I'm researching self development / self discovery seminars / worlshops and/or retreats under the loose term 'tantra.'

But about 99% of these are based on the teachings, rituals and practices of Rajneesh / Osho - so I guess he must be a highly respected Indian master on the subject.

However when I've emailed the organisations about this, none have bothered to explain why.

Then other common factor seems to be that everyone involved has an Indian pseudo-name. This makes it difficult to find out who the people really are. They don't seem to want to use their western names.

What have they got to hide? And why the focus on Osho's teachings?

Isn't 'tantra' a wider subject than the teaching of just one guru?

See [www.culteducation.com]

Rajneesh/Osho group has been called a "cult."

Rajneesh left US after being arrested. The group was mired in scandal, criminal indictments, etc.

Rajneesh/Osho's teachings focused on sexuality much more than other gurus. Most gurus teach celibacy or don't talk about sexuality at all, but Rajneesh/Osho addressed the topic quite often.

Tantra has its roots in both Buddhism and Hinduism. Since it sounds like most of the Tantra teachers you've found so far are from the Hindu/Osho tradition, maybe you can focus your search in Buddhist circles.

Best of luck!

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SeekingTruth
I'm researching self development / self discovery seminars / worlshops and/or retreats under the loose term 'tantra.'

But about 99% of these are based on the teachings, rituals and practices of Rajneesh / Osho - so I guess he must be a highly respected Indian master on the subject.

However when I've emailed the organisations about this, none have bothered to explain why.

Then other common factor seems to be that everyone involved has an Indian pseudo-name. This makes it difficult to find out who the people really are. They don't seem to want to use their western names.

What have they got to hide? And why the focus on Osho's teachings?

Isn't 'tantra' a wider subject than the teaching of just one guru?

tantra just means "technology", and as such there are several spiritual technologies employed by the diverse body of spiritual practices we call hinduism, and they call the sanatana dharma

there are two forms of tantra - the left handed path and the right handed path

the right handed path is ashtanga yoga, observing the rules established by patanjali - it is socially conservative and is said to shelter the aspirant from spiritual harm

the left handed path is socially uncoventional (by traditional indian standards), and incorporates the five 'm's into its practice: mamsa (meat), madhya (wine), mamsa (flesh), matsya (fish) and maithuna (intercourse) - it is said to be a much faster path to spiritual enlightenment but opens up the aspirant to very negative energies if not applied with extreme disipline - the aghori tradition is an example of this

as far as osho - he was a man of some spiritual ability that capitulated to his own ego, thereby negating any benefit he had, and in the end died in a drugged stupor surrounded by foolish and immature disciples

the reason why disciples changed their name is just a facet of normal hindu practiced, just like they do in other religions such as judaism - essentially they become "reborn" into a new tradition - in osho's case however, it was hardly legit, and very few indian hindus have much respect for osho, or for that matter mahesh (maharishi)

vaidya:

Here we go again.

You seem to be tangentially suggesting that aspects of Judaism somehow are comparable to Osho.

This mirrors your attempts elsewhere on this message board to blur the distinctions between cults and religions.

You seem to know quite a bit about Eastern religion.

What group or religion have you been associated with?

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rrmoderator
See [www.culteducation.com]

Rajneesh/Osho group has been called a "cult."

Rajneesh left US after being arrested. The group was mired in scandal, criminal indictments, etc.

OK - in fact the history of Rajneesh (aka Osho) has been well documented. BUT what about how his cult has developed? Right now "Osho" seems to be a HUGE commercial organisation devoted to spreading his works - is this still a cult? There is an Osho University in Pune - is that part of this dangerous cult? Mind you on the web it states that you have to take an AIDS test to attend seminars there!! Hmm - sounds like free love reigns. And what about Humaniversity in the Nederlands and its sibling commune OshoLeela in Dorset, UK - both spawned out of Rajneesh'ism? Humaniversity is actually accredited by the Dutch Government, which gives its psychotherapists and their highly confrontational methods professional credibility. Yet again 'free love' seems to be the tenet at both of these places. Don't these people ever learn about love and commitment to one person?

Osho is an extension of the old Rajneesh group and occupies the old ashram.

See [www.culteducation.com]

Also see [www.culteducation.com]

These articles discuss the connections.

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rrmoderator
Osho is an extension of the old Rajneesh group and occupies the old ashram.

See [www.culteducation.com]

Also see [www.culteducation.com]

These articles discuss the connections.

Yes - I have read these and also other exposes on the web. I'm also interested to learn how they are so strong in the Nederlands and the UK. Also AUM mediation is taught throughout the world - I understand as a hook to draw new members into the cult. Is this a modern development? Could it be that with STIs on the rise (including AIDS) that free love is not an essential part of this cult anymore? And what does it promote now?

Many former Osho followers now belong to the group "Miracle of Love" (MOL). MOL teaches spiritual union with nonattachment, nonmonogamy. There is encouragement of free love, group sex, etc. MOL sponsors youth retreats/ Intensives, and have MOL youth houses where there is a lot of sexual acting out, drug use etc, as expression of the Divine Being.

For those interested in more information about "Miracle of Love" there is a subsection about the group within the database.

See [www.culteducation.com]