Rating:
(5 stars out of 5) Cast: Ma Anand Sheela, Osho, Philip Toelkes, Jane Stork, George Meredith, Jon Bowerman, Kelly McGreer, Rosemary McGreer, John Silvertooth, Ma Prem, Robert Weaver, Krishna Devi
Krishna Devi Director: Chapman Way, Maclain Way Awards: Primetime Emmy Awards 2018, Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series, Netflix Genre: documentary, spirituality, bigotry Run Time: 6h 43m Premiere Date: January 2018 (Sundance Film Festival) Country: USA
CULT - I'm doing away with the stigma of the word 'cult'. A counter-culture that is defined by its unusual religious, spiritual, or philosophical beliefs, or by its common interest in a particular personality, object, or goal is by definition a cult. Even Christianity, before it became mainstream religion, started out as a cult.
Synopsis This movie begins with the genesis of Osho's community in India, how it grew and how it became imperative for it to be moved to America. It recounts the continuing and escalating clash with the locals who resented their presence. It was a classic case of an unstoppable rising force (the Bhagwan cult) and an unmovable force (local ranchers) that wanted to stop it. This culminated in a firebombing of a hotel, a biological attack, illegal wiretapping, takeover of a town, and attempted murder. Ultimately, it took the US government, with its combined force of local, county, state and federal authorities to put an end to this surreal drama that gripped this small town in Oregon.
Movers and Shakers
Ma Anand Sheela - While this movie is about Osho and his followers, center stage was taken by Ma Anand Sheela, the visible de facto head of the commune who fought valiantly, cleverly, creatively against local, county, state and federal forces that banded together to crush the commune. I saw in her, a noble warrior who risked life and limb to defend her guru and her community. Of course, she also enjoyed and used the power she exercised.
Osho - I didn't realize just how charismatic and mesmerizing Osho was to his followers until I saw this movie. While hiding from the scenes for most of the movie, Osho was the galvanizing force behind the growing number of followers. He was also the 'army general' giving orders to Sheela on what to do. It is not clear, however, how specific the instructions were, and to what extent Sheela took liberties in implementing those instructions.
US government - The movie also depicted the extended tentacles of the US government and how they worked together to bring down the cult's leader and break the cult altogether - from the town mayor, the county officials, immigration and the US and State Attorney's Offices. It's ringing true what Osho's lawyer said, that if the government wants you down, they will stop at nothing to bring you down. You don't stand a chance.
Movie Format There was no narration - only actual interviews, source footage, newspaper headlines and cinematic background shots. The story unravels through this narrative. What is presented is true, of course, but it also begs the question, what was left out that might have changed the narrative? Altogether though, the movie appears to be balanced - showcasing the arguments of both sides while remaining impartial. Each side was represented with their compelling accounts of why they are right.
Ending Thoughts
I was Played It's embarrassing, but I have to confess to being unwittingly played by mainstream media. My first account of Osho was from mainstream media who painted him and his followers as a band of fanatics who will stop at nothing in service to their spiritual guru -
Bhagwan, who later changed his name to Osho. Osho was painted as another Reverend Jones(of the Jonestown cyanide suicides), and his followers like that of the Charles Manson followers who blindly followed him to the extent of stabbing to death, the very pregnant Sharon Tate. Yes, I bought it without even realizing it was the version of the mainstream (who always have their private agenda).
Talk to the Locals First This nightmare could have been avoided, perhaps, if Osho sent a public relations committee to meet with the locals of Antelope and manage the expectations, assuage the fears and reassure the local ranchers that the group simply wants to be alone and that they will behave like good neighbors. This would have been a lot better than simply ignoring the locals and showing up with earth movers followed by weird-looking people all dressed-up in red garb.
Leave them Alone I sincerely believe that the followers of Osho would have been happy to be left alone in their commune to do their own thing, away from the nosy eyes of any outsider. That's the very reason they chose to establish their commune in the middle of the desert. They didn't come looking for a fight, or taking over a small town - the commune was a good 19 miles away from Antelope.
But the locals, traditional ranchers, didn't appreciate weird people in their midst. They started harassing the devotees. Of course, the devotees, feeling fully invested in their community where they toiled the land to make the desert green and arable, to make it a self-sustaining eco-community system, would do what it takes to protect what they have labored for - by whatever means necessary. This tension escalated until all hell broke loose.
Had the locals just welcomed them (like the locals of Gerlach, Black Rock City, Nevada who welcomed and co-existed with the revelers of Burning Man), this would not have ended up so horribly.
Ma Anand Sheela Ma Anand Sheela has also been painted as devil incarnate. But for the commune to survive the combined forces of the local and county government, it needed a leader like Sheela. Sheela only did what she could work with - the laws of the constitution, guns, voter-base expansion, and biological attack. I never saw the commune as the aggressors - they simply had to do what needed to be done to defend themselves.
Tragically I would say, she was betrayed by the man she tirelessly and unflinchingly fought for. Not only was she ex-communicated after leaving, she was also accused by Osho himself to have stolen money and masterminded the failed murders. The film did not show this, but there just wasn't anything about Sheela to have done this, but all the reason why Osho had to do it.
I somehow came away from this movie feeling for Sheela. She gave all...heart and soul to her master. In the end, she was used as a scapegoat to take all the blame. Lesson here? Discreetly document your meetings with a guru, just in case he turns on you.
Osho and Sheela: Who was Lying? After Sheela left the ashram, Osho broke his silence and accused Sheela of masterminding the murder attempts and also accused her of stealing up to $50M. The big question now is, who is lying? It's either Sheela or Osho.
Sheela, to her credit, has been consistent the entire time, from low rank devotee up until she was released from prison, that all her actions were in devotion to her guru and the protection of her community. I believe that remains indisputable. Of course there was power tripping, but that's beside the point. Her arguments, corroborated by source footage, adds up. She was the soldier and when shit hit the fan, she was also the scapegoat.
Osho was very clever and manipulative. The fact that his movement is still flourishing means the followers believed that Osho has done nothing wrong and that Sheela was a thief and the mastermind of a premeditated murder. Again, it is not clear what specific instructions Sheela received from Osho, and to what extent she exercised those liberties in implementing those instructions. But I cannot in my sane mind say that Osho's hands are clean.
Manipulating Public Thinking I also saw how the government used its media machinery and its legal arm on twisting the law to serve its agenda. It's no different from the lies they flaunted about WMD in Baghdad, Gulf of Tonkin incident that sparked the Vietnam War and Building 7, the only modern highrise building that collapsed on a free-fall rate without being hit by an airplane. The establishment is extremely clever in manipulating public thinking. US government hypocrisy and intolerance in the guise of church/state separation, love of God and love of country have been its staple in influencing the American thinking.
Long Term Viability and Sustainability? On another paradigm, I cannot help but speculate how this community would have fared and prospered if left alone. The disciples are highly intelligent, highly educated, evolved and only in pursuit of sharing something wonderful with humankind. It would have answered my question about Burning Man - if this week-long community would be allowed to have its own uninterrupted existence, would it be viable in the long term? How would it evolve? Unfortunately, that question would remain unanswered.
Creating Your Own Country This might seem far-out, but if the cult can establish their own self-contained city, complete with all the necessary infrastructure, then, why not establish your own country according to the 1933 Convention on Rights and Duties of States? Offer to buy an island off a country, declare it your own country, issue passports, get representation in the UN, etc? It's not a guarantee as the bigger countries historically have invaded smaller countries, but this alternative seems better than struggling against local, county, state and federal authorities. Of course, it's easier said than done, but there are essentially 15 steps to establishing your own country. At least you'll enjoy a few decades of honeymoon before human nature takes over - power grab, nepotism, jealousy, factions, etc., and ruins the whole thing.
(Nov 14, 2021) My neighbor's son was writing poetry on his hotel porch as part of school work. I explained to the Mom that it would be a good idea if the son's art works throughout his school life can be preserved and be searched according to time, place and activity. To make my vision understandable, I created a placeholder webpage for the son.....more »»
(Feb 25, 2022) You don't even have to know chess to appreciate this movie. It's not even a comparable genre, but I would put this tv series along the likes of Game of Thrones. The way this movie was done showed careful attention to pacing, consistency with the film's energetic output, integrity of character and triumph of the human spirit without the tethering of cheesy cuddly moments.....more »»
Chiang Mai INFORMATION
Chiang Mai Map
Chiang Mai, Thailand
IMPORTANT PLACES
Bus Station Train Station Chiang Mai International Airport Nong Buak Hard Park - free yoga classes daily
HOTEL
Arun Dara Villa - 7 exclusive rooms, 1 swimming pool for every room, grand opening
Nawa Sheeva Hotel - big rooms, high ceiling, salt-water pool, restaurant, cafe
Nawa Saraan Hotel - low density (4 spacious rooms), stone garden setting, Koi fish pond, Old City location
Arun Suite - 3 bedrooms in a 3-storie guesthouse within Old City, ideal for families
MOTORBIKE RENTAL
Tawan Bike - motorcycle rental | +66 91 635 2863 | Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200
Chiang Mai FYI / Tips
crop-burning season in Chiang Mai is between late Feb to early April. But laws change everytime. This year, 2019, there is a 61-day ban on burning so the farmers started burning early. When my plane was approaching Chiang Mai on Jan 24, 2019, there was already a thick blanket of smog covering the entire city (and beyond). But within the city itself, you won't feel it (but that doesn't mean the air is healthy). To monitor air conditions in real time, refer to site: Chiang Mai Air Pollution: Real-time Air Quality Index (AQI)
hot season begins March and lasts until June
wet season begins July and lasts until September
best time to visit Chiang Mai is mid-September to mid-February - after the monsoon and before the burning
you have to try Khao Soi, this is north Thailand's culinary staple
the tourist area where most of the hotels, restaurants, ticket offices, tour operators are, is located in the Old City
to exchange your dollars to Thai Baht, the Super Rich Money Exchange give the best rates. There are many branches scattered around Chiang Mai
get a red cab (songthao) outside the train station for Baht 50 (instead of paying B100 if inside the train station) to Old City - if you haggle nicely enough...I did!
shared red taxi (songthao) - B30 standard fare plying all over Old City
for only B50/day, best to rent a bike to go around the Old City - it's a 2.5km2 with lots to discover
FREE daily yoga classes from 9:00am to 10:15am at Nong Buak Hard Park (southwest corner of Old City). Resident and passing-through teachers take turns conducting yoga classes.
Blues/Jazz Bars in Chiang Mai
North Gate Jazz Coop - at Chang Phueg Gate, great Tuesday jam session, Blues on Sundays at 11pm by the Chiang Mai Blues band
Boy Blues Bar - at the Night Bazaar. Mondays at 9:30pm is open mic
My Secret Cafe - near Wat Phra Singh. Tuesdays at 7:30pm for the changing front-act and 9:00pm for the Panic Band
Taphae East - 88 Thapae Rd. (just north of Night Bazaar). Fridays at 9:30pm by Chiang Mai Blues Band
Chiang Mai Cost Index
B60 Chiang beer
B250 1 hour drop-in yoga session
B200 one hour Thai body massage at WAYA Massage(highly recommended)
B50 noodle soup with meat
B50 coffee
B40 pad thai
B30/kilo wash-only laundry
B50/kilo wash+iron laundry
B100-150 dorm bed/night
B250 fan room/night
B30 internet cafe/hour
B170-190 Movies Sat-Sun and public holidays
B130-150 Movies weekdays
B100 Movies Wednesdays (movie discount day)
B750 1/2 day Thai cooking lessons
B900-1000 1 full day Thai cooking lessons
B400 Muay Thai boxing ticket
B2500 starting room rate at the luxury hotel, Nawa Sheeva(highly recommended)
Transportation
B450 bus, Chiang Mai to Bangkok
B160-180 bus, Chiang Mai to Pai
B1250 bus, Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang
B1650 slow boat, Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang
B210 bus, Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, 3-4 hours
B360 Green VIP bus, Chiang Mai to Mae Sai (Thai border town for visa run to Tachileik, Myanmar)
B50 bicycle rental, 24 hours
B200 motorbike rental, 24 hours
B273 #51 sleeping train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Book Online - direct booking with State Railway of Thailand. Best to register first. If going to BKK from CNX, click "Northern Line".
note -- big difference between booking direct with the State Railway and booking with an online 3rd party agent. 12GO was charging B1330 for the same trip that only cost me B941 with the State Railway.
note -- Oct 2022, I took the #10 Train from CNX to BKK, upper berth, 2nd class, a/c, sleeper, B941. The train was clean, fast, comfortable and modern. If you have heavy luggage that will cost more money in flight checkin, I would suggest this train. Otherwise, the flight now is so much cheaper it doesn't even make sense to take the bus or train.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai by Train from Bang Sue Train Station
10:22pm - #51 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 12:10pm, sleeper, 3rd class B270 (non sleeper), 2nd class B438, B728 upper deck, B798 lower deck
Loei to Chiang Mai by Bus
From Loei town center, take a tuk-tuk ride to the bus station, B30. There is only one bus station.
As of June 28, 2020 (still on Covid schedule), there are only 3 night trips: 8:30pm, 9:30pm and 12 midnight. 9 hours, B470.
The bus makes the following stops at the following times from a 9pm Loei departure: Phu Ruea (9:50pm), Phitsanulok (12:40am), Uttradit (2:20am), Lampang (4:35am)
Final bus stop is at the Red Bus Arcade, Chiang Mai, 9 hour-trip, arriving 6am (from 9pm Loei departure).
Take a red songthaew to Old City, B50. They'll try to charge you B100, but they'll take B50 (just assure the driver you won't tell the other passengers).
How to Get a 60-Day Thai Tourist Visa and then Extend by another 30 Days
This process is BEFORE Covid 19. Not sure what it is now.
60-Day Thai Tourist Visa
NOTE: There is no need to go back to your country to get the Thai tourist visa. Any major city with a Thai Embassy will do. Apparently there is also no need to have an invitation from a Thai establishment to justify the visa.
Bring the following to the Thai embassy:
a) proof of money (bank statement will suffice)
b) flight booking to Thailand
c) onward flight back to your country from Thailand
d) filled-in tourist visa form
e) 2 passport pictures
f) hotel booking in Thailand (they didn't ask me for this but better be safe)
g) passport with at least 6 months validity
After handing over all the documents, they will ask you to come pick your passport with the visa the following day from 4 to 5pm. That's it!
NOTE: after 2 successful attempts, I was already questioned the 3rd time.
30-Day Extension
NOTE: When your 60-day visa is close to expiry and you want to extend your stay. No need to leave Thailand.
bring the following to the Immigration Office:
a) passport (make sure your Tourist Visa hasn't expired yet)
b) Baht 1900
c) photocopy of your passport + visa duration date stamp + TM6 card (white immigration card) and sign all the copies
d) completed TM7 visa extension form (available at the Immigration Office)
e) one 4cmx6cm passport picture
submit the above to the Front Desk. They will give you a stub with your number on it. Take a seat and wait for your number to be called
when your number is called, your picture will be taken. Then go back to your seat. They will call you again.
when they call you again, they'll give you your passport with your extended visa. That's it!
when there are no lines, the whole process can take only 10 minutes
arrive early - in case there is a snag (visa snag, documentation snag, transport ticket snag, etc.), you will have ample time to troubleshoot the problem if you arrive early (to the airport, to the bus terminal, etc.)
put detailed itinerary on the Calendar apps of your smart-phone according to timelines - this is where you do all your thinking and planning. Once written down, you don't have to think anymore while you are on the journey...you just follow the steps. This frees your mind for something else that might happen while you are already en route
avoiding scams - as a general rule, I ignore the touts or anyone I don't know who call out to me. The calling comes in many forms - "Hi! Where are you from?", "Excuse me! Excuse me!", "Where are you going?". I don't look them in the eye and I remain non-verbal with them. If you reply to them, you just gave them an 'in' to hound you. In order not to look rude, I smile and wave the 'not interested' hand to them, without looking at them.
power bank - hand-carry your power bank. Do not check it in. You can be called in when you are already inside the plane to go all the way to the loading dock so you can personally remove the power bank...and chances are, you'll have to surrender it to them. And you might delay the plane departure!
Nov 12, 2021
IMPORTANT PLACES
Bus Station
Train Station
Chiang Mai International Airport
Nong Buak Hard Park - free yoga classes daily
HOTEL
RESTAURANT
WELLNESS
MOTORBIKE RENTAL
