Yes, it is possible to make Osho available to the intelligentsia in Iran also.The ground is ready. There are already 42 Osho books in Persian language being sold in the shops and more are being translated. This month the translation of Osho’s most famous book “From Sex to Superconsciousness” is also being published. Ms. Mojgan has translated this book into persian.
Osho has much bigger appeal here than any other modern spiritual teachers from outside Iran. Osho is being discussed because Osho’s literature ignites the intelligence of people. Of course, there’s some influence of gurus like Satya Sai Baba and other Indian yogis. It is mainly because most of the people want to see miracles and think of yoga to attain some spiritual powers for solving their problems. There are certainly some gurus who promise all these things. Osho performed no miracles and did not promise any spiritual powers. He raised the consciousness of people to go beyond such things. Osho respects the individuality of each person and gives dignity to each individual, nudging him to find his own way himself, reminding what Buddha says: Be a light unto yourself.
This is what makes Osho stand out and very acceptable to the intelligentzia. Osho explains very beautifully what Sufi, Tantra, Tao, Zen and other mystics of all the traditions have offered down the centuries, makes this whole spiritual treasure available to modern man. Yes, Iran also has such modern and liberated people who are continuously exploring and are ready to experiment.
In a house of an Iranian friend Arash, about 25 people came the other day to learn and experience Osho meditations. The space was limited, so many others who could have come were not invited. They are ready to come any time. Many others
came at different times to inquire. Now some friends are trying to look for a bigger space. Arash and his friends are on look-out for a place that they can consider as Osho centre. And he feels that now the time is ripe and a centre will definitely come into existence.
In this trip we could do our meditations at different places and for the next time they can organize bigger space so that more people could be accommodated. An Osho Information Centre in Tehran can start right away.
Some other Osho lovers from another city Isfehan, invited me where I met about 100 Osho lovers. There was an intense question-answers session followed by Relaxing Body Mind meditation. The meaning of Isfehan is the half universe. So I have traveled half universe
and I am back in India.
Swami Chaitanya Keerti
8 March, 2004