Osho and The Rajneesh

Osho, born Chandra Mohan Jain (December 11, 1931 – January 19, 1990), also known as Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, was an Indian mystic, philosopher, and spiritual teacher who gained international fame and controversy. He founded the Rajneesh movement, a spiritual and philosophical movement emphasizing meditation, individualism, and the rejection of societal norms and religious dogma. His teachings blended Eastern mysticism, Western philosophy, and practices like dynamic meditation, which aimed to release suppressed emotions and awaken inner consciousness.

Key Aspects of Osho and the Rajneesh Movement:

1. Early Life and Teachings

• Born in Kuchwada, Madhya Pradesh, India, Osho claimed to have attained enlightenment at 21.

• He taught philosophy at Jabalpur University in the 1960s, critiquing organized religion, socialism, and figures like Mahatma Gandhi.

• His core philosophy promoted living fully in the present, embracing individuality, and transcending ego through meditation and self-awareness.

• Osho advocated for a life-affirming approach, celebrating sexuality, creativity, and material enjoyment, which contrasted with ascetic traditions. His book From Sex to Superconsciousness became particularly controversial.

2. Rajneesh Movement and Pune Ashram

• In 1970, Osho settled in Mumbai and began attracting followers, establishing his first major ashram in Pune, India, in 1974.

• The Pune ashram offered intense meditation practices (e.g., Dynamic Meditation), therapy groups, and discourses, drawing thousands of Western seekers, including intellectuals, artists, and professionals.

• The ashram became a hub for alternative spirituality but faced criticism in India for its unconventional practices, including open sexuality and confrontational therapies.

3. Rajneeshpuram in Oregon, USA

• In 1981, due to conflicts with Indian authorities and local backlash, Osho relocated to the United States, where his followers purchased a 64,000-acre ranch in Wasco County, Oregon, establishing Rajneeshpuram, a utopian commune.

• Rajneeshpuram aimed to be a self-sufficient spiritual community, with thousands of disciples (called sannyasins) building infrastructure, farms, and meditation centers.

• Osho, often silent during this period, communicated through his secretary, Ma Anand Sheela, who became the de facto leader of the commune.

4. Controversies and Legal Issues

• Rajneeshpuram Conflicts: The commune clashed with local residents and authorities over land use, voter fraud, and immigration violations. In 1984, Rajneeshees attempted to influence local elections by busing in homeless people to vote and poisoning 751 people with salmonella in a bioterror attack to incapacitate voters (the first confirmed bioterror attack in U.S. history).

• Osho’s Lifestyle: Osho’s lavish lifestyle, including owning 93 Rolls-Royces, drew criticism and fueled perceptions of a cult.

• Legal Troubles: In 1985, Osho was arrested for immigration fraud. He pleaded guilty, was deported, and returned to India. Ma Anand Sheela and others were convicted for crimes including bioterrorism and attempted murder.

• The commune collapsed after these events, and Rajneeshpuram was abandoned.

5. Later Years and Legacy

• After deportation, Osho returned to Pune in 1987, renaming himself Osho (meaning “oceanic” or “dissolved into the whole”).

• His health declined, attributed by followers to poisoning by U.S. authorities during his detention (unproven). He died in 1990 at age 58.

• The Osho International Meditation Resort in Pune continues to operate, offering meditation programs and attracting visitors.

• Osho’s books (over 600, compiled from his discourses) remain popular, covering topics like meditation, love, Zen, and spirituality. His talks are available in audio and video formats.

6. Rajneesh Movement Today

• The Rajneesh movement, now called the Osho movement, has no formal organization but consists of independent centers worldwide offering Osho’s meditation techniques and teachings.

• Followers, known as sannyasins, wear maroon robes (in some contexts) and take spiritual names, though practices vary.

• The movement emphasizes personal transformation over collective ideology, with no central authority.

7. Cultural Impact and Criticism

• Impact: Osho influenced the global New Age movement, popularizing meditation and Eastern spirituality in the West. His ideas on freedom, love, and consciousness resonate with many.

• Criticism: Critics label Osho a “cult leader,” citing the authoritarian structure of Rajneeshpuram, criminal activities by followers, and his provocative statements (e.g., challenging religious and moral norms). The bioterror attack remains a dark stain on his legacy.

• The 2018 Netflix documentary Wild Wild Country brought renewed attention to Rajneeshpuram, highlighting both the utopian vision and the scandals.

Summary

Osho was a charismatic, polarizing figure whose teachings on meditation, freedom, and consciousness attracted millions but also sparked controversy due to the actions of his followers and his unconventional lifestyle. The Rajneesh movement, though diminished, continues to promote his vision of personal liberation through meditation. His legacy is a complex mix of spiritual innovation, cultural influence, and infamous scandals.

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