The organized religions have exploited humanity’s insecurity in the face of life’s mysteries by providing readymade sets of beliefs. But in an increasingly sophisticated, globalized society, the consolation of belief has been losing its appeal. And a purely materialistic science that denies consciousness, or that makes it merely a byproduct of matter, has nothing to offer as an alternative.

On finding the “original man” within yourself, says Osho, you will find everything worth discovering. In these talks, Osho traces Zen from its early days with Bodhidharma in China through a succession of masters and poets. He tells anecdotes about the Zen masters, showing how their seemingly absurd statements and actions are actually devices to jolt people out of their spiritual sleep. And he asks you not to take his word for it, but to experience it for yourself - these talks are not about Zen, they are Zen.

Everybody wants change, everybody wants "the situation" to change, because now even the most stupid person can see that something is going off track on our planet and with humanity; whether people personally want to change is a different question. In this series, The Rebellious Spirit, Osho provides a blueprint for a revolution, but a different one than we have known from history. Osho is the first to connect and combine a personal spiritual revolution with a social, global and political revolution. This series intends to trigger "the rebellious spirit" in all of us.

With an entire genre of self-help books available in the market, this series of talks by the enlightened mystic Osho stands apart. Through his commentary on the tiny but exquisite Song of Meditation by Hakuin, “one of the greatest of Zen masters”, Osho speaks on how contemporary man goes through life with the idea that he must be different from how he is and so trying to change. Whether the search is for self-improvement or self-realization, Osho simply states that “trying” is what is in the way.

People are usually very happy, if their prejudices are met with agreement and their expections fulfilled. When you find Osho, a different approach to life is uncovered, as he speaks on something we have always been looking for—a way to be alive. His vision of becoming alive is expressed in this series THE REBELLIOUS SPIRIT. This series continues with these next ten talks in Part 2. Osho lays out his vision of a balance between the primary need for personal transformation, as the foundation and at the same time, not ignoring contemporary political and social issues.

Osho illuminates the Chinese Zen master Hyakujo’s concept of sudden enlightenment, showing that everyone is already a buddha. No master, he says, can give you anything; he can only take your false beliefs away.

Zen says that if you want to find truth, you have to seek. Zen also says don’t seek, because then you won’t find. This is why Zen is called “the path of paradox.” Zen: The Path of Paradox explores this paradoxical world, this distinctive approach to life. Through his commentaries, Osho illustrates how the Zen anecdotes are not just ancient stories, but that their message is intensely relevant to our own concerns: corruption in politics, truth and lies, mindfulness, dying gracefully without fear.

Born with a Question Mark in Your Heart continues the Authentic Living series by Osho with talks by the contemporary mystic during his stay in the United States. Osho says: "It is fortunate that man is born with a question mark, otherwise he would be just another species of animal."

In The Secret, Osho introduces us to the world of love, and initiates us into the ways of love.

Using the Upanishadic vision, Osho contrasts the teachings of Buddha, J. Krishnamurti, and the Vedas, and explains how these different teachings have relevance to the way we live today.

Ecstasy: The Forgotten Language invites us to rediscover our natural state of ecstasy. We have lost touch with our intrinsic nature, says Osho, because we no longer live existential lives; we put our whole focus on our private lives. We have lost contact with the real and live almost entirely in our minds, in our imaginations. This makes us dull and unhappy and unavailable for what life is really offering us. Society and civilizations originally evolved to support and protect us, but now the situation has reversed and instead we find ourselves existing to sustain them.

Do you see the meditativeness of the trees surrounding you? Such stillness! Just as you are listening to me, they are listening to me, not even a leaf moving. The birds are singing.

According to Osho, laughter is "the very essence of Zen". And while the theme of these talks is that meditation - watching, remaining alert and aware - is the path to self-realization, Osho encourages us first to "be happy, and meditation will follow".

Osho introduces the wild, dancing, sane-crazy world of the Bauls, the mystics of Bengal. With understanding, love, humor, and a touching clarity, he guides us through the songs of the Baul mystics, explaining their view of sex, their concept of the body as a temple, and their secret of surrender to the existential beloved.

Nirvana has become an idealized word associated with the juxtaposition of a cult rock celebrity who died before his time and a vague new age version of Eastern religion. An altered state to be hoped for but likely unattainable, reinforcing that all too familiar uneasiness associated with never being able to have what we truly desire in life.