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The True Name
English translation of "Ek Omkar satnam" - Osho's commentaries on Japji Sahib.
- GenresSpiritualityPhilosophy
509 pages
First published January 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 2, 2020
Damn Osho! MF great good. Osho explains in depth the poetry or music of Nanak. I guess Nanak is the guru that Sheikhs follow. Osho explains what most followers cannot understand. Probably one of my top five books.
I would say this book focuses on existential religiousness. In this book, god is the very creation with no separation. To find god we must dive into experience, have a guru that can guide our path, and drop the desire of looking for god. Looking for god is like looking for wind, it is an experience we must feel. Meditation is the way. So much is explained in this book. I think Nanak has a beautiful religious poetry or music but if I read it on its own I would not understand the meaning between the words for most of this. That is what I like about Osho as he explains all these mystics to such depth and understanding that is rather mind blowing and refreshing. Likely the most intelligent man who ever visited the earth. A true gift to humanity.
I would say this book focuses on existential religiousness. In this book, god is the very creation with no separation. To find god we must dive into experience, have a guru that can guide our path, and drop the desire of looking for god. Looking for god is like looking for wind, it is an experience we must feel. Meditation is the way. So much is explained in this book. I think Nanak has a beautiful religious poetry or music but if I read it on its own I would not understand the meaning between the words for most of this. That is what I like about Osho as he explains all these mystics to such depth and understanding that is rather mind blowing and refreshing. Likely the most intelligent man who ever visited the earth. A true gift to humanity.
May 27, 2019
Despite all the controversies Osho created, one thing he should be commended for is his amazing oratory skill. This book is a wonderful compilation of Osho's commentaries at Pune in the 80s. The book comes with a stunning array of metaphors and fables, making Nanak Dev's Sath nam an interesting read.
June 30, 2013
This book is gold!
January 21, 2020
One of the most thought provoking commentaries I have read. Direct but not obvious.
May 23, 2021
An interesting read, I had seen very positive reviews of this book but I feel this could and should have been so much more.
Firstly, it is clear Osho didn't intend this to be a book per se, the discourses element comes across quite clearly. There are entire chapters where the content should have been more succinct and less rambling. The discourses reveal a number of subtleties to the Japji Sahib that may not be evident to the reader initially. It does a good job of emphasising Oneness and non-duality over a bearded deity sat in the sky. It's clear Osho has taken some time to reflect upon the Japji Sahib.
Osho repeatedly felt the need to reference his charachters of choice, e.g. Jesus, Mahavira, Buddha, Vivekananda. In doing this, and not once mentioning Guru Nanak's spiritual successors, who never contradicted Nanak but built upon his teachings, I was left seriously questioning Osho's motivation.
Lastly, some of what is written in this book is quite dated and this reader concluded Osho as ultimately quite a flawed character. Some very salient observations on the Japji Sahib but probably out of his depth on the subject matter. A couple of examples below:
- Repeatedly elements of Hindu theology are used to pad out chapters, sometimes laughably. Does anyone seriously think Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are analogous to subatomic particles?
- Abrahamic faiths apparently circumcise their male offspring because it makes them more intelligent (no, seriously!)
Read this book with a pinch of salt and it is quite entertaining and informative. If you wish to delve into the Japji Sahib, there are now multiple contemporary options available online which will give you a deeper understanding, minus all the padding and questionable views.
Firstly, it is clear Osho didn't intend this to be a book per se, the discourses element comes across quite clearly. There are entire chapters where the content should have been more succinct and less rambling. The discourses reveal a number of subtleties to the Japji Sahib that may not be evident to the reader initially. It does a good job of emphasising Oneness and non-duality over a bearded deity sat in the sky. It's clear Osho has taken some time to reflect upon the Japji Sahib.
Osho repeatedly felt the need to reference his charachters of choice, e.g. Jesus, Mahavira, Buddha, Vivekananda. In doing this, and not once mentioning Guru Nanak's spiritual successors, who never contradicted Nanak but built upon his teachings, I was left seriously questioning Osho's motivation.
Lastly, some of what is written in this book is quite dated and this reader concluded Osho as ultimately quite a flawed character. Some very salient observations on the Japji Sahib but probably out of his depth on the subject matter. A couple of examples below:
- Repeatedly elements of Hindu theology are used to pad out chapters, sometimes laughably. Does anyone seriously think Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are analogous to subatomic particles?
- Abrahamic faiths apparently circumcise their male offspring because it makes them more intelligent (no, seriously!)
Read this book with a pinch of salt and it is quite entertaining and informative. If you wish to delve into the Japji Sahib, there are now multiple contemporary options available online which will give you a deeper understanding, minus all the padding and questionable views.
August 9, 2023
My fav quotes (not a review):
-Page 85 |
"Try this experiment: when you are feeling sad, worried, downcast or angry, hold your ear lobes and rub them hard; there is no need to pierce the ears. You will find a change in your state of mind."
-Page 87 |
"Kirlian photography confirms it and acupuncture had known it for ages. The sex organ is the most sensitive part of the human body. To cut the skin is a matter of great shock to the infant, which increases the life energy flow to the head. This method opens many possibilities."
-Page 118
"Another tantric method: whatever you see in your dream, concentrate your attention on one object. You will be astonished to find that as soon as you fix your attention on this one shop, the shop disappears – because it was never there. Then fix your gaze on other things one by one and you will find them all disappearing in the same manner. If you become adept at watching dreams, dreams will be lost."
-Page 85 |
"Try this experiment: when you are feeling sad, worried, downcast or angry, hold your ear lobes and rub them hard; there is no need to pierce the ears. You will find a change in your state of mind."
-Page 87 |
"Kirlian photography confirms it and acupuncture had known it for ages. The sex organ is the most sensitive part of the human body. To cut the skin is a matter of great shock to the infant, which increases the life energy flow to the head. This method opens many possibilities."
-Page 118
"Another tantric method: whatever you see in your dream, concentrate your attention on one object. You will be astonished to find that as soon as you fix your attention on this one shop, the shop disappears – because it was never there. Then fix your gaze on other things one by one and you will find them all disappearing in the same manner. If you become adept at watching dreams, dreams will be lost."
August 22, 2025
Essential
January 22, 2008
best book
November 14, 2012
Amazing....
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews