Hi MissingJoy, welcome to the discussion. I am so sorry to hear about your friend - you must be very worried about her. I wonder if you can tell us more about the process by which your friend became involved with Moo? Of course you would not want to reveal her identity in any way, and that is understandable. But if you can tell us anything about the changes you have noticed in you friend an
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Take a look at the Moo team's latest offering: From 38.00 to 58.00 there is an interesting encounter between Moo and a astute middle-aged woman. She is not buying what Moo is selling her- far from it! From what I could gather, she does not live at Monte Sahaja, but she has been around the Moo scene for a few years. What keeps her there? Too much time on her hands? I think she is ge
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

outtheotherside Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Anyway the thing I want to say today is... why > can't they provide some professional support at > their events? Considering the cost of the retreats > then they easily afford to pay some therapists to > help deal with any people experiencing > psychological distress. If they cared the
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hi Snapping-out, thanks for all that information! You have been there and you know the scene. Many of us are left wondering and guessing, like me. Well, if the sleeping arrangements as are you describe, with only one person per double bed - then that wont suit Moo at all. Sounds like a lonely time for him. What really concerns me is that it is compulsory to attend every single trance i
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Wow, only 250 participants at the cult meeting in Lisbon? That is many less people than I thought. I doubt that could have been a financial success, but who knows? I see on the official Mooji website that they are now promoting a new retreat at Zmar, coming up in October. It might be difficult for them to fill places at that gathering, too? We will have to wait and see. I notice this fr
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thanks Valma and Corboy, It's difficult to remember exactly how I felt when I was under the influence of trance. One of my friends noticed that I hadn't answered her emails for 2 weeks, which was extremely unusual for me, and so she suspected something was wrong. Otherwise, I was just really 'preoccupied' with what I thought were spiritual ideas- but this preoccupation
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Corboy, In answer to your question - most people would not know that they are experiencing trance. I had no idea. Trance induction works particularly well on people who have logical, analytical brains. A pause in logical thinking can feel like a genuine respite to people who are used to analytical thinking. It can feel extremely pleasant. And why would you suspect anything untoward? It'
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Yes, absolutely Corby! Your interpretation is excellent. Here is my simplified interpretation of Moo-speak: Line 1: Trance, trance.... trance and trance. Line 2: more trance Line 3: trance, trancy-trance, trance, oh, also trance Line 4: more of the same.... lol :)
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The latest video material released by the Moo group, which seems to be an excerpt taken from the recent Lisbon intensive: An interesting trance sequence begins at 3.20, where Moo says: "Someone looking from here is also seen. The intention is seen. If there is an identity that is also seen- without fuss. It is seen without even searching. Whatever it is that you take yourself to be
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hi Constantin, It is good to hear from you again, could you fill us in on more details about what is now happening at Monte Sahaja? Can you tell us anything about the special treatment that people who have money receive from Moo? How does he go about finding out how much people have and what does he do once they stop donating?
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hi MiedoFree, and welcome to the discussion. Thank you for telling us about the armed body-guards, which I think a lot of people here will be curious about. I think Mooji has used body guards for some time, although I did not know they were armed. We had also heard about the death threats from another contributor to this forum- I believe it was Constantin, if my memory serves me correctly.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Snapping-out, What you describe happening to you while watching Moo is exactly what happened to me, too. You end up feeling mildly confused and your brain is really searching for answers, so what do you do? You watch more Moo videos! Then you become more confused. But you think that the answers must be in there somewhere, so you keep watching. Of course, at this point in time, you know n
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Zizlz, you are a genius! I love the idea of a chat-bot guru. People will go crazy for this. The chat-bot must compare itself not only to Jesus, but to Buddha as well, to cast a wider net. This will be a big money spinner for certain! Valma, yes, Tony made a Freudian slip with that line- "we are all pathological liars". Of course he was referring to himself. He must have the ul
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I've just been watching the latest video released by the Moo group. At 5.40 we see the first woman up to the microphone- and she looks so earnest, so naive! I actually think she is genuine. She has come to Satsung with the best of intentions. The woman claims that she wants to "fully dissolve into nothingness." Well, that sounds unpleasant... it wouldn't be the fir
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hi again Whtm, I might have found the original "Invitation to Freedom" video which is longer and more trance-like than the one they are using now. There are probably a few different versions, but I think this one is the one I watched, back in the day. Also: A very interesting article about Osho (Rajneesh) that includes references to hypnosis: Quote: 'Hilly Ze
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hi Whtm, it is nice to hear from you again and have you back in the discussion. I believe you wanted to know about hypnosis and trance? Yes, it is entirely possible to by hypnotized without your consent. Take a look at The author does say that a type of indirect hypnosis can be used on people without their consent (they have no idea that they are being hypnotized) and that this is
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

About Non-Disclosure Agreements: These are designed to protect trade secrets, not to prevent unethical behavior taking place under the guise of 'charity work' being disclosed to the public. The Moo Foundation is a registered charity and if this organisation is found to willfully partake of practices which have harmful outcomes for the beneficiaries of the charity - in this case th
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thanks Corboy, I enjoyed that second article "I was a Self-Help Guru - here's why you shouldn't listen to people like me". A quote from the article, where the author has become increasingly disillusioned and exhausted from her role as a guru: "After one of my bookstore appearances, a woman with short gray hair who resembled my mother approached me... She had been
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thanks Horowitz for sharing the latest from the Moo camp... I wasn't even aware that we would be able to watch the Great Moo live from Lisbon, so of course you can imagine my excitement when I saw that one of the satsungs is available to view for free!! Here it is: Now, I know that not everyone has the time to watch Moo, so I've written up a little review for everyone to read,
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

A good, critical article about Tony Robbins: Quote: "We’ve been sold an idea that it’s possible for us to simultaneously make a million dollars, be madly in love with our partner, have explosive sex, wake up looking like a model, and tackle every single day brimming with happiness and excitement. Worse still, the personal development industry has tricked us into believing that if we
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thanks Zizlz, I would like to acknowledge that Zen Buddhism and traditional Advaita Vedanta (but not Neo-advaita) are genuine and legitimate religions that deserve respect. These beliefs have a long and honored place in traditional cultures and have many devout followers who benefit greatly from their teachings. Personally, I don't think these beliefs resonate with me on spiritual leve
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Well, if they are exactly the same then Mooji is out of a job, because nothing needs explaining! (not that he teaches traditional Advaita anyway.) The article in question makes the distinction between relative and absolute, but I think that personally, I don't abide by non-duality and I don't see the point to it..... but if it brings people happiness, then Ok, I don't mind. Y
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Dear MynameisHeather, thank you so much for sharing part of your life with us. I hope you can find all the support you need to continue to move forward with your life and live it to the fullest. You are very brave to come forward and I feel strongly that other women who have been subject to abuse by spiritual leaders will take strength from your willingness to share openly what you have bee
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Holy Mother Mary!!! That is just freaking scary, luckychrmm. I can just imagine the poor little school kids who may actually be subject to real abuse (as statistically, child abuse is a very common fact) being taught to say to themselves "I feel really unsafe, but that is only a thought." What is the world coming to? I despair.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

That is a great article, Zizlz! Everyone should definitely read the article: I think the article explains a lot of things that I have struggled to articulate at times... things that have been very deeply concerning to me. Because I believe that vulnerable people are using Moo's teachings to try and escape (they use the word 'transcend') their daily problems and issues and th
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thanks Corboy, that is an interesting website. I'm not sure if anyone has shared this link before, but there is a good article from the same website about the concept of 'spiritual bypassing', which is a term that gets bandied abut quite a lot: There is also an intelligent pod-cast about the author's experiences with cults that is worth listening to: I have become
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I agree with you Earthquake, spiritual practice is not something separate from life - but should be incorporated into life, so there is no boundary where 'practice' ends and life begins. I think some people might be using spiritual practice and especially non-dual discourse to escape their lives in some way and live 'on a higher plane' or whatever. I think this is a bit
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I have to agree with Zizlz and RickArcher, I cannot comprehend that enlightenment would be 'boring'. That seems like a very silly thing to say. I am a complete novice, but I have experienced some fleeting 'transcendent' states (these have happened spontaneously and are what led me to become interested in spirituality.) These transcendent experiences were very clear
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

That is a great idea Valma! The Moo cult could donate a percentage of their tax-free earnings directly to Cult Ed for all sage advice we have given them. No, but seriously, I don't mind providing this service for free. It brings such warmth to my heart. :) Indeed, it is true liberation.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Now, I have just been taking a look at the official Tony Moo website, Mooji.org. So much has changed since I last had cause to visit this very informative site... Gone are the artistic photos of Tony's feet! Seriously, if you have one of these photos in your possession, then cherish it, dear reader! They are no longer for sale. Perhaps you could find one on the black market in Rishikesh,
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"