Christy Varghese talks to Ma Anand Sheela, about life in the commune, her association with Osho and her plans at the launch of her book, By My Own Rules

There are few who can claim to have lived life on their own terms like the irrepressible, honest, bold and charming Ma Anand Sheela. Yet, controversy continues to follow her even today. Whether it be her portrayal in Wild Wild Country, or the Osho International Foundation’s take on the Netflix series, a wide spectrum of opinions has cloaked the real Sheela for too long.

In the 1980s, she was the personal secretary of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, popularly known as Osho, and the manager of the Rajneesh commune in Wasco County, Oregon, USA. She was eventually sentenced to prison, where she served her time and walked out after three years. Since then, she has founded and helped manage care homes in Switzerland (established in 1990) and Mauritius (2014). Adored and vilified at the same time by the world, she has seen it all—from rebuilding her life from scratch to being interviewed by Karan Johar on her grand return to India in 2019. More than three decades later, she is still in love with Bhagwan and his teachings.

In By My Own Rules, Sheela bares it all—her lessons, her beliefs, her inspiration and the eighteen rules that define her life. Provided below are excerpts from the interview..

By your own admission, your father often encouraged you to pen your story. What finally led you to put this book together, and how long was it in the making?

My father has been the inspiration to write my life’s experiences. He felt the intensity of my life where I had a one in a million life’s experience of living and working with a man like Bhagwan. After the release of Wild Wild Country there was much interest among young people. This was very clear from the daily e-mails I was receiving since then.

I found time and the desire to write in 2018. I started writing without pressure as a leisure activity, purely for my own pleasure. Every morning, from 5.30, I would write until my team started coming to work around eight in the morning. Then I would get busy with my work in Matrusaden and Bapusaden (my homes for handicapped in Switzerland). In the work gaps I would continue writing. I finished my writing till the feelings and thoughts stopped. This process took about four-five months.

You talk about resonating with Bhagwan’s unfettered faith in the human race, a “community that would make reflection and self-awareness its goals; that would, through meditation, create a free world, a world that brimmed with positivity.” In light of the vilification, you were subjected to, has your view on the boundless love and positivity of people changed?

 I can tell you about myself. There was enough dirt and garbage thrown upon and around me. It had severe consequences for me, personally. I was able to live through this vilification and overcame these hardships. The teachings of Bhagwan and the correct values of life from my beloved parents gave me the correct perspective to deal with it. I must say both (Bhagwan’s teachings and value of parents) have gone through a scrutiny of the world. The positivity, love, loyalty, honesty, and many other values held me intact.

That is why the content of the book, By My Own Rules, is valuable for me and I wish to share it with the world. Here I would like to stress that Bhagwan’s teachings work.

To what extent do you feel one can love without any limits? When is it time to decide that love for another has run its full course and is beginning to border upon ‘love as per convenience’?

As far as I am concerned love has no limits. When I felt I could not compromise my integrity it was time for me to leave. However, it is important to underline the fact that I still felt the love for Bhagwan. I have never tried to rationalise or philosophise love. My feelings are always clear from my gut and intuition.

In rule seven of your book, you talk about accepting life as it comes. What do you think about rebelling against the unjust occurrences that life happens to serve you, instead of accepting them?

I talk of acceptance of one’s own reality. If you face an unjust situation, do speak up but be ready for retaliation.

My departure from Bhagwan did bring hardships for me and I accepted them with grace. For me that is acceptance.

Besides nostalgia, what are the primary thoughts you encountered upon your return to India after 30 years?

Besides nostalgia, I was touched by much warmth and friendliness in India. I was received with an open arm wherever I went. I saw many environmental issues and felt challenges in resolving those. I thought over it and would like to engage myself in a small project in Vadodara.

Your rules revolve around love, patience, and acceptance. In the hard and fast era we live in, do you think these notions would resonate with the younger demographic?

My rules are based on my values and revolve around me and my feelings. I am simply sharing my experiences of life with my readers. It may help some persons, and some may find it is not their cup of tea.

What do you think a communal lifestyle has to offer as opposed to a solitary one?

Communal lifestyle offers human warmth and a feeling of being cared for. It is a best way to enhance, exchange one another’s qualities and deficits. Being there for others gives roots and stability to oneself.

What is your take on the demonisation of sex and sexuality in the current times? Has the understanding evolved in some ways?

 Demonisation of sex and sexuality is only through promiscuity and perverseness.  It should be rejected absolutely by everyone. Never compromise on these issues. Instead offer deep understanding and educate people about naturalness of sexuality.

What do you seek from life, now?

To live life according to my heart and intuition. I believe in being there for people around me till my last breath and having a graceful end.