Naturally moral*

This sutra deserves your total attention:

Observation not only creates knowing, it transforms as well. Actually, observation brings knowing and knowing brings transformation. The revolution of knowing is one's life transformed. It is just like digging away the earth and exposing all the roots of a tree to light in order to know them. Not only will this enable the roots to be known, but bringing them out of the darkness and separating them from the earth will be their death as well. On one hand I will be observing the roots of the tree, on the other hand the branches will be withering away.

Observation can become the death of the roots of desire and passion. They cannot bear light. Evil cannot endure knowing. When Socrates said, "Knowing is virtue," he most likely meant to convey this very thing. I also say the very same thing: Knowing is virtue; ignorance is evil. Light is real morality; darkness, immorality.

Observation, the constant observation of oneself, of the mind's unconscious tendencies, awakens the consciousness and allows it to penetrate into the unconscious mind. The unconscious enters the conscious through the door of stupor, unawareness, intoxication and carelessness, and overpowers it. We have seen that animalistic instincts and tendencies become possible only in unawareness. Anger and lust grab hold of us only when we are unconscious and that is the reason intoxicants help in satisfying our animal instincts.

Consciousness enters the unconscious mind through the overcoming of stupor, through vigilance, watchfulness and awareness, and overpowers it. To the degree that watchfulness and awareness grow in us, and to the degree that right-mindfulness and observation of our tendencies, actions, passions and desires develop in us, is to the same degree that consciousness fills us. And those drives and outbursts of passion, those blind, unconscious impulses disappear because they can only exist in a state of unawareness, sleep, and unconsciousness. They simply cannot exist in a state of consciousness.

Bear in mind that to date nobody has ever done anything wrong while aware, while conscious. All sin is born out of unawareness, it is unawareness itself. As I see it, unawareness is the only sin. Observation destroys unawareness. So let us understand what observation is and how it can be brought about.

What is self-observation then? It is sitting quietly - just as I explained yesterday when we discussed the experiment in right-mindfulness — and observing, watching whatever happens within oneself. There is a world of thoughts and passions inside. One observes that world; one keeps on looking at it just as one stands on the seashore looking at the waves. Krishnamurti has called this "choice-less awareness." It is completely indifferent observation. To be indifferent is very necessary.

Indifference means one makes no choice, no judgment. One does not label any passion or desire as good or bad. One does not make any judgment of good and evil, between virtue and vice. One simply observes. One simply becomes a witness, standing aloof and apart, as if one has no other purpose than that of remaining aware and observing. The moment purpose creeps in, the moment choice or judgment comes in, observation comes to an end. Then I am not observing; then I have begun to think.

Try to understand the difference between thinking and observation. In this process we are not to think. Thinking is the action of the conscious within the conscious. Observation is the penetration of the unconscious by the conscious. As soon as thinking comes in, the distinction of good and evil comes in and a subtle suppression starts. The unconscious then closes its doors and we are deprived of knowing its mysteries. The unconscious reveals its secrets not to thought but to observation, because in the absence of suppression its impulses and tendencies surface naturally, spontaneously, in their total nakedness and reality, and there remains no need to dress them up to hide them. The unconscious stands before us in its nakedness, completely uncovered. And what terror it causes! How frightened a man is when he sees the naked form that resides deep in his own self. He feels like closing his eyes to it. He feels like abandoning this observation of the depths and running back to the surface.

This is the moment when one's patience and tranquility are put to the test. This, I call the moment of a quantum leap. Those who pass through this moment with courage and calmness become masters of a wonderful knowledge and mystery. They have seen the roots of desire and passion and they enter the very heart of the unconscious. This entry brings an otherworldly freedom.

From right awareness to observation, from observation to knowing, from knowing to liberation - this is the path. This is the path of religion, this is meditation. I want you to understand this path and to walk along it. Only then will you understand the alchemy of the transformation of behavior through inner revolution. Then you will see that morality does not come first. First comes religion, morality is its outcome. It is not morality but religion that is to be accomplished. Morality follows in the wake of religion as the tracks of the wheels of a bullock-cart follow the cart. If this becomes clear to you, you will see a very great truth, and a great illusion will be dispersed.

I see the transformation of man's life through this inner revolution, through this penetration of the unconscious by consciousness. On the basis of this science a new man can be born and the foundations of a new humanity and a new culture can be laid.

Such a man, one who has been awakened with self-realization, is naturally moral. He does not have to cultivate morality. It is not the result of his effort and his endeavor. It radiates from him as light radiates from a lamp. His good conduct is not based on an opposition to his unconscious mind but comes out of the totality of his inner being. He is totally present in each of his acts. There is no multiplicity in him, but unity. Such a man is whole, integrated; such a man is free of duality.

And the music one hears when one has gone beyond all inner duality is neither of this world nor of this time. A timeless immortal music penetrates us in that peace, in that non-duality, in that innocence, and we become one with it.

To me, this realization is "God."

* - Excerpt from OSHO. The Perfect Way

Updated on 03-12-2018