Priests and Politicians

The Mafia of the Soul

By: Osho

Narrated by: Osho

For five thousand years the politician and the priest have been in the same business.

During his stay in the United States at the time of the Ronald Reagan administration, Osho continues his public talks after a more than three-year period of silence. In his talks he continues to speak of personal transformation and the significance of meditation in daily life. In addition, he also talks extensively on social and political issues, which seem to be more contemporary than ever today.

"Priests and Politicians–The Mafia of the Soul" is a title Osho gives to a book after his return to India. Bearing the same title, this audiobook features related original excerpts from his talks on this subject. We are invited to look through his microscope to examine not only the profound influence of religion and politics in society, but also its influence in our inner world.

We have been brainwashed by priests and politicians, internalizing and adopting their views and values as our own. According to Osho the belief systems of the "powers that be", have imprisoned us, tragically crippling our vision of what is actually possible. Thus, unaware of our real potential, we keep only digging ourselves deeper into the mess we are in. Osho's vision for humanity is that a new kind of world is possible—but only if we understand clearly how the old has functioned up to now. And, based on that understanding, we take the responsibility and the courage to become a new kind of human being.

Priests and politicians are the "professionals" that people usually turn to for help. Osho, in his unique way, exposes both of them as the "real criminals", working hand-in-hand against the interests of humanity and of individuality.

In Osho's words: "You have to be aware who the real criminals are. The problem is that those criminals are thought to be great leaders, sages, saints, mahatmas. So, I have to expose all these people because they are the causes. For example, it is easier to understand that perhaps politicians are the causes of many problems: wars, murders, massacres, burning people. It is more difficult when it comes to religious leaders, because nobody has raised his hand against them. They have remained respectable for centuries, and as time goes on, their respectability goes on growing. The most difficult job for me is to make you aware that these people—knowingly or unknowingly, that does not matter—have created this world."

This audiobook consists of nine chapters:

Chapter 1 Politicians the Successful Criminals

Chapter 2 People on a Power Trip

Chapter 3 Separation of the Church and the State

Chapter 4 Religion Is an Inquiry into Truth

Chapter 5 Love Is the Center of the Universe

Chapter 6 Happiness Attracts Happiness

Chapter 7 Government Is a Condemnation of Every One of Us

Chapter 8 Tyrants Talk the Most About Peace and Freedom

Chapter 9 America Behaved with Me and My People like Cowards

These talks are a selection of excerpts from the original series previously published as "From Darkness to Light" and "Satyam Shivam Sundaram" by Osho.

©1985, 1987 Osho International Foundation (P)2025 Osho International Foundation