Unveiling Andrew Cohen - How I Created A Cult - S01 EP01 - Cult Documentary
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- Опубликовано: 20 окт 2023
- Explore the shocking truth behind the rise and fall of Andrew Cohen's spiritual cult. From initial devotion to the harsh realities of life within the community, witness firsthand accounts of devotion, manipulation, and ultimate escape. Learn how a charismatic guru can lead followers into a world of authoritarianism and the struggles they face in breaking free.
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Delve into the enigmatic world of a notorious American guru in How I Created a Cult. This compelling three-part documentary series unveils the shocking truth of psychological manipulation, financial exploitation, and relentless control exerted over devoted followers. With candid interviews from former disciples and 25 years of archival material, the show traces the descent from idealistic origins to the downfall of a global spiritual empire valued at millions. How I Created a Cult scrutinises the allure of charismatic leaders and how noble intentions can spiral into darkness under authoritarian rule. It's a profound exploration of power's corrupting influence, the perils of charismatic figures, and the high cost of surrendering all to an idea or individual.
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I was a student of Andrew Cohen from 1995-1999. Back then most of us did not know much about cults. All of us are susceptible to getting involved in high demand/high control groups, regardless of low or high education levels. I don’t regret my time there, but I certainly would not recommend that type of experience to others. I do think Cohen is delusional and I believe he has never come clean on his major abuse of power. The documentary series left out some of the most horrible and probably illegal things he did to certain students. He almost destroyed some individuals. His techniques were absurd. He had no idea what he was doing…especially when it came to dealing with anyone that had unresolved trauma from childhood, which I am certain included many students. Just unbelievable. Glad I got out when I did.
In a different way, but still so much abuse. His company was a kind of cult.
If a person calls themselves a spiritual teacher, that's your first sign to turn and run the other way.
I was living down the road at Kripalu when this clown had his cult in full swing.
He helped me to understand that no individual should be put on a pedestal and that a true teacher is more about their students rather than their own self-glorification.
I'm a real spiritual teacher. But I'm only getting you to realize the entire purpose of spiritual teaching is the knowledge of a philosophy called "killing the teacher" that's the real stuff. Knowledge of self is only something you can teach in a effort to invalidate anyone outside of your self . You simply get someone to the place they realize there is no enemy but the inner me and until you defeat the inner me , you will seek outer me's to scam you.
This is real spiritual teacher. It doesn't cost money. It's a relationship of love that is very temporary.
Listen to the book Jonathan Livingston seagull.
Thank you... In my house we read this book often as young children...My Grandmother and Aunty also left this book available to us kids. We loved it
Jesus, Mohammed, Buddha springs to mind...
@@Burning_Babylon If you're not teaching salvation in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, you're teaching demonic lies.
The bastardisation of eastern religions by lost westerners is so tiresome and boring and childish.
I like the Zen master's response to a student who said "nothing is real, all is illusion..." etc. The Zen master hit the student across the head with his stick and the student responded with anger, the master then said "if nothing is real and all is illusion, where did that anger come from?!"
…and low and behold, after a few months of “spiritual rehab” he’s back at it. Narcissism full blown is difficult, if not impossible, to treat.
A big draw for this kind of cult is spiritual bypassing- instead of getting professional help with trauma and other psychological needs, some people seek a guru or "enlightenment" to bypass the real need to deal with psychological help. It's like looking at the sky hoping not to fall down a hole.
Exactly!
I had tried every medical option and 10 years of therapy - ADHD was not recognised as a diagnosis in the UK until 2008, so it was not lack of effort but all options available were inadequate. The abuser told me it was my own fault for not following the correct ‘methods’ = I had ended up in an abusive situation
Sorry to hear that, I hope the correct diagnosis means you now have the right solution. ADHD is pretty common, I've not been diagnoses but seem to have many of the traits myself. I think also, that intelligent and creative people are more like to suffer some mental health issues- crudely put, bigger brains have more to go wrong and creativity seems to come with a side helping of some kinds of sensitivity to depression or similar traits (I'm not a qualified psychologist, it's personal opinion based on observation and reading about highly creative/ intelligent people. @@chloebell22
@@chloebell22I am truly sorry that you didn’t get the help that you needed. I hope that the new year brings health and happiness.
i dont think all of them were traumatize, their lives just were hollow and bleak
Imagine how intolerable these people must have been to be around.
I was a member of this cult in the early 2000s. I didn’t get very high up the totem pole. I was the lowest rung on the ladder which was called “student member”. There was just something in the back in my mind or in my gut to not go any further or higher in the hierarchy. I never thought I would be vindicated to this degree
@@justahumanbeing.709 So you clearly don't understand the depth of this coercive behaviour then. You've missed the point
Nonsense. He saw the tsunami just as the rest did. He was healthy enough to run uphill.
My mother always said to listen to that gut... Hope things are going well for you now.
Where was the cult located?
Where was the cult located?
Never trust someone who never blinks 😮
I never noticed till I read this comment whilst watching
A genuine spiritual teacher possesses the awareness that true knowledge emanates from within. They humbly acknowledge their role as a conduit to the higher dimensions and the liberated spiritual teachers residing beyond the physical realms. These ethereal mentors, who embody wisdom beyond human comprehension, are the true teachers of humanity. The enlightened teacher recognizes the interconnectedness of all beings, emphasizing that each individual is an integral part of this cosmic tapestry. By channeling divine wisdom and facilitating access to higher realms of consciousness, the spiritual teacher nurtures the innate wisdom that resides within every sentient being, forging a profound bond that transcends the limitations of the physical world.
Why oh why do we fall for these horrible narcissists time and time again. We all need to stop projecting our needs on charismatic abusers. Period. I wish we would all start to get educated on the power of group expectation and priming. He beliefs his own BS still now to this day. Still a misguided predator. “You obviously don’t trust me” “I don’t really care what you feel” He says it all in plain sight. He always told them what he was: a selfish, insecure kid with a great dark vortex where his heart was supposed to be.
You're spot on with your description of this naricissitic "guru"- anyone can be recruited into a cult at a vulnerable point in their lives, no one actually joins a cult- they are recruited and often into a benign sounding front group (even Jonestown started as a bible study group).
Millions of years in small tribes, with a dominant alpha male, has left an imprint
I love how this individual still calls himself a ‘spiritual teacher’ - almost an insult to his followers. He was blessed with some incredibly powerful spiritual knowledge but began to believe that he was the originator of that knowledge. Bloated, unrestrained ego massaging. . . History repeats itself
That's pretty sick that after seeing what he's like, you still want to call him that. Be careful. You're the kind of person these cult leaders want to recruit, people who still will call him "spiritual teacher" no matter what he does.
@@mynameisworldeh? Sparky is saying he thinks it’s absurd that Cohen still gets called a spiritual teacher
One typical thing that is always missing in these kinds of false teachers: true empathy. It’s all spiritualized selfishness, there is no compassion, no integration. It’s a great spiritual bypass-fest.
A genuine spiritual teacher often transcends the desire to assume the role of a conventional instructor. Instead, they embody a profound understanding that true wisdom arises from within each individual. They guide and inspire by creating an environment that facilitates self-discovery and personal transformation. By relinquishing the inclination to be seen as a teacher, they invite their students to embark on their unique spiritual journeys, recognizing the inherent capacity for enlightenment that resides within each soul. This approach fosters a deeper connection, allowing wisdom to flow organically and empowering individuals to become their own guides on the path towards spiritual awakening.
If anyone tells you that you need to ‘transform’ get the heck away
The waistcoat tells me all I need to know.
LOL!!
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Isn’t it amazing that he barley blinks. Screams psychopath to me
Yes! And the way he lickes his lips.. 🤢
His dead eyes freak me out 💀
Exactly
Ben Stiller would be great in playing him.
That look when he first intruduced himself showed pure deception and was chilling. That tiny grin said so much.
"Life has a strange way of catching up with the misinformed and deluded..." Michael Domeyko Rowland
Marin County is filled with people like this.
You have to give him credit for agreeing to be interviewed.
How lucky that I was sitting with Buddhist teacher, Jack Kornfield, in Marin instead of Cohen.
I met this Andrew Cohen in India and I regretted standing up in his talk and saying what a arrogant ignorant snob he was and to now read and see what happened..he just felt so off. Soo cold ,icy. I just couldnt believe that so many intelligent looking westerns were bowing down to him...I was just there visiting his master Punjagi..Beautiful being where I spent some days..anyway thats Andrew and how lost he was..wish he finds his way.
If you want to follow someone, follow Jesus. If you want to know what life is all about and want real meaning to life , follow Jesus. If you want true joy and happiness and direction, follow Jesus.
Ambition and glamour is the enemy of true spirituality.
I remember him in the 1990s when I was living in NYC. He has meditation centers.
I feel sorry for all those of you who suffered at the hands of guys like this. They're everywhere, not just here but in business practice, politics, it goes on. I go with myself, i remember and respect the wisdom of people whose insights make sense to me, it's natural to look beyond our boundaries and to others for knowledge, it shouldnt cost us our lives or life savings, it should be in thanks and gratitude to those who's lives were so made by events that their insights from experience must be respected, honoured quietly between ones self and the other which inspires and educates.
I don’t understand why this documentary was cut short. It should have continued.
there are more episodes.
He just wanted to be adored 😊
I was a student for a few years and my parents were with him while I was a kid for even longer. I actual learned a lot there and got out with out any negative exposure. From what I gathered things got worse and worse shortly after I left. I don't hold anything against the man, never even really knew him well personally, but I also wouldn't encourage anyone to join the man either, particularly after all thats come out. I hope people that really suffered in the community have healed and recovered from what they went through.
I see the responsibility on both sides of the cult, the Guru and his disciples are equally responsible.
There is a Russian fairytale called "Fire, Water and Copper Trumpets" - it is about a lad going trough challenges to be joined with his love. And he goes trough fire and water with bravery, but fails at the copper trumpets, which represent fame and public adoration, or idolatry. That is some serious warning in an old fairytale.
I've seen a person, who's a source of inspiration in arts and a great philosopher in my view, falling for the copper trumpets as more and more people would surround him with their need for a guide and blind admiration. Even though he'd straight-away tell, that it's nothing about him, that there are techniques to start meditating, and there are certain life styles that just trigger your serotonins, people would follow. And it ended badly. He was a totally changed person by the end of it, nothing left of a free spirit that I met and loved.
If you ever come across some determined sadhus, they'll tell you right away to get lost. No guiding, no teaching, no talking. They probably know about the copper trumpets already, and are not willing to stop their journey for that.
No, they're not equally responsible. Anyone who abuses their power to deliberately manipulate and deceive others bears far more responsibilty.
@anandaadidevi2339 not really. Everyone is responsible for themselves.
Interesting how Andrew is actually admitting all of this
Borat becomes guru
The moral of the story from these Western "Gurus" and their fllowers is that the western modern personality us deeply wedded to " experience" and not knowledge.
Just one of the many examples of addiction.
Where is part 2 video ????
Ego
John Stossel was a cult leader!
IKR! That’s all I can see
😂😂😂
Wish I could turn off the background music.
I don't understand what is wrong with people who become members of a cult. It seems that they're looking for someone to fill their emptiness.
He had power... Without wisdom.
When someone falls like that he not only harms himself but also harms his own Guru too
I met Andrew in India.Lucknow while I was visiting Punjaji his master. I could not connect with Andrew. I couldnt feel his heart so I didnt stay long..Punjagi was my guy and my real master "Osho"
shifty eyes = dead giveaway
Well, after seeing just a few seconds of him, I could see he was obviously very unenlightened. The way he holds himself, the way he talks , his eyes... but then I smell fakes within seconds anyway . And I am far from being " enlightened ". I believe that truly enlightened beings never even realise they are . At least they would never brag about it and say it , that goes against enlightenment itself as claiming you are, proves your ego is still very strong !
if you are enlightened and dont realize you are that means you are unenlightened lol
Your point is well taken except that someone who believes they are enlightened might believe they are helping others by letting others know this. It might not always be coming from ego, but from wanting to set one’s self aside as a “power of example”. It would be done in the light of “how else would the flock know who to follow?”
you cant be better than your teacher and if you are not enlightened you are the blind man leading the blind and there is a karma that comes with that@@connierenna-xf9um
He's no better than anyone else. We all have the potential to be excellent or awful. For him to only answer questions concerning himself, instead of concerning the one that is in all; it shows that he had fallen prey to the ego trap. He also forgot to teach them the value of their own dharma, their duty in this world. It has to do with your own family, job, and your partners and your children. The position of a householder is not to be looked down on, or frivolously broken up. There should be no compulsion in any of this, and for people to have been coerced into taking vows of celibacy, instead of arriving at those decisions on their own, was both very misguided and abusive. He wasn't ready to teach, had not yet become enlightened, and had not received a formal initiation as a guru. He had just been taught by a guru.
So exactly what was the end goal here? What were the students or followers striving for?
How can anybody believe that another one is „better“ than himself? We are all equal in our value - even if someone has more money or reputation.
People must miss a lot in their own personality to follow those idiots who diclaim theirselves as something better…. Only weak or lost people follow cultists, spiritual „leaders“, religions and so on!
You're not quoting anyone, so it's inverted commas on 'better' and 'leaders', implying 'so-called' as you are. 👍
I LIVE by this!
“ “it ended up leaving people in an impossible predicament “
…no Alan, you left them in an impossible predicament
Followed sat on floor. He sits in big comfy soft chair.
His eyes...
I know..
Ramana Maharishi was not Advaita Vedanta. He did familiarize himself with that teaching only long after his own ‘awakening’ and after already teaching his own ‘Self Inquiry’ method.
And you are ... ? the gate keeper and mark exams for anyone who wants to claim knowedlge of Adaita ?
@@tariq_sharif no, just educated.
@@DurgaDas96 really? and what measure does that qualify you ?
@@tariq_sharif Maybe you could make a statement of opinion rather than attacking.
@@DurgaDas96 are you not educated sufficiently to respond to a simple question.
you asserted that maharishi is not advaita and I asked who are you to judge ?
reasonable question, right ?
Everyone looking to be "Special", "Spiritual" one upmanship of the 90s.
You aren't quoting anybody, so it's inverted commas for 'special' and 'spiritual' implying 'so-called'/supposed as you are.
@@michaelmcclure3383 I just researched it, thanks. But it just does what inverted commas already did, whilst creating more confusion. I don't see the point.
@@thekeysman6760yes, but I imagine you got the meaning of what he is saying, which is, after all, the point of written communication. Much worse grammatical problem is the growing tendency of people running half sentences together without any punctuation.
@@DurgaDas96 You miss the point that it isn't about the ones who can see what it should be, it's for the non literate or non English speakers using the YT translate function. Stating the obvious wasn't needed, thanks. My reasoning for helping with correction is because language & spell-ings are are how we are divided, controlled, & misled. Proper communication brings unity; incorrect communication causes division and problems.
I am becoming enlightened reading the comments section. Enlightened in the use of punctuation. Thank you!
"Daddy, please take care of me!" 🤣
People who search for spiritual enlightenment, believe that it exists!! 😀 😅
Who was/is more enlightened, Andrew Cohen, or Marshall Applewhite?!!! 😅 🤣 😂
You misuse the comma.
@@thekeysman6760 Tell me exactly how I misuse it.
Why didn't leader shave his head?
Narcisssim!
People like this exist
Geraldo.
There’s still something off about Cohen. His eyes show it.
Arrogance is all I see in his eyes and his words
Same with rock stars, only they need to flee from their fans whenever they can.
so much text, I'm half way through but I'm not watching the rest
Did he say he was “just imitating”….
He looks like Mark Spitz.
That is incredible that he fooled and abused so many, and still get to talk about it and earn sympathy and make money doing it, he should go away and keep quiet.
This is the cult that was in Joe Rogans comedy club he was going to buy lol
i follow only general zod of superman
They don’t care about hostages
That vest. He looks like a caterer or a bartender at some awful corporate hotel.
Wow! 15 mins in , what an egotistical narcissist! He's actually making ne feel sick!😂
Why do these people sound like they are still in the cult…?
24:02 Text graphic should say 1990s with no apostrophe saying "1990 is" as you have! 🤦♂️ Nineteen nineties. No apostrophe.
You are truly annoying!😂....but you've educated me today🫡
@@inacook2285 You're welcome! And I'll go further in that education & state that you are wrong; YOU are subjectively truly annoyed inside & it's logically nothing to do with me at all! Now you're all set to use critical thinking & not project your feelings onto others! Brilliant, eh?! 😉🕊️❤️
Yes, annoying.split hairs much, meat head.
I'm a real spiritual teacher. But I'm only getting you to realize the entire purpose of spiritual teaching is the knowledge of a philosophy called "killing the teacher" that's the real stuff. Knowledge of self is only something you can teach in a effort to invalidate anyone outside of your self . You simply get someone to the place they realize there is no enemy but the inner me and until you defeat the inner me , you will seek outer me's to scam you.
This is real spiritual teacher. It doesn't cost money. It's a relationship of love that is very temporary.
Listen to the book Jonathan Livingston seagull.
this man, Andrew Cohen... he has no style. I mean, that waistcoat....no, just no.
Ew. Ok i havent watched the whole thing but the guy just seeps humanness it is hard for me to understand how anyone could ascribe to him anything of the divine
Pure madness.
No lady, your kids are n ot "lucky to live in Andrew's world". They are unlucky enough to have such a self-absorbed, immature mother.
However, it is to Andrew's credit that he sees what a monster he became. That surprised me, I've not encountered a former "guru" who did so.
Yes, but notice how he still blames the collective process, not taking full responsibility. He still blames his students for not being serious enough about the "enlightenment" inducing techniques offered (which were basically abusive, but he still doesnt acknowledge that. His only regret is that he didn't differentiate his approach to the "level" of the student. He still believes he is an enlightent teacher, not a malignent narcissist in desperate need of professional help.
Want a Guru? Papa Swami Ramdas said you can take the Divine Name as your Guru: Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram.
Congratulations, you successfully got the idiot music to drown out the speakers.
Why do certain types of human have an insatiable need to have access to "special" knowledge that only they can comprehend and is The Truth... ?
These people become suceptible to influenct of cults. When i read or listen to gurus explaining Advaita, an overhelming sense of cringe and embarrassment ensues. The reason being that it is based on superstition, until you prove the existence of deity or another life (beyond doubt) that can be verified, then there is no such "philisophies" as advaita (it has no basis).. is that not a basic question ? How utterly gulible are some people.
@@GnosticElohim how wonderful, you almost managed to make an incisive contribution,... never mind maybe next time
I always think that people who use emoji are either lacking imagination or have limited vocabulary, which is it for you (maybe both)?
I think almost anyone can fall prey to a cult if if the timing is right.
Big FFF Plus a big F from me to this guy
Schmucks
he failed to be a rock star ---- why is it there isn't any black people in this cult?
Looks like a pile of boomers with mustaches trying to find edgy relevance in a decade replete with smugness.
Never heard of him before ... interesting. Yet another fake
There's no difference between a guru and a psychologist or a priest .They all ask money and you have to believe them .
Big yawn 😮… Another “spiritual” scam artist like all the others.
Jew again
😂 what
Andrew and I met socially as he knew friends of mine, and we knew nothing about each other prior. I sat down with him and them in the garden of a wholefood vegetarian restaurant I worked at, and it was my day off. We both recognised each other's resonance instantly. Everyone was buzzing around and to me seemed to not be able to hold their own energy. Now I realise who is, I understand why. Him and I were just observing it all and smiling at each other. Nobody let alone Andrew knew that I was recognised as a conscious reincarnatee as a child (as I knew from a year after birth) and have helped many people over the decades.
The thing is, he said to me "You are a guru." Not a question, a statement. I said "I have been." He didn't know me. This is how I know he has been the real thing as a conduit.
Only the real religious organisations that came to meet me and acknowledged me as someone who was within their traditions have known things that only I know about my soul and have impressed me by telling me specifically!
If we all were in the same place of knowing, I'd be able to explain more. But I'm here to chat if anyone wants.
You could probably smell each other a mile off- like I can 😂🙄🤷🏻♂️
@@zenmonjoshin9996 Meaning what?
He was just telling you what you want to hear, that’s what he does
@@jjbobby1969 Thats not what I ever wanted to hear at all & it's his subjective perception, not mine, & it was our only interaction! He'd never met me or knew anything about how I've helped people. Because I'm not public & don't self-proclaim a term or anything! Others always do. 😉
@@jjbobby1969 I'd say your comment is your subjective projection based on how you think negative aspects of ego would be fed.
Seems like a mostly Jewish group. They love all that new age stuff.
Never have a guru named COHEN