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Enlightenment is Your Nature: The Fundamental Difference Between Psychology, Therapy, and Meditation
Explores and explains the fundamental difference between psychology, therapy and meditation.
"Enlightenment” in Western cultures has long been associated with the 18th century movement that brought about a new “age of reason.” As Zen, Buddhism, and other eastern wisdom traditions have captured the imagination of the West, “enlightenment” has come to be known as a specific state of consciousness attained by an individual on a spiritual or meditative path.
However, the Judeo-Christian context, with its belief in a divine power “out there” and separate from the individual, hinders most Westerners’ ability to comprehend “enlightenment” in the Eastern sense. Our theistic conditioning leads to such common misunderstandings as perceiving enlightenment as the attainment of supernatural powers, or as something achievable only by those who are somehow “special.”
In this work, Osho deconstructs these misunderstandings and offers a radically different view of enlightenment, freed from all spiritual and religious beliefs – including the distortions of asceticism and renunciation that have arisen in Eastern and Western cultures both.
Taking the reader step by step through the history of how both East and West have approached the mysteries of the human mind and spirituality, Osho offers a simple science of consciousness that he calls “the psychology of the buddhas.” It is a science that in very clear terms shows how one can, through awareness and taking full responsibility for one’s life, go beyond all limited belief systems, habits, and superstitions of the mind. That process, he says, brings us back to our nature – and that is enlightenment.
"Enlightenment” in Western cultures has long been associated with the 18th century movement that brought about a new “age of reason.” As Zen, Buddhism, and other eastern wisdom traditions have captured the imagination of the West, “enlightenment” has come to be known as a specific state of consciousness attained by an individual on a spiritual or meditative path.
However, the Judeo-Christian context, with its belief in a divine power “out there” and separate from the individual, hinders most Westerners’ ability to comprehend “enlightenment” in the Eastern sense. Our theistic conditioning leads to such common misunderstandings as perceiving enlightenment as the attainment of supernatural powers, or as something achievable only by those who are somehow “special.”
In this work, Osho deconstructs these misunderstandings and offers a radically different view of enlightenment, freed from all spiritual and religious beliefs – including the distortions of asceticism and renunciation that have arisen in Eastern and Western cultures both.
Taking the reader step by step through the history of how both East and West have approached the mysteries of the human mind and spirituality, Osho offers a simple science of consciousness that he calls “the psychology of the buddhas.” It is a science that in very clear terms shows how one can, through awareness and taking full responsibility for one’s life, go beyond all limited belief systems, habits, and superstitions of the mind. That process, he says, brings us back to our nature – and that is enlightenment.
240 pages, Paperback
Published September 19, 2017
34 people are currently reading
189 people want to read
About the author
Osho
4,354 books6,780 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 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 18, 2018
Confession #1: this was an impulse buy about a year ago and I liked the cover and was curious about the subject matter. Confession #2: I was over halfway through this book before I decided to google and see who Osho was (thinking he was Japanese) and then was like, “whoa, he’s the Rajneesh dude from the Netflix series Wild Wild West.”
August 2, 2017
This book from the spiritual "rebel" Osho, is like many of his other books. Very thought provoking and inspiring. I took down a lot of notes on some interesting topics that spoke out to me. Osho had quite the sense of humor, and really told it like it is, straight forward. I like that he is not partial to any one faith, there is something in here for everyone.
Osho goes into psychotherapy, meditation and talks a lot about how you can heal your spirit through meditation. He explains how your mind and your thoughts play a role in your spiritual well being.
This is an excellent book to get into if you are new to Osho's teachings, you'll get to know him a little better and decide if you relate to his teachings or not.
I recommend this book to everyone.
I received this book for review from Netgalley
Osho goes into psychotherapy, meditation and talks a lot about how you can heal your spirit through meditation. He explains how your mind and your thoughts play a role in your spiritual well being.
This is an excellent book to get into if you are new to Osho's teachings, you'll get to know him a little better and decide if you relate to his teachings or not.
I recommend this book to everyone.
I received this book for review from Netgalley
August 17, 2021
Although it is not my style of writing, it has an enormous amount of wisdom.
October 26, 2018
This is one of the best books I've read on spirituality. It makes the compelling argument that enlightenment is who we are...we have just forgotten it. It resonated with me on a very deep level.
"Enlightenment is Your Nature: The Fundamental Difference Between Psychology, Therapy and Meditation" is a book for the seeker, the spiritual rebel. The person who wants to experience enlightenment without having to try to access it through the confines of religion.
Osho writes well and draws you quickly draws you in to his thoughtful and persuasive way of viewing the world. He asks the question "Why is modern man so neurotic?" and then clearly explains how you can become Buddha-like by dropping the achieving mind and relaxing into your natural ordinary state of being. It is extremely simple...too simple it makes complete sense and will stay with you long after you finish the book.
"Enlightenment is Your Nature: The Fundamental Difference Between Psychology, Therapy and Meditation" is a book for the seeker, the spiritual rebel. The person who wants to experience enlightenment without having to try to access it through the confines of religion.
Osho writes well and draws you quickly draws you in to his thoughtful and persuasive way of viewing the world. He asks the question "Why is modern man so neurotic?" and then clearly explains how you can become Buddha-like by dropping the achieving mind and relaxing into your natural ordinary state of being. It is extremely simple...too simple it makes complete sense and will stay with you long after you finish the book.
October 15, 2017
Thank you Goodreads for sending me this book. I enjoyed this book and found it most stimulating. It is very much an east versus west view of philosophy and meditation, which contained some very interesting ideas of life. There are some very profound and thought provoking statements, and although I did not agree with everything the author proposed, I did find myself agreeing with the thrust of the ideas put forward. I felt the authors views of enlightenment and how it happens were very interesting and a refreshing alternative to established religious dogma and control. A great read.
August 19, 2019
To make it short: This guy is a hypocrite. Telling everyone how wise he is and how stupid everyone else has nothing to do with Enlightenment. Also he criticises science although he doesn't know anything about it. Just criticising and telling how his truth is the only one that matters even if it goes against the laws of physics. There are a few good points about Enlightenment in general but I could sum them up in one page. That's why I only give two stars.
January 24, 2018
Good introduction to osho but if you want to delve deeper go for the book of wisdom: Attisha 7 points of mind training also by osho, one of the best of his.
February 24, 2020
outstanding
April 6, 2024
why so many creepy misogynistic "jokes" ??? WHYYYYYYYYY???? I have so much confusion.
July 20, 2020
Mais um excelente livro do Osho, a receita é quase sempre a mesma embora a obra não se repita. Todos os livros têm um mesmo objectivo, a iluminação. Todos muito bem transcritos. Recomendo.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews