IndoctriNation

Cult Hopping Chronicles pt. 2: Unraveling The Threads Of Control with Cara Cordoni

May 7, 2025
Cara Cordoni, a leadership coach and survivor of various cult experiences, shares her gripping journey through the International School of Temple Arts. She reveals the manipulative tactics that blur consent and agency in high-control environments. Their conversation dives into the psychological impact of coercive practices, groupthink dynamics, and the normalization of harmful behaviors. Cara emphasizes community support and accountability in spiritual spaces, advocating for safer practices through her work with 3SC. Her resilience shines through as she reclaims her voice after trauma.
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ANECDOTE

Cara's Initial ISTA Experience

  • Cara Cordoni shared her initial excitement about ISTA's promises and her experience joining their week-long retreat in California.
  • She described the pressure to fit in and the invitation to take off clothing during practices, highlighting early subtle coercion.
INSIGHT

Normalized Sexual Boundary Crossings

  • The organization's claim of no sexual boundaries between teachers and students normalizes inappropriate interactions under the guise of oversight.
  • This approach creates dangerous power dynamics that many participants fail to critically question due to group conformity.
ADVICE

Question Intense Emotional States

  • Beware when groups encourage intense states of vulnerability to bypass critical thinking.
  • Question what ideas or programming are planted while you're in altered, highly activated emotional states.
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