Autobiography of a Spiritually Incorrect Mystic [Hardcover]

Osho (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 17, 2000

An indispensable work for understanding the life and teachings of one of the most unusual mystics and philosophers of our time.

Ten years have past since, in the words of his attending physician, Osho prepared for his departure from the body that had served him for fifty-nine years "as calmly as though he were packing for a weekend in the country." This volume is 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" (Rajneesh), the Rolls-Royce Guru, the Rich Man's Guru, and simply the Master?

Drawn from nearly five thousand hours of Osho's recorded talks, this is 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 individual awareness and responsibility and the teaching of "Zorba the Buddha," a celebration of the whole human being.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

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

From Publishers Weekly

"Autobiography" is a misnomer, as the Indian mystic Osho (1931-1990) never wrote his memoirs; this book is an arrangement of reminiscences harvested from thousands of tape-recorded talks. However, the titular phrase "spiritually incorrect" is apt for a man who called himself "Zorba the Buddha." Born Rajneesh Chandra Mohan, Osho became a philosophy professor and began attracting followers in the 1960s. In 1968, he shocked Indian society by publishing a series of talks under the title From Sex to Superconsciousness. In the 1980s, he came to America and founded a commune in Oregon, called Rajneeshpuram. He was deported a few years later following the discovery that his personal assistant had firebombed a county planning office, among other crimes. In 1988, he said that the Buddha had "taken shelter" in him for four days, but departed because of disapproval of Osho's luxurious lifestyle, which included ownership of 90 Rolls-Royces. Osho's thought (or no-thought) clearly arises from India's Buddhist tradition, but his discourses refer to sources as diverse as Muhammad and Jung. Mixing Western therapy and Eastern meditation, Osho introduced such innovative practices as "dynamic meditation," which involved dancing, leaping and shouting instead of sitting in silence. Readers may be amused by Osho's humor, taken aback by his boastfulness, bemused by his pronouncements and shocked by his irreverence, but occasionally they will also be struck by his insight. (May)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press (May 17, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312254571
• ISBN-13: 978-0312254575
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,669,938 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Osho, known for his revolutionary contribution to the science of inner transformation, continues to inspire millions of people worldwide in their search to define a new approach to individual spirituality that is self-directed and responsive to the everyday challenges of contemporary life. The Sunday Times of London named him one of the '1,000 Makers of the Twentieth Century,' and novelist Tom Robbins called him 'the most dangerous man since Jesus Christ.' For more information about Osho and his work, please visit osho.com.


Osho's teachings defy categorization, covering everything from the individual quest for meaning to the most urgent social and political issues facing individuals and society today.

His unique "Osho Active Meditations" are designed to first release the accumulated stresses of body and mind, so that it is easier to experience the thought-free and relaxed state of meditation. (Meditation -The First and Last Freedom, by Osho)

About his own work Osho has said that he is helping to create the conditions for the birth of a new kind of human being. He has often characterized this new human being as "Zorba the Buddha" -- capable both of enjoying the earthy pleasures of a Zorba the Greek and the silent serenity of a Gautam Buddha.

Running like a thread through all aspects of Osho's work is a vision that encompasses both the timeless wisdom of the East and the highest potential of Western science and technology.

Osho has been described by the Sunday Times in London as one of the "1000 Makers of the 20th Century" and by American author Tom Robbins as "the most dangerous man since Jesus Christ."

Biographical:
Autobiography of a Spiritually Incorrect Mystic, ST. MARTIN'S Press, New York, available in multiple languages.


Websites for more information:
http://www.OSHO.com
http://OSHO.com/resort
http://OSHO.com/magazine
http://OSHO.com/shop
http://www.youtube.com/OSHO
http://www.oshobytes.blogspot.com
http://www.Twitter.com/OSHOtimes
http://www.facebook.com/pages/OSHO.International

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

76 of 80 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars preconceptions smashed, March 17, 2003

By 

jamps (one tribe one world) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Autobiography of a Spiritually Incorrect Mystic (Hardcover)

I just knew he had some crazy meditation techniques was a bit of a rogue, had 93 rolls royces, accepted sex and i had a few friends who recommended him. Wow, blown away, this is one of the most beautiful books i've ever read! Osho's integrity shines through and yes he is a dangerous man because he's not concerned about beliefs but the truth. And he challenges you deeply, i was a buddhist monk for 3 years and he takes traditions apart 'Buddha wasn't a buddhist' what a one liner. Many buddhist books seem to take a mathematical approach to enlightenment, Osho is a poet. I just cried reading this book, with laughter and joy and hope, i even found myself clapping and shouting 'Yes yes yes!' Sheer delight. I'm hooked.
love and peace

66 of 74 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cool Book, November 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Autobiography of a Spiritually Incorrect Mystic (Hardcover)

This is a cool book I would also recommend the book An encounter With a Prophet

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Unique Autobiography of a Unique Master of the Millenium!, May 2, 2000

By 

Kris Bhattarai - See all my reviews

This review is from: Autobiography of a Spiritually Incorrect Mystic (Hardcover)

Of Indian mystics, after Paramhansa Yoganand's Autobiography ofa Yogi, Osho's autobiography stands apart from the convention. Theuniquness of this book is that it is not written by Osho. It is TALKEDby Osho to his intimate pupils and is recorded by them thereafter. And therefore, it provides a freshness in the story. The book reveals many secrets of the life of Osho which I have not found in any of his books. It also details the biblical situation of Osho's birth, his association with other enlightrened masters who recognized his potential when he was very young and took care of him until he attained to enlightentment. Osho's meeting with India's first prime minister Nehru is another very interesting part. Osho's accounts with Nehru surfaces some of the hidden qualities and spirituality of Nehru. At one sight, Nehru recognizes the future potential of young Osho (may be then 14/15 years old only) and asks Osho's companion, Masto Baba , to take care of him. Mosto Baba is one of the three enlightent Masters of a single chain, who, one by one, took care of Osho in succession. The spiritual journey of Osho is very inspirational. In some places he looks like a dare devil: ready take any kind of challenge; and in some accounts he appears to be as humble as one can be.