Tabula Rasa: Freedom & Responsibility
Man is not born with a program — he is born as a clean slate. What we write on it becomes our destiny.
The Old Belief: Essence Before Existence
For centuries, philosophers believed that essence precedes existence — that man is born with what he is going to be already determined. Like a seed containing the whole tree, destiny was thought to be fixed. This determinist view left little room for freedom or radical change, creating a culture of acceptance toward poverty, suffering, and injustice.
The False Comfort of Fatalism
This approach is not true understanding but despair wrapped in beautiful words. It discourages transformation and creates lethargy in the soul. The consequence is visible in societies where people accept misery as fate.
Existence Precedes Essence
In reality, existence precedes essence. Unlike animals or plants, man is born without a program — a tabula rasa, a clean slate. This freedom is our dignity, our uniqueness. We must write our own story and create our own being.
Freedom Is Risky but Rewarding
Freedom can be frightening. It means you alone are responsible for your choices. You can rise above the angels or fall below the animals. The ladder is the same; the direction is yours to choose. This is why freedom often brings chaos — but only out of chaos are stars born.
Becoming a Creator
The only prayer is to be creative, because by creating yourself you participate in the mystery of existence. Do not hide behind determinism, commandments, or ready-made programs. Grow in consciousness and freedom. Take each step out of your own choice. Create yourself and take full responsibility for it.
“Man is not an entity, he is a bridge — a bridge between two eternities, the animal and the god, the unconscious and the conscious.”
© ThoughtDK Blog – Original text inspired by Osho’s discourse on Tabula Rasa
