I have started to believe of late, that one should try to keep away from the Osho communes and his followers. The master was so impressive that you start expecting his followers to match his virtuosity too, at least in some degree, which is too much of an expectation unfortunately. A majority of them can be found making stupid arguments and fighting amongst themselves if you ever visited the places frequented by the usual Oshoites. You may be amazed to see the number of times they might utter the phrases like spirituality, consciousness and love…yet providing no hint of any experience if they ever had about these words! You should expect a mass of dry and barren souls to come your way, if you ever decided to visit the ordinary Oshoites. At the same time, those knowing Osho better might hardly open up their mouths ever, since they too are tired of mingling with these meaningless heads.

I have also noticed, how the old timers are increasingly complaining about the changes being infused into the Pune commune and the movement’s overall mood. The problem lies again in what I stated earlier. Osho was so omnipresent during his heydays, that nothing could diminish his aura. However, the commune started fading away somewhat as soon as his physical existence ceased to exist. This is why perhaps, the Pune Ashram has now been given the facelift of a meditation resort, since they know it is simply not possible to embody what Osho stood for. Nobody can, to be frank. The original was so vast and fulfilling that none of his substitutes, including the communes, can ever think of imitating his presence in any manner. (There is one so-called Rajneesh incarnation as well who is selling his books free online…lolz)

Obviously, it was only after Osho’s demise that the anti-Osho forces began to sniff their first ever chance, something the past and disgruntled Oshoites like Christopher Calder have flourished upon in the recent years. In my opinion, it is the rot of Sanyasins more than Osho’s so-called misconduct, is what we have been witnessing through Calder’s outburst recently. No doubt, the guru must have donned the role of Mulla Nasruddin (read shrewdness) he often spoke of to make this circus he presided manageable, but the more I see the variety of Oshoites I mentioned above, the more I appreciate him for his impeccable performance. These Sanyasins are no ordinary souls for sure. They must have vigorously fought for sex, trance and drugs in those days and later diverted all the frustrations on master.

Even though, the present Osho movement lacks in courage to face up to the challenge posed by Calder, it is the movement’s own incapacities that might see its downfall (if it was to happen ever) more than any of Calder’s arguments in my opinion. The whole opposition to Osho survives on his presence around. They are playing out his shadow, nothing more, and so would always keep following into his footsteps. The shadows (or negatives) make out Osho more insightful, interesting, colorful and rational sounding than what (the two-dimensional portrayals) his core followers might seem to portray about him.

Osho’s healing discourses and words are more significant for a majority of his well-wishers, and it is this treasure, which needs being preserved for the future generations. Let Osho’s communes and his stagnant followers dilute into the air…who cares. But, the guru’s discourses must be digitalized and made available to each and all of those that might need his healing prowess. Remember, whatever the wounded Calder might say, we know how magical and healing Osho was and would always be. And this means more than anything else  - which includes ongoing fights, claims and counterclaims by his supporters and detractors both – for a person like me.

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To the regular Oshoites: Please don’t taken my criticism too seriously. Hope you keep on flourishing.

One Osho sympathizer, Anthony Thompson, has been refuting most of the anti-Osho propaganda being circulated around. Click here to look at it (also shared in my previous post on this issue).

Check out more by Mr Thompson on this issue here.