'I joined a 'cult' in the 1980s, and I still use what it taught me today'
Cassandra "Punita" James, a former member of the controversial 1980s Osho movement, has revealed that she still uses its teachings to provide "energetic medicine" treatments. The 65 year old was part of the new religious movement led by Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, later known as Osho, which originated in India in the 1970s before moving to Oregon, USA.
Cassandra first visited the commune in 1984 for a festival, the same year a non-fatal food poisoning attack by some members affected over 750 residents of nearby Wasco County, as shown in the Netflix documentary series Wild Wild Country. She returned in 1985 during the commune's final months when Osho was deported from the US on immigration-related charges.
In 1987, when Osho relocated the commune back to Pune, India, Cassandra followed him and stayed for over a year. She later worked at Osho Leela, a community in Gillingham, Dorset.
Now, as an energy coach and therapist who travels between the UK, France, Australia and other countries, she claims to have helped "tens of thousands" to relieve stress and heal from trauma using her teachings, charging £160 for an hour-long session.
Osho's leadership was marked by his promotion of meditation and sexual liberation; however, the Rajneeshpuram commune he established in Oregon courted controversy. The commune faced tensions with local Wasco County residents, the state government, and was marred by illegal acts from some key members, leading to claims of its cult status and later abuse allegations.
Cassandra hailing from Sydney first encountered the "very smart, inquiring, big hearted" sannyasins in Vancouver in her early 20s. She found herself inspired and subsequently went through a ceremony to become a devotee, adopting the name