Transcendental Meditation ← cult recovery 101

Maharishi International University Research Update

Jan

2013

From TM-EX Newsletter, spring 1991 As the methodology of MIU researchers has improved, some of theirstudies report observations that challenge the validity of the TMmovement’s doctrinal stance; for example, a Ph.D. thesis (D, MIU,1989, T735.494, in the MIU library) called The Transcendental Meditationtechnique: A new direction for smoking cessation programs. In thisstudy, 60 percent of ...

MEDITATION, DELUSION AND DECEPTION

Jan

2013

by David J. Bardin, Arent Fox Kintner Plotkin & KahnWashington Counsel for American Family Foundation (AFF) and Cult Awareness Network (CAN) He’s really not so transcendental A true master of mental manipulation has targeted Washington, D.C. Hecalls himself Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. His devotees adore him, simply, as“Maharishi.” He sells Transcendental Meditation, with a capital “M.”It differs ...

Organization and "Front Group" names used by the TM movement

Jan

2013

World Government of the Age of EnlightenmentWorld Plan Executive Council – U.S. (WPEC-US) – umbrellaInternational Meditation Society – listed on brochures as Educational Service of World Plan Executive Council”Students International Meditation Society American Association for Ideal Education – copyright holder on recent brochures (1991)Spiritual Regeneration Movement Foundation (1959) PublishingAge of Enlightenment PressMIU Press Schools – Colleges ...

Heavenly Mountain Tract To Be Sold

Dec

2012

The Watauga Democrat by Kellen Moore A 225-acre tract and three large buildings that were once part of the Transcendental Meditation center at Heavenly Mountain are now up for auction. The property, owned by the Maharishi University of Enlightenment, will be sold online Oct. 25. Once used for women’s educational programs in Transcendental Meditation and ...

Maharishi free school fails to enter pupils for Sats

Dec

2012

Hannah Richardson December 13, 2012 A flagship new free school where pupils practise transcendental meditation twice daily has been reprimanded by the government after it failed to put any of its pupils into compulsory national curriculum tests. Pupils at Lancashire’s Maharishi Free School receive what is described as a “consciousness-based” education. The former private school ...

Yet Another Look At The Transcendental Meditation Paper

Dec

2012

Forbes Larry Husten November 25, 2012 Editor’s note: Below are two responses to Robert Schneider’s defense of his Transcendental Meditation paper, which Schneider wrote in response to my earlier article about the publication of his paper. In the first part I respond to some of the general issues raised by Schneider. The second part, from Sanjay Kaul, addresses the ...

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Leading figures in banned Christian sect go on trial in China August 16, 2018
Beijing regards the Church of Almighty God as a dangerous cultDefendants on trial for the murder of a woman at a McDonald’s restaurant in eastern China in 2014. Her attackers claimed she was a demon when she refused to hand over her mobile phone.Clifford Coonan in BeijingThe Irish Times August 15, 2018China has put leading members of […]
US supports evil cults to destabilize China: expert August 14, 2018
Liu XuanzunGlobal TimesAugust 14, 2018Expert rebukes US for supporting cults to destabilize ChinaThe US is trying to destabilize Chinese society by supporting evil cults in China, and its accusation that the Chinese government is restricting religious freedom is a pack of lies, a Chinese expert said on Tuesday.Article 36 of China's Constitution states that citizens […]
Accused Nxivm sex slaver Allison Mack wants to go to work, school and church August 14, 2018
Emily SaulPage SixAugust 14, 2018Former “Smallville” star and accused Nxivm sex trafficker Allison Mack is asking a judge to ease up on her bail conditions.Mack is currently subjected to GPS-monitored detention at her parents home in Los Alamitos, Calif. — but she is allowed to travel locally to meet with her attorneys, and jet to Brooklyn for court appearances.The 35-year-old’s lawyers […]
Allison Mack’s secret sex cult NXIVM was simply ‘a little edgy’, say lawyers August 14, 2018
Rebecca LewisMetroAugust 14, 2018Smallville star Allison Mack’s secret sex cult NXIV was simply ‘a little edgy’, lawyers for the defendants have claimed.Mack and founder Keith Raniere have been charged with sex trafficking and forced labour conspiracy after claims emerged that Mack had been involved with supplying slaves to 57-year-old Raniere, the leader of an American […]
'I was kidnapped in London and trafficked for sex' August 13, 2018
Sarah McDermottBBC World ServiceAugust 8, 2018Anna came to London from Romania intending to study, but first she needed to earn some money. She took temporary jobs - waitressing, cleaning, maths tutoring. Then one day in March 2011 she was snatched off the street, flown to Ireland and put through nine months of hell.Anna was nearly […]
South Korean 'cult' leader arrested after congregation 'trapped and beaten' on Fiji August 13, 2018
Shin Ok-juJulian RyallThe TelegraphAugust 1, 2018South Korean police have arrested a pastor who allegedly convinced 400 followers to flee to Fiji because a “great famine” was imminent on the Korean Peninsula but then forced her flock to take part in ritual beatings that left one member with brain damage.Shin Ok-ju and three senior members of […]
China launches crackdown on 'Christian CULT': 'Almighty God' leaders facing action August 13, 2018
A CHINESE court has launched proceedings against leading members of the banned religious group "Almighty God", state media reported, the latest crackdown on what the government has labelled a dangerous cult.ExpressAugust 13, 2018China has already sentenced dozens of followers of Quannengshen, or the Church of Almighty God, since the murder of a woman at a […]
Recovery: From Victimhood to Surviving to Thriving August 13, 2018
Dorca MussebICSA Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA July 7, 2018
Faith to Faithless August 13, 2018
Faith to Faithless"Although irreligious people account for an estimated 17%-22% of the world’s population (ICM/BBC), people who do not believe are treated poorly. Discrimination and ill treatment can span multiple areas of life, including the familial, societal, institutional and state level.""Discrimination can be further compounded for those who are minorities within minorities (e.g. Ex Muslims, […]
Losing one's religion August 13, 2018
Imtiaz ShamsFarah HancockNewsroomAugust 7, 2018When Imtiaz Shams realised he no longer believed in religion he thought he was alone.“In the beginning I thought I was the only ex-Muslim in the world, out of 1.6 billion people.”Now Shams, through an advocacy group he co-founded, Faith to Faithless, helps connect and support people who have left religion.He […]
Over the Moon - Escaping the Unification Church August 13, 2018
Talk BeliefsPublished on Aug 12, 2018Photo-illustrated interview with TEDDY HOSE, a former member of the Unification Church (the 'Moonies'), known for its odd practices including stadium-filled mass weddings.Growing up, Teddy knew the Moon family well, including Reverend Moon's youngest son, Sean - now leader of the infamous splinter group, the Sanctuary Church. MARK from Talk […]
Vegan restaurants run by cult leader who 'speaks to God' August 13, 2018
Elizabeth Schumacher DW August 13, 2018A millionaire businesswoman whose followers call her "Supreme Master" is behind a chain of popular vegan cafes, including four in Germany. No one knows how Ching Hai amassed her vast fortune.In just four years, vegan restaurant Loving Hut has opened more than 140 locations in the United States, Austria, Germany, […]
Religious sect's new Swiss home prompts concerns August 12, 2018
IMO Today August 12, 2018A co-operative linked to controversial religious sect that tried to set up a venture in the Isle of Man is creating a stir at its new base in Switzerland.In 2010, concerns were raised with the Bishop over the arrival of German Klaus Pesch in the island and what his plans might […]
Conference: Recovering From Spiritual Abuse August 12, 2018
RECOVERING FROM SPIRITUAL ABUSE, A CONFERENCE FOR CHURCHES, SURVIVORS, AND HELPERSSpiritual Abuse Resources and Meadow Haven have organized a conference on spiritual abuse.Learn How Casualties of Authoritarian Churches and Christian Groups Can Begin to Find Healing and WholenessThis conference provides information and guidance for:those who have experienced spiritual abuse in cults, authoritarian churches, relationships, or […]
Cult leader who promoted child marriage is sentenced August 11, 2018
APAUGUST 11, 2018The Utah man pleaded guilty to sodomy and child bigamy charges.MANTI, Utah - A self-styled prophet who helped lead a Utah doomsday cult that believed in polygamy and promoted child marriage remained defiant Wednesday as he was sent to prison for at least 25 years.John Coltharp, 35, told a judge he was following […]
What do you do when your neighbor is a Neo-Nazi? August 10, 2018
Sara SidnerCNNAugust 10, 2018Ulysses, Pennsylvania (CNN)Daniel Burnside painted a huge swastika on his home. His woodshop dons Nazi carvings and a Nazi flag. A scarecrow made to resemble Adolf Hitler keeps watch in his yard.It all sits atop a hill in this small Rust Belt town, a beacon of hate greeting anyone who drives through.Burnside […]
Narconon (scientology) - former staff member August 10, 2018
"Ex-narconon staff member talks about her journey into scientology via narconon, Discusses the dangerous "rehab" methods, financial coercion, attitude towards children and family, and ultimately her planned escape from the cult."
Cardinal O'Malley opens inquiry into allegations posted online by former seminarians August 10, 2018
WCVB.comAugust 10, 2018O'Malley called alleged activities 'contrary to the moral standards' of priesthoodCardinal Sean O'Malley is opening an inquiry into allegations involving St. John's Seminary, which were posted online over the past week by two former seminarians.The editorial that spawned the inquiry was posted Aug. 3 on a Catholic website, onepeterfive.com, which describes itself as advocating […]
Surviving Scientology's suppression August 10, 2018
Actor shares her story about life after religion Randall King Winnipeg Free PressJuly 23, 2018A few years ago, actor Cathy Schenkelberg was considered enough of a celebrity that she warranted an audition to be Tom Cruise’s new girlfriend in the wake of his breakup with Nicole Kidman./ Winnipeg Free Press)That’s the theory anyway, recounted at the […]