Renuka’s farewell speech at the funeral of her mom.

My mother, my Ba, was the most beautiful, peaceful, loving, understanding, humble, full-of-inner-wisdom and fun-loving person. As her children, we know the full extent to which our mother’s faith inspired her life, moulded her attitudes and helped her show to others the eternal values of human life. An upright life spent in quiet dignity, a determination to pursue the virtues of compassion, humility, sacrifices and kindness to others and a grateful celebration of life. These are the elements that I wish to celebrate with you all.

Fun-loving Nirmala in Sri Lanka

with her twin great grand son and daughter, May 2013

My mother was born on 7th August 1924 in Dar-es-salaam to Karunashanker and Rukshmani Vyas. She studied at Arya Kanya Gurukul in Probander. She was a brilliant student and was awarded 4 gold medals during her academic years. One of the gold medals was awarded by the Maharajah of Kutch in 1942 for her brilliant skills in archery. Gurukul was a perfect base for her spiritual journey: discipline and inner strength.

After my father’s death in 1974 my mother and my younger brother Jyotindra came to settle in London. We looked after our mother like a flower for 39 years. As the divine Mother says “Life must blossom like a flower offering itself to the divine” and she truly started blossoming with her inner strength. In 1981 she took sannyas from Osho and her spiritual name was Ma Yoga Nirmala. We both embarked on a spiritual journey together and we were fortunate enough to meet J Krishnamurti, Dada Bhagwan, Irene Tweedie, a sufi enlightened master and were also inspired by the Mother and Shree Aurobindo. Our guru gave us total freedom to go to other living masters for guidance for which we are eternally grateful and richer.

Over the years she attended meditation workshops to learn different meditation techniques. As Osho says, “meditation is an experiment in how one attains to a gradual voluntary death – then death happens in full consciousness.”

For the last 6 months I could see that she was preparing for her conscious death. She was constantly falling into deep meditation for hours. Gradually she started dropping her worldly desires like an autumn leaf. Our communication was in silence most of the times.

Last Thursday (30th May) afternoon when she was in hospital, I could sense that she became detached from me, and my brother – dropping her last worldly attachments. Finally, at 2am last Friday our mother peacefully slipped away in my loving arms with full awareness and consciouness.

Ba, we are all going to miss you immensely, our lives won’t be the same, you were a pillar of strength, ocean of love, full of wisdom and a great source of inspiration. You have left a big vacuum in our lives. My humble prayer to you: “Please be our guide, our guardian angel so we can be like you.”

Tributes

You can leave a message / tribute / anecdote to be published on Osho News using our contact form (pls add ‘Nirmala’ in the subject field)…

I saw the news that ba is no more in the body! Feel sad, but we all have to go. Happy that she went nicely in your arms! I met her here in Pune. Lots of love to you. I hope to see you some time here in Pune – I am alwayes here…..
Pragya (Pune ashram)

From Arnavah’s parents and brother Paul we hear that a few days ago they received news from the US Embassy in Peru that their son, brother and friend has passed away near Machu Picchu in the Andes. At this time they do not have details of the circumstances of his death.

From his brother Paul we have received some notes for his bio:

Arnavah was born as Nathan Krystall in Michigan, USA in 1964. In 1972 he moved with the family to Kenya. He graduated from University of Massachusetts, Amherst and University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.

His ‘career’ was tasting the diversity of what life had to offer. He was a global traveller, spending large portions of his life in Kenya, Massachusetts, Brooklyn, Jerusalem, Johannesburg, Thailand, Cambodia, Bali, India, Greece, Taiwan, Beijing, and finally Peru.

To name just a few of his many occupations: activist for Palestinian rights of residency in Jerusalem, author of biographies (including Swimming Through Life, a biography of his father), ghost-writer, English teacher in Taiwan and Beijing, therapist and healer, musician and music producer, and many more….

Much of his adult life was spent working for societal and political causes in which he believed. His refusal to serve in the Israeli army (required of Jews who move to Israel and acquire citizenship) because he believed the army suppressed the rights of the Palestinian people landed him in prison. But the letter he wrote to the Israeli Minister of Defense explaining why he would not serve was published on the front page of every Arabic-speaking paper (and is still quoted almost 30 years later) and the authorities eventually released him. He also worked constructively for many years in the Middle-East, always for the rights of the Palestinian people.

His priority then became his spiritual path. Instigated by Oscar from Kenya he visited Pune and, in 2004-5, spent a year meditating and working there as an Osho books editor. He also trained in Core Integration bodywork and recently trained to facilitate Osho Mystic Rose.

Arnavah had the most impeccable practices for mind and body – yoga, tai chi, meditation, cleansing and strict diet – which he maintained for over 20 years. He spoke many languages: English, Swahili, Arabic and Hebrew, and was picking up Spanish. He was extremely talented in everything he did – his poetry, his music album, and his writing.

He was a pure soul who was always seeking the truth. Hopefully he found it and is now off on his next adventure.

Read his story on Osho News: Arnavah Lives out his Passion: Music!
A review of Arnavah’s CD Songs from Bed

Tributes

You can leave a message / tribute / anecdote to be published on Osho News using our contact form (pls add ‘Arnavah’ in the subject field)…

Arnavah, you are and inspiration. Your presence will be missed on this planet. Fly high my friend! See you in paradise. <3
Moksha

Ciao belovedissimo Arnavah! I can´t help but feel sad knowing that you have gone. May this mystery of “disappearing” be the most beautiful gift to your beautiful spirit and soul. Will miss you…
Lakshen

Beloved, thank you for the times we shared. Love to you wherever you are, precious soul.
Jivan Ananta

Beloved friend, may your song, your music, echo in our spirit, in our heart, and vibrate in our beings. Love,
Nijen

Oh! Oh! dearest beloved Arnavah! Your sudden leaving shocked the shit out of me! What the fuck did you manage up there in Peru? Well, my great singer, songwriter, ghost-writer, Rebalancer, and what not…. You’re my precious hero! I loved your fine subtle humour; it is forever ingrained in my eternal memory. I’m gonna miss you! Thank you so very much for your innocent, playful, ‘light of heart’ being here. Thank you for being my friend. I really love you. I wish you a fantastic, fabulous, smooth flight into the beyond…. Until we meet again! Bye! My sweet Man,
Rasal

My Beloved Arnavah – so many sweet and deep moments are connected with you. I have been deeply touched by your sudden departure and I send you my love and my light and prayers to wherever you are traveling now on this eternal pilgrimage. May we meet again – Love and Love,
Satsanga

Wao, Arnavah! Another wake up call? I am re-reading the last words you wrote to me a few months ago when I was in the ditch. I found in you a beautiful friend with real depth and I was looking forward to meet again.

“…so I meditate regularly and try my best to be clear and truthful. Enjoy Manali. I’m here anytime you feel to connect. Love love, Arnavah”

I am speechless and touched in the heart. Fly high, beautiful soul. Love,
Nirav

Dear Arnavah, You were a natural Osho book editor: a generous team player with a keen mind, a warm, sensitive heart and a pure soul. It was a joy to share an office with you that year. Thank you for your life and steady integrity.
Satyam

I just went looking for Arnavah on Facebook and it had said his account was deleted. Then furthering the search on Google I found the Osho News with the obituary of my dear friend. I am shocked, saddened and can hardly believe that he is no longer on earth. He was indeed a rare and beautiful man; a peaceful being who cared for that which many will not. May Arnavah’s precious spirit live in our hearts and may we feel the resonanace of his presence continue to inspire peace, beauty and prosperity in the world.
Hillary Adrian – Koh Samui

From Savita we hear: “American Prem Jeevan, an Osho sannyasin of about 37 years, left her body today, 11 August, 2013. She was 86.”

Jeevan had such a colourful life that, two years ago, when we had asked her to write her life story and her first meeting with Osho we had to split the story in two. Instead of writing her bio we would rather have you read her stories (again) in her own words:
Jeevan: Life, Love and Laughter – Part 1
Jeevan: Life, Love and Laughter – Part 2

Jeevan was one of our writers and has contributed many insightful articles and innumerable jokes. She also had an avid readership of her daily jokes (her last one was sent out just ten days ago) which many of us will miss.

During her time she spent in Pune she mostly worked as an editor, e.g. for the Osho Times. Her last job was that of audio-checking Osho’s discourses, a job she enjoyed tremendously. For many years she was an anchor point for many newcomers to the Resort, giving practical advice and making people feel welcome. She was also know for singing blues songs on various occasions. Here a taster – her own song:

Watch on YouTube

Another version of the songs can be found here…

Savita continues: “Many people have asked how Jeevan left her body. She seems to have left it beautifully…as Garimo put it, “She did it on her own” shortly after Dhyanesh had paid her a visit in the ICU today.

“We were all aware she did not want to hang around if things got bad.

“Six months ago, after she had the bone cancer diagnosis, she had told her beloved acupressure doctor, Yasmeen, that she wasn’t quite ready to go yet, because she “still had some work to do on herself…” But Yasmeen told me that just a couple of weeks ago, Jeevan had told her that “now she was ready.”

“About six days ago, she fractured a vertebra in a fall at home, and now she was laid up in a deluxe room at Inlaks. English Deven was taking very attentive care of all her needs. Many friends were visiting. She was even speaking on her phone – albeit in a muffled voice. But also she was in a lot of pain.

“When I saw her yesterday, she was very lighthearted on painkillers…smiling and willful as always as we carted her off to Ruby Hall for a procedure. Last night Yasmeen visited her in Inlaks and she told me that Jeevan had said to her then, “I’m done.”

“So there you go, she chose her timing, there’s no doubt about that.

“I went to the ICU this afternoon, just after she left, and sat with her body for a while. She was swaddled in white, her eyes open just a wee bit and she looked beautiful and serene. Deven and I laid some marigolds over her white sheet.

“Her timing coincides with the Monsoon Festival at the Osho Resort and the place is buzzing. So we can expect quite a celebration tomorrow when we take her to the ghats for what will be her last journey.”

See video of cremation on YouTube (cr Jagdish Bharti)

Tributes

You can leave a message / tribute / anecdote to be published on Osho News using our contact form (pls add ‘Jeevan’ in the subject field)…

AHHH Ma Prem Jeevan! “Love and Life”…. This woman was such a blessing for this Earth! I love what she said in her recent interview about “pain & orgasm”, Orgasmically Ever After. She definitely had her share! When we first met in Geetam and then San Francisco back in 1976, she was living as a gypsy in a VW van. Psychedelic and trippy to the max! I was only 24 and she was in her 40′s, and here she was talking to me about “multiple orgasms”, spirituality, and freedom! We bonded very deeply, as Jeevan was my “model” or “guinea pig” during the Postural Integration course I did with Jack Painter (RIP) in Haight Asbury at this time. Jeevan was my very first person to give 10 sessions of deep touch with, and after touching her, I just assumed that it was normal that folks had orgasms when they went inside and let go of deep tensions! We were both already sannyasins, She was always raving about Osho’s series on the Baul Mystics, called “The Beloved” and that’s just how she lived: singing, dancing, laughing, and pushing “uptight” buttons without even trying! Jeevan is a real “devotee” of the Divine Osho. I know she touched thousands and thousands of hearts over her richer than rich lifetime. She is touching me big time right now, through her passing from this shore, taking me deeper into no-mind and “not knowing”, and even more gratitude to the Master. I’m pretty sure as she was dying, she was feeling a major release and laughing, crying, and singing inside. Her ultimate and greatest Orgasm. I love you a lot Beloved Jee. Thanks for everything you showered on me and the Sangha.
Anubuddha

Thank you Jeevan, you lifted my spirit every time we met, and your light was that of a glorious sun, setting into beauty, joy and peace. You never failed to recognize me, although there were not many meetings. And for that I understood it was not of appearances but of soul. Thank You Beautiful One, Rest and Laugh with the Master. Love,
Hema

I am so grateful that I met you, long time ago in Pune. You inspire me!
Ganga

Jeevan, beloved, I am sure your soul is still singing and laughing. We made friends on the houseboats in Kashmir, inquiring about our inner child in DeHypnotherapy. You had such a cheerful and magical child inside you, still well alive in the grown up wise and beautiful woman you were. It’s been an honor to be in your company and presence, and certainly a pleasure, always. I love you,
Madita

I do not have many words, but I will keep you in sweet memory. Go with all my love for you.
Riten

My pranam to Ma Jeevan, she lived and died joyfully.
Dhyan Gaurav

My beloved friend Jeevan, I laugh and cry, seeing her smiling face… a face I remember from her time in Japan, just when she decided to go to Poona “for good.” We had long talks and moments of laughter then, near Kyoto, in her small room. We met again in the commune, she was singing jazz, working, living behind the German Bakery, happy. I had not seen her for a long time but I didn’t miss her recent juicy interview and I just felt “she is OK now”. So I feel sad, of course, but I understand when she said she was now ready. I believe she was! Watching her send-off celebration on YouTube, I joined with all my heart!
Parampara

I want to share with everyone, some mails from Jeevan to Garimo over the last year, expressing her ecstasy and gratitude in her work with the Osho audio-checking project >>

September 22, 2012:
Beloved Garimo, I just had to share with you this quote today from #75 of The Book of Secrets, which thrilled me and can be used as a selling point, if one is ever needed for this meditation, audiochecking. Which it is not, of course, for me. I am in ecstasy during all of these sessions with Osho!

“You are here listening to me. This very listening can become a transformation. If you are entirely here, this very moment here and now, if your entirety is listening, that listening will become a meditation: you will enter a different realm of ecstasy, a separate reality.”

June 15, 2013:
As usual I enjoyed very much these discourses and am sorry they are finished because it means there are no more for me to do! But perhaps you will find other work for me now. I certainly hope so.

June 19, 2013:
Goody that you found Osho work for me! How I love to hear his voice and what he tells me! Whoopee! Thank you, beloved Garimo, for your filling my Osho life so fully!

July, 5, 2013:
I finished the first 5 discourses of the Zen book and wondered if you wanted me to send you them – or should I just carry on with the rest. As usual, I’m enjoying them so much.

******

Missing you here in Pune…. Fly High, Beloved!

Sheelu

What a joyous person with a great heart and a great sense of humour. It was a privilege to know her.
Gyan Sourabh

From Shakura we heard on Saturday: “My dear friend Chandra left the body a few hours ago. She discovered just three months ago to have cancer.”

Chandra was born in Brescia, Italy, 64 years ago. She studied literature at Uni and came to Osho in 1980. In Pune she worked in the commune until Osho left for USA, later she joined the Osho communes in Milan (Vivek), Cologne, back to Poona 2, followed by Miasto in Tuscany. Whenever she was not part of a commune she worked as a teacher.

Upadhi writes:

“The time after the diagnosis was difficult. The cancer was found all over the body, including the brain. The diagnosis was a shock, not only for her but also for her friends. Everything went very fast. She was determined to get better and see if she could live a little longer in this body.

“Many friends were around her and looked afer her needs and, when it became necessary, we took turns 24 hours a day. Because the food served in the hospital was not satisfactory, we brought it to her (the Miasto centre helped a lot with this task). Chandra had many moments where she was open to receive all this with gratitude. She listened to Osho every day and, during the last period, she listened to the bardo in the evening.

“When it became clear that death was coming nearer she asked me: ‘How can I let go?’”

“The moment of her death was glorious: we were seven of us meditating around her from 10:30 in the morning while she was already in a coma. I perceived her as being outside her body, in the astral layer, looking from above – relaxed. Then at 15:30 the exhalation started to become longer and longer and at a certain point it stopped. This was the moment we all felt she had now left her body but then, unexpectedly, she took another breath and we all burst out in laughter. That was her last breath. A beautiful white light filled the room and hovered around her body, each one of us present perceived an expansion and an inner joy.

“It has been a beautiful gift for me to allow myself to be with her in these three months, seeing and welcoming the fears of the body dying, the necessity of the mind to remove the idea of death coming, the need to negotiate for more time and then moments of emptiness, of space and surrender, of gratitude in the moment. All of this fluctuating in a space bigger than us, and in the meantime being us. Experimenting with what is beyond the duality of life and death: simple, light, fresh, endless…. Coming back home. Ah This!”

Tributes

You can leave a message / tribute / anecdote to be published on Osho News using our contact form (pls add ‘Chandra’ in the subject field)…

Dear Chandra, you have been a great friend, I could always count on you. We had such beautiful moments together. You came to Mexico to support me, you brought me to Ibiza, you helped me settle down… A real friend. You will always be in my heart. Even though I am crying right now and I will miss you dearly, I wish you a journey in the light and peace. You always will be in my heart.
Shakura

With tears rolling down my cheeks I am preparing the slideshow of the photos Shakura sent to me this morning. What I remember most of you is your smile, your voice and the warmth of your beautiful hugs. It just shows that I am not the only one who loved them, because in all the photos you are surrounded by intimate friends. Have a wonderful journey, beloved, it was such a gift to have met you in all the different places Osho has brought us together. And thanks for those hugs, con affetto cara,
Punya

Chandra, sweet memories of the time we spent together in Poona 1, we met Osho in the same period, 1980.
It was always nice to meet you once in a while…such a beautiful heart in your smile. Lot of love to you….<3 <3 <3
Shunyam

“Paraprem French” is the name he chose on Facebook and we were alerted of his passing through the same media. Although he was always around – in all the communes – and because of his considerable height he was quite visible, not much was known about him or his past. We found out that he took sannyas on 1st August 1978, that he was from France (a ‘pied noir’ with origins in Algeria – as many of our French sannyasins were), that he was a beekeeper and often brought honey and propolis all the way to Pune, and… he used to make delicious bread every morning in the commune. After the Ranch he lived in France and from 1985 till 1995 he often visited Japan where he made many friends who remember him to this day.

Kavisho writes: Paraprem had a cancer many years ago, which almost healed, but then suddenly it came back and propagated fast. Right now I have no words to talk about him, I just feel his gentleness, his big love, his generosity and the lightness of his being. He will be missed.

And Bija informs us that Paraprem’s death celebration will take place Monday morning, 19th August in the South of France.

Read what Osho says to him during his sannyas darshan: Fall in Love with the Transcendental

Paraprem

Paraprem

Paraprem

Paraprem with Naomi enjoying the roses

Paraprem with Bija and Naomi, July 2012

Paraprem with Bija, eating alu gobi and chapatis, 2012

Paraprem as a kid (far right)

Paraprem with flowers

Tributes

You can leave a message / tribute / anecdote to be published on Osho News using our contact form (pls add ‘Paraprem’ in the subject field)…

What a great guy! We’ll always have him in our hearts. With love,
Pradeepa & Shunya

Paraprem, we all will miss your gentleness. I am saddened by the news that you left already. Far too soon. To me you were a large piece of the Sangha-puzzle. I remember you so well. May the after-life be kind to you. See you there!
Anasha

Wow, such a loving guy! Our hearts met at Geetam in California and now forever!
Dutch Johan (living in Italy)

Beloved Paraprem, bon voyage & may all love surround you. I like to remember you as an ‘outstanding’ gentle guy who somehow always was around,
Mahana

Was saddened to hear of Paraprem’s death. We were room mates at the Ranch. And he was one of the gentlest, most accepting people I have known. Bon Voyage, dear friend!
Sarvananda

Your sweet and loving presence will continue to be felt, now, as always. Sending love from Kaveen and me,
Kailash

Goodbye Paraprem, you were a real sweetheart. Much love and light on your journey,
Maya

We also met for the first time in Geetam. Since then we saw each other every year in Poona 2. What a gentle, lovely guy you have been, Paraprem. Mukti and I also remember that we often received propolis from you, the main healing protection we always got for our health. Thanks, Paraprem, hope your journey will be peaceful as you deserve. Love,
Shunyam

Beloved Paraprem, knowing you since Poona 1 has been a privilege. Always sweet, sometimes funny. I feel you in my heart where your memory will live forever. Another reminder to me to Be Here Now, & jump into the unknown while I am in this body. With so much love,
Haritama

Yes, I remember this beautiful man, always around the commune, a very lovely swami. Much love,
Tapesh

Beloved Paraprem, Oh! Wings of Love to you my friend. I did not ‘know’ you but always felt you all around the place in Poona. I know you deeply somehow – and what a love and lovely vibration and energy. I am not surprised you melted into the Big Holy – you carried it with you whenever I saw or felt you. Much love, my friend. Much love. And Aloha,
Satyadharma

Bon voyage, Paraprem! I remember so well your good propolis that you brought to Poona. It came from your French bees and it healed the throat so well! Thank you for this beautiful natural gift! You were so much in love with nature! May you be in peace! Sending you love!
Nirvana

From Surya, her daughter, we hear:

“Ma Anand Hope (Hope Gollan) took sannyas in 1979 and started a centre called Navayuga in Newcastle, Australia shortly after. She ran meditation and esoteric healing groups (with lots and lots of dancing) right up until the last 7 years of her life.

“Hope had a funeral in a regular funeral parlour and I can tell you that even within this environment you can still make a great celebration. She was laid out in an open coffin draped in her favourite hand woven shawl from the Poona 1 weaving shop and surrounded with sweet peas. Even relatives and friends who said they would never look at a dead person, looked and found it very moving and important for them. We read Rumi and her grandsons carried her out to ‘Dancing Queen’ – which she was.”

And from Nishakar (aka Kalimba):

“I’d like to share one anecdote with you guys from my time at Navayuga.

“Ma Anand Hope contacted one of the nearby prisons, and offered to conduct a weekly meditation for any inmates who might be interested. The idea was readily accepted, but Hope was told it would be too risky for a woman to run something like that in a men’s prison, so she asked me to go in her stead, to which I happily agreed.

“As the prison was high security, it was decided that Dynamic Meditation would be the most effective, to help the guys release some of their more serious tension. On the first day I had to briefly explain to one of the guards (who were going to be standing outside) the sequence of the meditation. First, the forced heavy breathing; then I explained that ten minutes of catharsis would follow, probably with intense screaming and shouting – but urged them not to open the door “even if it sounded like someone was being murdered….!” (It was only later that I realised the full significance of what I said! Some of the guys dropped out along the way, but a handful completed the 8 week course – and one gave me a salad bowl he had carved by hand as a “thank you”.

“It was quite touching. Sharing the love.”

Tributes

You can leave a message / tribute / anecdote to be published on Osho News using our contact form (pls add ‘Hope’ in the subject field)…

Our beautiful mother passed away on 4th August 2013. A precious gift to share sannyas and Osho with you.
Love, light and blessings,
Ma Prem Samyo and Ma Prem Surya

Much love on your next journey, Hope, my grandmother. xxxooo
Jolon

It was with great sadness I read of the passing of Ma Anand Hope in Osho News – particularly as it happened exactly one week after my birthday. I was fortunate enough to have spent quality time with her and her beautiful daughter Samyo for a while, helping them set up the Navayuga Centre, in Hunter Street. It was wonderful to hear that she was still positive, strong and creative to the last, and I know her energy will be sorely missed. I’m just sorry I live so far away (in WA) as I would have loved to have been able to pay my respects in person. Sharing his love. Om Shanti,
Nishakar

Sudaula, his beloved, writes:

Niyaz took sannyas on January 5, 1979. He was a businessman who lived in Brazil, and meeting Osho transformed his life.

In Poona he was the gardener of the roses for the master, the roses that grew in pots and were every day freshly placed near the swan pond, for Osho to see during his drive to Buddha Hall.

When Osho left his body, Niyaz returned to Chile.

Because of his own health problems he became a healer and developed new health treatments based on what he had learned in India and in the Himalayas.

Niyaz has been my beloved since 1991.

Tributes

You can leave a message / tribute / anecdote to be published on Osho News using our contact form (pls add ‘Niyaz’ in the subject field)…

Love and good memories of Niyaz and Sudaula, of the many great times we did Osho Meditations in group, in that beautiful place. Love always,
Chandrakavi

(September 10, 1948 – July 23, 2013)

Vardo left his body in Kula, Maui (Hawaii) at home with his beloved Kali and their two daughters, Tessa and Zena, present with him.

Kali is preparing a celebration of his life on or around his birthday 20th September.

Group photo of Chidvilas RMC, 1981 (credit Deva Suzanne) with Veneeta, Madukar, Shunyo (Dr.) Prabha, Sugandha, Pritam, Vardo far right with curly hair

For Vardo – a tribute by Allen

Our story goes back a long time
At least 40 years in this lifetime.

He always had such an appreciation of art,
How we humans express our feelings in art and music,
Life as art.

In Kali, his own keen sense of order and beauty found expression.
She is form and everything in their surroundings
was an opportunity for her wild unbridled creativity.

Arriving and going in to see him
My heart sank with the sad realization
that his time remaining was short.

We talked slowly, immediately into the depths of what was real,
Happening now,
His feelings about his death
And leaving Kali and the girls with things unfinished, unfinishable.

I told him “You gave Kali a most amazing life
total support for her to be,
to explore ‘woman’ in all its totality.
For her, life is art.”
“Could you tell her that?” he asked me.

Kali and I helped him walk slowly up the path to his beloved yurt
For what would be his last walk.

There was a book a neighbor had given him, Graceful Exits
About various roshis, rinpoches and saints in their dying moments.
Kali said he had been looking at it.

In the morning while we were helping him with a bath
And then him wanting to lie on a sheepskin on the floor of the semi-outdoor bathroom
The sun streaming in
A gentle warm breeze
And the birds, the incredible birds
His breathing soft, but steady
Drifing in and out of sleep.
At one point he said “All those guys – Nisargadatta – their deaths…
My death is going to be very ordinary.”

Tessa and Zena came home,
More tears, and then set about helping to do
What needed to be done
With a grace far beyond their years.

“If I live another day or a month – it doesn’t seem as if it matters.”

Time seemed to have left the surroundings,
The breathing slowing,
Kali, Tessa and Zena lying beside him
Or cuddled together on the futon on the floor at the foot of the bed.
The love in the room so palpable
The support for letting go of the body so unconditional
The stillness, the birds, the fragrant breeze.

So in life – death would wait
A final purge with ear plugs on Vardo
The vacuum cleaner sucking out the last dust
A few more boxes carried out of the yurt in a flurry of final activity.
Kali shifting the space as only a woman can
One more time to another level of attunement.
They picked baskets of plumeria flowers
Hours of sitting near him threading leis
That would be strung across the room.

His body thin, naked
Slowly dissolving before our eyes.
Nothing to hide. No shame.
Taking leave of this reality just as he came in
Naked, vulnerable and precious.

Looking in on him before I left:
Kali, Tessa and Zena lying nestled in each other on the futon
Cherishing this time together
In complete patience
His breathing slower
Long gaps
The stillness and love
The birds, the soft breeze and muted light
In death too, there is art.

Allen

(thanks to Viha Connection)

Tributes

You can leave a message / tribute / anecdote to be published on Osho News using our contact form (pls add ‘Vardo’ in the subject field)…

Thank you, Allen, for sharing Vardo’s Going Home so beautifully. I am touched and grateful having Kali and Vardo in Osho’s Sangha. Love,
Michael Vedam

Seeing that mop of curly hair and that wide smile brought back many memories. We first met in Poona 1 when we worked together as handymen in a section of Vipassana Godown. Then later, on the Ranch, we shared a laugh or three….Such warmth. Travel well, old friend.
Bruce Menzies

Abhiyana has sent us, together with the photo above, some words about her life:

Ma Anand Navin left her body on 16 September 2013 in Sedona, Arizona, after a long & heroic struggle with cancer.

She leaves behind her daughter Sagara, and grandaughter Nina.

Navin came from Switzerland to Osho in the ’70′s after a European tour with a French psychodrama troupe. I really only came to know her in Sedona with the Osho Academy, where she was known for her ability to transform any room into a beautful sacred space. Navin was noble, proud, loving and blatingly honest, always.

A spontaneous ’round the world meditation for Navin was held (via Facebook) on the day following her leaving, She was given a beautiful heart-felt farewell in Sedona, where even her oncologist cried, and shared what a unique patient she was.

She was loved by many, and will be missed.

Photo of Navin credit Sandhan

A tribute from Ken, her long-time companion

The world should have stopped
For just a jolting split second
To make us all aware
That something significant had happened
That someone significant had passed

A shooting star
Not content to slowly float up
But rocket past all of our beliefs
Sprung free of gravity
With the Hyper light speed
Of a soul set free

Navin is now officially immortal
Like she always wanted to be
She blew past us
Glittering eyes
Seeing us for who we really are
Like she always did
And loving us all the same

Navin
New bliss
Always bringing the new
Different ideas
Outrageous
Impossible
Impractical ideas
Dragging the old into the future
Then unpredictably throwing it
Back again with disdain
Just to shake us all up

She could argue
Damn she could argue
Circles around anyone
Passionately and fiercely
Nonsensically or accurately
Till you had no choice but to
Run and hide
Or Look inside yourself

She was driven to question
Everything
Everyone
Me
You, you and you
Osho’s true heretic disciple
Itchy uncomfortable
In English or French
But we eventually looked

Navin
A world renowned seeker
Rebel
Revolutionary
Sanyasin
Mother
Counselor
Grandmother
Antagonist and Friend

She summoned impermanence
Tolerated our attempts
To put down roots
Collect…
…things
Rebelling when it got to steady
Pulling up stakes
Emptying herself into new adventures

Paris
India
Oregon
Amsterdam
Australia
Spain
Germany
Sedona
Washington
Maui
Florida

Not Africa
never ever Africa

Some of us tagged along for the ride
Curious
Scared
Thrilled by the adrenalin
Rushing headlong into the uncommon
Which we could never predict
Hoping to learn something wonderful about ourselves
Emerging wiser

So if you paid attention
If you looked well
If you understood that she
Above all else
Wanted us to live fantastic lives
And not be content to remain still
Or complacent
Or small
Or petty

She wanted us to join her
In thoughts grandiose and brave
In dreams juicy and alive
Dancing to music loud and provocative

If you followed her
Paid attention
Then you’d have a glimpse
A tiny glittering insight
As to the amazing being she has now become

And the lesson to all of us is

That the world did stop
Reset itself into this new dimension
One where we are wiser
Kinder
More loving
We take for granted less
And seek out happier lives

Because of Navin

Tributes

You can leave a message / tribute / anecdote to be published on Osho News using our contact form (pls add ‘Navin’ in the subject field)…

Beloved Friends of Navin, so much love pouring out of my heart, so many memories with this beloved woman. I would love to sit in Synchronicty with you, with Osho in honour of Navin or even with Navin. I hope many friends from all over the world can join. Here is the date: Wednesday, Sept 18, 7.30 am, German time (that is Tuesday, Sept. 17, 10.30 pm, Sedona time). I will listen to Angel Love and Silver Wings from Mike Rowland. Love to you,
Virag

Fly, fly, fly high,
Upadhi

All day today I kept seeing images of you and us together… making Body Love breakfast together, then again in the little kitchen at the Cafe, making sushi, sharing laughter and play, and other times at your house with your granddaughter… Miss your lovely energy, your warm voice, your beautiful hands… Fly high and free, beloved,
Premo

Navin beatiful, adventurous, sweet, compassionate, talented. We shared wonderful times. I am grateful for every second. Now she disappears into the Self. Joy and tears. Good bye, beloved, our hearts beat together for ever.
Vega Nirupo

The world will turn,
and the seasons will change.
And all the lessons we will learn,
will be beautiful and strange.

We’ll have our fill of tears, our share of sighs.
My only prayer, is that you realize.
You’ll always be beautiful, in my eyes.

You will always be, beautiful in my eyes.
And the passing years will show,
that you will always grow,
evermore beautiful, in my eyes.

And there are lines upon my face,
from a lifetime of smiles.
But when the time comes to embrace.
for one long last while.

We can laugh about it, how time really flies.
We won’t say good bye, ’cause true-love never does.
You’ll always be beautiful in my eyes.

From: “Beautiful in my Eyes” by Joshua Kadison – sent by from Pravina and Srajan

…and the mystery continues, beloved Navin. Thank you for wonderful years together in the OSM, way back then…time is anyway just an invention of the mind…love is always, dear fellow travelleress. Fly free,
Atmo

Beloved Navin, may love follow you.
Sagar

Beloved Navin, thank you for a little time to walk together on this path of life. Fly high Beloved One, loving you,
Peggy

Mega writes: Amrit died a few days ago of cardiac arrest in his house in Bali. He was 38 years old.

Amrit Lord was born on the 22nd of May 1975 and spent a great deal of his time as a teenager in Pune, from the late 80′s onwards. We last met in Goa during the time when I was organising the Spiritual Film Festival with my Japanese friend Ai.

He is survived by his wife Shadie and his two beautiful daughters, Kiki and Divina Love.

Tributes

You can leave a message / tribute / anecdote to be published on Osho News using our contact form (pls add ‘Amrit’ in the subject field)…

Amrit, you always liked to live on the edge and you knew if you did there would be a responsibility with that. You had a heart and touched me deeply and also got on my nerves. I will miss you but also know you are free now which you said you were always ready for anytime. Keep on reaching for the Light even if you are confused what has happened. We all Love you and send you onto the new adventure awaiting. Fly High beloved, fly high. We celebrate you!
Kendra Prem

My little Ozi brother, the world was your stage, we shared some amazing times, you always brought a smile to me with your fearless humor. Love and – never forget you!
Mukta

What a shame! All I can say is that you don’t meet many people like Amrit in your life, a complete character, who loved his family and friends and lived life to the maximum every minute and that’s exactly how he would like to be remembered. Goa will never be as much fun without you!
Dino

You left this life by surprise, no goodbyes, with the same speed you lived you left. God calls you on his side. I am gratefull to have had the honour to share so many good moments next to you and will always keep you in my thoughts. Rest in peace. Aljabrat no ghabrat!
Arif Khan Arif Fida

You told me you wanted to get back in the water, I told you I was gonna train you to catch waves again. Known you all my life, and loved what we talked about, travels, adventures. You for sure were one of a kind. We never got to ride some waves together, but known you can ride your wave to the light. I will deeply miss you. Ride in peace. You’ll never be forgotten,
Edoardo

I met Amrit as a young man in Pune and remember him fondly. I am reminded that there is nothing wrong in leaving the party early, my twin brother took the voyage at 39. Sending much love to Amrit’s family,
Pantha Abheeru

I spent a lot of time with Amrit, Anshu, his mum, Greta, his sister (RIP) and Chris, his brother, in Poona years ago. Fly high, Amrit, the last time I saw you was in Amsterdam, also years ago. I send lots of healing love to his family. <3
Toshi

Gana el cielo la estrella más brillante y es hora de fiesta alto estilo para todos los que ahi han llegado antes de lo que podríamos imaginar. Brilla alma única y lleva tu alegría a tu nueva dimensión.
Estarás para siempre en nuestro corazón y que seguro nos veremos pronto. Luz de estrella que eres y siempre serás.
Jocelyn

Jivan Kavya (aka Disa) had been part of Veeresh’s Humaniversity and later worked at Osho’s Place in Cologne. She was married to Sajid Litjens. Kavya had been suffering from cancer for the past six months. A send-off will take place in Cologne on Friday at 15h.

Tributes

You can leave a message / tribute / anecdote to be published on Osho News using our contact form (pls add ‘Kavya’ in the subject field)…

You don’t need anything anymore but here there are candles, flowers, good words, some tears, some smiles, warm thoughts and our hearts filled with honoring you. Sending you off with so much love, in all parts of the world, fly high dear! Soon it is time, sending my prayers for strength and joy especially to Sajid.
Irama

Kavya be free, be good, find home.. I love you always! Thank you for the time we shared, you’re always there in my heart. So much love, sweet Kavya!
Kavita

Farewell, Beloved Sister, your smiling heart will stay with us.
Purna

Farewell, Beloved Friend, Sweet Cherry Queen. We missed our big party here together on Earth but I’m sure you’re celebrating with the stars and the universe…. Lots of love,
Aruna

From Jagdish Bharti we hear that Vedant had been admitted to hospital a few days back after he had suffered a massive heart attack. His family came from Mumbai to take his body with them for they wish to cremate him according to their own tradition. He was a very dedicated sannyasin and had been connected to the commune for many many years.

Most of us will remember him running the Post Office in the Resort – and it was always a pleasure not only to get the letters but also to be greeted by his smile.

Tributes

You can leave a message / tribute / anecdote using our contact form (pls add ‘Vedant’ in the subject field)…

I have not gazed into your eyes for almost 10 years, but I remember you so well, your acceptance, your love, your presence and simplicity. You are missed! And loved! Fly high, old friend!
Abhiyana

Thank you Vedant! I will never forget your smile. I miss you!
Prem Chintano from Japan

Vedant was one of those many long time meditating sannyasins that I knew but never had much contact with other than seeing each other around. We shared a beautiful almost entirely unspoken connection. We would simply give each other an acknowledging nod on seeing each other again in the Chuang Tzu Samadhi… which we both went to endlessly and which was an endless delight until I stopped going a couple of years ago… and now he has too. Such a beautiful and devoted man.
Riktam

I feel Vedant was disappearing slowly the last years. Hugging him time after time he felt more tiny, more fragile but his compassion and presence were steady, even growing. I will miss the talks with him about the news, politics, economy and meditation. And I will miss this immense friendliness whenever we met.
Anand Gogo

Vedant, I will miss you. Have a good journey!
Ritikaa

Every time I came to Pune, I was warmly welcomed by my dear friend Vedant. It was a pleasure to be with him, his soft, friendly energy, his wisdom and love. I always got a little present when I left Pune again, as a remembrance of our friendship. I was aware of his leaving his body, since I had to think of him at that time. Dear friend, you have been a joy to my heart and being. Light and Love to you.
Devabodhi

Beloved Vedant, I remember hugging you last on July 10th and I felt your smile was not as usual: how could it be? Were you already quietly moving to the other shore? How much I enjoyed remembering common old friends with you. I still hear you complaining about Teertha talking only by small sentences and never explaining what he meant. My heart is paining. Happy journey, beloved Vedant!
Suha

From Sharmi we hear that on Friday, on the New Moon, Japanese Sadhu left his body at the Marie Curie Hospice in Belsize Park London. Sadhu has been living in London for a long time and has been going back and forth to Japan to be with his mother for quite some years. He was suffering from cancer and was told by his doctor that he only had three months to live. His funeral was held in London on 14th October.

Sadhu took sannyas in Pune in 1977.

Sadhu

Sadhu with moon painting

Sadhu with the sun painting

Sadhu taking sannyas, 1977

A few poems by Sadhu

You
who delivered me
from my past
like a mid-wife

who cut through
the umbilical cord of
attachment
and yet
it is nothing but
your pleasure
to destroy
that which is not
and to create
that which is

What a joke waiting
for me to discover
that
the whole point
of all these hustles ad bustles
depends upon nothing
but to learn
just to be.

Thanks to Shiv Anand Bharti, Sharmi Agnidipta; and to Mega and Prabuddho for the photos

Tributes

You can leave a message / tribute / anecdote using our contact form (pls add ‘Sadhu’ in the subject field)…

I think I originally met Sadhu many years ago at the meditation centre in Kentish Town where I think he may have donated one of his paintings of the moon. In more recent years I brought him several piles of second-hand Osho books to send to West Africa with his ex-girlfriend. His tiny flat in Camden was decorated with some of his paintings – he loved using lots of gold and silver paint and his pictures were mainly of the sun and moon – as well as pictures of Osho and shelves of Osho books. He played a lot of online Japanese chess (it looked really complicated!) and there were often other friends in the flat, with a cup of tea or a bowl of miso soup on offer. The last time I saw him he was buying some cheap wood for frames in my area and I invited him in for tea. His poems about Osho and his own spiritual journey are very touching. He called Osho ‘The Drunken Gambler’! Even though I did not meet him many times he made an impression – and I am happy we had a great send off for him a few days ago in his flat – music, drumming, fires and candles in the garden and hanging out with friends: what he would have wanted! Lots of love to you, Sadhu!
Prabuddho

So glad I managed to meet up again with Sadhu last time I was in London. Too young to go, much too young!
Ashesha

Sadhu and I were many things to each other. We met in 1970 in Japan, married in 1971, so very young, I had just turned 21. He, the poet and I, the American English teacher. Both of us leaning toward free spiritedness. In 1978 Sadhu took me to India, and Osho, and a new life. We lost track of each other, until three years ago, September 2010. So many coincidences brought us in contact again. These last three years, writing and talking to Sadhu, have been a kind of catching up, tying up loose ends, loving moments, tense moments, realizations, gifting and learning. Seeing Osho, through Sadhu’s poems, music, and paintings, I am so blessed. I went to Mt Shasta in California for a kind of healing pilgrimage for Sadhu, and for me I guess, in August 2013. As I reached a meadow with the mountain spring, a woman came to me: “Are you an Osho girl?” “Yes!” … So was she! We danced with joy and wonder in the meadow as I told her of Sadhu and the pilgrimage. She gave me a handkerchief with hearts and lace. Seemed so fitting, another Osho surprise. With love. Always. Thank you Sadhu! Well done!
Ma Deva Sadhvi

We hear the news from Deva Premal and Miten, for whom Prem Rajen (Peter Campbell) had been a manager for over ten years and a personal friend for many many more years. He had been working out of Freiburg, Germany and Corfu, Greece. For the past few years he has been struggling with cancer.

Our thoughts go to his daughters Amelia, Laura and Rachel, who have always been very close to him.

Rajen on boat

Rajen with daughter Laura

Tanmaya and Rajen

Knowing good wine

Rajen with his girls

Rajen with daughter and grandchildren

with daughters Laura and Amelia

Rajen at Tropicana, Corfu

Rajen with Rachel, also in Corfu

Rajen with daughter and grandchildren

with Ajara

Rajen's 'colourful existence' as he called the picture on the right

Rajen with daughter Rachel

'Tribute to Andy and Ray'

the joker

Rajen with grandchildren

with daughters Laura and Amelia

Rajen and Tanmaya

Triumvirate: Rajen, Yashen, Gupi

Gupi, Deva Premal, Miten, Esra, Prabuddha and Rajen

Update 22.10.13: There have been farewell celebrations in Freiburg, Corfu and many other places already. And as we hear from Naveen there will be a Rajen’s Farewell / Death Celebration on Sunday, 27th October 2013, 14:30 in Freiburg. An hour’s celebration with silent sitting, some of Rajen’s favourite music, Osho quotes and recital of some Haikus written by Rajen in his last days. Location: Horizonte Bestattungen und Trauerbegleitung in Freiburg, Germany. There is also the possibility, during the week, to visit or sit silently with his body. For details see PDF file.

Update 1.11.13:

For Our Beloved Dad, Prem Rajen,
you are all invited to the UK ceremony in Lapford, Devon
on Thursday the 21st of November at 12pm noon
at the Lapford Church – St Thomas of Canterbury.
The gathering after the ceremony will take place at the Malt Scoop Inn pub in Lapford, Devon.
We hope you can join us.
Love and Blessings,
Amelia, Laura and Rachel

Recently we received a poem/scientific enquiry by Rajen: Ice Puddle Puzzle – and more Haikus, apart from the one below, are to come.

Cloudless fresh morning
Window wide open
Coffee sipped
Rested after my morphine jab
In the night
Grumpy nurse can’t find vein for my blood
Olimel nutrition drip drips into left arm
Urine bags need emptying
I am over-’tubed’ or am I?
But comfy for sure
Contracts, deals and cashflow forecasts on a distant horizon…
Life…in this very moment

End of September 2013

Here is his story in his own words (part of the interview he gave Osho News in 2011: What makes a good entrepreneur?)

I studied physics and electronic engineering at University and started my working career in the computer industry. After two years I invented a product which I patented and founded a business which was pretty successful: we grew to 120 people in 10 years. We had four factories and developed into being a major supplier of this particular product. This is how I learned to be a business man! But after these 10 years I got burned out. I achieved material success and a lot of personal satisfaction (and learned an awful lot about business) but reached a point where I knew that there was something missing in my life.

When I discovered Osho in 1982 I realised what was missing. I understood that I needed to add that dimension to my life. After sannyas I went to live in the commune where I immediately felt a lot freer and more in balance. My jobs at Medina and on the Ranch were that of an electrician and also that of an accountant. An interesting mixture!

After the Ranch closed I realised that I wanted to bring my skills back into the ‘marketplace’. I founded Bells Associates in 1986. Soon after I was asked by Purvodaya to restructure his publishing company, Labyrinth, and I accepted the post of managing director. We moved from Italy to London where it became a highly successful business with books and videos in the mid-nineties.

During this time I met Tanmaya. I saw this beautiful woman with such a big heart and a great care to share her work held back just because she did not know how to write an advert or did not want to do her book keeping. All things which I love doing! Like finding venues, preparing adverts for magazines and generating interest in her work. And because I knew the book business inside-out – and I spoke the jargon – I could help her find contacts to publish her books. Her business grew and flourished. She has become the best published author on Reiki Healing worldwide.

This was the beginning of Bells Associates which helped manage businesses in the holistic field, like Deva Premal and Miten, WildQuest, and more.

Tributes

You can leave a message / tribute / anecdote using our contact form (pls add ‘Rajen’ in the subject field)…

I met Rajen for the first time on the Ranch in Oregon (1985), where we planted trees together. Then seven years later we met again in Poona and fell in love. I moved to England in 1992 and we lived together with his three girls near Ko Shuan School in Chulmleigh. Now it is about 21 years that we have been partners, friends and companions.

Rajen had a big heart and he loved to help people, giving inspiration and advice for their businesses. He has helped me to set up my healing work in the UK and worldwide.

The day before he left his body, a few friends and family members sat around his bed for four hours in meditation. He was sleeping and breathing equally. Niranjana and I stayed with him over night. We had spent the last days with him in the clinic in Freiburg, Germany, and helped him in his passing.

I told him the day before he left his body, that he will not get better any longer – because he was still hoping – and that he was going to leave his body. It took him a short while to digest this. Then he relaxed and within 21 hours he had gone. He left in the early morning hours, peacefully, in sleep while I was sitting next to him, still holding his left hand. I could feel so much love coming from him. The room was filled with his love and with a deep silence.

His name ‘Prem Rajen’ means ‘kingly love’. I could see this expression on his face after he had left. I kept on saying to him: “Rajen, we love you so much.”

Tanmaya

Farewell, Rajen. I remember our few encounters in the early nineties when you helped me with a small investment venture. Always greatly admired your steady-handed approach. Fly joyously!
Savita

My friend, I LOVE you! What else to say…. Have a smooth journey.
Your Firefly

Thank you for coming to our little gathering on the beach in Arillas. We will miss you all! Fligh high with all our love.
Punya and Amiten

Dancing and singing on the beach

Rajen's photo

Nora sendng off the balloon into the sky

Taking off

Musicians and dancers at the farewell celebration

Lights still on after we left, keeping good watch on the beach

My Beloved Dad, you have helped me to grow in ways I did not think were possible, you gave me the courage to follow my heart and to understand that I could make a difference. You taught me to take responsibility, you taught me acceptance and you showed me that creativity brings all new beginnings. These last few weeks with you have been incredible, a magical experience. I felt so helpless when I first saw you in hospital, but I realised all I needed to be was with you in that space of peace, so I meditated with you and gave you Reiki, held your hands and let you know everything was alright. I lit candles for you yesterday in the cathedral in Freiburg and I was given the great responsibility of organising things after your passing. I don’t know how but I did it! Your strength, courage, determination and love are with me! You were so brave! Love, gratitude and blessings eternally,
Your daughter Amelia

Rajen, you just told me a lesson about postponing: visits were announced, to Ibiza, to Freiburg, agreed on – and life had other plans. You will be incredibly missed, you were a big part of many projects – of Ko Hsuan, where I met you first. So many years, chilly Devon evenings. Fly high, no more pain – just free spirit! Love is everywhere. Thank you for have been around!
Anasha

Beautiful Rajen, fly high – loved knowing you, meeting and working with you from time to time over the years. Much love to you wherever you are….
Yatro

About 20 years ago on my first day at work at a publisher in London you walked into the office and ever since we have lived in the same country, the same town or neigbouring village, never further away from each other than a couple of km. Our lives were forever intertwined. At times we worked together, we shared a wicked sense of humor, we had a lot of laughs, we had conflicts – sometimes we didn’t even like each other very much, sometimes we hung out days on end. Underlying all was a deep unexplicable bond – I always felt we knew each other for such a long time – it seemed just natural to share my life with you. Today you left and I can’t quite imagine how it is going to be without having you around one way or another. Until we meet again I want to thank you for being such a friend…
Ajara

Rajen Rajen, I will miss you, our little chats and laughs, your lovely humor and sparkling eyes, your good advice. Thank you for your help with the Path of Love. Into the mystery, dear friend,
Rafia

Beloved, beloved, beautiful friend. I will miss you. So grateful to have had the many-colored / sparkled / rainbow gift of you in my life. Send me a message! So much love.
Sarito

Beloved Rajen, I have been missing you so many times this year – actually a whole summer long while I was in Corfu – without you living next door to me, my beloved perfect neighbour. Tropicana without you is just not the same, you made it my summer home! I wanted to do so many things with you and instead of this I even missed to say fairwell to you! I enjoyed our connection so much. I will never forget, how you cared for me in such sweet ways: Like I will not forget, how I had to laugh one noon time, when I found a note from you on Tropicana pool board asking everybody to be quiet and not disturb my sleep because we had chitshatted through the night and you knew how I loved to have a long sleep. I am happy I can cherish the sweet memory of my last birthday, enjoying the David Hockney exhibition and a great lunch together. I will always remember your slyness, your tender respect towards me and your humbleness. I am happy I will always remember you in the faces of your beautiful daughters. May you enjoy the peacefulness on the other side, beloved friend,
Nitya

Rajen, I did not know you were unwell and it came as a shock when I found out. We had lost contact since you moved to Germany and the last time we met was at Premal and Miten’s concert in Brighton about seven years ago. As always, it was fantastic seeing you and spending time with you. I regret not seeing you these last years and I miss you a lot. But you are always in my heart and the wonderful memories, love and friendship I share with you is as strong as ever. Love you always, Rajen,
Lena

I am wanting to write a letter for two months now. I sit down couple of times and started it but it was always a blurry mess. I did not know how to start and now I know I procrastinated it for too long. Now I don’t have a chance to send it any more but I still wanted to write it. Now not for you. Now is for me and for all the ones who procrastinate that letter, that call, that meeting…

Dear Rajen,
I love you. I wanted to let you know that wherever you are I think about you daily. Here are many who talk and care about you.
Couple of weeks ago we met and I did not want to talk about anything which was obviously in the air. I wanted you to feel good, but I saw you didn’t. I wanted you to come back next year but I knew you probably won’t. I just sat there and we talked about small nothings and I tried not to cry.
I remember when I started to work for you. I actually felt I was working with you. No, to be more precise, I felt I was visiting a friend when I went to work. Never a second you were my boss. The sense for people and the care what I felt around you was so comforting and so free.
We talked a lot about life in the last two years. I loved how you told stories about Pune, the Ranch and how you lit up when you talked about your daughters and the women in your life. I love and cherish these stories and your energy in them. I wanted to tell you it meant so much for me, and I am thankful for this friendship. I felt you trusted me, and I never knew why and how this happened so easily, but I am happy we became friends.
I remember once you told me about your projects and the story of working for yourself and not having a boss since you were 24. You tought me how to value my creations and how to relate to money, which for me wasn’t even a teaching, it was a natural flow and somehow in a way which just happened, sentence by sentence, step by step, action to action. You listened when I was complaining about my relationship and when I was overwhelmingly happy about my relationship.
Whichever way I was you accepted it. I never felt judged by you or felt unequal, which is interesting if I think of how far apart we are in age, experience and pretty much in every aspect of our lives.
You made me feel like I belong.
When I first went to your place I saw the many medicines in the bathroom and the kitchen and I asked from someone else what was happening. She told me and I could not believe it. For a short while I was watching you and I thought what if we need to count the days… but quickly I changed my mind, because you had so much energy and you hushed away all my worries and questions. This is how it went for 2 years. I just thought it was a gossip and I let myself believe I had mistaken all these signs. I never believed you can go so quickly. I never believed there would come a day when I would regret not having written this letter.
Today it is, it is to late, you will not read my thoughts any longer.
But I will cherish our friendship and I will love you. Now I have all the ideas, thoughts and changes which were inspired by you and your presence.

Thank you for letting me close.
Thank you for being funny, corky, lighthearted and so so so inspiring.
Thank you for all the help and support.
Thank you for the long talks and the short coffees.
Thank you for the music, books and movies that I know because of you.
Thank you for the friends who you introduced to me.
Thank you for trusting me.

Have a wonderful journey beloved Mr Campbell!

Eva

From Mega we hear that lovely Krishna Ma went to the other shore this morning at 2.40am India time. She was 93.

Her death celebration is happening today (2.00pm).

Tributes

You can leave a message / tribute / anecdote using our contact form (pls add ‘Krishna’ in the subject field)…

Krishna Ma and my mom have been friends since long. She was also for me like a friend. She was over 90 year old but I never felt her like that; I always felt she was my best friend, always joking, dancing, laughing. For me a Real Sannyasin. Everybody loved her in the Resort. While dancing at her Death Celebration I felt she was smiling at me, and kind of teasing me. I am gone and I am still here, dancing with you in my own Death Celebration. I felt she was here, in my heart, in all people’s heart who were dancing, singing and loving. I am so happy to have known her. Krishna Ma, I love you and when I say this I see you opening your arms and hugging me and with your sweet little toothless mouth giving me kisses….
Meera

From Devakrishna and Mega we hear that Yatri from Sweden has left her body last night at 8pm after suffering from cancer.

Maya writes:

I think it was in 1997 that I was walking home to Rag Villas from the Osho Commune in Pune and I saw a stunningly beautiful blonde in front of my apartment building. She was getting out of a rickshaw and she seemed fragile yet determined. She was moving in and I offered to help her carry some things because her finger was broken. I immediately liked her and felt protective; she seemed vulnerable and distraught. In fact she had taken a courageous stand and was leaving the abusive relationship that she had been in.

We discovered that we shared the wall between our bedrooms even though we lived in different flats. Then, two weeks later, we were in the same Path of Love group and we were buddies. From that moment on, Yatri became a big part of my life. She was always so courageous and such a seeker.

Asha, another dear friend of Yatri’s, described her as a queen…sometimes a troubled one. It is such a great description for our gorgeous blonde from the cold north. Yatri had an upsetting adolescence and, as a young adult, she was already seeking on her own. She found Osho on her own and was drawn to a spiritual life.

In all the years that I have known her, she was learning more and more about self growth, spirituality and self healing. She was also an amazing researcher. However, I only discovered that after we were back in the western world and she was unwell.

During the years that we were in India, we lived together in Koregaon Park 85 and we were best friends. Yatri saw other people in such a positive light. I never heard her bad mouth anyone, instead she noted everyone’s individual beauty and appreciated them. When her heart was open, it was wide open and it warmed the world. When she suffered, her face would tense up and everyone could see that she was suffering. I guess we shared this in common, wearing our hearts on our sleeves.

On vacations in Goa, Yatri flourished, she loved the sun and was completely content while there. We were once on a holiday together with Britta, Yatri’s talented little sister. I remember having a very heated fight one night. I cannot even recall what it was about but, in my childish way, I shouted that we would not be friends anymore. She shouted back at me, “Maya, we will be friends forever!” and so it was, lucky for me.

I think all of us feel that the world is lonely outside the commune. It is smaller and we connect with fewer people. After Pune, Yatri went back to Sweden and I went to Hawaii. She wanted to pursue a nursing degree. She was already close to 40 years old and the hours were very long and the work stressful. However, the job of looking after others and being there for the sick suited Yatri’s kind heart.

The next time we met was in Italy and she was worn out. She told me that the work was sometimes too much for her but in her typical determination, she wanted to see it through. It was around this time that she first got sick with breast cancer. She was adamantly against chemotherapy. She was determined to keep studying and working and fighting the disease.

The cancer returned many times over a period of seven years and Yatri fought it with self inquiry, courage and any means that she had. She beat it many times. Then, just last year, it came back again but, this time, it had spread to her liver and bones. She kept trying to fight it but it was just getting too much for her.

During the last few days of her life, she called her parents and Richard, her dear friend, to come to her bedside. They stayed with her and she knew that many people around the world were sending her love and light. Before she passed, she even struggled to speak when told about all the friends all over the world who were sending her love and appreciating what she had meant to them all. I believe she wanted to say that she also loved us all very much.

And so she is gone. I rest easy that the fight is over and yet, I am devastated. Oh Yatri, I miss you so so much, dearest Queen from the north.

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Beloved Friends, My heart is with Yatri this evening. She was my ‘boss’ in the Path of Love and I will forever have a crush on her. I was so honored when she joined me at Om for our meditation together. She is about to leave her body and I just want to scream “I love you” and to have a safe passage. Sweden was lucky to have this lady. A fond farewell,
Krishna Prem

Farewell and Bon Voyage, beloved beautiful Yatri. You will be greatly missed,
Dhiren

Dear Beauty, we did the POL 1999 once together and I missed to say that I found you very !!!! attractive. So now after all these years I sadly hear that you left your body. May you rest in peace. Now, after practicing Tibetan Buddhism for years, I will keep you in my daily practice and pray for you. In gratitude,
Nishkama

Beautiful Yatri, I will never forget sitting on the back of a motorbike in Goa together when your long hair flowed in the wind passing my nostrils – with this devoted scent. After that experience I have long used the same shampoo and conditioner for my hair remembering this beautiful scent coming from your hair – that one moment in Goa. I will never forget you, sweet sister. May light and peace be with you,
Amana

Yatri was always a good friend and support. I got to know her in Nurse school, year 2008. I firmly cherish the time Yatri and I spent together. We were different but yet had a lot of things in common, for example we both grew up in the north of Sweden. We also shared spiritual beliefs and thought exercise and heath were essential in life. I firmly remember when we worked together with an essay/examination about research approaches and facts in that area, Yatri introduced me to google docs and I strongly remember her patience during different discussions and her effectiveness selecting different materials. When doing the different internships in Norrtälje (about 10 km north of Stockholm) Yatri was keen on taking rides with me. I will always remember and embrace those times in my car, endless talks about our different childhoods, upbringing, love and what we cherished in life. It was also then I got to know Yatri behind her beautiful surface and got a hint of her depths and what she was struggling with in life, but also what made her happy. I also remember the kindness that Yatri showed to my daughter, Yatri whom never became a mother of her own. Yes, Yatri Thorén will always have a place in my heart and I will always remember the kindness, great patience and friendship. Condolences to her relatives, family and other friends and thanks to her friends that made this place for her on the web.
“Dear Yatri, im so sad to hear that you now have left your body and no longer walk with us on earth. But even though we are very sad it is our strong belief that your spirit continues to live among us. I had the privilege to get to know you when we studied for our nurse degree. We were the best “fika” (coffe break) and lunch buddies. We also worked great together during the lessons and in different essays. Thanks for all those precious moments!”
Love always, from Anna

Prahas has been part of the Oshoba and the Italian Osho Times team for many years. He was the expert organiser of the OshoExperience events, the huge Osho Festival which was first hosted in Riccione and is now in Bellaria, then Meditando in Verbania, and more. He always managed to give the reservation and information office a relaxed but at the same time a highly professional tone.

Dhana, one of his colleagues at Oshoba with whom he was working the closest, writes:

“Prahas is no more. Now I feel like a little boy standing in the court yard with the ball in my hand – on a beautiful sunny day – but without my friend to play with. Yes, this has been Prahas for me: the boy in the court yard with whom I liked to play the most. I used to find new games and he made them his own immediately, I invented new rules and he improved upon them – and he loved to play with me a lot, as he did with the rest of the gang. What can I say? It might happen that I will find new friends and that I will get back to having fun, but his bright mind, his dedication, his good heartedness are lost forever. And I miss them a lot.”

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I did not know him so much but every time I met him it has always a positive feeling, like someone that is always welcoming you. Have a beautiful let go, dear friend,
Nirava

From Anil we hear that Swami Ishwar Chaitanya from Navsari, Gujarat left his body. The death celebration took place on the 18th evening in Navsari.

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Kavish left for the other shore on Osho Day, on Sunday morning around 9am, in a hospice in Munich Nymphenburg. He departed peacefully and in the arms of his beloved companion Sunshine. While the nurse was replacing his pillow and Sunshine lifted his head, in that very moment, he breathed his last breath.

In Pune 2 he ran the pottery studio, but he continued creating beautiful pottery also in the West. Many a place is graced by his wonderfully glazed pieces of art.

Photos thanks to Gerd and Neelamber

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Christ Chaitanya (or better known as C.C.) is remembered from the commune days of Pune 1 for being the meditation leader. Also in our memory we see the picture of him wearing lunghis, long hair, a beard and always a big smile on his face. Was it because he had just been telling someone a joke?

Just last week we heard the news from his beloved Lynnea (seen with him in the picture above), that he was unwell. “He wanted to be quiet about his illness and, of course, hoped for a return to good health. It has come on quickly although, to him, it seems like a long time.”

Christ Chaitanya was born on September 12, 1947. He grew up in Brockton, MA, where his father was a judge. His dad died around the time he graduated from Penn State, and with the money he inherited, he began traveling, eventually ending up in Bombay where he was one of Osho’s first American sannyasins. A small group of sannyasins was called into Osho’s room one day where they were told that it was time to return home and introduce people there to him. When everyone but Chaitanya was given a specific task to do, someone asked Osho, “What about Chaitanya?” Osho replied, “Chaitanya is to be ME in American!!”

He returned to the United States and with several other sannyasins ran a small meditation center in Upstate New York. He also began teaching Dynamic Meditation at the Ansonia Hotel in NYC, where many hundreds of people were first introduced to Osho, a significant number taking sannyas before going to Bombay to meet Osho. Chaitanya would initiate these people into sannyas, giving them a name from one of the initiation-name papers Osho had inscribed and given to him for this purpose.

When Chaitanya returned to India with his partner, Satya Bharti (whom he’d initiated into sannyas several months earlier at a meditation camp he ran at the Upstate New York center), Osho told them to return to NYC and open up a center for him there. They ran the NYC center for two years, commuting between India and NYC; later they were instructed by Osho to travel around the US (and Canada) and run meditation camps at growth centers, introducing more people to him. Scores of camp participants went to India to be with Osho who had moved to Poona by this time. In June 1975, Chaitanya (and Satya) moved to the Poona ashram permanently, Chaitanya becoming the meditation master and editor of the Rajneesh Newsletter, jobs he continued doing until the end of Poona 1. During the last years of Poona 1, Chaitanya lived in Osho’s house.

After leaving India, he lived at the Geetam Meditation Center in California for a while before finally moving to the Ranch where, among other things, he was in the Peace Force.

CC’s memorial will be held on Sunday, 7th April, 10:30am PST. To be in tune with the celebration you can listen to CC’s talk he gave at a funeral of a friend’s daughter who had been killed in an auto accident: youtu.be

Last Will and Testament of
C.C. Raphael
September 12, 1947 – March 26, 2013

I bequeath to my friends and family, my most valuable possession…..my humor. And just in case you don’t recognize humor, I have enclosed an example of my humor – a joke!

Two politicians were discussing the decline of morals in the 21st century.

“I didn’t sleep with my wife before I was married,” one Senator said righteously. “Did you?”

“I don’t know,” said the other, “what was her maiden name?”

May you always remember that “Seriousness is a Disease.” Your lightheartedness, your compassion, and your love will prevail. I hope I have helped remind you to “Shine on.”

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Oy! Oy! Oy! Oy! Oy! Oy! Vey!
He passed over on passover.
Premrup

Ciao Chaitanya, your presence is still shining next to the tape recorder in Buddha Hall. Time for Kundalini, Dynamic and now for the greatest journey of all!! I love you,
Lakshen

Perhaps your best remembered one-liner in Pune One, for me, CC, was when you commented on the new range of sannyas scentless cleansing products that went on sale in the boutique around 1980 – soaps, shampoos, conditioners…. Osho’s picture was everywhere and on everything, and whatever we made, if it had a label, it had a picture of Osho on it – sans hat in those days. I guess it was at one of the variety shows at No. 70: “You know you’re in a weird place when you can buy a shampoo with a picture of a bald man on it…” Thank you Chaitanya for many good times. May you fly off laughing!
Savita

Beloved C.C, so many memories. From 1978 in Poona 1 – after my first Dynamic I went up to him and said, “My God, everybody is so fucked-up, I am sorry for them, they have so much pain and so much anger. I do not feel anything.” His answer was, “Hum, OK, tomorrow it’s OK if you just pretend.” To which I replied, “Ah, OK.” Since that ‘tomorrow’ I have never stopped shouting, crying and laughing! – and then on the Ranch when he was doing channelling…. He then came through Florence and visited Master’s Press. He said to me, “Hum… more is possible!” And life took a BIG leap! And also this other memory from the Ranch: outrageous as he was while being interviewed by a dodo Oregonian journalist, who asked him sarcastically what he did, his answer was, “I masturbate a lot and torture little animals!” Laughing, laughing!
Upchara

Beloved Chaitanya (CC), one of many fond memories is when I worked at the reception in Poona. You and Chinmaya would come and hang out quite often. You brought a guitar with you and together you guys would sing and play. The favorites were some Buddy Holly songs! ‘Little white dog’ was one of them. I would sing along too. We had such a great time! Thinking of you, beautiful one, and holding you in my heart. I know your journey now is in pure light, with all my love,
Gandha

Beloved C.C., yes, in my heart sits this cheeky, so funny and deeply sincere fellow traveler Christ Chaitanya. What a magical time in this body we shared at the feet of this wild Master of ours! And then what a mystery what we might share out of the physical. I can only imagine you are simply cracking up. I love you and always love you,
Gatha

I will always remember – I had just arrived in Poona in the spring of 1980, still digesting the impact of multiple culture shock and the intense energy of the Buddhafield – I hardly knew CC then, except for the fact that he led Dynamic and Kundalini – so, one afternoon we crossed each other in the ashram as I was walking towards the Buddha Hall in my dazed and awkward state of newbie-ness. He stopped and, out of the blue, told me the silliest, totally non-sequitur joke, hugged me and walked away. It made me finally feel ‘at home’….
Premo

In Geetam, disoriented and shy, CC took me in his arms and the world was ok again. So easy. So much appreciated. Big heart.
Bhadrena

In ’79, CC organized ‘Jewish Night’. The centerpiece of the show was darshan with ‘Bagelman Shree Rajneesh’. CC was hilarious, outrageous, loving, and, in his ability to capture the always comic spirit of Poona One, masterful.
Das Anudas

Beloved CC, Bhagawato and I wish you a smooth voyage through the mysterious beyond. We will never forget your wonderful sense of humor and incredible heart. Your smiling face will remain with us forever. We love you,
Haritama

After the sadness of your departure passed, I got a strong feeling that this incarnation was extremely successful for you. I am so happy for you, and blessed to have known of you.
Jivan Abhiram

You are deeply in my heart and in so many others. You were the very first sannyasin I ever met, when you and Rabiya picked us up hitch hiking in NY, dressed in orange and mala. We went downtown NYC and did Dynamic Meditation with all these strange people taking off their suits, putting on blindfolds and screaming away. My first taste and the sweetness of that and you still remain with me. You have touched all of our hearts and I imagine you will prepare the meditation hall to greet us all for the ultimate meditation. Fly high, dear Jewish jokester brother.
Premabodhi

I remember Christ Chaitanya with so much love and joy… we met as young men in Boston when his brother Larry married my niece RoseAnne. When next we met we both had beards down to the floor in ’75… unrecognizable to the past… it clicked when we heard each other’s’ Boston accent. We screamed in delight and we were reprimanded by Laxmi for disturbing Osho’s rest as he was sleeping in the next room.
Krishna Prem

Ciao C. Chaitanya, high spirit and great sense of humor! Love and… Bon voyage,
Paragyan

I just heard of the passing of our beloved CC. I send love to all those who’s lives had been touched by this beautiful soul. I feel so blessed to have known him during my time on the Ranch.
Love and warmest hugs…..
Adviata Sandra

A whirling dervish of infectious energy in Poona One. A sense of humor never crushed by spiritual correctness. A card player to be reckoned with on the Ranch. So many delightful memories.
Bruce Menzies