When Rape is Right- You Might be in a Cult

There is a charlatan's scam being sold as a world-saving "technology."

Now that I have seen it- it is hard for me to imagine that anyone can miss this cult. It is still invisible
even after it has been pointed out.
I have spent several weeks trying to sort through the paradox of the conflicting belief systems and use of exchanging them to suit a manipulative purpose. I realize now the trickery spreads far beyond the Kundalini. Its conception is as integrated as the use of the spiritual ideas in yoga. Using words that do not translate accurately between Eastern ideology and Western psychology is the basis for the entire scam.
Ego and projection are both standard terms used in psychology and yoga. What I was not picking up on was that yoga uses the Eastern/Buddism understandings which put a spin on the meanings as compared to Western psychology's use. The Buddhist version can create a system of self-shaming in people with conscientious aspirations. Those who tend to be people pleasers are at the highest risk.  This widespread yogic belief quickly becomes a process of enlightenment. The chase for perfection and perhaps a pat on the head from our mentor drives us. Critical judgment of our feelings, ideas, and perceptions become the monster within that requires correction. We are told over and over that this is necessary to elevate your consciousness- to be happy and to be able to think of yourself as a "good" person. The result for those of us stuck in the cycle is that it keeps us in constant conflict with our nature and makes us feel the need to better our-self.

Coming out of the yoga bubble I see that this whole concept is a never-ending circular worldview. The ego is as integral as me believing anything I think. Projection equals any discernment I make. We have created an entire world where I can trust none of my thoughts- nothing is real through this lens. This means if I dare make any choice, judgment call, or life decision it could be construed to be a character flaw. I must sacrifice my perceptions to avoid criticism from myself, but also my guru. It is a belief system promotes seeing all experiences, even criminal violations, as part of my karmic path. I am to use everything as self-growth rather than believe myself violated. There is a virtuous side of this notion that provides much tolerance. It seems to be an oasis of blissful non-judgment where we might live peacefully. I lived an experience that showed me just how quickly it can become a victim-blaming system that causes must inner conflict, pain and harsh judgment.

For example: If a child is molested by someone and I believe he is a predator am I justified or is this merely a projection I am making?

“Sometimes rape’s right,” he said, “sometimes it’s wrong.”

                                                  Let's thoroughly explore this thought.

By the Indian yogic perspective, I was being taught not to project my beliefs onto the happening- to remain neutral and non-reactive. Only my Ego would believe that I know something is wrong with any person. Instead, I am to calmly ask myself, "What might I learn from this?" The belief is that every happening is simply a part of our path. The child in our example earned this treatment, in this lifetime or a past one, and this "lesson" serves some bigger spiritual advancement purpose. This child may carry their own or perhaps the "family karma." In this worldview, the child will likely either also go on to abuse keeping the family karma going or be a path changer in this lifetime.

 As you can see, there can be severe conflicts when inviting in new cultural understandings even when they at first seem benign. With the knowledge that you are weighing in on a new way of seeing the world consciously, you might be apt to apply more critical thinking. I didn't understand my mentor's basis for counsel. I had not been introduced to these ideas in a way that presented them clearly and allowed me to make a sound judgment call as to whether or not I choose to accept this worldview and live by it. By the time I realized the conflicting belief systems, I had found myself with one foot in each reality with a traumatic event to process. The experience was disorienting to my sense of justice and self-worth as I tried to decide between my right and my "path." The interesting part is that I had not even realized my belief system was in question until I was faced with the crisis.

There were signs I could have picked up on- my teachers often disagreed with my thoughts when I would express them out loud. There was always something "wrong" in my understandings of what they were teaching. I wondered if they misunderstood the information I was presenting. I would go back and check myself but could not figure out where my explanation had gone wrong. I sometimes got blank stares, smirks as if I were crazy, at times I had even been shushed when I shared in class. I did not understand the conflict between my Western medicine and psychology based analogies. I had no idea I had just not absorbed their belief system properly. Despite the discrepancies, I stayed true to my knowledge. My version created a science/yoga connection that intrigued me. This understanding is what proves yoga is medically sound and a useful self-help method.

My studio's yoga was constructing a movement toward changing our Western belief system. This seems to be the case in other studios as well. The yogic principles are life altering to Westerners. The application of these rules do not fit our laws nor follow most Western religious belief systems. These cultural discrepancies are not disclosed nor understood by many yoga students. The assertion that yoga is not a religion fails to explain that it is a belief system. The assurance of it not being a religious conflict issue helps it escape being critically analyzed. It is perceived as non-threatening and sold as a path to wellness and happiness.

Through yoga, I have wanted to give people tools to empower themselves. Yoga can teach people to become their own healers. There are methods of practicing that do allow you to remain genuinely independent and authentic to your chosen belief system. There are even purely psychology based ways of working on bettering yourself just through mindfulness and application of your own values. Science has provided us with secular self-discovery methods that are easily taught alongside yoga.

This secular self-preserving methodology is not of traditional yoga. It is not based on Indian culture, and it is also not being used by many studios. There is a huge deterrent to Western ways, and it has nothing to do with effectiveness or tradition.  It has everything to do with business and power- Western methodology does not necessitate gurus. The guru is the yoga teacher in this case which comes at a very steep cost both financially and to your independent thought. The entire structure is a set-up to elevate the teacher to a power position while also creating need and dependency in the student.

Think of it in comparison to a standard psychics ruse. The psychic finds a curse or dilemma that requires their services to keep people dependent on them. Chakra balancing, past life regressions, soul retrievals are all common yogic practices that equate to money-draining schemes. Yoga in this capacity is turned into a never-ending a "path" that requires healings, mentoring and endless self-work. Even more perverse, this can elevate the teacher to an idol. It is a common belief in the Indian culture that yoga masters can change the weather and other magical notions.

People are innocently entering into this realm of fantasy. They are only having fun and enjoying life. The emotional ties that are created as well as the seeping in of new beliefs that goes unnoticed can quickly find you spellbound into this cult. Perhaps, by acknowledging it, you can prevent being exploited. If you are in this type of yoga environment and have not yet seen the dangerous cult aspects, you might begin by taking a moment to add up your spending on anything yoga realted. From there consider the time you dedicate to all things yoga. Has yoga begun to control your life?

Please educate yourself. Read about cults, watch a documentary or look on Youtube for more information.