Marijuana, Alcohol - What Was Osho’s Take On These Topics? | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Osho opposed intoxication, seeing it as a barrier to awareness and true freedom.

Key Insights

• 🧘 Osho believed that meditation and awareness are essential for personal growth, while intoxication distracts from these goals.
• 🤳 Addiction, according to Osho, compromises individual freedom by hindering one's journey toward self-realization and enlightenment.
• 😒 The shift in Osho's behavior over time is attributed to external influences that introduced substance use into his life.
• 🪡 The speaker highlights the struggle between personal loyalty to Osho and the need to uphold the integrity of his teachings amidst troubling changes.
• 😒 Osho’s teachings are often misinterpreted or manipulated by others seeking justification for their use of drugs and alcohol.
• 🥺 The speaker’s account serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of maintaining awareness and resisting external pressures that can lead to spiritual dilution.
• 🧑‍🏫 Awareness and personal integrity are fundamental to the spiritual path as taught by Osho, contrasting sharply with the effects of intoxication.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: What did Osho think about the use of drugs and alcohol?

Osho viewed drugs and alcohol as detrimental to self-awareness and personal growth. He argued that these substances induce a state of unawareness, effectively putting individuals in a metaphorical sleep, which contradicts the path to enlightenment and understanding oneself. He emphasized that true freedom comes from awareness, not from numbing oneself.

Q: How did the speaker's relationship with Osho evolve over time?

Initially, the speaker was dedicated to Osho’s teachings, but they became concerned about his increasing reliance on substances, which they felt impaired his ability to guide others. After witnessing changes in Osho's behavior, such as slurring and appearing disoriented, the speaker ultimately decided to leave their position, believing they could no longer fulfill their responsibilities effectively.

Q: Why did the speaker decide to leave Osho?

The speaker left Osho because they felt that they could no longer protect him or his teachings from the influences of intoxication. They struggled for six months with the decision, ultimately recognizing that Osho was not receptive to their concerns and that his reliance on substances contradicted the very principles of awareness and personal freedom he championed.

Q: What influence did external people have on Osho's behavior?

External individuals introduced elements of intoxication into Osho's life, leading to a noticeable change in his demeanor and teachings. The speaker observed that these influences distracted Osho from his core message and protective role he had in the spiritual community, ultimately leading to a conflict that necessitated their departure.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Osho believed that substances like alcohol and marijuana create a state of unawareness, hindering one’s ability to meditate and learn about themselves. He argued that addiction detracts from the freedom of the soul and body.

• The speaker recounts their personal experience with Osho, noting that Osho warned against intoxication and emphasized the importance of protecting one's awareness and the integrity of their path.

• The discussion reveals a shift in Osho's demeanor after external influences, leading to a state of unawareness that the speaker felt compelled to distance themselves from for the sake of their own personal growth and fulfillment of responsibilities.