Meditation Gone Wrong

[Michael Hawkins]

Here's an excellent example of what the Great Western Vehicle strives NOT to be: tinyurl.com/7p3wzoy

Cult-like charismatic leader: check.
Allegations of sexual/moral misconduct: check.
Corruption through money: check
Sad and damaging consequences: check

Karen and I had a housemate at one point who'd spent several years at Diamond Mountain. We first learned about all of the above from this housemate -- in fact, I'd never heard of Michael Roach before then.

As I just mentioned to my father, this is precisely why I have such a difficult time joining any spiritual group or organization. Had Jeffrey (Jhanananda) not gone so far out of his way to ensure individual/peer empowerment while eliminating top-down power and control dynamics, I would not be part of the GWV today.

The worst part about stories like this is that they perpetuate the myth that meditation can "go too far" and lead to horrible outcomes. Whatever happened at Diamond Mountain, it is not the result of "excessive meditation."

[jhananda]

Thank-you, Michael, for posting your kind support of my work, and on the subject of corrupt religious leaders and movements. I spent two weeks at Diamond Mountain some years ago, and found Michael Roach, their leader, drug addicted, and delusional.

The woman in the article, who was found in a cave, Christie McNally, was Michael Roaches consort. I can guess that if she got married to someone else, that they were both booted out of Michael Roach's movement.

The thing I found when I was there is, Michael Roach did not meditate. Those who meditated got their instruction from a guy who was not part of Michael Roach's movement. So, the case of Diamond Mountain and Michael Roach is not at all a case of too much meditation. It is a case of “compromised critical thinking" that brought people to following a drug addicted, and delusional leader.

So, we should all be asking why people keep ignoring authentic religious leaders and movements, and instead follow corrupt religious leaders and movements? My explanation is, sadly, people look in all of the wrong places for their religious training, due to “compromised critical thinking."

[Michael Hawkins]

The thing I found when I was there is, Michael Roach did not meditate. Those who meditated got their instruction from a guy who was not part of Michael Roach's movement. So, the case of Diamond Mountain and Michael Roach is not at all a case of too much meditation.

That pretty much says it all, Jeffrey. It's a microcosm of priesthoods at all levels, from all traditions, from all religions. We are better off on the margins.

[jhananda]

Nonetheless, Michael, it would be useful to others if at least one authentic religious movement actually emerged with facilities and literature to support the authentic seeker.