Jules Hartley, a former TV and film worker turned Kundalini yoga practitioner, shares her intense journey within the 3HO community. She discusses her deep dedication to Yogi Bhajan's teachings, leading to a consuming lifestyle that left her broke and ill. Jules opens up about escaping the group's control and her path to recovery. The conversation also touches on political triggers for former cult members, and the importance of self-reflection in breaking free from manipulative leadership. It's a powerful narrative of resilience and rediscovery.
Jules Hartley recounts her initial appeal to 3-H's teachings during a tumultuous period in her acting career, which spiraled into fanatical devotion and severe personal consequences.
She reflects on the psychological impact of indoctrination, detailing a sense of paranoia and isolation that stifled her personal agency and blurred reality.
The podcast highlights social media's role in creating a supportive community for former members to share their experiences and expose the organization's abusive practices.
Deep dives
Jules Hartley's Journey into 3-H
Jules Hartley describes her initial attraction to the 3-H organization, which she joined after experiencing personal losses and emotional turmoil while attempting to establish her acting career in Los Angeles. Seeking solace and meaning, she turned to Kundalini Yoga, facilitated by Yogi Bhajan's teachings, which quickly became central to her identity. After a pivotal summer solstice event in New Mexico, where she experienced intense indoctrination and engagement in high-demand practices, she devoted extensive hours daily to the teachings and community. This deep commitment marked the beginning of her near fanatical involvement, which would ultimately prove detrimental to her health and finances.
The Impact of Indoctrination and Isolation
Hartley reflects on the psychological effects of indoctrination she underwent at 3-H, including heightened paranoia and a sense of isolation from the outside world. She recalls feeling trapped by the belief that outside forces were monitoring her thoughts and actions, a fear rooted in the organization's teachings. Over time, her dedication evolved into a routine that consumed her time and mental energy, blurring the lines between personal agency and communal obligations. These experiences led her to distrust outside relationships and cultivate an intense internal conflict as she struggled with her transition out of this environment.
The Role of Social Media in Uncovering Abuse
Jules discusses how social media became an essential tool for former members of 3-H to share their experiences and expose the organization's underlying issues, particularly regarding allegations of abuse and misconduct. The collective nature of these revelations allowed individuals to feel supported in their narratives, which contrasted starkly with the control they once experienced. Isolation during the pandemic further fueled discussions within Facebook groups and Instagram, leading to a newfound transparency regarding the harmful practices within 3-H. This community-driven effort to shed light on past abuses marked a significant shift in perception, enabling former members to reclaim their voices and experiences.
The Disconnect Between Teaching and Practice
The podcast highlights the discrepancies between Yogi Bhajan's teachings and his personal actions, particularly regarding sexual misconduct, which left followers grappling with their faith in the organization. Hartley stresses how the surfacing stories about Bhajan’s unethical behavior catalyzed her realization that his teachings were not grounded in truth, leading to a deep sense of betrayal among many in the community. She points out that while the organization marketed itself as a path to spiritual enlightenment, it was built on misleading promises that often left members feeling exploited and emotionally drained. This realization ultimately played a crucial role in her departure from 3-H and the ongoing challenges of processing her past involvement.
Healing and Rebuilding after Cult Involvement
In her journey towards recovery, Hartley emphasizes the importance of seeking therapy and building connections with others who have had similar experiences of exiting cult-like environments. She discusses how taking time away from the practices and teachings that once dominated her life has allowed her to rediscover her personal identity and find balance. Additionally, her application to medical school signifies a commitment to a new chapter, where she can focus on healing and helping others rather than being entrenched in the organization’s manipulative structures. Hartley's story serves as a reminder of resilience and the possibility of reclaiming one’s life after navigating the complexities of indoctrination and abuse.
After four successful years of working on TV shows and films in New York City, Jules Hartley thought it would be a good idea for her to move to LA.
A couple of years into her Hollywood journey, she discovered Kundalini yoga as taught specifically by Yogi Bhajan and the Golden Bridge Yoga Studio in Hollywood. She was instantly hooked and began what turned into a seven and a half year stint as a hardcore and fanatical member of what is now The Rama Yoga Institute, 3HO, and their brand of Sikhism.
The yoga and meditation lifestyle given by Yogi Bhajan thus became her entire universe, and within a year or two, she was devoting up to 18 hours a day, to practices that Yogi Bhajan said would ultimately make her life better and get her to "ascend".
Jules explains to Rachel why she ultimately ended up leaving Hollywood in 2018, very sick after her experiences, and completely broke as she had given her money over to this group. She details her experiences leaving the intense systemic control of this cultic yoga group and provides insight on her journey to recovery.
Before You Go: Rachel shares her perspective on the results of the 2020 U.S Presidential Election and provides insight into why people who have left cults were so triggered by the US president for the last 4 years and how he behaved, and were so troubled by seeing how many militant hate groups and conspiratorial groups like QAnon felt supported by him.
Thanks to our newest Patrons: Rachel McDonald, Ilze Dempsey, Martyna Smuga
and Tracie Laymon
Learn more about Yogi Bhajan and 3HO here:
https://youtu.be/_uLU-a5gZOI
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/271568190_From_Maharaj_to_Mahan_Tantric_The_Construction_of_Yogi_Bhajan%27s_Kundalini_Yoga
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