Taking Risks
by OSHO
The mind is a coward, for those who listen to it become utterly cowardly. The mind is not adventurer, it is very cautious. It takes every step with thinking and calculation until it is certain that there is no risk., Until it has seen others taking the risk, until it has seen others taking the step and there has been no danger, hence, listening to the mind is the most disturbing phenomona of growth.

When everything is going good the mind comes in and says "watch out!" Because you listen to the mind's fears you stop living. The mind would keep you always the same, never taking risks. Newness is an enemy to the mind, sameness is it's friend.


The dilemna

To laugh is to risk appearing a fool

To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.

To reach out is to risk involvement

To expose feelings is to risk rejection

To place your dreams before the crowd is to risk ridicule.

To love is to risk not being loved in return.

To go forward in the face of overwhelming odds is to risk failure.
 
 

 But risks must be taken because the greatest hazard of life is to risk nothing. The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing. You may avoid suffering and sorrow, but you cannot learn, feel, change grow or love. Chained by certitudes, you are only a slave. Only the person who risks is free.

 

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