62 Cult Detox – 3 Must-Read Books on Cults: Zen, Krishna, and Sri Chinmoy Exposed

I recommend 3 books on cults that discuss the San Francisco Zen Center, the ISKCON/Hare Krishna movement, & spiritual guru Sri Chinmoy, plus one book that should be avoided from a Christian point of view. Live 9.9.2023.

0:00 – Intro to sequel to Live Show #61 "What is a cult? 8 requirements for cults by Dr. Lee Ann Marino" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8nWY9YFwNg)
4:35 – All cults act the same so cult literature is universal
7:32 – RECOMMENDED BOOK: "Shoes Outside The Door: Desire, Devotion, And Excess At The San Francisco Zen Center" book by Michael Downing on the dark days of the San Francisco Zen Center under Richard Baker Roshi (SFZC online https://www.sfzc.org/)
16:55 – RECOMMENDED BOOK: "The Dark Lord: Cult Images And The Hare Krishnas In America" by Larry D. Shinn on brainwashing & cult status of ISCKON, see Live Show #34 "Does ISKCON brainwash to get members like a cult?" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMs08xoQ9Gc)
25:22 – RECOMMENDED BOOK: "Cartwheels In A Sari: A Memoir Of Growing Up Cult" by Jayanti Tamm on Sri Chimnoy, educational insight of cult literature
35:21 – NOT RECOMMENDED BOOK: "The Kingdom Of The Cults" by Walter Martin is only Christian propaganda & not good study of cults according to other cult studies, defining religions in light of Protestant belief in Jesus
57:13 – Closing thoughts, not being afraid is how we grow

For seekers who’ve outgrown spiritual fluff.
This isn’t about trends, vibes, or blind devotion. This is real talk for real seekers.

🎙️ Each episode is part of a larger journey. This isn’t random content—it’s a structured path into deeper truth, not easy comfort.

I’m Premanand Das Bhagat (Aaron Joy), in Portland, Maine, USA.
I followed the so-called spiritual path—believed everything and anything, joined a cult, and ran in circles. Through honest effort, deep unlearning, and painful self-awareness, I found clarity in Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism).

Now, I speak to those who feel the same disillusionment.
If you believe in asking questions, rejecting lazy universalism, and using logic and scripture together to navigate this chaotic world—you’re in the right place.

🕉️ I'm a Integral Vedic Counselor, Certified Spiritual Life Coach and Ayurveda Specialist. I'm a student of Dr. David Frawley and devotee of Sri Dharma Pravartaka Acharya, following the non-Advaita, non-Universalist Vaishnava lineage of Ramanuja. My spiritual name was a gift from Dr. Chaturbhai Babaria (Swaminarayan Gurukul USA).

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