Living on Your Own Terms (Osho Life Essentials)

1. Embrace Your Authentic Self: Rebellion Through Self-Discovery

The rebel simply says good-bye to the past. It is a constant process; hence, to be a rebel means to be continuously in rebellion—because each moment is going to become past; every day is going to become past.

Authenticity is revolutionary. The path to true rebellion lies not in opposing external forces, but in discovering and embracing your authentic self. This process requires:

• Continual self-reflection and introspection
• Shedding societal conditioning and expectations
• Embracing your unique qualities and perspectives

By living authentically, you naturally rebel against the conformity that society often demands. This form of rebellion is not destructive but constructive, as it allows you to contribute your unique gifts to the world.

2. Cultivate Inner Awareness: The Path to True Freedom

Understanding is freedom, and that freedom I call rebellion.

Freedom stems from understanding. True rebellion is not about fighting external systems but developing a deep understanding of yourself and the world around you. This inner awareness leads to genuine freedom. To cultivate this awareness:

• Practice mindfulness and self-observation
• Question your thoughts, beliefs, and reactions
• Seek to understand rather than judge or react

As you develop this inner awareness, you'll find that many external conflicts dissolve naturally. Your actions will stem from a place of clarity and understanding rather than reactive rebellion.

3. Challenge Authority: Question Inherited Beliefs and Traditions

Authority is slavery for you. Discipline is living an organic, harmonious life.

Question everything. True growth comes from challenging inherited beliefs and traditions rather than blindly accepting them. This doesn't mean rejecting everything, but critically examining and choosing what aligns with your authentic self. To practice this:

• Examine the source and validity of your beliefs
• Be open to new ideas and perspectives
• Develop your own values based on personal experience and understanding

Remember, discipline comes from within, not from external authority. By questioning and choosing consciously, you create a life that is harmonious with your true nature.

4. Nurture Meditation: The Key to Unlocking Your Potential

Meditation is the only way. Once you come in and see that the choti is gone, the beard has fallen, you are no more a man, no more a woman, no more this, no more that—you are only a pure consciousness—then you know who you are.

Meditation reveals your essence. Regular meditation practice is crucial for self-discovery and personal growth. It allows you to:

• Observe your thoughts and emotions without judgment
• Quiet the mind and access deeper levels of consciousness
• Connect with your true self beyond societal labels and roles

Through consistent meditation, you can peel away layers of conditioning and connect with your innate wisdom and potential. This practice forms the foundation for authentic living and personal transformation.

5. Live in the Present: Abandon Past and Future Anxieties

Each moment arising, just like a breath. You breathe in, you breathe out. You breathe in again, you breathe out again. Each breath coming in is life and each breath going out is death. You are born with each incoming breath, you die with each outgoing breath.

Embrace the now. Living in the present moment is the key to genuine aliveness and freedom. When you're fully present, you're free from the burdens of the past and anxieties about the future. To practice present-moment awareness:

• Focus on your breath or bodily sensations
• Engage fully in whatever you're doing
• Let go of regrets about the past and worries about the future

By living in the present, you tap into the freshness and vitality of each moment, experiencing life more fully and authentically.

6. Celebrate Life: Choose Joy Over Struggle and Suffering

Use the opportunity of this life to celebrate as much as possible. Don't waste it in struggling and fighting.

Choose celebration over struggle. Life is meant to be enjoyed, not endured. By shifting your focus from struggle to celebration, you can transform your experience of life. To cultivate this celebratory attitude:

• Find joy in small, everyday moments
• Express gratitude for what you have
• Choose activities and relationships that bring you joy

Remember, celebration is not about ignoring life's challenges but about approaching them with a lighter, more joyful attitude. This shift can profoundly impact your well-being and relationships.

7. Transform Society Through Individual Growth

If more and more people become dropouts the world can be saved. That will be true revolution—nonpolitical; it will be spiritual.

Change starts within. The most effective way to transform society is through individual growth and awakening. As you become more conscious and authentic, you naturally influence those around you. To contribute to societal transformation:

• Focus on your own personal growth and awareness
• Lead by example, living your values authentically
• Share your insights and experiences with others, without imposing

By focusing on your own transformation, you create a ripple effect that can lead to broader societal change without the need for political struggle or conflict.

8. Embrace Uncertainty: The Beauty of Life's Unpredictability

Life is beautiful because it is insecure. Life is beautiful because there is death. Life is beautiful because it can be missed. If you cannot miss it, everything is forced upon you, then even life becomes an imprisonment.

Uncertainty is an opportunity. Embracing life's inherent uncertainty opens you up to new possibilities and experiences. Instead of seeking security and predictability, learn to:

• See challenges as opportunities for growth
• Remain open to unexpected possibilities
• Cultivate flexibility and adaptability

By embracing uncertainty, you free yourself from the limitations of fixed expectations and open yourself to the full richness of life's experiences.

9. Recognize the Limitations of Intellect: Explore Beyond the Mind

Beyond your intellect is your feeling. Another name for your feeling is intuition, a more scientific name. But very few people reach to intuition, because to reach to intuition you have to go beyond intellect, and meditation is the only way.

Intellect is not enough. While the intellect is a valuable tool, true wisdom and understanding come from going beyond mental concepts. To access deeper levels of knowing:

• Practice meditation to quiet the mind
• Trust your intuition and gut feelings
• Explore non-verbal forms of expression and understanding

By recognizing the limitations of intellect and exploring other ways of knowing, you can access deeper wisdom and live more authentically.

10. Foster Self-Love: The Foundation of Personal Growth

You are already approved of, otherwise you could not have been here. God has accepted you, given birth to you.

Self-love is essential. Cultivating genuine self-love and acceptance is the foundation for all personal growth and authentic living. To foster self-love:

• Practice self-compassion and forgiveness
• Recognize your inherent worth, independent of achievements or others' opinions
• Celebrate your unique qualities and contributions

Remember, you are inherently worthy and valuable. By cultivating self-love, you create a solid foundation for personal growth and positive relationships with others.

Last updated: July 17, 2024