Eckhart Tolle's The Power of Now remains one of the most important spiritual books of our time. *(paid link)*
Now that we’re all riled up, let’s get to the good stuff - OSHO! Osho, a spiritual teacher and philosopher, offered a unique perspective on passion, desire, and liberation. He believed in living life to the fullest, embracing our desires and passions, and rejecting the constraints of societal norms and dogma. For Osho, freedom and liberation were not about renouncing the world but about embracing it with awareness, courage, and a sense of humor. At the heart of Osho's philosophy was the idea that our desires and passions are an essential part of our humanity. He encouraged individuals to embrace their desires, rather than suppressing them, and to explore their passions with awareness and intelligence. This approach allows us to find true fulfillment and liberation, rather than trying to escape our desires through repression or denial. Osho's teachings emphasized the importance of living authentically and embracing our desires in a way that is respectful and considerate of others. He believed that by doing so, we can find a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us, and cultivate a sense of freedom and liberation that is not dependent on external circumstances. In essence, Osho's perspective on passion, desire, and liberation is an invitation to embrace life's joys and sorrows with courage, awareness, and a sense of humor. By living fully and authentically, we can find a deeper connection with ourselves, others, and the world, and experience a sense of freedom and liberation that is truly earth-shaking.Nisargadatta Maharaj's I Am That is one of the most direct and powerful pointers to truth ever recorded. *(paid link)* This isn't some flowery spiritual text that dances around the edges. Nisargadatta cuts straight through the bullshit with a precision that can be genuinely unsettling. He doesn't give you comfort food spirituality - he serves up reality raw and unfiltered. The man was a simple shopkeeper who happened to see through the entire human drama with startling clarity. Know what I mean? His words hit like a cold slap of water when you're half-asleep. What gets me is how he could take your most cherished spiritual concept and demolish it in three sentences flat. No ceremony. No apology. He'd tell seekers that their very seeking was the problem, that the "I" they were trying to improve didn't even exist. Think about that. Here's this guy selling cigarettes and telling people their entire identity is a fucking mirage. And the scary part? He was right.
Years ago, I sat in Amma’s darshan hall, surrounded by thousands, feeling the weight of old anger and grief like a stone lodged in my chest. The crowd’s energy was electric, but my body was tense, clenched tight against the pain. Then Amma’s hug broke through the armor — not with fluff, but with raw, undeniable presence. That moment cracked something open inside me, a release so physical it shook me to my core, reminding me that desire and suffering live in the same body. In my workshops in Denver, I’ve watched people tremble and weep as decades of held-back rage and hurt dissolve through breath and movement. One man, a former tech exec like me, told me after a session that he finally felt his body say what his mind never could. It’s not about forcibly changing or escaping desire but meeting it in the flesh, breathing through it, shaking it out until the ego’s grip weakens. This is how real freedom starts — messy, uncomfortable, and deeply alive. Remember, Osho's philosophy is about embracing life's complexities and finding awareness, not about indulging in hedonistic pleasures or harming others. Let's approach this topic with respect and sensitivity, and focus on the essence of his teachings. #Osho #Liberation #Passion Embracing the Wild: When Crassness Meets Enlightenment In the area of spiritual seeking, a curious paradox emerges: the path to enlightenment often involves embracing our most unrefined, even crass, selves. This unconventional approach has been championed by figures like Amma, the hugging saint, who famously invited a childhood friend known for her earthy humor to share her company. "Laughter is a bridge between the human and the divine," Amma once said. She recognized that laughter and a grounded connection to the body were essential for spiritual growth, even amidst a life dedicated to service and devotion. Following this tradition, Amma asked me to open her massive events. My irreverent jokes poked fun at the very spiritual practices that had drawn everyone to Amma's gatherings, creating a space for laughter and self-reflection. Amma has always known that spirituality need not be confined to the area of the serious and sublime. In fact, she would agree that embracing our wilder, less polished aspects can be a catalyst for liberation. Though, that’s not what many of her devotees necessarily believe - many of whom are quite cranky and off-putting, feeling somehow they are righteous in displaying their negative attitude. I say - FUCK THAT: Get busy being happy or kindly fuck off.Rose quartz is the stone of unconditional love, keep one close when you are doing heart work. That soft pink energy? It's like having a gentle friend sitting with you while you dig through all the messy emotional stuff. I've carried a piece in my pocket during some of the hardest conversations of my life, and there's something about that cool weight against your palm that reminds you to stay open. Even when every instinct screams to slam the walls back up. *(paid link)*
This idea connects with the teachings of Osho, the controversial Indian mystic who encouraged his followers to embrace their sexuality, anger, and other "shadow" aspects as a means of transcending them. "The only difference between the saint and the sinner is that the saint has a past and the sinner has a future," Osho proclaimed. He believed that true spirituality was not about suppressing our human nature but rather about fully experiencing and integrating all aspects of ourselves. Advaita Vedanta, a non-dualistic school of Hindu philosophy, also offers a framework for understanding this paradoxical approach. Advaita teaches that the ultimate reality is non-dual, meaning that there is no fundamental separation between the sacred and the profane, the spiritual and the mundane. "The highest truth is not a truth, it is life itself," the sage Nisargadatta Maharaj stated. By embracing our full humanity, including our so-called "negative" emotions and impulses,we can move closer to recognizing this non-dual reality. The Big Choge Chogyam Trungpa, a Tibetan Buddhist teacher who was no stranger to controversy, also emphasized the importance of embracing our "crazy wisdom." He wrote, "Enlightenment is not a matter of becoming better than you are. It is a matter of becoming more of who you already are." He believed that true liberation required us to confront our neuroses and ego-driven tendencies head-on, rather than trying to suppress or transcend them. This approach is not without its critics. Some argue that using crass language or humor in a spiritual context is disrespectful or even harmful. However, proponents of this approach maintain that it can be a powerful tool for breaking down barriers, challenging assumptions, and fostering authenticity.I keep palo santo in every room, it is one of my favorite tools for shifting energy. *(paid link)*
Comedians like Bill Hicks and George Carlin have used their platforms to challenge societal norms and question conventional wisdom, often through the use of profanity and shocking humor. "It's just a ride, man," Hicks famously said,encouraging us to question our assumptions and embrace our own unique perspectives. Carlin, in his signature style,proclaimed, "I think it's the duty of the comedian to find out where the line is drawn and cross it deliberately." Ultimately, the path to enlightenment is a personal one. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. However, for those who struggle with authenticity, who feel constrained by societal expectations or spiritual dogma, embracing their wild selves may be a necessary step towards liberation. By allowing ourselves to be fully human, flaws and all, we can tap into a deeper well of wisdom and compassion, and ultimately find freedom from the limitations that bind us. It all starts with loving yourself, embracing yourself, and being fully authentic. This is the only way our desires can dissolve so that we can transcend suffering in this life. why I created The Shankara Oracle - to help you break through the bullshit, let go of the past, own your reality, and become truly divine. Get The Shankara Oracle and dramatically improve your perspective, relationships, authentic Self, and life.