Rajneesh / Osho and Humaniversity in The Netherlands.
Rajneesh / Osho and Humaniversity in The Netherlands.
American-born Veeresh Danny Yuson-Sanchez (1938- ) founded this centre in 1978 and continues as its director. Veeresh was a drug addict who successfully stopped his addiction and trained to help others with similar problems before he met Osho / Rajneesh in 1974. His Humaniversity is independent from the [Osho / Rajneesh] Pune ashram but maintains ties with it and other institutions and individuals influenced by Osho / Rajneesh.
The teachings, therapies and techniques associated with Osho have changed substantially over his lifetime and have continued to change after his death. Whilst Osho / Rajneesh (1931-1990) was alive, the movement went through various phases of communal living, particularly at the Pune (Poona) ashram in India and at the Oregon Rajneeshpuram (1981-1985).
The Pune ashram was controversial for other reasons; it attracted a variety of seekers as well as therapists, and as a result there was a lot of experimentation with a wide variety of techniques. Some of the group therapies, however, especially those known as 'advanced therapy groups', garnered a reputation of being violent. Not only was there occasional violence as people were doing 'ego work', therapies were frequently mixed with the teachings on sexuality. As a result, the ashram was linked to allegations of sexual misconduct including paedophilia and uncommitted "free love". STIs were rampant and condoms were made freely available. The feral children of the numerous "free love" unions were a real problem for the Pune authorities. Some did not even know who their real parents were. All belongings, even toys, were shared communually.
Although the Pune ashram in India was the setting for the most experimental and controversial techniques, Rajneeshpuram was the more controversial. Senior leadership at Rajneeshpuram was convicted of serious felony charges including assault, attempted murder, arson, wiretapping and mass food poisoning. Osho himself was not charged with any of these crimes, but was deported from the USA in 1985 for visa irregularities.
Today, the Pune ashram, now called the Osho International Meditation Resort, is a very different, more mainstream, place, and attracts thousands of visitors each year. The Pune Centre is governed by an Inner Circle of 21 sannyasins (desciples of Osho) appointed by Osho before his death. Swami Prem Jayesh is the leader of this group. Osho International Foundation, based in New York, administers the rights to Osho's work and the copyright of his name.
The 'Multiversity' at the Osho International Meditation Resort in Pune continues to run hundreds of courses and workshops that employ a wide range of therapies. The centre is run as a luxury resort for westerners to 'recharge' physically and spiritually.
Although the human-potential techniques are still in operation, the meditations are geared towards those who can pay. Resort residents at the Osho guesthouse are charged about £40 per night for their comfortable air-conditioned accommodation. Students on 90-day meditation work training programmes are expected to pay from £350 for their 90-day accommodation. Indian nationals are offered less than half-price rates, but most attendees are of international origins.
Perhaps as an indication of the continuing practice of "free love" intending students are required to pass an HIV / AIDS test before being admitted.
Veeresh has a reputation of running more intense and confrontational courses at his Humaniversity than those usually run at the Multiversity. His therapy style is also described as more similar to what was practised at Pune in its early years than what has become more recently popular. An interviewer described his courses as consisting of 'deep emotional release processes, late nights, unpredictability, and intense social interaction'. Veeresh is currently running a Humaniversity programme at the Osho Meditation Resort Multiversity in Pune, India (6 February 6 - 4 March 4 2007).
In Britain there is a 'London Humaniversity AUM Meditation' which is directly affiliated with Veeresh and the Humaniversity. It runs the two and a half hour AUM mediation sessions at rented venues in London and does not maintain physical premises. (See: [
www.aummeditation.com] The twelve stages of this 'meditation' practise are described in detail on this website.)
Osho Leela in Dorset is the largest of 18 information, distribution and meditation centres in Britain and currently consists of fourteen adult sannyasins living in shared houses and an open number of temporary residents (it does not represent the Humaniversity in Britain). Osho Leela is an independent organisation that draws inspiration from Osho and has connections with, but not formal control by, the Pune Osho Meditation Resort. However, there is an overlap of people and courses between the various centres and independent organisations. There are probably around 3,000 people currently associated with the Osho movements in Britain.
Typical concerns about Humaniversity are as follows:
One enquirer was a former participant who reported that he felt very uncomfortable during a 'sexual healing workshop' that asked participants to participate in public masturbation and homosexual touching. This enquirer walked out during this workshop. He did also report that he did not feel pressured to return and joined in later sessions without penalty.
Another enquiry was a parent concerned about a child attending a counselling training course at the Humaniversity centre. The advertised descriptions of the courses at the Humaniversity website (http://www.humaniversity.nl) do tell participants to expect challenging experiences that will probably bring up strong emotions and feelings. With techniques of this kind, people are likely to have different reactions. Some report positive life-changing experiences, others report negative, or even traumatic, experiences.
Although the Humaniversity might use controversial techniques, it does appear that the activities are voluntary. Since Osho's death, controversy has been minimal and sannyasins stress their sense of personal autonomy and freedom.
With regards to the AUM Meditation sessions these appear to actively target 'vulnerable people' to draw them into the Osho 'cult'. As are other Osho inspired 'active meditations' AUM Meditation can be potentially injurious and an injury disclaimer contract has to be signed before participating. Particants pay a fee to attend. Few concessions are made for new comers. Medical support is rarely provided, not even first aid. Yet the leaders are always described as fully trained and professional.
The personal development techniques offered by Veeresh are likely to attract people who are having various difficulties in their lives and want to make changes in the way they understand the world. These changes often surprise and concern friends and relatives. Certainly, the individual involved in personal development courses may later regret some of their actions and decisions. However, other people report being happy with the decisions and changes they have made as a result from courses such as these. There have been few reports about any recent negative experiences in Osho-inspired centres, although there should be awareness that Vereesh offers 'challenging experiences' (somewhat in line with the more confrontational approach at Pune).
It appears that there are now many Osho sannyasins who are devoting their lives to promoting his teachings under the generic umbrella 'tantra.' These are probably second generation off-spring from the Pune and Oregon communes. Whilst 'tantra' itself is thousands of years old, most modern tantra organisations seem to be based on the mid-20'th century somewhat twisted teachings of Rajneesh / Osho. The main organisations appear to be BodyElectric (USA), SkyDancing (USA and worldwide), Gay-Tantra (Germany and Europe), and a myriad of lesser so-called 'schools of awakening.' Many of these appear to be run by Osho devotees dabbling with vulnerable people's lives without formal training or qualifications in conventional psychotherapy. Yet they all seem to promise enhanced self-awareness, improved relationships, and sexual healing; but as always - for a price.