The unsettling rise of cult-like behavior in spiritual spaces.
Over the years, through conversations with friends and my own experiences, I’ve realized that I know way too many people who have been involved in cults. It’s a strange and troubling trend, and I’m not sure if it’s because I spent a lot of time in Northern California—a region where everyone seems to be a yoga teacher, a shaman, or a frequent participant in ayahuasca ceremonies. The area's inclination towards alternative spirituality might make it more likely to cross paths with those who’ve been pulled into these cult-like groups.
WAIT, THAT WAS TOTALLY A CULT-ISH
My first brush with this phenomenon occurred when I watched Wild Wild Country, a documentary about the Osho movement. It brought back a vivid memory from when I first moved to San Francisco. A friend invited me to what I now recognize as an initiation ceremony, though at the time, I had no idea what it was. We went to a luxurious house in Marin County, filled with people in their 50s, all dressed in maroon and orange robes. It didn’t seem strange then; nobody pressured me to do anything, and the event was actually quite pleasant. But watching the documentary years later, I had a “Wow, that’s what that was!” moment.
Another encounter with a similar situation happened after attending a beautiful spiritual event where I had some amazing synchronicities with one of the women there. We stayed in touch, and it turns out she was heavily involved with the RaMa Institute—a group that’s now under scrutiny, with a documentary on the way and articles already circulating. She refers to that time as her “cult yoga days,” and I admire her ability to hold space for the complexities of her experiences. I’m eager to see how her story unfolds.
AUTHENTIC LEADERSHIP & GENUINE CONNECTIONS
Then there’s OneTaste. This one really hits home because it was so pervasive in the San Francisco Bay Area. Orgasm Inc., a documentary on Netflix, delves into the disturbing aspects of this organization, and honestly, it makes me cringe. At one point, there were far too many people involved with it. I had a few brushes with its faculty and execs, but luckily, I was surrounded by clear-seeing friends who steered me away from getting too involved. Some even warned me, saying, “I’ve been there; it’s weird, not good.” (You know who you are!)
But I think we’re at a turning point. We are entering an era where these cult-like spiritual leaders and their house-of-cards empires are being dismantled in favor of authentic leadership and genuine connection. One of the reasons I stepped back from social media was the constant bombardment of so-called “spiritual guides” who had followers and engagement but lacked any real substance. It was disheartening and made me sad—and yes, angry—especially when clients would come to me after getting a reading from a famous Instagram or TikTok account and say, “They didn’t really give me anything. I have so much more clarity after one session with you!”
It’s frustrating because I’m not an influencer, nor do I want to be. My goal has always been to help people. I’ve spent decades—and perhaps even lifetimes—cultivating the knowledge I have, and in the grand scheme of things, I know there’s always more to learn.
So, here I am, in my little corner of the world, offering authentic spiritual healing and guidance to those who seek it. Whether it’s through remote sessions or, hopefully soon, in-person retreats, I’m committed to creating a space for genuine connection and healing. Let’s move forward with our eyes open, recognizing the spiritual red flags and seeking out the true, grounded, and healing spaces we all deserve.
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