cover of episode The Bad Guru: 6. The Return

The Bad Guru: 6. The Return

2025/1/13
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World Of Secrets

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#trauma and healing#religion&spirituality#power dynamics#social issues#social activism#emotional healing#psychological healing#mind-body health People
K
Kat McShane
M
Miranda
一位匿名女性
Topics
@Miranda : 我在巴黎的经历让我身心受创,Gregorian Bivolaru及其组织Atman Federation和Tara Yoga Centre对我的性剥削和精神控制造成了严重伤害。尽管Bivolaru被捕,但我仍然担心他的追随者会报复我,并且除非组织运作方式发生改变,否则其危害会持续存在。我将继续为正义而斗争,并希望其他受害者也能得到帮助和支持。 我第一次与Bivolaru见面是一次具有创伤性的性启蒙仪式,之后我曾试图再次与他见面,但现在我已彻底与他决裂。我将象征性地将两条项链扔进塞纳河,以此来放下过去。参观曾经关押我的房子,让我更加坚定了要揭露真相的决心。 法国当局的调查让我感到欣慰和感激,他们认真对待我的证词,并致力于追究其他关键人物的责任。我知道这个过程漫长而艰难,但我相信正义终会到来。 @Kat McShane : 本节目调查了瑜伽组织Atman Federation及其下属Tara Yoga Centre与Gregorian Bivolaru之间的关系,以及该组织如何利用其精神影响力对女性进行性剥削和人口贩卖。Tara Yoga Centre的高级成员曾帮助女性与Bivolaru联系,安排她们前往巴黎进行性启蒙仪式。尽管Bivolaru被捕,但Atman Federation和Tara Yoga Centre似乎仍在照常营业,并未反思其行为。法国当局已对Bivolaru提起诉讼,并正在调查其他相关人员。 @Catherine : 我曾应Miranda的要求,帮助她联系Gregorian Bivolaru安排第二次见面,但我认为我的行为并没有错。 @Bogdan Radasanu : 我大约10年前见过Gregorian Bivolaru,当时他是一个通缉犯,他的个人安全是个问题。 @Elise : 我在Tara Yoga Centre的经历让我失去了自我,我正在努力找回失去的自我。我对Tara Yoga Centre的老师们感到愤怒,因为他们知道发生了什么,却选择视而不见。 @Penny : 我为Miranda的经历感到同情和支持,我为她能将经历公之于众而感到钦佩。

Deep Dive

巴黎的回响:瑜伽大师背后的性剥削与精神控制

在巴黎,我与Miranda重逢,她讲述了令人心碎的经历,以及她与Gregorian Bivolaru及其组织Atman Federation和Tara Yoga Centre的纠葛。Bivolaru被捕的消息本应带来解脱,但挥之不去的恐惧和愤怒却始终萦绕着她。

Miranda的第一次与Bivolaru的见面,是一场创伤性的性启蒙仪式。尽管之后她曾试图再次与他联系,但如今,她已彻底与这个曾经视为精神导师的人决裂。为了放下过去,她象征性地将两条承载着痛苦回忆的项链投入塞纳河,那冰冷的河水似乎也带走了她的一部分伤痛。

然而,当我们一起前往她曾被囚禁的巴黎郊区房屋时,新的恐惧涌上心头。那栋房子并非空置,有人在窗边窥探,这让她确信Bivolaru的追随者仍然潜伏在暗处。这种潜在的威胁,让她感到不安和愤怒,也让她更加坚定了揭露真相的决心。

在法国,Miranda向法官陈述了她的遭遇。法官的理解和关怀让她感到一丝慰藉。虽然整个法律程序漫长而复杂,但她相信正义终将到来。她所提供的证词,不仅关乎她个人的创伤,也指向了Atman Federation和Tara Yoga Centre的运作模式,以及这些组织如何利用精神影响力对女性进行性剥削和人口贩卖。

Tara Yoga Centre的高级成员Catherine承认曾帮助Miranda联系Bivolaru,安排了第二次见面。Atman Federation的负责人Bogdan Radasanu也承认曾与Bivolaru接触,当时Bivolaru正处于逃亡状态。这些事实都指向了组织内部对Bivolaru行为的默许和纵容。

尽管Bivolaru被捕,Atman Federation和Tara Yoga Centre却似乎仍在照常营业,并未对自身行为进行反思。这种漠视的态度,更令人感到愤怒和担忧。

另一位受害者Elise,讲述了她如何在Tara Yoga Centre的经历中迷失自我,以及她对那些知情却视而不见的老师们的愤怒。

Miranda的母亲Penny则给予了她无条件的支持和理解,她为女儿的勇气和坚强感到骄傲。

这段经历让我深刻意识到,对身心健康的追求,对精神世界的探索,并不意味着要放弃自我保护和警惕。 Tara Yoga Centre的案例警示我们,看似美好的精神追求,也可能成为性剥削和精神控制的温床。 我们必须保持清醒的头脑,学会识别和抵制潜在的危险。 Miranda的故事,不仅是个人遭遇的悲剧,更是对整个社会发出的警示。 我希望她的勇气能够激励更多受害者站出来,寻求帮助和支持,共同打破沉默,让真相大白于天下。

Key Insights

What led to the arrest of Gregorian Bivolaru and his associates in Paris?

Gregorian Bivolaru, a 71-year-old spiritual guide, was arrested in a massive police operation involving 175 officers. He was charged with human trafficking, organised kidnapping, rape, and abuse under French anti-cult laws. The operation targeted an international yoga movement affiliated with Atman, the International Federation of Yoga and Meditation, resulting in over 40 arrests, including Bivolaru.

Why did Miranda feel both relief and concern after Bivolaru's arrest?

Miranda felt relief because she believed she was safer with Bivolaru behind bars. However, she was concerned about the backlash from his devoted followers, who might blame and demonize her for his arrest. She feared the organization would continue to harm people unless its operations fundamentally changed.

What role did the Tara Yoga Centre play in promoting Gregorian Bivolaru?

The Tara Yoga Centre, a UK-based affiliate of the Atman Federation, promoted Bivolaru as a spiritual guide despite his fugitive status. Four women reported being approached by Tara Yoga teachers to visit Bivolaru for initiation rituals. Senior figures at Tara Yoga were recorded discussing their contact with Bivolaru, even arranging visits for members during his time in hiding.

How did Miranda describe her experience during her initiation with Bivolaru?

Miranda described her initiation as traumatic, involving sexualized rituals. She was blindfolded, stripped of her passport, phone, and credit cards, and taken to a holding house. She was told participation in the rituals was optional, but refusal meant leaving and being excluded for the entire day. This experience left her deeply scarred.

What was the reaction of the Atman Federation and Tara Yoga Centre to Bivolaru's arrest?

Both organizations continued operations as usual. Tara Yoga released a statement claiming they knew no more than what was reported in the media. The Atman Federation, however, was more defensive, reproducing a statement from its Romanian affiliate that robustly denied the accusations and defended Bivolaru.

What did Miranda hope to achieve by visiting the holding house in Paris?

Miranda hoped visiting the holding house would provide closure by seeing it no longer operational and knowing no one else would suffer there. However, she was shocked to find someone still living in the house, which reignited her fears and anger about the ongoing influence of Bivolaru's followers.

How did Miranda symbolically release her past trauma?

Miranda symbolically released her trauma by throwing two necklaces into the Seine River in Paris. One necklace represented her initial search for Tantra, and the other was a prayer bead from her meditation practices. This act symbolized letting go of her painful past and moving forward.

What challenges did former members of Tara Yoga face after leaving the organization?

Former members struggled to reclaim their identities after leaving Tara Yoga. Elise, a former member, described losing parts of herself while trying to fit into the group. Many experienced anger and difficulty moving on, with some having recurring dreams about the organization and its leaders.

What did the Charity Commission find regarding Tara Yoga Centre?

The Charity Commission identified regulatory concerns in 2020 regarding Tara Yoga Centre's governance of safeguarding procedures. This followed evidence that senior figures at Tara had facilitated contact with Bivolaru and encouraged women to meet him for sexual initiations during his time as a fugitive.

How did Miranda's mother, Penny, react to her daughter's experiences?

Penny expressed admiration and pride for Miranda, acknowledging the difficulty of her experiences and her courage in speaking out. She supported Miranda's efforts to bring the truth to light and reclaim her power, emphasizing her unwavering support for her daughter.

Chapters
The episode begins by describing a police raid in Villiers-Saman, a suburb east of Paris, where 26 women were rescued from a house. This was part of a larger operation targeting an international yoga movement, resulting in over 40 arrests, including the 71-year-old spiritual guide Gregorian Bivolaru, who was charged with serious crimes. A former member, Miranda, expresses relief but also concern about the backlash from other devotees.
  • Police raid in Villiers-Saman, Paris
  • 26 women rescued
  • Over 40 arrests in France
  • Gregorian Bivolaru arrested and charged
  • Miranda's mixed feelings about the arrests

Shownotes Transcript

Miranda returns to Paris after some surprising news about the guru Gregorian Bivolaru.

This episode contains sexual content, allegations of sexual exploitation and some strong language.

Host: Cat McShane Producers: Emma Weatherill and Cat McShane Sound design: Melvin Rickarby Production Coordinator: Juliette Harvey Unit Manager: Lucy Bannister Executive Producer: Innes Bowen Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke Commissioning Executive: Tracy Williams