Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 6, No. 1, 1989, Page 69
dynamics, about which he says little, important to understand for effective counseling? Nor
does Hassan deal adequately in the post-cult rehabilitation period with the former member‟s
pre-cult personality problems --which not uncommonly arise in acute form once the cult‟s
bonds are broken. But this last point is perhaps not so important in a book whose solid core
and really great contribution to counseling is to show the way to millions desperate to help
loved ones leave destructive cults.
Robert E. Schecter, Ph.D.
Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 6, No. 1, 1989
Editor, Cult Observer
This article is an electronic version of an article originally published in Cultic Studies Journal, 1989, Volume 6,
Number 1, pages 101-102. Please keep in mind that the pagination of this electronic reprint differs from that of the
bound volume. This fact could affect how you enter bibliographic information in papers that you may write.
The Ultimate Game: The Rise and Fall of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh.
Kate Strelley and Robert D. San Souci. Fitzhenry &Whiteside, 381 pages, $29.95.
This book review, by Linda James, first appeared in The Globe and Mail, Saturday July 18,
1987 and is reprinted with permission.
The Rajneesh cult sprang into the public limelight in 1981 with its bizarre and ultimately
illegal takeover of the town of Antelope, Oregon. Putting salmonella virus into the county‟s
water supply to lessen their enemies‟ voting power strained the tolerance of Oregonians to
the activities of the orange-clad disciples of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh.
The resulting court case suffered lengthy delays as the Bhagwan conveniently entered a
state of silent meditation. His lawyers successfully argued that they were unable to prepare
a proper defense. During this time the group was led by a gun-toting headwoman called
“Ma Sheela” Silverman. Ms. Sheela is now in jail convicted of attempted murder, assault,
arson, and wiretapping. The Bhagwan, indicted on 35 violations of immigration law, was
arrested while attempting to flee the United States in plea bargaining, he chose extradition
rather than jail. He left behind 83 Rolls Royces.
The commune in Oregon was put up for sale in 1986 and many abandoned members have
suddently found themselves struggling to understand what happened and why. Kate Stelley
is one of them. Her fascinating story is the subject of The Ultimate Game, a naive but
revealing glimpse into the world of a successful product of the Rajneesh system --“the
mindless man,” someone devoid of individual judgments.
Strelley became involved with the movement as a troubled youngster of 15. While in a drug
treatment centre for heroin addiction, she fell in love with her psychiatrist, who broke every
ethical rule by sneaking her out to spend a weekend in his commune. She followed him to
an ashram in Poona, India, where she learned he was a disciple of a man named Bhagwan
Shree Rajneesh.
To stay with him, Strelley agreed to be initiated into the movement. She was given a new
name, Ma Prem Avibha, donned orange clothes and beaded necklace, and acquired the
behavior necessary to be accepted by the ashram.
She soon learned that her attachment to her lover was but one of many worldly
“attachments” to be overcome if she was to reach a vaguely defined state of enlightenment.
The only attachment that was encouraged was to the mysterious Bhagwan, whose every
desire was to be obeyed. To be accepted by the community, to become a better person,
she learned to do whatever the Bhagwan asked. To this end she was deprived of food,
made to sleep in the fields, “unburdened” of her money and assigned a new lover.
dynamics, about which he says little, important to understand for effective counseling? Nor
does Hassan deal adequately in the post-cult rehabilitation period with the former member‟s
pre-cult personality problems --which not uncommonly arise in acute form once the cult‟s
bonds are broken. But this last point is perhaps not so important in a book whose solid core
and really great contribution to counseling is to show the way to millions desperate to help
loved ones leave destructive cults.
Robert E. Schecter, Ph.D.
Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 6, No. 1, 1989
Editor, Cult Observer
This article is an electronic version of an article originally published in Cultic Studies Journal, 1989, Volume 6,
Number 1, pages 101-102. Please keep in mind that the pagination of this electronic reprint differs from that of the
bound volume. This fact could affect how you enter bibliographic information in papers that you may write.
The Ultimate Game: The Rise and Fall of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh.
Kate Strelley and Robert D. San Souci. Fitzhenry &Whiteside, 381 pages, $29.95.
This book review, by Linda James, first appeared in The Globe and Mail, Saturday July 18,
1987 and is reprinted with permission.
The Rajneesh cult sprang into the public limelight in 1981 with its bizarre and ultimately
illegal takeover of the town of Antelope, Oregon. Putting salmonella virus into the county‟s
water supply to lessen their enemies‟ voting power strained the tolerance of Oregonians to
the activities of the orange-clad disciples of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh.
The resulting court case suffered lengthy delays as the Bhagwan conveniently entered a
state of silent meditation. His lawyers successfully argued that they were unable to prepare
a proper defense. During this time the group was led by a gun-toting headwoman called
“Ma Sheela” Silverman. Ms. Sheela is now in jail convicted of attempted murder, assault,
arson, and wiretapping. The Bhagwan, indicted on 35 violations of immigration law, was
arrested while attempting to flee the United States in plea bargaining, he chose extradition
rather than jail. He left behind 83 Rolls Royces.
The commune in Oregon was put up for sale in 1986 and many abandoned members have
suddently found themselves struggling to understand what happened and why. Kate Stelley
is one of them. Her fascinating story is the subject of The Ultimate Game, a naive but
revealing glimpse into the world of a successful product of the Rajneesh system --“the
mindless man,” someone devoid of individual judgments.
Strelley became involved with the movement as a troubled youngster of 15. While in a drug
treatment centre for heroin addiction, she fell in love with her psychiatrist, who broke every
ethical rule by sneaking her out to spend a weekend in his commune. She followed him to
an ashram in Poona, India, where she learned he was a disciple of a man named Bhagwan
Shree Rajneesh.
To stay with him, Strelley agreed to be initiated into the movement. She was given a new
name, Ma Prem Avibha, donned orange clothes and beaded necklace, and acquired the
behavior necessary to be accepted by the ashram.
She soon learned that her attachment to her lover was but one of many worldly
“attachments” to be overcome if she was to reach a vaguely defined state of enlightenment.
The only attachment that was encouraged was to the mysterious Bhagwan, whose every
desire was to be obeyed. To be accepted by the community, to become a better person,
she learned to do whatever the Bhagwan asked. To this end she was deprived of food,
made to sleep in the fields, “unburdened” of her money and assigned a new lover.
