Building Utopia: Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh

The full weight of United States law enforcement finally lands on Bhagwan, Sheela, and their community.

With Sheela gone, Bhagwan takes to his stage to make a series of shocking criminal allegations about his former secretary. Law enforcement pounces on the opportunity to investigate, while disciples are left to piece together what happened in the heart of their community. BOOK NEWS: For a limited time, my publisher is extending a 25% discount on my book, Rajneeshpuram: Inside the Cult of Bhagwan and Its Failed American Utopia [https://www.buildingutopiapodcast.com/rajneeshpuram-book], to listeners of Building Utopia. Use promo code BUILDINGUTOPIA when checking out at their website, www.chicagoreviewpress.com/rajneeshpuram [https://www.chicagoreviewpress.com/rajneeshpuram-products-9781641604727.php?page_id=21].

Murder is in the air at Rajneeshpuram during the summer of 1985. We track the commune leaders’ audacious plots to assassinate public officials and commune members they felt were enemies, including U.S. Attorney for Oregon, Charles Turner, and Bhagwan’s closest companion, Vivek. The events culminate in Sheela making a drastic decision. BOOK NEWS: For a limited time, my publisher is extending a 25% discount on my book, Rajneeshpuram: Inside the Cult of Bhagwan and Its Failed American Utopia [https://www.buildingutopiapodcast.com/rajneeshpuram-book], to listeners of Building Utopia. Use promo code BUILDINGUTOPIA when checking out at their website, www.chicagoreviewpress.com/rajneeshpuram [https://www.chicagoreviewpress.com/rajneeshpuram-products-9781641604727.php?page_id=21].

In the summer of 1985, commune leaders begin plotting the assassination of people who oppose them. In this episode, we examine the events that led them to believe that murder was the only way to preserve their community and their master. Explosive public hearings, concerns about the commune’s arsenal of semi-automatic weapons, and a sprawling surveillance apparatus all contribute to a frenzied atmosphere of paranoia.

NEW EPISODES! While external enemies mass against Rajneeshpuram, Sheela fixates on powerful disciples within the commune whom she believes pose an even greater threat. Her efforts to neutralize them lead to unintended — and catastrophic — consequences. Also, an update on my forthcoming book, "Rajneeshpuram: Inside the Cult of Bhagwan and Its Failed American Utopia," available for pre-order now!