There was no misuse of sexuality in our commune: Ma Anand Sheela on Osho's teachings

Ma Anand Sheela, former close aide of Rajneesh, on Sunday opened up about the way of life at Rajneeshpuram, a utopian city for the controversial guru's followers in rural Oregon in the US, and how she still follows the communal lifestyle.

Sheela worked as the personal secretary of Rajneesh, popularly known as Osho, from 1981 through 1985 and managed Rajneeshpuram.

Sheela, who recently came to limelight as the central figure in Netflix's 2018 docu-series "Wild, Wild Country", said contrary to popular perception, sexuality was never misused in both of Bhagwan's communes -- Pune and Rajneeshpuram.

"There was no misuse of sexuality in our commune in Pune or in Rajneeshpuram. We talked about sexuality openly. It's like when you are attracted to somebody, you express your attraction," she said.

Sheela, who is on her first India visit in 34 years, was speaking with filmmaker Karan Johar at 'The Conversation', organised by Humans For Humanity in association with Sipping Thoughts.

"One message which I want to give to everyone present here is to be yourself; I am me and will always remain like this. I have learnt to live communal lifestyle from Bhagwan Rajneesh," she added.

Sheela, 69, is known for wearing her heart on her sleeves and when asked whether she had unrequited love for Rajneesh, she said the guru was "also very much in love with me".

"... You should see some of the photographs and see how he looked at me. And the way he said 'Seela'..."
"Not just me, but I think everybody believes in it secretly. They want freedom from their relationships and enjoy themselves."
"I created these homes because I was missing my parents and if people want to see it as redemption then I must need redemption, take it and move on."
When Karan asked what she would say to Rajneesh if given a chance to meet him one last time, she said, "I would tell Bhagwan, 'You went with the wrong people who drugged you. And you shouldn't have allowed it and you were too smart for that...' But it was his choice."