According to Osho, laughter is "the very essence of Zen". And while the theme of these talks is that meditation - watching, remaining alert and aware - is the path to self-realization, Osho encourages us first to "be happy, and meditation will follow". Through Zen stories, jokes and answers to questions, Osho highlights our conditioning - our learned social and cultural behavior and beliefs - as the barrier to our natural state of happiness. Wielding his words like a humorous, compassionate Zen stick, Osho shows us how we can begin to recognize our conditioning and see that it is not the same as our authentic self. "This is the whole effort of all the masters: to create a sudden clash of thunder so those who are fast asleep can be awakened." (Osho)
