Book

My nonfiction history of the Rajneeshpuram commune — Rajneeshpuram: Inside the Cult of Bhagwan and Its Failed American Utopia by Russell King — is available now at all booksellers! There is a hard-cover, ebook, and audiobook version.

More information about the book and ordering links can be found here.

Podcast

Building Utopia: Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh is an immersive historical nonfiction podcast series that takes a deep dive into the creation—and implosion—of the communities that formed around the charismatic leader Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh.

Along the way, we'll meet some of the big personalities who supported Bhagwan, and we'll try to get inside the minds of everyday disciples.

Building Utopia has charted in the Apple Podcasts Top 100 History Podcasts and the Stitcher Top 100 Movers. It is available for free download on most podcast platforms.

Episode 1: Finding the Master

Episode 1: Finding the Master explores Bhagwan's early life and his first years as an enlightened master. 

Episode 2: Oasis in Poona

In Episode 2: Oasis in Poona we visit Bhagwan's first ashram, established in Poona, India in 1974.

Episode 3: Trouble in Paradise

In Episode 3: Trouble in Paradise, we learn about the controversies that start to catch up -- and inhibit -- Bhagwan's work as his fame goes international.