The Power Of Osho

The enigma called Osho continues to amaze and interest numerous people even to this day. The power this man contained in his speech, thoughts, aura was such that governments in more than 40 countries denied him permission in spite of not being guilty of any crime (some say he was arrested for immigration and visa irregularities). So much so that the US government imprisoned and deported him when they came to know that the heroes of the American society -- CEOs, MDs, Government officials and also people from almost every walk of life were following this godman from India.

Rajneeshpuram in Oregon, US was a model town of  civic participation and sustainable development and an eloquent testimony of what a people committed to a common cause based on faith can achieve in a matter of months. The neighbouring communities though harboured prejudice and animosity, which is typical of any group of people feeling intimidated by foreign ideas; specially if those ideas are as foreign and even more radical than the one floating around during those times .

But what stands out from the outset is that from the his birth to the last moment of his life, Osho never acceded to or acquiesced his way to conform the prevalent norms and notions of the society, in whichever place on the planet. Right from the politicians to bureaucrats and from police to self-professed guardians of morality -- he has been polished by the persecution from all quarters of society.

What one can admire about him, regardless of if one agrees with his teaching or not, is that he had a sense of originality and brilliance which was so radical and out-of-this world that that couldn't invite anything but wrath, critique, censure and opposition.

So let's see what exactly was the essence of his philosophy, which he loved to call 'philosia' instead of philosophy.

Firstly,  he put the entire foundation of the modern thinking on it's head and began to question the practices and the ways of the world. He did so by arguing cogently and persuasively. Thus, when it came to argument there was no doubt who would have his way.

Secondly, his views on certain issues most sacred and vulnerable to sensibilities made him an easy object of hatred and a soft target of many a religious and private organisations. In fact on one occasion, during the convention of the Second World Hindu Conference, his very presence incensed the leaders of the Hindu community with outcry of expelling him from the conference.

Thirdly, his explicit display of wealth, opulence and symbols of luxury led him to being a ready target of the impoverished and thrifty countrymen in the 60's until 80's. He was unabashed in advocating money and wealth as being an essential part in leading a fulfilling life. He also stated at one point in time that life is full of abundance, and that he hated poverty and misery.

Fourthly, his views to have a society more freer and open to sexuality in all forms formed the basis of many of his opposition and which over a period of time got him labeled as a 'sex-guru'. His discourses and discussions at the Osho Commune, Pune because a hotbed of controversy with stories of nude westerners inhabiting the Commune doing the rounds.For a conservative society like India, this was too much to take, so the opposition is quite understandable.

  The book 'Osho: A Luminous Rebel' authored by his disciple Dr.Vasamt Joshi, is a wonderful and an interesting account of Osho's life and a good way to get a glimpse into his anything but ordinary life.

People have the tendency to classify  Osho's teaching depending on what they're most interested in and what they desire most -- sexuality, power, money, opulence, indulgence etc.

In the final analysis one can say that if considered a rebel there wasn't anyone quite like him in the theological space of the past 200 years if not more; and if considered an original thinker, none could compare to him in his stature as a prolific and a stimulative orator and a mastermind.

The Power Of Sexual Energy

Since time immemorial the question of sex has baffled, amazed and hounded many a great philosophers and racked innumerable lay souls around the globe. If there is one eternal truth with regards to the sexual energy, it is this -- it is universal, it is potent and it is definitive.

At the level of spirituality, sexual energy is quite a potent force for its transmutation for higher ideals and realization of subtler truths is quite well known. Why do think almost all the sages and those steeped in meditation swear by it? Jesus, Buddha, Moses, Guru Nanak etc. are all proofs that sexual energy transmuted to exalted learning yields immeasurable results.

But that is not limited to the realm of spirituality alone; for lay mortals like us directing our sexual energy to our goals and desires does yield rich dividends, literally. Look at any person in exalted positions in society or for that matter famous people, one would be astounded that these guys could make such a dent in their destinies and in many cases alter the course of humanity, all because they harnessed the inherent sexual energy for their mission or work. No wonder they achieved things -- kind and cash -- way beyond the lives of many people around them.

Let's take the example of youngest billionaire Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook; whose life testifies the  utilization of this energy to achieve the desired purpose. Or for that matter millions of unknown heroes in our midst, who are successful in their own ways.

But as in all cases, there is a twist in this case too, just as all things have a positive and a negative side.  The degeneration of this energy gives rise to all the destructive and negative tendencies that humanity is assailed by today. Laziness, jealousy, procrastination, prejudice, depression and it's avataar at the aggregate societal, national and international level -- rape, eve teasing, crime, conflict, war etc.

Thus we also have people on the other side of the spectrum who've misused this energy and have caused destruction -- at a personal as well as at the community/ global level.

Examples of such figures abound in history -- such as Hitler, Osama Bin Laden, Stalin, etc. all the way to down to criminals in society, rapists, swindlers etc.

The first time I heard about this concept of 'sex transmutation' was in Napoleon Hill's classic book 'Think & Grow Rich'. The wisdom crystallized by interviewing and observing scores of famous and common people hold as much true today than when it was written.

Coming back to the relationship between sexual energy and money, it has been observed that those who've used this energy constructively have amassed fortune and an indestructible life state (I'll write more on this 'indestructible life state' in later articles).

Just contrast all the recent American Presidents with each other and you'll come to know that the most effective, charismatic and popular ones have been the one with more sexual energy. George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton etc.all oozed with this sublime yet subtle power which they diverted for the betterment of their nation. So on the other side of the globe we had Mahatma Gandhi, Mao Zedong, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk etc. who single-handedly transformed the landscape of their country.

Such is the sacred and sublime power of sexual energy, which resides in all of us; which leads us either to angel-ship or outright devastation, pinnacle of glory or brink of penury, and from Godliness to utter Devilishness.