Reading Jill W's account makes me wonder about all the people that have given money, years of their lives, and everything to cults then get out but are too embarrassed to talk about it. I would guess there are lots. I know a woman who spent most of her life in a Christian cult and cut off her family. The leader was having sex with the students. When she finally escaped her parents had a
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Any time I hear about Buddhist teachings or retreats or schools or anything , the first thing that comes to my mind with a big question mark is....don't Buddhists believe that we are all nothing? Isn't that the core of their beliefs? Not-self is one of their 3 core pillars. And so, WHO are they teaching, WHO are they holding retreats for, WHY bother with any of it, if we are all no
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

From the Laura Miller article: Certainly, Roach preaches a load of mumbo jumbo, expertly calibrated to flatter and soothe the mostly affluent clients he seeks. Of special appeal to such fat cats as Michael Gordon, founder of the Bumble and Bumble line of beauty products, is Roach’s claim that success in one’s current life is clearly a reward for good deeds in the past. Karma, it seems, isn’t alw
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Can you try that link again, Otto. Doesn't work for me. Thanks.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I'm glad to hear someone else had the same experience. I never went again to that restaurant b/c it felt so weird. Maybe they get enough donations elsewhere and the restaurants are just some kind of cover. Here is an interesting convo about her: VeggieBoardThread
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thanks, Liminal. Yes, this is very concerning.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The website from the ex-follower is very telling. Seems like you should be able to tell the quality of the teacher by how they live their lives. Spiritual paths with levels are always suspect to me...for some reason they keep adding new levels to keep people from getting bored or something. Another good example of this Scientology; clear, super clear, on and on.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thanks Otto. That's a pretty disturbing story. Would that we considered a cult of the Catholic church? A cult within Catholicism? I guess this gets back to the question of what exactly is a cult.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Otto, That link doesn't seem to work. Can you try again? I don't know anything about this convent.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thanks, Corboy. Interesting info, once again.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Does anyone know how her restaurants are related to the mission? I have eaten in several and have always gotten a strange vibe. Of course, they have her pics on the wall and her brochures around (and maybe a TV with her show on, I can remember)m but it is like it isn't really a restaurant. We went to one and although it was supposed to be open according to the posted hours, no one was there
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

How is he recruiting? Is it just in South and Central America and the US as well? I am trying to narrow down several cults to write a final paper on for a modern spirituality course. The topic will be the severe dangers of modern spiritual practices specifically "new age" cults. I want to include discussion on Bikram as well as some historical case studies but I need to determine whic
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

This is an old thread but I have wondered about the Narconon centers and what they are teaching kids. Anyone know any new information about them or run into anyone who was a part of it? They is one in the town I grew up in.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Agreed, Corboy. There should definitely be some boundaries. This type of thing happens in non-spiritual settings as well when teachers and students forget their roles. Obviously the teachers are more to blame b/c they have the dominant position.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

What you are saying here Tia seems right to me. We can't dismiss all yoga and spirituality as dangerous, can we? The challenge is finding the truth and the sincere teachers and information in a sea of sharks! Tough stuff in this day and age. Why do some people get deceived and pulled into dangerous cults and others don't. Surely it's not just about intellect. Because when i
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hi Otto, Yes, we exchange emails and FB messages every couple of months. She seems to be ok but I do sense that she might be looking for something else in her spiritual journey. She recently started posting things about Christianity and even Native American type shamanism. She has mentioned what an internal struggle she experiences being so thoroughly immersed as she is. Maybe I should tr
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thanks for the link moderator! I am still having trouble pulling my research paper together because I can't decide where to focus. I feel like I have discovered this vast world of information, some of it shocking and fascinating, that I feel really strongly that I should share. My 5-8 page paper might turn into a 20 pager. I appreciate all the help from everyone on here.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I visited a Diamond Buddhism center in Auckland, NZ while backpacking a few years ago. I thought the vibe there was very nice although I did get the feeling they were disappointed I didn't donate after I visited a few times. That one was Karma Kagyu Lineage. Is that same line as being discussed here? I still keep in contact with a woman heavily involved in the centre there and feel greatly
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I can understand that people who attend 12 step meetings would be feeling vulnerable and be seeking something new to latch on to, to help them in their journeys to be better people. They would be easy to take advantage of. Although legitimate, simple meditation or breathing exercises could be genuinely beneficial. I hope this type of manipulation isn't commonplace.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I'm finding this discussion just now and it is amazing me. I was Waldorf schooled throughout my early years and saw a lot of contradictions, as in what we were allowed to do or not do and that the teachers put off this peaceful calm vibe during parent visits but the rest of the time they were bitchy and yelling at the students, etc.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thanks for the link. I see I have a lot of research to jump in to.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

In case anyone still sees this thread, I know it is old...I am working on a paper for a modern spirituality course. I'd love to hear more sources of information if there is anything new out there. Thank you.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thanks for the information here. I am finding everything on this forum so interesting. I am working on a paper for a Spirituality in the Modern World class at UC Santa Cruz. I just can't figure out how to narrow down a specific topic. I am considering writing about the Bikram trend and ensuing scandal. It is just so typical of our times- deep spirituality turns to the dark side pretty q
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I think it is important to consider that there may have been some underlying mental illness or brain problems that would explain the seizures in these people. The meditation may have just uncovered it. Like because these people, presumably, cleaned their lives of other vices and distractions and were focusing primarily on these gurus and their mediation practice, this extreme change and press
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"