it (9)

Zen is non-serious. 

Zen has a tremendous sense of humour. 

No other religion has evolved so much that it can have that sense of humour. Zen has laughter in it. Zen is festive. Zen's spirit is that of celebration. Other religions are very serious. 

As if to achieve God is a great work. As if somebody is going to take God away from them. As if God is trying to hide. As if God is creating hurdles knowingly, deliberately. As if there is great competition, and God is not enough for all. 

As if God is money, and there is not enough for all. If you don't grab it immediately before others, others will grab. These are very serious people, money-minded people, goal-oriented people... but not really religious people.

God is so big. 

So huge, so enormous. 

It is the totality of existence!

Who can exhaust it?

-

There is no need to be afraid that somebody will possess it before you and then what will you do, you will be lost forever. There is no struggle, no competition. And there is eternal time available. 

Don't be in a hurry and don't be serious.

Long faces are not truly religious faces. 

They are simply saying they have not understood it. 

Otherwise they will have a good laugh. 

-

Laughter is very unique to Zen. 

And because of laughter... 

I say it is the highest religion up to now. 

It does not make your life ugly. 

It does not make you crippled. 

It makes you dance... 

It makes you enjoy.

~osho~

zen path of paradox (i)

(1977) - chapter 1