Testimonial letter from LeeAnne Wilson
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 LeeAnne Wilson. It is "Exhibit A-395" 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 3 pages.
 LeeAnne Wilson To whom it may concern: I am writing on behalf of the spiritual teacher, Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. I am a teacher of children, adolescents, adults, and of individuals with emotional disturbances and other special needs. Attached please find a biographical summary. Bhagwan's understanding of man, his complexities and potentiality, surpasses any of the philosophies, foundations and concepts of education that I have become acquainted with. What this religious teacher has given modern man goes to the heart of his learning and growth. In the beginning I came to know of Bhagwan through one of his meditation Centers. I practised his meditation techniques, listened to audio- and video- tapes of his discourses, and read his religious books. Later I became more familiar with him through his responses to my personal questions. And finally by becoming more closely associated with his followers, I felt the meaning of his teachings. The presence of such a teacher is a great asset to the general community. What we all seek in our lives is found in his presence. People are productive, energetic, happy, creative, youthful. I have seen a beautiful flowering of competence and confidence among the children who live In the community Bhagwan has inspired. Without neglecting high-quality school curriculum, the school provides for participation in the work and life of the community. Children find work that is productive, that allows for their unique expression of talent and skill, and that encourages their growth. The same approach to work applies to adults as well. Work and experience is the school for everyone. And the spiritual life is found in the mundane activities and the daily work everyone is engaged in. The effects of his spiritual teaching go beyond his spoken or written words. Much discovery and learning happens without words. In my own experience frequently depressed, confused, withdrawn students, or people with language problems - stutterers and dyslectics - have come to me. Spoken language is a barrier to working and being with them and only serves to continue the patterns that frustration and a sense of worthlessness have established. In my saying less and less, a shift in their expectation and patterns happens. More of what the student is unfolds, more of what he feels and knows is expressed. Finding himself accepted and supported, he has more energy and begins to enjoy himself. This Is a simplified progression, but silence Is a powerful tool In learning and teaching. We are fortunate in having such a teacher available, alive and present. Bhagwan’s understanding of man’s problems and potentials Inspires the whole endeavour of teaching. We are given insight into dimensions we have tended to neglect. For learning to become long-lasting we nurture the individual as he is, we increase the energy and ability of the body, we allow the unfolding of individual talents, and we encourage the intellect. Sincerely, |
(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.)
