The First Principle Talks On Zen

Book excerpt: AUTHENTIC TRUTH CANNOT BE SAID WITH WORDS, IT CAN ONLY BE LIVED. In The First Principle, Osho captures the unique, colorful, seemingly crazy spirit of Zen through talks on a collection of Zen stories – anecdotes of the often-bizarre interchanges between a master and disciple in the quest for truth. From these anecdotes, Osho distills Zen’s pragmatic essence for the reader and conveys an alive understanding of its message – “the first principle.” Speaking to the contemporary, modern reader without robbing these old tales of their magic, charm and humor, Osho reminds us: “You are the shrine for the first principle. So the only way is to go within. Turn in. That is what meditation is all about.”