The Very Best and Worst of Sannyas News - Volume Two

A review by Lisa Von Stein: “If you are going to read just one spiritually oriented book this year, I recommend this one for many reasons, not least of which is the mischievous sense of humour that permeates its pages.”

The Very Best and Worst of Sannyas News – Volume Two

by Swami G

Nova Loka Books, 2024

452 pages

ASIN: ‎B0CV2B4ZFX

ISBN-13: ‎979-8877836969

Paperback and Kindle

amazon.com

Sipping champagne in a private jet on their way to an international satsang gathering, being chauffeured in the back seat of a Rolls Royce, or simply waiting for a dental appointment, even the enlightened need something good to read every now and Zen. Swami G delivers Enligtentainment and provides fascinating reading material for the awakened, those close to Buddhahood, aspiring Bodhisattvas and even fans of The Rolling Stones.

The Very Best and Worst of Sannyas News Volume Two encapsulates so much that is incorporated in Osho’s Neo Sannyas movement: crazy wisdom, irreverence, rebellion, compassion, insight, authenticity, contradictions, off-colour jokes and, of course, no-mind. The basis for the book is built upon various articles taken from the long-running, leftfield blog, Sannyas News. Commentators of various persuasions discuss these articles, and what results is an absorbing read that might leave uninitiated readers scratching their heads in puzzlement, while the majority of budding Buddhas will probably experience bouts of spontaneous laughter because uninhibited fun is one of the primary ingredients in this juicy publication.

Topics covered include the previously unpublished exploits of sannyasins who took the jump and bravely went where nobody has ever been out of their mind enough to go before, debates about various aspects of Osho’s legacy, descriptions of how the master of masters to this day continues to affect sannyasins lives in a positive way and the importance of a meditative element in daily living. Generally, Osho comes out on top of the holy mountain, but not always. The chapters are set out in such a way that they create a balanced perspective of Osho and his people. Not all of the commentators accept everything the master said and did as incontestable. Questions are raised and responses are given, in a style which I found to be both informative and revealing.

If you are going to read just one spiritually oriented book this year, I recommend this one for many reasons, not least of which is the mischievous sense of humour that permeates its pages. There are many quotable passages in the book, but the one that captures the spirit of this rebellious publication best is the following from Ma Deva Megdalen, which I will leave you with.

‘It’s easy to be common. The breakthrough comes when you decide to be unique. Osho and his sannyasins are a rare phenomenon. One could argue that the societal values which worked against Osho while alive are disappearing in modern times, and this will lead to a re-evaluation of his contribution to the zeitgeist.’

The Very Best and Worst of Sannyas News Volume Two, compiled and edited by Swami G, is published by Nova Loka Books and is available worldwide from Amazon in ebook and paperback formats.

Lisa Von Stein, Inlook

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