Welp ... my friend is still in India. I called her on some of Sadhguru's scientific claims, and her response was: "Yoga is a science , as in it is a technique with a predictable outcome." I could throw a baseball at a window and it's likely to break it each time. That's not science. Anyway, he has his people thinking in circles around circles around circles. Doesn&
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I may have been the first person to post on Isha . My original post is here: My friend is gone to the cult. She is married there and comes to visit the US once every couple of years. She is a full time yoga instructor in India, has married someone inside Isha, and for all intents and purposes is no longer part of the USA. I would say to get your daughter the hell away from Isha. Don&#
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

It's me again, two years later. She's still in the group. Interestingly, she occassionally posts facebook messages with beautiful pictures of her and her friends in amazing nature-scapes. Another thing, she got married. They had a lavish wedding ceremony. Is this good? I assume this is ultimately not good. Though, I suppose it's good that she's allowed to marry. Any comments?
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Corboy, Mohit: This stuff is blowing my mind. I read all of your posts. I did speak to an ex-Isha member who was a disaffected former follower. His perception is that although Isha exploits for labor, particularly once an American member goes to India, that my friend was probably under no danger of physical or sexual abuse. Though, is it possible that he just never got far enough in? Or, that
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Here's something than can help. Isha considers their USA chapter a "non-profit" / "non-religious" charity, and are currently listed in the Better Business Bureau as having "no rating". Unless a company is proactive in submitting info to BBB, BBB only researches them if there are enough requests. Maybe you guys can put in some requests? I just did. :) Here�
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thanks Eric. Your response sounds honest and reasonable. My friend has spent several years solid now teaching courses all over India, and says she works all the time. She seems contented so I've limited discussion to fun things I'm doing in my life and non-prodding questions into hers (we've been in slow contact over email). Since some of these groups have such bad reps, and becaus
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Yes, through email once. She is teaching Yoga on what appears to be a volunteer basis and says that "she is well because although things bother her, she is more able to deal with those things thanks to her teachings". She made no mention of how else she is procuring income & was quite vague. I've sent another email and haven't heard back for at least a week. Her closer fri
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Has anyone ever heard of this group called "Isha Foundation" lead by a fellow named Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev? They are a Yoga group that charges for sessions and two years ago a friend of mine has moved away from the US and into India to be a Yoga instructor. Having since educated myself somewhat in groups like this I am concerned.... there isn't much on Isha on the internet - there
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thanks for your input, I'm taking the comments into consideration. Allan
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

The idea of cults and particularly LGAT, is fascinating. The curiosity began when a friend of mine joined Landmark and returned as a creepy manic-depressive version of herself. It was disturbing and was similar to the way my brother acted during his heroin addiction. Forutnately, both my friend and my brother have since dropped the monkeys off their backs. Revisiting the experience, it would b
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"