Through an assortment of Zen stories and responses to questions, Osho uses humor to hammer on the idea that the self is all that there is. “A sudden change, a sudden clash of thunder, a discontinuity” and the bondage of the mind is broken.

Osho uses the Tao Te Ching texts as Lao Tzu intended: to ignite the flame of individual awareness and insight. From the seven verses Osho selected to comment on, he moves deeply into his own understanding and burns through every idea we may hold about ourselves until we can see with the same crystal clear light as Lao Tzu.

In this first volume of his commentaries on The Dhammapada, Buddha’s time-honored sutras, Osho’s focus is on a very modern-day concern: the survival of man. He describes how a Western approach to life results in a denial of the soul, reducing man to a machine, whilst the Eastern way nourishes the spiritual dimension.

In the second volume of twelve on Buddha’s essential teachings, Osho says not to follow, but bathe in the fragrance of one who has known. Taking responsibility for yourself creates wisdom, and you can be as Buddha was – through meditation.

“In freedom, anything becomes possible.” In the third volume of twelve on Buddha’s essential teachings, Osho stresses the importance of inquiry over belief. The inner search is not about knowledge or instructions – it needs openness and freedom.

“You have to write your own song…” In the fourth of twelve volumes on Buddha’s teachings, Osho shows that everything is possible in your life. You can live in a functional way – or realize the tremendous potential that every individual contains.

Love yourself first. In the fifth volume of twelve on Buddha’s essential teachings, Osho says that if you don’t love yourself, you cannot love others. Love is a light that dispels the darkness of the ego and makes you a spiritual force.

“Joy is forever; happiness is momentary.” In the sixth of twelve volumes on Buddha’s essential teachings, Osho refutes the idea that Buddha’s way is serious or dry, and reveals the true nature of joy – being neither happy nor unhappy, but peaceful.