My name is Daniel Shaw. I was in SYDA (Siddha Yoga
- Muktananda, Gurumayi) for more about 12 years. I made a complete
exit in October 1994, and have been an activist in speaking out
about abuse and corruption in this group since that time. Since
leaving the cult, I have obtained a master's degree in social work,
and am currently a candidate in a psychoanalytic institute.
I work as a psychotherapist in private practice in
New York City. I have spoken publicly about SYDA in connection with
events coordinated by Arnie Marcowitz of the Cult Clinic in New
York City.
SYDA is a soft core cult with a good deal of money
and power. Gurumayi controls the lives and pocket books of thousands
of people, who defend and protect her by lying about and hiding
the corrupt history of SYDA. The short list of abuses:
sexual abuse of young teenage women and adult
women'
smuggling, money laundering, financial fraud
isolating and alienating members from family
and friends
use of physical violence and psychological intimidation
to control members
use of dummy charity projects to collect vast
funds that sit in tax shelters
and are used to support Gurumayi's fabulous
lifestyle
lies about the celibacy of the gurus
There is an onoing discussion on America Online regarding the
SYDA in the Ethics Message Boards in the Siddha Yoga folders.
Freedomofmind.com fully supports religious
freedom and the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The fact that a person’s name or group appears on our website
does not necessarily mean they are a destructive mind control cult.
They appear because we have received inquiries and have established
a file on the group.
The Freedom of Mind Resource Center Inc. was established by cult expert Steve Hassan.
