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The Tantra Experience (The Tantra Vision, Vol. 1): Evolution Through Love
This life is a gift from existence, to be lived and enjoyed. But with the seemingly impossible and conflicting demands of society, morality, and culture, people struggle with feelings of unfulfilled potential, frustration, and guilt rather than living full lives.
The world of tantra has no division between higher and lower. The simple, ordinary things of life are transformed into great things when we enter into them totally - be it car fixing, floor cleaning, or lovemaking. Osho shows how, by living this vision, new heights of consciousness and freedom are realized.
"The days of tantra are coming. Sooner or later tantra will explode for the first time in the masses, because for the first time the time is ripe - ripe to take sex naturally. One thing to be remembered If you are not very alert, you may go on believing that you are moving into tantra, and you may be simply rationalizing your sexuality - it may be nothing but sex rationalized in the terminology of tantra. If you move into sex with awareness, it can turn into tantra. If you move into tantra with unawareness, it can fall and become ordinary sex." (See also Tantric Transformation by Osho - part of the same series.)
The world of tantra has no division between higher and lower. The simple, ordinary things of life are transformed into great things when we enter into them totally - be it car fixing, floor cleaning, or lovemaking. Osho shows how, by living this vision, new heights of consciousness and freedom are realized.
"The days of tantra are coming. Sooner or later tantra will explode for the first time in the masses, because for the first time the time is ripe - ripe to take sex naturally. One thing to be remembered If you are not very alert, you may go on believing that you are moving into tantra, and you may be simply rationalizing your sexuality - it may be nothing but sex rationalized in the terminology of tantra. If you move into sex with awareness, it can turn into tantra. If you move into tantra with unawareness, it can fall and become ordinary sex." (See also Tantric Transformation by Osho - part of the same series.)
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First published June 1, 1998
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About the author
Osho
4,285 books6,793 followersRajneesh (born Chandra Mohan Jain, 11 December 1931 – 19 January 1990) and latter rebranded as Osho was leader of the Rajneesh movement. During his lifetime he was viewed as a controversial new religious movement leader and mystic.
In the 1960s he traveled throughout India as a public speaker and was a vocal critic of socialism, Mahatma Gandhi, and Hindu religious orthodoxy.
Rajneesh emphasized the importance of meditation, mindfulness, love, celebration, courage, creativity and humor—qualities that he viewed as being suppressed by adherence to static belief systems, religious tradition and socialization.
In advocating a more open attitude to human sexuality he caused controversy in India during the late 1960s and became known as "the sex guru".
In 1970, Rajneesh spent time in Mumbai initiating followers known as "neo-sannyasins". During this period he expanded his spiritual teachings and commented extensively in discourses on the writings of religious traditions, mystics, and philosophers from around the world. In 1974 Rajneesh relocated to Pune, where an ashram was established and a variety of therapies, incorporating methods first developed by the Human Potential Movement, were offered to a growing Western following. By the late 1970s, the tension between the ruling Janata Party government of Morarji Desai and the movement led to a curbing of the ashram's development and a back taxes claim estimated at $5 million.
In 1981, the Rajneesh movement's efforts refocused on activities in the United States and Rajneesh relocated to a facility known as Rajneeshpuram in Wasco County, Oregon. Almost immediately the movement ran into conflict with county residents and the state government, and a succession of legal battles concerning the ashram's construction and continued development curtailed its success.
In 1985, in the wake of a series of serious crimes by his followers, including a mass food poisoning attack with Salmonella bacteria and an aborted assassination plot to murder U.S. Attorney Charles H. Turner, Rajneesh alleged that his personal secretary Ma Anand Sheela and her close supporters had been responsible. He was later deported from the United States in accordance with an Alford plea bargain.[
After his deportation, 21 countries denied him entry. He ultimately returned to India and a revived Pune ashram, where he died in 1990. Rajneesh's ashram, now known as OSHO International Meditation Resort and all associated intellectual property, is managed by the Zurich registered Osho International Foundation (formerly Rajneesh International Foundation). Rajneesh's teachings have had a notable impact on Western New Age thought, and their popularity has increased markedly since his death.
In the 1960s he traveled throughout India as a public speaker and was a vocal critic of socialism, Mahatma Gandhi, and Hindu religious orthodoxy.
Rajneesh emphasized the importance of meditation, mindfulness, love, celebration, courage, creativity and humor—qualities that he viewed as being suppressed by adherence to static belief systems, religious tradition and socialization.
In advocating a more open attitude to human sexuality he caused controversy in India during the late 1960s and became known as "the sex guru".
In 1970, Rajneesh spent time in Mumbai initiating followers known as "neo-sannyasins". During this period he expanded his spiritual teachings and commented extensively in discourses on the writings of religious traditions, mystics, and philosophers from around the world. In 1974 Rajneesh relocated to Pune, where an ashram was established and a variety of therapies, incorporating methods first developed by the Human Potential Movement, were offered to a growing Western following. By the late 1970s, the tension between the ruling Janata Party government of Morarji Desai and the movement led to a curbing of the ashram's development and a back taxes claim estimated at $5 million.
In 1981, the Rajneesh movement's efforts refocused on activities in the United States and Rajneesh relocated to a facility known as Rajneeshpuram in Wasco County, Oregon. Almost immediately the movement ran into conflict with county residents and the state government, and a succession of legal battles concerning the ashram's construction and continued development curtailed its success.
In 1985, in the wake of a series of serious crimes by his followers, including a mass food poisoning attack with Salmonella bacteria and an aborted assassination plot to murder U.S. Attorney Charles H. Turner, Rajneesh alleged that his personal secretary Ma Anand Sheela and her close supporters had been responsible. He was later deported from the United States in accordance with an Alford plea bargain.[
After his deportation, 21 countries denied him entry. He ultimately returned to India and a revived Pune ashram, where he died in 1990. Rajneesh's ashram, now known as OSHO International Meditation Resort and all associated intellectual property, is managed by the Zurich registered Osho International Foundation (formerly Rajneesh International Foundation). Rajneesh's teachings have had a notable impact on Western New Age thought, and their popularity has increased markedly since his death.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 24, 2012
This book has some GREAT lines in it, but it can also be ludicrous and totally self-contradictory -- which Osho readily admits, explaining that it must be so in order to say the whole truth, because truth is paradoxical.
So my advice for reading this without getting lost or infuriated is to take his counsel seriously about not trying to agree or disagree with its content. He did not write the book to confirm your beliefs nor replace them. He offers you its content as materials for a playpen where you can sprawl out with all possible understanding and observe your interactions. See what 'truths' you pick up, which you resist, and just take note of that without getting attached to theories. Osho is after all campaigning for being, playing, witnessing, and love. That's about it.
So my advice for reading this without getting lost or infuriated is to take his counsel seriously about not trying to agree or disagree with its content. He did not write the book to confirm your beliefs nor replace them. He offers you its content as materials for a playpen where you can sprawl out with all possible understanding and observe your interactions. See what 'truths' you pick up, which you resist, and just take note of that without getting attached to theories. Osho is after all campaigning for being, playing, witnessing, and love. That's about it.
April 3, 2013
This is one of my favorite Osho books that I have read so far. It certainly challenged me in many respects. I like how Osho highlights the paradoxical nature of 'enlightenment' through constant contradiction. Although I do not agree with all of his notions, I can allow them to sink in as he suggests. Agree/Disagree are merely aspects of the mind. Wonderful book :)
December 14, 2014
It might be a cliche... but I can assure you I am not the same person I was before I read this book, never will be. Osho's speech have made me reborn over and over again. After reading "Awareness", "The way of the white clouds" and "Being in love" I can say I was quite prepared for this level of intensity of thoughts and new concepts of human being and life. This particular book explains the Tantra philosophy from Osho's perspective. A way of looking at life as pure indulgence, an indulgence not in the way we are used to "indulge" but indulgence in life itself, in contemplation and love for everything beautiful, everything here and now, as all Osho's philosophies. This is an extraordinary collection of speeches. Highly recommended for those already reading Osho.
January 31, 2016
"Dreaming exists because life is dark, dim, dismal. Dreaming exists as a substitute because we don't have real joy, hence we dream because we don't really have anything in life, hence we dream." -Osho
"...because something upsetting simply means that something has made you aware that whatsoever you have been believing up to now is just a lie." -Osho
"...because something upsetting simply means that something has made you aware that whatsoever you have been believing up to now is just a lie." -Osho
December 21, 2022
The Master Does It Again
This is one of the few Osho discourses I have on Audible, Kindle, and in paperback.
I prefer to listen to Osho speak. There is a palpable energy transmission in his spoken word that the transcribed books fail to capture.
Nevertheless, Osho’s wisdom is profound. I keep the Kindle version of this title to save highlights and to share them with loved ones.
And ultimately, I have the paperback version, just to have something tangible and to be able to share with others whom may appreciate it.
Now, as far as this discourse goes, it it structured like most of his discourses from the early days in Pune. This one was given in 1977. There are 10 sessions, talks, satsangs - whatever you'd like to call them. They alternate between commentaries on sutras from 'The Royal Song of Saraha' and Q&A's from sannyasins and others listening to him.
Osho has a unique style in giving commentary on these ancient sutras. He usually gives a warm-up talk filled with analogy and metaphor before going into the sutras line by line.
Osho was a University professor for many years, and one can see how his time lecturing has influenced these masterful talks.
In his Q&A's Osho employs unique tactics and devices to deconstruct each question brilliantly.
Otherwise, it doesn't matter whether he speaks on Tantra, Tao, Zen, or any tradition, Osho infuses his direct experience onto these ancient sutras and paths bringing them to life with a clarity and freshness unlike any other.
Osho's talks were really devices to give the listener a taste of his inner silence and meditation - for those with the ears to hear and eyes to see.
I have been studying Osho for over 20 years, ever since I was first introduced to meditation. He was not only an intellectual giant, but also a mystic of Himalayan heights - a combination rarely seen in human history.
Osho’s emphasis was on individual transformation. As such, he used many different methods and techniques to help people to grow to their fullest potential in awareness. He is not to be taken literally in whatever he says in these discourses. This is one mistake many people make. In one chapter of 'The Tantra Experience,' Osho says that one day he will say "plus one" in his talks and another day he will say "minus one" - metaphorically speaking. The net result is zero, bringing the listener back to emptiness. That is why it is impossible to quote Osho on anything, because he always contradicted it sometime later. His reason was so that no one could make an ideology or religion out of him after he was gone.
Nevertheless, there are some points Osho was consistent on: his life-affirming messages on love, meditation, celebration, playfulness and non-seriousness are sewn as threads throughout his teachings.
Osho is not for everyone. Whatever one finds from him is what one is meant to find. In 'The Tantra Experience' one will find Osho at his best: brilliant, profound, deep, funny, and alchemical. Either he will transform you or he won't. But either way, the master is at work. Another 5 stars for Osho on this one.
This is one of the few Osho discourses I have on Audible, Kindle, and in paperback.
I prefer to listen to Osho speak. There is a palpable energy transmission in his spoken word that the transcribed books fail to capture.
Nevertheless, Osho’s wisdom is profound. I keep the Kindle version of this title to save highlights and to share them with loved ones.
And ultimately, I have the paperback version, just to have something tangible and to be able to share with others whom may appreciate it.
Now, as far as this discourse goes, it it structured like most of his discourses from the early days in Pune. This one was given in 1977. There are 10 sessions, talks, satsangs - whatever you'd like to call them. They alternate between commentaries on sutras from 'The Royal Song of Saraha' and Q&A's from sannyasins and others listening to him.
Osho has a unique style in giving commentary on these ancient sutras. He usually gives a warm-up talk filled with analogy and metaphor before going into the sutras line by line.
Osho was a University professor for many years, and one can see how his time lecturing has influenced these masterful talks.
In his Q&A's Osho employs unique tactics and devices to deconstruct each question brilliantly.
Otherwise, it doesn't matter whether he speaks on Tantra, Tao, Zen, or any tradition, Osho infuses his direct experience onto these ancient sutras and paths bringing them to life with a clarity and freshness unlike any other.
Osho's talks were really devices to give the listener a taste of his inner silence and meditation - for those with the ears to hear and eyes to see.
I have been studying Osho for over 20 years, ever since I was first introduced to meditation. He was not only an intellectual giant, but also a mystic of Himalayan heights - a combination rarely seen in human history.
Osho’s emphasis was on individual transformation. As such, he used many different methods and techniques to help people to grow to their fullest potential in awareness. He is not to be taken literally in whatever he says in these discourses. This is one mistake many people make. In one chapter of 'The Tantra Experience,' Osho says that one day he will say "plus one" in his talks and another day he will say "minus one" - metaphorically speaking. The net result is zero, bringing the listener back to emptiness. That is why it is impossible to quote Osho on anything, because he always contradicted it sometime later. His reason was so that no one could make an ideology or religion out of him after he was gone.
Nevertheless, there are some points Osho was consistent on: his life-affirming messages on love, meditation, celebration, playfulness and non-seriousness are sewn as threads throughout his teachings.
Osho is not for everyone. Whatever one finds from him is what one is meant to find. In 'The Tantra Experience' one will find Osho at his best: brilliant, profound, deep, funny, and alchemical. Either he will transform you or he won't. But either way, the master is at work. Another 5 stars for Osho on this one.
May 26, 2024
I had a hard time finishing this book.
The writing is confused, unorganized, and repetitive. Metaphors are often used, but they don't help at all to clarify the message, so that it's basically impossible to understand what Osho "means" through the use of these analogies. It does look like an unedited and uncurated transcript of someone who was thinking about stuff on the go.
However, the real problem is the content of the book. There is no clear and coherent message, it is not possible to resume Osho's thoughts in key points. Indeed, contradictory positions are taken on some subjects, which Osho even says is intentional... Osho also spends a long time writing about the inadequacy of words to express any kind of truth, so one might ask what's even the point of reading his work, then ?
Even though the title of the book is "the Tantra Experience", very little is spent reflecting about tantra. Indeed, one might think that the only thing to say about tantra is that it means to live one's life with awareness and experiencing the joy of the moment. All the other (significant in size) discussions cover unrelated topics that have no clear focus.
The questions, anecdotes, and links to other philosophers and religious figures are uninteresting, clearly made up in same cases, and full of historical inaccuracies.
I also had problems with some particular stances of the author (about education, the role of the woman, culture and society, and even our relationship to animals), but that's a matter of personal convictions. What I can say is that Osho does not provide arguments that are credible or convincing enough, to even make me consider looking more into it.
It is a dreadful peace of writing, completely useless for someone wanting to learn more about tantra. It looks almost like a bad manifesto, promoting a cult having sex as the main hook.
The writing is confused, unorganized, and repetitive. Metaphors are often used, but they don't help at all to clarify the message, so that it's basically impossible to understand what Osho "means" through the use of these analogies. It does look like an unedited and uncurated transcript of someone who was thinking about stuff on the go.
However, the real problem is the content of the book. There is no clear and coherent message, it is not possible to resume Osho's thoughts in key points. Indeed, contradictory positions are taken on some subjects, which Osho even says is intentional... Osho also spends a long time writing about the inadequacy of words to express any kind of truth, so one might ask what's even the point of reading his work, then ?
Even though the title of the book is "the Tantra Experience", very little is spent reflecting about tantra. Indeed, one might think that the only thing to say about tantra is that it means to live one's life with awareness and experiencing the joy of the moment. All the other (significant in size) discussions cover unrelated topics that have no clear focus.
The questions, anecdotes, and links to other philosophers and religious figures are uninteresting, clearly made up in same cases, and full of historical inaccuracies.
I also had problems with some particular stances of the author (about education, the role of the woman, culture and society, and even our relationship to animals), but that's a matter of personal convictions. What I can say is that Osho does not provide arguments that are credible or convincing enough, to even make me consider looking more into it.
It is a dreadful peace of writing, completely useless for someone wanting to learn more about tantra. It looks almost like a bad manifesto, promoting a cult having sex as the main hook.
Read
February 21, 2021In Chapter 2, "Transformation is a Consequence of Understanding," Osho discusses two approaches to Tantra. On the first path, the path of devotion, feeling is transformed into prayerfulness, and the lover dissolves in the beloved. On the second path, the path of meditation, thinking is transformed into a state of no-thought, and the mind dissolves in awareness. Ultimately, both lover and meditator arrive at the same goal. The lover moves from loving the form to loving the whole existence. For the meditator, "I" and "thou" disappear, and emptiness arises. "If you can be alone and blissful, then [follow the path of meditation]; if you cannot be blissful when you are alone, and your bliss comes only when you relate, then [follow the path of devotion]."
It's important that those who need relation to function not continue down the path of meditation without thoughtful consideration. You may end up staring into The Void.
It's important that those who need relation to function not continue down the path of meditation without thoughtful consideration. You may end up staring into The Void.
October 23, 2025
A book that challenges your notion of happiness. Bliss is within and not to be found outside.
Tantra is a challenging domain to understand. Keep an open mind and go through the experience of challenging the society conditioning.
The first few chapters are must for everyone.
Tantra is a challenging domain to understand. Keep an open mind and go through the experience of challenging the society conditioning.
The first few chapters are must for everyone.
July 23, 2020
People always try to take recourse in the Krishna-Gopi relationship. As the legend goes, Krishna gave an orgasmic experience to 16,000 women simultaneously. This cannot happen with sexual union. A shishya can establish a very intimate relationship with a Guru. Intimacy is generally understood only as two bodies touching. The body is not intimate enough for one who is on the spiritual path. The physical body is an accumulation from outside, so in the tantric and yogic systems, the body is never considered an intimate part of you. Only when energies meet and mingle and a Guru’s energies overwhelm and override the shishya’s energies, it leads to an orgasmic experience – a union, but not of the sexual kind. If all you want is to do a meditation or spiritual practice, you don’t really need a Guru. The Guru is here essentially to overwhelm you with nameless ecstasies. So, tantra is a technology of liberation, not enslavement.
September 26, 2021
Not much to offer someone studying Tantra from a Buddhist or perhaps even Hindu point of view. Not really sure what this is. There is a bit of good advice here and there but definitely not Tibetan Tantra.
April 21, 2014
As is usually it is with Osho, he says wonderful things, but he is very hard to listen to/read...you really need a lot of concentration to truly appreciate his words. This is why it took me so long to finish reading this book. But it was worth it :)
September 24, 2018
Unacceptable morality
In my opinion, the teaching in this book turn morality upside down. Humans are not bees therefore we do not need to gather honey from flowers to flowers. I wouldn't recommend this book as I don't agree with the teaching.
In my opinion, the teaching in this book turn morality upside down. Humans are not bees therefore we do not need to gather honey from flowers to flowers. I wouldn't recommend this book as I don't agree with the teaching.
November 11, 2012
Incredible book. Discusses living in the moment, and not getting hung up on the past. Take time to enjoy the simplest things in life...
March 18, 2018
My introduction to OSHO
This was the first time I have read anything by OSHO. I liked his frank manner, colorful anecdotes and his way of describing beautiful concepts.
This was the first time I have read anything by OSHO. I liked his frank manner, colorful anecdotes and his way of describing beautiful concepts.
August 17, 2015
Otro buen libro para crecer!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews