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A Little Bit Culty
Jules Hartley: “Breath of Fire” and the Cult of Kundalini Yoga (Part 1)
Dec 9, 2024
Jules Hartley, an actress and naturopathic physician featured in HBO's "Breath of Fire," shares her harrowing experience escaping the cult-like Ra Ma Institute where Kundalini yoga was practiced under Guru Jagat. She discusses the alluring yet troubling aspects of Kundalini yoga, including its dark history of manipulation and abuse. Jules also reflects on her transformative but confusing experiences during yoga sessions and the emotional turmoil following a rebirthing workshop. Her insights shed light on the complexities of spiritual communities and the challenges of breaking free.
48:40
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Quick takeaways
- Kundalini Yoga, founded by Yogi Bhajan, intertwines intense breathing and meditation practices with a dark cult-like history of manipulation.
- Guru Jagat perpetuated Yogi Bhajan's control tactics at the Ra Ma Institute, fostering a culture of obedience and financial exploitation.
Deep dives
Origins and Control of Kundalini Yoga
Kundalini Yoga emerged in the late 1960s through the influence of Yogi Bhajan, who marketed it as an intense spiritual practice combining breathing exercises and meditation. His approach involved strict oversight of his followers' lives, controlling aspects such as their diets, clothing, and relationships. Bhajan founded the Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization, or 3HO, which functioned like a cult by enforcing collective rules and demanding monetary donations from followers, despite his financial successes from products like Yogi Tea. His legacy of control has persisted even after his death in 2004, with many of his teachings and practices remaining in the curriculum of various studios and teachers, leading to continued patterns of manipulation.
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Discover
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