The Mustard Seed: Commentaries on the Fifth Gospel of Saint Thomas [Paperback]

Osho (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1994

This inspiring book grants us profound insights into the truly universal nature of Jesus' original teachings. With compassion and humor, Osho-one of our century's leading mystics-presents us with a series of discourses on the Gospel of Thomas. Each of Jesus' original sayings is the "seed" for a discourse for the modern seeker, encompassing all realms of human experience-philosophy, science, religion, birth, death, love, fear, anger and guilt. Taking Jesus' words out of their narrower Christian context, Osho blends their wisdom with that of other religious traditions. The Mustard Seed will both inspire and sustain us on our own individual paths of inner transformation.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'He quotes Jesus, Buddha and old Zen masters with stupendous memory, interpreting them with a freshness and directness as if they were speaking today, as if they wore jeans'. Die Zeit --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Osho (1931-1990) is a contemporary mystic whose life and teachings have influenced millions of people of all ages, and from all walks of life. He has been described by the Sunday Times in London as one of the "1000 Makers of the 20th Century" and by Sunday Mid-Day (India) as one of the ten people--along with Gandhi, Nehru and Buddha--who have changed the destiny of India.

He is also known for his revolutionary contribution to the science of inner transformation, with an approach to meditation that acknowledges the accelerated pace of contemporary life. His unique "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.

Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Element Books Ltd; 6th edition (May 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1852304987
• ISBN-13: 978-1852304980
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #444,583 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

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Right to the heart of matter, November 14, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Mustard Seed: Commentaries on the Fifth Gospel of Saint Thomas (Paperback)

No one holds up a mirror to his reader more effectively than OSHO. Pick up any of his books and read one page, and you will forget you are reading, and will realize that you are observing your own life, and your own character. If Krishnamurti is right, that to deeply observe oneself is to solve one's conflicts, than OSHO brings me closer to this than any other author. But that is not all: his writing brims with love and honesty. And in this book he is approaching the greatest advocate for love and honesty that the world has seen: Jesus. It is typical that OSHO studied Jesus; he considered him one the most important enlightened persons in history. He has no need to deify him, just as he does not need to deify anyone. That is not the point for OSHO; the point is, rather, for the person to achieve wholeness, peace, and love. He knows that Jesus is a master who can bring those things to you. He is without peer in having no apparent prejudices whatsoever, in favor of any established institution. He is all about the individual, living in the world. His books have had a major positive impact on my life. The only limitation on this impact is my own fear of or reluctance to change. But these books are beautifully written, and will challenge you to move beyond stereotypes, to become who you should be. And The Mustard Seed is absolutely my favorite book of his. I feel I should address a point brought up by another reviewer, who was very angry about the "anti-semitic" comments, in which OSHO suggests that the Nazis were a punisher that appeared for the Jewish people. It is true that OSHO sometimes strayed a little too far in his analysis. He occasionally is a bit out there, such as in one of his books when he suggests that the trees become scared if you walk into the woods with an axe. But it is important to note that he was not uttering anti-Semitic statements per se; he does not hate Jewish people. Rather, he was attempting to describe (albeit in a very unfortunate manner) the universal nature of the law, that if one sins, somehow one ends up being punished for it. These occasional excesses should not be seen as diminshing his work. These books are transcripts of extemporaneous talks he gave; anyone, talking for hours on end will say a goofy thing here and there. Take my word for it, though, read his books with an open mind, and you will feel your mind opening up and your world expanding. This is not b.s. new-agey stuff; it is the essence of great spiritual writing.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Real Jesus, March 7, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Mustard Seed: Commentaries on the Fifth Gospel of Saint Thomas (Paperback)

Osho introduces us not to Jesus the 'good man' or 'moral teacher' but to an alive, rebellious Master who can help us discover the innermost secrets of our being. He eats, drinks, laughs with his friends, and becomes a tremendous magnetic force for many who fall in love with him. If you thought you knew who Jesus was, read this book and think again.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very direct experience of inner allignment..., January 15, 1999

By 

Jonathan Evatt "online at jonathanevatt . com" (Global) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mustard Seed: Commentaries on the Fifth Gospel of Saint Thomas (Paperback)

If your are seriously looking at expanding your awareness into a state of Liberation then this book is bound to be of enjoyment and assistance toward alligning with a greater sense of inner clarity and understanding... A great tool for assisting the process of transforming your relationship to life... which is what Enlightenment is all about...

If it goes into print again then get it... until then find a library that has it...

-- UPDATE 2004 --
Five years has passed since I read this book. I see it is now back in print. I still recommend it to people. I continue to have very fond memories of the places I explored within myself as a result of reading Osho's forever poetic words and prose. Just a few days ago I was mentioning this book to someone... I intend now to obtain it and read it again.
Even for those well into their spiritual journey - awakened, getting there, or otherwise -- this book, like most of Osho's work, is music to the soul.