Matthew Remski - SITUATIONALLY VULNERABLE - a podcast by Porter Singer (aka Sirgun Kaur)

My guest today is Matthew Remski. Through his personal involvement in two cults, Matthew became interested in researching and writing about abuse and cult dynamics. I met Matthew through a facebook group that was discussing the revelations from Pamela Sahara Dyson's book about her life with Yogi Bhajan (published 1/8/2020). This book has opened the floodgates for people sharing abuse stories that had previously been silenced, and has inspired Matthew to write several blog pieces on this topic (links below). I encourage you to check out Matthew's book Practice and All Is Coming: Abuse, Cult Dynamics, and Healing in Yoga and Beyond, available here: http://matthewremski.com/wordpress/books/wawadia-main/ For more info on Matthew: http://matthewremski.com/

In this episode Matthew discusses...

• how he came to be involved in two different cults



• what it means to be situationally vulnerable



• power tactics cult leaders employ



• how cult leaders use the goodness of their followers to recruit new members



• the distinction with being a "member" and a "consumer" in a cult dynamic



• the epic reach of the kundalini yoga community and how difficult it is to draw clear "cult" lines



• Pamela Sahara Dyson's recently published memoir: Premka: White Bird in a Golden Cage

I hope this gives you some food for thought, and encourages a lot more questions and insights! 

Books/articles/websites he recommends:

• Steve Hassan: Bite Model



• Combatting Cult Mind Control by Steve Hassan



• "But Kundalini Yoga Works | Some Considerations" blog by Matthew Remski



• "Cult Dynamics in Yoga and Buddhism: Recognition, Recovery, and Resilience" blog by Matthew Remski



• "From Maharaj to Mahan Tantric: The Construction of Yogi Bhajan’s Kundalini Yoga" academic essay by Philip Deslippe



• "Take Back Your Life: Recovering from Cults and Abusive Relationships" book by Janja Lalich and Madeleine Tobias

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ABOUT YOUR HOST:
Sirgun Kaur is a Sacred Songstress and Spiritual Coach who helps sensitive people focus their thoughts and become the spiritual teachers they came here to be. She has released seven albums and a variety of singles. For more info on coaching or events, email info@sirgunkaur.com or visit https://sirgunkaur.com

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