Autobiography of a Spiritually Incorrect Mystic [Paperback]

Osho (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 9, 2001

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

Osho, better known as Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, became infamous for his posh lifestyle and outrageous teachings. A prolific author of some respectable and even insightful books, he refused to pen an autobiography for his myriad disciples. Nonetheless, two of these, Sarito Carol Neiman and Ma Yoga Bhakti, have pieced together an autobiography of sorts from the many of volumes of his writings and published talks. We find in Osho a vibrant mind, a sharp wit, and a feigned unpretentiousness that is both disarming and seductive. Following his story, we learn Osho was raised on a loose tether by his businessman grandfather and atheist grandmother, rebelliously questioning religious authority by the age of 5. By the age of 7, he was uncontrollable, and at 21, he had a prolonged enlightenment experience. A Ph.D. in philosophy brought him to the role of professor, but he outgrew it with his talks on meditation that gradually became more radical, until he was known in India as the sex guru. Ousted from India, he sought to create the perfect and most free community, choosing a remote corner of the U.S. Controversy erupted, and the man who called himself Zorba the Buddha became persona non grata the world over. To read about this unorthodox teacher in his own words is certainly entertaining, and although not without internal contradictions, the book is valuable for its relentless challenge to the sacred tenets of established religious thought. Like the best Zen master, Osho forces us to reconsider our conventions. --Brian Bruya

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. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (June 9, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312280718
• ISBN-13: 978-0312280710
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 16 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #168,631 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #72 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Professionals & Academics > Philosophers

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.