For one, it is no longer screaming for attention—quite its hallmark even a few decades ago; the controversies it gets embroiled in are far and few in between. No celebrities are tom-tommed to sell the place and after decades of trial and error, the movement seems to be getting together a blueprint that assimilates its strengths and philosophy. The context, too, is more familiar than mysterious, more participative than merely exotic.

Carlos Zanasi (61), a celebrated Italian chef who has been coming to the centre for three months every year since 1977, says the change is wonderful. “It’s always good to grow. You can’t be static. I come here every year,” he says. Psychotherapist Hector Aristizabal from Columbia (47) has returned to the centre after five years. “I come back for the meditation and the ambience that encourages people to go through their own personal processes. This is one of the few places in the world that is touching new heights in psychotherapy. Yes, I do find the place has changed. There are more celebrations here now,” he says.

Never mind what the management wishes, visitors still call it the ashram. “We prefer the name Osho International Meditation Resort to ashram or commune as the terms are associated with gurus and religions and Osho was in complete disdain of both. The current name is in harmony with Osho’s directions given before he left his body,” says Sadhana. Adds Amrito, a Brit who was Osho’s physician and is also part of the management team, “An ashram for most people means a place where you’d be taken care of and where you don’t have to do anything yourself. Osho had no intentions of creating this kind of a society. This is not a place one escapes to, but where one comes, learns and goes back with enhanced knowledge about life and self.” 

... contd.