Philip John Toelkes, also known as Swami Prem Niren and Philip Niren Toelkes,[1] is an American lawyer and follower of Rajneesh who served as the second mayor of Rajneeshpuram from 1985 until the commune's disbandment in 1986.
[4] Toelkes began his career as an attorney in Los Angeles, working with the Manatt Law Firm which was, at the time, the fastest-growing law firm in the U.S.[5] After traveling to Pune and meeting with Rajneesh, he left his job and relocated to the newly established Rajneeshpuram commune in Wasco County, Oregon.
[7] Toelkes was the director of the Rajneesh Legal Services Corporation[4] and later became the mayor of Rajneeshpuram, succeeding Krishna Deva.
After his first marriage ended, he remarried Ma Prem Isabel, who was the director of public relations for Rajneeshpuram.
[4] No legal charges were ever filed against Toelkes, he continues to practice law, and remains loyal to Osho.