Sannyas in the Rainbow Nation. Let the Dance Begin
Sannyas and Osho in South Africa date back to 1970, when as far as I know a couple of sanyasins came back from Poona, India wearing the full orange maroon outfit , and started infecting some willing folk with the Osho way — just by hanging out and running their centre in Johanseburg. I clearly remember Hamid and Hamida which I visited JHB in 1980 shortly before I left to Israel and took Sannyas myself. They came to Capetown on a visit, and their spontaneous and lively way became an inspiration to me. Since then I have been ,and still am, on a long journey with Osho.
In 1995, as soon as I heard that Mandela was President, I decided to move back to South Africa. I dont know what happend in all those years in between, (maybe someone feels like sharing?) but as far as Osho and his work, I found a small and steady stream happening here, a new and fresh land where minds as a whole remained simple and open. Stunning nature, growing opportuinities, and easy going people. Since I came I became aware that most of the action is happening in JHB, Knysna and Capetown. In JHB there are quite a number of sanyasins, Alka was running a meditaion Centre, Atiba when she was there was running meditations from her home and bringing Osho therapists from Poona to lead workshops, and do sessions. and I am sure there is more that I never got to hear about.
I heard More about KNYSNA where a relativley large group of Osho lovers are around. There are massage therapists, events, groups, a guest house and a whole community that is quite involved. and when I visited there some years I was pleasantly surprised. I heard that Hamid bought land with some others and they are building a mediation hall and a small community in the forest close to knysna.
Since I have been in Cape Town for more than 8 years, I know the scene here pretty well. There are about 12 of us, pretty close and in touch with one another, we all do our thing and connect once in a while — sometimes a short while and sometimes long one. When I came I established the Osho school for Creative Touch in 1998, which I was running in Germany before. There were long and short trainings in rebalancing anddeep tissue massage. It was great fun and quite a few people came in and out, and got some Osho rubb. Today there are about 12 practicing and making a living from rebalancing. And Jackie is teaching it now full time. Soon I feel that I will be doing it again, after a 2 year break that I took to make some serious bux.
Around 2001 I started to facilitate the Osho Meditation Retreats, once a month in remote places around Capetown, this is the best, 2 days got me, and I hope the others, really high on life. Active and silent meditations, sweat lodge, making food, celebrating, and the nature, soo good...
Since more than a year now Sw Nirdosh is in Capetown. he moved here permanently from India and lives with Sindu not far awy from me. He is fully devoded to facilitate Osho's work and is running regular meditations and weekend retreats, from their house,that reminds me of the garden around Buddha Hall with lush vegetation and trees. His retreats are full of energy, and he and Sindu make very good Indian food which all share in the breaks. Recently he was featured in SABC3 on the Free spirit program.
Sw.Virag is also here since some years, a Italian born Marine Engineer. He has opened his lovely house in Capetown, where ocasionally friends and sannyasins gather to enjoy meditation and hang out . It seems that this will become more regular. So between the active and passive of us, the stream is flowing here in South Africa, and my feeling is that a river is coming, just keep pouring that little bit in....
Love, Sw Deva Prasado
For details of things going on in South Africa you can contact Prasado in the ways detailed below or look at the website below.
Email: prasadom@yahoo.com
Ph 083-3568798 Fx 021-7892364
www.osho.co.za
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