1968 to 1974 Bombay Years
1968, FROM SEX TO SUPER CONSCIOUSNESS
Osho is invited to Bombay to give a series of five talks on 'love', in the prestigious Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan Auditorium. In the first discourse on August 28, Osho explains that love and meditation arise as a transformation of sexual energy, and that if sex is suppressed it cannot be transformed. Many people are outraged that He talked about sex, and the owner of the auditorium cancels the series.
On September 28, Osho returns to Bombay to complete the talks to a very large audience at the Gwalior Tank Maidan. The series is published under the title "From Sex To Superconsciousness", which becomes His most read book. The Indian press begins to refer to call him as the "Sex Guru".
BEGINNING IN 1970 AND CONTINUING TILL 1985
From September 26 to October 5, 1970, Osho holds a meditation camp in Kulu Manali at the foothills of the Himalayas. On September 26, He initiates His first group of disciples, which He calls "neo-sannyasins". His version of this ancient Hindu institution is radically different from tradition, where the seeker renounces all possessions and relationships; is celibate and lives on what he or she is given by those who remain engaged in society. As Osho begins to define "neo-sannyas", His challenge to the tradition becomes increasingly clear.
1970, A NEW DEFINITION OF SANNYAS
Osho's sannyasins are asked to wear shades of red and orange. They also receive a necklace from Osho, known as a mala, which consists of one hundred and eight beads plus a locket with Osho's picture. In addition, Osho gives each sannyasin a new name. The new name includes a prefix, common to all - the prefix "swami" for men and "ma" for women.
"THE ANCIENT MEANING OF SANNYAS IS RENOUNCING THE WORLD. I am against it... To me, sannyas means a commitment that "I am going to clean myself completely of all those things that have been imposed upon me, and I will start living on my own - fresh, young, pure, unpolluted" - Osho. So sannyas is an initiation into your innocence.
LATER OSHO SAYS
Slowly slowly I started sorting out my people, and to just sort them out I started initiating them into sannyas so that I could recognize them and know who my people are. I started giving them names so I could remember, because it is difficult for me to remember all kinds of strange names from around the world. The real reason was simply to have names that I could remember; otherwise it would be impossible for me. Now there are people from almost all the countries, of all languages: it is impossible to remember their names.
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But when I give you a name it is a totally different matter. When I give you a name I give you a name for certain reasons, for certain qualities that I see in you, for certain possibilities that I see in you, for certain characteristics that are already there - and all these become associated. The name that I give is known to me, its meaning is known to me. Its meaning and your lifestyle, pattern, potentiality, all become associated.It becomes easier for me to remember you; otherwise it is very difficult, almost impossible. |
I have given you the maroon clothes for the simple reason so that I can recognize you; all other excuses are just hogwash.
Just to give you good reasons--because people will be asking you and you will have to give good reasons to them. I have been trying to make a philosophy out of nothing. But the truth is simply this, nothing more than this.
1971, FROM ACHARYA TO BHAGWAN
In May 1971, Osho changes His name from Acharya Shree Rajneesh to Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and for the first time publicly acknowledges that He is enlightened.
THE WOODLANDS
Osho moves to a large apartment in the Woodlands Complex in Bombay, where He lives until March 1974.
Now that Osho is settled, He is able to work more closely with individuals. He meets people individually or in small groups, and gives regular talks, including His talks on the one hundred and twelve meditation techniques of the Vigyan Bhairav Tantra, which He calls "The Book of Secrets". Sannyasins and other seekers meet every morning on a nearby beach to do Dynamic Meditation together.
In addition, Osho still occasionally hosts meditation camps in the country-side. More and more Westerners begin to arrive to meet Him, and many are initiated into sannyas.
1970, DYNAMIC MEDITATION INTRODUCED
In April 1970, Osho introduced a revolutionary cathartic meditation technique, which He calls Dynamic Meditation. In May at the Nargol Meditation Camp, He leads experiments in this mediation, which He continues to fine-tune over the next three years. Dynamic Meditation becomes His most famous and widely practiced meditation technique.
1973-1975, ACTIVE MEDITATIONS AND MUSIC
Osho brings a five piece conga drum band to a July 1973 meditation camp, and when He finally settles in Pune He works with disciples to compose music to accompany each of the active meditations He has developed. Your mind is in chaos. That chaos has to be brought out, acted out. Chaotic music can be helpful, so if you are meditating and chaotic music is played, it will help you to bring out your chaos. You will flow in it, you will become unafraid of expression. And this chaotic music will hit your chaotic mind within and will bring it out. It helps.