34 Cult Detox – Is ISKCON a Cult? A Look at Indoctrination and Devotion

Is ISKCON a cult? Does it brainwash to get members? I answer this question via a book recommendation on a book looking at this question. Live 5.6.2023

0:00 – Intro, announcements, Om Shri Swaminarayanaya Namah 7x
2:41 – Reading from "Train Wrecks & Transcendence: A Collision of Hardcore & Hare Kirshna" by Vic DiCara of the Krishnacore punk rock movement, Cro-Mags
6:30 – Researching if ISKCON/Hare Krishnas is a brainwashing cult, investigating Freemasonry story, reading books opposing my views are forced to prove their points
13:46 – Recommending 1987 book "The Dark Lord: The Cult Images & The Hare Krishnas In America" by Larry D. Shinn
14:31 – Is ISKCON a cult, problems with book, excellent literature review of religion & psychology books
22:25 – Does ISKCON brainwash like cults according to book, religious conversion in ISKCON vs other cults, shared traits of cults vs ISKCON
35:34 – Book spurred by kidnapping & deprogramming of ISKCON member who sued family, debunking religious de-programmers
37:30 – Overview of book's conclusions, is ISKCON Hindu, my connection to & history with ISKCON

Find Vic DiCara's Krishnacore memoir here: https://www.amazon.com/Train-Wrecks-Transcendence-Collision-Hardcore/dp/1533073260/
Find "The Dark Lord" here: https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Lord-Images-Krishnas-America/dp/0664241700/

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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