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The Goose Is Out: Zen in Action
That which is never lost cannot be found, and to search for it is absurd. But the moment this absurdity is understood all seeking stops by itself and that which is never lost is found!
That is why I say: Seek and you will not find, because the very seeking is the barrier. The search itself is the hindrance because it creates the seeker, the ego, the illusion that “I am.”
And I am not.
Do not seek and you will find it: the I-am-not-ness. This nothingness is the gate. The Gateless gate.
Riko once asked Nansen to explain to him the old problem of the goose in the bottle. If a man puts a gosling into the bottle, he said, and feeds the gosling through the bottle’s neck until it grows and grows and becomes a goose – and then there is simply no more room inside the bottle, how can the man get it out without killing the goose or breaking the bottle?
RIKO! shouted Nansen, and gave a great clap with his hands.
Yes master! said Riko with a start.
See! said Nansen. The goose is out!
Osho
That is why I say: Seek and you will not find, because the very seeking is the barrier. The search itself is the hindrance because it creates the seeker, the ego, the illusion that “I am.”
And I am not.
Do not seek and you will find it: the I-am-not-ness. This nothingness is the gate. The Gateless gate.
Riko once asked Nansen to explain to him the old problem of the goose in the bottle. If a man puts a gosling into the bottle, he said, and feeds the gosling through the bottle’s neck until it grows and grows and becomes a goose – and then there is simply no more room inside the bottle, how can the man get it out without killing the goose or breaking the bottle?
RIKO! shouted Nansen, and gave a great clap with his hands.
Yes master! said Riko with a start.
See! said Nansen. The goose is out!
Osho
180 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
15 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Osho
4,285 books6,791 followersRajneesh (born Chandra Mohan Jain, 11 December 1931 – 19 January 1990) and latter rebranded as Osho was leader of the Rajneesh movement. During his lifetime he was viewed as a controversial new religious movement leader and mystic.
In the 1960s he traveled throughout India as a public speaker and was a vocal critic of socialism, Mahatma Gandhi, and Hindu religious orthodoxy.
Rajneesh emphasized the importance of meditation, mindfulness, love, celebration, courage, creativity and humor—qualities that he viewed as being suppressed by adherence to static belief systems, religious tradition and socialization.
In advocating a more open attitude to human sexuality he caused controversy in India during the late 1960s and became known as "the sex guru".
In 1970, Rajneesh spent time in Mumbai initiating followers known as "neo-sannyasins". During this period he expanded his spiritual teachings and commented extensively in discourses on the writings of religious traditions, mystics, and philosophers from around the world. In 1974 Rajneesh relocated to Pune, where an ashram was established and a variety of therapies, incorporating methods first developed by the Human Potential Movement, were offered to a growing Western following. By the late 1970s, the tension between the ruling Janata Party government of Morarji Desai and the movement led to a curbing of the ashram's development and a back taxes claim estimated at $5 million.
In 1981, the Rajneesh movement's efforts refocused on activities in the United States and Rajneesh relocated to a facility known as Rajneeshpuram in Wasco County, Oregon. Almost immediately the movement ran into conflict with county residents and the state government, and a succession of legal battles concerning the ashram's construction and continued development curtailed its success.
In 1985, in the wake of a series of serious crimes by his followers, including a mass food poisoning attack with Salmonella bacteria and an aborted assassination plot to murder U.S. Attorney Charles H. Turner, Rajneesh alleged that his personal secretary Ma Anand Sheela and her close supporters had been responsible. He was later deported from the United States in accordance with an Alford plea bargain.[
After his deportation, 21 countries denied him entry. He ultimately returned to India and a revived Pune ashram, where he died in 1990. Rajneesh's ashram, now known as OSHO International Meditation Resort and all associated intellectual property, is managed by the Zurich registered Osho International Foundation (formerly Rajneesh International Foundation). Rajneesh's teachings have had a notable impact on Western New Age thought, and their popularity has increased markedly since his death.
In the 1960s he traveled throughout India as a public speaker and was a vocal critic of socialism, Mahatma Gandhi, and Hindu religious orthodoxy.
Rajneesh emphasized the importance of meditation, mindfulness, love, celebration, courage, creativity and humor—qualities that he viewed as being suppressed by adherence to static belief systems, religious tradition and socialization.
In advocating a more open attitude to human sexuality he caused controversy in India during the late 1960s and became known as "the sex guru".
In 1970, Rajneesh spent time in Mumbai initiating followers known as "neo-sannyasins". During this period he expanded his spiritual teachings and commented extensively in discourses on the writings of religious traditions, mystics, and philosophers from around the world. In 1974 Rajneesh relocated to Pune, where an ashram was established and a variety of therapies, incorporating methods first developed by the Human Potential Movement, were offered to a growing Western following. By the late 1970s, the tension between the ruling Janata Party government of Morarji Desai and the movement led to a curbing of the ashram's development and a back taxes claim estimated at $5 million.
In 1981, the Rajneesh movement's efforts refocused on activities in the United States and Rajneesh relocated to a facility known as Rajneeshpuram in Wasco County, Oregon. Almost immediately the movement ran into conflict with county residents and the state government, and a succession of legal battles concerning the ashram's construction and continued development curtailed its success.
In 1985, in the wake of a series of serious crimes by his followers, including a mass food poisoning attack with Salmonella bacteria and an aborted assassination plot to murder U.S. Attorney Charles H. Turner, Rajneesh alleged that his personal secretary Ma Anand Sheela and her close supporters had been responsible. He was later deported from the United States in accordance with an Alford plea bargain.[
After his deportation, 21 countries denied him entry. He ultimately returned to India and a revived Pune ashram, where he died in 1990. Rajneesh's ashram, now known as OSHO International Meditation Resort and all associated intellectual property, is managed by the Zurich registered Osho International Foundation (formerly Rajneesh International Foundation). Rajneesh's teachings have had a notable impact on Western New Age thought, and their popularity has increased markedly since his death.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 22, 2025
The Goose Is Out: Zen in Action by Osho
“The goose is out — and so are you.”
In The Goose Is Out: Zen in Action, Osho gifts readers a profound commentary on Zen teachings, pushing the boundaries of traditional spirituality with his characteristic boldness and clarity. The book transcends mere intellectual understanding and dives deep into existential realization.
Key Themes:
Freedom from the Mind: Osho uses the metaphor of the goose trapped inside a bottle to illustrate how we are imprisoned by our own thinking — and how liberation is surprisingly simple once we realize the prison is imaginary.
Direct Experience Over Doctrine: Echoing classic Zen masters, Osho stresses the importance of living truth rather than philosophizing about it.
Awareness as the Path: Every moment, every action, every breath is an opportunity for awakening.
Comparison with Contemporaries:
Jiddu Krishnamurti: Like Krishnamurti, Osho rejects organized religion and emphasizes personal freedom. However, where Krishnamurti is cerebral and often indirect, Osho is earthy, humorous, and provocatively blunt.
Alan Watts: Both bring Eastern philosophy to the West, but Watts maintains a scholar’s distance, while Osho invites readers into direct participation — to live Zen, not just understand it.
Thich Nhat Hanh: Hanh’s gentle mindfulness contrasts Osho’s more explosive, iconoclastic approach. Osho’s Zen is raw, almost anarchic, whereas Hanh’s is deeply tender and rooted in compassion.
What Stands Out:
Clarity: Osho strips down centuries of Zen teaching to its core essence without losing the poetry of the tradition.
Humor: His playful style reminds readers that enlightenment is not a grim pursuit, but a joyful discovery.
Challenge: He does not allow the reader to remain passive. Every page feels like a mirror thrown at the ego.
Favorite Passage:
“You are not imprisoned. The goose is out. You are free right now — if you choose to be.”
Conclusion:
The Goose Is Out: Zen in Action is not just a book — it’s a call to awaken. If you are ready to leave behind comfortable beliefs and step naked into awareness, Osho will be your daring, mischievous guide. Those looking for philosophical safety may be disturbed, but those longing for truth will be electrified.
Rating:
★★★★☆ (4/5)
Recommended Audience:
Spiritual Seekers: Those disillusioned with conventional religion or rigid philosophy.
Zen Enthusiasts: Readers who enjoy direct, paradoxical teachings similar to Rinzai or Joshu.
Fans of Osho: Those familiar with his provocative, fearless style.
Philosophical Explorers: Anyone curious about experiencing truth rather than merely discussing it.
“If you are afraid of losing your illusions, this book is not for you. If you are ready to be free — dive in.”
One-Line Takeaway:
The goose is already out — your only task is to realize it.
Personal Reflection:
Reading The Goose Is Out: Zen in Action felt less like studying a book and more like sitting face-to-face with a Zen master who refuses to let you sleep through life. Osho’s playful yet piercing voice stayed with me long after the last page. I found myself questioning not just ideas but the very need for ideas — a rare, liberating experience. This is a book not to be read, but absorbed.
November 18, 2012
"Love. That which is never lost cannot be found, and to search for it is absurd. But the moment this absurdity is understood all seeking stops by itself and that which is never lost is found! That is why I say: Seek and you will not find, because the very seeking is the barrier. The search itself is the hindrance because it creates the seeker, the ego, the illusion that I am. And I am not." -OSHO
Read
July 18, 2025According to the back cover, this is “the last lecture series before Bhagwan stopped speaking forever.” Which makes sense. He’s fallen in love with Zen, which he explains in a very Indian way – hyperbolically. I read this book slowly, and it seems like perfectly good advice – actually, it isn’t really written, just spoken answers to the questions of bewildered disciples.
Boy, Rajneesh hates India! (I think he’s back there at this point). He thinks it’s a place immobilized by tradition. And maybe it is. Wait, I just opened to part of his rant:
The so-called Indian spiritualism, the so-called desire of Indian culture to guide the whole world towards spirituality is just stupid. It is sheer nonsense, it is rubbish. But that is their only face-saving device – they can save face only behind that screen.
Also he’s constantly telling Borscht Belt jokes. Here’s the one I opened to at random:
After acquiring enough money from handouts, an inhabitant of the Bowery decided to take his refreshment and one of Wall Street’s better drinking establishments.
A financial tycoon seated next to him was visibly appalled at the appearance and odor of the down-and-outer, so much so, in fact, that he turned to the man and pointedly said, “Cleanliness is next to godliness – John Wesley.” His words were ignored.
A few minutes later, the financier again intoned loudly, “Cleanliness is next to godliness – John Wesley.” Still he was ignored.
Finally, the visibly irritated financier shouted in the man’s face, “Cleanliness is next to godliness – John Wesley!”
To which the skid-row denizen calmly replied, “Screw you!-Tennessee Williams.”
Boy, Rajneesh hates India! (I think he’s back there at this point). He thinks it’s a place immobilized by tradition. And maybe it is. Wait, I just opened to part of his rant:
The so-called Indian spiritualism, the so-called desire of Indian culture to guide the whole world towards spirituality is just stupid. It is sheer nonsense, it is rubbish. But that is their only face-saving device – they can save face only behind that screen.
Also he’s constantly telling Borscht Belt jokes. Here’s the one I opened to at random:
After acquiring enough money from handouts, an inhabitant of the Bowery decided to take his refreshment and one of Wall Street’s better drinking establishments.
A financial tycoon seated next to him was visibly appalled at the appearance and odor of the down-and-outer, so much so, in fact, that he turned to the man and pointedly said, “Cleanliness is next to godliness – John Wesley.” His words were ignored.
A few minutes later, the financier again intoned loudly, “Cleanliness is next to godliness – John Wesley.” Still he was ignored.
Finally, the visibly irritated financier shouted in the man’s face, “Cleanliness is next to godliness – John Wesley!”
To which the skid-row denizen calmly replied, “Screw you!-Tennessee Williams.”
August 2, 2007
Talks on personal experiences by osho. We tend to believe that goose is inside the bottle but in reality it is not. We are engrossed with our thoughts which we call our problems. In reality if we be aware there is no problem at all. awareness makes it cease to exist.
Book will not be loved by serious readers as filled with many jokes. But ok ok
Book will not be loved by serious readers as filled with many jokes. But ok ok
March 23, 2024
Questo libro è stato molto interessante, non è pesante da leggere ed è molto scorrevole, inizia con una prima domanda esistenziale che mi ha fatto riflettere un sacco.
Si esprimono al massimo i pensieri di Osho che ho condiviso parecchio!
L'unica pecca è che per alcuni argomenti è un po' ripetitivo, ma vale la pena leggerlo, ho sottolineato un sacco di frasi e discorsi molto curiosi.
Si esprimono al massimo i pensieri di Osho che ho condiviso parecchio!
L'unica pecca è che per alcuni argomenti è un po' ripetitivo, ma vale la pena leggerlo, ho sottolineato un sacco di frasi e discorsi molto curiosi.
August 17, 2024
10 question and answer .
Almost touching all parts of our daily existence... filter and take in .
Good read ... old guards do need some dusting.
Almost touching all parts of our daily existence... filter and take in .
Good read ... old guards do need some dusting.
November 7, 2011
The days in the shadow of a big cypress, the nights under the luminous light of a white moon. There goes the goose giggling at us, but we someday shall giggle at her remembering that she was in the hands of a wrong company. Here comes the last evening star fading in mu cigarette. Oh madame, there we are, Look the goose thinks that she is out. My hands are in your pocket. But what matters? Whether my hand or my heart, in your pocket or in your heart. I love you. Because the goose is out. Excerpts from a Korean drama.
October 8, 2013
Pervading insight into zen, journey towards enlightenment and life packaged with Osho'ness.
Greatly recommended for anyone interested in zen and developing understanding for growing within
Greatly recommended for anyone interested in zen and developing understanding for growing within
December 16, 2015
Abyss....
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews