oS&o y gxo 4xvVS<xv2Xg JuwE / Jun 1995 VOL 2. NO.3
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L
Selozred Oslo, Why is t h a t I f e e l I n e e d t o h a v e a p p r o v al a nd b e recognised, in my work especially'! lt puts me in a trap - I cannot do without it. I know I am in this trap but I am caught in it and I cannot seem to get out of it. Can you help me be able to find the door? It has lo be rcmcmbered that the need to have approval and bc
recognised is everybody's question. Our echoic lite's structure is such that wc are taught that unless there is a recognition wc are nobodv, ~ve arc worthless. Thc work i» not important, but the recognition. And this is putting things upside dov< n. The work should be important - a joy in itsel I'. You should ivork. not to be recognised but because you enjoy being creative; you love the work tor its oven sake. There havebeen <ery I'ew: people who have been able io escape t'rom thc trap ihe society puts you in, like Vincent Van Gogh. Hc «cni on painting — hungry, without house, without clothes, without medicine, sick — but he event on painting, Nnt a single pa<nling was being sold, there was no recognition I'rom anyw herc, bui. the strange thing w as thai in these conditions he «as still happy — happy because w hat hc wanted to paint he has been able to paint. Recognition or no recognition, his work is
< aluablc intrinsically. (... )
V<<hy should you bother abnut recognition7 Bothering about rccngnition has meaning onlv it' you don't love your work; then it is meaningf'ul, then ii seems to substitute. You hate thc <vork, you don't like it, but you are doing it because there will be recognition; you will be appreciated, accepted. Rather than thinking about recognition, reconsider your vvork. Do you love it'! — then that is thc end. It you dn not love it — then change it! Thc parents„ thc teachers are always reinforcing that you should bc recognised, you should be accepted. This is a very cunning strategy to keep people under control. (...) Learn one basic thing: Do <vhatcver you want do do, love to do, and never ask t'or rccognitinn. That is begging. Why should onc ask I'nr recognition! Why should one hanker tor acceptance? Deep down in yourself, look. Perhaps ynu don't like what you are doing, perhaps you are afraid that you are on ihe wrong t rack. acceptance wil l h el p yn u f eel t hat you are r i g h t . Recognition will make you teel that you are going towards the right goal,(...) The question is ot' your ovvn inner i'eehngs; ii has nothing to do vviih thc outside world. And vvhy depend on others'! All these things depend on o t h er s — you yoursell' are becomi ng dcpcndcnt. (... ) OSHO — Bcvond Psvch<)to'rv