By My Own Rules Ma Anand Sheela- My Story in My Own Words

There are few who can claim to have lived life on their own terms like the irrepressible, honest, bold and charming Ma Anand Sheela. Yet, controversy continues to follow her even today. Whether it be her portrayal in Wild Wild Country, or the Osho International Foundation’s take on the Netflix series, a wide spectrum of opinions has cloaked the real Sheela for too long. In the 1980s, she was the personal secretary of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and the manager of the Rajneesh commune in Wasco County, Oregon, USA. She was eventually sentenced to prison, where she served her time and walked out after three years. Adored and vilified at the same time by the world, she has seen it all-from rebuilding her life from scratch to being interviewed by Karan Johar on her grand return to India in 2019. More than three decades later, she is still in love with Bhagwan and his teachings. In By My Own Rules, Ma Anand Sheela bares it all-her lessons, her beliefs, her inspiration and the eighteen rules that define her life.

Ma Anand Sheela, or Sheela Bernstiel, managed the Rajneesh commune and the city of Rajneeshpuram in Wasco County, Oregon, USA. She was the personal secretary of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh from 1980 to 1985. More recently, she regained her spot in the limelight because of the Netflix series Wild Wild Country. Ma Anand Sheela has founded beautiful care homes for underprivileged young and old persons. Her care is based on love, respect and dignity. She manages two care homes in Switzerland and Mauritius.

When it comes to Writing the Foreword for a book by someone I consider the true heiress of Osho, the responsibility is greater than one imagined. After all, it's not only about the content of the book but also about the unique person behind the story, about what makes her so special, and about the message she carries to the world.

Sheela was born as Ambalal Patel Sheela in Baroda, India. In the 1980s, she was a faithful companion of the world famous Bhagwan Rajneesh, also known as Osho. She founded and led the Rajneeshpuram Commune in the USA. Despite the difficult times Sheela experienced as a consequence of her leaving Bhagwan Rajneesh, she continues to be loyal. Her love for her former teacher and master continues to be boundless. I have not come across another person with as much capacity to love. In her book Don't Kill Him!, which provides an insight into the whole story, she also describes how she got to know and love Osho. She describes herself as a lover of Bhagwan.

Today, after all the trials and tribulations of her life, she has created her own paradise in Switzerland, where she runs two homes for the old and the ailing whom she cares for. Sheela gives them immeasurable love and comfort because that is what these people need. Love and care. She has developed the invaluable concept of 'being there' which addresses the two aspects that most care-homes suffer from, isolation and abandonment. At the end of the day, all of us want to be loved and cared for. In this she has been a role model for many people, giving them hope and confidence.

**Contents and Sample Pages**