Osho, also known as Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, was an Indian mystic, spiritual teacher, and philosopher. He gained prominence in the 1970s and 1980s for his teachings on meditation, mindfulness, and personal transformation. Osho emphasized the importance of living in the present moment and exploring one’s own consciousness. He encouraged his followers to question societal norms and beliefs, advocating for individual freedom and self-expression. Osho’s teachings covered a wide range of topics, including love, sexuality, spirituality, and the nature of existence. While controversial at times, Osho’s teachings continue to inspire and influence individuals seeking spiritual growth and self-discovery.
The following is a quote from Osho:
No society wants you to become wise: it is against the investment of all societies. If people are wise they cannot be exploited. If they are intelligent they cannot be subjugated, they cannot be forced in a mechanical life, to live like robots. They will assert their individuality. They will have the fragrance of rebellion around them. They will like to live in freedom. Freedom comes with wisdom, intrinsically. They are inseparable, and no society wants people to be free. The communist society, the fascist society, the capitalist society, the Hindu, the Mohammedan, the Christian – no society – would like people to use their own intelligence because the moment they start using their intelligence they become dangerous — dangerous to the establishment, dangerous to the people who are in power, dangerous to the “haves”; dangerous to all kinds of oppression, exploitation, suppression; dangerous to the churches, dangerous to the states, dangerous to the nations. In fact, a wise man is afire, alive, aflame. But he cannot sell his life, he cannot serve them. He would like rather to die than to be enslaved.
This quote from Osho highlights the resistance of societies towards individuals becoming wise. According to Osho, societies have a vested interest in preventing people from attaining wisdom because wise individuals cannot be easily exploited or subjugated. Wisdom and intelligence empower individuals to assert their individuality, resist conformity, and live a life of freedom.
Osho argues that freedom and wisdom are inherently interconnected. When individuals start using their intelligence and thinking critically, they become a threat to the established order. This threat extends to all types of societies, whether they are communist, fascist, capitalist, or based on religious beliefs. The reason for this is that wise individuals challenge the existing power structures, the privileged few, and various forms of oppression, exploitation, and suppression.
A wise person, according to Osho, is vibrant, passionate, and alive. They possess a rebellious spirit and refuse to be enslaved by societal norms or expectations. They prioritize their own autonomy and individuality over serving the interests of those in power. Osho suggests that a wise person would rather choose death than live a life of enslavement.
This quote sheds light on the inherent tension between societal control and individual freedom. It suggests that societies, regardless of their ideologies or religious affiliations, tend to discourage the development of wisdom and intelligence in order to maintain their dominance and control over the masses.
In conclusion, Osho’s quote emphasizes the reluctance of societies to promote wisdom and intelligence among individuals. It suggests that societies fear the potential threat posed by wise individuals who possess the ability to challenge and disrupt existing power structures. By discouraging wisdom, societies aim to maintain control and prevent individuals from asserting their individuality and living a life of freedom.
