Blending the practical and the spiritual, this guide to understanding the methodology, the practice, and the history of yoga finds Osirian sharing his personal experience as a practicing yogi and monk, including his earliest and ongoing encounters with divine energy—and those moments when, in meditation, “the space in front of you tears open and you can see light or a space of light beyond it.” Osirian shares these personal discoveries and contrasts them with the teachings and precepts of the major religions, making the case that there is more than one heaven but also noting essential commonalities, like the fact that everyone “in the human world,” regardless of belief system, must “overcome the temptations of the devil in order to break free from the world of desire.”
Such heady material, including extensive exploration of the lifestyle and belief system of yoga, is not always as clear as it might be, but this is balanced by detailed and inviting introductions to the practice of yoga. From detailing yoga poses to reflecting on meditative dreams and accessing the first, second, and third Heaven, Osirian brings readers into his journey of spiritual awakening. Through digital imagery and anecdotal insights, Osirian highlights his Japanese upbringing, his world travels, and his time as a practicing monk.
The author’s frank dismissal of other belief systems and aspects of the secular world, plus some seemingly random references to figures such as George W. Bush and Marilyn Monroe, may be off-putting to some readers. Emphasizing how his spiritual path changed the dynamics of the way he interacted with those closest to him and the secular world at large, Osirian shares a readable, though occasionally obscure, account of how yoga opened him up to a new level of consciousness and divinity. Readers interested in a firsthand account of the practice of yoga will gain a wealth of knowledge and insights into the lifestyle and its benefits. Osirian also explores mindfulness, health, and understanding the seven chakras.
Takeaway: Narrative introduction to methodology, basic theory, and practical basis of yoga.
— BookLife Reviews
This book review was first published on the BookLife Reviews website on September 20, 2025 (https://booklife.com/project/true-location-of-heaven-102556).