Jinsutra Lecture 30 Prem Hai Atyantik Mukti

Here is a comprehensive summary in English of Osho Rajnish's "Jinsutra Lecture 30: Prem hai Atyantik Mukti" (Love is Ultimate Liberation), based on the provided text:

This lecture by Osho Rajnish explores the nature of love as the path to ultimate liberation and addresses common spiritual seeker's questions and dilemmas, particularly the apparent conflict between the devotional (bhakta) and the knowledge-seeking (gyani) paths, and the experience of agitation and anger while practicing spirituality.

Key Themes and Concepts:

• The Nature of the Seeker and the Devotee:

  • The Gyani (Knowledge Seeker): The path of knowledge requires mental stillness, control over thoughts and desires. The restless mind is seen as an obstacle. The gyani aims to transcend the self and merge with the absolute, often described as achieving a state of pure consciousness. This path is described as "uncomfortable" (asahaj) because it requires denying or transcending one's current state.
  • The Bhakta (Devotee): The path of devotion is characterized by love, surrender, and acceptance of the self as it is. For the bhakta, the restless mind is not an enemy but a tool that can be redirected towards the Divine. The waves of the mind, which arise for the world, can be turned towards God. This path is "easy" (sahaj) because it works with one's inherent nature. Osho uses the analogy of the ocean and its waves: the waves are inseparable from the ocean and are its very life.

• The Paradox of Bhakti and Gyan (Devotion and Knowledge):

  • The lecture addresses the question: "How can I worship you, my mind is so restless?" Osho clarifies that this question mixes the language of a devotee with the concerns of a seeker.
  • He emphasizes that for the devotee, restlessness isn't a barrier; rather, the very waves of the mind can be used to connect with the Divine. The devotee accepts the 'likeness' of God in their own restless state.
  • The gyani, conversely, needs to calm the mind to achieve stillness and awareness. For them, the restless mind is a direct obstacle.
  • The Vedic concept of "Ritasyatha Pret" (That which is natural is beloved) is highlighted as the foundation of both Taoism and the devotional path. Naturalness and spontaneity are key.

• Rejection vs. Acceptance of Life:

  • Osho contrasts the attitude of a renunciate who rejects life with that of a devotee. The renunciate, like someone returning a ticket, may feel life is poisonous and seek escape.
  • The devotee, however, accepts life as a gift from the Divine, acknowledging that their very being, thoughts, and actions are expressions of the Divine. They don't reject the waves but accept them as part of the Divine play.
  • This leads to a discussion of "atheism" in enlightened beings like Buddha and Mahavir. Osho explains that their "atheism" is not a rejection of existence but a rejection of the conventional concept of a personal God, focusing instead on the path of self-realization and ethics. They are "atheists" in the sense of not worshipping a God outside themselves, as their focus is on the internal realization and the natural order.

• The Nature of Divine Love and Grace:

  • The lecture highlights that the Divine is not a passive entity but actively seeks us. The "water" (grace) has come because of the "thirst" (spiritual longing), but the Divine also seeks the seeker.
  • The analogy of hide-and-seek (chhipa-chhipa) is used to illustrate this dynamic. Both the seeker and the Divine are playing this game.
  • The essence of "God" (Bhagwan) for the devotee is not an external ruler but the "manifestation of the devotee's heart," a "concentrated form of prayer."

• The Role of Attention and Intention:

  • Osho explains that attention is nourishment. Whatever we focus on, grows. This applies to our inner state as well.
  • The agitation and anger experienced by the seeker are often a result of resistance to the teachings that challenge their existing beliefs and conditioning. This resistance is natural when the new vision conflicts with old patterns.
  • He advises not to get caught in this agitation but to observe it, understand it, and allow it to be processed. The agitated state is a sign of the mind's struggle to adapt and integrate new insights.
  • The key is to redirect the energy of agitation and anger back into love and acceptance.

• The Difference Between Sadha and Bhakta in Receiving Grace:

  • When grace (water) is available, the sadhak (seeker who relies on effort) immediately drinks from their cupped hands, eager to absorb the essence.
  • The bhakta, however, enjoys a playful anticipation. They might wait for the water to reach their lips, savoring the moment and the interaction with the Divine. This is not due to lack of desire, but a deeper trust that the Divine will fully quench their thirst. They understand that the Divine is also waiting for them.

• The Nature of True Love and Liberation:

  • True love, Osho emphasizes, is not possessive or conditional. It is a force that liberates, not binds.
  • The feeling of dependence or missing the other person when they are not present is a sign of a nascent, yet to be purified, love. This transitional phase can create feelings of agitation or emptiness.
  • He states that love is ultimately freedom. The feeling of emptiness when the other is absent is a temporary state of purification, a void that will be filled by true, unconditioned love.
  • The agitation experienced during spiritual practice is a sign that the old ways are breaking down to make way for new, transformative love. It is a necessary process for spiritual growth.

In summary:

Osho's lecture "Prem hai Atyantik Mukti" guides listeners through the complexities of spiritual seeking, emphasizing that love is the ultimate liberator. He distinguishes the paths of knowledge and devotion, asserting that devotion offers a more natural and accessible route by working with the mind's inherent dynamism. He encourages acceptance of life and oneself, highlighting that true spiritual progress involves transforming inner turmoil into love rather than suppressing it. The divine presence is described as actively seeking us, and true love, like the ocean and its waves, is characterized by mutual flow and growth, leading to ultimate freedom and liberation. The lecture addresses the understandable resistance and agitation that arise when our conditioned beliefs are challenged, framing these as opportunities for deeper understanding and transformation.