The Mustard Seed: The Revolutionary Teachings of Jesus [Paperback]

Osho (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2009

This timely book explores the wisdom of the Gnostic Jesus, who challenges our preconceptions about the world and ourselves. Based on the Gospel of Thomas, the book recounts the missing years in Jesus’ life and his time in Egypt and India, learning from Egyptian secret societies, then Buddhist schools, then Hindu Vedanta. Each of Jesus' original sayings is the "seed" for a chapter of the book; each examines one aspect of life — birth, death, love, fear, anger, and more — counterpointed by Osho’s penetrating comments and responses to questions from his audience.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Osho Media International (July 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0981834124
• ISBN-13: 978-0981834122
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #728,702 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

16 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Osho in a surprisingly somber mood, October 10, 2009

By 

Ashtar Command "Seeker" (Stockholm, Sweden) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Mustard Seed: The Revolutionary Teachings of Jesus (Paperback)

Osho was a spiritual teacher active in both India and the United States. He died in 1990.

Osho (also known as Bhagwan) became controversial due to his provocative and frivolous behaviour. On Youtube, there are several clips showing Osho spouting expensive wrist watches (probably quite deliberately), cracking lewd jokes, or claiming that alcohol is allowed at his ashram, since alcohol is vegetarian! His message sounds very "hippie", almost libertarian or libertine.

This book, by contrast, shows Osho in a surprisingly somber and intellectual mood. He does crack jokes from time to time, usually featuring the Muslim satirical character Mulla Nasruddin, but overall, he sounds more serious in "The Mustard Seed" than he does on Youtube. He also sounds less libertine than in some of his other written works.

"The Mustard Seed" is a collection of talks, recorded and later written down by Osho's followers. Since the Osho International Foundation wants to put forward Osho's message as timeless, none of the speeches are dated. This is a problem, since the Osho movement did change over the years. Periodically, it was more closed and cultish, and at other times, more open. At least critical readers would want to know the context of Osho's remarks.

The contents of the book are far-reaching. Frankly, the man speaks about everything! The main theme is how to reach spiritual enlightenment, that "God" is within each of us, that we can find "God" if only we let go of worldly desires and seek fulfilment through meditation. Osho claims that this was the original message of Jesus, and attempts to prove this by quoting and interpreting the Gospel of Thomas, a Gnostic apocryphon not included in the official Christian Bible. While a few scholars consider the Gospel of Thomas to be based on early material, most are of the opinion that this text was written much later than the Biblical Gospels, and thus cannot contain the real message of Christ. Of course, this is of little consequence to Osho and *his* message, which stands on its own, even without the Gospel of Thomas. Still, it's not a co-incidence that Osho has choosen this particular document for comment. The Gospel of Thomas may not have been the true message of Jesus Christ, but the work does fit admirably well with "Eastern" forms of spirituality.

The most annoying statement in "The Mustard Seed" is Osho's claim that the Jews suffer because of their crucifixion of Jesus. Anti-Semitism? Perhaps, but Osho sounds equally anti-Christian and anti-Hindu. He says that Jews should claim Jesus, since Jesus, after all, was a Jew, not a Christian! His statement that the Hindus are better than the Jews since the Hindus never killed the Buddha, is surely intended as sarcasm. In reality, Osho and his fellow Hindus had very cold feelings towards each other, apparently one of the reasons why Osho later moved to the US.

The main problem with "The Mustard Seed" (apart from the weird typeface, making the book somewhat difficult to read) is that it doesn't sound very Oshoite. If you want vintage Osho, read "Freedom", "Courage" or "Sex Matters". Or listen to his Youtube appearances!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a Gift!, December 4, 2009

By 

Kristine A. Timpert (Warren, NJ United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Mustard Seed: The Revolutionary Teachings of Jesus (Paperback)

What a gift Osho was during his time here on Earth. This particular piece is a true gem in guiding the reader though the heart and intentions of Jesus. Now it's easy to understand the Journey of Self, the Journey we all must face on our own. I've read over 35 Osho books and this was one of my favorite.

5.0 out of 5 stars Enlightenment, October 9, 2011

By 

Alan - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mustard Seed: The Revolutionary Teachings of Jesus (Paperback)

Only a master knows a master. The Mustard Seed is a vivid immediacy into the master Jesus given to us in these times by Osho. There is no interpretation involved, the message is direct. I acknowledge the great privilege in being here to receive it. Reading this book brings Jesus directly to life. Don't miss this opportunity.
Where the Spirit Speaks to Its Own