When the Shoe Fits: The Path of Tao (Talks on the Stories of Chuang Tzu)

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In this book, Osho comments on ten teaching stories by Chuang Tzu, a disciple of Lao Tzu. These parables illustrate the Tao, the essential harmony of existence. Chuang Tzu is an ordinary man who lives a very natural life and does not believe in society's morality and precepts.

Osho uncovers the deeper meaning of these amusing fables, which are often based on animal characteristics that are easy to recognize but harder to acknowledge in oneself. He shows how the egoistical way in which every culture has taught people to live makes them miserable.

Beautiful is Chuang Tzu, incomparable is Chuang Tzu, unique is Chuang Tzu! Because he says: 'Continue easy and you are right. He doesn't say: 'Be nonviolent, then you are right; be truthful, then you are right; don't be angry, otherwise you will be wrong; don't be sexual... No, nothing! He says: 'Be easy and, continue easy, and you are right. And then choose your own path. He gives you the essence, not particular directions, but just a universal truth.

The path of Tao is not that of sudden enlightenment. It is not like Zen. Zen is sudden enlightenment, Tao is a gradual growth. Tao does not believe in sudden, abrupt changes. Tao believes in keeping pace with existence, allowing things to happen on their own, not forcing your way in any way, not pushing the river in any way. And Tao says: There is no need to be in a hurry because eternity is available to you. Sow the seeds in time and wait, and the spring comes as it has always been coming. And when the spring comes there will be flowers. But wait, don't be in a hurry. Don't start pulling the tree upwards so that it can grow fast. Don't be in that kind of mind which asks that everything be like instant coffee. Learn to wait, because nature is very, very slow-moving. Because of that slow movement there is grace in nature.

Nature is very feminine, it moves like a woman. It does not run, it is not in a hurry, there is no haste. It goes very slowly, a silent music. There is great patience in nature, and Tao believes in the way of nature. 'Tao' exactly means nature, so Tao is never in a hurry; this has to be understood. Tao's fundamental teaching is: Learn to be patient. If you can wait infinitely, it may even happen instantly. But you should not ask that it should happen instantly: If you ask, it may never happen.