The Only Life: Osho, Laxmi and a Journey of the Heart

by Rashid Maxwell

A one of its kind biography , The Only Life is the story of a woman who blazed a path for herself and others in the presence of one of the greatest mystics, Osho. Growing up an ordinary Indian girl in British India, and rendered powerless in a domineering world, Laxmi went on to become Osho’s ?rst disciple and secretary.
 
What follows is an account of not just a life, but of the massive international movement which grew around Osho in the 1970s and 80s—one that Laxmi was at the helm of. Equally, what unfolds is a narrative, full of pathos, where her protégé usurps her place. Heartbroken, ostracised and later banished, she wanders the wastelands of America in isolation, seeking to rediscover herself by choosing devotion for her master over despair.
 
The Only Life is an extraordinary account of a life of starkly contrasting ups and downs. Laxmi’s journey and the way she lived continues to serve as a crucial illustration for dealing with life’s adversities. It shows that the path of kindness, devotion and awareness trumps all in these present chaotic and precarious times.
 

307 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 9, 2017

Reviews

[Sumit · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a tale of devotion by a disciple towards her Guru.

[Aditya Moyade · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only life a journey of laxmi and his master and her complete surrender
She reminds me Meera epitome of complete surrender and devotion to her beloved krishna, in case of laxmi to his master

[Karthik V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her unwavering devotion and a master's work on his disciple with his zen hits are so well captured by Rashid. Any one who is on THE SEARCH or LOOKING FOR IT must read it. The difficulties and the resistance a hard hitting master faces from politicians, religious fanatics, unconcious people and yet how a master works on his disciples is beyond me. It is said if a 100 realize only 2/3 would be willing to take the pain of sharing their bliss and rarely a master becomes successful in moving his disciples to the shore of conciousness and Osho did it for many of his disciples successfully at his own expense knowing fully well that he will be misunderstood & persecuted. People from regular walk of life will try to comprehend the events of a spiritual seeker in a wrong way through the lens of outside worldly life, without knowing, experiencing meditation in it's depth, this is bound to happen.

[Roopali Jain · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked it up at the airport as it is being promoted by Sushmita Sen and AR Rehman, but it is a waste of time.

[Ruth Forbes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down!! The journey of Laxmi's life and how she lived, such a clear illustration of how to deal with life's adversities. Well written.

[Bapaul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice for people to start exploring Osho.... simple and vivid