Osho is also known as “the mystic”. Osho wrote and talked about a multitude of subjects, one of which, and arguably the most highlighted, is relationships and human sexuality. Every book written by Osho and lectures poked a hole into every imaginable aspect of a “traditional” understanding of sexuality, saying it should be a part of every person’s spirituality. One should also note that Osho also integrates human consciousness into the whole aspect of sexuality, saying that it can be the source of “higher states of consciousness”. He also talked about the spirituality part, which is important and often not touched on in today’s discussions. There are many books by Osho that integrate sexuality into their subject; these are the ones that should definitely be considered.
1. Sex Matters: From Sex to Superconsciousness
Osho’s Sex Matters: From Sex to Superconsciousness is one of his most open and acute pieces of work regarding sex. In this book, Osho describes how to break free and overcome self-sexual guilt. Osho argues that sexual frustration should not be tolerated and that sexual energy is something to be celebrated and appreciated. He includes self-discovery and spiritual enlightenment as possible outcomes of sex.
Osho describes how sex can be embodied and then transcended to achieve a spiritual experience. He says many people perceive sex just as a body and clinical expression, but it touches the divine as well. Osho describes real sexual liberation as transcending social barriers and embracing sex as an expression of love and intimacy.
Osho shows how modern cultures have impacted society’s view of sex, and how people view it as something only physical, and nothing more. He wants sex and sexuality to be seen and viewed as something more expansive, and to be thought of as a way of spiritual communication. This is powerful for people who focus on changing their views on sex, and the sexual energy helps in personal transformation and higher levels of spirit.
2. From Sex to Superconsciousness
The book From Sex to Superconsciousness also offers a focus on the transformation of (novel) sexual energy toward (mature) spiritual energy, and as one of Osho’s classics, he builds upon Eastern views about Sexology, particularly in the Tanya texts. Osho described sexual energy as a powerful tool in reaching higher levels of (spiritual) consciousness, and more importantly, he argues that sexual energy that has no outlet can be channelled and used for spiritual growth and even enlightenment!
Osho describes three different ways we can experience sex: physical, psychological, and spiritual. In the physical stage, he argues that pleasure can be experienced at the basic biological level. In the psychological stage, he combines feelings, attachment, and love, and in the spiritual stage, sex becomes a way of going beyond the ego and bonding with the ‘higher self. Osho states the importance of being aware, arguing that, without the proper mindset, sex can never be an enlightening or transcendental experience.
In From Sex to Superconsciousness, Osho describes a way to redirect sexual pleasure in a positive way. He argues that if sex is done with mindfulness, it can increase spiritual awareness and consciousness. This book describes how to ‘spiritualize’ sexual energy by changing it into a sexual practice, and Osho invites the reader to use sex as a practice in self-discovery.
3. The Book of Woman
Even if The Book of Woman does not focus primarily on sex, it still gives a great insight into the feminine and sexual identity. Osho openly confronts the countless cultural patriarchs that have influenced how the roles of women, including sexual roles, have been perceived. He celebrates the feminine and advocates for a devotional view of women, recognising their intrinsic roles as creative, loving, and sexual as part of their essence.
In The Book of Woman, Osho explores the dynamics of love, sex, and relationships and urges men to revere the feminine in their partner and themselves. Osho inspires this acceptance in men and women, calling for a profound and positive change in the relationships of the two sexes. He states that women are not merely sexual property, but a creative, spiritual entity to be admired and revered, precisely for their individuality.
The book also discusses the idea of sexual liberation for women. Osho wants women to feel comfortable with their sexual energy and embrace it without fear or guilt. He notes that the expressions of a woman’s sexuality include vitality, creativity, love, and the willingness to embrace and reclaim sexual energy that fosters empowerment and spiritual fulfilment.
4. Being in Love: How to Love with Awareness and Relate Without Fear
In Being in Love, Osho moves past the physical aspect of sex to love in the emotional and spiritual realms. This book helps to understand how sex and love are intertwined, and how the understanding of love should be the goal to transform a person’s sexual experience. Osho claims that love profoundly understood should reach a point that transcends physical attraction to a spiritual connection.
Osho addresses fear and possessiveness that are brought to the relationship and the lack of intimacy, sexual fulfilment, and frustration that results from it. He asks for love to liberate these emotions, suggesting that a person should love without attachments and control. To Osho, love should be liberating and fluid, enabling a person to experience the climax of their sexuality while transcending the ego.
Being in Love shows how love…when approached with awareness…builds an elevation in sex into a divine form of connection. This book encourages an understanding of love in relations and sex… it unveils the full depths of pleasure and connectivity when physically bonded.
5. Tantra: The Supreme Understanding
Osho’s Tantra: The Supreme Understanding explains a form of Tantric philosophy that perceives sexuality as a form of energy that can be transformed into a channel for a spiritual climax. In the West, and unfortunately in the East as well, some people focus too much on the sensual and sex…This philosophy explains that sexuality is pure, complete and that a person must be totally conscious of and embrace all of the human attributes.
In this book, Osho highlights how Tantra connects the body, mind, and soul and forms a pathway to higher consciousness. Sexuality, here, goes beyond the physical to include the transcendence of the ego and divine experience. Osho explains how one can channel and transform sexual energy into spiritual energy. He states that Tantra is about living fully, embracing life, and conscious, liberated sexuality, not renunciation.
Osho teaches Tantra for the first time, and he is not only meant to be appreciated but also to inspire action. Osho wants the reader to understand that sex is a sacred experience that unleashes the connection to the universe. For those looking to understand the spiritual side of sexuality, Tantra: The Supreme Understanding is a must-read.
6. Love, Freedom, Aloneness: The Koan of Relationships
Osho’s Love, Freedom, Aloneness: The Koan of Relationships is a profound meditation on the nature of love and relationships. Osho points out that true love comes with freedom, for oneself and the other. It is in this book that he starts to reshape the idea of relationships and intimacy and offers a new perspective on love and sexuality.
According to Osho, one cannot truly love others if they can’t love themselves first. They feel the intimacy one has with another, free from transactional emotions, where one feels no need to validate another, has no control over, or possesses the other. Osho goes on to explain feelings of fear, insecurity, and society’s systems that block the allowed and free expression of love and the sexuality that comes with it.
Osho writes more about love and the value it holds, as opposed to the physical act of sex. With this in mind, one can create and deepen the bonds in their relationships and understand that it goes beyond the physical act to the emotional part.
7. The Book of Secrets
The Book of Secrets is one of Osho’s more detailed and in-depth works. It contains 112 meditation practices and helps transform one’s physical, mental, and emotional energies into spirituality. A good number of the practices in this book centre around understanding, mastering, and transforming one’s sexual energies.
For Osho, sex is not an isolated occurrence, but rather, a fundamental component of the body’s entire energy system. Through meditation, Osho teaches how sexual energy can be transformed into spiritual energy, and it can be utilised to achieve elevated states of consciousness. The book describes practical methods for the integration of daily life and awareness to ultimately transcend the ego.
The Book of Secrets is an ideal option as it is more focused on the sex and spirituality connection. It includes various techniques and meditations to help transform sexual energy as a means to achieve deeper enlightenment.
8. Intimacy: Trusting Oneself and the Other
In Intimacy: Trusting Oneself and the Other, Osho addresses the role of trust and primarily how it relates to sexual intimacy. Osho states that intimacy is not merely the physical act of sex, but to be truly strong and open and accept and welcome oneself and one’s partner. Trust, Osho argues, is the profound basis of true intimacy, and it is the exposure of one’s hidden emotions that ultimately interweaves the physical and spiritual.
Osho feels people have a fear of intimacy because of past experiences and societal conditioning. After they recognise it, he believes people will give their fear a pass and accept the beauty of positive relationships. This is a good book for people interested in adding emotional and sexual intimacy to their relationships.
9. Courage: The Joy of Living Dangerously
In this book, Osho does not talk about fear and sex directly, but talks about the fear of not living life to the fullest. He teaches that fearlessness means living the life that people want to live, and people, including the life they want to live. He believes many people need to start living their lives and break the societal rules.
Osho tries to help people remove the fear that is blocking their sexual and emotional lives. He believes that when people learn to have more courage, they will feel freer. He believes that it will enrich their spirit.
10. The Mustard Seed: The Revolutionary Teachings of Jesus
Osho describes The Mustard Seed as an examination of Jesus’ teachings through love. The book concentrates on Jesus’ teachings, but Osho clarifies the relationship between love, compassion, non-attachment, and sexuality. He describes love as a transcendental force powerful enough to help a person humanise and understand the complexities of human sexuality.
Osho’s writing on the intersection of sex and spirituality is truly pioneering for contemporary literature. Osho’s integration of sexual energy and spiritual awakening encourages individuals to break free of social sexual constraints and lead a more liberated and authentic life. Osho’s guide to sex, in this case, is integrated with profound spirituality, which describes, in a more practical manner, the incorporation of sex with the spirit.
Those seeking to study and understand Osho’s philosophy on sex, love and spirituality will find a rich compilation of literature on the subject. It is an invitation to reconsider sexuality in one’s life and embrace sexual energy as a means for spiritual transformation, whether the aim is to understand sex on a more profound level or to integrate spirituality in one’s life.
