The Book of Understanding: Creating Your Own Path to Freedom

By Osho

Book Overview

The path to freedom is filled with questions and uncertainty. Is it possible to truly know who we are? Do our lives have a purpose, or are we just accidental? What are we meant to contribute? What are we meant to become, to create, and to share? In The Book of Understanding , Osho, one of the most provocative thinkers of our time, challenges us to understand our world and ourselves in a new and radical way. The first step toward understanding, he says, is to question and doubt all that we have been taught to believe. All our lives we've been handed so-called truths by countless others--beliefs we learned to accept without reason. It is only in questioning our beliefs, assumptions, and prejudices that we can begin to uncover our own unique voice and heal the divisions within us and without. Once we discover our authentic self, we can embrace all aspects of the human experience--from the earthy, pleasure-loving qualities that characterize Zorba the Greek to the watchful, silent qualities of Gautam the Buddha. We can become whole and live with integrity, able to respond with creativity and compassion to the religious, political, and cultural divides that currently plague our society. In this groundbreaking work, Osho identifies, loosens, and ultimately helps to untie the knots of fear and misunderstanding that restrict us--leaving us free to discover and create our own individual path to freedom.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0307336948
• ISBN13: 9780307336941
• Release Date: February 2006
• Publisher: Harmony
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.21 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Authentic Self and Ultimate Understanding

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...

Enlightenment and Spiritual Development

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...

Start with the Body

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...

Eye-opening and challenging

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...

philosophies you'll take with you after the book is closed.

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...