OSHO: There Is No Goal

The Goal of Life: A Non-Existent Pursuit

This discourse challenges the conventional understanding of life's purpose, asserting that there is no external goal to be achieved. The central argument is that life itself is the goal, and any pursuit of external achievements is a projection of the ego, driven by ambition.

The Illusion of Achievement

The speaker argues that the very concept of "achievement" is rooted in ambition. Whether it be money, power, or knowledge, these external pursuits are presented as ultimately failing to provide true fulfillment or "life." Instead, the relentless chase for these ambitions leads to the sacrifice of life itself, as individuals become engrossed in "stupid things" while life "slips out of your hands." This realization, the speaker suggests, often dawns only at the moment of death, leading to a shock of having "forgotten life itself" in the pursuit of a non-existent goal.

Life vs. Goals: A Temporal Dichotomy

A key distinction is drawn between the nature of goals and the nature of life. Goals are inherently future-oriented and distant, while life is always present and immediate. The act of trying to achieve a future goal inevitably leads to missing the present moment, which is where life truly resides. The speaker provocatively states that "Only dead people can have goals. Living people live." This implies that the desire for goals is a characteristic of a state of being that is no longer fully alive.

A Cautionary Tale: The Henpecked Husband

An illustrative anecdote is shared about a henpecked husband who, upon his death, leaves his entire fortune to charitable institutions, disinheriting his wife. This act is framed as his "revenge," a way to exert control and inflict suffering even after death. The wife's subsequent demand to have the epitaph altered to "Rest in Peace -- till I come!" highlights the enduring nature of her control and the husband's ultimate inability to escape her influence, even in death. This story serves as a stark reminder that the pursuit of goals (or revenge, in this case) can extend beyond life, but it is in the context of death that such pursuits become less consequential as "you will not be losing anything; you are already dead."

Living Intensely and Totally

In contrast to the pursuit of future goals, the speaker advocates for living "intensely and totally" in the present moment. An example from Ahmedabad is provided, where the speaker enjoyed the experience of their driver, Jayantibhai, speeding beyond the limit. The driver's explanation, "I don't want you to remember Ahmedabad because of this thing!" refers to a billboard advertising "Livva little hot -- Sippa Gold Spot!" The speaker embraces the essence of this slogan, interpreting "Livva little hot" as living intensely, and dismisses "Gold Spot" (representing external goals or superficial pleasures) as irrelevant. This personal anecdote underscores the speaker's philosophy: "There is no goal anywhere. Existence is not moving to some target."

The Nature of Existence

The discourse concludes by emphasizing that existence itself is not progressing towards a predetermined target. The speaker finds this lack of a goal to be a positive attribute, as the achievement of a goal would lead to a state of "Then what?" This suggests that the ongoing, unguided nature of existence is what allows for continuous living and experiencing.

Key Concepts

• Life as the Goal: The central tenet that life itself, in its present experience, is the ultimate purpose, not an external achievement.
• Ego Projection: The idea that ambitions and the pursuit of goals are manifestations of the ego.
• Ambition: The driving force behind the desire for external achievements, seen as detrimental to living fully.
• Present Moment: The locus of true living, in contrast to the future-oriented nature of goals.
• Intense and Total Living: The advocated approach to life, emphasizing full engagement and experience.
• Existence without a Target: The understanding that the universe and life are not moving towards a specific, predetermined outcome.