"I am in a mess, but I like this work!September 14, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Osho's words encourage us while at the same time lightening our burdens with humor. It's ok to be uncertain, he tells us; life is uncertain. It's ok to be insecure; nothing in life is secure. All is subject to change, and if we can be better at accepting reality, at being one with whatever happens, by being observers of life rather than constantly trying to control things, then life's ups and downs lose their hold on us and we achieve a joyful inner state. Here are some of his points to help us get to that state:
1) Courage means pushing ahead despite the fear you're feeling;
2) Listen to life, don't expect life to listen to you or your logic, and that means knowing when to yield in the face life's storms;
3) Go with your heart and gamble on the unknown rather than using your head to always play it safe;
4) Be open to spontaneity and the vulnerability that might come with it rather than operating through ready-made conclusions, especially when you have not even explored the possibilities.
5) You may have great doubts, but if you can forge ahead despite these doubts you must also have great trust. You have to learn to go with your experience of life rather than your analysis of it (i.e., with the eyes of your heart rather than with the legs of your intellect), and that's how your trust begins to overcome the doubts.
6)Foster innocence by dying to the past and being reborn to the future;
7)Open the door to the new by not imposing your decision on events in life but by acting in the moment;
8) Know that love is light and darkness is the absence of that light; to foster love don't force it into narrow places, because love is an infinite sky in which you don't force your ideals on others but are accepting of others as they are;
9) Go by your inner sense and not by following the crowd, by realizing that you're one with your universe / reality/ God, that you are known and have already been judged by that universe/reality/God that created you when you were born (i.e., such inner sense becoming possible when you're not burdened by the weight of your feelings of separateness from that universe/reality/God);
10) Live dangerously, not by settling for the mundane, but by risking bodily, psychologically, and spiritually for the new.
The final word is that meditation is the process of living the joyful life discussed in this book. One star less than five, because the discussion on this could have been better -- there are better books out there on meditation itself.
Otherwise, this work is full of good, kind-hearted, humorous, and loving advice.
Courage - the door to joyMay 11, 2008 Each book I read of Osho contains a message that is for me alone. I feel as if I am in the presence of Osho and yet he is nothing more than the messenger delivering what is meant for me to read. Each page of this book or any of his books, holds an 'AHA' moment for me. Just for an example, on page 137: "Death is a quantum jump from one body, from one form into another form. But is not an end to you. You were never born and you never die. You are always here." This is what I have always been told about God. But it is also for me.
I'd give Osho 5 galaxies!May 9, 2008 When one would figure that every facet of courage has been covered, Osho has surprises in store. I am just speechless over his descriptive language and ability to get spiritual concepts across. This book has greatly enhanced my understanding of the great unknown which we often pretend is not out there. Osho invites us not to follow him but to take these leaps on our own. We are reminded of our divine right to question everything as opposed to having someone else take guide or take care of us. This book is permeated with lighthearted humor in each chapter that it just adds to the intoxicating pleasure I derive from it. I have kept this book within reach daily as I enjoy it wholeheartedly. I give this book 5 galaxies! Charles Wildbank
Refreshing and challengingFebruary 27, 2008 OSHO certainly has a point with his world view. The book is quite provocative, has many simple annecdotes and is easy to understand. It is not as easy to put it to action, but it is worth a try.
Empowering.November 24, 2007 osho's explanations are well written and concise. he makes a lot of interesting points and they are supplemented with old tales that bring to light what he is describing. He maintains that one should think for oneself and not be a follower of anything.
