A seeker expresses inner turmoil, experiencing love for the first time but finding their ego preventing complete surrender. They feel torn between the heart (following Narada's ecstatic love) and the intellect (following Mahavira's disciplined path).
• Kirtan-Dhyan (Chanting-Meditation): A request for an explanation of this practice is made.
• The Nature of "Sahaj" (Naturalness/Effortlessness): The lecture emphasizes the importance of understanding and embodying this state.
• The Difference Between "Doing" and "Being": A distinction is made between actions performed with intention and the natural expression of one's being.

Core Teachings and Explanations:

1. Tirthankaras and Karma:

   • Actions vs. States: Osho clarifies that Tirthankaras' actions are not "karma" in the binding sense. They are "kritya" (deeds) or "krutya-rahit" (deedless). Their compassion is "karunapoorna" (full of compassion) rather than "karunajanya" (born of compassion).
   • No Doer, No Motivation: Tirthankaras act without the feeling of being a "doer" or any personal attachment. Their actions are as natural as breathing. They are not motivated by another's suffering or by a need to alleviate their own karma.
   • Abundance, Not Need: Their giving is not out of need but out of an overflowing abundance of inner joy. They give because they have excess, not because others are lacking. They are like a lamp that radiates light irrespective of whether anyone is there to receive it.
   • Inner Source: Their compassion flows from their inner state of joy and bliss, not from external circumstances. It's an expression of their "sat-chit-ananda" (existence-consciousness-bliss).
   • Analogy of the Vineyard: The story of the vineyard owner distributing equal wages to all laborers, regardless of their hours worked, illustrates that giving is from abundance, not based on work done.
   • Effortless Action: The actions of a Tirthankara are "sahaj" (natural), like a bird singing or a tree pruning itself to grow. They are not "cheshit" (effortful) or planned.

2. Ego vs. Love (Narada vs. Mahavira):

   • The Inner Conflict: The struggle between love and ego is presented as a common human dilemma. The ego, having been nurtured since birth, resists surrender to love, which requires letting go of the "I."
   • Choice and Decision: Osho emphasizes that life is a series of choices. One must choose between clinging to the ego (represented by Mahavira's intellectual discipline, paradoxically) and embracing love (represented by Narada's surrender). Staying in the middle leads to confusion.
   • The Nature of True Love: True love is not an act of "doing" but a state of "being." The attempt to "do" love, as in "I love you," is an imposition of ego. Love is spontaneous and cannot be forced.
   • Ego's Deception: The ego offers assurances of fulfillment but ultimately leads to disillusionment. Love, on the other hand, demands surrender and sacrifice but leads to true fulfillment.
   • Wisdom in Love: Choosing love is the path of wisdom, while choosing the ego is the path of foolishness.

3. "Sahaj" (Naturalness):

   • Beyond Effort: "Sahaj" means that which happens without your direct doing or effort. Much of our existence is already "sahaj," but we often overlay it with our ego.
   • The Contrast with "Cheshit" (Effortful): Efforts to achieve spiritual states or perform virtuous acts with a sense of self-importance create karma.
   • The Practice of "Sahaj": To experience "sahaj," one needs to stop imposing their "I" onto their actions and feelings. This requires a deep understanding and contemplation of the word itself.

4. Kirtan-Dhyan (Chanting-Meditation):

   • "Kirtan" is Doing, Not Understanding: The essence of kirtan is in the "doing," not the intellectual "understanding." Trying to understand kirtan intellectually defeats its purpose.
   • Surrender and Absorption: Kirtan is an expression of "ahobhava" (wonderment/gratitude) and "dhan'yabhava" (thankfulness). It's about immersing oneself in the experience of existence and acknowledging it as a gift.
   • Beyond Intellect: It's about letting go of the intellect and surrendering to the moment, like a dancer losing themselves in their performance.
   • Two Paths to Transcendence: Kirtan can be seen as a form of "unmad" (ecstatic madness), which is about rising above the ordinary consciousness. "Pagalpan" (madness) is falling below it. Both are outside the realm of normal intellect.
   • The Role of Bhakti (Devotion): Kirtan is the highest expression of devotion, where the devotee becomes one with the divine, losing their individual self.
   • The Difference Between Bhakti and Sankalp (Resolution/Willpower): The path of devotion (bhakti) allows for the dropping of ego early on, while the path of willpower (sankalp) requires shedding the ego at the very end.
   • The Danger of Ego in Spiritual Paths: Even on the path of willpower, an ego of being a "tapasvi" (ascetic) or "sanyami" (disciplined one) can form. The path of devotion is gentler and more accommodating to human weaknesses.

5. The Nature of True Guruship:

   • Respect Follows the Guru: Respect is not something to be demanded but something that naturally arises when one is a true guru. If a teacher is truly enlightened, students will naturally revere them, just as trees turn green with rain.
   • The Problem of "Lost Respect": The complaint of "lost respect" from students often points to a lack of genuine guru-ness in the teacher.

6. The Tirthankara's "Uniqueness":

   • Beyond Ordinary Enlightenment: While many attain "keval gyan" (absolute knowledge), not all become Tirthankaras. Tirthankaras embody a unique blend of knowledge and the ability to guide others, a rare phenomenon in cycles of time.
   • The Role of Past Practices: Becoming a Tirthankara involves eons of disciplined practice in compassion, non-violence, and ethical conduct, which then leads to effortless, natural expression of these qualities in their final incarnation.

Overall Message:

Osho's lecture encourages listeners to move beyond intellectual understanding and embrace life's "rut bhav" (seasonal nature) through love, devotion, and naturalness. He stresses the importance of making clear choices, letting go of the ego, and understanding that true spiritual fulfillment comes from inner abundance and surrender, rather than effortful action or intellectualization. The lecture offers guidance on navigating inner conflicts and highlights the profound difference between a life lived through the ego and a life lived in love and devotion. The ultimate aim is to reach a state of "sahaj" where one acts from their true, unburdened self.