Swami Prem Tarun Turns 50!

It’s hard to believe that Tarun is 50 years old. He was not a sannyasin when he came to the Ranch at age 19. You may remember him as a big guy with a bright red jacket, baseball cap and “in silence” button. Deaf and autistic, Tarun transformed mightily living at Rajneeshpuram. The scared and shy guy turned into someone who swaggered through downtown as though he owned it and stopped many passersby and presented his back for a scratch. I have written elsewhere the wonderful story of how Tarun blossomed on the Ranch and how he came to take sannyas.

Those who knew Tarun might be interested in a little update. I am including a couple of photos taken on his 50th birthday. Sometimes he “mugs” for the camera. That’s why you see a Tarun “mugging” face and a Tarun “straight” face. He is still such a character. The book in the picture is of Memphis.TN. His favorite books are of different cities and of home remodeling projects. He also likes Barbie. Pink is still his favorite color. His favorite thing to do is to take pictures. He has albums and albums and boxes of them. Recently, I bought us both iPad minis so we could sign to each other on Facetime. Within three weeks, he had filled the memory with photos of everything, including his old photos! It is still easier for him to deal with life from afar, but he is so much more embodied than he was before the Ranch. He is so much more interested in being in this world. He does still prefer the quiet of being alone in his room, though. He has learned how to avoid the over-stimulation that is so upsetting to him.

Speaking of upset, Tarun’s emotions have calmed some and he acts a bit more maturely, but you probably would not find Tarun much different at 50 than on his 21st birthday. His favorite thing to do when he comes home for a week for his birthday is to go to the amusement park and ride every single ride and then go roller skating in the rink. And, of course, he loves the presents and especially the cake and ice cream. Yes, he is still really into food, but his weight is much more under control these days.

Tarun has held a job with the same company for over 25 years now. Garten Services, Inc. in Salem, OR employs over 500 people with disabilities. It does all of the recycling in the mid-Willamette Valley, has a cleaning service, yard service and a mail room/ packaging and assembly operation. Tarun works in the latter. He loves work so much that he fakes being well when he is sick so he doesn’t have to miss. He lives in a small group home in the same area, where he has a lovely room of his own and is surrounded with other deaf people he has known most of his life. He has the greatest house parents. The Mom is the daughter of the woman who created the first house for multiply-disabled deaf adults in the state. The dad is a mailman. They go to restaurants, swimming, play bingo and have lots of other evening and weekend activities.

Tarun has truly been my little Buddha. I have learned lots about patience, gratitude for small things, and childlike joy. I am sure he remembers everything and everyone from his Ranch experience. He forgets very little; he just rarely shares or communicates, even now. He has a very happy life and that makes me more joyful than you can know.

Sorry, I’m going on like a mom! I’ll stop now. I just marvel at the fact that Tarun has turned 50 and has such a wonderful life.

Ma Amrit Roshani

Roshani mentions Tarun also in this article: The Rajneeshpuram Experiment: Utopia Found and Lost