hi, I'm new to this site. Only discovered it after having a weird "free meditation" class in Hilo. Weird in that it was not relaxing, immediately seemed like indoctrination, and the teacher used analogies that seemed violent or off color and divisive in regards to religious backgrounds. A little investigation led me here. Very interesting. I applaud the ex-members who got out and wish you well in your journey.
Oh, before I get going with my findings, anyone know who it is that teaches these meditation classes? I can't remember his name. It didn't sound sanskrit. He was in his 20's or 30's. Dark hair. Maybe part haole, part Asian? Pretty good-looking. Played guitar.
First:
I found a pretty creepy video on youtube last night doing a "wai lana" search and came up with a video of a little girl in diapers doing yoga on an unmade bed in what I recall appeared to be a windowless bedroom. A woman who sounded like Wai Lana was giving her instruction off camera. So creepy. I was intending to post the link here, but I immediately made a complaint to youtube and the video was removed overnight.
Here is what comes up when I click to the original link in my "history":
Link removed. Please use TinyURL if you plan to post a link this long. --Moderator[/color:077cb61c3f]
Anyway, you folks have probably already seen that video. It was either super child-molesty, or made by someone who is so out of touch that they no longer know what's weird and creepy and sad. Either way, definitely seemed like child exploitation.
Second:
Here is something about Dharma Farms I have seen linked to on this site, so maybe people will find it interesting. It's an online journal of a Jewish mainlander woman who got suckered into working the noni farm.
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www.angelfire.com]
Last:
Anyone have pictures of the Hilo/Puna SOIers? I live here and it was a little alarming to run across this recruitment at a very reputable yoga center. I'd sort of like to know who to look out for, besides just having my curiousity fully piqued.
Not giving my name in case that med. teacher is going to retaliate. My screen name refers to the bird on the mah jong tiles.
Keep putting the message out there!
hempbird