When I embarked on this useless battle after I was called to do it, I spoke to a friend who had served directly in HI for decades. A faithful disciple. I voiced my concerns. She was rather annoyed with me and said: “I can assure you that those who are onsite serving, are very happy”. I know another person who was banned for a few years just because she is not a doormat, a bit volatile and con
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

We can sit here and write 500 more pages. Look at it all from different angles. The righteous anger and exposure is going to go only so far. Everybody shoud put diplomacy and fear aside and talk to the leaders directly. Tell them how they feel and give constructive criticism. The lower than the straw in the street is how this whole situation was created. There may be many dysfunctions going
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Dawatcher it is important to also focus on the good events. I have often said it in my posts that for me it was not all black and white. It would be so much easier to let go if it was just bad. If I never cared about whom I considered my spiritual teacher. There is no way I can say that I never got anything out of it. I speak from a place of deep hurt and this is what this forum is allowing m
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Dawatcher you and I are on the same page. Yes the survival of the closest or close to the closest. So disgustingly materialistic. My daddy is a famous disciple. Even though I did Cocaine and have zero interest in spiritual life, Krishna rewarded me with a “serious” husband or wife. Oh darn, I thought this was a spiritual group not the British Royal family. Maybe it is the twighlight zone!
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Copied and pasted this from page 504. Is CB hated so much that people would make such things up? Are there some ex members who are so DEMONIC that would come up with such lies? Are we all too spiritually retarted to see the Guru’s perfect vision? Not so sure. Now we have to ask ourselves a question. What the actual hell are these chastisement methods? Does it really work? Is it spiritually eth
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I think something that is really sad is how the time, energy and money of the devotees is wasted. All the money and efforts that was put into the Gabbard campaign. All it did was to create more disclosure about the SoI. The insanity of working around the Germaphobia when people serve the Guru directly. Like washing 50 towels a day. Not to speak of the health damages of getting so many shots i
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The theory of Jesus passing through India and being considered a Yogi is not something the SoI came up with. There are many books written on the “lost” years of Jesus. These subjects are extremely complicated once you turn the critical mind on and go very deep down the rabbit hole. I heard someone say recently that the “Truth” movement does not exist because noone really knows the Truth. A
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Dawatcher I was not emotionally involved either till a few months ago. Too many things happened that got me thrown into the hell hole of SoI. It is the one year of prison lockdowns that have opened up many old wounds. Everything that gave me solace and purpsoe was taken away because of the travel restrictions. I am not used to this situation. Just a few months ago I was still in touch with s
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Cultkid85 some people like myself are not extremely attracted to the material realm and what it has to offer. I have always been attracted to a spiritual setting, away from society. When I came across the group, felt as though I had finally found my life path and people I could relate to. Unlike many here, I did have faith in the process and I did get happiness from relating to Krishna. Now
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thank you Ian. I realize now that no amount of spiritual bliss is worth living in constant doubt and fear. Dawatcher, as I was about to retire you gave me new material. lol! Just looked at the page from Poland. I think that I must add this important part. Again it is proof that some of the members can get dangerous under the influence of fanaticism and loyalty to their “Master”. I myself ru
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

If people want to get a glimpse of the usual drama that goes on in SOI refrer to page 231. A disciple’s letter to CB explaining why he had to secretly seek the PERSONAL association of BV Narayana Maharaja. He explains why he could not honestly confess it to other devotees. That when they found out, one devotee threatened to beat him up. He was also told that if he turned his back, he would
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hoax 108 I have never felt more cheated. I spent years loving CB more than my material father. I put up with all the bullying from our angry “center” leader and callousness of devotees just because of him and the blue boy. Now I know that I was relating to the good side of the guru. That there is also a dark side. One that potentially knew/knows about illicit money making that gets a disciple
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

This is a very interesting video that I am reposting. I forgot which person posted it in the forum. Sorry I cannot give credit to that person.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hoax108 I have been going through the novel worthy old posts.I know I will always miss my friends, teachers and the very good memories. However after everything I know now, I am glad that I am blacklisted. I cannot be emotionally drawn back to the group. I know many who return after 10 years of absence. There are way too many lies, contradictions, secrets, hypocrisy... Ignorance is bliss for thos
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

We cannot change anything within group. What we can do is to help open the eyes of those who have doubts. Those who are afraid to leave, question, use their critical thinking. Going through the old posts, I came across a person who said that this forum has helped (him or her) as well as 2 other people to leave. This is all we can do. Help those who are no longer happy with their situations.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

There is one thing that truly surpriises me. People have been posting here since 2004. There was also the very public disclosures from Rama.... I don’t understand how they thought that they could get away with the pro gay marriage sratedy just to gain popularity. They knew that they had ao many ennemies out there. Insiders who would step forward and expose the lies. With ao many lectures to ba
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Many people may wonder how some of us stayed for a long time and how we could put up with all the “non sense”. At first I thought that I partly stayed because of a weak psyche, poor boundaries, a rather toxic upbringing, which made abuse more acceptable. However I have met other people who were very well adjusted, extremely assertive, smart, talented.... Who also fell into the webb. I am takin
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I have been gradually reading the posts starting from page 720. Going back to 2004. I must say that it is not easy to digest even though I have no doubts that they are not lying. I trust that this was their experience. I can relate to Zelig’s open letter that starts with all the positives and Thank you. As I said it before I too have some very amazing memories. I want to make it clear that wh
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The subject of suicide within the group is a complex one. I think that in general, those who are stuck in a “depression” zone cannot talk about it freely. And of course suicide is the ultimate sin according to all religions. No one wants to hang out with the “depressed”. Being happy and blissed out is a sign you are doing well spiritually (according to them). There is always a solution. Why
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

DaWatcher, I don’t think that one can just blame the “Guru” or other devotees. Adults are responsible for their actions and decisions. I don’t know if anybody could force the disciple to smuggle Cannabis (illegal back then). I recognize that I was exteremely weak and more unstable when I was in the group. As I said it before, I will always also remember the positive experiences, the good fri
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Yes Ian I agree with you. This is why critical thinking is so important. It is only when we put aside the fear that we are able to look at a situation with objectivity. The practice of Bhakti often makes one vulnerable as we become more trusting, open hearted, humble, docile, tolerant.... Some of us are now on the outside looking in. I know that when you are inside, your vision is very clou
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Ian, I feel you and I may have had different experiences in general. I think your journey may have been much worse in general. I truly did fall in love with the process in general and the Mantras. My issue has always been the toxic side of the group. I cannot just expose the ugly stuff without admitting that I also had many happy moments. I came from a place of suffering and it felt lik
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

One thing that is extremely dangerous in that groups is how abuse is so easily accepted. In Bhakti Yoga, “chastisement” is seen as a mercy. It is supposed to make one more humble and turn them closer to God. This is why the Guru and so many angry, manipulative disciples get away with “abuse”. I understand that in a group we need discipline. I don’t mind either the times I was justly and c
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

When it comes to helping other devotees, the priority always goes to the ones that are very well established in the group. If anything happens to the so called “advanced” teachers, I am sure that money will flow as well as 100 servants to the rescue. And not to forget the kids of the so called advanced devotees. They get special treatment and even they break all regulative principles, they ar
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

One of the worse branches.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The Toronto branch is possibly one of the most rotten ones. I had the displeasure to be part of that group.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I am surprised that some are saddened by the defeat of Trump. I thought that the puppet Tulsi Gabbard was supporting Biden. Or is it yet another hypocritical move in order to get more supporters? As for the anti vaccines sentiments, I am yet again supervised. People must get 20 different vaccines in order to be in close service to Mr. Butler. My guess is that they will be forced to take the
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"