Conny Larsson's memoir (sect'y to Maharishi) released in Sweden

(The book's English translation is in process; distribution is in place)

FREDAGEN DEN 16 APRIL 2010


– Jag talar för vännerna som inte orkade leva mer




Google Translation

Beatles, Hillary Clinton, Michael Jackson. They have all been drawn to charismatic gurus as Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Conny Larsson was the spiritual leader's private secretary and followed him all over the world for many years.

Would learn to fly
The breaking point came when he realized that the TM movement was based on lies.
- Maharashi said he could levitate and make himself invisible. People who wanted to be close to the champion stood and made the world believe that he spoke the truth. Pictures of the boys who flew were presented. I attended a course, for 35 000 SEK and there was certainly no one who learned to fly, "says Conny.
Everything was just cheating and Conny was completely cracked. He says he lost faith that anyone could tell the truth.

Wanted to die
He took refuge in Sri Lanka , bought some land and developed a local tourist. But when he discovered the bribery and corruption in the country, he sank into a depression. So deep that he tried to kill himself. But he was saved by a man who told him of Sai Baba. It was the beginning of 20 years in a new sect. Conny became his devoted disciple and Swedish spokesman.

Was blinded
- My starting point was good and I wanted to get rid of my trauma, I wanted to mean something and help others. But I was so faithful that I was totally blinded. It was a horrible discovery when I realized what I participated in, "says Conny.
He had been living in a snake pit. Sai Baba molested systematically in young boys followed him. Although Conny was exposed.
- I did not realize that we were exploited. He was the ultimate answer to the truth, he did evil to goodness. He was God, so what he did must surely be right, "says Conny.

Would revenge
But constant dripping wears the stone, "says Conny, one day the truth sank in and he dared to step out of the sect.
- It was a terrible struggle. I went from being the golden boy of the inner circle to the 2000s Judas. They wanted to punish me, revenge and slandered me.
- But I have been silenced once before and I will never be more quiet, I'd rather be prepared to lose everything, "he says.
And he has indeed spoken out. 2005 came the book "Behind the clown's mask - Truths, sects and sex" in which he told of his incredible journey. Now he is up to date with "The Beatles, Maharishi and I" which focuses more on others who got into trouble in the sect.

Did a father
- I had several friends who lost everything and who could not manage to live more. It is for those who lost his mind and his voice, which was removed manipulated by cult leader as I write, "he says.
The reason he got stuck in the cult life is to be found in a broken childhood, surrounded by sexual abuse.
- I searched for a father figure, someone who could protect me. I thought that the cult leaders could give me pure love, but it would appear that they were dirtier than anyone else, "says Conny.
Today you can hear him talk more about his life and his books at Ronneby City .

Follow up on Creativity and TM

In response to "comments" on Susan's post

on Creativity and the David Lynch Lynchpin :

Thank you Judy for keen observation and appropriate quotations.

Your intelligence and commitment are admirable qualities. I admire your tenacity to read and consider viewpoints contrary to your own.

Your quotes exemplify potential hazards of cult mentality.

Typical cult-thinking attributes "all good" in life to the guru or the method espoused by the cult leader.

In actuality, talented creative accomplishments derive from the individuals themselves. The TMers you quote on the MUM site were creative on their own. They learned to attribute their creativity to TM (as does Lynch, as did the Beatles for a few brief months).

On the other side of cult thinking, all "bad" or "negativity" in life is attributed to individual shortcomings, or threats from the outside, e.g. "negativity," "stress," "the world of ignorance," "lack of Nature's Support."

Dysfunctional dynamics actually originate from a circuitous closed theology and group dynamic. The problems are then blamed upon individuals' negativity or stress, or association with threatening outside influences.

Some (like Susan) find their creativity diminished when under cult influence. Others (like myself) found their social circle shrink. Others had more dramatic effects. Some had little or no negative effects from association with TM.

The point is to be aware that TM needs a warning label, just like wine contains a warning label.

Some are more vulnerable than others to cultic influence / coercive persuasion. Nothing more.

TM's inocuous presentation is as benign and attractive as "People's Temple" early revival meetings under Jim Jones. The People's Temple in San Francisco at least helped many poor and aged through their nursing homes and civil rights activism, prior to their flight to South America and mass suicide/murder.

Fortunately, MMY does not have the extreme paranoia streak of Jim Jones.

Sadly, society at large tends to ignore the threat of cult seduction and influence until confronted with the extreme drama of Jonestown or the deaths in Waco. Nonetheless, staunch limitations from the True Believer syndrome threaten inner freedom.

Fortunately, MMY is a more astute and focused business man than was Jim Jones. He maintains his compsure through global expansion, and would not request followers to speed up their evolution to enlightenment by ending this incarnation en masse.

Unfortunately, MMY's composure allows others to normalize the group dynamic and limiting mindset of the TMOrg.

Judy, your insights are excellent. Your comments bring pertinent points home for consideration.

Thank you,

Jai Freedom-of-Mind,
Gina

Lifton's Thought Reform Criteria Applied to TM. Part Three of Eight.

Lifton’s Criteria of Thought Reform (1) - Part Three
As applied to Transcendental MeditationTM
Gina Catena, M.S.

You may read Part One of this series by clicking here.
Part Two is available by clicking here.

Lifton’s third criteria for thought reform is “The Demand for Purity.” (2)

THE DEMAND FOR PURITY

For those who succumb to living within the TM Movement full time,

“The world becomes sharply divided into the pure and the impure, the absolutely good (the group/ideology) and the absolutely evil (everything outside the group).” (3)

Once having embraced the TM community mentality, anything outside the TM world may be perceived as a threat. It was frightening for me to consider leaving the TM community many years ago. I was afraid of the “negativity” and “ignorance” of the world. I received praise and validation within the Movement. The “purity” of our devoted community felt safe, despite regimentation, dogma, professional struggles, repressed stories of child neglect and abuse.

I was even more anxious because I lacked (professional and social) skills for the real world, after a lifetime within the Movement. My exhusband, children and I eventually left, stumbled, then thrived.

On a recent phone call, one TM acquaintance expressed fears, “I don’t know how you live out there, Gina. Your spiritual evolution is hindered from being surrounded by so much negtivity. This must be so hard for you. I know how evil the world is out there. I have a cousin strung out on cocaine in San Diego.”

When I explained that her cousin is an exception to the norm, she refused to consider otherwise, insisting, “No, there are rakshasas (evil demons) lurking everywhere out there. Anyone can succumb at any time, just like my cousin. We have the finest purity here. I could never go anywhere else, despite our problems.”

Another middle-aged devotee, also raised in the Movement, traveled the world within the Movement’s echelons for decades. In her fifties, upon returning from her first solo weekend journey exclaimed, “It’s scary out there!” She perceived the world as threatening.

Believing in the power of pure “Vastu architecture”, some TM devotees refuse to enter a building with a south-facing entrance, because it would bring mystical evil energy. These True Believers will only enter buildings of architectural purity, lest they become spiritually tainted by impure architecture. They state they can "think more clearly", or their "consciousness feels expansive" when inside pure Vastu construction.

Others who cannot afford a custom built Vastu-approved home, or an expensive remodel of their existing home, feel inadequate because their home is not appropriately pure. They avoid their south facing entrances, and apologize for lack of proper alignment of walls and windows.

Should I rejoice that True Believers avoid my home’s south-facing front entrance? In actuality, it saddens me. They could blame my south facing entryway as the evil influence upon my consciousness, inspiring this impure essay!

Each year upon his deemed birthday, January 12th, Maharishi emerges from his annual “period of silence” to inspire the Movement for the coming year’s momentum. Devoted followers “must continually change or conform to the group norm." (4) He announces another standard of inspirational purity with each new year.

The TM group norm continually changes. This keeps everyone striving for the utmost growth in purity. In the 1970’s women were required to dress in casually elegant business attire. Now women often wear sarees regardless of their culture of origin.

In the sixties and seventies, astrology and other esoterica were frowned upon; Maharishi directed us not to dabble in other forms of spirituality. We were to "protect the purity of the teaching." TM followers cheated to study astrology, past lives or other mystical teachings. Seeing a potential customer base, the TM Movement then cornered the market on esoterica with trademarked astrology, music, jyotishi consultants (Hindu mystics), mystical gem sales, architectural styles and expensive yagyas (spiritual ceremonies) to generate higher consciousness, perfect health and prosperity. Outside sources of esoterica are considered not as pure as those promoted by Maharishi’s organization.

Of course, that of the utmost "purity" (from Maharishi) comes with the highest price tag, most exclusive social circles, and greatest restrictions upon outside influence.

“Tendencies towards guilt and shame are used as emotional levers for the group's controlling and manipulative influences.” (5)

The basic concept is if one stays “with the program” he or she will eventually receive the carrot on a stick – pure bliss or enlightenment. If one leaves, he or she risks losing everything.

Another devotee jokes of having been a “rascal on the spiritual path,” as if following inner dictates were inherently impure, rather than a joyous celebration of individuality. Personal directives would deter one from the “Path.” The “Path” as outlined by Maharishi, is the only recognized pure method of spiritual advancement.

How sad to self-judge and restrict oneself, for having an inner sense of purpose.

When my good friend’s son died of an inoperable brain tumor in San Diego, a Maharishi University faculty member told her husband, “Your son died because you left the life supporting influence of our TM community.” In essence, the University faculty member said their son's tragic death was due punishment for having left Fairfield.

True devotees hold themselves to high standards of purity, continually failing to attain perfection. And we thought Catholic guilt was bad!

“Once a person has experienced the totalist polarization of good/evil (black/white thinking), he has great difficulty in regaining a more balanced inner sensitivity to the complexities of human morality.” (6)

Real life has grey zones, where an individual determines one’s own balance among conflicting demands.

When a person bases his or her life upon externally derived definitions of right from wrong, he or she may lose the ability to make personal value-judgments.

Personal self determination is especially difficult for those coming through my home after having been raised within the TM Movement. This difficulty with self-determination may account for the frequency with which many former TMers become guru-hoppers (not levitating, but jumping between various spiritual groups). Many leave TM’s dysfunction, but seek other external directives or group definition.

Even long after leaving the TM community, many individuals continue to judge others as “good” or “bad” according to a pre-measured determination of “spirituality.” Their TM-based internalized idealism continues as the barometer of worthiness.

There is no “all good”, nor “all bad”, even within the TM Movement. Most would agree that those attracted to our cult's idealism are kind, well-intentioned, idealistic individuals. We created a sweet caring community. Our goal was Utopia. In some ways, that was achieved! Many benefited through TM and association with the organization. However, many were seriously damaged.

True devotees were indoctrinated through programmatic thought reform methods (commonly known as “mind control” or “brainwashing”). Not everyone succumbs to full indoctrination, as Joe Kellet describes in his “free fall down TM’s rabbit hole.”

Those who experienced the “free fall down TM’s rabbit hole” are challenged when integrating into society. They must self determine without a spiritual drill-sargent. The challenge lies in the battle within one's own mind. In real life, there is no "absolute purity" for which to strive.

Dedicated in loving memory to: Carolyn, Ana, Doug, Levi, Marsten, Randy, Linda, Kevin and others who no longer are with us in spite of, or because of, their devotion to this “Path to Enlightenment.”

Click here for Parts Four and Five.

1. Lifton, R. (1989) Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism. Chapel Hill. University of North Carolina Press.
2. ibid Lifton
3. ibid Lifton
4. ibid Lifton
5. ibid Lifton
6. ibid Lifton

Victims, Veterans, and Victors

Something has niggled at the back of my head from the days when I founded trancenet.org in September 1995. Something that wouldn't quite lay still. But I just couldn't put my finger on it, until the last couple of months.

I'm just not "anti-cult."

Heck, I like John Travolta's movies -- I don't care if he is a Scientologist. Ditto for David Lynch and TM.

I think some of the people I met in the TM movement were some of the finest I've met anywhere. Whether they realize it or not, to the hard-core believer, TM is their religion, their world view. It must hurt like hell to see it torn to shreds. Even worse to be ridiculed in front of the Internet.

I'm not willing to live in fear of taboo-laden groups like Scientology and TM. Nor am I willing to run away from all forms of spirituality. I want to stand for something, not just spend my life obsessing on my "enemy's" shortcomings.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not wimping out. Just thinking out loud.

I found that when a friend asked what I was doing with my career, I would sheepishly mumble, "I'm working with an anti-cult group."

When I caught myself doing this, it was a real danger signal to me.

I thought, "What is it I really want to do here? What do I want to be my life's work? I've been given an extraordinary opportunity. I have to grab hold of this."

What I came up with: I don't care what people believe. The last thing we need is another excuse to persecute unpopular religions or ethnic groups. I'm not interested in hurting people.

If I'm going to do this I want to spread a little joy.

Finally, I just don't think of myself as a victim. I'm tired of people offering me the eyes-downcast type of condolences usually reserved for the bereaved. I feel, in fact, somewhat condescended to.

Here's the deal:

I don't want to be "anti" anything. I want to be pro-freedoms.

And I don't think anybody exiting a "cult" wants to hear that they're victims. Heck, can you see it? One day you believe you're a god, the next everyone is offering you sympathy because you're somehow damaged?

I think that we former cult members, have something extraordinary to offer future generations.

We went through a tremendous mind-f**k -- and we not only survived, we prospered.

We know things about human nature and the mind that those of you who haven't experienced thought reform can not imagine. Things that the "lay" audiences we talk to will never dream of -- and probably couldn't have survived. (Think of how many never get out who were in as deep as we were!)

I fight for the recognition of a new set of freedoms -- psychological and spiritual freedoms. And the survivors we work with simply won't be victims. They'll be veterans -- and even victors.

The psychological freedoms model is too confined by the cult world. The same model encompasses manipulation by therapists, controlling spouses, clergy, governments. It all began with Lifton's, Singer's, and West's work with returning US soldiers brainwashed in Korea, after all.

The public certainly needs a little wake up call. Most people believe battered women should just walk away. That propaganda was something only practiced during WWII. That suckers somehow asked to be duped out of their life savings and their lives.

I expect much more to say on the question of victims vs. veterans in coming days.

I hope you'll lend me your time and attention and together we can sort these thoughts out.