Customer Reviews

The Book of Understanding: Creating Your Own Path to Freedom

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I waited with excitement for this new Osho book. I have read a number of Osho's books - some of the incredible titles from the series -Insights for a New Way of Living- published by St. Martin's Press. Somehow I feel very familiar with Osho's writing. This new Osho title 'The Book of Understanding' is of a different level. I have never got a better understanding of his philosophy and ideas. This book presents a truly contemporary concept of spirituality. Something intelligent for people who got out of childish concept of organized religions. It is an easy read - although I need to let many of the statements sink in. To read chapter after chapter is a transformative experience. It is like a mirror - showing me my social, religious and political conditioning - and a way to go beyond it. This author is a true gift by existence to everybody who is not trapped and satisfied with readymade answers provided by others.
The understanding that we all have to create our own path to freedom is a deep and profound experience and process. The Book of Understanding is a great guidebook on this path. I can recommend this book to anyone who wants to read something challenging and substantial.

This was my first introduction to Osho and his philosophies. I saw a review of the book in the local paper and asked a bookstore in town to pre-order a copy for me. I picked it up this morning and I'm halfway through! The material is profound and enlightening. Osho really challenges you to know your own voice and become your best self by examining and letting go of the expectations and limits that religion, society, and even our parents have placed upon us throughout our lives. The author doesn't push his own views on you. He simply points out the veil that's been placed over our eyes and gives us the tools to remove it (if we choose to) so that we can find our own way.

i do not have an active social life...and i am not an intellectual...atleast i never wrote a book review before for amazon.com...but i find it facinating that two ex girl friends who gave me my walking papers in the last 6 months gave me a book by Osho as a going away present.
the first book i got as a going away present, i simply left unopened at a starbucks as i was upset by the breakup...the second girl gave me The Book of Understanding...i can't say whether i read this meditation book cover to cover like a suspence novel because i was spooked that two different e x-friends gave me a book by the same unknown to me author, or because i truly loved the second girl and respect her mind so much. <we actually broke up about a misunderstanding.>
anyway i wish i read this book before i ever dated either one of these gals...this Osho is a master relationship counsellor. i was especially touched when he aked is it worth puttin energy into improving my personality...i said to myself 'hell yes'...he replied 'heaven no'...he actually said "the personality has to be dropped so that your individuality can be discovered."
i won't be leaving this book at starbucks...and i'm taking her home with me the next time...no more misunderstandings for me.

I highly recommend The Book of Understanding. It changed the way I meditate. In the Afterwords, the following quote was quite unique in suggesting that in meditation, I begin with the body:

"That's why my effort here is to start every meditation with the body. That is something new.
In the ancient days people tried to start meditation directly in your innermost core. That is a difficult process. You don't know anything about your inner center; how can you start your journey from somewhere where you have never been? You can start your journey only from where you already are. You are in the body, hence my emphasis is on dancing, singing, breathing - so you can start from the body. When the body starts becoming meditative....
And don't be puzzled by my use of the word meditative for the body. Yes, the body becomes meditative. When it is in a deep dance, when it is functioning perfectly, undividedly, as a whole, it has a meditative quality about it, a certain grace, a beauty."

I liked this suggestion. To find out more, I went to [...] and saw a video clip of a meditation, Kundalini, which uses dance before doing a seated meditation. I found that being active before sitting in meditation helped me to be less restless when I did the sitting phase. There is even a free download of the meditation music. I found this meditation more suited to me than zazen or vipassana.

Osho has a way with words in his Book of Understanding but the power of his words lies in the readers ability to think open mindedly and accept his unique approach in helping the reader find clarity of mind. Although the book may come across to some as a continuous bashing on religion, the worth of his knowledge lies in a person being able to see things from a distance rather than so close that the lines are blurred and the obvious easy overlooked. This book is a must read for anyone able to open their mind to new ways of radical thinking in an attempt to understand ourselves in a clearer and more defined way.

New perspectives and thoughts like none I have seen before. OSHO provides the possibility of a new and intriguing path to a place beyond mundane spiritual teachings. While exposing the path he keeps both feet firmly planted on the ground. His teachings are not based on wishful illusions but on the real here and now.

Even after his passing of form, Osho's essential teachings continue to reach seekers worldwide. In the "Book of Understanding," he encourages us to discover a radical, new way of living. The pathway to this profound understanding is to question virtually everything that we have been taught; every belief, concept and assumption. In this deep investigation, we realize the delusion of all separation, fear and suffering. Upon the realization of what Osho calls the authentic Self, we also realize true fulfillment. We are then able to live in integrity and enjoy ultimate creativity, peace, harmony and a life lived in true compassion.

Katie Davis, Author, "Awake Joy"

The more we read of Osho's thoughts, hopefully, the more we are able to take on board what he is trying to tell us. As he says, it all comes down to self-knowledge. The more we understand ourselves and therefore let go of our baggage the more joy we find in our lives and the more we are able to realize that responsibility is the act of self-realization. Sounds so easy! It is, except our egos get in the way and fear takes hold. But the more we grow in consciousness the easier it is to let go of what has held us back. Worth pursuing!
Dr Gunta Krumins-Caldwell author of On Silver Wings

OSHO a Great Master like Socrate ...

In my humble opinion every book of Osho is a treasure and give you very important arguments for your personal growing.

Tiziano

You have to have a certain mindset to be able to read a book by Osho, but if you do this book won't disappoint you at all. I own a lot of Osho's works and this one is on par with several of his others. Definitely not a book that a "first time reader" of Osho should pick up, but indeed a nice addition to an existing collection.