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Outrageous Openness: Letting the Divine Take the Lead
A compilation of funny, irreverently reverent stories on aligning with the Divine in daily life. For the passionately spiritual and bemusedly skeptical alike. Adapted from a popular column originally published as San Francisco's Spiritual Examiner at examiner.com. "What if God IS the story? What if the Divine is constantly igniting roadside flares to get our attention? What if there actually IS a Supreme Organizing Principle with a ribald and unbridled sense of humor? And what if we each have this ardent inner suitor who's writing us love letters every day that often go unopened?" What if indeed? Read on. Author Bio: Tosha Silver grew up thinking one day she would be a rabbi, a lawyer or a weathergirl. But fate had other ideas. She graduated from Yale with a degree in English Literature but along the way fell madly in love with metaphysics and yogic philosophy. For the last 30 years she has taught many ways to align with the inner Divine. She lives near San Francisco and also writes a spiritual column at examiner.com. More information at www.toshasilver.com
182 pages, Paperback
First published May 3, 2011
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January 24, 2023
A friend of mine had a party at her house, a few years back, and everything was going fine until she and one of her guests started having a heated argument about climate change, right in the middle of her living room.
This friend and I have different opinions about climate change, but that doesn't impact the way I feel about her, or how badly I felt about her having an argument with a friend at her own party.
I didn't get involved in the dispute, but I did stay after the party, to help her clean up in the kitchen. She was obviously still upset, throwing the empty beer and wine bottles so hard into the recycling bin, some of them were shattering. That's when a light bulb went off in my head.
I said to her, “Hey, you always recycle, right? Like, you wouldn't think of just throwing all of this into the garbage bin tonight?” She looked over at me, suspiciously, and said, “No. Of course not.”
Then I looked around at all of the platters of food that she'd prepared for us that night, and I said, “And probably half these veggies came from your garden, didn't they?”
Sniffle. Sniffle. “Yeah?”
“So. . . don't you think you're a good steward of our planet?”
She started to perk back up. “Yes, of course I am. You know how I feel about it.”
I was like, “Of course I do. I know how you are, and you know how you are. You ladies got upset tonight, because you were triggered by labels.”
I hadn't thought about this story for years, but Tosha Silver's OUTRAGEOUS OPENNESS is filled with stories like this one.
Great stories, most of them focused on what can happen if you live a life focused on Divine Order.
But, a lot of people who step up to peek at this book are going to be turned off by it.
Because. . . even though Ms. Silver was raised in a Jewish family (with 6 rabbis in her family of origin), she does not identify as Jewish.
And. . . even though Ms. Silver often refers to Spirit as Goddess, instead of Jesus Christ or Lord, she does not identify as Christian or Muslim or Buddhist.
And. . . even though Ms. Silver often refers to the Source as Goddess, she does not identify as pagan.
The way I see it: the people who need this book will find this book, and they will not be limited to the language used within.
I remember once, in a women's spirituality group, I pulled the teacher aside privately, and I told her I wouldn't be continuing in the class any longer, because one evangelical Christian in the group insisted on talking about all of our sins, and I don't subscribe to this word, or this type of thinking.
The teacher, who has known me for years, gave me one of her famous sidelong glances, and said, “Really, Julie? You're a poet. You can't substitute that word, in your mind, for something that works better for you?”
I did, and I remained in the class. (I learned quite a bit about myself and my process, too).
Sometimes we need to take a deep breath, sit on our hands, quiet our minds. Sometimes we need to stick around for the message.
This friend and I have different opinions about climate change, but that doesn't impact the way I feel about her, or how badly I felt about her having an argument with a friend at her own party.
I didn't get involved in the dispute, but I did stay after the party, to help her clean up in the kitchen. She was obviously still upset, throwing the empty beer and wine bottles so hard into the recycling bin, some of them were shattering. That's when a light bulb went off in my head.
I said to her, “Hey, you always recycle, right? Like, you wouldn't think of just throwing all of this into the garbage bin tonight?” She looked over at me, suspiciously, and said, “No. Of course not.”
Then I looked around at all of the platters of food that she'd prepared for us that night, and I said, “And probably half these veggies came from your garden, didn't they?”
Sniffle. Sniffle. “Yeah?”
“So. . . don't you think you're a good steward of our planet?”
She started to perk back up. “Yes, of course I am. You know how I feel about it.”
I was like, “Of course I do. I know how you are, and you know how you are. You ladies got upset tonight, because you were triggered by labels.”
I hadn't thought about this story for years, but Tosha Silver's OUTRAGEOUS OPENNESS is filled with stories like this one.
Great stories, most of them focused on what can happen if you live a life focused on Divine Order.
But, a lot of people who step up to peek at this book are going to be turned off by it.
Because. . . even though Ms. Silver was raised in a Jewish family (with 6 rabbis in her family of origin), she does not identify as Jewish.
And. . . even though Ms. Silver often refers to Spirit as Goddess, instead of Jesus Christ or Lord, she does not identify as Christian or Muslim or Buddhist.
And. . . even though Ms. Silver often refers to the Source as Goddess, she does not identify as pagan.
The way I see it: the people who need this book will find this book, and they will not be limited to the language used within.
I remember once, in a women's spirituality group, I pulled the teacher aside privately, and I told her I wouldn't be continuing in the class any longer, because one evangelical Christian in the group insisted on talking about all of our sins, and I don't subscribe to this word, or this type of thinking.
The teacher, who has known me for years, gave me one of her famous sidelong glances, and said, “Really, Julie? You're a poet. You can't substitute that word, in your mind, for something that works better for you?”
I did, and I remained in the class. (I learned quite a bit about myself and my process, too).
Sometimes we need to take a deep breath, sit on our hands, quiet our minds. Sometimes we need to stick around for the message.
February 6, 2017
Errr. People are raving about this book. Me, not so much. I really wanted to like this more, especially since it was recommended by a friend and I love its overall message.
And no, this is not a review coming from a skeptical-minded person not ready for these books yet. I’ve read many books on spirituality that I now live by, have Tarot readings done, go to my yoga classes, and burn more sage than is probably healthy… This tells you nothing you need to know about me, but it should tell you that I’m open to these types of books.
First, let me talk about what I did like.
The message:
“ABUNDANCE IS SOMETHING TO BE, NOT SEEK OR AWAIT.”
Basically this book tells you that if you let the Divine into your life, everything will play out just as it should. When you believe that everything is already planned out for you, that whatever happens, needs to happen, stress, anxiety and tension will be relieved. I do believe this. Each chapter is divided into sub-chapters, not more than 2 to 3 pages long, in which Silver gives personal anecdotes of instances in which she chose to let the Divine guide her. She talks in a funny and charismatic way, it’s not overly religious or new-agey hippy language-using. I guess that’s a plus for most people (me included).
Now what I didn’t like:
All of these chapters are repetitive and most of them end with a statement such as: I forgot to invoke the Divine Order so let me say a quick prayer/invocation and then everything turns out just the way it’s planned! Yay!
Spot my sarcasm? A few stories are believable. But saying that Divine Order helped you get a parking space…. not so sure.
Furthermore, she is an astrologist. For someone who’s only a beginning astrological enthusiast, her references to astrology are annoying and unnecessary. She does not go into the details of astrology, she just likes to throw around astrological terms:
“the uber-Sagittarian offhand way,” “my diligent Capricorn self,” a “double Cancer,” “being born with Neptune on my Ascendant,” or my absolute favorite, “today was a NEW MOON at twenty-seven degrees Leo, on top of my Pluto and Jupiter, opposing my moon and Venus, and squaring Mars and Saturn.” These statements do NOT make sense to the general public.
I actually don’t have a whole lot to say about this book. I’m sad this was a disappointment to me because I love the heart and intention that were put into it. The overall message remains true and important, the execution of it could have been better. This was my first Tosha Silver and maybe I’m not used to her writing yet. I don’t know, I just think her writing is not for me.
And no, this is not a review coming from a skeptical-minded person not ready for these books yet. I’ve read many books on spirituality that I now live by, have Tarot readings done, go to my yoga classes, and burn more sage than is probably healthy… This tells you nothing you need to know about me, but it should tell you that I’m open to these types of books.
First, let me talk about what I did like.
The message:
“ABUNDANCE IS SOMETHING TO BE, NOT SEEK OR AWAIT.”
Basically this book tells you that if you let the Divine into your life, everything will play out just as it should. When you believe that everything is already planned out for you, that whatever happens, needs to happen, stress, anxiety and tension will be relieved. I do believe this. Each chapter is divided into sub-chapters, not more than 2 to 3 pages long, in which Silver gives personal anecdotes of instances in which she chose to let the Divine guide her. She talks in a funny and charismatic way, it’s not overly religious or new-agey hippy language-using. I guess that’s a plus for most people (me included).
Now what I didn’t like:
All of these chapters are repetitive and most of them end with a statement such as: I forgot to invoke the Divine Order so let me say a quick prayer/invocation and then everything turns out just the way it’s planned! Yay!
Spot my sarcasm? A few stories are believable. But saying that Divine Order helped you get a parking space…. not so sure.
Furthermore, she is an astrologist. For someone who’s only a beginning astrological enthusiast, her references to astrology are annoying and unnecessary. She does not go into the details of astrology, she just likes to throw around astrological terms:
“the uber-Sagittarian offhand way,” “my diligent Capricorn self,” a “double Cancer,” “being born with Neptune on my Ascendant,” or my absolute favorite, “today was a NEW MOON at twenty-seven degrees Leo, on top of my Pluto and Jupiter, opposing my moon and Venus, and squaring Mars and Saturn.” These statements do NOT make sense to the general public.
I actually don’t have a whole lot to say about this book. I’m sad this was a disappointment to me because I love the heart and intention that were put into it. The overall message remains true and important, the execution of it could have been better. This was my first Tosha Silver and maybe I’m not used to her writing yet. I don’t know, I just think her writing is not for me.
February 10, 2014
Since Valentine's Day is "International Book Giving Day" I asked for this for my gift. I follow Tosha Silver on FB and have been intrigued by some of her posts about astrology and excerpts about this book.
This is a great read for the open-minded and open-hearted. What a touching book for the heart chakra! It has such good stories and practical advice relating to the practice of trusting the Universe for our good and not living small and in fear.
I'm a huge fan of spirituality books and have been manifesting for years, but you can easily lose sight of how to do it under the stresses of everyday life and lose the connection. I feel as if I know Tosha without ever meeting her. Both, hard workers and a bit nervous from growing up under constant scrutiny, we try, try, and try some more to make things happen. O.k., force things to happen to feel worthy.
I've read The Secret, The Power of Now and I'm currently doing the e-course The Gifts of Imperfection, yet after reading this book Outrageous Openness, I get it. I think I finally get it! I get that I no longer have to live in an all-knowing, anxiety-ridden state where I'm the forceful navigator of my own life. My new motto after reading this is "try, but trust" (the process, the delays, the no's and the yeses) and know that whatever is happening, is in my best interest and that no amount of worry and input on my part (after my initial divine prayer and leaving it in the Universe to do it's "thang") won't change the outcome. Kinda feels like a breath of fresh air and an invitation to be. Just be.
This is a great read for the open-minded and open-hearted. What a touching book for the heart chakra! It has such good stories and practical advice relating to the practice of trusting the Universe for our good and not living small and in fear.
I'm a huge fan of spirituality books and have been manifesting for years, but you can easily lose sight of how to do it under the stresses of everyday life and lose the connection. I feel as if I know Tosha without ever meeting her. Both, hard workers and a bit nervous from growing up under constant scrutiny, we try, try, and try some more to make things happen. O.k., force things to happen to feel worthy.
I've read The Secret, The Power of Now and I'm currently doing the e-course The Gifts of Imperfection, yet after reading this book Outrageous Openness, I get it. I think I finally get it! I get that I no longer have to live in an all-knowing, anxiety-ridden state where I'm the forceful navigator of my own life. My new motto after reading this is "try, but trust" (the process, the delays, the no's and the yeses) and know that whatever is happening, is in my best interest and that no amount of worry and input on my part (after my initial divine prayer and leaving it in the Universe to do it's "thang") won't change the outcome. Kinda feels like a breath of fresh air and an invitation to be. Just be.
July 16, 2012
GET THIS BOOK! You will not regret the small price for the immense wisdom and joy found between the pages, and in my case (the audio book) in the calm lovely voice of the author herself! This book could not have come at a more perfect time for me – exactly the message of Tosha’s book: to notice the signs in day to day life that affirm and guide us on our individual paths and to trust the Divine and let it take the lead. I have read countless books, been to lectures, retreats, and watched so many programs on these principles from many of “the” great teachers and Tosha’s book has spoken to me in just as powerful a way – if not more so.
Maybe it’s her humility, her stories of her everyday life and of those around her, and the fantastic suggestions she has given to her clients over the years that make what she shares so powerful. Regardless this book gave me the feeling that this can happen for me too – and wait – it HAS happened for me in the past – so why not again and again? I have known this all along but have kept forgetting that indeed this is a daily practice. Other teacher’s lessons have been powerful, don’t get me wrong. But somehow because I consciously and unconsciously put them on some kind of pedestal, somehow I couldn’t truly feel as worthy or enlightened as the particular teacher I was listening to. Tosha’s book changed that piece for me in a big way. Why? I can’t tell you exactly except that her energy is so genuine, it’s like sitting and listening to a friend, an equal – and somehow that feels more believable to me than someone up on a stage with a crew of people and a huge audience of followers. That’s just me I suppose. Outrageous Openness – Letting the Divine Take the Lead brings so many spiritual teachings down to earth in a way that is so accessible that it is impossible to not feel something magical happen inside changing while digesting her stories and wisdom.
I usually prefer reading over audio books, but this was an unexpected gift, and so I listened. In fact, hearing her voice, after years or reading her column on the SF Examiner gave me a completely different perspective and allowed me to hear things in a way that never got through to me when I read part of that same story in one of her columns. I actually truly enjoyed listening and am now grateful I got it in this format. On my iPod anywhere I go – easy access! I cannot emphasize enough what a treasure this book is. Her wisdom is astounding because she takes age old spiritual principles and shows how easy these are to live in the fast paced modern world we inhabit. Her stories are highly entertaining, full of irony and optimism; and her insight and guidance simple and easy in all of its profundity. I have heard these things over and over for years, but Tosha has put this “handbook for living” into a very accessible and easy to follow read for anyone.
If you feel drawn to this book – follow your gut. It has never steered me wrong: something I was reminded of over and over in her words, and which in hearing again, allowed me the permission to become stronger and more self-reliant in trusting myself and the Divine for guidance and answers – AND in how to go about asking in a way that works. I thank Tosha Silver for taking the time and energy to share her words and wisdom with us, and for her incredible honesty and openness. I feel tremendous gratitude for being led to her work and for her courage to share with such love and compassion for humanity. This book has helped me during a crucial time in my life and I KNOW I will be going back to it again and again like a manual for when I need some reminders of what truly matters and some guidance on how to muddle through the mess and let go of the stress.
Maybe it’s her humility, her stories of her everyday life and of those around her, and the fantastic suggestions she has given to her clients over the years that make what she shares so powerful. Regardless this book gave me the feeling that this can happen for me too – and wait – it HAS happened for me in the past – so why not again and again? I have known this all along but have kept forgetting that indeed this is a daily practice. Other teacher’s lessons have been powerful, don’t get me wrong. But somehow because I consciously and unconsciously put them on some kind of pedestal, somehow I couldn’t truly feel as worthy or enlightened as the particular teacher I was listening to. Tosha’s book changed that piece for me in a big way. Why? I can’t tell you exactly except that her energy is so genuine, it’s like sitting and listening to a friend, an equal – and somehow that feels more believable to me than someone up on a stage with a crew of people and a huge audience of followers. That’s just me I suppose. Outrageous Openness – Letting the Divine Take the Lead brings so many spiritual teachings down to earth in a way that is so accessible that it is impossible to not feel something magical happen inside changing while digesting her stories and wisdom.
I usually prefer reading over audio books, but this was an unexpected gift, and so I listened. In fact, hearing her voice, after years or reading her column on the SF Examiner gave me a completely different perspective and allowed me to hear things in a way that never got through to me when I read part of that same story in one of her columns. I actually truly enjoyed listening and am now grateful I got it in this format. On my iPod anywhere I go – easy access! I cannot emphasize enough what a treasure this book is. Her wisdom is astounding because she takes age old spiritual principles and shows how easy these are to live in the fast paced modern world we inhabit. Her stories are highly entertaining, full of irony and optimism; and her insight and guidance simple and easy in all of its profundity. I have heard these things over and over for years, but Tosha has put this “handbook for living” into a very accessible and easy to follow read for anyone.
If you feel drawn to this book – follow your gut. It has never steered me wrong: something I was reminded of over and over in her words, and which in hearing again, allowed me the permission to become stronger and more self-reliant in trusting myself and the Divine for guidance and answers – AND in how to go about asking in a way that works. I thank Tosha Silver for taking the time and energy to share her words and wisdom with us, and for her incredible honesty and openness. I feel tremendous gratitude for being led to her work and for her courage to share with such love and compassion for humanity. This book has helped me during a crucial time in my life and I KNOW I will be going back to it again and again like a manual for when I need some reminders of what truly matters and some guidance on how to muddle through the mess and let go of the stress.
December 12, 2017
I had mixed feelings about "Outrageous Openness." As a child of the 70s myself and former follower of Divine Light Mission, I have heard many of these sorts of pearls of wisdom uttered before, albeit in different format. Ms. Silver mined spiritual nuggets for her book from sources ranging from the New Testament to Carlos Castaneda, with colorful stories from her own life to illustrate how we can prosper (spiritually and financially) just from being open to Divine Energy. Kind of like the "Lillies of the Field" parable in the Bible (they toil not....yada yada yada). However, Ms. Silver's particular experience of bathing in the goodness of divine love is one of a white woman of privilege (hence the Yale English degree, references to wealthy influential friends etc.). Like so many of her ilk, Ms. Silver doesn't, and perhaps could never, understand the challenges of getting along in this material world without her lofty pedigree. Om mani padme hmmmmmmm.
January 6, 2020
219 pages of "let go and let God." Very repetitive.
April 8, 2024
This book was meant for me, here and now. It literally found me in an obscure second hand shop in Sonoma County where I was visiting for a spontaneous weekend trip that I had booked two days prior to going. I bought it intending to give it to a friend, but decided I would read a bit of it first.
Oddly enough I realized the book happened to be set in the same city I flew into, San Francisco. Coincidence? I think not.
I have been craving and needing to connect to the divine and find peace in the spiritual realm. It’s been a year, and I am grateful to have been led to where I am today. This book is a fortification of the prayers and reassurance I needed right now.
I can’t say it will be that way for everyone who picks it up. You have to be open to it. I genuinely feel like it was given to me by the universe. And to the universe and author, I say thank you, thank you, thank you.
Oddly enough I realized the book happened to be set in the same city I flew into, San Francisco. Coincidence? I think not.
I have been craving and needing to connect to the divine and find peace in the spiritual realm. It’s been a year, and I am grateful to have been led to where I am today. This book is a fortification of the prayers and reassurance I needed right now.
I can’t say it will be that way for everyone who picks it up. You have to be open to it. I genuinely feel like it was given to me by the universe. And to the universe and author, I say thank you, thank you, thank you.
July 28, 2015
First sentence: Years ago I became fascinated by an adorable book called Are You My Mother?, the tale of a baby bird searching the world for its home.
Favorite quotes:
Beside every blade of grass is an angel saying, 'Grow, grow, grow.' - Kabbalistic saying
So to me, operating without the help of signs would be like refusing to turn on the lights in a darkened room. Why stumble around tripping over furniture when the Universe has the bulbs?
When you knock, ask to see God...not any of the self-appointed intermediaries. - Thoreau
I have unshakable faith in in the perfect outcome of every situation in my life, for I am allowing God to be in absolute control and guide me in all proper actions. Catherine Ponder
Every one has potential luminosity and grace.
This book is filled with wonderful thoughts, ideas new and old, wise guidance and plenty of humor. Tosha Silver is one of several inspiring, thought provoking, wise, clear thinking authors I have run across recently. Others include Lissa Rankin, Pam Grout, Nick Ortner, Martha Beck, Elizabeth Gilbert. They join other authors I have found to be great thinkers and spiritualist Esther Hicks, Marianne Williamson, and Caroline Myss to name just a few. I look forward to this continued journey.
Favorite quotes:
Beside every blade of grass is an angel saying, 'Grow, grow, grow.' - Kabbalistic saying
So to me, operating without the help of signs would be like refusing to turn on the lights in a darkened room. Why stumble around tripping over furniture when the Universe has the bulbs?
When you knock, ask to see God...not any of the self-appointed intermediaries. - Thoreau
I have unshakable faith in in the perfect outcome of every situation in my life, for I am allowing God to be in absolute control and guide me in all proper actions. Catherine Ponder
Every one has potential luminosity and grace.
This book is filled with wonderful thoughts, ideas new and old, wise guidance and plenty of humor. Tosha Silver is one of several inspiring, thought provoking, wise, clear thinking authors I have run across recently. Others include Lissa Rankin, Pam Grout, Nick Ortner, Martha Beck, Elizabeth Gilbert. They join other authors I have found to be great thinkers and spiritualist Esther Hicks, Marianne Williamson, and Caroline Myss to name just a few. I look forward to this continued journey.
March 11, 2017
This was a weird little book.
What I liked: Tiny, 2-3 paged chapters were very digestible. All the stories were brimming with enthusiasm, positivity and zest, so reading it made me feel lighthearted. Some solid spiritual advice.
What I disliked: Let's face it - a San Fran'er who frequently writes things like "He was an Aries with Leo rising", is going to be polarizing to a lot of people. Like when I read Christian-centric books (or other books with a strong spiritual paradigm), I had to do a lot of "language interpretation", filtering the information through my own worldview. It's okay - and I like reading from different perspectives - but it makes it the kind of book I wouldn't recommend to the general public, even though there's some good nuggets of wisdom in here.
I had fun with it nonetheless. This book was a good reminder that life tends to flow more smoothly when I loosen my death-grip of control on it. That it's best to let things unfold naturally, without the ego intervening.
What I liked: Tiny, 2-3 paged chapters were very digestible. All the stories were brimming with enthusiasm, positivity and zest, so reading it made me feel lighthearted. Some solid spiritual advice.
What I disliked: Let's face it - a San Fran'er who frequently writes things like "He was an Aries with Leo rising", is going to be polarizing to a lot of people. Like when I read Christian-centric books (or other books with a strong spiritual paradigm), I had to do a lot of "language interpretation", filtering the information through my own worldview. It's okay - and I like reading from different perspectives - but it makes it the kind of book I wouldn't recommend to the general public, even though there's some good nuggets of wisdom in here.
I had fun with it nonetheless. This book was a good reminder that life tends to flow more smoothly when I loosen my death-grip of control on it. That it's best to let things unfold naturally, without the ego intervening.
March 20, 2017
This is the best spiritual book I've read so far ,it puts your faith and all the spiritual ideas you believe in to the test ,it reconnects you again with the divine force of love ,God :)
Practical ,inspiring and Simply Mind-blowing :)
We are really connected to God ,the divine power that rules this universe and all we have to do to connect to this magnificent power is to ask ,seek help ,pray and as the author puts it "Call in the divine order" and letting go of all your worries and problem by letting the divine take the lead ,our lives will change completely
We are so much closer to God than we can ever imagine,we just have to take the first step and connect to that divine oneness and we have nothing to lose ,Try it as an experiment and it really works :)
This book really changed my life ,A Must-read and I highly recommend it :)
Practical ,inspiring and Simply Mind-blowing :)
We are really connected to God ,the divine power that rules this universe and all we have to do to connect to this magnificent power is to ask ,seek help ,pray and as the author puts it "Call in the divine order" and letting go of all your worries and problem by letting the divine take the lead ,our lives will change completely
We are so much closer to God than we can ever imagine,we just have to take the first step and connect to that divine oneness and we have nothing to lose ,Try it as an experiment and it really works :)
This book really changed my life ,A Must-read and I highly recommend it :)
October 6, 2019
This was a beautifully written spiritual journey of a book with many lovely, uplifting miracles spread throughout. Whenever I was feeling anxious or sad, I would read a chapter and immediately be filled with hope and excitement about the road ahead in my twisty, turny life. I highly recommend Tosha Silver as a spiritual guru of an author!!!
December 31, 2014
I have read The game of life and how to play it by Florence Shovel Shin last year and loved it so very much. However this book is like the 2014 version.
It is so inspiring and I will be rereading this book over and over in the future. I believe it will help centre me and help me to have FAITH in the divine even when I am feeling down.
It is so inspiring and I will be rereading this book over and over in the future. I believe it will help centre me and help me to have FAITH in the divine even when I am feeling down.
June 26, 2012
This is a super funny, witty, charismatic and entertaining read! And not to mention super practical. This isn't some dense new-age theoretical read or some religious mumbo jumbo. It's a smooth, rich, and delightful and fun read into what the heck all this law of attraction is REALLY about!
March 17, 2016
A light, quick read. A lot of anecdotes, fun, but not a lot of substance.
February 10, 2025
I will probably will be rereading chapters from this book from time to time to remind myself about the life lessons mentioned in the book and cheer myself up.
Update:
Reread it.
Update:
Reread it.
February 8, 2024
Na het uitgelezen te hebben ben ik er meteen weer in begonnen. Korte verhaaltjes over overgave aan het Goddelijke, en over leven met open handen. Zeker niet zwaar op de hand, een boek om af en toe zomaar ergens open te slaan en van een inzicht te genieten. Ik heb het al aan meerdere mensen aangeraden, gewoon om een ander perspectief over samenleven met het Goddelijke - hoe je het ook noemt.
May 28, 2020
Alright, let me be straight from the beginning: I think, and it is my personal experience (and that of many friends and clients) the so-called "Law of Attraction" is… (insert copious quantities of profanities here). It's no law, it doesn't work the way the authors have been claiming for a century it does, and it's severely limited in scope. Throw away your vision boards because they distract you from doing the work.
THAT much Tosha Silver has gotten right in this book.
But the rest? The dozens of short snippets and "believe me, this really happened to me" stories? Thinly veiled Law of Attraction. And you know what? This makes me angry, at least slightly. As a lifelong practitioner of animism/chaos magick and Bhakta, my heart was lit on fire when Tosha wrote, "Burn your vision boards". I'm fully on board with that sentiment. In my experience, some of them literal life-or-death situations, what really helped, the only things that helped, were trusting the gods, and doing magick. Not positive thinking. Not New Age. And no, not New Thought, either. But that's what Tosha's book really is: New Thought, packaged in bright West Coast colors. Florence Scovel Shinn's material, dressed in new clothes.
The single one glaring contradiction of the book is so obvious, it makes me wonder how people can give it a 5-star rating. But then again, we're all in this together, and each of us has a different path. So, what's the elephant in the room, then? This one here: First, Tosha says, with many words, "let Go(d)". That's what Florence Scovel Shinn said, and that's what Tosha says, too. And she stresses the importance of not acting on the ego because ego is always limited and so much smaller than god. So, wishing for that job with the XYZ corp comes from ego, and wishing/visualizing for that brand-new Porsche is also ego-based. "Don't do that", Tosha advices, and that's all good, and all true.
BUT THEN.
Suddenly, I'm reading person ABC is X amount of dollars short, and NO, she knows wishing/law-of-attractioning/"manifesting" the dough is ego-based and thus, er, not goooooooood. What does Mr/s X do instead? S/he trusts "Infinite Spirit"/God/"The Dao" to deliver said x amount of dollars. Because, you know, that's TOTALLY DIFFERENT and TOTALLY NOT EGO-BASED, compared to wishboarding or slinging a spell.
I really had high hopes Tosha's book would be different. I hoped so much that her book doesn't treat God as cosmic delivery service, like a warehouse manager in the sky. I had really hoped she understood what "the Dao" (as she sometimes calls it) really is, what karma really is (and not the pop-culture version of it), what trusting God and the gods really means: letting go totally, being wishless, seeing the hand you were dealt as the best thing since sliced bread. But, alas, no such luck. Instead, what you get is "hey, trust God to cough up that money".
Outrageous Openness could have been one of the better books, like F*ck It, or The Tao of Pooh, or The Abide Guide. Instead, we get another Secret, this time with a thin layer of spiritual paint.
THAT much Tosha Silver has gotten right in this book.
But the rest? The dozens of short snippets and "believe me, this really happened to me" stories? Thinly veiled Law of Attraction. And you know what? This makes me angry, at least slightly. As a lifelong practitioner of animism/chaos magick and Bhakta, my heart was lit on fire when Tosha wrote, "Burn your vision boards". I'm fully on board with that sentiment. In my experience, some of them literal life-or-death situations, what really helped, the only things that helped, were trusting the gods, and doing magick. Not positive thinking. Not New Age. And no, not New Thought, either. But that's what Tosha's book really is: New Thought, packaged in bright West Coast colors. Florence Scovel Shinn's material, dressed in new clothes.
The single one glaring contradiction of the book is so obvious, it makes me wonder how people can give it a 5-star rating. But then again, we're all in this together, and each of us has a different path. So, what's the elephant in the room, then? This one here: First, Tosha says, with many words, "let Go(d)". That's what Florence Scovel Shinn said, and that's what Tosha says, too. And she stresses the importance of not acting on the ego because ego is always limited and so much smaller than god. So, wishing for that job with the XYZ corp comes from ego, and wishing/visualizing for that brand-new Porsche is also ego-based. "Don't do that", Tosha advices, and that's all good, and all true.
BUT THEN.
Suddenly, I'm reading person ABC is X amount of dollars short, and NO, she knows wishing/law-of-attractioning/"manifesting" the dough is ego-based and thus, er, not goooooooood. What does Mr/s X do instead? S/he trusts "Infinite Spirit"/God/"The Dao" to deliver said x amount of dollars. Because, you know, that's TOTALLY DIFFERENT and TOTALLY NOT EGO-BASED, compared to wishboarding or slinging a spell.
I really had high hopes Tosha's book would be different. I hoped so much that her book doesn't treat God as cosmic delivery service, like a warehouse manager in the sky. I had really hoped she understood what "the Dao" (as she sometimes calls it) really is, what karma really is (and not the pop-culture version of it), what trusting God and the gods really means: letting go totally, being wishless, seeing the hand you were dealt as the best thing since sliced bread. But, alas, no such luck. Instead, what you get is "hey, trust God to cough up that money".
Outrageous Openness could have been one of the better books, like F*ck It, or The Tao of Pooh, or The Abide Guide. Instead, we get another Secret, this time with a thin layer of spiritual paint.
September 12, 2016
This was an amazingly inspiring and soothingly hopeful book. I read "Outrageous Openness" almost at one go and right after that the author's other book Change Me Prayers, so I'll review these together, as I can't separate my thoughts about these both wonderful books.
These books where both entertaining to read - "Outrageous Openness" even more so. The stories give a wonderful rainbow of ways small selves make their own life harder, which helped me to recognize things of myself. I didn't only notice "bad things" but a lot of good ways I'm already living and how much those thoughts without doubt have already blessed my life.
I don't consider my self a religious type of a person, so for me the divine is some sort of a universal energy or perhaps just my own higher self. These books don't push any particular religion, which I liked a lot.
And the following are some reasons why I wanted to read these books and why I'm so happy that I did. I'm quite an idealistic and I feel very anguished because of the state of the planet and how much suffering there seems to be in the world. I struggle with choices what are environmentally good choices overall, how to support small local economics, how much to donate for charity, what to eat, how to exercise, where and how to live, am I good enough and unselfish enough a person etc. There is so much to consider when doing "right" choices. And so many times me wanting something still gets the first priority. Like air travel. I love to travel, but feel bad because of pollution. And every now and then I feel bad that I have so much wonderfulness in my life (non-material and material), and so many seems to have a very little. ... Don't get me wrong. In spite of these feelings most of the time I'm a very happy person by nature. The life just is too beautiful to spoil it by worrying constantly. And I'm getting better and better by the years not to worry about things I don't feel to be able to change.
I've already started and I'm definitely going to continue to change my mindset towards where these two books show the way. I already have a lot of wonderful techniques that have helped me a lot to be more present, follow my intuition and love myself more. I'm hoping that by following these books' guidance I can forget bad conscience for good and trust myself that I'm guided to make the right choices from all points of view.
These books where both entertaining to read - "Outrageous Openness" even more so. The stories give a wonderful rainbow of ways small selves make their own life harder, which helped me to recognize things of myself. I didn't only notice "bad things" but a lot of good ways I'm already living and how much those thoughts without doubt have already blessed my life.
I don't consider my self a religious type of a person, so for me the divine is some sort of a universal energy or perhaps just my own higher self. These books don't push any particular religion, which I liked a lot.
And the following are some reasons why I wanted to read these books and why I'm so happy that I did. I'm quite an idealistic and I feel very anguished because of the state of the planet and how much suffering there seems to be in the world. I struggle with choices what are environmentally good choices overall, how to support small local economics, how much to donate for charity, what to eat, how to exercise, where and how to live, am I good enough and unselfish enough a person etc. There is so much to consider when doing "right" choices. And so many times me wanting something still gets the first priority. Like air travel. I love to travel, but feel bad because of pollution. And every now and then I feel bad that I have so much wonderfulness in my life (non-material and material), and so many seems to have a very little. ... Don't get me wrong. In spite of these feelings most of the time I'm a very happy person by nature. The life just is too beautiful to spoil it by worrying constantly. And I'm getting better and better by the years not to worry about things I don't feel to be able to change.
I've already started and I'm definitely going to continue to change my mindset towards where these two books show the way. I already have a lot of wonderful techniques that have helped me a lot to be more present, follow my intuition and love myself more. I'm hoping that by following these books' guidance I can forget bad conscience for good and trust myself that I'm guided to make the right choices from all points of view.
April 21, 2024
Outrageous Openness is not the most refined book on Spirituality, and I almost gave this a 4-star rating in spite of this because her writing is heartwarming to a degree…
I don’t think this lady and I will ever be caught sharing a burrito in the mission district of San Francisco, but one of the points she makes in her book is that anything can happen… i guess i’ll be leaving that to Divine Order?
If we were at a table sharing a burrito down the street, and I had full and free liberty to truly say whatever I wanted without any negative repercussions (who ever actually has that), my jaded self would say to her:
You seem wrapped up in your own self-importance and you’re taking yourself way too seriously. Obviously you moved to SF from a less liberated place, you took on a cliche identity (not at all new to this area), and you rehash cliche ideas, but you didn’t actually dive in to make these ideas alive to the reader, to make your point, to exercise your real expertise! you weren’t vulnerable enough except when…
What did seem real was when you talk about when you were sick. Sorry that happened, that must have been hard. I felt your despair in the text. But cmon… i don’t really want to read about parking spaces and apartment rentals ffs. Bring more to the table! yes, living in sf is cool, but your book is never going to be anything close to Sex and The City level. And the astrology? I didn’t even see that coming. Is it in the blurb?…
Oh, and one more thing. I come from a Christian background so if you’re going to include a bible verse, don’t slight diss the good book right after!
Now I’m leaving. I got this. You got the tip? (tosses $27 on the table). Have fun at your yoga class, I gotta go to the gym now to work off this big ass burrito.
I don’t think this lady and I will ever be caught sharing a burrito in the mission district of San Francisco, but one of the points she makes in her book is that anything can happen… i guess i’ll be leaving that to Divine Order?
If we were at a table sharing a burrito down the street, and I had full and free liberty to truly say whatever I wanted without any negative repercussions (who ever actually has that), my jaded self would say to her:
You seem wrapped up in your own self-importance and you’re taking yourself way too seriously. Obviously you moved to SF from a less liberated place, you took on a cliche identity (not at all new to this area), and you rehash cliche ideas, but you didn’t actually dive in to make these ideas alive to the reader, to make your point, to exercise your real expertise! you weren’t vulnerable enough except when…
What did seem real was when you talk about when you were sick. Sorry that happened, that must have been hard. I felt your despair in the text. But cmon… i don’t really want to read about parking spaces and apartment rentals ffs. Bring more to the table! yes, living in sf is cool, but your book is never going to be anything close to Sex and The City level. And the astrology? I didn’t even see that coming. Is it in the blurb?…
Oh, and one more thing. I come from a Christian background so if you’re going to include a bible verse, don’t slight diss the good book right after!
Now I’m leaving. I got this. You got the tip? (tosses $27 on the table). Have fun at your yoga class, I gotta go to the gym now to work off this big ass burrito.
October 13, 2015
When I began reading this book, I knew after the first chapter that this is a book I will not only purchase but will keep at my fingertips to reread portions whenever I know I've "forgotten" how the Universe works. I've been doing Tosha Silver's approach to living life from a spiritual "God knows best" ever since first coming in contact with Silva Mind Control techniques and realizing they work like magic. I want to own this book to be reminded through the many three-page chapters of Silver's experiences that life is as sweet and workable as we allow it to be, that the Force is always waiting in service to help us to fulfill our destiny in service to the world. I always want to remember that I need not worry about anything. Each chapter begins with a quote or two derived from the greatest minds to ever walk the planet. Many of her chapters made me LOL or get goose-bumps in the knowing that I have experienced as many "miracles" as she has but have never put them to paper.(Maybe it's about time I start telling my own stories. I can feel their coming birth already!) I am reminded through her writing that age, education, and even past decisions, each having their place, do not drive the bus, that the best we can do is get out of our own way and make way for spirit to move within us to enable us to make our next best move. Let those who have ears, hear. This book may be calling to you. Is your name being called?
January 27, 2024
A re-read due to having 'have a summer month of re-reading' on my 24 in 2024 list and choosing the word Trust for the year. Nothing embodies Trust more than Outrageous Openness. Just like the first time I read it, I was constantly underlying it. It was good to remind myself of the wisdom in the stories.
The first time I read it, it was a 5 star read - I think the teachings just blew me away on the first read. While they still do, I downgraded to a 4 star on my second reading. While this book is wonderful, there are some instances of toxic positivity. Teachings such as if you think bad or negative thoughts, you will attract bad things happening to you in your life. This to me is a very dangerous, particularly for someone who struggles with anxiety - besides, I can think of way too many examples not only in my own life but in others, which proves this is not true. I've been on the 'negative frequency' of thinking I'd never own a home, have a career, find love etc. - and those things all still ended up happening. Also had an eye roll at the affirmations teachings. 'Tell yourself you're rich every day even if you're broke, because eventually your subconscious mind will believe it and you'll be rich' um... no, that's just gaslighting yourself XD.
Despite those things, I don't want to dismiss OO and I still find it a very wise and enlightening book that every human should probably read at least once in their life.
The first time I read it, it was a 5 star read - I think the teachings just blew me away on the first read. While they still do, I downgraded to a 4 star on my second reading. While this book is wonderful, there are some instances of toxic positivity. Teachings such as if you think bad or negative thoughts, you will attract bad things happening to you in your life. This to me is a very dangerous, particularly for someone who struggles with anxiety - besides, I can think of way too many examples not only in my own life but in others, which proves this is not true. I've been on the 'negative frequency' of thinking I'd never own a home, have a career, find love etc. - and those things all still ended up happening. Also had an eye roll at the affirmations teachings. 'Tell yourself you're rich every day even if you're broke, because eventually your subconscious mind will believe it and you'll be rich' um... no, that's just gaslighting yourself XD.
Despite those things, I don't want to dismiss OO and I still find it a very wise and enlightening book that every human should probably read at least once in their life.
July 19, 2014
This is one of the best spiritual books I've read. I don't like fundamentalism, judgey-ness, or archaic dogma from medieval history that was meant to oppress the masses. But I still feel a universal connection and a natural interest in spirituality that has undoubtedly lead me to Tosha Silver. Her book, Outrageous Openness (OO), has been on my radar for about a year now but I wasn't ready to complete it until now. Personal openness to the possibility of the existence of the Divine has been a struggle. I've constantly wavered back and forth on the subject. Sometimes I still do and probably always will. But that's ok because it's healthy to question, healthy to seek. What's unhealthy is to be closed to possibilities, closed to the universe, and just uninterested in growing.
OO is not a religious book but a book about being open to the Divine Universe that we're all a part in. Although based on some of the same principles as The Secret and other such books, Tosha gives personal life examples and some prayers that readers can use to help surrender themselves to the possibilities and best outcomes. I know, it all sounds hocus-pocus but reading it and giving yourself time to mull over the concepts will feel differently when your worldview slowly starts shifting and you kind of start seeing your life through a different lens.
OO is not a religious book but a book about being open to the Divine Universe that we're all a part in. Although based on some of the same principles as The Secret and other such books, Tosha gives personal life examples and some prayers that readers can use to help surrender themselves to the possibilities and best outcomes. I know, it all sounds hocus-pocus but reading it and giving yourself time to mull over the concepts will feel differently when your worldview slowly starts shifting and you kind of start seeing your life through a different lens.
May 9, 2016
I heard about this book three years ago. I put it on my request list for my library in January. Just two weeks ago I checked and was slated to get it in July. Last week was terrible. I was stressed and breaking down. Friday I get a call that a book I have requested is available for pick up. I went on Saturday knowing this was the only one I was awaiting. Sure enough, it was there. I started reading yesterday and every single word applied to what I am going through. I saw where I had closed myself off to God and the possibilities. I was holding tight and trying to control everything that was out of my control. I read this book in less than 24 hours. Today I ordered it. I need to repeat it over and over again until I learn to completely be open. I would say in a lot of ways I've come a long way from what I used to be, but this book definitely opened my eyes.
One other part of this story. I woke up Saturday morning with the revelation that all the scriptures about sinning are not admonitions against sin. ( I have always thought my fretting was a sin because we are commanded not to do it). But instead, those scriptures about not worrying are supposed to be comforts and reassurances. THEN I go read this book, and WOW! I say if you are struggling. Be open enough to read this book no matter what spirituality path you follow.
One other part of this story. I woke up Saturday morning with the revelation that all the scriptures about sinning are not admonitions against sin. ( I have always thought my fretting was a sin because we are commanded not to do it). But instead, those scriptures about not worrying are supposed to be comforts and reassurances. THEN I go read this book, and WOW! I say if you are struggling. Be open enough to read this book no matter what spirituality path you follow.
July 24, 2017
Just amazing. Sent to me by the right person at the right time; how I found Tosha Silver was actually my first lesson in Outrageous Openness. Read it now and put it in practice--it will make a difference in the very first day.
July 1, 2014
You know that old speculation that if Jesus were alive today, he'd probably be a woman? Well, he is and his name is Tosha Silver. This time around, the professions are astrologer and author but she still teaches with parables. Silver says exactly what all the other spiritual gurus are saying in their books and blogs and seminars. Divine Love is an inside job; Forgiveness is an everyday miracle; Willingness is the roadway and Openness the GPS. It's the stories in Outrageous Openness that make the difference. These are not tales of a yogi on the mountaintop or contemplative in a cloister. They are practical. The elements are recognizable from every day, 21st Century, First World life. Jesus knew parables worked. Tosha knows they still do.
I started reading with pencil in hand, ready to underline all the best bits, but found myself swept along with the enthralling energy of the most riveting of page turners. This book is simply too good to put down. Silver isn't just a writer, nor simply a storyteller. She is a web spinner, only these are Webs of Truth.
I started reading with pencil in hand, ready to underline all the best bits, but found myself swept along with the enthralling energy of the most riveting of page turners. This book is simply too good to put down. Silver isn't just a writer, nor simply a storyteller. She is a web spinner, only these are Webs of Truth.
July 18, 2014
This book is like a spiritual compass for those who are starting to test the waters of the wonders that being one with the divine can bring. Through the author’s personal experiences we get to learn some good ways to be open and receptive to let the divine into our everyday lives. The book is full of anecdotes, both serious and hilarious, but all of them convey the message of how important it is to be in sync with the divine. You don’t have to do outrageous efforts to achieve this you just need to be open to it.
You can even be polyamorous and invite all the divine entities you like into your life. Buddha, Christ, Quan Yin, Our Lady of Guadalupe, anyone you like and as many as you like. Be open, be receptive, be loving and kind and your life will be filled with miracles. And above all never forget to be grateful. That also will work wonders in your life.
You can even be polyamorous and invite all the divine entities you like into your life. Buddha, Christ, Quan Yin, Our Lady of Guadalupe, anyone you like and as many as you like. Be open, be receptive, be loving and kind and your life will be filled with miracles. And above all never forget to be grateful. That also will work wonders in your life.
May 4, 2014
This is the best book I read in a long time I love how Tosha simply suggests giving everything over to God. I love the affirmation that she uses and I apply to my life everyday......The perfect mate, home career, situation has already been selected its arriving in its own way in its own time I am grateful to receive it.
January 4, 2022
One of those audio books I'm definitely going to listen to again. I'm currently enrolled in astrology courses at Kepler, so love the astro bent to this book. I think I heard about it from either The Astro Twins or Anne Ortelee (an astrologer's podcast).
The main message is go where the love is and do whatever you want. Aquarians will love it.
The main message is go where the love is and do whatever you want. Aquarians will love it.
January 24, 2018
This is the book that changed my life! What an amazing book! Tosha Silver has taken the idea of letting go and letting God and made it available to the mystically inclined. She has opened up so many doors and sheds the light into new ways of thinking and being. I will definitely reread this right away!
January 13, 2014
there we some great chapters reminding us to have faith in the divine (or god, Allah, Buddha,etc). that everything will go just exactly as it should. only critique I have is she did use a lot astrological references that I wasn't familiar with and or understand. overall though, a good quick read!
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