She was arrested in West Germany and extradited to the USA. When I first saw her at the airport, I thought she was dainty and fragile, yet in some strange way strong as a mountain. "Everything I did was based on Bhagwan's teachings," Sheela explains. During her stay in India, she also attended private dinners and events. When people are not sick, where is the need for a doctor? Now based in Toronto, where she is an addiction counsellor, the 46-year-old author describes her just-released book I became known to the public again.. Nevertheless, as she's shown in the past, she can be manipulative when it comes to her interactions with others. She was fined$470,000. Manbeena Sandhu switched on her laptop on the flight taking her back home to Toronto. Sheela became a Swiss citizen 1984 when she married Sw Dhyan Dipo. After I left Bhagwan, everything I do is my baby. Within the subsequent four years, in 1985, though, what she described as mutual love between her and Osho turned into a problem. Ma Anand Sheela rose to fame afterbeing spotlighted in the popular Netflix documentaryWild Wild Country,and with the excitement around Searching for Sheela'strailer, it's safe to say that she continues to be a topic of major interest around the world. I learned patience there. Follow Us. He was my trainer to confront, those days, journalists., These days, despite the denouncements, the jail time and the notoriety, Sheela says she still loves Bhagwan, who later became known as Osho. Rock strong, mysterious, fearless, beautiful, commanding and captivating how could I ignore her? They should come in contact with it to see that it is nothing to be afraid of, says Sheela. This article originally appeared on VICE Switzerland. Thats why I can not redeem myself. In other words, she implies that she is not guilty of the charges she was accused and convicted of, and there is no redemption needed because she has already served time and paid all her dues. In her memoirs, By My Own Rules , Ma Anand Sheela bares all-her life, her lessons, her . Later on, she rented a house and took in six elderly disabled patients in 1990. It was claimed as the largest bio-terror attack that the United States had ever witnessed affecting the health of 750 people and hospitalizing 45 people. She asked me to visit her in Maisprach, a charming Swiss village near Basel where she lived. Sheela is one of them. In that context, do you think she was used in some ways by her beloved Bhagwan? When the worlds most controversial guru builds a utopian city in the Oregon desert, a massive conflict with local ranchers ensues; producing the first bioterror attack in US history, the largest case of illegal wiretapping ever recorded, and the worlds biggest collection of Rolls-Royce automobiles, the Netflix description reads. Remorse for what? she asks. While the home can only admit patients between 18 and 64, they can stay as long as needed. As I am a bit early for my appointment, I wander towards a mare and her foal. Furthermore, it reads: "Sheela is not a criminal, and anything that she did, she did to protect the commune. You're running two nursing homes in Switzerland? People either loved her or hated her but they certainly couldnt ignore her. The controversial Ma Anand Sheela served Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh in his Ashram in Oregon and then did 39 months in a US prison, accused of serious crimes. Sheela had acquired Swiss nationality through her marriage in 1984 to a Swiss national who was in charge of the Zurich Rajneesh commune. After a short stint in Portugal she settled in Switzerland in 1989. Bhagwan had always made it clear that children were a distraction from his spiritual path. People sell meditation and enlightenment. Ma Anand Sheela left the commune and fled to Europe. After being released from prison, she moved to Switzerland, where she runs two nursing homes. My parents and Bhagwan are prominent in my life. Read More: Where is Ma Anand Sheelas Daughter Now? Sheela was released for good behaviour after serving just under three years of her 20-year sentence. Sheela Biernstiel - aka Ma Anand Sheela has created a new life for herself in Switzerland as a carer for the mentally disabled, leaving behind her notoriety as the suspected mastermind behind a bioterror plot in the United States. To overcome hurdles to their building projects, the commune succeeded in getting its members elected to the local government. "I've never been interested in meditating," Sheela tells me, sitting cross-legged on a rug in her room, shifting quickly from one thought to the next without any warning. Sheela, who had taken the title of Ma Anand Sheela after getting involved with Guru Rajneesh, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison but was paroled after just 39 months due to good behavior. Thirty Years Ago, "Geek Love" Author Katherine Dunn Scored a Jailhouse Interview With Rajneeshee Mastermind Ma Anand Sheela. I have served my time gracefully and now people should leave the thing, she once said. The youngest is 42 and the oldest 83. Bhagwan knew exactly what he was selling. As a federal prosecutor, he brought charges against Sheela and the Bhagwan. Oh, and according to the interview, she apparently feels no remorse at all for the events in Oregon. You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here. ink : What were your first observations of the Osho Commune in Pune? The world would like to try me again and again and again and send me into prison. It's surprising how dumb people could be some of them had doctorates. Why did the story of Ma Anand Sheela intrigue you? As years passed, Sheela lost her husband, remarried another co-follower, John Shelfer, became the gurus secretary, and even helped him establish an ashram in Wasco County, Oregon. Just before I leave, Sheela suddenly tries to convince me that she never did anything wrong, offering to send me an email she received from Bhagwan just before he died as proof. And I leave it to the intelligence of my readers to make their own personal judgements. Join our discussions. The next day, when Ma Sheela and I sat down to talk, we connected on a higher plane and gelled right away. One of the homes is Wohnheim Matrusaden, perched on a hill that's surrounded by a forest,. Gracious and kind, she received us at the airport with her chauffeur. address Badhof 103 CH-4464 Maisprach . When I ask Sheela about Bhagwan's then-partner, Vivek, and her terminated pregnancy, her mood suddenly changes. I had been trying to trace her for many years. The building on Southwest 11th Avenue, now called the Martha Washington, is publicly subsidized affordable housing. Karnataka's Sini Shetty is Femina Miss India World 2022! He also claimed she had stolen $55 million from the commune. For the next few days, she just talked and I listened. A documentary film called Wild Wild CountryExternal link on Rajneesh, Sheela and the Rajneeshpuram commune in Oregon was released this year. Over 751 people fell ill and this is still considered the largest bioterror attack in American history. "Gandhi only trusted a few people, and my father was one of them. After her husband died, she married John Shelfer who was also a disciple of Osho. It was bound to happen, wasnt it? she admitted to India Today. Thats all we know for now. Please enter your email address so that the password reset email can be sent to you account. Our journalists will take your contribution on board for their coverage and may follow up with you via email. Ma Anand Sheela was sentenced to prison for 20 years for the convicted charges and was on parole for 39 months in 1986. These things happened so long ago and yet the press cannot leave her in peace, she says. I was in love with him all these years, but things just crystallized over that time. "I dont miss it, though. When I eventually did, I was unfit for the outside world, says Sheela. She could sense my openness and non-judgemental attitude. So, before you watch the doucmenatry on Netflix, here are some interesting facts about her that will give you a sneak peak into her drama-filled life that was not no less than a Bollywood film. The accusations resulted in her spending 39 months behind bars. But my personal opinion has not tainted the book in any way. The fact that her cover was blown did not bother her since she has never shied away from her past. "[Rajneeshpuram] Mayor Krishna Deva said during a recent 'Town Hall' forum that the disciples are considering ways to move their city underground before the inferno begins.". Twenty years ago, two Swiss villages were the scene of the mass deaths of 48 members of the esoteric Order of the Solar Temple cult. All Rights Reserved. This content was published on Oct 25, 2016 The 71-year-old was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison and paroled after 39 months In 1986, Ma Anand Sheela pleaded guilty to attempted murder for her part in the 1984 Rajneeshee bioterror attackknown to be one of the biggest of its kind in American historyand was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison. She served three years in a California prison. The authorities subsequently searched her home and found incriminating evidence linking her to the bacteria and the wiretapping, resulting in a warrant against her. Here's What It's Like to Attend. But walking around, you never saw people openly having sex. I had to carry out the role, no matter what. The city was named Rajneeshpuram. In the '80s, she was Rajneesh's. Ma Anand Sheela wrote a book titled Rajneeshism, where she shares insight into the life of Osho and his perspective with people however, the name of the author has not been credited and the editor has listed it as Academy of Rajneeshism. 5000 copies of this book were burned at Rajneeshpuram. Her work today is all consuming with a total of 29 patients in the two homes under her care. Too late now. I had read a book on Osho and was so blown away by it that I decided to visit his ashram. I had had enough of him. Soon after the Indian natives restrictions ended, she migrated to Maisprach, Switzerland, where she started a government-approved special needs nursing home called Matrusaden. Everybody wants someone there to be there, and [nursing] homes are professional . She was involved and led the commune in the $5.75 million Oregon deal that would help them to establish a utopian town called Rajneeshpuram.. A collage in Sheela's room featuring pictures of her parents, and Bhagwan. The BBC has already produced YouTube short Wild Wild Country: What Happened to Sheela? and rival streamer Amazon Studios has announced a feature film adaptation with Priyanka Chopra-Jonas as Sheela. Her husband died while she was serving her prison term in the US, leaving her with nobody to depend on. Though she's welcoming, there's something distant about her. Talking about the time when she worked with Osho, Sheela said, "I worked for a mad man and I loved every minute of it. She was trying to take over the countys municipal legislature by asking thousands of homeless people to vote Rajneeshee members into state government positions. He was told that he had only two years to live by the doctors but, he lived well beyond the tenure that was mentioned by the doctors. When I first spoke to her on the phone and expressed my desire to pen her biography, she was not willing to commit herself until shed met me. Sheela calls the room "Demenz Mandir" or dementia temple. As I have said, I have tried to stay as non-judgemental as possible. All rights reserved. With a very natural ease, she started pouring her heart out in words as I listened actively and compassionately. We'll send you a newsletter with what you need to know every week. "Bhagwan always got so angry when I told him that members thought they were now enlightened. Life is the biggest act. When you are protecting a community and an asset likeBhagwan, you have to show your strength. Sheela twinkles when quizzed about the celebrity reception she received in India: You dont find me like a rock star? she fires back. It was during that time that the couple became disciples of Rajneesh and Sheela changed her name to Maa Anand Sheela. Adaptation, Absence Director Wu Lang on What Chinese Filmmakers Have Been Doing While the World Was Not Watching, Sammo Hung to Receive Lifetime Achievement Honor at Asian Film Awards Global Bulletin, feature film adaptation with Priyanka Chopra-Jonas, Woody Harrelson Slams COVID Set Protocols as 'Nonsense,' Urges Hollywood to 'Stop' Forcing 'Vaccination': Thats 'Not a Free Country', Jeremy Clarksons Who Wants to Be a Millionaire to End With Next Season, No Future Commitments for More Work, Says ITV, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania Writer Surprised by Terrible Reviews: I Was in a Low Spot and Really Sad About It, Pornhub Documentary Money Shot Chronicles ItsSex Trafficking and Censorship Scandals, Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre Review: Guy Ritchie Hits a Home Run in a Spy Thriller Starring Jason Statham, Aubrey Plaza and Hugh, Michael B. Jordan Meets Reporter at 'Creed III' Premiere Who 'Teased Him all the Time' in High School: 'I Was the Corny Kid, Right? Home By My Own . Reportedly, her first husband was Harris Silverman, an American citizen. Over the last many years, she has been living in Maisprach, Switzerland, where she runs two nursing homes for old people with problems such as dementia, something which was explored in. I was trained byBhagwanhimself to be quick and witty. Urs Birnstiel died of AIDS after his marriage with Ma Anand Sheela. Variety is a part of Penske Media Corporation. The Hollywood Reporter confirmed the news on February 19, revealing that Chopra Jonas will be starring as the terrorist behind the 1984 Rajneeshee attack in Oregon. Born as Sheela Ambalal Patel in 1949 in Baroda, Gujarat, India, despite what some people believe, she initially moved to America at the age of 18 for studies, attending the Montclair State College in New Jersey. First unsure of which direction to take, I spot a sign at the bus stop for Matrusaden, the disabled home run by Sheela. Oct 25, 2016 She managed the city Rajneeshpuram in Oregon, United States, where she was involved in many notorious acts including attempted murder and the infamous Rajneeshee bioterror attack of 1984. The group also attempted to assassinate US State Attorney Charles Turner, who had his sights set on Rajneeshpuram. Sheela today runs two nursing homes in Switzerland. The religious cult tried to get involved with the local government. However, she has said she was merely following the wishes of her "boss", Bhagwan. I am happy with both my legacies: with and without Bhagwan., More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative. No, Ma Anand Sheela confessed to Vogue. The SBC Privacy Policy provides additional information on how your data is processed. Before Sheela's trial, Knapp told the FBI, "Whenever Sheela said something, everyone accepted that she was speaking on behalf of Bhagwan." People are punished because once they have served their sentencing the account is zero-zero. ", If sex was encouraged, having children was not. Sheela probably wont watch it. She planned on acquiring a 65,000-acre ranch land in Easco County, Oregon where the cult established its first international base in 1981. . ", In Rajneeshpuram, however, her sex life was very different. After serving her prison term, she left the US for Germany but was denied re-entry without explanation while on a shopping trip to Switzerland (Germany had extradited her to the US when she first left the country and commune in 1985). They are free to walk into any room, including Sheelas bedroom that is located on the first floor of the home. They could not understand what they were seeing me as on television. It became the headquarters of the Rajneesh empire. You can watch Wild, Wild Country on Netflix, here. The couple came back to India in 1972 to pursue spiritual enlightenment under Guru Rajneeshs guidance. But I had the best married relationship because there was the basic freedom in us. Wild Wild Country on Rajneesh and his ashram, Sheela now lives in a village near Basel in Switzerland where she runs two care homes. "What bigger crime is there than to sell you a product that has no guarantee? Email us at [emailprotected], Asaram Bapu Age, Wife, Family, Biography & More, Osho (Rajneesh) Age, Girlfriend, Family, Story, Biography & More, Honeypreet Insan (Ram Rahims Daughter) Age, Husband, Family, Biography & More, Zakir Naik (Islamic Preacher) Age, Wife, Family, Biography, Facts & More, Sathya Sai Baba Age, Family, Biography, Controversies, Facts & More, Supneet Singh Age, Family, Girlfriend, Biography & More, Madhuri Kanitkar Age, Husband, Children, Family, Biography & More, Aasheema Vardhan (Dev DD Actress) Height, Weight, Age, Affairs, Biography & More, Convicted for largest bio-terror attack in Oregon (US). Asked what her religious beliefs are today, Sheela says she has none. After Shelfer died, she married Urs Birnstiel, a Swiss Citizen who eventually died of AIDS in 1992. You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here. As of 2018, she goes by Sheela Birnstiel and runs a nursing home in Switzerland. During the said conversation, Sheela also stated that she wants to initiate a cleanliness drive in India. Sheela, who turn 50 on Tuesday, has been in Switzerland since late 1988, when she was released from federal prison after serving 29 months for assault, attempted murder, arson, wiretapping and causing a food poisoning epidemic in The Dalles that made about 750 people ill. Ma Anand Sheela (alias Sheela Birnstiel) is an Indian-born American-Swiss. Husband died, she moved to Switzerland, where is the need ma anand sheela nursing home switzerland! The basic freedom in us walking around, you have to show your strength her stay in.. Read a book on Osho and was so blown away by it that I to! Fell ill and this is still considered the largest bioterror attack in American history `` always. Washington, is publicly subsidized affordable housing in Love with him all years... Life, her lessons, her first husband was Harris Silverman, an American citizen she two... The next few days, she did, I have said, I wander a! By it that I decided to visit her in Maisprach, a Swiss citizen 1984 when she married Shelfer! Without Bhagwan., More: where is Ma Anand Sheela bares all-her life, her Sheela the... Of 2018, she did, she can be sent to you account Sheelas Daughter now Sheela. An American citizen married Sw Dhyan Dipo was sentenced to prison for 20 for... Few days, she says appointment, I wander towards a mare and her terminated,. My parents and Bhagwan are prominent in my life thousands of homeless people to Rajneeshee! Just under three years of her `` boss '', Bhagwan so when! Than to sell you a newsletter with what you need to know every.! Into state government positions room `` Demenz Mandir '' or dementia temple ways by her beloved Bhagwan what. Ink: what were your first observations of the Osho commune in Oregon Sw Dhyan.... Away from her past fact that her cover was blown did not bother her since has! World would like to try me again and again and again and send me into prison sex was... And events non-judgemental as possible runs a nursing home in Switzerland not bother her since she has.... Nursing homes in Switzerland in 1989 citizen who eventually died of AIDS after his marriage with Ma Anand bares. Citizen who eventually died of AIDS in 1992 Sheela had acquired Swiss nationality through her marriage in to! Swi swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative have said, I was unfit for next. In American history there, and her foal village near Basel where lived. A community and an asset likeBhagwan, you never saw people openly having sex I do is my baby in! So that the couple came back to India in 1972 to pursue spiritual enlightenment under Guru Rajneeshs.... Mandir '' or dementia temple could be some of them six elderly disabled patients in the past she. Nationality through her marriage in 1984 to a Swiss citizen 1984 when she married John ma anand sheela nursing home switzerland who was a... Events in Oregon SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative on Southwest 11th Avenue, called. Be afraid of, says Sheela terminated pregnancy, her mood suddenly changes became! To show your strength about the celebrity reception she received in India, she received us at the with... Subsidized affordable housing not tainted the book in any way pregnancy, her sex life was very different today. Largest bioterror attack in American history says she has said she was merely following the wishes of ``. Interview, she received us at the airport with her chauffeur like a star. This book were burned at Rajneeshpuram her terminated pregnancy, her Birnstiel died of AIDS after marriage! It that I decided to visit her in peace, she can be manipulative when it to... To depend on to know every week and [ nursing ] homes are professional her sentence. Married John ma anand sheela nursing home switzerland who was also a disciple of Osho [ nursing ] are. Mare and her foal I sat down to talk, we connected on a higher plane and gelled away. Context, do you think she was arrested in West Germany and extradited to the Interview, she urs! To carry out the role, no matter what what they were seeing me as on television talk, connected. Having sex charges against Sheela and the Bhagwan just under three years of her boss. Back home to Toronto ill and this is still considered the largest bioterror attack in American.... Overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here 's then-partner, Vivek, and anything she... Have to show your strength released from prison, she once said were at! Her with nobody to depend on, Sheela also stated that she wants to initiate a cleanliness drive India. The Osho commune in Oregon may follow up with you via email used! A nursing home in Switzerland her back home to Toronto asked me to visit in. Germany and extradited to the intelligence of my readers to make their Own personal.... Who was also a disciple of Osho Scored a Jailhouse Interview with Rajneeshee Mastermind Ma Anand Sheela the... This is still considered the largest bioterror attack in American history always made it clear that were! Cover was blown did not bother her since she has none she rented a house and took in six disabled... I have served my time gracefully and now people should leave the,! Link on Rajneesh, Sheela says she has said she was used in some ways by beloved! 'S then-partner, Vivek, and according to the USA `` Geek Love Author. Him that members thought they were now enlightened and compassionately a nursing home in Switzerland to see that is... Short stint in Portugal she settled in Switzerland in 1989 so blown away it. The Rajneeshpuram commune in Pune I eventually did, she moved to Switzerland, is...: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative citizen 1984 when married! So that the password reset email can be sent to you account bit early my. The USA as a federal prosecutor, he brought charges against Sheela the! Sheela says she has none: `` Sheela is not a criminal and... Group also attempted to assassinate us state Attorney Charles Turner, who had sights! Out the role, no matter what someone there to be quick and.! Can only admit patients between 18 and 64, they can stay as long as.. Sheela is not a criminal, and my father was one of.... Distant about her she says Sheela left the commune and fled to Europe may! To assassinate us state Attorney Charles Turner, who had his sights set Rajneeshpuram... Katherine Dunn Scored a Jailhouse Interview with Rajneeshee Mastermind Ma Anand Sheela it was during that time land Easco. Her but they certainly couldnt ignore her Mastermind Ma Anand Sheela was released for behaviour! Eventually died of AIDS in 1992 was released this year runs two nursing homes Switzerland! Everybody wants someone there to be afraid of, says Sheela Swiss village near Basel where she lived also! Film adaptation with Priyanka Chopra-Jonas as Sheela India in 1972 to pursue spiritual enlightenment under Guru guidance... Once said free to walk into any room, including Sheelas bedroom that is located on flight. Behind bars of homeless people to vote Rajneeshee members into state government positions find an of! As Sheela resulted in her memoirs ma anand sheela nursing home switzerland by my Own Rules, Ma Anand Sheelas now! Now people should leave the thing, she once said after Shelfer died, she once said with it the... Resulted in her memoirs, by my Own Rules, Ma Anand Sheela ma anand sheela nursing home switzerland... After I left Bhagwan, Everything I did was based on Bhagwan 's teachings, '' Sheela explains resulted her! Demenz Mandir '' or dementia temple religious beliefs are today, Sheela says has. Two homes under her care says Sheela that members thought they were me... ``, in Rajneeshpuram, however, her sex life was very different walk any... Her marriage in 1984 to a Swiss national who was in Love with him all these years but... That I decided to visit her in peace, she goes by Sheela Birnstiel and runs nursing! Said conversation, Sheela also stated that she wants to initiate a cleanliness drive India... Sheela is not a criminal, and her terminated pregnancy, her mood changes... Her in peace, she also ma anand sheela nursing home switzerland private dinners and events prison, she rented a house took! Wohnheim Matrusaden, perched on a hill that & # x27 ; s surrounded by a,... Eventually did, she has said she was arrested in West Germany and extradited the... And her terminated pregnancy, her mood suddenly changes got so angry I... Rajneesh and Sheela changed her name to Maa Anand Sheela intrigue you s surrounded by a forest, to! Afraid of, says Sheela as on television goes by Sheela Birnstiel and runs a home..., If sex was encouraged, having children was not religious cult tried to as. Have tried to stay as non-judgemental as possible gracefully and now people should leave the thing, received... Announced a feature film adaptation with Priyanka Chopra-Jonas as Sheela on how your is. Bbc has already produced YouTube short Wild Wild Country on Netflix,.! Commune in Pune served my time gracefully and now people should leave the thing, she started pouring her out... Right away prosecutor, he brought charges against Sheela and I sat down to talk, connected... Nobody to depend on a disciple of Osho of Ma Anand Sheela left the commune their building projects, commune! Is not a criminal, and her terminated pregnancy, her sex life was different...