Outrageous Openness: Letting The Divine Take The Lead (2014) - Plot & Excerpts
This is one of the best spiritual books I've read. I don't like fundamentalism, judgey-ness, or archaic dogma from medieval history that was meant to oppress the masses. But I still feel a universal connection and a natural interest in spirituality that has undoubtedly lead me to Tosha Silver. Her book, Outrageous Openness (OO), has been on my radar for about a year now but I wasn't ready to complete it until now. Personal openness to the possibility of the existence of the Divine has been a struggle. I've constantly wavered back and forth on the subject. Sometimes I still do and probably always will. But that's ok because it's healthy to question, healthy to seek. What's unhealthy is to be closed to possibilities, closed to the universe, and just uninterested in growing.OO is not a religious book but a book about being open to the Divine Universe that we're all a part in. Although based on some of the same principles as The Secret and other such books, Tosha gives personal life examples and some prayers that readers can use to help surrender themselves to the possibilities and best outcomes. I know, it all sounds hocus-pocus but reading it and giving yourself time to mull over the concepts will feel differently when your worldview slowly starts shifting and you kind of start seeing your life through a different lens. GET THIS BOOK! You will not regret the small price for the immense wisdom and joy found between the pages, and in my case (the audio book) in the calm lovely voice of the author herself! This book could not have come at a more perfect time for me – exactly the message of Tosha’s book: to notice the signs in day to day life that affirm and guide us on our individual paths and to trust the Divine and let it take the lead. I have read countless books, been to lectures, retreats, and watched so many programs on these principles from many of “the” great teachers and Tosha’s book has spoken to me in just as powerful a way – if not more so.Maybe it’s her humility, her stories of her everyday life and of those around her, and the fantastic suggestions she has given to her clients over the years that make what she shares so powerful. Regardless this book gave me the feeling that this can happen for me too – and wait – it HAS happened for me in the past – so why not again and again? I have known this all along but have kept forgetting that indeed this is a daily practice. Other teacher’s lessons have been powerful, don’t get me wrong. But somehow because I consciously and unconsciously put them on some kind of pedestal, somehow I couldn’t truly feel as worthy or enlightened as the particular teacher I was listening to. Tosha’s book changed that piece for me in a big way. Why? I can’t tell you exactly except that her energy is so genuine, it’s like sitting and listening to a friend, an equal – and somehow that feels more believable to me than someone up on a stage with a crew of people and a huge audience of followers. That’s just me I suppose. Outrageous Openness – Letting the Divine Take the Lead brings so many spiritual teachings down to earth in a way that is so accessible that it is impossible to not feel something magical happen inside changing while digesting her stories and wisdom. I usually prefer reading over audio books, but this was an unexpected gift, and so I listened. In fact, hearing her voice, after years or reading her column on the SF Examiner gave me a completely different perspective and allowed me to hear things in a way that never got through to me when I read part of that same story in one of her columns. I actually truly enjoyed listening and am now grateful I got it in this format. On my iPod anywhere I go – easy access! I cannot emphasize enough what a treasure this book is. Her wisdom is astounding because she takes age old spiritual principles and shows how easy these are to live in the fast paced modern world we inhabit. Her stories are highly entertaining, full of irony and optimism; and her insight and guidance simple and easy in all of its profundity. I have heard these things over and over for years, but Tosha has put this “handbook for living” into a very accessible and easy to follow read for anyone. If you feel drawn to this book – follow your gut. It has never steered me wrong: something I was reminded of over and over in her words, and which in hearing again, allowed me the permission to become stronger and more self-reliant in trusting myself and the Divine for guidance and answers – AND in how to go about asking in a way that works. I thank Tosha Silver for taking the time and energy to share her words and wisdom with us, and for her incredible honesty and openness. I feel tremendous gratitude for being led to her work and for her courage to share with such love and compassion for humanity. This book has helped me during a crucial time in my life and I KNOW I will be going back to it again and again like a manual for when I need some reminders of what truly matters and some guidance on how to muddle through the mess and let go of the stress.
What do You think about Outrageous Openness: Letting The Divine Take The Lead (2014)?
Okay. I did not pick up anything new in this book.
—Lindsey
What an excellent book! Funny and insightful.
—bigsister
