Osho’s words: Right to Publish ?

Osho’s words:   Right to Publish ?  By Ma Dhyan Anandita

Several people have asked me, over the years, about the issue of using quotations from Osho in their articles, stories, books. This is because I am a lawyer dealing with – among other things – intellectual property rights, so I have some familiarity with the issue of copyright. I’ve given personal advice, but never made a public statement until now.
Ramateertha’s interview on the trademark issue inspires me to speak out. Of course, the attempt to trademark “Osho” is absurd. It’s like the Vatican saying, “You can’t use the name ‘Jesus’ without our permission.”

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However, the copyright issue is different. I respect the attempt by Osho International Foundation to safeguard the integrity of Osho’s discourses. In their shoes, I’d probably do the same. But, like all organizations, they tend to extend their concern beyond its legitimate boundaries.
As I understand the situation, many requests have gone to OIF over the years, asking to use Osho quotes in various kinds of publications… books, memoirs, people’s personal stories about meeting Osho, etc. Almost invariably, OIF wants to see the proposal, assess its worth and give or withhold permission.
I want to make a clear statement: you have the legal right to publish Osho quotes. You do not need to ask OIF. Your right to Osho’ s words is safeguarded by the legal framework of “fair use” that has been adopted in the United States and in most other countries.
The US is signatory to the Berne Convention, an international agreement governing copyright, which goes back to 1886. Almost all countries around the world are also signatories. The function of the convention is to protect the rightful owners of literary and artistic works.

However, even before the convention, common law in both the US and Britain upheld the right to fair abridgement and fair use. This right was strengthened under US law by the Copyright Act of 1976.
One of the key issues in permitting “fair use” is public interest.
For example, Osho is a public and controversial figure. He might well be described as one of the most radical philosophers of the twentieth century. Therefore, it greatly benefits the public to understand him from as many different perspectives as possible.
Let’s say, I’m totally opposed to Osho’s teachings and regard him as a danger to society. I want to write a book showing how immoral and subversive are his teachings.
Now, clearly, OIF is never going to give permission for a book like that. But, equally clearly, it is in the public interest to have access to my views, since it broadens the public’s general understanding about Osho and his work. It encourages debate and discussion.  It widens the public’s knowledge about a controversial figure.
So, with full legal protection, I can use long quotations from Osho in my book, refuting each of his statements as I go along, and OIF cannot do anything about it. If they take me to court, they are certain to lose.
Similarly, if you have personal stories about Osho, or if you want to use Osho quotes in your book, you do not need permission to do so. Why? Because your use of Osho, in your particular context, is broadening public understanding about this controversial mystic.
You’re adding to the body of knowledge that is available to the public about Osho. The chat you had with him, over a cup of tea in Woodlands in 1973, or the relevance of his vision to your book on quantum physics, deepens the public’s understanding of this extraordinary man.
If Osho had been a very private man, things would be different. But he was not. On the contrary, he made every effort during his life to become as widely known and as notorious as possible. Parodying Dale Carnegie, Osho once said that his biography should be called “How To Make Enemies And Influence People.”
Osho’s public stature is your protection.
If you want to play safe, then keep each quotation under 300 words, because this has been adopted as a general “fair use” guideline. But longer quotes will also be okay, especially if you break them up into short sections of direct quotations, while paraphrasing in between.

In my view, OIF does have legitimate concerns over copyright when it comes to publishing complete discourses by Osho, and whole discourse series in book form. Here, I understand their intention to protect the integrity of his words.
Here, too, the law will not offer you so much protection, since publishing whole books directly affects the commercial value of the copyright holder. You’re no longer criticizing, or commenting, or adding new perspectives. You’re trying to supersede the original work.
Then you will be faced with the task of proving that OIF is not the legitimate copyright holder, which is a totally different ball-game.

Credit also has to be given to OIF’s dedication to keeping Osho’s archive of discourses updated. The process of digitalizing his video and audio recordings, making them available on DVD, via the internet, and so on… It shows a genuine desire to keep Osho’s work intact and alive. So they have good reasons for acting the way they do.
But for those of you who just want to write about their personal memories, or use a quote here and there, or talk about Osho’s views on various subjects… have no fear. Feel free to quote the Great Rebel. He’s public property and your right to comment will be protected under the law.

Anandita practices law in Chicago and has been a sannyasin since 2002. 

(September, 2016)

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63 Responses to Osho’s words: Right to Publish ?

  1. shantam prem says:

    “Anandita practices law in Chicago and has been a sannyasin since 2002.”

    Already a brainwashed sannyasin on the footsteps of self-appointed bosses of Osho Foundation International. Let me tell her and the others, Oshoworld offers a complete audio archive to download free of cost.

    In the age of technical advancement, voice and images cannot be controlled.

    And about books, I would like to know from the readers and bloggers of Sannyasnews, when was the last time, they purchased Osho book? Is there someone who has given Osho book as gift during last Christmas or intend to give this year?

    So the copyright is a useless issue.

    MOD: POST EDITED. LIMIT THE PROPAGANDA, PLEASE, Shantam!

    • Tan says:

      Shantam,
      Yes, I bought ‘The Buddha Said…’, one for me and another one for a friend, as a gift. And I bought some of the books from the Resort, kind of compilations: ‘Intelligence’, ‘Courage’…and my daughter gave me the rest as gift. Very good books. The guys of the Resort are doing a great job. Like it or not!

      About your question from October 13th, 5:31pm: “What is the reason many young western women want to have sex but no children, not even one child?”

      I don’t think it’s only “western” women. I don’t think that sex and children are linked anymore, and that is marvellous!

      Grow up, Shantam! Stop thinking about sex, follow the example of the young generation: just do it! And you will realise that is not a big deal! Cheers!

    • Parmartha says:

      About books, Shantam. It is of some moment, and am surprised you cannot see that. They are a major source of revenue, whoever is selling them.

      I often buy books from Viha, and am very pleased that Dhanyam keeps that going as a major distributor. A book can be a good companion in a way that a computer can never be.

      When TV came along, many predicted the end of radio. But many, such as myself, actually prefer radio and so it has proved over many decades, and radio has survived, and survives well.

      It will be the same with books.

      • shantam prem says:

        Parmartha, thanks for telling that you order Osho books from Dhanyam of Viha Connection.

        Maybe Dhnyam can tell whether he is still banned in the campus controlled by the self-appointed trustees of Osho Foundation or they offer him the room in Pyramid for remaining tirelessly passionate for mutual master´s work.

  2. Simond says:

    A highly intelligent, reasoned article. Who could disagree with all she has written?

    • shantam prem says:

      The reasonable man Simond is very reasonable. In a way, most of his comments are reasonable. They are logical with mathematical precision. Such people are good as neighbours, siblings and friends.
      I don´t think Simond has ever invested his heart into something which is bigger than his own self. If it is, it can be some woman.

      When heart is involved, it is not just love, dozens of other feelings pop up also. This makes life an interesting Pandora’s box.

      Anyway, dear Simond, would you like to share one situation where you have stalked logic and reason for something else?

      With logic and reason, that Mr. Jain from Jabalpur won´t be revered as master by the disciples. With logic and reason, the living Avatar called Mother Meera seems a simple south Indian wife with some narcissistic secretion in her brain cells.

      • satyadeva says:

        Unfortunately for you, Shantam, this issue is a matter of “logic and reason”, or rather even of good sense (not your strongest area, of course), so your response (a typical tricky politician’s ploy) to deflect attention (including, no doubt, yours) from an informative article giving a balanced assessment of OIF’s activities, by vilifying Simond’s very brief post, is a puerile irrelevance.

        What you term “Heart” (the attempt at self-aggrandisement by using a capital ‘H’ noted) is, in your case, far too often a ragbag of confusion, misplaced prejudice and personal misery, dressed up as ‘faithful discipleship’ or some other over-emotionalised, self-serving bullshine.

        Whether you like it or not, on the whole OIF is doing a good job. That you are unable to bring yourself to acknowledge their best efforts merely highlights your own glaring deficiencies, a mean-spirited, unedifying condition that seems to be degenerating by the day.

        • shantam prem says:

          Satyadeva, it is almost sure that you recognize Meera´s face when you see 150 million other South Indians. I am not sure you will be able to recognize the people running Osho foundation among the 50 Britishers and North Americans.

          You have no fucking idea about the permutation and combinations in the complex psychology of closest disciples around Osho.

          In real life too, customers don´t know who sits on the board and how decisions are taken.

          This is why I have said time and again, anyone who has spent considerable time in Pune after 1987 should be kind enough to find any flaw in my facts and feelings.

  3. shantam prem says:

    The master who treated law as an ass, his disciples want to use the ass to feel secured, safe and in control.

    Thank God, the god of OFI is not called Bob Dylan!

    • madhu dagmar frantzen says:

      It´s utterly painful, Shantam Prem, when opening the UK caravanserai chat to a new topic, like this one, to be bombarded with your utterly stupid and narrow-minded virtual ejaculations.

      You won´t mind, I guess, that such is paining me.

      I´d like to add – even if I therefore have to go into the past – that I was fortunate enough to have met quite a lot of fellow sannyas travellers with the sparkle of Heart´s Intelligence in their eyes or their speaking, and it´s a pain when that quality gets lost and kind of ´Donald Trumps´ are going for their self-appointed ´missions`.

      Otherwise, I have a thorough psychic hangover from that last topic chat.

      Can, according to this topic, only join Simond just now, when he says that the here posted statements of a sannyasin lawyer are fairly reasonable and maybe also helpful to further taking some even more effort to replace the rather rarely (but happening!) quoting competitions by our own words, sharing gratitude or also difficulties with that which the Master, Osho, has moved in our own hearts and/or lives.

      Madhu

    • Arpana says:

      The master who treated law as an ass, Shantam is happy to use the ass to feel secured, safe and in control.

      Thank God, the god of OFI is not called Shantam.

    • madhu dagmar frantzen says:

      P.S. to the post I posted, and is not appearing to be read (up to now, at least in my own Apple):

      And there I want to refer to the last of the topic´s sentence:
      “He’s public property and your right to comment will be protected under the law.”

      As far as my understanding goes, nobody is “public property” as it is put here. All comments mostly show more of the commenter over anything else.

      Well, I know it´s a quite common ‘lawyer speak’ from a need to differentiate (for eventual prosecution).

      Anyway – the important stuff and essential lies beyond words and what impact His Presence has had and still has.

      • Arpana says:

        “All comments mostly show more of the commenter over anything else.”

        Yes, Madhu. Absolutely true.

        You do realise, though, don’t you, Madhu, this applies to you as well? Not just to us, to everyone but you, as it were.

        • madhu dagmar frantzen says:

          “You do realise, though, don’t you, Madhu, this applies to you as well?” (Arpana)

          Yes, Arpana, I do; that´s why I very rarely ´quote´ Osho – unlike you, you know?

          Madhu

  4. Kavita says:

    “Oshoworld offers a complete audio archive to download free of cost.”

    Only latter half is correct , Oshoworld does not offer complete audio archive to download, as the complete one is with the OIF. Nonetheless, I am grateful to them for its availability.

    • shantam prem says:

      Kavita, do you have any idea what is missing in the free download opportunity provided by Oshoworld?

      I cannot say for sure but it seems 90-95% Osho talks are available for free. While ironing clothes I love to listen to Osho. This discourse lasts for two or three ironing shifts.

      Has the OFI people the balls to drag Oshoworld to court for copyright things?

      In my opinion, Osho Foundation International should have the copyright and trademark over Osho´s legacy once new trustees are chosen by the disciples in a very democratic and transparent way. In a sincere way, foundation has to be subordinated to the will of disciples.

      Disciples are the natural successors. If the trustees are smarter than disciples it means Osho has failed. He is not worthy to be master, just an author, an orator.

      • Kavita says:

        Look, Shantam, first of all you write “COMPLETE” – then you say, “I cannot say for sure but it seems 90-95% Osho talks are available for free.”

        Most of the claims about such matters are exaggerated. I am not saying I am have all facts under my belt, what I said is because in 1998-99, when I was guarding at the Lao-Tzu gate, Jayantibhai, as we know, was a resident, so we met nearly everyday and sometimes he used to give me Osho’s discourses (in cassette format). When I asked him once which series they were & where I could avail myself of them he said they were not given any titles as they were randomly recorded during His travelling days and these, which I gathered Jayantibhai had access to, were later deposited in the Ashram (which I guess is also OIF!) & Osho did not want them on sale. JB also added naughtily that there was no need to buy everything!

        Also, many discourses are missing from the Oshoworld collection. If one is listening series-wise one can notice the missing ones from many series.

        Actually, these days I am a bit dumbfounded when I see you/anyone, including myself, having such kinds of extreme emotions. My sincere request to Existence for recovery and healing for all of us.

        • madhu dagmar frantzen says:

          Thanks for sharing, Kavita,

          “Actually, these days I am a bit dumbfounded when I see you/anyone, including myself, having such kinds of extreme emotions. My sincere request to Existence for recovery and healing for all of us.” ( Kavita)

          And join you especially in your request.
          Guess when we become more and more aware of our often hidden strong desires, help from Existence, as you put it, has the space to come along by itself in a helping way…

          Bright autumn sky here, Kavita; yesterday I saw the first multi-coloured foliage of the trees in dark red and honey-yellow, even some with pink spots on them, still all in their juice. Precious.

          One could even still sit on the earthy ground and have a deep breath with the richness of autumn flavours.

          People are looking for mushrooms these days, and take their children and their old ones out for a walk.

          Madhu

          • Kavita says:

            Madhu, here now the October heat has set in, with the dryness in the air a kind of cleanliness in the air, despite all the Pune pollution!

      • Tan says:

        Shantam,
        Can you tell who is a disciple of Osho? I know Osho’s lovers that don’t give a clue, most of the new generation has a new way…different from ours.

        And many who shout from the rooftops their love and understanding of Osho are far away…Many from our generation.

        Osho was not stupid, man, if you read his books he always gave a clue about the future. Things are fine, as they are.

        Cheers!

        • shantam prem says:

          Tan, things were fine before Osho too. India was on the top of the world before Buddha too.

          Is there any book where Osho has not put other people´s religion and sociological/political values down?

          Wonder of the life is all such organisations and groupings are in the process of reinventing themselves.

      • satyadeva says:

        Shantam, you declare, “In my opinion, Osho Foundation International should have the copyright and trademark over Osho´s legacy once new trustees are chosen by the disciples in a very democratic and transparent way. In a sincere way, foundation has to be subordinated to the will of disciples.”

        Unfortunately though, you have never provided a single suggestion as to under what conditions such a “very democratic and transparent” election could be held, probably because, embroiled in extreme emotional states as you so often appear to be, you’ve never given this a moment’s thought.

        What about the democratic fundamentals, eg the criteria to qualify to vote, voter registration, how to make sure all qualifying voters know where and how to vote, and, surely far from least important, how to ensure against electoral fraud, to cite just a few very tricky issues?

        Not to mention the almost certainly rather differing ideas of what constitutes “a very democratic and transparent” election…

        Organising an electorate of hundreds of thousands (or millions?) of sannyasins, worldwide, to vote on their ‘leaders and administrators’ in a fair election? Next joke, please!

        • shantam prem says:

          May i request you to look at the video documentary, ‘I Leave You My Dream’? This is one historical documentary video released days after Osho´s departure.

          • satyadeva says:

            Again, may I request you address the practical issues of how any election of a new ruling elite by “the disciples” would be organised?

            For example, who exactly do you envisage would be these voting disciples?

            No use fudging the issue with idealistic (for you) generalities, get down to specifics, Shantam. Only then will anyone be able to judge for themselves whether your scheme has any merit or not.

  5. Arpana says:

    Shantam’s jealous Bob Dylan has been given a Nobel Prize.

    Hilarious.

    What a ridiculous popinjay you are, Shantam.

  6. sw. veet (francesco) says:

    Imho,
    Anandita explained not only what the law says (and suggested how to remain in its frame with 300 words), and then that the issues would be two:
    1) If we agree with the spirit of the law that protects intellectual property.
    2) If we recognize the OIF as the entity that has the right to deal with it.
    So the different ball-game (court) is two and not one…

    She also said that she doesn’t want to play the first ball-game, because she knows that the copyright holder is the first one who must respect what Osho says. But after that, how could she say that OIF “shows a genuine desire…”, doing what they are doing?

    She speaks of law in the premise and then concludes speaking of love…Connecting the reasons of the law to those of the heart looks a rhetorical trick, maybe out of professional deformation. If not…

    As a sannyasin, much better would be to say, “I love the people there (OIF) and I trust their genuine effort to share Osho.”

    I can see that many sannyasins are showing a genuine desire to play the second ball-game, not only in the court. But is possible that Anandita ignores the ball-game that is going on in a different field from the courts.

    Songs and hugs (with a little help from google translate).

    • madhu dagmar frantzen says:

      You pointed at some lun-a-tic points, Veet Franceso, in the whole ´family system constellation´ circus, which either are a shame or a symptom too (of a dysfunctional ´family’). I wonder, though, if the google translate machine did confer in depth what you pointed at.

      Yes, I know how difficult it is sometimes, when using language, plus, in a language which is not the mother tongue, to express. Plus the so-called anonymous virtual space here.

      Thanks for your insights and your hug and songs. And maybe…see you with that again here?

      Madhu

  7. bodhi heeren says:

    That seems to be a fair and relevant statement about the legal issues concerning copyright on books and the rules for quotations. And if OIF stuck to that I suppose most controversies would die out.

    But unfortunately, OIF seems to go a lot farther than that. Harrassing sannyasins for imaginary – or irrelevant – copyright infringements. Like posting old Osho songs/music on youtube, songs that have not been commercially available for years. Or posting pictures or whatever…

    And first and foremost, they do seem to want to establish themselves as the sole heirs and administrators of Osho’s legacy. Something they can not say Osho has appointed them to. And completely forgetting Osho’s words that each single sannyasin was connected to him in their own way.

    It feels strange that OIF’s agenda seems very much to be to monopolise Osho and keep others from spreading his vision – instead of working together with all sannyasins and encouraging everybody’s effort to make as much Osho available to the public as possible. (Fortunately, modern day internet (underground) distribution makes sure – so far – that they are fighting a losing case).

    • Arpana says:

      Shocking really. These people are not perfect.

      Obviously the fault is in them, and not in any way anything to do with the myriad expectations of those who criticise them.

      • satyadeva says:

        Yes, Arps, expectations loom large in the whole debate over how ‘official’ Sannyas is organised and run.

        I do wonder how justified or realistic a lot of these expectations are. And if any of the chronically discontented ever stop to consider whether their expectations (and the almost inevitable ensuing disappointment when they’re unfulfilled) are at the root of the problem, or at least part of the problem, rather than laying the blame on others.

        Shantam, for instance, clearly expected his ‘golden days’ in Pune to last forever, that it would always remain the same, a sort of psycho-sexual Shangri-La, continually peopled by an influx of attractive foreigners, somewhere where he, as an ‘old hand’ could enjoy a ‘certain status’, even, in time, a significant influence; at the very least a familiar place he could return to at any time, and very likely somewhere to eventually live ‘permanently’ (as it were!).

        Whether that sort of ‘comfort zone’ would have been ideal for his ‘spiritual growth’ might well be highly debatable, of course, but I’d bet a million-to-one it’s a question he’s never, ever gone close to asking himself in all these years.

  8. shantam prem says:

    Has Osho said or even thought on his death bed, “My dream for every human being on the Earth is to read my books. My disciples, make sure they read. Jayesh, i leave you copyrights over my intellectual work?”

    • satyadeva says:

      Actually, yes, Shantam!

      Why do you think he made recording and publishing his discourses such a priority?

      • shantam prem says:

        As per my experience, oratory was a way to gather His own folks. In the spiritual business, there are two main ways to attract people: show your magical healing powers or demonstrate your wisdom through top-of-the-league oratory.

        If few people think Osho was a Bob Dylan of New Age spiritual movements then it is their choice.
        Bod Dylan is a singer and songwriter. He did not initiate his audience into his own cult.

        During last years of His life, Osho has poured His energy best to create Osho Commune International. It is a modified, downgraded version of other communes and cities. This place was supposed to be the epic centre of Belief-less Spirituality. It was till 2000 because nobody tried to dig hole in the ship. Satyadeva, this is the reason I have recommended you to watch, ‘I Leave You My Dream.’

        As a matter of fact, most of the writers here or at Oshonews have not in-depth experience of Osho’s last years. They live on the memories of Bhagwan who later became Osho. I wonder sometimes whether people have even listened to those talks of Bhagwan Shree creating a new and last chapter of His creative life.

        Here it must be kept in mind, Osho was not a HINDU. He came from a small religious community which is surviving for last many thousand years. (As per the 2011 census, there are only 4,451,753 Jains in the 1.21 billion population of India). So if a man from such a community has the vision for New Age global movement, what methods he will choose?

        Impress others through trustworthy words and use their discontent to create your own BRAND.

        Now the situation is such, most of the discontented disciples of Osho are in the kitty of other gurus, most of them HINDUS BY BIRTH, HINDUS BY LIVING, AND THEY WILL DIE AMONG THE HINDU CHANTS.

        Without ex-Christians, there won´t be any export market for Indian beliefs and the service providers.

        • satyadeva says:

          The Hindu references are pointlessly irrelevant, Shantam.

          As for the rest, Parmartha’s latest post sums up your situation and the obvious (to all but you, it seems) inherent flaws in your ‘political’ agenda, I suggest.

          • shantam prem says:

            Are you so dumb, Satyadeva? If I have my political agenda I will create my own movement.

            You are one of those kinds of women who sleep with many men and have no idea who is the dad. There is a Rumanian saying, “Kids be respectful to the men in the vicinity; who knows, someone of them is your real father.”

            Satyadeva kind of drifting stones lose their objectivity and sense of balance. Should I remind him again, Osho is not in the league of Ramana Ji, Punja ji, Jaggi Vasudev Ji, Osho is a spiritual master with a clear-cut vision about politics, social norms, including Screwing and Samadhi?
            This multi-dimensional man is my master. (And I am not imposing my fucking mind over Him, He is so).

            • satyadeva says:

              I’m afraid that for a very long time, Shantam, it’s been as clear as daylight that if anyone has lost “their objectivity and sense of balance” it’s undoubtedly you!

              The latest instance being your inability to grasp the truth of what has been put to you today, by others as well as me.

              Psychically ‘possessed’, as you appear to be, by rage, resentment, pain, grief, lust (and compensatory delusions of grandeur), how can you expect to see things straight?

  9. Parmartha says:

    Shantam says earlier:
    “So the copyright is a useless issue.”

    As bloggers above have tried to show, it is not.

    I think he says this because he is a ONE issue politician. (A bit like UKIP in the UK, once they had unexpectedly won their campaign to get the UK to withdraw from the EEC, they have fallen apart!).

    His one issue is re-occupation of the Pune Resort/Ashram and no other focus. He last lived there in the nineties. A long time ago. When did you last visit, Shantam? Are you now banned?

    He somehow misses the point that the Pune Resort/Ashram as it was then cannot be recreated, as it relied on many visitors from Europe who loved the atmosphere and the range of good therapeutic groups and meditation programmes. They are not gong to come back in such numbers, and even less so to a ‘devotional’ ashram where people worship at Osho’s Samadhi, and do little else.

    Shantam’s personal tragedy is that he is caught in this loop and sees no other ‘solution’ to whatever his life issues are. There are those who say that the commune atmospheres in Mexico and Puerto Rico are much closer to that which he misses so much from Pune 2/3. hy doesn’t he go to them?

    • shantam prem says:

      Parmartha, unfortunately, your comment shows you have no inner wisdom about complex yet simple human psychology.

      This is the dilemma shared by many people who cannot think for themselves but only through the contents of Osho books or the books of their godfathers or mothers.

      So whenever there is an unprecedented situation they create wrong psychological as well as world profile.

      • Arpana says:

        Shantam, your comment shows you have no inner wisdom about complex yet simple human psychology.

        You cannot think for yourself but only parrot the contents of your holy Sikh book of your godfathers and mothers; so you are constantly creating wrong psychological as well as world profile.

      • satyadeva says:

        Let me spell it out, Shantam:

        You’re extremely attached to the past and your (impractical) longing to repeat it, not to mention the possibility you envisage of enjoying a certain ‘status’ in a ‘repossessed’ Pune ashram, which you know would not be the case elsewhere.

        All authorised (in your head, that is) by the ‘certainty’ that you’d be playing a key role in furthering ‘Osho’s True Vision’.

        Correct? Of course it is.

        • shantam prem says:

          Parmartha being the editor of the SNews has passed my comment for publishing where I am directly criticizing him.

          He has not responded to that but fickle-minded gentlemen could not hold their itch. I hope they learn something from Parmartha´s behaviour. I see it as one fine example of British democratic norms.

          • Arpana says:

            More of your egregious, manipulative behaviour, you creepy so’n'so, Shantam.

            • shantam prem says:

              Arpana, your Mr. Bhagwan in real life was just like this; Shantam as disciple is simply transmitting that energy innocently. Your ego won´t accept this. It is not my business.

              • Arpana says:

                Shantam, your Mr. Bhagwan in real life was just like this; Arpana as disciple is simply transmitting that energy innocently. Your ego won´t accept this.

          • satyadeva says:

            When Shantam’s ill at ease with the truth he avoids what’s been put to him and has the brass neck to suggest others have no right to comment on his posts. While lauding SN’s “democratic” values!

            He seems rather confused….

            • madhu dagmar frantzen says:

              What about…giving the talking stick to ´Dr. Frank´ today, guys, who took the effort September 30, at 10.33 am, to subsume his diagnosis (without any particular prescription)?

              Maybe, he´d thought that a clear insight would be enough for a change?

              “The British enlightenment game just can`t seem to shake off the scourge of hooliganism, and it’s back to the bad old days of the 70s and 80s, with vicious rivals attacking each other with an arsenal of weapons stolen from old encounter groups. They have been sharing their feelings of aggression and chanting cod-psychology slogans at each other as they stick the boot in on each others` projections and trample each other`s ego-structures in another night (and days?) of violence at Sannyasnews.”

              Couldn´t have said it better, so I have to quote. Sorry, and yes, thanks again, Frank.

              Madhu

  10. sw. veet (francesco) says:

    @madhu dagmar frantzen:

    In Italian, the word ‘lunatic’ has the word ‘luna’ (moon) in its roots. If I could have pointed at the moon, sure you are pointing my nail.

    By the way, my biological family is almost neurotic (Freud), as opposed to yours, I guess.

    I would like to apologise for my expressive limits and if I was off-topic, but if I had been I would not be published.

    Yet, if I come back to comment here or not it depends on me and on the administrator of the website (whom I thank for putting quotation marks and colons that I forgot in the previous comment), certainly not on your mood.

    Perhaps this is because you do not follow the suggestion in your name (sweet day girl) and instead of sleeping under the moon you get to stare at it, and when you write you feel influenced by her, like the lunatic does.

    I’m happy for you to have overcome your sense of shame. I continue to be overwhelmed sometimes, like now, for you.

    Please relax, starts from the eyebrows.

    Hugs to you and your dad (if not anonymous).

    P.S:
    For all_sannyasins that through the pink frame of their little, smug bourgeois comfort think that Sheela is always a projection: sometimes, for someone, money-power matters!

    • madhu dagmar frantzen says:

      Uups, Veet Francesco,

      Thank you for letting me know that my response to yours apparently ended up in a wrong channel. Btw, my mom and dad are dead quite a while, and I am an elderly, not to say an old woman.

      Also, ‘pink frames of little smug comfort’ don´t happen to be in my life, as before in my life story as well as nowadays…and the name Osho chose for me is not related to “sweet” or honey etc.

      Good wishes for relaxation for both our sides, Veet Francesco.

      Madhu

  11. mini kang says:

    Beautiful website of OSHO books, FREE download provided since 8 years by our rebel, Ozen Rajneesh:
    http://www.oshorajneesh.com/osho-books-free-download.htm

    • shantam prem says:

      It is wonder, mini kang, klaus rat of OFI is unable to stop the flow of free books, free audios. Devotees are showing finger of defiance to the ill-conceived policies of alpha male, New Age priests. So it should be.

  12. shantam prem says:

    To check the real-time market value of our master´s literature, anyone can do a simple experiment:
    Ask five educated persons randomly, have you read Eckhart Tolle, Paulo Coleho and Osho? If they say yes, enquire the name of one book of each of them. Experience will be a great reality check.

    Simple psychology is humanity avoids the literature of those who create some kind of cult. With master like Osho, you can be in love or it is nothing.

    In my simple observation, during the days of Acharya Shree, talks were given to impress others and attract disciples out of ordinary readers. During the years of Bhagwan Shree, it was an effort to consolidate the base, and finally, Osho was talking with HIS PEOPLE.

    Without His people, Osho is just an author getting some shelf space in some corner of book trade.
    Post-demise, a master is known through His disciples. It is childish to count his fan base as author. It is humiliating in a way to the sacred gift of India to humanity, the relation of master and disciples.

    • satyadeva says:

      “Post-demise, a master is known through His disciples.”

      And what would someone new to Osho and Sannyas glean from coming across you, Shantam?

  13. Tan says:

    Lokesh, heeeeeeelp! Give a stir here! XX

  14. shantam prem says:

    From words and publishing I am getting the thought to launch a magazine in India. In a typical Sannyas style, name has to be top of the world. ‘Osho Truth’ seems appropriate.

    Creative joy of writing I am getting enough – need money too, baba!

    Looking around, one can observe those who earn money through words are highly miserable to share words. I call such people wisdom-dispensing machines. Insert some cash in their mouth, wisdom falls like chips ‘n’ coke.

    • satyadeva says:

      “Creative joy of writing I am getting enough…‘Osho Truth’ seems appropriate.”

      Market it as pure, unconscious comedy and it might set you up for life, Shantam.

      • shantam prem says:

        Satyadeva,
        First of all have some sense of thankfulness towards Shantam. He fuels the engine of Sannyasnews.
        And then meditate over my last post: it is a soft satire or a statement?