Shambhala Sexual Abuse Discussed on CBC Radio

"This is what I will tell any students or friends interested in the organization for now – that while much of the teaching there seems excellent and there are clearly amazing people there at many levels, there is also an organizational culture that seems problematic at best, dysfunctional at worst. The number of stories of frustrated members who have attempted to resolve abuse issues and persons raising allegations of abuse are simply too numerous to ignore."

Read the full article and listen to the interview here:

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/americanbuddhist/2018/05/the-secret-is-in-the-open-shambhala-sexual-abuse-discussed-on-cbc-radio.html#tEe4dFQhhjXALArU.03

Sexual abuse in religious communities is at epidemic proportions. Joe Navarro former FBI Counter Intelligence Agent gives some perspective on why that is. We've included some of his extremely important writings in one of our FACT Sheets, which is available to download on our website under the Education section.

https://www.familiesagainstcultteachings.org/Cult-Education/Fact-sheets/

The FACT Team 

A "Sex Cult" That Preached Empowerment

Excellent article about NXIVM and Keith Raniere.

"Barbara Bouchey, Raniere’s girlfriend of nine years who left Nxivm in 2009 and was a party to 14 lawsuits involving the group and its related entities, said Raniere kept his other relationships with women, some of whom she calls his “spiritual wives,” secret from her at first. When he didn’t see Bouchey for a few days and she wondered where he had gone, first Raniere and then high-ranked women in the group pointed to her abandonment issues as the daughter of an alcoholic father. Her issues were the problem, not Raniere. Perhaps he was absent because he was trying to teach her a great lesson about one’s expectations of another being.

The two views of Raniere — the world’s most ethical man running an extraordinary self-help organization; a con man who empowered women but retained ultimate power for himself — came up often in my conversation with Bouchey. She said she is not sure if Raniere is a version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but he might be."

Read Full article here:

 https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/30/magazine/sex-cult-empowerment-nxivm-keith-raniere.html

The FACT Team

Conclusion to the Uma Inder Follow-up Expose

Part 2 and conclusion of the Follow-up Expose on Uma Inder. 

 

We have also contacted Yoga Alliance, of which Uma is a member and below is our email correspondence with them.

“Dear Yoga Alliance ,

It has come to our attention that a yoga instructor named Uma Inder is a member of your program. 

Uma is being accused for abusing her power as a teacher to manipulate, exploit and damage her students. Please find enclosed a link to an expose on Uma Inder, which will provide some of the exploitations, manipulations and events of her past abuse on students. We ask that you prevent any future students from her abuse by reading the allegations presented in this expose and terminate your work relationship with her as it is a tremendous liability if a complaint comes from any of Umas students.

 https://www.familiesagainstcultteachings.org/Cult-Education/Exposes/Umaa-Inder-Expose/”

This was Yoga alliance’s response back to us.

“namaste,

Thank you for coming forward to share your thoughts in your email dated Wednesday, April 25 to Yoga Alliance.

I honor your request for understanding regarding Yoga Alliance’s policy for responding to and handling allegations of misconduct by a credential holder.

While Yoga Alliance does not criminally investigate reports of criminal behavior or sexual assault, we do take these reports seriously.  If you have directly experienced sexual misconduct by a credential holder and are interested in pursuing a grievance within the scope of the Yoga Alliance credential, you can contact me, Leigh Evans, at levans@yogaalliance.org or via phone 571.319.0824. My general office hours are Monday – Friday 8am – 4pm (ET). If you are interested in reading more about the next steps, I invite you to review our Policies page for further information. 

If you choose to report an experience with a credential holder, please indicate in your email response:

· The best time to reach you;

· The best number to reach you; and

· Whether or not we can leave a voicemail if we miss you.

You are more than welcome to have a support person – friend, family, spiritual advisor – or other trusted individual, with you during the call.

Again, thank you for taking the time to write to Yoga Alliance.

In service,

Leigh Evans, RYT 200

Accountability Manager

levans@yogaalliance.org”

We are coordinating with the alleged victims of Uma Inder’s abuses to directly give their individual complaints to Yoga Alliance. 

 

The notion that there are only a couple of alleged victims who have come forward with allegations against Uma’s abusive misconduct couldn't be further from the truth. Here is the most recent complaint. 

 

“I support the claim she is a narcissist maybe even delusional and I do know she spat on someone’s face during an intense fight in one of her retreat after this person supposedly asking questions she didn’t like and then spat on his face claiming to the rest of the participants “And that’s how you deal with that...””

“The woman is mentally ill. I have no doubt about that.”

As we stated earlier some of the institutions have discontinued their relationship with Uma.

For example, the School of Sacred Arts, Yoga Barn and the latest is the No Mind Festival in Angsbacka. 

 

Unfortunately, we are still in the processes of getting the Nordic festival in Sweden to discontinue Uma’s employment. Here is our latest comment on the Nordic Satya’s Facebook post regarding Uma’s participation at the upcoming festival.

In addition to our expose and information on Uma there has been another expose written by Be Scofield regarding her alleged abuses. We have provided a link here for you to read. https://medium.com/@bescofield/the-yoga-barn-guru-inside-uma-inders-bali-cult-6ac69cdc678b

It has also been brought to our attention that Uma has been selling her “health products” without proper government certification.

According to the allegations found within the complaints received against Uma Inder, it is our opinion and belief that Uma may be acting as a cult leader that seems to severely damage her followers in many ways. We believe Uma Inder’s recruitment, indoctrination, and control techniques are typical to that of destructive high-control/demand groups (as per our analysis using the B.I.T.E. model). According to the complaints, in our opinion it seems Uma Inder has no regard for the physical, mental, emotional and financial well-being of her followers. We believe her goal is to psychologically break down students in the name of “transparency” and “enlightenment” for control and exploitation purposes. In our estimation, we believe Uma Inder may be very dangerous and advise potential students to think twice before becoming a student of this yogi guru.

A final quote from an alleged victim:

“…it is due to these systematic threats and intimidation that Uma Inder has been able to operate for so long without being exposed. These threats require that we protect our identities for the time being. However, we are so concerned about the well-being of current, inactive, former, and possible future cult members that we choose to begin exposing the abuses carried out by Uma Inder.”

We commend all of the brave ex-students of Uma for finding the courage to come together and speak out in an effort to warn potential students and stop the alleged manipulation and abuse. If you have any information about Uma Inder and/or her group that you would like to share, please contact us immediately. Please note: This expose was conducted upon receiving allegations and evidence against Uma Inder by ex-students. The purpose of this expose is to warn, educate, save lives and to protect any potential victims. It is absolutely not intended to slander, libel or harm anyone mentioned in the expose.

In Conclusion we at F.A.C.T. have an obligation to our followers and the alleged victims to expose the truth. As such we will continue to inform and educate all future institutions and possible students of Uma.

There will always be some opposing views from Uma’s believers and followers. That is the power of undue influence!

Those who don’t fight EVIL empower EVIL!

-F.A.C.T Team

Families Against Cult Teachings and Abuses

Uma Inder Follow-up Expose

Dear FACT Followers,

This is a follow up to our last expose on Uma Inder. Since our last expose a few of Uma’s employers have terminated their working relationship with Uma, which we believe is commendable.

Unfortunately, some institutions have continued to work with Uma. We have received complaints from students who are worried about her potential harm to future students in the upcoming workshops and events. We have included one of the warnings we received from a former student.

“Subject : : Urgent - Please stop Uma Teaching

 Your Message : : Uma Inder will be teaching at Kirana Yoga School, Indonesia 4-6 May. August in Toronto collaborated with Donny Day, and Ahalia Ayurveda Medical College in Kerala in November/December”

One of the past events was held at Kirana Yoga School. This event was from May 4^th-6^th 2018. Prior to this date we contacted said institution, to inform and warn them about the allegations against Uma Inder and we have not received a response from them as of yet. In our opinion this shows negligence and it is unacceptable from an educational institution.

We will continue to follow up to warn students who attend this school.

Uma will have a workshop in Toronto collaborated with Donny Day – Upon contacting Donny Day here is what he had to say in response: 

 

“Hi Janet,

I read everything.

These are claims with no evidence at all - can you imagine if I were to listen to you?  This is clearly fear-mongering and is not acceptable.

I'm afraid you've become victim of your own fear - this email and site you've created seems very cultish & carries an energy of the like I've not experienced with such a creepy vibe.

When your approach is more sensitive to the nature of what you're doing, lets have a conversation.  From what I've seen from your email & the link you sent (no evidence whatsoever), you seem to be the group that's quite cult-like and does not have to capability of another point of view (so there will be no effective conversation).

Plus I can think of a dozen more dangerous folks in the world that are clearly negative forces in the world you could be addressing which brings up the next point - this must be personal somehow for your group - or perhaps there's $$ involved from another pissed off group or individual (?)

I'm certain Uma is available to speak directly to you (umainder.com).  Perhaps speak with her instead of sending out such transparently insecure fear-mongering messages with no evidence but just claims (?)

If you wish to speak person to person, call me: 905 824 6595

I'm available to speak June 2nd and after (travelling).  be aware that first impressions are key - check out what yours is.

namaste,

donny

p.s. after reading my reply, perhaps you feel 'he's on HER side' or something like that - TAKE THIS IN - THAT'S CULT LIKE THINKING!  it seems you've become victim of your own 'thing' and have become the cult itself.  i'm open to fact-based conversation (times, dates, events, names etc.) with evidence June 2nd or after.”

And this was the last follow up e-mail to Donny from FACT.

“Hello Donny,

This comes as a response to your email correspondence with Janette. It is clear to me that you don't want to hear the truth. It is also obvious that you will perform with Uma and you don't have the backbone or the decency to see the truth. Uma Inder has hurt hundreds of people and we are representing those victims. I believe if you would be a witness to any of Uma Inder’s crimes or misbehaviors you would still be in denial and continue to support her. And that is why we believe that Uma Inder and this behavior is a cult. 

 

And as I say those who don't confront evil, will empower evil. I believe this is what you are participating in.

Enclosed please find a couple of the alleged victims input.

Tibor Stern

President of Families Against Cult Teachings and Abuses, Inc “ 

Updated to this post - Here is the second part and conclusion to our follow-up expose on Uma Inder. 
http://familiesagainstcultteachings.blogspot.com/2018/05/conclusion-to-uma-inder-follow-up-expose.html 
 

Sincerely, 

The FACT Team  

Please note: Our intention at FACT is never to libel or damage anyone’s reputation. The purpose of our work is primarily to educate the public. Moreover, please know that all statements made in this expose are according to our opinion at FACT based upon signed affidavits, complaints and evidence we received from alleged victims and through our analysis of this information according to the B.I.T.E. model (developed by cult expert Steven Hassan).

Complaint Filed - Apostolic Revival Center Peru, Indiana

One of the many recent Complaints Filed with FACT. 

CULT, GROUP or CHURCH INFORMATION:

"Name of Cult, Group or Church: Apostolic Revival Center Peru Indiana

Where: Peru, Indiana

Leader(s): XXXX

Please describe the cult activity: They pay people to stay. If you try to leave they threaten you. They completely have strayed away from what they claimed to be at first. Their members are so sure that they’re the “truth” and if you come against what they believe they lash out at you.

Involvement with group: Yes

1) When did you/they get involved & for how long?
Family Member - 5 yrs ago

2) How did you/they get involved? How were you/they directly recruited? They claimed to be a Pentecostal church. My family is Pentecostal. They thought it was an upstanding organization. The pastor has gone to great lengths to recruit people in the last five years.

3) Are there other family members involved?
Only one of my family members

4) Has their been a disconnection of relationship(s) with family, old friends? Yes. They come to family functions, and they spew a bunch of information about their beliefs, and if you come against them they have a freak Out.

5) What are the circumstances currently? They attend regularly.

Impact from group: They have stalked me to try to get me to join, via Facebook. When I refused, my family members who attend basically shunned me.

Is there anything else that we should know or you would like to tell us: Please look deeper into these people. They’re dangerous. They stalk people and threaten people. It’s not good."

If you have any experience with this Center please let us know.

Thank you,
The FACT Team