American Geetesh (Norbert Mendez) was one of the so-called ‘old sannyasins’. He was a worker in Rajneeshpuram and was also seen in Pune 2 as a visitor. He was a good friend of Farid. He had been friends with Veeresh since they were kids and sometimes and was part of the commune in Amsterdam. In the 70s and 80s he was the partner of Tarika (17 years). In Mexico he helped set up the Osho Gyan Meditation Centre in Ensenada, Mexico. He was recently living in Santa Fe.

His life will be celebrated at Satsang on Saturday 21st in Seattle.

On Sunday there will be a celebration at Osho Gyan Centre in Ensenada.

Photos and text thanks to Shakura, Mega, Subhan and Madhu Anurag.

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Ma Atit just heard from her friends Jagna and Viran from Ulm that Madir (Otto Kirch) has died.

His funeral was on 6th June 2014 in Oberwesel.

In the 80s he led the Osho Geha Meditation Center in Winterstetten, Leutkirch im Allgäu.

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From Shakti we hear that Anutosh from Cologne, Germany died end of last month. His funeral was on 21st June.

More information will be available soon.

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Prasthan (aka Bertie) was born in England to Canadian mother and English father who was a fighter pilot in the RAF. He was educated at an English public school and was at the University of Toronto in Canada. He did many things including running a health food store while still in Canada. For the last years he has been living in London.

In the mid 70′s, after meeting some sanyasins in Toronto, he went to Poona. I met him there in 1976 and we talked about Shakespeare and the idea of putting on a show to entertain ourselves and other members of the ashram. He became then a founder member of the original Rajneesh Theatre Group and played a splendid Bottom in ‘A Midsummer Nights Dream’ in Poona 1. From there it blossomed into a full-time theatre company travelling India doing Shakespeare, performing for Mrs Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India. It became an international company, including even Vinod Khanna, one of Bollywood’s top stars. It was a very creative and fulfilling time to be in the commune.

Prasthan was a genuinely funny chap, lively, sunny; a great and true friend to me, without judgment or malice.

He had been very ill of late with emphysema, but his spirits were always up and he always enjoyed a good laugh whenever I visited him, which was regularly. He will be sorely missed not only by me but many of his friends and family.

Tosh (Anand Anutosh)

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Beloved Prasthan, jolly good to have met you. Thank you for many a good times together. Fly high and make the angels laugh, dear friend.
Atmo

I say old chap. Jolly good shows we had! Trust you’re carrying splendidly on the next level. Lots of Love,
Devesh

Swami Anand Swabhav was one of the early disciples of Osho. Many remember him from the times he was running the commune in Pune, until Osho sent him to run meditation camps all over India. Osho named him his Amabassador for India.

He has been suffering from cancer of the mouth and was unable to eat or speak for his last three years.

His Death Celebration and burning took place in Pune this afternoon.

I had talked to Neelam – she is my secretary. I had told her that I was thinking to make Anand Swabhav an ambassador, going around the country, because I am not moving. And he has been doing very good work, conducting camps, giving talks, approaching different institutions in different places. So most of the time he is going to be out. He has been in charge of the ashram, and I had told Neelam that it would be good to talk to him and ask if he would like to be an ambassador, because now we are appointing ambassadors in every country – somebody who represents me to the news media, conducts camps, takes care of what is going on in those countries, against me or for me, and informs me.

She must have asked him, and he was happy.

Osho, Joshu: The Lion’s Roar, Ch 2, Q 1

Osho answers a question sent in by Swabhav: “You made me altogether confused and lethargic. I am like mad. At the moment I feel no trust even. Now tell me what should I do? Where should I go?” in I Know Swabhav From His Very Beginning

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He spoke to us as if Osho’s words were coming from his mouth, and also his body movements where like those of Osho. Lots of people would not know who Osho is, if it was not for Swabhav being Osho’s disciple.
Bakul

The other day, in Pune, one of Osho´s longest-serving disciples, Swami Anand Swabhav, has died after battling mouth cancer for the last few years. As I know, Osho declared him as his ambassador (dharmadoot) for India and most probably he was the only one who continued to his master´s given job, although all other ambassadors and director generals hung up their robes within months or years after 19th January 1990!

In 1984, when I took sannyas, he was the meditation camp facilitator. During Pune days, I got the chance to work with him too.

As I undestand, he belongs to one of Pune´s leading industrial tycoon families and therefore it was an inspiration to see him going Osho´s way with sweet surrender and to travel country-wide for meditation camps.
Swabhav has given more meditation camps than all others together. Swabhav-ji has initiated more people into sannyas than all the full enlightened / semi-enlightened / non-enlightend Osho disciples put together. And not for a single minute he played the guru. He lived like any other disciple, enjoyed good things of life, including women and Pan Masala (the Indian version of scented tabacco).

I simply love this Osho style of humanness and spirituality. The New Man is without pretensions.

Swabhav Swami, you walked your walk, you lived master´s talk.

I bow down to your memory.

Prem Shantam

From Ila we hear that Ma Anand Niraj left her body in a Munich hospital on Saturday afternoon, around the time of Gurupurnima Full Moon. Niraj had had an operation for breast cancer a month ago – which went quite smooth – but on the day she died she suddenly felt weak and could no longer get up. She died from an aneurysm of the heart.

She was born on 1.8.1940 in Berlin (during the war) and took sannyas in 1978. She lived in Pune 1 and was part of the Munich Commune. She also spent some time in Rajneeshpuram and stayed for long periods in Pune 2. Her connection with Osho was always the most important thing in her life.

She had gone through difficult experiences in her life and was able to sense when others had too, and was good at supporting them. A few years ago her eye sight started deteriorating, but she kept taking care of the elderly until she herself needed help.

In the past we used to celebrate her birthday in a Munich Biergarten … this year we will still toast for her!

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Fly free dear Niraj…. Love,
Bhaven

Dancing with the Master now. A beautiful day to leave the body, blissful cloud! I remember our little “esoteric discussions” and our big laughter afterwards…. Love and light forever.
Virochana

Krista, one of Garimo’s daughters writes:

Our beloved mother, Nadine/Garimo/Emee passed away on 7/6/14. She has left her body and entered her final samadhi, she has been drawn back to the Great Mystery. We are celebrating the beauty of her spirit and incredible life, and are grieving the loss of her profound presence in ours, and so many others’ lives. Emee was the name she took on as a grandmother and somehow many of her friends and family ended up calling her affectionately by that name as well. Emee was a beloved friend, mother, sister, lover, teacher, healer and spiritual seeker.

She was my greatest ally and my most cherished confidante. She was my mentor and personal teacher. She was my first guru. She was a beloved friend, a kindred soul sister to me and many others. She was and is my greatest inspiration and evoked the deepest adoration from those that knew her. My sister Kira, my mother and I were, and are, deeply bonded as though we have known each other for many lifetimes and we shared many great adventures together in this one. We experienced a life of great beauty, challenging difficulties, heartbreak, deep connection, inspiring conversation, adventure, simple pleasure and an incredible sense of spiritual attunement. My mother was the person that encouraged me to study and teach yoga, to play music, to follow my heart and she supported me fully in my every endeavor.

Emee had a deep love for India, for the practice of yoga and the contemplative wisdom traditions. She had many wonderful teachers on her spiritual path both living and non-living, some that she studied with in person and some through their writings. Some of her greatest inspirations were her beloved Osho, Jiddu Krishnamurti, Shri Aurobindo, Ramana Maharshi and her favorite yoga teachers Chuck Miller, Pattabhi Jois, John Friend, Paulie Zink, and Shandor Remete. She lived a life full of adventure, healing, hard work and especially fun. She infused her life with love and deep friendships. She regularly plumbed the depths of philosophical wisdom, basked in yogic and contemplative practices and lived life on the leading edge of insight. She was a lover of music and the written word and she maintained a dynamic, revolving collection of eclectic music and books which brought her tremendous insight, fulfillment and joy.

She loved exploring all kinds of healing modalities and relished healing foods, vitamins and herbs. She found a deep sense of purpose and a passion in her chosen livelihood as a highly successful massage therapist in Los Angles, California. She had a genuine love of people and humanity and made friends regularly with people from all walks of life and from every part of the world. She was a loyal and generous friend to her beloveds. She found her highest calling in motherhood and was a gifted child whisperer who maintained her own sense of childlike innocence and wonder. It seemed she never forgot what it was like to be a child and so could easily engage in creative play and story telling with any child she came across. Children were some of her greatest loves and she would often come bearing gifts for the grandchildren of her best friends. She was deeply bonded to her one and only Grandson Ry Kailash. They shared seven years of boundless love, affection, playtime, bus rides together and raucous sleepovers.

By nature, Emee was highly inquisitive, upbeat, good natured and soulful. She was generous, gracious, fun loving, beautiful, playful, intelligent, thoughtful, sensitive, courageous, vulnerable and creative. She was highly adventurous, an optimist, deeply loving and an original free spirit. She was often described by others as a “bright light”.

Her spirit continued to shine brightly beneath the surface of the challenges she faced in the few years leading up to her passing. Her body had been very gradually declining due to complications from a right brain hemisphere mild stroke she had suffered six years prior. She spent the last few days before she passed with her family and friends settling into her new home, walking into town, enjoying the 4th of July parade and neighborhood block party, surfing the internet and genuinely enjoying life, love and friendships new and old. She passed away in the early morning hours of 7/6/14 at the home she shared with her daughter Kira and “son in love” Qavi.

We all thought we had more time with her and are deeply grieving the loss of her physical presence and beauty in our lives. She will be especially missed by her immediate family here in Ashland: Kira, Krista, Eric, Qavi and her beloved grandson Ry. We are now intentionally setting her spirit free and holding vigil for her soul’s journey home to the light. We have forgiven and know we are forgiven. We are envisioning her spirit being guided by and surrounded by the Eternal Source Light. We feel her wrapped in the wings of Grace, at Peace and at home in the Great Mystery.

We feel so powerfully the incredible love we shared. The love is ever present, flowing in an unending continuum, infinitely abiding. May all beings know and remember this One Love that is Ever Present and Infinitely Abiding.

Deep Gratitude. Deep Bow. Effusive flowers at your feet and at the Altar of your Heart. We love you Mom!

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It is with deep sadness and yet with a deeper gratitude I remember Garimo. It is gradually sinking in that beloved Garimo has left her body for the other shore. Deepest gratitude for having had the privilege of being witness to the incredible bond of love between Garimo, Kira & Krista.
Garimo was a unique person, she made me feel loved and special. But it was Garimo who was special, she was a light and a joy to be around. She was a dancing, joyful spirit and she will always have a special place in my heart. She will never be forgotten. Thank you for your sweetness, Garimo. Thank you for being in my life.
Haritama

Ma Yoga Sohan Bafna was well-known in the Indian community, but also westerners knew her.

Osho mentioned her in several discourses and he wrote her the letters which have been published in Life is a Soap Bubble: 100 Ways To Look At Life. When Sohan was crying as Osho left at the end of a meditation camp in Matheran, Osho promised her that, as he had nothing else to give her in return for her tears, he would send her a letter every day…and that she should keep them so they could be published one day.

On Tuesday, 29th July is her celebration in Osho Meditation Resort at 2 pm.

No 20 from a Cup of Tea

Love
Last night when lamps and lamps were lit up all
over town
I thought: My Sohan too, must have lit lamps and a
few among them must surely be for me!
And then I began to see the lamps you had lit, and
also those your love has kept lit always.

I shall stay here another day.
I have talked of you to everybody and they are
eager to meet you.

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To the lovely Sohan Ma, who I got so close to interviewing for her Osho stories, but was barred from me for our lack of a common language… I am so grateful for your presence in Buddha Grove at those late morning dance-ins where we could do nothing more than share a hug and boogie together for a few seconds….

Thank you dear lady for hosting Osho in Pune all those years ago, when he came through on his lecture circuit before he opened his first ashram.

I don’t remember exact details, but I heard how Osho knew that your husband was about to leave the body, and in some situation I don’t recall, called you to warn you and prepare.

This is the first I heard that he rewarded your tears with those exquisite letters in ‘…Soap Bubble’.

Osho loved our tears. (I do believe he rewarded some of mine, too.)

Fly high, dear one. And if you come back, come back as a buddha!

Savita

No words – just tears and a silent thank you for your love.
Ma Ratna

Ma Prem Hasya had a dramatic start to her life. Born into a Jewish European family, she was still a little girl when Hitler came to power. As the Nazis began the Holocaust, her mother hid her with a Christian family and told her, “Remember, you are not a Jew!” Then she disappeared to save herself.

When the war ended, her mother returned to claim her, but it wasn’t easy because little Hasya had been told to deny her own past! Her mother was instructed to stand in a line of other women – an identification parade – and then Hasya was told to go and find her mother.

Totally confused and upset, Hasya walked blindly towards the line, stood in front of her real mother and burst into tears. The reunion had happened.

Her mother took her to live in Israel. But when her teenage daughter was called for army service and returned from practice at the firing range with a target full of bullet holes, her mother exclaimed “I didn’t save you from the Germans to lose you to the Arabs!” She promptly took Hasya to live in Canada.

Growing into an attractive woman – “I was a late bloomer,” Hasya once commented modestly – she met her future American husband, who was well on his way to becoming a very wealthy man.

But it wasn’t money, or even love, that persuaded Hasya to marry him. “Being with him, it was the first time in my life I felt safe,” she recalled.

Hasya had two children, a boy and a girl, and became accustomed to a life of wealth and political influence, but eventually tired of the superficiality of her social role. She convinced her husband to shift the family to Hollywood where she came in contact with the world of movies, showbiz and entertainment.

After divorcing her husband, she met a film producer and worked with him to create the legendary epic “The Godfather” and other movies. She became personal friends with Marlon Brando, Robert Redford and many other well-known actors and actresses.

It was in Hollywood that she met Osho sannyasins for the first time and travelled to India in ‘Poona One’ to meet the mystic personally. She became close friends with what became known as the “Hollywood crowd” – among them, Kaveesha, Dhyan John and David.

Together, they moved from Southern California to live on the Oregon Ranch. Other sannyasins soon noticed a dramatic improvement in the style and quality of Osho’s robes and hats, as Hasya and her friends showered his wardrobe designers with the most glamorous fabrics Hollywood could supply.

After Sheela left, Osho put Hasya in charge of the community. The mystic often introduced her to visiting reporters, telling them “Now you are in Hollywood!”

When Osho was arrested and jailed in October 1985, Hasya figured prominently in press interviews, expressing her deep concern for the 54 year-old mystic’s health. After his deportation, she helped to organize Osho’s world tour, staying with him in Nepal, Crete, Uruguay and Portugal.

At the beginning of Pune Two, Osho appointed Hasya as his International Secretary, which included running the busy Press Office, dealing with many visiting journalists.

Later, Osho spoke in discourse about the need for women to free themselves from their conditioning and gave Hasya the workshop ‘Women’s Liberation’, which continued at the Osho Academy in Sedona under “Women’s Liberation, Part 2″.

After Osho left his body, Hasya returned to her home in Los Angeles, where each Wednesday she opened her house for an Osho video discourse and meditations. During this time, she was also involved in the Sedona Mystery School with her dear fellow traveller, Kaveesha.

Several years ago, Hasya was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and since then has been in ill health until her death a few days ago.

Text by Subhuti

Read Osho’s darshan: Your Key Words: Love and Laughter

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I was very blessed to be with Hasya a few hours before she died. She was radiant and peaceful. Such grace, courage, beauty, wisdom, presence, awareness, compassion, kindness, generosity, humor, love. To me, Ma Prem Hasya embodied Osho’s vision of the New Man and the New Woman…Zorba the Buddha. A great Light, a great Presence. I was honoured to know her .
Mystica

All my love to you, Hasya. Such a beautiful and awe inspiring woman, always in my heart. Such a very very special being who journeyed so much in this life, who once floated into my hospital room to give me a crystal egg – what a vision.
Nishta

Beloved Hasya, I kiss your feet. Thank you for all your love and caring and wisdom and guidance… and for being the beautiful hollow bamboo that you are. You are forever in my heart and cherished. Love you!
Ayama

Farewell Hasya and fly high. Thank you for the beautiful, inspiring and intense time we could spend together. Hasya was a strong, sagacious, courageous and single pointed woman yet full of love, care and compassion.
Shanta

Beautiful Hasya, graceful, gentle, intelligent and utterly devoted… farewell! She scoured the earth during Osho’s world tour to find a new home for him and his people, and shared much of her personal wealth on that fitful voyage to make sure that he lived in the manner to which he was accustomed. I am so happy you left in peace and consciousness!
Savita

Beloved Hasya, the time came for you to fly free. Thank you for your grace, love, lovingness, beauty, and everything you shared. I remember long chats over the phone, your loving compassion, your beautiful, soothing voice, your exquisite grace in everything… in my heart, forever.
Premo

Beloved Hasya, you are finally free of your body. Congratulations! I witnessed you in Sedona coining the phrase: “I have the right to remain undisturbed.” May you be undisturbed as you travel through the Bardos. I love you, as so many of your fellow travelers do. May our love carry you to the further shore. Svaha!
Abhiyana

The Women Liberation Group led by Hasya, opened so many understandings and doors within me. I was able in a loving way to embrace my womanhood. Your kindness, love, and Osho transmission was such a support to me. I still feel your welcoming for evening meditation in your home in Beverly Hills. Please dust me with your grace. Much love.
Rakasa

Beloved, beautiful, regal Hasya, you where one of my unforgettable teachers in Sedona. Love you and thank you for visiting.. Namaste from Germany,
Pratibha

Thank you Hasya, for all the good times, the hard times and the hat. ’til we meet again…
Hasibo

From Vidya we come to hear that Prem Siddha (Leonard M. Zunin MD) has died, at age 78. He studied psychiatric medicine and in 1978 he came to Pune where he took sannyas in 1978. He was a group leader in Pune 1 and participated in construction work at the Ranch where he also worked at the Multiversity. We remember wondering why he left the Ranch during the night, but figured it out after Sheela left.

Siddha was a senior psychiatric consultant for the California Department of Mental Health, an authority on attachment and loss and a distinguished researcher and lecturer. He is the bestselling author of Contact: The First Four Minutes, which has also been translated into German; and of The Art of Condolence: What to Write, What to Say, What to Do at a Time of Loss. He also wrote various papers for professional journals in the psychiatry field and was the editor of the book Finding Clarity.

He lived in Napa, California, with his wife, Hilary Stanton Zunin, who conducts workshops on issues of loss and grief and also co-authored some of his publications. Together they organised a mental health recovery program following the tragic collapse of a water slide in Northern California.

Obit in the Napa Valley Register

Leonard M. Zunin
1936-2014

He was … then he wasn’t … maybe.

Len left this message for family and friends:

“If you wish to honor my memory, please consider this. Rather than simply writing a check, even to a worthy organization, listen to your heart. Identify someone specific in need: someone living on the street, a mother whose kids are hungry, a student without the resources to buy books. Then, give your food or money or supplies directly, one-on-one. Make eye contact. Be present. It will be a blessed moment for the person you’re helping — a gift to you and a gift to me.”
napavalleyregister.com

Siddha’s sannyas darshan: Siddha Means One who Has Arrived

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It was back in 1980, Ashram Poona one. Osho, then Bhagwan, had designed a special group for Siddha to run, called “Flow” and stretching over 10 days fully residential in Jesus House.

And he had suggested that I participate in it.

The special thing about the group was that it had absolutely no content and no structure to it. It was to go on for 10 x 24 hours, that was it. There were 16 participants, 8 men, 8 women, plus Siddha as the groupleader (probably called coordinator or facilitator nowadays) with myself being one of the men, 24 years old then and feeling pretty scared at the prospect of not knowing what I was getting into. Just imagine 17 people locked up in a room for 10 days with no idea what they were supposed to do there. And there were those rumours…

In those days Energy Darshan was happening every night at Lao Tzu House garden, and while our group were sitting on the porch Osho was generously showering us with that mystical energy from outer-inner-space. All props of my individual existence seemed to disappear into somewhere far beyond the stars.

This and yet again THIS was all there was – and is and has always been. Something like that, impossible to put into words and yet it has to be tried to express the inexpressible. “There’s no I there’s only you” were the words sung by Music Group in Buddha Hall simultaneously, and for sure nothing was left except THIS.

“Come back” – the climax had been reached and slowly, gently mind returned – rested, calm, purified, nowhere to go, nothing to do – the experience of the mystic, the OSHO experience.

The “otherworldliness” of it of course had repercussions, and later on the question arose for me how to “get it” again, how to “hold on to it”, when it will “finally” happen – in short, greed for this ecstatic and yet deeply silent experience had come in. The old fear-and-greed mechanism even in the “spiritual world”? Oh no! – the prospect being just too depressing I simply went into a spell of despair about it all.

A long deep eye-contact with Siddha, then I heard him say: “Time is boundless, infinite. Remember, Existence always gives you all the time you will ever need.”

I remember this as the essence of those ten blessed days. Right words at the right time.

Thank you, Siddha!

Sw. Gyan Rasiko
(Munich and Koh Samui, Thailand)

Varsha (Lena Papamatheakis) died in a hospital in Athens after over two weeks of acute sickness. She was buried on 6th September in Crete, where her family lives.

On Monday 8th September there will be a Death Celebration for her at 7pm at the Osho Breath of Life Institute in Dafni, Athens.

More details about Varsha’s life will be sent in in the next few days.

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Chereveti, Chereveti dear Varsha!
Buddha taught that there is no birth, there is no death; there is no coming, there is no going; there is no same, there is no different; there is no permanent self, there is no annihilation. We only think there is. When we understand that we cannot be destroyed, we are liberated from fear. It is a great relief. We can enjoy life and appreciate it in a new way.
(by Thich Nath Hanh)
Jayadip

Leela Simms from the UK has gone at 5am, almost exactly on the Full Moon.

She was indeed a Queen of Play:
Leela, Leela… Life is Just A Play…

The funeral service for Leela will be next Thursday, 18th September, 2pm at Hutcliffe Wood Crematorium, Sheffield, UK.

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From Pushpa we hear that Akhil (aka Dr. Soni) died this spring at age 68. He was a dedicated whirler and offered Whirling Meditation for about twenty years at the Osho International Meditation Resort. Many of us know him also because of his health products we could buy off him.

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Akhil was such a gentle, aristocratic soul. And his passion for whirling! I dealt with him quite a few times when I bought from him some health foods and vitamins; he was always so correct and meditative in his actions. He was, for me, like other old-time sannyasins, a remnant of a more innocent, simple and mysterious India, the India I am still dreaming of and that I experienced in Poona 1 days. With the simplicity and gentleness that are like fragrant flowers he was one of the “India my Love” rays of light.
Ramadhan Meir Suissa

From Atit we hear that Premendra died from a heart attack at age 60. He was an internationally acclaimed musician; he played the cello and the piano and was a conductor as well as a composer. Since 1990 he was the conductor of the Levantate Choir which has a repertoire comprising works the likes of Carmina Burana by Carl Orff, Canto General by Mikis Theodorakis, Magnificat by Johann-Sebastian Bach.

Bio from his website

Hartmut Premendra Mayer was a double Laureate for composition at the SONG EXPO 2004 in the Netherlands. He won the first prize in the category Instrumental Music for his composition “Saxophonquartett” and was also awarded the medal for the best contribution from a participant from Germany.

Hartmut Mayer studied cello, piano and conducting in Detmold, Essen and Berlin. Master courses followed at festivals in Geneva, Vienna, Nice and at the Mozarteum in Salzburg. He also studied Jazz with the Modern String Quartett. As a scholarship holder of the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) and the Karajan Foundation he played in the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under Karl Böhm, Daniel Barenboim, Giuseppe Sinopoli and Herbert v. Karajan. He was conductor of the Collegium Musicum Ulm. In 1984 he founded the Einstein Ensemble Ulm, focusing on music of the 20th century.

After a stay in India in the eighties he intensified his compositional work. At the International Bach Academy Stuttgart he studied choir conducting under Helmut Rilling for one year, which lead him to various engagements in choir conducting.

Besides his educational work as a cello and piano teacher in Ulm und Kirchheim/Teck he gave concerts together with other renowned chamber musicians. He performed in Moscow, Amsterdam, Slovakia, Switzerland, Italy, Taiwan, Chile and Japan, where he also interpreted his own compositions. Composition commissioned by the Levantate Choir allowed him once more to demonstrate his musical creativity and compositorial talents.

He was a member of the German Association of Composers since 2005.

www.hartmut-premendra-mayer.de – www.chor-levantate.de

Obits in the Press

Zum Tod von Hartmut Premendra Mayer – www.swp.de

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From Jivana we hear that Sw. Anand Dwarka (aka Philip Hancock) of Fort Worth, Texas, architect, designer of the crematorium at Rajneeshpuram, died after a year-long struggle with cancer.

He is deeply loved and missed.

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Dwarka, such a gentle, loving being, always touched my core and will remain forever a part of me. Thank you for the love, the laughs, for being you! I will miss you and love you forever…. Shine on, dear One…xoxo
Lily Kandaris

From Mega we hear that Prasanna (Roux) has died.

Many might remember Prasanna as one of the teenagers in the commune in the late 80’s and early 90’s. You can see him in this video which is part 4 from 7 of an hour-long video about the Osho Commune in Pune (1991-1992): facebook.com/video

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Satpriti (Gail Taylor) read English at Bristol Uni after being Head Girl at Strutts Grammar School in Belper, Derbyshire. Later she took a counselling course at South West London College and worked in HR in various corporations until she opened her own management consultancy firm, Tao Consulting. In winter she lived in the south of England and in summer in Corfu where she helped with the management of the venue Corfu Buddha Hall. Her husband Michael, with whom she has remained friends after their divorce, says “Her dream was always to either live on a desert island or to live with a community.”

On 5th December she would have turned 62.

After returning, happy and seemingly healthy, from a visit to Crete she passed away in her sleep at the home of a close friend. The cause of her death is yet to be determined.

Satpriti’s funeral and celebration will be held on 13th December at 12 pm at Matara near Stroud, in Gloucestershire, UK. If you wish to attend please contact Helen on 97712 191568 or helentriggs (at) me (doc) com and she can give you the full details.

Tributes

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

Sats was a loving, caring and wise woman who deeply touched all those she came in contact with her. She gave so much to our small community, tirelessly and selflessly helping to make Buddha Hall and all those around it the best version of themselves. Her clarity, guidance, dedication and fun-loving spirit and great sense of humour will sorely be missed.
Prasham and Sarvaan

It is very hard to accept that Satpriti is no more in the body. We have been close to each other, and she was such a good, lovely friend, with a big heart and so supportive. It was easy and natural to be with her. I enjoyed travelling with her. Our trip to Albania this year was great and I am happy we did it. I will miss her, I do miss her already a lot. So much love, warmth and gratefulness in my heart. Thank you, Satpriti. Love,
Padma

Beloved Satpriti, thank you for all the laughter, the lovely conversations and songs we shared together. Just before you left for Crete we had lunch on a sunny day on your veranda. We both shared our gratidude for the life we are having and the freedom and love we are able to share. Continue to celebrate and rejoyce on your journey to the beyond. I love you.
Shivananda

Gail and I first met when she was only 16. Before long we had travelled many new and challenging roads. She was a great planner, navigator and friend. Some 34 years ago we came to a major crossroads in our lives and chose very different paths. Much to the frustration and often annoyance of some of our friends and family, we remained united by a thread that was rarely understood but never broken. We did not always agree, but we always laughed and sometimes cried together. It is so typical of Gail to spring the ultimate surprise and leave us when we least expected it – she was a free spirit. Gail may have passed from her body but memories of her playful caring ways will never leave. I am truly grateful to have known and been able to share such a wonderful person.
Michael Taylor

Beloved Satpriti,
Besides the love and appreciation that I feel for you, and the prayer that you may be sailing in light and in total happiness, I would like to share the loving words that many friend have been sharing through emails sent to Buddha Hall in the past days:

Whatever body reason it was, it seems her soul was ready to take off…. Whoever believes in different lives, as Lamas in many cases amazingly show… And she left in sleep. I can imagine she would have agreed to that way of leaving. Her mom took off last year; Satpriti looked after her all those years and organized everything for her. Lots she prepared and thought of others… Yes, I miss her already so much and I am so grateful for every moment I have spent with her. I bet she flies high… ready for whatever her soul has plans for.
B.

I miss her already, I am still shocked and very sad.
P.

When someone close to me passes on, I always remember the Sufi understanding of death, and it helps me. They call it ‘a wedding with God’ – at last Satpriti’s great marriage day has come! Let’s celebrate for her. She is married into oneness with the great love, the great spirit. Fly high, Satpriti. With love,
M.

That was sudden and unexpected, but I am happy for her that she passed like that. I met her just before we left and she shared that she felt happy and contented, finally living in a caring community and also being able to contribute to it. Having been involved together before with a ‘community dream’ that didn’t materialise, it is great that she found her ‘home’. Love,
S.

…Ohhh and I saw now the message on Facebook about Satpriti’s passing. Wow! this is a big surprise to us and I am sure that it is very painful to you all. We both remember her from our time together in Corfu. She had a beautiful presence and we were hoping to see her again. We are sending you warm condolences and pray that you will find support in the love of your beautiful Buddha Hall community. We will light a candle for her easy passing to the other side.
T. and O.

I will be missing her and wish her a good journey to the other shore.
P.

I´m so shocked to hear about Satpriti! Please, if possible, let me know about other informations via mail, as I´m not in Facebook. Much love from us,
C. and R.

What a shock. Thank you, please let let me know – I have no Facebook. Big hug,
H.

My love is there with her; she was a wounderful being and a friend. From my heart,
I.

I am so sorry to hear that your dear friend and long-time supporter has left so suddenly and unexpectedly. You must all be in a state of shock. As I look at the beautiful photo of her I am shocked – having seen her so recently. The respect and appreciation I felt for her way of being in the community, and in the world, was strong this summer and I feel it now as I join the many who will both grieve her absence and wish her well on the way. I’m sure you are in the midst of friends who have come together to somehow absorb this difficult unfolding and to support each other as your love for Satpriti and her love for you finds its way. Thank you for letting us know. With a long hug and much love,
D.

I´m shedding tears for Satpriti. Heard yesterday. Although I met her only those two times on Corfu, our connection was sweet and loving – almost like sisters…
C.

My heart’s blessings to Satpriti and her onward path; may she be surrounded by love.
R.

Vikas and I were so saddened to hear the news that this remarkable and beautiful person, that was Satpriti, had passed. She was a gift to Arillas and the Buddhafield there. Her smile, her welcome, and her joy were part of the experience in Corfu. We hope her onward journey is filled with love xx
Jyoti

From Shahido we hear that our beloved friend Manjusri left his body last Wednesday. He was much loved by many of Osho’s lovers in Byron Bay, in Japan and in New Zealand. He had just returned from Japan where he had sought treatment for his illness to be with his family in New Zealand.

And Zahira writes: He was 66 years of age and worked in the Mystery School in Pune 2. He was well known for crystal healing and sold crystals at all our local markets here in Australia.

His death celebration will be held in Christchurch, NZ on Monday, 8th December 12 noon. His partner Kamal suggests that we remember him during the time of this celebration.

Shahido writes:

“We will remember you, Manjusri, and thank you for your great love for Osho and your love for us, your fellow travellers. I have many memories of working together with you to keep Osho’s work available in Byron/Mullum. If I could attend the celebration I would tell many stories of my adventures with you; like the time we were brave enough to go to Brisbane and offer an Osho stall at the Body Mind Spirit Festival. Many people came by the stall and were so pleased to see us and wondered where all the sannyasins in Brisbane had gone. I loved how you offered Osho Kundalini Meditation as a course in the Byron Bay Adult Education, and the story of how I kicked you out of our commune in Gangas Rd because you wouldn’t comply to the new rules. You then went to the Ranch and when I arrived you called out from your garbage truck and said, “See Shahido, I am accepted here!”

“Love you, Manjusri. These are only a few of the stories I could tell about you and I bet the sannyas community could join me in many more stories. Fly hi beloved, I will never forget you. Love.”

Tributes

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

Thank you, Manjushri, for the very sweet moments I had meeting you. Amazing. Sitting here grateful. Wish you well, beloved. And wishing you well may be superfluous. You always struck me as being well in your heart. Well beyond any sickness. Love,
Valli (Vallabha)

Beloved Manjushri, What is the name for sadness and love combined? That is what I experience right now at the news of your passing. You had/have such a lovely sweet gentleness, yet a focussed strength. I still constantly wear my ‘healers stone’ I bought from you many years ago and regularly strangers are drawn to it. Sending much love to Kamal. Travel well in your light my friend.
Savitri and Milan xxx

Manjushri, Blessings on Your Journey. You were always light and grounded, my wayward ambitions at Rajneeshpurum. Thank you,
Satyaprem

It was through a friend in Christchurch NZ that I came in contact with this beloved fellow back in 1978 which led me on to taking sannyas. Manjushri was very instrumental in getting meditations happening at the time. I lived in a different area but remember a story of a new group of sannyasins participating in a Dynamic Meditation in their living space, which happened to be an old fire station in a commercial part of Christchurch. During the catharsis stage someone from outside (believing someone was being possibly murdered or coming to some grievous bodily harm) called the police. Of course, by the time they arrived everyone had there arms in the air and were standing in complete silence……
Dinesh

From Mega we hear that Nirava Tronconi has left her body today and is beginning a new adventure. She left in peace and without regrets… “We will miss her strength and guidance with the knowledge that she is where she wants to be!”

Nirava has been a sannyasin for over 30 years.

In the past 20 years she has been leading groups called English Without Effort. While teaching herself German, she developed a very unique learning method, a system which combines meditation and language-learning and can be used to study any language. Her workshops were a great success, particularly in Italy, where learning foreign languages is not very popular.

Two years ago she visited Turkey, fell in love with it, and within a year she had moved there.

In Istanbul she came in contact with Sufi mystics and at the beginning of this year she set up a travel agency out of which she was going to organise retreats “for people interested in coming in contact with the very articulated life of Istanbul and it’s Sufi soul,” as she wrote to Osho News last summer.

She fell ill shortly afterwards.

A friend who knew her well writes about her: She always took decisions very quickly and acted immediately. This also meant that she often changed house; is was difficult that one would visit her more than once in the same place… She also had the quality that she could remain focussed on whatever she has decided to do and would not let go until it materialised.

Tributes

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

Ciao Nirava, bellissima amica mia, buon viaggio… Arrivederci in un altro dove, in un altro quando… ma sempre qui e ora.
Prem Dhana

Gule’ gule’ Nirava… You left the same day Rumi did 700 years ago. He called that day, the day of Reunion! You have danced your way to God all your life. Now you can dance the same way on the other shore! Love you,
Lakshen

Sweet sweet Nirava, I will miss. Your presence was a joy to my heart. Please send a whatsapp of how it is out there! Much love, you woman, you.
Rakasa

I first met Nirava on the Ranch when I asked for a technical assistant to help me sort out some air-conditioning engineering equipment. Of course I expected somebody with a technical engineering background. Instead I got the delightful Nirava who, of course, new nothing of such things. Of course we became friends and after the Ranch enjoyed each other in Italy. I was aware of her move to Istanbul and Sufism which I thought was wonderfully adventurous. Oh sweet Nirava, I miss you and it was a shock to see that you have died. I treasure our time together.
Riktam

Dearest Nirava, in this event where words are failing, feel hugged once more.
Anugraho

Shanti (Magdalena Appert), a native of Switzerland, arrived in India at the age of 52 and created a clothes boutique called ‘Me Too’ on German Bakery Lane in Pune. She cut, designed, draped, sold, and altered beautiful clothes for thousands of women for nearly twenty years. She died of cancer at the age of 75.

A group of people from the community looked after Shanti during the last days of her life, among them Kumari and Issana. When Kumari was alerted and rushed into her room thinking Shanti needed something, she saw her trying to sit up and overheard her said very quietly, “Osho!” When Kumari asked her what she had said, thinking she had misunderstood, she heard her say “Osho” again. Shanti then left her body.

As a community, we cared for her in her home for the last days of her life.

see shanti . she aske her if she was alright and if she could do any thing . she then tryed to lift herself up and just said Osho Osho and then left the body . this is straight from Kumari about 20 mins later when i arrived back .

From friends, who were with her when she left her body, we hear that the last word she said was “Osho.”

Shanti, the former owner of ‘Me Too’ clothes boutique in German Bakery Lane, was given a death celebration at the Osho Resort earlier this afternoon.

The death celebration took place today, 23 December. Shanti had asked for a celebration in the Osho Auditorium and at the burning ghats, but asked not to be taken in a procession between the two. Her wish was granted: she was taken in a van.

She will be missed for her laughter, generosity, stubborn nature and ferocious courage.

Watch on YouTube

Tributes

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

Dear Shanti, I wanted to wish you a beautiful Christmas. I wish you a beautiful new world. Thank you for your presence when I came to Pune.
Thank you for your clarity, your honesty, your laughter, your smile, your beautiful clothes and your direct wisdom. With love,
Dhyan Sylvie (Switzerland)

Me again sweet Shanti, I feel my tears this morning. Thank you for the Christmas we spent together. You will always stay in my heart. You are an exemple as a woman for me. With all my gratefullness to you,
Dhyan Sylvie

Liebe Shanti, so viele Stunden, die ich in Deinem Laden verbracht habe über viele Jahre, jedesmal, wenn ich nach Pune kam! Ich habe immer noch einige schöne Kleider von Dir im Schrank – gute Schweizer Qualität! Mensch, gute Reise Dir! Und auf ein Wiedersehen im Sannyas-Shopping-Himmel der Frauen. Ich bin wirklich betroffen, dass Du schon gegangen bist. Hoffentlich war die letzte Zeit nicht so hart für Dich. Nun werden wir uns in diesen Körpern nicht mehr wiedersehen. Ganz liebe Grüße und chariveti…
Gyandip

Shanti, since you are free of your body, so many memories of our younger years are present. It started in London. Before knowing each other I met your ex-husband (you had just divorced after being married for three years). I spent some time in Hampstead with this very handsome English man who had a little boy (your son Marcus) whom he saw on weekends. The story with this man didn’t work out and I went on with my life. At this point I didn’t know you at all.

About ten years later, while working in the Human Resources Dept. of an American Company in Geneva, Switzerland, I used to exchange a few words with a colleague and one day she asked me to join her for lunch. During the meal we talked about our past and our children. At one point we cracked up laughing realizing that we had met the same man 11 years before in London. And now we were in Swizerland working in the same company. Totally mind blowing! After this we became friends with few ups and downs. And when I went to Poona you were wandering, ‘Why is Nirvana going there? She leaves her sophisticated life behind, her high heels and everything.’

You were concerned about your mother and didn’t want to go so far away. BUT! Destiny is such that your dear mother left her body unexpectedly the day after Osho left his body. You were free and you came to Poona. You were just 50, and from 1990, except for a few months here and there, you stayed in Poona all the time. The rest everybody knows: your great boutique, your laughter, your honesty and your immense courage. Your hugs were the warmest and you are in my heart.

Nirvana Beste

I would like to say thank you to Shanti for letting me be who I was and loving me. I sat with her 20 mins before she left her body. I kissed her on the forehead to go home and get some food and rest. I told her I would see her later. She had not been very coherent but she opened her eyes and looked at me with such knowing. My final goodbye to her body. When I returned she had left, though as I sat next to her I could have sworn she was breathing calm and quite. When I cleared her body with aura-soma I said to her, “Dont you dare open your eyes or you will freek me out. You are dead, time to move on, beloved. Let this body go.”

She was a strong, stubborn women who did as she felt was right and she let others do the same. We shared our straight talking which often got us both in trouble. I loved her for it. She loved hugs and the color pink.

Her body was covered with white scented flowers and pink gerbras and roses. And many more flowers were given by friends who loved her. She had a beautiful blanket to cover her, full of love. The fire was given by Kumari, Essana and another old valued friend, Sagar. It went so easily, I was feeling she was truly ready to leave.

Love and biggest hugs. I am blessed for having known you, though it was not always easy…. You where a tiger – no a pussy cat! Ha ha, no! You will fly well; your wings are big and – in my mind – pink.

Suchira