Osho, also known as Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, was a spiritual teacher and leader recognised for his unusual teachings and controversial views on sex and spirituality in the 1970s and 1980s. His teachings were a synthesis of Eastern mysticism and Western psychology, and he urged his followers to accept and explore their sexuality as a means of spiritual enlightenment.
Osho’s ideas on sex and spirituality, however, were not without dispute, and many of his teachings and activities were seen as unusual, if not harmful. In this essay, we will investigate the contentious link between sex and spirituality in Osho’s teachings, as well as the critiques and debates that have arose in reaction to his beliefs.
One of Osho’s central teachings was that sex and spirituality were inextricably linked, and that the road to spiritual enlightenment could be achieved via the investigation of one’s libido. He felt that suppressing one’s sexual inclinations was not only harmful, but also detrimental to spiritual progress, and that embracing one’s sexuality may lead to a more intimate relationship with the divine.
Osho’s sexuality teachings were founded on the premise that people are naturally sexual creatures, and that sex is a natural and healthy expression of our physical and emotional needs. He thought that sexual suppression might lead to psychological and emotional issues, but sexual acceptance could lead to greater happiness and fulfilment.
Osho’s sexuality teachings were not confined to heterosexual partnerships, and he was an outspoken supporter of homosexuality and other non-traditional kinds of sexuality. He felt that all kinds of consensual sexual expression were acceptable, and that individuals should be allowed to explore their sexuality without fear of being judged or shamed.
But, Osho’s sexuality teachings were not without criticism. Several of his detractors said that his ideas were hazardous and may lead to sexual exploitation and assault. Former followers accused him of inciting promiscuity and participating in sexual relationships with them.
In addition to his sexuality teachings, Osho had a contentious approach to spirituality. He urged his followers to challenge traditional religious and spiritual beliefs and to embrace a more personalised approach to spiritual practise. He thought that the search of spiritual enlightenment was a personal path that should not be guided by external religious or spiritual authority.
Osho also pushed his followers to embrace materialism, the quest of riches, and the goal of financial achievement. He thought that money success did not have to be incompatible with spiritual development, and that having worldly prosperity may really help one’s spiritual development.
Yet, Osho’s teachings on materialism were equally divisive, with some claiming that his emphasis on monetary success was a type of spiritual materialism and a betrayal of traditional spiritual principles.
Finally, Osho’s teachings on sex and spirituality were contentious and frequently polarising. While some commended his teachings for emphasising individual freedom and sexual exploration as a road to spiritual progress, others chastised him for his seeming contempt for conventional spiritual ideals and his occasionally dubious behaviour. Finally, the debate surrounding Osho and his teachings emphasises the complicated and sometimes tense link between sex and spirituality in modern culture.
