There’s a chance you’ve brushed paths with this week’s cult in a West Coast farmers market or while scrolling through #yogainspiration, or as of late, your HBOMax recommended page. Kundalini yoga promises spiritual awakening, cosmic energy, and a path to your highest self. But behind the flowing white turbans and chanting in sat nam, there’s a darker story—one of control, secrecy, and not one but TWO gurus with highly questionable pasts. This week, we’re unraveling the culty underbelly of Kundalini, its infamous founder Yogi Bhajan, and his 20-teens girlbossified equivalent, Katie Griggs. From Instagram livestreams at millennial haven RaMa Studios to the militarized "3HO" organization (Healthy, Happy, Holy—or is it?), we’re asking: When does devotion cross the line into dogma? Strap in for a deep dive with Hayley Phelan (@hayleyphelan), journalist behind the article that powered HBO Max's Breath of Fire docuseries, and spiritual/sexual abuse lawyer Carol Merchasin, as Amanda and Reese discover why so many former followers say this spiritual practice left them anything but zen.    

Subscribe to Sounds Like A Cult on Youtube!

Follow us on IG @soundslikeacultpod, @amanda_montell, @reesaronii, @chelseaxcharles. 

Thank you to our sponsors!

Please consider donating to those affected by the Los Angeles Fires. Some organizations that Team SLAC are donating to are: 

https://mutualaidla.org/

https://give.pasadenahumane.org/give/654134/#!/donation/checkout

https://shorturl.at/SGW9w

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices