Stories and role models impact our lives more deeply than we know. They have the power to elevate us to divinity. They can also be harmful if not chosen carefully. Remember how that celebrity, athlete or artist was the only one we wanted to emulate? A lot of our habits, ideas and dreams get influenced by role models. The great news is that just by changing the story in our head or changing the role model we look upto, life starts to change. Here is one story which has inspired many with love, gratitude and reverence for life.

Ma Yoga Laxmi, the first disciple and the first secretary of Osho is fondly remembered for the love she shared generously with her fellow travellers. She was a devotee totally surrendered to Osho and His work. That was her only life.

Available round-the-clock for His work, she was adept at handling multiple portfolios. She looked after His personal affairs, appointments, public meetings in Mumbai and more. She was His driver too when needed in the early days. Lack of funds did not deter her from starting new projects. She trusted money will flow at the right time. One of the 3 most powerful women in India as declared by the TOI was fervently running the Pune 1 ashram which was the world’s spirituals centre at the time. She was the fund raiser and negotiator with bankers and politicians. Every evening in darshan she sat beside Him. She consulted Him for all major decisions. She managed the ashram, welcomed hundreds of visitors who came from across the world. With these people, she set up all the systems that enabled smooth operations of the ashram, when technology, tourism and transportation were scarce. She fostered celebration in the ashram because it is the climate in which ego drops.

She celebrated her life so much that many remember her for using humour in the most serious conversations. The lightness in her was felt by many who worked with her closely.

Any tough message from Osho was taken by her with utmost love. It was His zen stick and she would get the message. She said the stick was needed in the larger interest of His work. She would say, ‘He is faced with an awesome task. It is not to change human nature but to reunite humans with their true nature.’

Just before death when Laxmi was unwell, a few friends occasionally visited her home in Mumbai. She was weak, but cuddled the last lap of life with full gratitude for Him.

Six months after her death, a young boy came to poona ashram. While responding to a few questions he said that he used to visit his best friend’s house frequently. In the house his friends aunt, Ma Laxmi was unwell but her spirits were so high and contagious. This boy was deeply touched. He understood that Osho can’t be missed.

Rashid Maxwell, has written a book on Ma Laxmi, titled ‘The Only Life’ – Osho, Laxmi and a Journey of the Heart. In this book he recounts her life with Osho. Rashd has spent many years in Pune Ashram and in His commune at Rajneeshpuram. He now lives on his farm in UK.