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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Shut Up, Satan: Rome Course Teaches Exorcism, Even by Cellphone April 21, 2018
Master class on how to yell at the devil on your cellphone.JASON HOROWITZNew York TimesApril 19, 2018 ROME — Andrés Cárdenas sat in the back of the auditorium, opened his folder and took careful notes as a Catholic cardinal with decades of experience casting demons out of possessed bodies gave a master class on how […]
What are the psychological effects of losing your religion? April 21, 2018
Christian JarrettBPS Research DigestApril 6, 2018For many, their religion is a core part of their identity, the meaning they find in life, and their social world. It seems likely that changing this crucial aspect of themselves will have significant psychological consequences. A devout person would probably predict these will be unwelcome – increased emotional distress, […]
Falun Gong: Two decades after a deadly ban in China, adherents still face pressure in Australia April 21, 2018
In Melbourne's CBD, a handful of Falun Gong practitioners tend a folding table full of campaign pamphlets. Vicky Xiuzhong Xu and Bang XiaoABC OnlineApril 21, 2018"Heaven will destroy the Chinese Communist Party" and "stop organ harvesting in China" read the slogans — for years, practitioners of Falun Gong have campaigned on the streets of Australia.Key points:Falun Gong […]
Waco: Branch Davidian memorial service draws about 100 April 21, 2018
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Court orders Raniere to pay $444,000 in legal fees April 20, 2018
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Allison Mack, 'Smallville' actor, arrested in connection with alleged sex cult April 20, 2018
Allison MackChris JancelewiczGlobal NewsApril 20, 2018Mack, who played Chloe on the superhero show, is due to appear in federal court in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Friday. She was arrested by the FBI, but as of this writing it’s unclear what charges she faces.It’s expected that they’ll be related to recruitment of women into the group, and […]
Exorcism - how does it work and why is it on the rise? April 18, 2018
It’s not always about demonsHelen Hall - Senior Lecturer, Nottingham Law School, Nottingham Trent UniversityThe ConversationApril 17, 2018Disclosure statementHelen Hall is affiliated with Church of EnglandPartnersNottingham Trent University provides funding as a member of The Conversation UK.Exorcism is again in the news, as the Vatican announces a new training course will be held to meet increased […]
EVENT: Understanding Religious Abuse and Recovery Conference April 18, 2018
April 21, 2018 at 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Littleton, COHampton Inn & Suites Denver Littleton, 7611 Shaffer Pkwy, Littleton, CO 80127, USA https://www.becomingfree.org/events-2/understanding-religious-abuse-and-recovery-conference
Wild Wild Country’s Ma Anand Sheela Went From Cult Leader to Criminal to Meme April 16, 2018
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University of Queensland launches investigation after researchers promote Universal Medicine 'cult' April 15, 2018
Josh RobertsonABCApril 15, 2018Researchers who promoted an alleged cult and showcased its bizarre healing claims in published studies have embroiled one of Australia's top universities in an academic misconduct probe.Key points:*UQ faculty members promote unproven treatments linked to alleged cult*International journals considering pulling research*University launches conflict-of-interest investigationThe University of Queensland (UQ) and two international medical […]
Bhagwan and me: Ireland not immune to draw of controversial Indian guru April 15, 2018
Ireland is not immune to the draw of controversial Indian guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. John Meagher speaks to Irish devotees of the flamboyant spiritual leader who owned a fleet of Rolls-Royces, tried to build a city in Oregon and is the subject of a major TV documentary.Irish Independent NewsApril 15 2018It was March 18, […]
Leader of secretive group ordered by judge to stay in jail April 15, 2018
VERENA DOBNIKAssociated PressApr 13, 2018NEW YORK (AP) - The leader of a secretive group accused of coercing female followers into having sex and getting branded with his initials faced a federal judge, who ordered him to remain behind bars weeks after his arrest in Mexico.Keith Raniere responded "Yes, your honor" when Judge Steven L. Tiscione on Friday […]
The preacher who used Christianity to revive the Ku Klux Klan April 15, 2018
Methodist preacher used religion to justify terrorismDeNeen L. Brown The Washington PostApril 15, 2018 It was approaching midnight on Oct. 16, 1915, when Methodist preacher William Joseph Simmons and at least 15 other men climbed Stone Mountain in Georgia. They built an altar, set fire to a cross, took an oath of allegiance to the […]
Alleged sex cult leader insists everything was consensual April 14, 2018
Kevin Fasick and Laura ItalianoNY PostApril 13, 2018He’s accused of having his stable of female “sex slaves” forcibly branded with a flesh-burning cauterizing gun — but on Friday, upstate cult leader Keith Raniere insisted through his lawyers that the gals all agreed to everything.“We don’t think there is any non-consensual criminal conduct, and we think that will […]
NXIVM cult leader Keith Raniere accused of raping 12-year-old girl in Upstate NY April 13, 2018
Geoff Herbert Syracuse.comApril 13, 2018NXIVM cult leader Keith Ranierehas been accused of raping a 12-year-old girl in Upstate New York, according to new court documents.According to the Daily Mail , Raniere's group hired the girl as a dogwalker specifically so he could get close to her in 1990, when he was in his late 20s in Clifton Park, N.Y. […]
KCR, Naidu Run After Spiritual Gurus! April 13, 2018
Greatandhra.comApril 13 , 2018It looks like Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and his Andhra Pradesh counterpart N Chandrababu Naidu have developed a lot of affinity for spiritual gurus to promote their respective political images in the public.While KCR has been pampering yoga guru Baba Ramdev, Naidu has been seeking the blessings of celebrity spiritual […]
Accused Albany cult leader to be in court Friday April 13, 2018
WHECApril 12, 2018Accused Albany cult leader Keith Raniere is set to be arraigned in federal court in Brooklyn Friday.Court papers say Raniere had women sexually groomed for him and some were branded with his initials.Thursday night News10NBC is also learning more about what was taken from the Halfmoon House of NXIVM's president.The Times Union reports […]
NXIVM founder to appear in federal court April 12, 2018
Spectrum News StaffApril 11, 2018NXIVM founder Keith Raniere is scheduled to appear in federal court this week.The leader of a so-called cult based in the Capital Region is set to be arraigned in Brooklyn on charges of sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit forced labor. That's according to the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District […]
Sex trafficking Facebook posts investigated in Clarence, Williamsville area April 12, 2018
NEW YORK STATE POLICE Major Edward J. KennedyTroop A CommanderPRESS RELEASE Sex trafficking Facebook posts investigated in Clarence, Williamsville areaOn April 11, 2018, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) out of SP Clarence reviewed Facebook posts in which unknown female subjects approached individuals at local retail stores and spoke with them in an evangelical way causing suspicion. […]