The second question:

Osho,
To steal your enlightenment I am incessantly praying. Please Osho, at least bless me, so that my prayer may become more intense and alive.

That’s beautiful.

A disciple has to steal much from the master, because there are a few things which cannot be given; only you can take, I cannot give. The nature of the thing is such that it cannot be given, but you can take. A disciple has much to steal from the master. The question is very significant, and I bless you.

But prayer alone won’t do, because prayer belongs to one path, and enlightenment belongs to another path. Prayer is part of the path of the devotee, the bhakta, the Sufi. He says, “I don’t want any enlightenment. I just want to be playing with you continuously my Lord – a thousand and one games in a thousand and one worlds in a thousand and one lives. I don’t want to get out of the game, I don’t want to get out of this leela; it is beautiful. I want to remain a part of it. Make me worthy so I can remain always here and now, playing the game of hide-and-seek with you.”

Prayer is part of the path of the devotee, the lover. The lover loves the bondage of love. He’s not in any way trying to get out of it. In fact, his only prayer is that he should be thought worthy so that God continues the game he is playing. The play is beautiful – he’s not asking for freedom from it.

The word enlightenment belongs to the path of meditation. The meditator says, “Enough is enough. Long have I suffered; now let me be free.” In fact, he cannot ask. He tries, but he cannot pray – because to the man on the path of meditation, even prayer is a bondage. Mahavira never prayed, Buddha never prayed. Prayer was meaningless for Buddha; he made all efforts to get out of it. So if you want enlightenment then don’t pray because prayer will create a bondage. It is a most refined love. The bondage is very golden, but it is a bondage. If you choose it that way, then it’s okay. But then enlightenment is not the right word.

I have heard….

The indignant mother asked her young son, “Why didn’t you tell me you wanted to go fishing?”

“Because I wanted to go fishing,” said the small boy.