DeWatcher: I see. Again, it's not uncommon nowadays to see the dev tees flip flopping, mixing and doing whatever they can to get "customers". It appears they are blending meditative school and practices of Yoga Nidra with Kirtan and meditation on the Gauranga mantras etc. But as an actual institution, they are not related to satyanada or yoga Nidra philosophically. Just like dev
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

DeWatcher: That's why I'm more interested in what I wrote in the right aspect: - whether Siddhaswarupananda was massaged by female devotees, No. He barely let women disciples offer him garlands and there is letters where he has asked that they do not offer him garlands. - is there any written evidence where A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami prohibits Siddhaswarupananda Yoga-Nidra pract
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

"Do you remember any special phenomena in the SIF sanga around 2009? E.g. from July 2009 to December 2009? For example: deterioration of the atmosphere, attack of sadness, lack of energy, ghostly visions etc.?" Is this serious? What does some bullshit Yoga Nidra or the death of satyananda have to do with Butler and SIF? Obviously they do not teach or practice yoga Nidra or worship sa
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Bhaktivedanta Swami was not against polygamy at all. Of course, as always with such personalities, you can find 20 quotes for polygamy and 20 against—depending on who he was with or what it was pertaining. Prabhupada had no issues with polygamy as long as the wives were supported and treated well. Though, by "treated well" he meant they were submissive their their husbands and "ser
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

IanKoviak Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I've written on this forum extensively about my > time in the School, my memories and the things I > know for a fact happened. I am an open book about > it and happy to discuss and talk about it all. I hope you can tell you some more details. Like what specifically? IanKoviak Wrote: ------
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I've learned it is useless to discuss or argue with religious believers. To each their own. We are all on our own journey.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I've written on this forum extensively about my time in the School, my memories and the things I know for a fact happened. I am an open book about it and happy to discuss and talk about it all. The fact is it was an illegally run uncredited school. It was operated by unqualified teachers and headmasters. Butler's son, Siddha was treated with special attention as were Tapasya Das'
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Sad and wasted are the days, months and years listing to Butler and following his whims. Sad and wasted.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Anything can be justified by soaking it in the vat of religious fanaticism. The Gita speaks of assorted systems of yoga, karma being one of them. Butler can spew compete ignorance as can swami bhaktivedanta and others and butter it over or take shelter behind their mask of Bhakti and chanting. This is cowardice of the worst kind. They never have to answer fro what they say or do because it is all
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The places where Butler physically stayed, like the PI, NZ, Aus, Hawaii and California were the places where a core "informed" discipleship and following evolved. These were the devotees that are now multi-generational famlies who have participated in assorted butler businesses, political campaigns and anti-minority efforts. Places like Poland began to have a small following after Vishn
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The walls are lines with foil for dust, mold and other pathogens Butler is paranoid about. Just about every place he has lived in has had this type of treatment done tot he interiors. All surfaces are covered and laundered regularly. His microphones are covered in fabric and personal servants are to wear surgical dust masks when they are in close proximity to him. Even that yoga ball is covered i
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Yup
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Yup
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Campos, I fail to see how you are critical of some on this forum who have either suffered at the hands of this group or had direct contact with it's members as being hypocritical. Children as young as 9 were sent to Butler's illegal schools where they had to endure listening to some of the most vile lectures any kid that age should have to listen to (not to mention Mike Gabbards anti-g
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thx for the youtube post GODHIMSELF. There are many websites discussing this for the truly inquisitive. The origins of Bhakti Vashnavism, modern day cults like ISKCON and many more are readily available in a cursory search. It's not about demonizing the gurus at this point. They themselves were taken full throttle by the jibber jabber ideology. The connection to Tulsi is vivid and while she
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Yes GODHIMSELF, Tulsi was at the girls school in the Philippines for brahmacarinis.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Here we go: My mother joined Chris Butler's group (SIF) in 1988 in New York City. I was 10 in 1989. A polish devotee named Vishnu Das had started to talk to her about mantra meditation and vegetarianism and some light philosophy about not being the body and karma etc. It was not too long after that we adopted the lifestyle and were chanting on the famous little black half round beads. We
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Yeah, no this is not about videos and crap like that. There is plenty of that. This is about an opportunity to talk to journalists about your experience and get it on paper in a real way. And yes, using your name is helpful. No one in SIF can or will do anything to you if you go under your own name. I've been using my own name for speaking out against them for years. Nothing's ever happ
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hey, if any of you are from the PI school or want a voice in this, DM me. There is a lot of potential to get our voice out right now in the media, but it requires that we step it up and are willing to speak—not just here—but to actual journalists who are knee deep in it all. They want to get neck deep into the story of SOI, the illegal PI schools for boys and girls as well as Tulsi as a person an
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Just how far does the spiders web go? https://www.meanwhileinhawaii.org/home/butlersweb
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Falconer. Krishna West is not a new concept. Even in Bhaktisiddhanta's times they started to "westernize" aspects of the cult to appeal to a broader western audience. Things like wearing leather shoes or driving in cars/trains/planes to "preach" were introduced. Bhaktisiddhanta was even willing to serve meat at his temples if it meant they would attract more people. ISKCO
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Falconer. Krishna West is not a new concept. Even in Bhaktisiddhanta's times they started to "westernize" aspects of the cult to appeal to a broader western audience. Things like wearing leather shoes or driving in cars/trains/planes to "preach" were introduced. Bhaktisiddhanta was even willing to serve meat at his temples if it meant they would attract more people. ISKCO
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Butler and all others are complete disposable trash. Anyone who feels they are remotely qualified to sit on a high chair and receive worship on behalf of eternal cosmic principles is a fool worthy of a garbage heap.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I think spreading information about a destructive cult and speaking of your person realizations and experiences concerning such organizations and personalities is a service to those who wish to be freed from such things. As far as what's in it for us, it's a voice—a place to have stated something that we value and feel is important and firmly attest to the things we believe are true and
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

LostSoul— There are many spiritual teachers who are kind and authentic in their desire to preach about goodness and offer practices that make you feel happy or calm/peaceful. Here is the deal though: You need to study the history of Hinduism and religions in general. Study theism and philosophy and make a real heartfelt decision if anything you come upon seems to be sincerely of deep value.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

In line with this a recent new and relevant piece here: https://harekrishnacultexposed.blogspot.com/2016/05/new-iskcon-and-its-discontents.html
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Let us all take this moment to contemplate how fortunate we were to have had Mantra Electric to listen to growing up...
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

All my childhood friends and the dudes I went to school with are, within reason, happy where they are. Some have left the cult. Others believe in the myths and gods and gurus but have next to no day to day involvement with the cult and it's practices. The few—very small, fragmented mount that do, are akin to the average person born into christianity and so forth. Christians who choose to sto
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

That Wai Lana video interview—aside from being staged, is also reflective of much of what is happening in the "krishna" groups worldwide. Again—I reiterate, the bhakti cults were always a small—rather private affair, traditionally, historically, as well as in it's ritualistic expression. Now, we have Facebook gurus giving their memes advice online, surfer sanyassis posing with movi
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"