Testimonial letter from Anselmo Francesconi

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This letter is one of a remarkable series of over 2650 letters amassed in 1983 to support Osho's attempt to get permanent resident status in the US at the time of the Oregon ranch. The image is reproduced here with the kind permission of The Oregon Historical Society. Information about their collection of these letters and other supporting material -- the "Jeffrey Noles Rajneesh Collection", named for Osho's immigration lawyer Jeffrey Noles, who compiled them in 1983 and donated them to the OHS -- can be found at this page. The wiki is grateful to the OHS for making access available for these documents. For more information and links to all the letters, see Testimonial letters.

This letter is from Anselmo Francesconi. It is "Exhibit A-745" in the Noles collection.

The text version below has been created by optical character recognition (OCR), from the images supplied by OHS. It has not been checked for errors but this process usually results in over 99% correct transcription. Most apparent "errors" are correct transcriptions of typos already in the original. The image on the right in the text box links to a pdf file of the original letter, it has one page.

ANSELMO FRANCESCONI

For the artist to try and paint a picture in words is no easy task. If the subject is Bhagwan it is almost impossible. There is a dimension here that eludes precise definition. It cannot be captured on canvas or paper.. for a veritable kaleidescope of colours comes tumbling out of the mind’s eye. They can either be picked out one by one, as fresh as the morning dew, or merge into the deepest, most profound hues that defy description. Then comes the unexpected; instead of observing Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh you are suddenly faced with a picture of yourself. A mirror image perhaps. A part of you that seldom sees the light of day. It could be the source of your inspiration, the catalyst for your creative urge or just a tiny glimpse of what could be...that part of you which is as free as air. Bhagwan’s gift or genius or whatever you choose to call it is to liberate it, not by what he does or writes or says - but by what he is.

This capacity is the hallmark of all great teachers. It transcends the limitations imposed on so many of the young (and not so young) by the often harsh realities of modern society. But not at the cost of that society’s framework. The only change that takes place here is in the individual’s mind - his or her innate ability to function. The result can only be to enrich the social and cultural climate in which we live. And it is perhaps no accident that this fresh and original voice finds expression in the U.S for there are more precedents for it here than anywhere else in the world.

My commendation of this man comes not from any starry eyed idealism of youth. At 62 years of age, any illusions that could lead to misplaced enthusiasm have long since been dispelled. It is rather because Bhagwan is free from the straitjacket of political, religious or cult dogma and eschews any form of authority that would tempt a lesser man - that he represents for me a vigorous and enlightened voice of individual liberty - a voice that echoes those before him who's vision and energy have enabled millions of individuals in the United States and throughout the world to open their hearts and minds ...and truly find themselves.

[signed]

Anselmo Francesconi is an artist and sculptor who’s works have appeared in over 60 one man shows throughout Europe, the United States and the middle east.


(Please note: We assume that the above letter is still copyrighted, but we regard its historical interest to constitute a Fair Use exception for publication in this wiki.)