Worth Reading: Osho 'Insights for a New Way of Living'

I often get asked for reading recommendations, when I share quotes of the books I read on my Instagram and I myself have found great tips this way. So, I thought I will share some of my very favorite reads in the fields of spirituality, self-development, yoga and other philosophies here on the blog.

My first recommendation is a book series rather than a single book. It is called ‘Insights for a New Way of Living’ and encompasses 12 books containing transcripts of spiritual teacher Osho’s speeches. Yes, it is the Osho, who was also called Rajneesh and Bhagwan and that you know at least since the documentary ‘Wild Wild Country’ on Netflix.

I am not writing an article about him as a person or the rumors that circled around him and his community. I am recommending his books, because he is one of my favorite teachers that – after spending years reading spiritual books and indulging in all kinds of philosophies – still touched me and added to my personal freedom. Not because all of his teachings and ideas were completely new to me, but because they are simple, clear, confrontational and radical and above all they are pro-life, pro-experience, pro-expression rather than restrictions, rules and restraint.

Osho points out a lot of our learned and internalized beliefs and how we often are held back by them, maybe even without noticing it. He calls the reader out on what he most likes to avoid – a direct and powerful way to break free from the conditioned mind.

He was against any belief system and instead advocated to find one’s own truth beyond constructs and systems and encouraged to accept life as a whole, to love it in all its facets and to celebrate it daily. So, if you consider yourself very spiritual or not, you should find some inspiring ideas in his teachings.

My very favorite book was ‘Intimacy: Trusting oneself and the Other’ that as the title says deals with relationships of all kind. Most of us are afraid of real closeness and intimacy that goes beyond brief and superficial encounters; we fear being hurt or taken advantage of. And yet at the same time we long for more security, emotional warmth and real trust. Osho explains in this book how this contradiction arises and how it can be overcome.

I also loved ‘Courage: The Joy of Living Dangerously’ and I have to say that my life became even a bit more fun after reading it. It is all in the title! I further read ‘Trust: Living Spontaneously and Embracing Life’, ‘Joy: The Happiness That Comes from Within’, and ‘Creativity: Unleashing the Forces Within’ and would recommend them in that order. 

Read the excerpts and see what resonates with you most. Or maybe one of the titles spoke to you right away. They are all great books, some parts a slightly repetitive, if you read several of them, but that’s how we remember, right? : )

Hope you enjoy reading!