Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh
Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh: A Life of Spiritual Exploration and Controversy
Full Name and Common Aliases
Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh's full name was Chandra Mohan Jain. He is also known as Osho (Sanskrit for "the blissful one").
Birth and Death Dates
Born on December 11, 1931, in Kuchwada, Madhya Pradesh, India. Died on January 19, 1990, in Pune, Maharashtra, India.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Indian spiritual leader, philosopher, and mystic.
Early Life and Background
Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh was born into a Hindu family in rural India. He grew up in a traditional household with his parents, who encouraged his spiritual pursuits from an early age. As a young man, he studied philosophy at the University of Sagar, where he became interested in Zen Buddhism and Taoism.
In 1953, Rajneesh began teaching meditation and spirituality in Jabalpur, India. He attracted a small following and gained recognition for his unconventional approach to spirituality, which emphasized individual freedom and self-discovery over traditional dogma.
Major Accomplishments
Rajneesh's teachings centered on the importance of self-awareness, love, and spiritual growth. He advocated for living in the present moment, free from the constraints of societal norms and expectations. His message resonated with many young people seeking a more authentic and fulfilling life.
At the height of his popularity, Rajneesh had thousands of followers worldwide, known as sannyasins (those who have taken a vow of spiritual dedication). He established several communes in India and around the world, including the city of Antelope, Oregon, USA, which was later renamed Rajneeshpuram.
Notable Works or Actions
Rajneesh's teachings were documented in numerous books, lectures, and audio recordings. Some notable works include:
The Ultimate Relationship: A collection of his teachings on love, relationships, and spiritual growth.
The Book of Secrets: A compilation of his meditations and spiritual insights.
Impact and Legacy
Rajneesh's impact on modern spirituality is undeniable. He helped to popularize meditation and mindfulness practices worldwide, paving the way for future generations of spiritual leaders and teachers.
However, his life was also marked by controversy and scandal. In the 1980s, Rajneeshpuram became embroiled in a series of high-profile crimes, including poisoning of local residents, attempted murder, and tax evasion. The commune's leader, Ma Anand Sheela, was convicted of plotting to assassinate U.S. government officials.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Rajneesh's teachings continue to inspire and influence people from all walks of life. His emphasis on individual freedom, self-awareness, and spiritual growth resonates with those seeking a more authentic and meaningful existence.
His legacy is complex and multifaceted, reflecting both the positive and negative aspects of his life and teachings. Despite the controversies surrounding him, Rajneesh remains an important figure in modern spirituality, and his quotes continue to inspire and challenge readers around the world.
Quotes by Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh
There is a story told of one old wise man, whose name was Mencius. He was a follower of Confucius and he died when he was very, very old. Somebody asked him: If you were given life again, how will you start it? Said Mencius: I will pay more attention to my needs and less attention to my desires. And this realisation will come to you also. But it always comes very late and then life is no more in your hands. If you were given life again...
Your life is enough, don’t be concerned with others. And I tell you that if you can live unconcerned your life will flower, and then others can share in it. You would like to share, and you can give much to others, but first you must stop thinking about others and what they are thinking about you.
If you say, ’If those conditions are fulfilled then I will be blissful’, then these conditions are never going to be fulfilled. And, secondly, even if these conditions are fulfilled, by that time you will have lost the very capacity to celebrate and enjoy. And moreover, when these conditions are fulfilled – if ever, because they cannot be fulfilled – your mind will create further ideals.
Only that which is attained through effortlessness will never be a burden to you, and only that which is not a burden can be eternal. Only that which is not in any way unnatural can remain with you forever and forever.
Don’t be worried about the future. Live this moment so totally that the next moment comes out of it golden.
This is one of the subtle things to be understood. We are always wise if we have to advise others but when we are in the same trap, with the same problem, the same crisis, we are not so wise. If somebody else comes to you with a problem, you will give him good advice and the advice may be right. But if you have the same problem you will not be able to give yourself the same advice. Why? Because when it is somebody else’s problem you are detached.
A man of wisdom always looks at every problem from the other’s point of view also. You cannot be wise if you have only one point of view. Sometimes try to stand in others’ shoes and just look from there. And if you can understand the other, you will be able to understand yourself more. The other always sees that you are an egoist. You never see it, you are blind to yourself.
A man of wisdom always looks at every problem from the other’s point of view also. You cannot be wise if you have only one point of view. Sometimes try to stand in others’ shoes and just look from there.
In every relationship, you can always see the ego of the other, but you cannot see your own – and the other one goes on seeing your ego.