Join us for an important discussion around the harm caused by the 3HO
organization, the survivors and the way forward for our Kundalini
classes and community at Lighthouse. Author Els Coenen will join us
virtually.
This event is free, and we will provide snacks and drinks. We will spend the first hour or so discussing the book with Els, and then turn to each other to hear each others concerns and hopes for the future of Kundalini Yoga at Lighthouse.
From the Amazon description of the book:
Els Coenen's groundbreaking exposé, Under the Yoga Mat,
lifts the veil on the underexposed dark side of the history of Yogi
Bhajan's Kundalini Yoga and his revered 3HO Healthy, Happy, Holy
community. This is the first book presenting the multifaceted character
and extent of the wrongdoings and the tactics used by 3HO leadership to
keep the horrific abuse hidden for five decades. This meticulously
researched non-fiction work delves deep into the disturbing tragedies
that unfolded when Harbhajan, a 39-year-old Sikh-born Indian customs
officer, arrived in Los Angeles in 1968, posing as a master of Kundalini
Yoga.
Through a thoughtful
selection of testimonies, historical records, and expert insights,
Coenen unravels the captivating rise of Yogi Bhajan, as disillusioned
American youth eagerly embraced him as the Eastern guru they believed
they needed. As his following grew rapidly, he wove a narrative of
destiny, proclaiming that his devotees were predestined to guide
humanity in the transition from the Piscean to the Aquarian Age. Yet,
behind the facade of spiritual enlightenment, Bhajan cunningly
manipulated, controlled, exploited, and abused his followers and their
children. He was involved in drug and arms smuggling and fraudulent
businesses.
Throughout his
reign, Yogi Bhajan hobnobbed with the powerful, including encounters
with President Nixon, two popes, and the Dalai Lama. The governors of
California and New Mexico became his confidants, unaware of the web of
deception he spun. Under his leadership, billion-dollar enterprises like
Yogi Tea and Akal Security flourished. Such was the influence of this
enigmatic figure that upon his passing in 2004, the American Congress
honored him with a two-page resolution, while New Mexico inaugurated the
"Yogi Bhajan Memorial Highway."
However,
it wasn't until the early 2020s, when a former leader of the 3HO
community came forward with her testimony, that the truth began to
emerge from decades of silence. Under the Yoga Mat
reveals the harrowing experiences of hundreds of ex-3HO members,
shedding light on the isolation, neglect, hunger, and abuse they endured
in schools in India from a tender age. Shockingly, it is estimated that
Yogi Bhajan sexually abused approximately 100 women, justifying his
actions with the chilling statement, "Rape is always invited."
At
the heart of this extraordinary book lie the stories of these
courageous 3HO survivors. Coenen's masterful narrative not only exposes
the crimes themselves but also explores why a culture of silence
persisted for so long, engendering fear and obedience among the
followers. As the shadows of the past give way to the truth, their
accounts serve as a rallying cry for justice and healing.
With its compelling blend of investigative research, personal testimonies, and historical context, Under the Yoga Mat
challenges our perception of spiritual leaders, champions the
resilience of survivors, and sparks a critical conversation about power,
manipulation, and the darker side of spiritual movements.