News around Hollywood includes comments by megastar Lady Gaga on her visit to India, wherein she said she likes reading books by Indian philosopher Osho, aka Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. Her tweet with an Osho quote - "Creativity is the greatest form of rebellion" - sent out to nearly 10 million followers and other remarks to the press has certainly made some stand up and take notice of this controversial figure from decades past.
In an article entitled, "Lady Gaga Reveals Love of Books by Indian Philosopher Osho: 'I Am Kind of an Indian Hippie'," the Hollywood Reporter relates:
Considered one of India's most inspiring and controversial spiritual masters, Osho (earlier known as Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh who passed away in 1990) was known for his ground-breaking views on combining the best of eastern and western philosophy, a connection he described as “Zorba the Buddha”. Osho hit the international headlines in the early eighties with his fleet of over 90 Rolls Royces gifted by his followers who built a sprawling commune on a 64,000 acre ranch in Oregon where he lived until he was deported in 1985 by US authorities on various charges including immigration violation.
When asked by THR about her views on Osho, Lady Gaga said, “Oh yes Osho! I read a lot of Osho's books and I have been reading a lot about (Osho's views on) rebellion, which is my favorite so far. And how creativity is the greatest form of rebellion in life. Its important to stand up for what you believe in and to fight for equality. Equality is one of the most important things in my life - social, political, economic equality - these are all things I fight for in my country as a citizen. So I read Osho because not only do I love his work and what he writes about, but I guess I am kind of an Indian hippie! ”
Osho/Rajneesh critics counter this enthusiasm by raising up the crimes committed by his supposed followers when he was staying at the Big Muddy Ranch in Oregon, including an attempted "bioterrorism" poisoning at a restaurant. However, Osho himself was never found culpable of any crime, while those who were determined to be guilty were tried and sentenced.
In the meantime, let us examine what it is that Osho may have done - or, rather, said - to have gotten himself into hot water. Is it just possible that he was set up for repeatedly saying such things? And are these the views Lady Gaga has been exposing herself to?
In a book the title of which alone might explain a few things, Priests and Politicians: The Mafia of the Soul, Osho stated:
"You have to be aware who the real criminals are in this world. That's why I speak against the priests and religions, because I don't want any single loophole for you... The problem is that those criminals are thought to be great leaders, sages, saints, mahatmas, and they are respected tremendously around the world, so you will never think that they can be criminals. So I have to insist continuously, every day.
"For example, it is easier to understand that perhaps politicians are the causes of many problems: wars, murders, massacres, burning people. It is even more difficult when it comes to religious leaders, because nobody has raised his hand against them. They have remained respectable for centuries, and as time goes on their respectability goes on growing. The most difficult job for me is to make you aware that these people - knowingly or unknowingly - have created this world.
The politicians and the priests have been constantly in conspiracy, working together, hand in hand.
"The politician has the political power; the priest has the religious power. The politician protects the priest, the priest blesses the politician - the masses are exploited, their blood is sucked by both.
"Religions have made man's mind retarded by creating beliefs out of fictions. And politicians have destroyed man by creating as undignified a life as possible - because their power depends on your slavery. These barriers should be removed.
"Rather, science should be employed not in the service of death and destruction, but in the service of life and love, affirmation, celebration.
"We are in such a situation today that either we will let these rotten politicians and priests destroy the whole of humanity and the earth, or we will have to take the powers from their hands and decentralize it into humanity."
Elsewhere Rajneesh stated:
"The politicians are insane, the priests are insane too."
"That's why I say all politicians and all so-called great religious leaders are suffering from an inferiority complex. That inferiority complex is a torture to them. They want to be on some great pedestal with great power. That power will help them to get at least a temporary relief from the inferiority complex."
"All the organized religions are basically depriving humanity of religion because they are misdirecting you. They are always away in the sky. And when they pray, folding your hands towards the sky, you don't realize that there is nobody to hear you."
In some 650 books drawn from videotaped talks, Osho/Rajneesh is relentless in his criticisms of priests, politicians and organized religion. Perhaps Lady Gaga would like to start tweeting some of the above quotes in order to make a real impact on society, rather than wearing meat dresses and assorted other useless shenanigans?
Turn up the volume on this one - you'll want to hear it.
Further Reading
Osho: Sex is sacred
One with All Things?
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|2011-10-31 22:09:46 Arhata Osho - Lady Gaga Reads Osho
I have suspected some unusual influence. Makes sense that Osho has had some effect on her. With 10,000,000 followers, their will be a surge of interest in Osho. Bottom line, there is no one even close to putting out as much spiritual/truth works as Osho. Smart people interested in their spiritual development will read some of Osho. Deepak Chopra has. Good for Lady Gaga! 
Perhaps Lady Gaga would tweet the hit internet movie that went viral online and got viewed by over 200 million people subtitled in over 30 languages entitled, Zeitgeist part 1.
Here's the Zeitgeist Part 1 Sourcebook (2010) transcript.
Maybe Lady Gaga would enjoy the Mythicist Position video?
Or these? Out of 150 films 'God In The Box' has recently won 4th place in the ArcLight Cinemas contest. 'God in the Box' will be featured at the ArcLight film festival in Hollywood, California November 7th-10th, 2011! I hope they win 1st place.
Film: God in the Box
DVD: Great Minds of our Time