Hi. I am a former member of Falun Gong. I am a young American female and was in Falun Gong for three years. Up until now, I have been way too scared to write about how I feel about Falun Gong. This is because during my time in Falun Gong, I was taught that if I have one negative thought about Falun Gong, when the "end of the world" comes, I will be eliminated and sent to Hell.

But...I have been depressed for six years ever since I left the group and I am ready to be free and heal and I am ready to be able to not judge Falun Gong, but just share my true experience.

Well here it goes...

In my opinion, I had a very negative experience in Falun Gong. I have been majorly depressed for six years ever since I left and I feel this is in large part because of Falun Gong. I believe this because recently I have studied a lot about mind control groups and from what I studied, Falun Gong has most of the characteristics of a mind control group and I have most of the symptoms of a person who has participated in a mind control group. I don't believe that Li consciously tried to manipulate people. I do think that he thinks he is God and has the only "truth" of the universe, but I also believe whether he wants to or not, he is causing harm to other people. I'd call it psychological abuse.

So, after this, I'm going to write some more entries about more specific experiences, but if there is any other ex-member out there that would like to share their experience with me I'd love to hear it. Also I'd love to hear from a Western ex-member too.

Thanks.

I'm no ex-member, but I have dabbled into it a bit. Frankly, I thought Falun Gong was fine until I read the Zhuan Falun and even listened to all of his lectures (it did help me sleep a few time, haha). It raised too many questions in my mind about the practice, first of all of many restrictions he has put on the practitioners (i.e. no taiji, physical exercises are too low-level, etc.), his roundabout yet very authoritative tone (Think about it!), and his crazy views on things like biracial children (I'm Indian and my girlfriend is Chinese, btw), homosexuality, and how 'pornographic' Chinese media has become . . . .although pornography is still banned over there.

That's my two cents there.

Sorry to hear you are going through this depressive episode. If you don't mind me asking, did you experience anything positive in your first 6 months to 1 year?

according to these religions most of use are going to hell. The main thing is to not be in hell during your human life too. This mental hell or depression. I dont know anything about Falun Gong but if it didnt work for you then it wouldnt have protected you from hell in any case. Im in one of the Buddhist groups on here thats listed as a cult. Its difficult I hope someone comes who can relate to this falun Gong with you. I have never followed this Falun Gong & if I heard his teachings Im pretty sure I would reject them. But I dont believe it would cause me to goto hell because Id maintain respect for him as a person who is well intended but just has the wrong methods. I hope this depression goes & you find enjoyment in life. Its important that what you do comes from you own free will not a feeling of obligation. I think thats where this feeling of lack of freedom is taking away the spontaneity. I like your name! Freedomtochoose

Drjesusesq,

I can never remember being happy in Falun Gong. It seems like I was in this weird disconnected state. I mean I did have some happiness in some relationships in the group. I miss them now. But I remember there was really only one article that I really liked. That was my experience.

Thanks,
Freedome to choose.

I looked into Falun Gong because I wanted to take up Tai Chi and I saw the controversy around it, and I thought it was a form of Tai Chi, so I wanted to avoid getting into yet another cult.

I found a book "Power of the Wheel" that has a good objective critique of it. [www.daoiststudies.org]

Without coming out and calling it a "cult", the authors present all the flags of cult-hood, including a description of the irrational demands made by the founder and his status as an international fugitive. The tendency to sympathize with any victim of Chinese gov't persecution is not justified on Falun Gong's behalf, once you see the actual cult structure described in this book, but I sympathize strongly with individuals who get pulled into Falun Gong demonstrations before they understand what the leader is actually using them for. I think the authors wanted to avoid siding with the Chinese gov't while at the same time presenting an honest picture of the cult, and they did a good job.

I found a form of Tai Chi being taught here in Texas that allows one to use the exercises without joining a new belief system or cult-like group, and I do that. I think anyone who is exitting from Falun Gong would do well to study the traditional Tai Chi discipline.

dsm,

Thanks so much for the info. I never thought about checking out books that provided various perspectives of Falun Gong. Great idea.

Take care,
Freedom to Choose