Osho and Jesse Lee Peterson are two people from vastly different backgrounds, yet their messages are altogether similar. They both preach that one should watch the thoughts that come into one’s head, witnessing them and distinguishing one’s identity from them entirely. “Your thoughts are not you,” they both say. “You are the witness, the watcher.”
Now, this is easier said than done, mind you. Being able to come to the realization that you are not what comes into your head is something that I’ve struggled to come to terms with for a long time. I can never seem to detach from my thoughts and experience that bliss that both Osho and JLP talk about so adamantly. It’s as if it’s always just out of my reach. I can only imagine what it must feel like to be thought-free, unshackled by any and all unnecessary mental activity. It must be glorious.
The interesting thing about the similarity in their messages is that JLP is a pastor and an outspoken conservative, while Osho is a spiritual “guru” from India who came to America to spread his teachings. The latter drew on all religions when cultivating his message, yet simultaneously denounced each one. His movement was one of personal spiritual growth, despite what his followers may have made it out to look like. Osho was a pure, unadulterated man. A spiritual guru like no other. No one will ever be able to fill his shoes.
Sadly, Osho passed away years back, so his presence is with us no more. Jesse Lee Peterson, however, is still alive, and I highly encourage anyone with a Christian background to go check out his content. Even if you’re not a Christian, you can still learn from his teachings, as he preaches various approaches to dealing with anger, blame, victimhood, and hate.
Jesse’s main point that he tries to hammer home constantly is that to find true peace, one must forgive their mother for turning them away from their father, and one must forgive their father for allowing their mother to do such a thing. He says that once a person does that, they will stop blaming everyone else for their misfortune in life, and they will start taking responsibility for their own actions.
Now, I don’t know if that works for everyone’s particular situation, but I think it’s pretty sound advice. I have yet to actualize it, however; it seems too strenuous a task for me to complete as of yet.
The reason I group both Osho and JLP in the same category is because they are (or were) both revolutionaries in their particular fields, and sometimes those fields overlap. Both speak about spiritual freedom; one just believes it’s through God that we are freed, whereas the other believes in a more personal rebellion where God is more of an afterthought and where mastering your own mind is priority #1.
While Osho is more of an obscure figure, Jesse Lee Peterson can be found all over the internet, either through his various podcasts (e.g., The Jesse Lee Peterson Show and The Fallen State), on local republican leaning news channels, or even in small soundbites on YouTube where he can be found spouting off controversial opinions on slavery, the proper order of authority in the household, and many other “amazin’” topics.
Both Osho and JLP have books that are currently in print. I haven’t read any of Jesse’s books, but one book I have gotten the chance to delve into is Emotional Wellness by Osho. It’s a fascinating take on all things emotion. I highly recommend it to anyone who considers themself a seeker. It may just help you get through your emotional roadblocks that you otherwise might not have been able to.
One thing I remember from the book is that Osho tries to make the point that emotions by their very nature are temporary. Take the “e” out of the word and what do you get? “Motion.” His take is that once you realize this, you can bask in the glory of each emotion and harness the energy they require for good. Knowing the purpose behind each emotion allows you to keep somewhat calm in the middle of the storm that is your life, almost as if you are elevated beyond all trival worry since you know that “this too shall pass.” I dumbed it down immensely, but I think I’m getting across the general gist of the book.
Emotional Wellness isn’t the only book Osho has in print, but it’s a very pertinent one in this day and age where everyone seems to be letting their emotions run their lives. Mainstream society could learn a thing or two from Osho and his teachings, but if you prefer a spiritual leader who is still with us, look no further than good old Jesse Lee Peterson.
I hope you take my advice and look into both of them so you can make your own decision about their respective teachings. Even if you only like some of what they have to say, a little bit of enlightenment is better than none at all, right?
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This post was previously published on medium.com.
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From The Good Men Project on Medium
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