Thread: From ISKCON to OSHO

Osho was a great person. You are saying he was a clever writer with some charisma but I woudl extend that and say that he was a very intelligent man who had a lot of knowledge, really a lot! And he knew how to use it.
Of course, at some point you could say it was megalomania to have so many Rolls Royces but that doesn't change anything in his impressive amount of philosophy that he presented. Even if he only pretended to be a little bit crazy (you call it crazy wisdom), then still if you listen to his lectures, you can take a lot out of it.
Just as you are writing, you can enjoy his clever books because they are mirroring his intelligence. And if you don't feel like it, you don't have to go deeper.

Thanks, Anirudh, that's a very interesting point. My experience in Iskcon was a bit different: Many of the gurus, but not all, used to be very strict, up to the point of self-punishment (for being human?). If you look at people like Bhakti Vikasa Swami, ex-Harikesh Maharaja, and so many others, you'd really wish for them that they relax a little and enjoy Krsna Consciousness rather than torture themselves and their disciples. Others, such as the very fake Suhotra Swami, may have been different, but who took them seriously anyway?
As far as Iskcon is concerned, my suggestion is: enjoy the kirtans and the prasad, but don't get involved in the philosophy. In almost every single point where Prabhupada made a statement which could be tested by science, he was just totally wrong (moon-landing, women's brains, and so many other things too absurd to even mention).
Regards, PS

Dear Aniruddha Prabhu

thanks for the kind invitation, but I live far away in Europe. And I didn't mean to offend you by what I said about Srila Prabhupada. But still ... truth may be of higher value than mere politeness: are you aware of Ekkehard Lorenz' study of SP's books and the racism, sexism, scientific nonsense, etc. which can be found in there, not to speak of the numerous plagiarisms from previous acharyas? Lorenz should know, he was Bhaktivedanta Book Trust editor and researcher for many years in Korsnas Gard. Some of it can be found on the website: Hare Krishna Women
I have some respect for SP, much more than for Osho (to refer to the title of this discussion), for SP seems to me to be far more honest. But honest does not mean omniscient, and the idea that an elderly gentleman should be willing to believe that he can address all sorts of different topics - from cooking to social issues to astronomy to what-have-you, I find simply offensive to existence itself.
Hmm. Otherwise, kirtan is great and prasadam is delicious, and devotees can be really nice, too. If they only were more in tune with themselves and their hearts and heads.

PS Prabhu

Hi Thomas! Your spiritual journey sounds fascinating to me.. and authentic. Just felt like connecting.
Thank you for sharing it. Am so glad you have returned "home- to your heart" after your arduous journey..
I am indian, but was fortunate enough to have born in a liberal home and be exposed to J. Krishnamurti at a young age..
K as he was referred to by most, always said "throw away your gurus, throw away your religion!" Hence I have been spiritual but always stayed away from organised religion. After the passing of K, I have read books on/by many masters..
One finds that as time goes by one is happy to look inward at most times.. However if one wants to look out,the masters that
resonate with me most are, Ramana, Nisargadatta, Papaji ( from the advaita tradition) and Osho and krishnamurti.. Living Masters..Eckhart Tolle and most recently, Mooji.
The inward journey continues but i do feel that it is important to go for satsang sometimes..
Loved the design of your website, cant read the language though! :-)
Much love and light to you..

I have been a follower of Kripalu Ji Maharaj Homepage of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat .Also, I have read Paraphupad's and Hare Krishna literature.I would say that Kripalu Ji Maharaj has better command over the vedic scriptures that Prabhupad but unlike him he does not come from a guru lineage and his followers regard him as the avatar of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.Also, I would agree that philosophy as a subject gives u the greatest mental kick especially when you are interested in spiritual matters and the fundamental questions - who an I ? why I am here ? but as you enter into an organization ,at a point of time, you feel that although there is search for truth and you realise this fact which (this knowledge) makes you in a way superior to other people who are just after material happiness ; you get all the more confused.For Gurus, do they practice what they preach ? Prbahupad was himself married and went to preach absistence only after he was 60 ? but u r not allowed to question him in ISKON becuase a Guru is raised to that level ..