Hey guys, I just have to tell you all how much this Website is helping me deconstruct the belief systems that led me to spending ten years in a little yoga-meditation cult. Thanks you all very much for your responses, you too Anticult, the bluntness is really not a problem since you are trying to help people here, not deliberately offend them. yg: I'm reading sooo much stuff on cul
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hi folks. As someone who has been involved in the 'don't think be happy' New Age culture for quite a few years, this thread is utterly fascinating to me. Thank goodness I never encountered Byron Katie over these past few years because there's a chance that I would have become involved with her group without asking too many questions and allowing the 'feel-good vibe&
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Yes. I went to a regular counselor because it was hard to find a proper cult 'exit' counselor in my area. I am especially wary of finding myself unwittingly involved with any kind of Christian counselor/counseling group trying to 'minister' to me about accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior as a way out of this mess. I've already got enough problems trying to get away
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Hi. This is the first time I have opened a topic on thie board. In am in a situation right now where I have worked for a 'yoga meditation' group for the last ten years. The group teaches much more than yoga meditation. Actually, although claiming not to be a religion, it is a pretty complete theology with millenarial predictions included about a probable total global socio-economic c
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I started attending 'yoga meditation' classes about ten years ago. Initially, I was taught by a friend and was later taken to the 'Center' to learn 'higher levels'. I never left. I started volunteering at the Center almost immediately, then working full-time for the organization. We were encouraged to eliminate our 'personal' desires and interests an
Forum: Abusive and Controlling Relationships

Okay, I read the whole thing but I really didn't need to read past this sentence almost at the very beginning: "There is a guy, Stephane, who teaches "Interdependent Circle" relationships, a dynamic that involves one man, and 2 or 3 'bisexual' women. They live together, are loyal to each other, and they seem to be really happy and in love. I'm very intruiged.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

For alarmed of London: Devotees of Suma Ching Hai are intiiated into what is called the 'Kwan Yin' method, in which they may experience what Ching Hai calles the inner 'Light & Sound'. We don't know if it is a true spiritual experience or not; however, the important thing is that most devotees really think that it is. It is an experience that provides confirmat
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

No, JB, don't feel silly ... I quoted ten years because that was the average time people spend in cults if they do become involved, according to Steve Hassan, (if I remember correctly ... I've done a lot of reading!) These groups are truly expert in appealing to people's highest ideals and longing for a better world for themselves and for other people. You are right that it is a
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I can totally relate to those endless hours 'volunteering' for the our meditation group's Center (different group, same principles it seems). My friend and I would drive down there each day, from 10 in the morning till 9 at night. The reward for doing this 'selfless service' was to be endlessly complained about, ranted at and told how lacking we were in spiritual unde
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Hi JB, Probably the only reason your experience with the group was fairly 'benign' was the very fact that you are not willing to enroll in their four year progam. No doubt after four years it would end up being the same old schtick, with you doing devoted menial service for little or no material reward in the interest of saving humanity from itself, replete with the usual intense
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

From my own observations & experience, this kind of excessive devotion is fairly common in people who become involved in New Religious Movements. Especially in the early months, (maybe even years) the devotee experiences a 'high' that is similar to the feeling of falling in love. A new devotee experiences what feels like a true spiritual awakening (can't comment if it is
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families