Question 4:
Beloved Osho,
In the past you advocated various paths of self-realization like awareness, yoga, tantra, devotion and the rest of them. but ever since you resumed speaking, after three years of silence, you have been putting all the emphasis on awareness alone.
Could you please say a few words on this matter?
All the methods that lead man to realization are, essentially, awareness. Their non-essential components may be different.
I have spoken on yoga, on tantra, on Hassidism, on Tao, on Zen, on all possible methods that humanity has tried. I wanted you to be aware of all the ways through which man has been searching to reach the truth that liberates -- but each method is essentially awareness.
That's why now I am emphasizing only awareness.
So whatever you are doing, whatever method you are practicing, it makes no difference. Those are different names given by different people in different ages, but they were all practicing awareness.
In essence, it is only awareness that leads you to the ultimate goal.
There are not many paths. There are many names for one path, and that one path is awareness.
-Osho, "The Osho Upanishad, #13, Q4"