Unmano (aka Johannes Viragi) spent the last 10 months in different hospitals, in many different beds … and yet his passing came suddenly as he had recovered in such a beautiful way from heart surgery.

He was a wonderful mantra singer.

There will be a celebration on Friday, 14th August, 7.30 p.m. at Klangheilzentrum, Ötztalerstr. 1b, 81373 Munich.

Tributes

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Dear friend, laughter was the language we talked most and mountains the ground we enjoyed. Have a good flight, dearest one, and thanks for all we shared.
Anugraho

From Kamya we hear that Anand Chaitanyo (meaning ‘inner consciousness’) was among the early sannyasins of the 70’s and was deeply connected with Osho.

His body birthday was the same as that of Osho, 19th of December. He grew up and lived near Frankfurt, Germany but later in life lived in Berlin.

Chaitanyo was a keen astrologer and a tarot expert. He gave hypnotherapy sessions. He loved to play and to confront people with their ‘inconvenient’ sides of their character.

He had a stoke a few years ago but never complained about anything, although he was tied to the wheelchair.

Although he had not lived a ‘successful life’, he was content with what he had and settled into his being.

The funeral date is not fixed at the moment, we will keep you posted. Still waiting for photo.

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Jivan Sahas was born in a small town famous for producing one of England’s finest beers. He took sannyas in the 80’s. He often visited the Commune in Pune 2 and was for many years in the Tibetan House with Dheeraj. He was part of what they called ‘the English Pune boys’ and also of the ‘Pune motorcycle gang’.

After Osho left his body, and until recently, he was a frequent visitor in Goa and joined all the regular visitors there in winter.

In later years he joined Balanced View. He was always a seeker and looked in many places; challenging people was a thing for him. His love was music and he was loved for his singing and strumming, his taste for good whiskey and his irrepressible gusto.

When a friend who had known Sahas for 20 years and spent a lot of time with him recently was asked about how he’d like to be remembered on Osho News, she messaged, “The thing he would have liked mentioned is that he played in Buddha Hall and was part of the Music Group.”

Sahas was diagnosed with cancer at the beginning of this year.

Text thanks to Sukavi, Mega, Pagalo and Sidika.

Watch on YouTube

Tributes

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For me Sahas always had the special gift of lighting things up, a mixture of English and sannyas humour, not judging, ironic but tender and caring, and extremely funny. Thank you, Sahas, for the fun, the care, the soft touch and the humour! Be blessed…
Barkha Gerosa-Ricci

Jivan Saahas, ‘spirit of life’, this is the meaning of his name. We met in 1990 right after Osho left his body, we fell in love and stayed together for 5 years. But we remained friends for all these years, never losing touch. He is such a goodhearted man, so full of life, so sensitive, so caring and loving. The world will be less bright without his wit, his humour, his big heart, his beautiful blue eyes, his laughter. I’ll miss you forever, Saahas!❤️
Asti

Jivan Saahas from Studio-h on Vimeo.

Been thinking of you often and can lively recall all these beautiful rehearsals and recordings, the music groups, sannyas celebrations and WRBs. It was a big pleasure singing with you, your songs and your soft passionate voice. You are loved. Be in the light of love on and on and on. Yours,
Raji

Fly high into the full moon, Suhas. A pleasure to have met you in Goa and McLeod Ganj, and love your music. Xxx
Jivana

Saahas was quite a force! Everyone who knew him, and us girls who were with him knew that. His ability to talk, laugh, gossip and entertain was boundless. He was so enthusiastic at things he got into. Making music all day long when we lived in Amsterdam, going out for his pool games with the Kernal daily and beer. When he jumped into Dolano’s Intensive, he told everyone who was searching for it, and many people went through her wonderful Intensive because of him. At one point, some years ago, he got into Balenced View and made a whole new family. He had so many admirers around the world. So many loved him. Loved how he put his soul into each song like so few people do. We were all touched by him when he sang. He always doubted that I think until he got into the Balenced View. I think he really blossomed there. I’d seen photos of him singing with so many people, and he’d been so insecure to sing in Poona all those years. It was great to see him shining and touching hearts around the globe, sharing his wisdom and experience. He felt more relaxed in the last years and I was glad about that. What a sweetie, what a drama queen. He will be missed. But his smile and songs will go on touching people on You Tube…
Parinito

Dearest Sahas – we had a laugh didn’t we? I loved listening to you – always intelligent, insightful, witty and sometimes edgy. Thank you for your honesty and your brilliance. And thank you for your beautiful music – haunting compositions sweetly played and sung despite performance nerves. You always went for it with a passion and supported so many others in their music too. It was a pleasure and an honour to know you. Fly high sweet brother. Loving you,
Sidika

Beloved Sahas was a character! He grew up some 15 miles from where I grew up. We had a similar background so I knew him very well. He lived with my brother and me in Paradise Apartments in Pune for years. He was challenging, a great guy, always outspoken. When the BS was around he played guitar and sang very well. He had such a big heart; always one of the guys, but a real seeker also. He will be missed so much as he always brought people together. He was a real link in this chain of people that we all know. I will miss him for sure as he turns up everywhere, as he was a constant present in this journey. A lovely guy; always there if needed. I feel sad he’s gone. So bye old friend, until the next.
Sukavi

Dearest Friend from so many sharings, meetings, laughs and intense spiritual talks…..my heart is filled with such wonderful memories of glorious times together in the presence of our Master Osho. Heart to Heart always and eternally. May your spirit be free forever. All my love, dear Sahas,
Gabriele (Ma Prem Gatha)

Thanks Sahas for the good times and the songs and the laughter. Thanks for Out of Africa and the green Enfield rocket. Thanks for the days we helped Krishna and you bury the opium with Tarika, bless her soul; she rode on ahead of both of us. Thanks for telling me how to capture Parinito (take her out to thalis regularly). Thanks for loving Dolano and being an inspiration. I miss you. Ride on brother, look in the mirror I’m right behind you.
Mahant

Sandesh (Hiko Ishida) was one of the drummers for White Robe Meeting in Pune 2. He was also part of Nivedano’s Oshoba band which played for the last meditations with Osho.

Siddhena and Sandesh have done Live Painting with Live Sound Installations together.

At the beginning of this year Sandesh released ‘Life Death Buddha Nature’:

Every so often his friends on Facebook had the chance to admire the photos Sandesh had just taken in his garden and neighbourhood. Here two slideshows as a reminder of their beauty and poetry: Patterns and Hydrangeas

There will be a celebration in a few days.

Info and photos thanks to Radha, Harida, Niket and Mega.

Tributes

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Dear Beloved Sandesh! May you dissolve into the universe as light and as beautiful as your awesome photos and spacious music. Thank you for sharing them with us. So much love ❤️
Pratibha

You went so quietly and so suddenly….. I still can’t believe you have gone. You helped me a lot emotionally when I moved from Yokohama to Hyogo; I freaked out about everything because of the earthquake that happened on 11th March 2011 and things related to it. You had space for me when I desperately needed it, even if we were far away. Thank you for your support and your music for me to dance to. I remember your cooking at “Blue Bells” in Koregaon Park. You didn’t like it when someone suggested to you, “Let’s share the cost for cooking.” You simply enjoyed cooking for your friends spontaneously. It was your pure sharing and love, and your mind couldn’t connect with money. Such a beautiful soul you are… Such a lovely and funny person you are… You bring laughter to your friends wherever you are… I enjoyed all of your home cooking photos on your Facebook these last years. Thank you for being my friend for so many years in those good old days, in the best place in the world. Fly high, beloved Sandesh! See you… one day… Oshoba to the max!
Chandana

Beloved Sandeshi, I have so much enjoyed seeing the nature photos over these years, the photos of your beautifully decorated and mouthwatering dishes, and then recently the piece of music, the one we have on this page. I enjoyed playing with you and the rest of the boys for workshops, events and meditations in Buddha Hall. Fly high, beloved friend, be good wherever you are now! With love from
Punya

Manisha was born in Belgium and took sannyas in Pune 1. Friends remember working with her in the kitchen. After Osho left his body she spent many years in Lucknow with Papaji. He knew her love for animals and often talked to her. She was often seen taking care and feeding animals: cows, cats and dogs. Wherever she went all kinds of animals would walk up to her and surround her. In later years she lived in Tiruvannamalai at the foot of Arunachala, within a community of friends. This is where she died at age 84.

The cremation was held yesterday 25th September 2015.

Text and photos thanks to Ram Charan, Gerd, Mahadevi, Bhakti and Nirvana.

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Beloved Manisha, we knew each other well in Pune 1 where your sannyas name was Chintana I remember. So: Hello Chintana. I loved meeting you in the ashram while coming from somewhere and going somewhere like to a group, work or meditation. I was always delighted to see you and we always had a beautiful little chat that I enjoyed. Remember? Have a good journey. Lots of love to you. A loving hug from
Divyam

From Prabha we hear that Deva Prasuna died five days before her 75th birthday in Florida.

Prasuna took sannyas in Pune during the seventies. In Rajneeshpuram she worked in various places, including the restaurants and the laundry. She also cooked in the Portland disco.

For many years she was a companion to a woman suffering from Alzheimer’s and also studied caregiving for Alzheimer’s patients.

She is remembered as a kind and generous friend who lived life her way and to the fullest. She will be very much missed.

On 2nd October her friends will celebrate her birthday both in Florida and California.

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Namaste Didi-ji Prasuna Goa Aloha, we met in the Paradise of Poona 1 and in so many places since then. Next in the new commune in the sky. You grew the wings to fly high and now the angels are welcoming you. So sweet and fun to know you.
Seemanta

Prasuna, there was never anyone like you. We had so many extended laughs across oceans, mountains and streams….. May you stay forever young! Love,
Anado

She was my cleaning Mama on the Ranch; she taught me how to clean two townhouses with a zillion bathrooms and a zillion different types of dirty laundry within 6 hours. I was so impressed by her; her charm, her generosity and her laughter. It was sooooo much fun to be around her; her funnny ways of looking at life, and her expertise…. She taught many things, amongst which I remember one very well, “It is only your mind that makes things look impossible to be done, nothing else. Let your energy take over, and all will be done magically.” How right she was!

Thank you my love for being such a kind, wise and crazy woman. I will always remember you and your laughter, on the porch in the evenings, when we cleaners all had a drink with Sam. Fly high, I am sure you will!
Salila

Shivam Toni was born in London on the 12th of June 1930 and became a sannyasin in Pune when she came to visit her daughter Rahimo.

Samya writes:

It was a privilege for me to share precious time with Toni also during her last days.

I asked her many times if she was afraid in any way, and she replied, “No.” Toni was aware of her imminent death and remained curious about the dying process. She was deeply grateful for the full and wonderful life she has had.

There were also moments of humour. For instance, Toni asked during the last days if she had said good-bye to everyone to which Rahimo replied: “Several times mom, you can relax and go.” Also, when the nurse asked for permission to change some bandages, with a smile she just replied, “Whatever.”

As she was dying she said, “Life is a joke and we get so het up about it! Please don’t suffer over my death, as you soon will be laughing again.” Toni accepted her death completely and died in full consciousness. Her bedroom was radiant with love and peace.

Toni inspired and touched the hearts of many in her final few weeks.

Good bye Toni, you are a shining star!

Tributes

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I first met Toni when Rahimo (Lynne) and I became friends before sannyas in our early 20’s. Over the years our friendship deepened. Toni was a great storyteller. I loved listening to her tales. She loved her duck pond in Barnes and took me there twice on my visits to see her. Toni was creative and a good artist and photographer. She was such a beautiful soul and will be missed by all who loved her. She loved her family and talked a lot about them and especially Rosie – Lynne’s daughter who is my god daughter. Toni had soul and wisdom and will be missed by so many. Fly high dear friend Toni. I am so grateful you were in my life.
Premyoga

Ma Deva Rukma

Arrived: 16 February 1950, Manchester, UK

Left: 11 October 2015, Mullumbimby, NSW, Australia

Goodbye service, words and music: Friday 23 October, Durrumbul Hall, Mullumbimby

Rukma came to Australia around 1978 and worked as a nurse in aged care. She lived in Brisbane, then Cairns, where she dropped nursing, and got into face-painting. As a seeker she first worked with Course Of Miracles, then fell in love with Krishna rituals, before joining with Osho and sannyas, and the Sydney commune (tbc) to “clean up her energy.” She was also into astrology from a young age, leading to lifelong study and practice as an astrologer.

She moved to North Coast, NSW, and met her to-be husband Mitsou at LuLu’s Café, Mullum, in 1998. She had been cleaning and then became an artist. He learned framing, and from 2000 to 2010 they made a business “Y Knot Art” selling her original artworks, collages and prints at local markets. In 2010 Mitsuo became her carer, as she was living with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder), emphysema, and asthma. Since then she mostly hung out, gardened, made a beautiful home (in Mullum), cooked (great cakes!), practised astrology, enjoyed dressing up and supported Mitsou’s own re-skilling as a guitarist.

Lately she realised a childhood desire; having taken lessons, she began spontaneously singing at “a mad jazz ensemble”, a weekly jam session they both attended for years. Most recently words were coming such as “I’m going to let go” and “forever changing.”

Rukma was child-free and her parents had died in 1998. Described by an aunt as “the one free spirit of the family,” she left an older sister in Switzerland and relatives in Adelaide and Manchester. She passed at home, on the night of their 16th wedding anniversary, with Mitsuo there. She was a flower, a butterfly, a hairy nature spirit and great lover of life. What a loss! Such a cuddly hugger, sharer of stories, and mischievous wild woman in that petite frame.

Sketch by Param based on input from Mitsou. Further insights and highlights welcome.

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Sudheer Roche was trained as a clinical psychologist; he studied Rebirthing, Reichian therapy, Tantra, Past Lives, Ericksonian Hypnosis and has been facilitating workshops for 30 years, some also in the Pune ashram. Sudheer has been suffering from Parkinson’s disease.

His death celebration will be on Wednesday 21 in Lyon, France.

Credit for text and photos to Mahana and Marga.

Tributes

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Merci Sudheer pour tout ce que tu as apporté, donné à ce monde auquel tu as contribué avec excellence. Ce monde meilleur, plus merveilleux grâce à toi. Que ton voyage soit aussi beau que ta vie! Avec Amour et Gratitude,
Anand Prartho

Cher Sudheer, que de beaux moments nous avons partagé au fil des années… Dans les années 80, tu as été l’un de mes formateurs en Tantra et en rebirth, ce qui m’a donné ensuite l’occasion d’organiser de nombreux stages pour toi. But what stands as most remarkable in my memory is when we were both participants in the Tantra Training in Pune, in August and September 1990; two rather skinny French men surrounded by these big Germans and Americans… At some point, as I was re-living a very painful memory in the middle of the group, he began to cry. Your strong and inquisitive mind may be gone, but these tears will live forever in my heart… Fly high in the light…
Chetan Samarpan

Gratitude et amour … j’ai grandi à l’intérieur grâce à ses espaces que tu nous as permit de vivre, soutenu par ta bienveillance, humour, sagesse, créativité… des moments collectifs riches de présence, joie et connection.
Maintenant débarrasser de ton corps et ton identité, je salut le ‘magnifique’ qui ètait toujours en toi.
Bonne retrouvaille avec tes maîtres.
Mark Taylor

Cher Sudheer, tes amis de Poona sont avec toi pour ton ultime voyage, demain je serai avec ta famille, tes amis à Lyon, ambassadrice des anciens qui ne pourrons être là. Nous avons cheminé ensembles depuis de nombreuses années, transmettant les perles reçus auprès de nos Maîtres, ce furent des moments exceptionnels, profonds et c’est juste ce que nous avions à faire…
All my love,
Prem Sylvia

Swami Heinz (Heinz Schafer), the ultimate rebel, died of a heart attack.

There will be a celebration of his life in Feehily’s Funeral Home, Cartron Cross, Sligo, Ireland on Monday, 26th October at 6.30pm.

Info thanks to Amy – more info about his life requested.

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Chaitanya Chetan, originally from New York, has been a sannyasin since Pune 1. Chetan loved jazz and even had a jazz radio show in Seattle.

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Salama (aka Inge Heinrichs) was born on 18. Juni 1922 in Ingolstadt, Bavaria. When she was 10 years old her family moved to Berlin where she studied graphic design at the Art Academy. In 1945, when the bombing became too much, she moved back to Bavaria with her boyfriend, where they survived as portrait artists. Clients were mainly US soldiers of the occupation troops. They later moved to Munich where she was a successful graphic designer and artist. They also had two daughters, Henrietta and Coco. She co-founded the Munich extra-parliamentary opposition (APO) and often held well-attended evenings for discussion. She also founded men’s and women’s groups; her idea was that women had to learn talking and men to learn listening.

After having undergone many hours of psychoanalysis she came to know bodywork, in particular Bioenergetics which she then studied under Gerda Boyesen.

Salama, then still Inge, founded a small private elementary school together with like-minded people. She also wrote for Das Blatt, a local Munich paper, about marxism and psychology, politics and psycological health. She worked at the ‘Gesundheitspark’, a centre for health promotion, for over 30 years, i.e. until its closure in 2006.

On her search for who she really is, one day she found herself in Margarethenried at the now almost legendary Osho Centre Purvodaya, north of Munich. Shortly afterwards, in summer 1978, she went to Pune and took sannyas. She studied person-centered therapy (PCT), psychodrama, gestalt, encounter, primal.

For many years she lived communally in Harlaching, Munich. Together with her two daughters, Henrietta and Coco, she ran the Institute Heinrichs and Heinrichs. Veeresh of the Humaniversity awarded her with an honorary doctorate for her life’s achievements.

Salama wrote two books: „Das Geheimnis der Lebendigkeit“ published by Kösel Verlag and „Körpersprache als Schlüssel zur Seele“ published by Peter Erd Verlag.

Henriette and Coco were present when their mother died.

Thursday 19th November, 1-4:30pm, there will be a farewell party. Salama has asked that there will be dancing at her funeral!

Info credit to Gathin via Sucheta and OTI article by Avinasho, dated September 2006: Alles muss ans Licht

Anand means bliss, salama means peace. Bliss can have two expressions: either it can be an ecstasy, overflowing, or it can be silence, peace, stillness. If bliss flows outward it is ecstatic. If it simply remains in then it is peace, and peace is a higher state than ecstasy. Even if one has attained to ecstatic joy, one has to go one step more, because one cannot remain in ecstasy forever; it tires. All kinds of excitement are tiring; although this is spiritual excitement, still it tires. It can’t become a permanent state; you cannot live in it forever – you will have to rest.

But one can be in peace forever, so that seems to be more natural. Sufis are ecstatic – they dance, they sing. Buddha sits silently. There is no visible dance, there is no visible song, but there is utter peace. Even dance has been transcended. Even song has disappeared into silence.

So the dance that dances not is the highest, and the song that remains silent is the greatest — that is the song of the songs. But one has to begin with ecstasy. The right procedure is to begin with great ecstasy – dance, song, expression — and then slowly slowly to let all disappear into bliss.

Osho, Don’t Look Before you Leap, Ch 6, 6 July 1978

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I lived with Salama for a while. What I will remember about her is her young spirit and her curiosity about life even though she was well over 80 then. I never felt that there was a difference in age between us but that we were 2 seekers on the same path. Fly high beloved, thank you for being in my life,
Sucheta

Gyan Vishal was born in Mie Prefecture, Japan on 19th October 1942 and became a professor in mathematics.

In the mid-90’s he took sannyas in Pune and since then spent most of his time there. He loved meditation; he was seen meditating a few hours daily at the water harp in Meera or doing whirling. He loved animals; he fed the cats around the Resort and in his building society. Vishal was generous and often gave gifts to people.

Since some time he had kidney and heart problems. The cremation was held in Pune at the burning ghats near the Resort.

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A safe journey, dear Vishal. I remember you so well from workshops you attended in the 90-ies in Pune. Your innocence and silence and your shy smiles touched my heart. Sending you love and light,
Sugandho

I will miss you. Thank you for being in my life!
Ritikaa

Ma Prem Anado (Nicoletta Machiavelli) was born in Italy in 1944; her father was Florentine and her mother, American of Scottish-Irish descent. She was a descendant of Niccolò Machiavelli, the Italian Renaissance historian, politician, diplomat, and philosopher. At a young age she became an actress, starring in more than 40 movies. She became a disciple of Osho in 1978 and retired from the movie business. She has been living in Pune and Rajneeshpuram, together with her son Nirjo (Wega). In 1985 she moved to Seattle, WA, where she taught Italian to adults in classes and gave private lessons. She also offered customised itineraries to various regions in Italy, and gave cooking classes. She was dedicated to her grandson, Alessio.

An anecdote from Bhagawati (previously published in 2005 by Viha Connection):

When Anado was teaching Italian to adults in Seattle, during one of her advanced classes on Fat Tuesday, she asked her students to tell a story in Italian about their favorite costume or costume party. One of them, a 50 year-old intellectual, leftist, retired medical doctor told his:

“The best costume thing I did was around 15 years ago when me and a bunch of friends here in Seattle decided to dress up like Rajneeshees. Remember those people that had invaded a little town in Oregon and were followers of the Indian guru with 100 Rolls Royces?
We all dressed in orange and red clothes and went down to the main square!”

Anando Emanuela writes:

Yesterday, November 15 at 12:06pm Anado stopped breathing, surrounded by the love of her family and the presence of her friends in Seattle, WA.

The disease began in March, and the progress was fast. For years we were very close: she came to visit in Maremma, Italy, where I live, a couple of times a year and I spent time with her in Seattle every year when I came to America to visit my son.

My dear friend, sister in the heart, generous, intelligent, beautiful, full of love and energy, contagious joie de vivre.

When I heard that doctors gave her only a short time to live, I tried in a hurry to be with her again, but a series of circumstances postponed my trip by a couple of weeks…and it is as if she had expected that… Saturday morning, when I reached the nursing home, she opened her eyes and recognized me. I spent the day and night with her; in the morning came friends who had been very close during the disease, and then came Prem Nirjo, her son. I sat next to her in meditation when her breathing stopped.

It was a rainy day and this was forecast to remain so, but suddenly, believe me, the sun came out…

Related Osho darshan
That Is The Way To God

Read Anado’s story of her taking sannyas 
Déjà Vu

Article from Exceptional magazine
Actress Machiavelli Now Star Teacher

Tributes

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My heart knows you will continue to fly high, dearly beloved soul sister! You have taught me much, made me laugh and enjoy your presence so much! Fare well…
Bhagawati

I remember you well… so sorry to hear you’ve left us, beloved one.
Anupam

Satprem (aka John Kielty Bell) was born in England during WWII.

Krishna Gopa writes:

I first met Satprem at Marpa House, a Tibetan Buddhist retreat center in England in 1976, where he incongruously started beaming at me across the silent dinner table. We became friends and he said I should come to India with him to meet his master, so I did!

He was a wonderful, difficult, independent character. He led groups for a while in Pune and then left to do his own thing, reappearing every few years for a short visit: once at the Ranch and once again in Pune 2, at which time he told me he had returned to his Buddhist practice, immersing himself deeply in loving kindness meditation, rather than the rough and tumble provocation of groups.

I was moved to look for him again a few years ago, and found him situated in Tunbridge Wells, abiding in what I could only call a deep peace and love. He was still immersed in Buddhist practice and reminded me (via some loooong Skype talks), when I spoke of my difficulties, to simply sit and remember I am the Buddha.

He was painting up a storm too, and posting his work on-line on a regular basis. When the posts stopped, I found only silence from him but eventually was told by his neighbor and friend that he was ill and dying, but being well taken care of by friends and family. John left his body surrounded by those who loved him.

I will forever be grateful to him for giving me a magic key to step out of the life I was living and into a whole new realm at the age of 22. And then. 40 years later, giving me an ever-so-gentle prod back to that place. John didn’t only talk the talk. He walked the walk. I already miss him.

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Neeto Peirsman owned an esoteric bookstore in the US before she went to India in 1977 to stay in the ashram in Pune. There she worked in the mala shop. She was also interested in Indian Dhrupad music. Neeto was an excellent astrologer and tarot reader, and also a very skilled and sensitive photographer. She had 2 sons who live in the USA. Her big love was Anubhavo (aka Etienne Peirsman) with whom she alternately lived in Antwerp and Santa Fe. Neeto, who had a BA in Psycology, co-authored with him Craniosacral Therapy for Babies and Small Children after they had worked for many years as a team exploring new Cranio techniques for babies and children of all ages. Although Neeto did not give Cranio sessions herself, she often established the initial contact when mothers or babies needed help to relax. They also gave workshops in the Netherlands, Belgium and USA.

Nidhi, who met her last year after a 30 year gap writes, “We had such a beautiful meeting. There was so much love and ease as if no time had ever passed. Shortly afterwards she went blind from cholesterol medication. She seemed very accepting and said that maybe she had “seen enough,” but of course it must have been a challenge. She used to travel with Etienne when he was teaching abroad. I am sad she is gone, and I am so happy she left in a beautiful space. She is such a beautiful being….”

[Prem Neeto] It means love virtue. Virtue that arises out of love is true virtue. Virtue that is imposed by others and has not arisen out of your heart is a pseudo thing. Only love is the law, the fundamental law, to be lived. All other laws drive people astray from their natural being: love brings you home. There is no higher law than love, so love is the true foundation of morality — not codes, not commandments. People go on following what is written in the Bible and in the Geeta; they only become pretenders. Listen to your own heart and follow it. Wherever it leads it is good; it cannot lead you astray. It is infallibly moving towards god.

Osho, Turn On, Tune In and Drop the Lot, Ch 26 – 27 December 1978

Read Neeto’s question: Osho, what is the difference between longing for the divine and loving another? in The Other Is Hell

Tributes

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There is only one word that describes her being, Osho.
Anubhava

Beloved Neeto, who loved the divine in music – she gave this gift to so many.
Judy Rust

Anant Jesse was born Jesse Farbman in 1965 in New York City, NY, USA. He was a co-founder of Dramarama, an LA-based alternative rock/power pop band, formed in New Jersey in 1982. As drummer and percussionist he completed four extensive North American tours and three European tours. Their videos reached MTV Buzz-Bin regular rotation with MTV live appearances and numerous radio and syndicated TV appearances, VH1, radio, and film. The storybook success that the group experienced has been detailed in the film ‘Mayor Of The Sunset Strip‘, as well as a recent VH1 Bands Reunited episode.

He left the band after six years, after their third or fourth album, to travel to Pune. In his own words:

I took an early leave of absence from college to play music. I’m still absent. For this, I feel fortunate. For years I played a lot of concerts, sometimes for large audiences. Once, in my early twenties, on a stage in front of 300,000 people, it became suddenly obvious to me that everything was entirely too big and none of us would be able to actually connect with one another. I quit rock music soon after that and moved to India to, you know, search.

“I stayed ten years.”

In Pune he played in Buddha Hall with musicians like Narayani, Ramdhan and Milarepa and recorded, i.e. the track The Power from Within (Existence). In 2001 he released the successful album Mantrica with a band composed of musicians of various nationalities, the likes of Chinmaya Dunster, Ramdhan Suissa, Steve Gorn, Ramesh Mishra, Milind Date and Prem Ageha. One of its tracks ‘Sri Rudram (Music Mosaic Remastered)’ was chosen for the compilation Urban Mantra featuring various artists including Deva Premal.

Another successful single was ‘Sarvasana‘. Anant also contributed with percussive vocals to the soundtrack for an animation film and performed, in 2012, in a solo show Select All (see video below) at the Art Neuf Theatre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He was also a production team member for the critically acclaimed remix project ‘Pipes of Pan At Joujouka‘ produced by Phillip Glass.

After India he had relocated to Montreal, Canada, where he started giving regular classes, speaking events, private consultations on the subjects of Creative Alchemy and Spiritual Therapeutics. He has also led self-discovery workshops across North America and Europe such as Practitioner Skills for Wholistic Health Practitioners, Enneagram and Sacred Psychology, Physicality and Voice, and since 2005, taught Spiritual Therapeutics at the NHC Institute in Montreal for senior level coaches, yoga teachers, and holistic health practitioners as well as writers, medical doctors and filmmakers, all the while continuing to record and perform internationally. He was loved for being motivating, inspiring and educating with a dynamic sense of humor and unsinkable energy.

When we love our work, the work expands. When we love our lives, everything expands.”

Anant had cancer and left peacefully surrounded by his beloved friends.

In this video Anant speaks on the Tantric Perspectives of Ego. More videos here…

Listen to the track ‘Sri Rudram’ from Mantrica
Read the reviews for Mantrica

www.anantjesse.com

Tributes

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

Beloved or many, will miss you, dear Anant Jesse. Will always think of our last conversation, our attempts to have tea over this past year, our laughter over absurd humor, the years of shared medicine circles, pot luck dinners, birthday celebrations with dear friends, the music, the joy and your shining bright Life Light. In Love All Ways, Shine Bright <3 Anita Bensabat

There was no need to find ‘younger’ pictures of Gayatri so you would recognise her – outwardly she looked almost unchanged over the years!

Anand Gayatri (aka Margaret Ann Schilberg) was born 18th May 1946 in Philadelphia. PA, USA. She had three degrees in economics: a BA from Oberlin College (1968), an MA from the University of Wisconsin (1969) and an MPhil from Oxford University (1973).

Shorly after her studies she moved to Geneva, where she worked as an Economist at the United Nations. During that time she came to hear from Osho, took sannyas by post and received the mala from Deeksha who was running Osho’s Meditation Centre in Onex, near Geneva. She visited Pune mostly on her holidays, but she was actively involved in bringing her colleagues to do Dynamic Meditation every morning or convince them to participate in the weekly Nadabrahma Meditation which she held in her flat. (When Osho had asked her which meditations she was doing she mentioned one she had learned from a Buddhist master. Shortly after this darshan Nadabrahma was introduced in Pune together with a music track.)

When the Osho Meditation Centre in Onex closed in late 1977 she ran the centre from her home for the following three and a half years. In 1981 she gave up her job and closed down her flat to permanently live close to Osho only to discover that she had arrived the day before Osho left for the USA! However, once the Ranch began to be populated, she wasted no time and moved there in spring 1982. She mainly worked in Hakim Sanai and Diogenes Computer Services. She remembers that “it was deeply fulfilling for me to be working among people who all had the same heart connection.”

After Rajneeshpuram closed Gayatri moved to Sacramento, CA where in 1987 she found fulfilling work (statistical research and business applications) as a Senior Economist in an energy consultant firm (JBS Energy), concentrating mainly on utility issues. She said to Bhagawati when she visited Bali in 2009, “Awareness helps me so much in my work – to stay centered in stressful times, and to have the courage to follow my intuition and creativity.” She was very proud when she had purchased the house of her dreams, with shady maple trees in the garden. She retired from her job about two years ago.

In 1998 she discovered Trillium Awakening (aka Waking Down) and became a teacher and mentor, making the work “sound relevant, down-to-earth, and accessible” (so typical Gayatri). She was also involved in the work of Ken Wilber and became an Interning Teacher of Waking Down in Mutuality.

In August 2014 she was diagnosed with cancer (small cell carcinoma) which had cleared last spring.

Text credit to Tara, Punya, Bhagawati (Viha Connection article Jan/Feb 2010), Bill Epperly (via FB)
Photos credit to Siri Shakti, Erika Gimbel, Julia Rinne via Facebook

Osho answers Gayatri’s questions
Why don’t I feel that I am myself?
Why is it that nobody likes to be criticized, and yet everybody loves to criticize others?

Tributes

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

Beloved Gayatri, I vividly remember the days we both lived in Geneva, you as a generous and playful woman, never saying no to a potluck party with some good wine. You were a networker extraordinaire luring your colleagues to do Osho’s meditations. They came in droves and then left — to go and see Osho in Pune. I also remember when you offered to lend me money to go ‘back to the West’ after an illness. Thank you again! You were so much more steady and reliable than I was and I appreciated that. You gave me grounding just to think of you. Fly high, beloved, may there be enough Swiss chocolate where you are going, so that you do not fly off too quickly. All the best on your journey, beloved! Bon voyage!
Punya

Beloved Gayatri, thank you for you loving kindness. Though we have not seen each other since Around ’87 in Sacramento hearing news of your leaving your body has brought it all back and more. I can just remember so clearly your kindness and genuine helpful nature. Thank you for blessing this life with your presence.
Naresh

Beloved Gayatri, I haven’t seen you for many years but I will always remember your grace and your integrity… a true sister on the path. We will miss you. Love and blessings,
Anupam

Sarjana (aka Sarji or Gissel Continente Bou) died peacefully in Barcelona, Spain, around 13h, surrounded by loving friends.

While living in Ibiza, in 1979, Sarjana got her hands on a book by Osho. She wrote, “I felt a big ‘yes’ in my heart for the truth of his words, his understanding of life as Zorba the Buddha, the union between the duality I was living in, like in a war. His vision now resonates with my way of feeling and living.” Then in 1981 she closed down everything and travelled to India to meet Osho.

She trained in different meditation techniques and therapies: Tantra, Conscious Breathing, Hypnosis Ericksoniana, Reiki, Human Design, Co-dependency, Family Constellations and Massage. For over 20 years she facilitated tantra, meditation and breathing workshops in Spain and India, and gave private sessions for individuals and couples. She was always a welcome presence at the annual Meditation Festival in Mallorca.

Sarjana was considered one of the driving forces for spreading Osho’s vision in Spain, and a lot of fun to be around.

Her funeral took place on 31st December 2015.

Credit for some photos to Matthew Clark via Facebook

Bio in Spanish on her website: www.netineti.es

Tributes

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

Beloved Sarjana, we shared so many beautiful moments and we all learned so much from you, especially during the last month while you were in hospital, coming and going various times, yet always present and loving. So many friends who we were with you every day, especially your son Pratha and Astiko. So much love shared through the WhatsApp group as well, where we were following the evolution of this damn cancer. So many people who love you — sure you did something right in life! You were present, strong, loving, vulnerable, without fear, accepting death yet wanting to live. It all went so fast…. The death ceremony yesterday was beautiful and you looked amazing, as if you were going to open your eyes and start to smile and dance any minute. I love you and feel you in my heart. Fly high, dear Sarji. <3 Chetana Annette Adelskamp

Para grew up in Sweden where she studied to become a social counsellor and coach. She took sannyas in 1982 in the summer heat at the Festival in Oregon and came to Pune in 1987 where she did the Osho Counselling Training. She visited the commune regularly until Osho left his body.

Para has been working as an Osho Counsellor in her home town until she was diagnosed of cancer of the liver. She died within a very short time, luckily without suffering. She was very much loved and will be missed by her friends and clients.

Info and photos thanks to Premleena

Tributes

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

So grateful, Para, for our journey together. Meeting you in the most divine spaces. Deep and high, thanks to our beloved master. Fly high beloved. Endless love,
Premleena

RIP Para. I am relieved that you didn’t have to suffer. Thank you so much for all your support and love. You saved me many times with your laughter and warm hugs.
Sushma