Glimpses of a Golden Childhood: The Rebellious Childhood of a Great Enlightened One

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This is a very special volume because rather than responding to questions and sutras, Osho is simply sharing his enlightened consciousness as he recalls his rebellious and mischievous childhood through fascinating, entertaining and inspiring stories. This edition also includes many beautiful, rare, and intimate photos of the ordinary daily activities of an enlightened mystic.

“My childhood was certainly golden – not a symbol, absolutely golden; not poetically, but literally, factually.”

From the Jacket

“My Nani was ready to go to any length just to help me experience myself. The way to know is to experience for yourself; it is not too be told. That’s where parents become nauseating; they are continuously telling you. A child is a rebirth of godliness. He should be respected, and he should be given every opportunity to grow, and to be – not according to his own potential.”

Osho is one to the most provocative mystics of our time and inspires millions of people worldwide in their individual search for meditation and transformation amidst the everyday challenges of contemporary life.

His proposal that we celebrate the whole of our humanity – both our inner and outer worlds – encompasses both the timeless wisdom of the East and the highest potential of Western science and technology.

The obedient child is praised by his parents, by his teachers, by everybody; and the playful child is condemned. His playfulness may be absolutely harmless, but he is condemned because there is potentially a danger of rebellion. If the child goes on growing with full freedom to be playful, he will turn out to be a rebel. He will not be easily enslaved; he will not be easily put into armies to destroy people, or to be destroyed himself.

The rebellious child will turn out to be a rebellious youth. Then you cannot force marriage on him then you cannot force him into a particular job; then the child cannot be forced to fulfill the unfulfilled desires and longings of the parents. The rebellious youth will go his own way. He will live his life according to his own innermost desires – not according to somebody else’s ideals.

The rebel is basically natural. The obedient child is almost dead; hence the parents are very happy, because he is always under control.

Man is strangely sick: he wants to control people – in controlling people your ego is fulfilled, you are somebody special – and he himself also wants to be controlled, because by being controlled you are no longer responsible. For all these reasons, playfulness is stifled, crushed from the very beginning.

You are asking, “There is a beautiful small boy within me, whom I have neglected for a long time. This small boy is playful, curious, and ecstatic – but most of the time I do not allow him to lose control.” What is the fear? The fear is implanted by others: always remain in control, always remain disciplined, always respect those who are older then you. Always follow the priest, the parents, the teachers – they know what is right for you. Your nature is never allowed to have its say.

Slowly, slowly you start carrying a dead child within yourself. This dead child within you destroys your sense of humor: you cannot laugh with your total heart, you cannot play, you cannot enjoy the small things of life. You become so serious that your life, rather then expanding, starts shrinking.

I have always wondered why Christianity has become the world’s greatest religion. Again and again I have come to the conclusion that it is because of the cross and the crucified Jesus to be similarity between them selves and Jesus on the cross. Its seriousness, its sadness, has been the reason that Christianity has spread more than any other religion.

I would like our churches and temples, our mosques, our synagogues to become non-serious, more playful, full of laughter and joy. That would bring to humanity a more healthy, wholesome, integrated soul.

Osho defies categorization, reflecting everything from the individual quest for meaning to the most urgent social and political issues facing society today. His books are not written but are transcribed from recordings of extemporaneous talks given over a period of thirty-five years. Osho has been described by The Sunday Times in London as one of the “1000 Makes of the 20th Century” and by Sunday Mid – Day in India as one of the ten people – along with Gandhi, Nehru and Buddha – who have changed the destiny of India.

Osho has a stated aim of helping to create the conditions for the birth of a new kind of human being, characterized as “Zorba the Buddha” – one whose feet are firmly on the ground, yet whose hands can touch the stars. Running like a thread through all aspects of Osho is a vision that encompasses both the timeless wisdom of the East and the highest potential of Western science and technology.

He is synonymous with a revolutionary contribution to the science of inner transformation and an approach to meditation which specifically addresses the accelerated pace of contemporary life. The unique OSHO Active meditations are designed to allow the release of accumulated stress in the body and mind so that it is easier to be still and experience the thought – Free State of meditation.

**Contents and Sample Pages**