Matthew Remski - SITUATIONALLY VULNERABLE

My guest today is Matthew Remski. Through his personal involvement in two cults, Matthew became interested in researching and writing about abuse and cult dynamics. I met Matthew through a facebook group that was discussing the revelations from Pamela Sahara Dyson's book about her life with Yogi Bhajan (published 1/8/2020). This book has opened the floodgates for people sharing abuse stories that had previously been silenced, and has inspired Matthew to write several blog pieces on this topic (links below). I encourage you to check out Matthew's book Practice and All Is Coming: Abuse, Cult Dynamics, and Healing in Yoga and Beyond, available here: http://matthewremski.com/wordpress/books/wawadia-main/ For more info on Matthew: http://matthewremski.com/

In this episode Matthew discusses...

• how he came to be involved in two different cults
• what it means to be situationally vulnerable
• power tactics cult leaders employ
• how cult leaders use the goodness of their followers to recruit new members
• the distinction with being a "member" and a "consumer" in a cult dynamic
• the epic reach of the kundalini yoga community and how difficult it is to draw clear "cult" lines
• Pamela Sahara Dyson's recently published memoir: Premka: White Bird in a Golden Cage

I hope this gives you some food for thought, and encourages a lot more questions and insights! 

Books/articles/websites he recommends:

• Steve Hassan: Bite Model
• Combatting Cult Mind Control by Steve Hassan
• "But Kundalini Yoga Works | Some Considerations" blog by Matthew Remski
• "Cult Dynamics in Yoga and Buddhism: Recognition, Recovery, and Resilience" blog by Matthew Remski
• "From Maharaj to Mahan Tantric: The Construction of Yogi Bhajan’s Kundalini Yoga" academic essay by Philip Deslippe
• "Take Back Your Life: Recovering from Cults and Abusive Relationships" book by Janja Lalich and Madeleine Tobias

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ABOUT YOUR HOST:
Sirgun Kaur is a Sacred Songstress and Spiritual Coach who helps sensitive people focus their thoughts and become the spiritual teachers they came here to be. She has released seven albums and a variety of singles. For more info on coaching or events, email info@sirgunkaur.com or visit https://sirgunkaur.com