Autobiography of a Spiritually Incorrect Mystic
Ten years have passed since, in the words of his attending physician, Osho prepared for his departure from the body that had served him for 59 years "as calmly as though he were packing for a weekend in the country. " This volume is a recognition that the time has come to provide a historical and biographical context for understanding Osho and his work. Who was this man, known as the sex guru, the "self-appointed Bhagwan ", the Rolls Royce Guru, the Rich Man's Guru and simply the Master?
Drawn from nearly 5000 hours of Osho's recorded talks, we hear the story of his youth and education, his life as a professor of philosophy and years of travel teaching the importance of meditation, and the true legacy he sought to leave behind: a religionless religion centered on the act of meditation and the teaching of "Zorba the Buddha ", a celebration of the whole human being.
OSHO is one of the most provocative spiritual teachers of our time. In the 1970s he captured the attention of young people from the West who wanted to experience meditation and transformation; A decade after his death, the influence of his teachings continues to expand, reaching seekers around the world.
Reviews
All reviews are of the hardcover edition
*Booklist
"Osho's posthumous autobiography affords a delightful glimpse into the life of one of the most outrageous twentieth-century spiritual leaders. Consisting of anecdotes that Osho told during his many lectures and classes, the book has a conversational tone that well conveys the sometimes infamous guru? dynamic personality as it offers a sampling of his thoughts on meditation, enlightenment, sex, money, education, and the evolution of consciousness.
"Osho was not afraid to tackle the world's major religions, pointing out inconsistencies and hypocrisy where he found them and simultaneously drawing together their best aspects into a synthesis grounded in meditation. Osho also answers some of the criticisms leveled at him for his seemingly outrageous behavior and his iconoclastic tendencies. He proves a fascinating man: a prolific writer and lecturer, highly educated, and deeply passionate about his own search for truth. Whether or not one is interested in Osho's teachings or in the controversies surrounding his movement, his autobiography is entertaining, insightful and for some, perhaps, even enlightening. "
*The New York Times calls Booklist "an acquisitions bible for public and school librarians nationwide. " It is the review journal of the American Library Association, and recommends works of fiction, nonfiction, children?s books, reference books, and media to 30,000 institutional and personal subscribers.
Amazon.com
Although he was criticized for being too enamored with the ways of the West, India's spiritual leader Osho managed to garner global notoriety as the founder of "Dynamic Meditation. " During his controversial lifetime (which ended--at least on this planet--in 1990) Osho was asked numerous times if he would write an autobiography. "He would always dismiss the question with the wave of his hand, " writes Sarito Carol Neiman in her foreword. "[He] would say his biography is to be found in the sum of his work--in his hundreds of volumes of published talks, and in the transformed lives of the people he touched. " In fact this "autobiography " is just that--a collection of interviews (including excerpts from appearances on Good Morning America and 60 Minutes), personal essays, and quotes. Disjointed as this material may sound, the editors behind the project were able to piece together a smooth autobiography that does not shy from self-criticism or the fundamental question of whether Osho was a "Cult Leader, " "Joker, " "Master, " or "Zorba the Guru. " (The answer, of course, is all of the above.) Followers and seekers will find this a profound and playful collection of stories and teachings. -Gail Hudson
"I enjoyed reading this book... While it presented the history of Osho and of what he calls "his people ", it also presents a look at our society and at ourselves, and presents a new way of living and being that brings a more balanced perspective to our life. Osho suggests that we need to make the changes within and then live the change so that we become an example to follow, rather than someone who tries to change others and convert them to our point of view. " - from InnerSelf Magazine
