Customer Reviews

Love, Freedom, Aloneness: The Koan of Relationships

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The book is beautiful, read it and delight in it. Don't take it seriously, rather drink it up. It is in prose (it is all transcribed talks), but leaves a distinct aftertaste of fine poetry. Besides, whatever Osho was, he was a genious in his knowledge of human psychology, and a master with words. It shows. $5 say anyone with a little attention will stumble across something eye-opening in this book.

Speaking of who Osho was, it pays to do research (I'm aiming at the editorial reviews here, naturally). He didn't flee the US - he got deported on fabricated INS charges, and there were no orgies at Rajneeshpuram. However, libel sticks. This story (a thoroughly fascinating one - how the Reigan administration got so afraid of a little Indian man that they broke a couple dozen of American laws trying to shut him down and force him out) is still awaiting an unbiased teller.

Osho belonged to the venerable tradition that says: human beings are basically consciousness. Everything else, including our bodies, and our lives, is minute circumstance. The only purpose is to help the consciousness become aware of itself (aka enlightenment), the only path there - meditation. Anything else is only used to help the people meditate, as needed. Osho spent the majority of his life promoting the cause, and certainly sacrificed lifetime for it - he died prematurely even considering his rather ill health (he was asthmatic, diabetic, and had back problems, but granted the very high level of care afforded him, the above shouldn't have killed a 59-old man).

For everything else, read the man himself. This lovely book is as good a place to start as any.

If you are new to Osho then you are in for the most beautiful period of your reading and seeking. Although this seems a bold statement, I feel it is understated. In this one book one will learn a lifestyle that is natural and flowing. There are no rules, no golden gems of a 10 point plan. What you get is how to balance a lifestyle of meditation and love. The polarities. Aloneness and relationships. To seemlessly dance between the two. The style is very flowing like a conversation. This is no accident. The book is put together from talks that Osho has given. Some 5000 hours of recordings have been taken. If you loved Eckhart Tolle's the power of now and wish for more reading of that quality, you will find Osho books equally as good. I've read the full 6 books of the insight series. All are brilliant. I recommend Sex matters highly as well. Osho Zen and Osho Tao are also brilliant. However, if I was asked to recommend one essential book for someone new to Osho it would be Love, Freedom and Aloneness. It's hard to really review Osho because you are not quite sure what's really going on. Just by reading you feel something is happening. That something is a resounding "A-ha" to it. I've read carlos Castaneda all of them, I've read most of Stuart Wilde's books which I thought could not be surpassed yet Osho has done this with ease. With Osho there is no fighting within. You start with were you are and remove things very gently. He loves to bring a gentleness to the way you treat life and especially yourself. I've never thought of brushing teeth violently. However, when you compare that to brushing teeth gently, you begin to understand how you treat yourself. A small violence, but still it is there. Osho takes you on a journey of Man, politics and religion, he unravels the contradictions and the subtle cunning under-current of our politicians and religious leaders. He cannot unravel the mystery of life, he embraces the mystery and uncertainty. What I have noticed when reading is the fluidity of the words, sentences and chapters. You know that there is no-one there. Osho stepped aside many years ago. The words are straight from the great unknown, without filters, pure and brilliant. He was a truely brilliant, intelligent man and yet highly evolved in his spirituality or religiousness[not in the sense that we normally associate with this word. Uncluttered with religious dogma.] as he liked to often use. Once you read his biography you will come to know why you perhaps have not heard much about this man. What he has to say in his books, if understood and applied, will make each person a tower of immortal strength that no force on earth will be able to control. That's why the man was banned from so many developed countries towards the end of his life. His words are all there to lead you to becoming enlightened without an intermediatory. This would be a state of such peace tranquility and blissfulness, that the thought of becoming enlightened doesn't scare me any more.

I haven't finished reading this book (3/4 of the way), but i decided to give back to the community that has assisted me so much with my choice of books..... that and Amazon have a new 'bullying' system of getting reviews out of customers. Anyway, this book is really an eye opener. All the ideas of love that i got from books, films and even my parents now seem so silly and strange- like, where did they get them from? Osho explores what the general public see as love (romantic love), and another love that gives the impression of being a religious love at the get-go (i say that because i've always seen 'unconditional love' as something for the saints and celibates only), but is actually the most important love that we actually need in our lives. A selfish love that is actually unselfish. I wonder how relationships would be if we all possessed this type of love for ourselves..... would we even waste our time on relationships? Probably, not if they're the type that bring attachment. Osho discusses why most relationships and marriages are doomed from the beginning. "Let there be spaces in your togetherness"- very deep quote. He does not bring an authoritarian tone to any aspect of love; all he wants us to have is understanding..... understand the laws of existence and then do what you want.

His views on sex are amazing, just like his views on religion. I suspect both views were responisble for most of the controversy surrounding him- Increase sexual freedom while reducing religion (especially Christianity)? I think Bush and a few teleevangelists would probably not think twice about killing him on live tv if they got the chance. But he's dead so they can't. And his words live on.........

I'm probably a poor reviewer, but do not let that stop you from reading this book, if you ever wondered if there is more to love, or if you want understanding on why people still risk all for love even though it never seems to last (with one partner)
this is definitely the book for you. Just remember to soak everything in before putting on your worn out rationalization cap. Logic is not everything.

The unusual title caught my attention. Who would connect these three words...in this sequence. I have read several books by Osho but the subject of relationship and everything connected to the issue is very well presented in this new title. Rather than the usual 'how to fix your relationship'I found real insights into the problematic. Each page has so many impacting statements, things which make you really wonder. This is a book I will give to many friends.

This book is now my "the one book I'll ever need".
Osho does NOT try to convert you. Pah! He invites you to know yourself and be free and this book has totally redefined my old, sick ideas about love. My beloved and I are happier now than ever.. truly... open your mind and sprout two wings-"aloneness and love" ; ) I'd love to have cases of these and walk around tossing them to strangers., friends, neighbors, lovers and YOU.

Who is intended in reading OSHO should me open-minded to radical thoughts. At least you don't get a feeling that he insists being in the right and planning to open everybodys eyes to the truth. His suggestions regardings the subjects LOVE FREEDOM ALONENESS sound radical in part, but they are intelligible and, above all, they can be put into action.

LOVE can only happen in FREEDOM, which does not mean 'I do what I want without thinking of what it could mean to you', but, 'I have respect for you just as you are, and, I have a high opinion of what are your needs.'

If you are asking yourself 'do I love myself? do I love my partner?' and the answer is 'yes, but...' then it would be a very good idea to deal with and spend some time on this book.

If I am able to stand my own ALONENESS, I will get to know myself. This coming to knowledge and to experience regarding myself will be of benefit to your fellow human beings and especially to your partner.

LOVE FREEDOM ALONENESS are three aspects that can not be disconnected from eachother. They will toghether create and strengthen a deep and intense connection in your relationship.

The 'true love' people are searching for is possible, indeed, but you have to take the chance to get on this way and you have to be courageous. But it will be worth the effort!

This book gave me a new way and a new vision of relating, by teaching me to first know and relate with my inner self and then with others. To first love myself before loving others. To get in touch with myself before trying to touch someone else's life. This book definitely presents some radical thoughts on marriage and relationships. However, do not brush them off so easily. Osho's words always carry a profound meaning and reqire a deep understanding of his reasoning and the context he speaks in.

So few "relationship" books really get down to the nitty-gritty of why it seems to be true both that the "other is hell" and that we can't seem to live without some "other" in our lives, even if sometimes it's only the cat! This book does get down to that nitty gritty - without being the least bit cliche'd, new-agey or sentimental. Always insightful, sometimes ruthlessly honest, and very often funny... you'll recognize yourself in these pages often, and many many couples that you know.

I love OSHO. Yes, he is a very smart, interesting, and well-spoken guru. Let's all rejoice that he wrote so many books.

Here are the 3.5 reasons why OSHO rules and you should really get this book.

1. Osho is funny. He'll have you cracking up as you learn about how to be a master in bed or how to be less needy.

2. Osho reminds us that the Universe is naturally nice and wants us to be happy. Wow, that's so simple by easy to forget.

3. Osho gets us to do something instead of just think about it. Do something and learn how it feels. That's true learning.

3.5 Osho teahces us that it's beautiful to be alone. So enjoy it!

This book describes and educates what a healthy long term love relationship looks and feels like. Many people do not have any idea. Instead of wanting a relationship out of "neediness" people can experience a "fullness to share."