Via Negativa

The way of the Buddha is known as via negativa - the path of negation. This attitude, this approach has to be understood.

Buddha’s approach is unique. All the other religions of the world are positive religions, they have a positive goal - call it God, liberation, salvation, self-realization - but there is a goal to be achieved. And positive effort is needed on the part of the seeker. Unless you make hard effort you will not reach the goal.

Buddha’s approach is totally different, diametrically opposite. He says you are already that which you want to become, the goal is within you; it is your own nature. You are not to achieve it. It is not in the future, it is not somewhere else. It is you right now, this very moment. But there are a few obstacles and those obstacles have to be removed.

It is not that you have to attain Godhood - Godhood is your nature - but there are a few obstacles to be removed. Once those obstacles are removed, you are that which you have always been seeking. Even when you were not aware of who you are, you were that. You cannot be otherwise. Obstacles have to be eliminated, dropped. Nothing else has to be added to you.

~Osho