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Frank Visser, graduated as a psychologist of culture and religion, founded IntegralWorld in 1997. He worked as production manager for various publishing houses and as service manager for various internet companies and lives in Amsterdam. Books: Ken Wilber: Thought as Passion (SUNY, 2003), and The Corona Conspiracy: Combatting Disinformation about the Coronavirus (Kindle, 2020).

The Legacy of Rajneesh/Osho

Literary Accomplishments and Infamy

Frank Visser / ChatGPT

Introduction

Few spiritual figures of the late 20th century generated as much fascination and controversy as Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, later known as Osho (1931-1990). A prolific author, public intellectual, and self-styled guru, Rajneesh cultivated a global following through an eclectic blend of Indian mysticism, Western psychology, and radical social commentary. Yet his legacy is inseparable from the dramatic rise and fall of his Oregon commune, which became one of the most infamous experiments in utopian living. Today, Osho's name evokes both a vast body of spiritual literature and a cautionary tale about the corrupting influence of power, wealth, and charisma.

Literary Accomplishments: The Guru as Wordsmith

Rajneesh's literary output is extraordinary in both volume and range. Over 600 books have been published under his name, most transcribed from extemporaneous talks and discourses given between the 1960s and his death in 1990. While he wrote relatively few books in the traditional sense, his spoken-word style produced a body of work akin to a vast oral scripture.

1. Bridging East and West

Rajneesh's discourses covered Buddhism, Jainism, Christianity, Sufism, Zen, and the teachings of Western philosophers such as Nietzsche, Freud, and Marx. He offered spiritual seekers in the West an interpretive key to Eastern traditions at a time when interest in meditation and yoga was surging. His commentaries on figures like Lao Tzu and Jesus often blended scholarly interpretation with poetic license.

2. Critique of Traditional Morality

Osho consistently rejected traditional Indian asceticism, promoting instead a “Zorba the Buddha” ideal—a human being fully grounded in earthly pleasures yet open to transcendent consciousness. This revaluation of sexuality, wealth, and power resonated with Western counterculture but scandalized Indian conservatives.

3. Style and Accessibility

His lectures, usually delivered in English or Hindi, were witty, anecdotal, and often irreverent. He embraced humor and paradox as pedagogical tools, positioning himself closer to a Zen master than to a solemn priest. The result was a vast and accessible literature appealing to those skeptical of religious orthodoxy.

Experiment in Utopia: Poona to Oregon

Rajneesh's charisma translated his ideas into a thriving spiritual movement. His first ashram in Poona, India (founded in 1974), drew thousands of Westerners seeking therapy and enlightenment. It was a bold synthesis of Eastern meditation and Western encounter-group therapy.

By 1981, tensions with Indian authorities and the need for more space prompted a dramatic relocation. Rajneesh's followers purchased 64,000 acres in rural Oregon, establishing Rajneeshpuram—a full-fledged city complete with its own airport, public services, and security force.

This was not merely a religious community but a sociopolitical experiment, complete with commune-run businesses and municipal governance. The scale and autonomy of Rajneeshpuram alarmed local residents and state officials, setting the stage for a bitter conflict.

Downfall: From Spiritual Leader to Infamous Cult Figure

Rajneesh's downfall is as dramatic as his rise. By 1985, his inner circle—especially his personal secretary Ma Anand Sheela—wielded enormous power. Under Sheela's leadership, the commune engaged in increasingly aggressive tactics against perceived enemies, including attempts to sway local elections through mass voter registration and the importation of homeless people to influence ballots.

The commune ultimately perpetrated one of the largest bioterror attacks in U.S. history, contaminating salad bars in The Dalles, Oregon, with salmonella to incapacitate voters. Though Rajneesh denied direct involvement, the incident irrevocably tarnished his reputation.

Legal Troubles and Deportation

In October 1985, Rajneesh was arrested for immigration fraud, eventually pleading guilty to making false statements to U.S. authorities. He was deported and banned from re-entering the United States. His ashram in Oregon dissolved amid lawsuits, federal investigations, and infighting.

Health and Decline

After his deportation, Rajneesh—now calling himself Osho—returned to India, where he reestablished his Pune ashram. Though still revered by a core of followers, his health deteriorated and he died in 1990 at age 58. His death left unresolved questions about the nature of his leadership and the extent of his knowledge of the crimes committed in his name.

Legacy: A Divided Reputation

1. Spiritual Literature Lives On

Despite the scandals, Osho's books remain widely read. They continue to attract seekers interested in meditation, mindfulness, and non-dogmatic spirituality. Many credit him with democratizing meditation techniques and challenging repressive cultural attitudes toward the body, pleasure, and individual freedom.

2. Pop-Culture and “Neo-Sannyasins”

Osho's movement has splintered but survives in various meditation centers and therapy groups worldwide. His image—the bearded man with flowing robes and sunglasses—endures as an icon of countercultural spirituality.

3. The Shadow Side of Charismatic Authority

Conversely, Osho's legacy is frequently cited as a textbook example of how charismatic leadership can slide into authoritarian control. His insistence on absolute loyalty, combined with an increasingly insular inner circle, enabled abuses of power and criminal behavior. The Oregon experiment revealed how utopian dreams can devolve into coercion, paranoia, and crime.

4. Academic and Cultural Assessment

Scholars often place Rajneesh within the context of the 1970s-80s “guru invasion” of the West, alongside figures like Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and Swami Muktananda. Yet Rajneesh stands out for his sheer literary productivity, his embrace of Western therapeutic models, and the audacity of building an entire city. His life is now studied as a case study in new religious movements, spiritual entrepreneurship, and cult dynamics.

Conclusion

Rajneesh/Osho's legacy defies simple categorization. He was at once a spiritual innovator, a global celebrity, a prolific author, and the central figure in one of America's most notorious cult scandals. His books continue to influence contemporary spirituality, but his life story serves as a stark warning about the dangers of unchecked charisma, power concentration, and the utopian impulse.

Ultimately, Osho's legacy invites a dual reading: he democratized meditation and challenged moral taboos, yet his movement's implosion underscored the very human failings of leaders who claim transcendence. In this tension between inspiration and infamy lies the enduring fascination of Rajneesh/Osho.