SAI MAA is sick, manipulative, exploitative Narcissistic Abuser ! She demands complete obedience from her devotees and feels entitled to adulation and special treatment from her devotees, she dehumanize and objectifies people. These devotee claim to possess inside information about Sai Maa and have special rights to privileged access simply by virtue of their unbridled adulation and time-test
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

SAI MAA is sick, manipulative, exploitative Narcissistic Abuser ! She demands complete obedience from her devotees and feels entitled to adulation and special treatment from her devotees, she dehumanize and objectifies people. These devotee claim to possess inside information about Sai Maa and have special rights to privileged access simply by virtue of their unbridled adulation and time-test
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I know at least 9 people who's lives were shatterd by this organization. They exploit and dehumanize and objectifies people. I still know people that continue to be Devotee members or Slaves to her. They are with out a doubt a Cult and have en fact ruined lives especially young people. The young people i feel so sad for, their lives are being wasted working for this woman who is making milli
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I have to say, I did at some take a few courses with Sai Maa a while back and at first it seemed interesting but after a short time nothing is what it seemed, it was a very strange environment to be in. First for the most part everyone is practically like a Hippy no doubt about that, but they all live under conditions that are controlled by Sia Maa. I felt like an idiot for spending so much money
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I have to say, I did at some take a few courses with Sai Maa a while back and at first it seemed interesting but after a short time nothing is what it seemed, it was a very strange environment to be in. First for the most part everyone is practically like a Hippy no doubt about that, but they all live under conditions that are controlled by Sia Maa. I felt like an idiot for spending so much mone
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

All of the comments following Matthew Remski's article are worth reading. Some however are particularly interesting. Quoteguest December 17, 2014 at 10:50 pm Am quite shocked reading about all this. I remember going to a Gynecologist since i wanted to take up a long course at Bihar school. For the course we needed to be tested not HIV positive and as well not having any other STD. M
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

This is one large organization which has extorted millions from innocent people with Deception just to lace Sai Maa with very expensive clothes, expensive organic food, first class plain tickets, hotels, cars and yes, very expensive properties she owns. Sai Maa wants to dupe as many people as possible and take your money !!!! And YES she does encourage people to leave their families and Loved
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Sai Baba of Putthaparthi was totally different from Meher Baba in that the two had separate careers and in different parts of India. And their methods of showmanship were different. Sathya Sai Baba SSB claimed to be a reincarnation of Shirdi Sai Baba, a blameless Sufi dervish who lived in poverty and who had crafted a simple message accessible to both Hindus and Muslims and died v
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Interesting parallels, corboy. You reminded me, with your examples of disciple devotion to senior ashram members, of this documentary about the alleged abuses of Sai/Meher Baba: BBC The Secret Swami Satya Sai Baba 2004 full. Corruption and abuses are often part of unquestioning obedience and surrender to a revered guru or senior swami or priest.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Corboy note: Nithyananda is one of those commercial gurus/godmen in India making big bucks. However, be alert evaluating sources describing his abuses. Many reputable news outlets are covering Nithyananda. However, some other gurus created and continue to create anti Nithyananda material so as to make themselves look good by comparison -- and deflect complaints from their former discipl
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

(small excerpt) QuoteHumanity in Unity (HIU)? Sai Baba’s disciple….Sai Maa Posted on 4 December 2009 by dialogueireland We would welcome feedback concerning Sai Maa and her organisation. It is our intention to add new material once we have had time to process it. A relation of mine is involved with an organisation called Humanity in Unity (HIU), led by a charismatic female leader curren
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Utterly bizarre looking people have become venerated gurus. Outside of kinky bondage scenarios or brutal interrogation set ups, being a guru is the only occupation in which you can make your disciples drink your foot bath water -- and they'll do so. Andrew Cohen was mean as rattlesnake and made no attempt to hide that he was mean. I went to one of his lectures and found the
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Sai Maa's Guru is a child pedophile. Repeat: a child molester. She claims he has done nothing wrong; not that he has done nothing. The BBC reported on the claims in this full length documentary. BBC The Secret Swami Satya Sai Baba 2004 full 51 minutes long. The US Embassy posted on its website warning of the ashram run by a child pedophile. And she says nothing.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Sai Maa's Guru is a child pedophile. Repeat: a child molester. She claims he has done nothing wrong; not that he has done nothing. The BBC reported on the claims in this full length documentary. BBC The Secret Swami Satya Sai Baba 2004 full 51 minutes long. The US Embassy posted on its website warning of the ashram run by a child pedophile, and it was mentioned on the floor
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

. Leaving Siddha Yoga John Friend - Karmic Crash New York Magazine (Entire article is six pages - quoted here are just a few excerpts. For the full text, see the link here: QuoteIn the eighties, while Friend worked for a few years as a financial consultant for oil companies after graduating from Texas A&M, he became a part-time yoga teacher at a local YMCA. Soon, he deci
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Sai Baba travel Sai Baba boys sai Baba police puttaparthi Satya Sai Baba's miracles explained Fake Jewelry
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

How to produce 'holy ash' aka 'vibhuti. Satya Sai Baba became famous for this stunt. One hears of pictures of gurus producing 'holy ash'. All that is needed is to put a bit of chemical such as this into the picture, in contact with a bit of aluminum. Prolonged exposure to oxygen in the air will, over time, generate 'holy ash' from the picture.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Why do people here automatically think there is a conspiracy of some sort or another if people just disagree with you? I mean you speak in such declarative sentences, like: This is what this person is really doing; this is what this really is all about; this is etc. It is one thing to have a speculative opinion, it is another to insist that any other opinion is automatically wrong and your specul
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Repetitive speech elicits widespread deactivation in the human cortex: the "Mantra" effect? Heavy dosage of mantra, hours - long chant sessions may compromise one's mind. And one's boundaries. Just see how many gurus prescribing chant (eg.Maharishi, Srila Prabhupada, Sokka Gakkai/Ikeda have become obscenely rich. Ditto for Ammachi, Sai Baba Patthaparthi, Muktan
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Repetitive speech elicits widespread deactivation in the human cortex: the "Mantra" effect? Heavy dosage of mantra, hours - long chant sessions may compromise one's mind. And one's boundaries. Just see how many gurus prescribing chant (eg.Maharishi, Srila Prabhupada, Sokka Gakkai/Ikeda have become obscenely rich. Ditto for Ammachi, Sai Baba Patthaparthi, Muktan
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

(Quoted from Crazy Wisdom and Other Bad Ideas - below) (quote)In the west, we have a particular danger of gurus who cynically or naively capitalize on the possibilities that open up when you lead people out to sea. Many such teachers claim that their degree of understanding places them outside of the normal range of human values. (Irony alert-Corboy) Sure, they may seem like selfish ass
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The author loves yoga but also has concerns about the commercialization--and cultural appropriation. Article well worth a look--plus many comments. Though she does not name Ibiza or Goa or Pune, some of the distortions of yoga tradition are cropping up among persons who do the circuit between these places. (Quote)Now I see yoga branching out in such things like “Chocolate Yoga” or
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

This entire article is well worth reading. Here though, is a telling excerpt. Article written by an Indian Sikh woman living in the United States. (Quote) I’ll let you in on a little secret. Many, many of these so-called gurus and God-men (and women) of India are scam artists but because their ashrams and centres bring in so much, much-needed cash and tourist dollars, the India
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Quote 17 of 19 people found the following review helpful 4.0 out of 5 stars Here we are, May 26, 2014 By GUIGNETTE Jean-PaulThis review is from: Holy Hell: A Memoir of Faith, Devotion, and Pure Madness (Paperback) I was connected with Amma and her movement from 1990 till 1994. So, when a friend told me Gayatri had written her memoirs, I was interested. I did some research on the web,
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

(Disclaimer: this does not imply endorsement by CEI or Corboy. ) Here are two ashrams dedicated to different gurus -both deceased Compare and contrast Shirdi Sai Baba Meher Baba Advice about beggars Shirdi Sai Baba Ashram Quote16. Devotees desirous of feeding the poor can arrange to do so against cash payments to be made to the Prasadalaya itself or the Account office. Cou
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Corboy disclaimer: What is quoted are people's own opinions. Cult Education Institute does not endorse anything recommended in the quoted Amazon reviews. Corboy's considered opinion after years spent reading harm reports and after Corboy having been royally rump burned by an advisor who was in one of the guru traditions states that the Indian submit to the guru model has a burden
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Quote11 of 13 people found the following review helpful 5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you Gail., March 23, 2014 By Michael Day (Pampatar, Venezuela) - See all my reviewsAmazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Holy Hell: A Memoir of Faith, Devotion, and Pure Madness (Kindle Edition) I am writing you today to share with you that after 27 years, my formal relationship
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Quote10 of 13 people found the following review helpful 4.0 out of 5 stars An Act of Courage, November 10, 2013 By LuckyStar974 - See all my reviewsAmazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Holy Hell: A Memoir of Faith, Devotion, and Pure Madness (Kindle Edition) I wrote a review anonymously several months ago, and was immediately outed in the comments section b
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

This article contains information that is probably transferable in whole or at least in part, to ashrams in the US and Western Europe, particularly those overseen by Muktanananda, Gurumayi and the likes of Chogyam Trungpa and Ozel Tendzin. If any therapist considers these ashrams to be ideal environments and has grown up in such ashram environments, it is fair to ask whether that therapist ma
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

comments following Rolling Stone feature story on Ammachi •a year ago Gitasun, Mooda and Marnie, thank you for your recent posts, which I read with interest. During my visit to the ashram in 2012 I did seeva in the swimming pool. I did meet some very sad, lost and confused elderly Western renunciates souls, who shared with me their fear of their uncertain future there. They would need a
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"