davidji's Blog

The 10 Commandments of Osho – What codes do you live by?

Welcome to this week’s edition of The Source in which we explore various moral codes people live by, including the 10 “commandments” of Osho.

What set of codes do you live by? Maybe it’s the Ten Commandments or the Four Agreements or the Seven Spiritual Laws. Or perhaps you live by the Golden Rule or the Three Gates. We explore all these codes in depth in my Masters of Wisdom & Teacher Training, and there is none that is right or wrong. In fact, we can’t go wrong at all practicing any combination of these moral codes as long as they are all fueled by LOVE.

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Photo sourced from osholeela.org

Osho is one of the most controversial spiritual leaders to have emerged from India. Osho was born Chandra Mohan Jain in 1931. When he turned 30, he went by the name Acharya Rajneesh; in the 70s, he changed his name to Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh; and in 1989 to Osho. He died in January of 1990, a month after his 60th birthday.

During his early days as Acharya Rajneesh, a correspondent asked Rajneesh for his “ten commandments.” He noted that it was a difficult matter because he was against any kind of commandment, and any kind of religion, but “just for fun” he presented this list:

  1. Never obey anyone’s command unless it is coming from within you also.
  2. There is no God other than life itself.
  3. Truth is within you, do not search for it elsewhere.
  4. Love is prayer.
  5. To become nothingness is the door to truth. Nothingness itself is the means, the goal and attainment.
  6. Life is now and here.
  7. Live wakefully.
  8. Do not swim—float.
  9. Die each moment so that you can be new each moment.
  10. Do not search. That which is, is. Stop and see.

Many of Osho’s teachings irritated people, and many others found them irreverent. But at the end of the day, his purpose was to challenge us to reach deep within our souls and find our own constrictions. Then, peel away one more layer of this existence.

As much as Osho irritated and offended people, his message of love was the over-riding one that he taught every day when he wasn’t being interviewed or trying to stir up the world’s consciousness. This week, select one of Osho’s “commandments” and see if you can live it, own it, share it, and become it.

Email me at info@davidjinew.wpenginepowered.com with the Osho “commandment” that most resonates with you and why. In the meantime, keep meditating and I’ll see you in the gap. peace. -d