The Bad Guru: 6. The Return
World Of Secrets
Deep Dive
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.
- 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