This prostitute out of compassion — and sometimes prostitutes have more compassion than your so-called ladies, they understand men more — just out of compassion she said, “I like you very much.” He had never heard this. Love was a far away thing. Even liking….

He said, “Really, you like me? What do you like in me?” Now, the woman was at a loss.

She said, “I like your ears. Your ears are beautiful.” And you will be surprised that van Gogh went home, cut off his ears with a razor, packed them beautifully, went to the prostitute and gave his ears to her. And blood was flowing….

She said, “What have you done?”

He said, “Nobody ever liked anything in me. And I am a poor man, how can I thank you? You liked my ears; I have presented them to you. If you had liked my eyes, I would have presented my eyes to you If you had liked me, I would have died for you.”

The prostitute could not believe it. But for the first time, van Gogh was happy, smiling; somebody had liked at least a part of him.

Osho – “From Ignorance to Innocence”

What Is the Spiritual Moral / Message of Ocho's “Vincent Van Gogh and a Prostitute” Story?

This poignant tale of van Gogh illustrates the profound depths of yearning for acceptance and the lengths to which one might go to feel appreciated. It touches the essence of human vulnerability and the desperate longing for validation and acknowledgment. Van Gogh's fervent desire for someone to appreciate him, even in the smallest measure, unveils the profound significance of being seen and valued by another. It speaks volumes about the human hunger for connection, acceptance, and the longing to feel worthy in the eyes of another.

The story also sheds light on the fragility of self-worth and the impact of external validation on one's perception of oneself. Van Gogh's reaction, driven by the prostitute's seemingly sincere compliment, reflects the profound influence external validation can wield over an individual's self-image. It underscores the depth of the human psyche's hunger for appreciation and how deeply it can affect one's actions and perceptions of self-worth.

Furthermore, van Gogh's extreme act, cutting off his ears and offering them to the prostitute, illuminates the lengths to which individuals may go to seek affirmation and gratitude. It's a poignant portrayal of the human quest for recognition and the sacrifices one might consider to feel appreciated, even if only for a fleeting moment. It reveals the profound loneliness and yearning for acceptance that can reside within even the most gifted and talented individuals.

Moreover, this narrative speaks to the complexities of human emotions and the profound impact of genuine appreciation. Van Gogh's elation, despite the drastic act he committed, upon feeling appreciated for the first time unveils the transformative power of authentic acknowledgment. It underscores the potency of a genuine, sincere compliment and its ability to uplift and bring a sense of belonging and joy to even the most tormented soul.

In essence, this story unveils the depths of human vulnerability and the profound longing for acceptance and validation. Van Gogh's extreme act, though tragic, speaks to the universal human desire for connection, appreciation, and the yearning to feel valued by others. It's a poignant reminder of the transformative power of sincere acknowledgment and the profound impact it can have on an individual's sense of self-worth and happiness. Through this narrative, we are reminded of the tremendous influence a simple act of appreciation can have on someone's life, emphasizing the importance of genuine connection and empathy in our interactions with others.

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His trees are painted so high that they go above the stars; stars are left far behind. Now, you will think that this man is mad… trees going up higher than the stars? Have you seen such trees anywhere? When Vincent van Gogh was asked, “Your trees always go beyond the stars…?” he said, “Yes, because I understand trees. I have felt always that trees are the ambition of the earth to reach the stars. Otherwise why? To touch the stars, to feel the stars, to go beyond the stars — this is the desire of the earth. The earth tries hard, but cannot fulfill the desire. I can do it. The earth will understand my paintings, and I don’t care about you, whether you understand or not.”

Now, this kind of paintings you cannot sell. The man his brother had sent came. Van Gogh was very happy: at last somebody had come to purchase. But soon his happiness turned into despair because the man looked around, picked one painting and gave the money.

Vincent van Gogh said, “But do you understand the painting? You have picked it up so casually, you have not looked; I have hundreds of paintings. You have not even bothered to look around; you have simply picked one that was accidentally in front of you. I suspect that you are sent by my brother. Put the painting back, take your money. I will not sell the painting to a man who has no eyes for painting. And tell my brother never to do such a thing again.”

The man was puzzled how he managed to figure it out. He said, “You don’t know me, how did you figure it out?”

He said, “That’s too simple. I know my brother wants me to feel some consolation. He must have manipulated you — and this money belongs to him — because I can see that you are blind as far as paintings are concerned. And I am not one to sell paintings to blind people; I cannot exploit a blind man and sell him a painting. What will he do with it? And tell my brother also that he also does not understand painting, otherwise he would not have sent you.”

When the brother came to know, he came to apologize. He said, “Instead of giving you a little consolation, I have wounded you. I will never do such a thing again.”

Osho – “From Ignorance to Innocence”

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