Chapter 23

OSHO

Many people have an erroneous idea about spirituality and economic wealth; many think the two cannot go hand in hand — that the very wealthy cannot reach any level of enlightenment. Nothing could be further from the truth. To say the least, Osho was a very unconventional teacher of spiritual subjects. Osho said that he was “the rich man’s guru,” and that material poverty was not a spiritual value. He was photographed wearing sumptuous clothing and hand-made watches, and drove a different Rolls-Royce each day — his followers reportedly wanted to buy him 365 of them, one for each day of the year. Publicity shots of the Rolls-Royces (more than 90 in the end) appeared in the press.

If you ever wonder why this kind of non-religious spiritual teaching has not reached you before, you can blame, in great part, the governments and powerful religions of the world. Osho was persecuted by many governments throughout the world for his teachings.

Osho’s ashram in Pune has become the Osho International Meditation Resort, a popular tourist destination that attracts some 200,000 visitors from all over the world each year, and is one of the largest spiritual-growth centers in the world today. Today, Osho’s books are more popular than ever, with translations published in 55 languages. After initial rejection, Osho’s teachings have now become part of mainstream culture in India and Nepal. Osho is one of only two authors whose entire works have been placed in the Library of India’s National Parliament in New Delhi (the other is Mahatma Gandhi). Excerpts and quotes from his works appear regularly in the Times of India and many other Indian newspapers. Prominent admirers include the Indian Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh; the noted novelist and journalist Khushwant Singh; and the film star and former Minister of State for External Affairs Vinod Khanna. In the West, figures such as the American poet and Rumi translator Coleman Barks, the American novelist Tom Robbins, and the German philosopher, author, and TV host Peter Sloterdijk have championed Osho.

For further reference, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osho.