Customer Reviews
Pure Magic - By: Prema, 26 Dec 2008 
Having read so many spiritual books, mainly of a Budhist or Hindu spiritual nature, this book rarely mentions god, yet ever page is embeded with techniques to experience that which is beyond words. It became apparent to me that all the 112 techniques are based around single minded pointedness, but I supppose that is what meditation & concentration is anyway, but what really came through was the emphasis on the feeling rather than the thought, emotion rather than intellect, yet don't take my word for it as you may interpret the bookin your own way. I have read to around page 450, out of around 1,000 pages so I am half way through. What I like about the 112 techniques, is that many of them can be donein everyday living, movingin a car, sitting on a chair, looking into the sky, & so much more. This book is a real gemin my opinion, a treasure, & the reading of it becomes a meditationin itself. Magic....
Tantra for idiots - By: Mr. V. J. Mailoo, 03 Jan 2007 This book is a very simple but thorough & excellent introduction to Tantra. If you would like to find yourself, & inner peace, you may find this book a great first step. All of the techniques you may need are clearly explainedin it. At times I even noticed a blue aura around the book while I read it! At first I was cynical about Osho, because he has been the victim of many character assassinations & many have taken his teachings out of context to fuel sex-crazed business ventures. Having read the book, I would recommend that anybody who doubts him read it before forming any opinions of him.
The book contains some technical & religious/political inaccuracies. I would therefore class it as neo-tantra rather than authentic tantra. nevertheless, it is a great tool & should not be underestimated.
V
I was pleasantly surprised - By: , 21 Feb 2004 I found this book after a period of immersing myselfin Buddhist literature. It surprised me that I'd already come across the 112 instructions given by Shivain the last few pages of 'Zen Flesh, Zen Bones', compiled by Paul Reps. At the time, I paid them virtually no attention, becuase they are given as brief (sometimes fragmentary) sentences with no words of explanation, & coming at the end of the book, seem almost like an appendix.
With Osho, things take a very different turn. The same 112 techniques are set forth, but this time with copious amounts of accompanying text. And that is no bad thing, because the instructions are often elliptical, until they have been explained. Once you understand what is being sought after, they are simply concise.
Two, three or four techniques are dealt within a chapter, with specific guidance given on how to practice the techniques, & also a discussion of the underlying principles which are being used. Each technique chapter is followed by a lecture style discussion of issues arising from the practice of the techniques. For example, sutra 25 says 'Just as you have the impulse to do something, stop'. This is then discussedin detail. In the following chapter related questions are posed (as if by a student), such as 'If there is unawareness during an authentic impulse, how to stop?' And so on for all the sutras.
I find Osho's style completely absorbing. Sometimes it reads quite simplistically, but the depth of understanding is immense & this book will challenge your views on many things, & is all the more rewarding because he as such a sense of lightness & is genuinely trying to help you become yourself, & not what others might want you to be. Those people looking for answers as to what is right & wrong may need to try elsewhere. Osho's goal is to bring you to an awakening of consciousness, so that change may happen of itself & not through suppression or effort.
Osho uses many lines of thoughtin his work, & frequently quotes from religious texts or people (most often the eastern traditions) to either support or contrast his own narrative. He is keen to affirm, however, that he is teaching 'science' & not 'religion' - the latter serves only to demonstrate what becomes of those who have discovered their authentic self.
Best of all, you can read as much or as little at a time - the themes reccur to some degree, but highlighted differently each time. Once you have found a technique which seems to have an effect on you, Osho simply advises you to play with it for a few days. If you like it, take that one technique & stay with it (and no others!) for three months. That's all.
I challenge anyone not to learn something from this book. And for some of you, life will never be quite the same...
A fantastic guide to you, senses you never knew existed - By: , 04 Feb 2002 Writtenin a teacher to pupil style, Osho really has a great way of evolving mind, body & soul. Nobody is right nor wrong, you are not told what to believe, but simply given techniques that enhance your beliefs & appreciation for life. I personally found the book very deep at the start, a little difficult to get my mind around the formatin which it is written. Once I started reading itin it's correct context(teacher-pupil) everything started to become clearer. I have not read the entire book yet, I think it will probably take me another 10 years. I have selected 4 sutras that work for me, I am now mastering those before reading on. Absolutely fantastic book, one that lasts more than a lifetime.
Enlightening - By: , 15 Jun 1999 I don't know this man, Osho, but from reading his book is seems he must be a Buddha (an extremely intelligent, perceptive, & playful Buddha). Beautiful insights into life, the universe & everything (from man's perspective, anyway), deliveredin powerfully prophetic prose. He also has a great inclusiveness, drawing illustrations freely from the all the world's great (and many, many lesser) religious traditions. Osho is prolific, if nothing else; but I've not yet hit a weak spotin this 800+ page tome. I read a bit, randomly, every night before bed . . . religiously?
