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Catholic bishops in US ban Japanese Reiki

As many of us sannyasins both practice or use Reiki this recently reported move by the Catholic Church again demonstrates what Osho was always saying about the dangers of Catholicism. Not so dangerous maybe as other fundamentalisms, but to be definitely watched. Furthermore the arguments described in this annotated news item seem so medieval, one wonders what century these Bishops are living in.

Reiki, an alternative Japanese therapy, is “unscientific” and “inappropriate” for use in Catholic institutions, according to America’s bishops.

Guidelines issued by the committee on doctrine at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops warn healthcare workers and chaplains that the therapy “lacks scientific credibility” and could expose people to “malevolent forces”!

The document also claims that for a Catholic to believe in reiki presents “insurmountable problems”.

Reiki means “universal life energy” and was developed by the theology Professor Dr Mikao Usui at the turn of the 20th century, from Buddhist beliefs and Sanskrit teachings. The client lies on a couch, clothed and relaxing, while the therapist’s hands rest lightly on the body in a special sequence. This practice has many authenticated healing properties.

Amazingly, the church’s guidelines continues: “A Catholic who puts his or her trust in reiki would be operating in the realm of superstition, the no man’s land that is neither faith nor science. Superstition corrupts one’s worship of God by turning one’s religious feeling and practice in a false
direction.”

The document ends with the view that since reiki therapy is incompatible with Christian teaching and scientific evidence, “it would be inappropriate” for Catholic institutions, such as healthcare facilities and retreat centres, or people representing the church, such as chaplains, to
promote or provide support for it.

Such hogwash, is there any hope?

Sannyasnews Editors

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An open Comment from Giten to a sannyasin about the situation in the so-called “Resort”

“I want my sannyasins to inherit my freedom, my awareness, my consciousness. And each sannyasin has to be my successor, has to be me. There is no need for anybody to dominate. There is nobody for anybody to dictate to. They are on their own. If they want to be together they can be together. Out of their own freedom, it is their choice and their decision. If they want to move free they have all the rights to move free.” OSHO- The Last Testament, Vol-2

Beloved,
I was one of the few sannyasins (in Sweden) who did not in any way support the former “Sheela-fiasco” regime. For this courage and integrity, I got the whole Swedish sannyas-commune against me. There were insane rumours going on about me. Even today not one single member of the then Swedish commune has taken any responsibility, and apologized for this foolishness. Osho said about the “Sheela-fiasco”: “Sheela could exist because you allowed her to exist”, which I doubt that many sannyasins have really heard. After the “Sheela fiasco”, Osho also said something like: “I wanted to give you a taste of fascism”.

I have also publicly criticised the situation with the Pune “Resort” for many years, but unfortunately I have no expectation any longer that the Resort situation will change. The sannyas movement today (speaking on the whole) also acts very much like during the “Sheela-fiasco” - like a dysfunctional group with the three roles and behaviours: aggressor, denier (”I do not know what is going on”, “I do not involve myself in the “politics”, “I only meditate, I do not care about the organization” or ” I have investments and receive ego gratification through my position in the organization, so I do not speak my love and truth) and victim.

I also doubt that the three guys in charge of the “resort” are actually sannyasins any longer. They seem to be on a power trip and have sold out sannyas to American companies. Who for example now actually controls the “Resort”, and Osho´s books?

However, not withstanding, it is a good situation to listen to one’s own heart, to one’s own love and truth, to one’s own intelligence and creativity.

Love,
Giten

www.giten.net

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Four New Osho Communes birthed in Nepal.
By Swami Aatmo Neerav.

When Osho visited Nepal in 1986 he seemed to see much behind the smiles and welcoming eyes of the simple people of the country. For he was later to say that in just a few years the whole country would be colored red, and its streets would run over with the colours of his sannyasins. It seems that this prophesy is taking life.

With the already existing four active communes and 67 meditation centres, one is bound to meet a maroon clad, freely swanking his mala, and flowing around the cities of Nepal. Now the chance of meeting these maroon clad is only to grow as four more communes are to be added.

Local sannyasins have initiated four commune projects in different cities under the patronage of Swami Anand Arun, an old Osho disciple, and the Co-ordinator of Osho Tapoban.

In Lumbini, the birth place of Gautama Buddha 10.6 acre land has been purchased by sannyasins to build an international village known as Osho Chetban International Village. The purchased plot is at a distance of 1 km from Gautama Buddha’s birth place. Bordered by a river the purchased land has been divided into three units; meditation unit, residential unit and a community unit. The village will have 100 residential houses with the facility of a community hall and centre, a meditation hall and a forest area. As the land is protected by the Lord Buddha Trust, no commercial activities or structures can be built around this area. Foreign sannyasins can also acquire land on a lease basis of 99 years.

In the city of lakes, Pokhara, sannyasins have already purchased the half of the purposed 3.8 acre for an Osho International Commune. Bordered by two huge white water rivers the purchased island overlooks a green forest and is situated very close to the Himalayan ranges of Pokhara. The plot is at 4kms distance from the Pokhara airport.

In Eastern Nepal, the Dharan municipality has granted 5 acres of land to Osho Nirvana Centre for developing it into a full fledged active and residential Osho commune. With a river boundary on one side, the land also has a dense forest and an already existing small hall which can be used for immediate meditation. A committee of local sannyasins has been formed for developing the land. In Southern Nepal also; an Osho lover has donated 8 acres land near the East West Highway in Lahan for developing it into an Osho commune. Sannyasins have already started planting trees and a plan has been passed to build a house for twenty people.

The patron of these projects Swami Anand Arun said; “It will be very difficult for people to believe in such big news. But it is all true. The finance and the plans have already been developed for building these communes. Soon we will have four more Osho communes in Nepal.”

All the four communes are spiritually affiliated to Osho Tapoban.

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