About 9 months before Osho left his body, Osho decided to create an Inner Circle of 21 people who would look after the needs of the various departments of the commune and his work. This was not meant for some philosophical but for practical reasons. Osho chose 4 Germans who were very practical people–Ma Atmo Anasha, Swami Chitten,  Swami Prasad, and  Ma Prem Turiya, and  Garimo ( Holland ).

I remember that since Poona One days, one could see more German sannyasins in the commune than any other nationality. They were the people who worked hard and were very methodical and trustworthy. In a way, totally opposite to Indians who are known as lazy and untogether. Being lazy and untogether are also qualities that have been appreciated by Osho to create a certain sense of balance. In between are the other nationalities with other qualities.

During Poona Two days, I worked with Germans in the press office and Germans used to joke with me, telling me: “You are more German than the Germans,” as they would find me sitting and working in the press office more hours than them. But Germans were more methodical, systematic.

One German Swami, Chitten was a very dependable person who worked with Jayesh. I don’t know why he left Jayesh. It is a mystery. And his place was filled up by another German Swami Sahajanand, a few years later he was also gone. Swami Pramod (Klause Steeg) is another German living in USA, and has been working with Jayesh, very obediently, also harassing sannyasins around the world with legal notices of copyright infringements.

I was often advised by one German after he left the commune: “Keerti, You should take this issue of copyrights and trademarks to the Indian parliament.” Another German would tell me (before the year 2000): “We have been able to manage Maharashtra Government up to the chief secretary-level here, but we have not been able to manage anybody in the union government.” Jayesh ( Michael O’ Byrne) himself would tell me in his office in Pune: “It will take me only 4 hours to reach BalaSaheb Thakre”. ( The Shiv Sena Supremo). I don’t know –for what!

Jayesh and his associates have always been quite comfortable with any Government in Maharashtra, perhaps not with BJP. I have heard from some reliable sources that whenever there was a visa problem for Jayesh and his associates, some secretary in the PMO (Maharashtra connection ) in Delhi would help them. Jayesh himself would tell me: “Here in this country from ordinary peon to the persons in the PMO can be bought. I do know on which desk are our files in the PMO.” I was often impressed with the information that he shared with me.

Observing this connectivity of powerful people with Jayesh, makes me conclude that they are not foreigners in India–we have become the foreigners in our country. With their resources, they can do anything they like, but we cannot do. Indians can try to reach any politicians in Maharashtra, (excluding Ramdas Athavale) and they would not get any help from them. The real seasoned politicians don’t do the things openly, as Jayesh cannot be seen openly with them.

I have a well-known Bollywood friend, a director of movies, in Mumbai, who is also an Osho lover. Once when he saw my statements published in Indian Express and called me and said: “I am worried about your safety. Be careful when you come to Pune.” I told him: “Thanks for your suggestion. I am not worried.”

To conclude, I can say that the original inner circle members have disappeared– though some have gone to the Sky, and some others are on the Earth but have become invisible, have not been seen in Pune for over 20 years. Most of them must have become too old to function in Pune, which looks very different than before.

Once again, our world commune in Pune needs to have new Germans and other Western friends with renewed energy, young and enthusiastic for the new phase when it opens up fully. Let there be more Germans in Pune, in crazy love for the Master–but not the people like Klaus Steeg, he can continue enjoying his corporate life in New York.  I am not sure about Vatayana who has always been very obedient to Jayesh.

The birth of the New Inner Circle can be organic. Osho sannyasins from all around the world can come and meditate in Pune, work, celebrate together in a horizontal hierarchy and take up the tasks which are needed in the new situation. Osho’s multi-dimensional vision of creativity–work as meditation–has always been available to all of us. Practical implementation is required–and the resources to support it.

Swami Chaitanya Keerti