The theater director Peter Brook was the long time head of a foundation in London based on the Gurdjieff work. It is cult like in that it's not a part of any mainstream religion but it's not a cult in that no one spends much money to be a part of it. You'd spend more money being a part of the Tibetan Buddhist Shambhala center for instance.
My parents got sucked into a Gurdjieff cult in Australia. They worked full time for several years for the group and never got a cent. Everything you earned or acquired went to the leaders. They didn’t even own a car or many possessions when they left. Which made it hard to leave because it was very remote. Flash forward a few decades we went on to live in Buddhist communities around the world. Yes we paid for food/rent/retreats/teaching. But we were paid for any work we did. Any possessions we bought were ours and we had vehicles and cash so we could leave. Which we did. And we weren’t excommunicated from those communities as a result.
Having said that, there are many overlaps and the line between cult and religion is pretty damn fine! I also have no idea how things ran in other Gurdjieff cults around the world. Or other Buddhist communities. Just wanted to share another perspective ☺️✌️
Oh, I've no doubt. I've heard of such things. I know people who grew up in a Gurdjieff commune and it was lovely and is to this day, with a nice Steiner school. An old friend of mine went to Buddhist kindergarten out in Colorado at a pretty well known Buddhist community. He had a horror of all things "spiritual" although I can't quite remember why. I'm sorry that happened to your parents.
Ok so I had a horrible nightmare one time that I was living on a commune and it was a cult and Adam Driver was the leader and he would go into this horrible barn and torture women with knives then go out back and wash his hands with one of those foot-pump sinks. He was wearing a black priests' robes and it changed the way I looked at him forever.
I don’t get it. I mean I DO, but “cult.” How is this cat any different than the lot that receives “communion” at a Catholic service. Or an enema, or whatever they give you at a Mormon service. It’s ALL a cult. Best to you.
Did I forget that Jezebel stopped being a thing? I think The Cut has replaced Jezebel in my brain (but in incognito mode, for reasons)
The Cut's a fitting replacement for Jezebel, I think!
Jez briefly shut down after G/O Media couldn't find a buyer, but Paste purchased and revived it -- and the staff have jobs again 🎉
I'm glad Jezebel is back!
What I don't love is I can't read comments on my phone for some reason. I hope this gets fixed in the future!
Oh my god this is going to trigger a major cult research rabbithole for me, thank you! Also thank you for the shout out, you're the sweetest xo
omg of course, I love your writing
The theater director Peter Brook was the long time head of a foundation in London based on the Gurdjieff work. It is cult like in that it's not a part of any mainstream religion but it's not a cult in that no one spends much money to be a part of it. You'd spend more money being a part of the Tibetan Buddhist Shambhala center for instance.
My parents got sucked into a Gurdjieff cult in Australia. They worked full time for several years for the group and never got a cent. Everything you earned or acquired went to the leaders. They didn’t even own a car or many possessions when they left. Which made it hard to leave because it was very remote. Flash forward a few decades we went on to live in Buddhist communities around the world. Yes we paid for food/rent/retreats/teaching. But we were paid for any work we did. Any possessions we bought were ours and we had vehicles and cash so we could leave. Which we did. And we weren’t excommunicated from those communities as a result.
Having said that, there are many overlaps and the line between cult and religion is pretty damn fine! I also have no idea how things ran in other Gurdjieff cults around the world. Or other Buddhist communities. Just wanted to share another perspective ☺️✌️
Oh, I've no doubt. I've heard of such things. I know people who grew up in a Gurdjieff commune and it was lovely and is to this day, with a nice Steiner school. An old friend of mine went to Buddhist kindergarten out in Colorado at a pretty well known Buddhist community. He had a horror of all things "spiritual" although I can't quite remember why. I'm sorry that happened to your parents.
I’d love to see what a functional Gurdjieff community looks like. Such an interesting philosophy.
Wow you touched on all the highlights of what interests me! Subscribed!
Thank you for reading and subscribing, Ginger! I hope you enjoy subsequent posts.
Ok so I had a horrible nightmare one time that I was living on a commune and it was a cult and Adam Driver was the leader and he would go into this horrible barn and torture women with knives then go out back and wash his hands with one of those foot-pump sinks. He was wearing a black priests' robes and it changed the way I looked at him forever.
omg that's so scary! no wonder it stayed with you
Jesus, that’s specific! That gives Kylo Ren a whole new outlook.
The army? https://substack.com/@marlowe1?utm_source=notes-invite-friends-item&r=sllf3
I don’t get it. I mean I DO, but “cult.” How is this cat any different than the lot that receives “communion” at a Catholic service. Or an enema, or whatever they give you at a Mormon service. It’s ALL a cult. Best to you.
ajew?
get the fuck outta here with that shit
yes. ajew!
Check out profile. Anti semitic shit poster, Nazi. Report and block and let cyber security find the IP address on this one.