A different set of commandments

Before teacher training I had never heard of Osho.  But he came up several times in our philosophy discussions so I decided to look him up.  I wasn’t aware of Osho when he was alive so it struck me to learn: “Osho is generally considered one of the most controversial spiritual leaders to have emerged from India in the twentieth century.  His message of sexual, emotional, spiritual, and institutional liberation, as well as the pleasure he took in causing offence, ensured that his life was surrounded by controversy. Osho became known as the “sex guru” in India, and as the “Rolls-Royce guru” in the United States.”  Hmmm.
In class some had argued that the followers were the ones who corrupted the message of Osho.  I did more searching and found many controversial things along with many insightful thoughts.  Can I judge the man?  I have not discovered enough facts to make a decision one way or another.  But I did find an interesting and relevant list of commandments.  I post them here for you:

  1. Never obey anyone’s command unless it is coming from within you also.
  2. There is no God other than life itself.
  3. Truth is within you; do not search for it elsewhere.
  4. Love is prayer.
  5. To become a nothingness is the door to truth. Nothingness itself is the means, the goal and attainment.
  6. Life is now and here.
  7. Live wakefully.
  8. Do not swim – float.
  9. Die each moment so that you can be new each moment.
  10. 10. Do not search. That which is, is. Stop and see.