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
