Osho “I am God” “ – theme … most interesting!

Osho (1931-1990), an Indian spiritual teacher, had a unique perspective on the concept of “I am God.” Here’s a quote that captures his essence:

“‘I am God’ is not a statement of ego, it is a statement of awakening. It is not that ‘I am God’ as opposed to you – ‘I am God’ means I am not separate from God, I am one with God. The ‘I’ disappears, only God remains. So it is not an assertion of ego, but a disappearance of ego. The drop has fallen into the ocean and has become the ocean.” – Osho

In this quote, Osho emphasizes that saying “I am God” is not about inflating one’s ego or claiming superiority over others. Rather, it’s a declaration of unity and oneness with the ultimate reality. The “I” dissolves, and what remains is the awareness of being an integral part of the divine.

Osho’s teachings often highlighted the importance of transcending the ego and recognizing one’s true nature, which is not separate from the universe. He encouraged his followers to explore and experience this unity, rather than simply believing in it intellectually.

Here’s a detailed quote from Osho on the concept of “I am God”:

“The greatest statement, the greatest mantra, the greatest sutra that has ever been given to the world is ‘I am God.’ It is not a statement, it is an experience. It is not a statement made by the ego, it is a statement made by the very core of your being. When you say ‘I am God,’ you are not saying that ‘I am God’ as opposed to you, you are saying ‘I am God’ as an experience of oneness. You are not separate from God, you are not different from God. You are God, and God is you. The drop is not separate from the ocean, it is the ocean. And when the drop says ‘I am the ocean,’ it is not saying something foolish, it is saying something which is a simple fact.

“‘I am God’ is not a statement of arrogance, it is a statement of innocence. It is not a statement of ego, it is a statement of egolessness. When you say ‘I am God,’ you are not saying that ‘I am the creator of the world,’ you are simply saying ‘I am one with the creativity of the universe.’ You are not separate, you are not an island. You are part of the continent, you are part of the universe. You are not a wave separate from the ocean, you are the ocean itself.

“So when you say ‘I am God,’ remember it is not a statement, it is an experience. It is not something that you can say intellectually, it is something that you can say only when you have experienced it. And it is not something that you can experience through the mind, it is something that you can experience only when you have gone beyond the mind. When you have gone beyond the mind, when you have gone beyond the ego, when you have gone beyond all limitations, then you can say ‘I am God.’ And when you say ‘I am God,’ you are not saying something new, you are simply stating a fact which has always been the case.” – Osho

In this quote, Osho emphasizes the importance of understanding the statement “I am God” as an experience of oneness, rather than an intellectual concept or an expression of ego. He encourages the listener to transcend the limitations of the mind and ego, and to experience the unity and interconnectedness of all existence.