Thought I would get this thread going again since it disappeared with the crash.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Bikram Choudhury is back in the news. When I read the article there were already 351 comments posted. Bikram Yoga Founder Blasted For Alleged Rape, Sexual Harassment And Racism In Explosive Lawsuit Eleazar.Melendez@huffingtonpost.c&
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Another article about Bikram's latest scandal. Two Women Claim Bikram Choudhury Raped Them By YOGANONYMOUS Bikram Choudhury raped two students, and his acolytes recruit women for him knowing whatfs in store for them, two Jane Does say in separate lawsuits. Jane Doe No. 2 sued Choudhury and Bikram Yoga College of India in Superior Court on Monday, alleging sexual battery,
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I never had a good feeling about Bikram Choudhury (founder of the successful hot yoga chain) and now he's been accused of rape and human trafficking. Millionaire yoga guru Bikram Choudhury accused of rape and human trafficking By Dominic Rushe, The Guardian Tuesday, May 14, 2013 19:36 EDT Millionaire yoga guru Bikram Choudhury has been accused of rape, sexual assault and “hum
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

When yoga harms Common injuries include rotator cuff, lower back and hamstring problems Common injuries from yoga include rotator cuff, cervical disc, lower back, wrist, hamstring and knee problems. By: Isabel Teotonio Living reporter, Published on Fri Mar 22 2013 Yoga heals. But it can also harm. That’s why Raza Awan, a sports medicine doctor, and Riki Richter, a Pilates and yoga in
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Why is yoga so cult-like? Is it a substitute for organized religion? Yoga can be like a cult; it can take over one’s whole approach to living. Yoga shape a practitioner's approach to living, often as a substitute for seeking spiritual fulfilment and community. By: Ken Gallinger Ethically speaking columnist, Published on Tue Mar 19 2013 Q: Yoga can be like a cult; it can take over one
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Yoga’s evolution: From basement studios to big business Lululemon, large studios contribute to — and profiting from — the recent surge in yoga’s popularity. RENE JOHNSTON When Kathryn Beet started out as a yoga entrepreneur in 1994, there was a sense among Toronto yogis that their quest for spiritual bliss had no place in the business world. At the time, there were six studios in the
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Just found out about this: QuoteJoin world famous author and spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle for his first live Hangout on Air event on Saturday, July 21st at 1pm PST / 4pm EST. Eckhart will interact and answer questions live from preselected individuals during this unique event. I'm thinking it's safe to assume the preselected individuals will be loyal fans who aren't out
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I want to emphasize that the retreat mentioned in the two articles I just posted was no weekend break from everyday living, but a commitment for three years, three months and three days!!! That's a huge chunk of time away from one's family, friends and career. The following is extremely long, but worth wading through. It was written by someone who knew the people involved and has lef
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

More on the above... Mysterious Buddhist Retreat in the Desert Ends in a Grisly Death By FERNANDA SANTOS Published: June 5, 2012 BOWIE, Ariz. — The rescuers had rappelled from a helicopter, swaying in the brisk April winds as they bore down on a cave 7,000 feet up in a rugged desert mountain on the edge of this rural hamlet. There had been a call for help. Inside, they found a jug w
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

This article is a good reminder that people should be cautious and ask questions -- lots of questions -- before placing their trust in any Buddhist/spiritual/yoga teacher, especially when long retreats are involved. Buddhist Yoga Retreat Death Raises Questions An Arizona man who was a member of a Buddhist yoga retreat that his family compared to a cult was found dead in a mountain cave
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

As the baby boomers age they're looking for solutions to help them deal with menopause, high blood pressure, arthritis, etc. Yoga is being increasingly presented as "the answer" with little or no regard for the possible dangers. This article acknowledges that doing yoga, like any other form of exercise, can result in injuries, especially for the most at risk -- the ageing popula
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thanks, EverVigilant. The funny thing is followers of this stuff actually believe they've been empowered and now have all the answers.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteIf anyone has the nerve to suggest that I am 'getting worked up' or 'obsessed' or am 'hating on' Tolle, I have solid reason to write as I do. -- corboy One of the reasons I keep coming back to the RR site is because so few people seem to realize or admit that the emperor is naked. Being around people who buy into this doggy doo is annoying and sometimes it fee
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thinkwise23, you've touched upon a couple of points which have bothered me about Tolle. The first being his unbelievable arrogance. If you agree with him and buy into his BS, then you're ready for "entitlement"... or Trolle's version of it. If you don't buy into the BS, then there's something wrong with you because, of course, Trolle couldn't possibly
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The article below addresses various health and fitness myths. The following sections are especially relevant re. hot yoga: "more sweat = better workout" and "sweat eliminates toxins." I know from experience that some yoga books advocate doing the same poses day after day. It seems odd no one has mentioned that, as with any other form of physical exercise, doing the same thi
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

According to the article below Oprah is losing her influence. If this is true, then this could potentially effect the new age/self-help market as she has been a huge promoter of new age mumbo jumbo. Personally, I'm not so sure she really is losing her influence given that her two shows in Toronto sold out as rapidly as they did, but hey, what do I know? Oprah left off Time’s ‘Most
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

As I've probably mentioned in a previous post, I started doing yoga on my own with a book many years ago as a teenager, before it became the trendy big business it has become. I didn't start practising yoga to bliss out. I was looking for a safe, enjoyable way to exercise and I liked the grace of the poses. What I was consistently attracted to over the years was that every book I rea
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Robyn Okrant devoted a year to following Oprah's advice and wrote a book about her experience. I haven't read it and feel no urge to do so, but having said that the following article is interesting given that so many people (mostly women) do follow Oprah's advice. We never (or at least I never) hear about people who followed her advice and things went badly, whether it's putti
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Another article about Oprah's LifeClass in Toronto. Lessons from Oprah's Lifeclass: sensitivity sells and high heels hurt Sarah Hampson | Columnist profile | E-mail From Wednesday's Globe and Mail Published Tuesday, Apr. 17, 2012 6:03PM EDT Last updated Tuesday, Apr. 17, 2012 6:50PM EDT A woman tapped me on the shoulder from behind. “Put down your Bl
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I figured out how to copy and paste the entire piece mentioned above, including the tweets. Live with Oprah: Sarah Hampson goes to O's LifeClass Published Monday, Apr. 16, 2012 10:15AM EDT Last updated Monday, Apr. 16, 2012 12:03PM EDT The Globe's Sarah Hampson goes to school - she's taking Oprah's LifeClass live in Toronto. O's guest speakers Tony Robbins, De
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Between the inane fortune cookie advice from Oprah's LifeClass "experts" and The Globe and Mail reporter's sarcastic reactions, this is worth reading.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Another take on the Oprah and friends Lifeclass in Toronto. The following paragraph about "the Oprah effect" is interesting. QuoteMany women said they felt stronger, more sure of themselves, because of Oprah. They reflected more. They bettered themselves. They wrote in their gratitude journals. Most had trouble explaining exactly how they improved their lives or those of others a
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

An article in a mainstream newspaper which points out that self-help/new age gurus will fill the air with words which don't necessarily add up to anything meaningful. But people who are addicted to this stuff probably won't care because they crave their fix. Oprah Winfrey’s ‘master teachers’ have much to learn from her By Vinay Menon Entertainment Reporter Apr 16, 2012
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

When I used to have a regular yoga practise I always preferred doing it on my own with books and DVDs... in other words, doing it my way according to my own schedule and energy levels. I found this article interesting as I can't imagine ever putting anyone -- yoga instructor/guru included -- on a pedestal. A shakeup in the yoga world prompts soul-searching WENCY LEUNG From Monday&
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I'm tired and my brain cells are on strike, so when I read the following article I had to read it twice to make sure I wasn't imagining things. According to the journalist who wrote the piece, a yoga studio director supposedly said that "as a hot yoga studio, Moksha Yoga offers the added benefit of skin exfoliation." And this is happening whilst everyone is doing tree po
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

A lengthy article about Oprah and OWN. Can Oprah Winfrey save OWN? Published On Fri Apr 13 2012 By Vinay Menon Staff Reporter When she arrives in town on Monday for her first broadcast on Canadian soil, Oprah Winfrey will try to forget the most daunting challenge of her life. The two sold-out shows at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, the latest stop in “Oprah’s Lifeclass:
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The book Top Secret by Robert M. Price has a chapter on Neale Donald Walsh's Conversations With God.
Forum: Multi Level Marketing and Commercial Schemes

spiritedangel, you're most welcome. I finally finished the book a few days ago. If you decide to read Top Secret, it's worth reading the entire thing as the author will relate stuff in one chapter to previous chapters. He also includes info on The Secret, Deepak Chopra, Eckhart Tolle, Marianne Williamson's A return to love... The last several pages focus on cults in general: wha
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

corboy, it was quite the retreat! I'm glad I listened to my inner guidance system and didn't become more involved because soon after it started I realized it wasn't a good fit for me. When you're in a group situation far away from home and don't know anyone, it's a bit awkward keeping your distance and going your own way, On the other hand, I fell in love with drummi
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"