Ups and Downs: Bringing Balance to Your Life

By: Osho

Narrated by: Osho

In this meeting, Osho answers this question, asked by a visitor:

More and more I see how my energy is either going very high or very low, how sometimes I get very excited, come down again and then feel embarrassed about what happened during this state of excitement.

“…whenever you find the moment which is worth rejoicing, in that moment, be alert. Slowly, slowly your alertness will become part of you. And the work of alertness is to destroy identifications.

Once in a while you will be down–dark clouds, life seems to be meaningless... for any reason. Your alertness gained, strengthened, crystallized in moments of joy, will come to your help”.

©1988 OSHO International Foundation (P)2022 OSHO International Foundation

This was one of Osho's more profound speeches. Observe but don't identify!

The general concept is to be observant but not identify with that which is happening. If you are in a bad mood you don't have to identify with it: in fact the more you identify with it and agree with it the stronger it gets. Osho suggested that when your happy become aware and take notice of how it feels that way you can recall it when needed. He said rather than being like the film in a camera that views what's going around it and then internalizes it creating a perfect copy of it instead be like a mirror that reflects what's going on around it but does not identify with it. He suggested that one can wait out a bad feeling: in fact when that feeling shows up if you give it no energy if will die even faster. The point is that feelings come and go: don't bother identifying with the negative ones. Consider that things are happening around you and not to you: the concept that even your mind is not you therefore you don't have to accept the feeling of anger or sorrow. This was powerful and therapeutic advice that has value.