MISA/ATMAN vs Miranda
Myrrh AnandaRecently, former student and victim of Bivolaru and MISA/ATMAN, Miranda Grace, known from the widely watched BBC podcast "The Bad Guru" (link),was invited to a podcast posted on YouTube, entitled
”I Was Groomed & Traff*cked into a Tantric Yoga S*X CULT” (link).
This podcast is part of the playlist of the YouTube channel called ”Cults to Consciousness” C2C (link), which is a YouTube channel and podcast, hosted by Shelise Ann Sola (a former devout Mormon & CSA survivor) and her Producer husband, Jonathan Rosales. Here's how they describe themselves:
C2C delves into the nuanced experiences of individuals who have escaped a broad spectrum of high-control groups and coercive environments. They are not anti-religious but firmly anti-abuse, aiming to shed light on manipulative practices and systems, while promoting compassion, understanding, and accountability.
This post contains an analysis of some comments on the podcast.
So far, on this blog we have analyzed and commented on the statements of people who consider themselves victims of the organization and its leaders, as well as the official replies of the latter. Very rarely has a MISA follower commented on this blog, but only as anonymous, hiding not only his identity, but also his affiliation with the school, under the guise of an "objective, equidistant" commentator, trying to subtly direct the thoughts or attention of readers according to his own interest, but the way of thinking and the specific language of MISA betray him. The funny thing is that those from MISA reproach us for "hiding like rats under the mask of anonymity", but they themselves do this. And while we, the ones here - authors and commentators - are justified in doing so, because there were some persons who, over time, came up against MISA face to face and were hit in their back, with lying media lynchings and even abusive trials and even with lying witnesses, those from MISA risk nothing if they expose their opinions without hiding, except at most to reveal their sectarian attitude. But anyway, those from MISA do not enter this blog (except for their watchers who monitor it informationally, to see what revelations are being made about them? or who else they can sue) because the leader of MISA, guru Bivolaru, declared that this blog is "a gate of hell, full of petty bloggers and demonic gossipers".
But in this case, since it is a public video on YouTube, MISA followers enter and comment, exposing their attitude and way of thinking. So, it is a rare opportunity to see MISA followers in action, expressing themselves more freely under the shelter of hidden identity, in an unofficial, uncensored frame, protected both from those who read their comments and from the "thought police" at MISA. Also, the followers' comments give us an idea of a possible strategy that will be used by Bivolaru's defense against the former female students who have complained about him. So, let's give the floor to the MISA/ATMAN followers:
➤ ”THIS LYING BITCH!”
@eupop7270 (logged in with a photo of a woman):
She is a liar who has sued for millions of euros and whose lies have serious consequences. Much respect and appreciation for your transformation and I have experienced something similar. These people in the interview are not interested in the truth only in what this Amber Heard says. The truth doesn't bring them visualizations and with the truth they can't scare the world and induce states of fear and paranoia.
Here we are not talking about experience but about the manipulation and telling of half-truths by these so-called victims. She is already in court to win millions of euros and multiple people are in prison awaiting a verdict from the judges based only on what a woman says. How about we have empathy for those who are in prison.
Many are victims of the ME TOO movement. The truth will come out at some point and all of you who believed this nonsense will understand the degree and level to which the mass media for views plays with people's emotions and the victimization in us. As long as there is no verdict in court, it is just her word against the word of other people. Who are you to take the side of people on the internet that you do not know?
author's comment:
But who is she (or he?) to denigrate a woman she doesn't know? Often, those from MISA are so attached and emotionally involved that they don't notice that they are actually manifesting the attitude they reproach others with! They claim to have the knowledge of the ultimate truth and that they are the objective ones, but, in the situation where they were not eyewitnesses to the events, they cannot be certain that the reports are true or false, objective or subjective, and that any inclination they have towards one of the two possibilities is the result and proof of subjectivity. Obviously, MISA followers consider from the start that their leader is perfect and righteous, and automatically consider that any criticism directed at him is unjustified. They are the opposite of sincere and objective spiritual aspirants.
In addition, it is noticeable that this person who comments from subjective positions compares Miranda no less than eight times with Johnny Depp's ex-wife, Amber Heard, who became extremely hated after accusing the famous actor of marital violence. The phrase "several people are in prison awaiting a verdict from judges based solely on what a woman says" suggests that the person commenting is actually a misogynistic man (or a woman so attached to the leader of the organization that she hates herself as a woman!) If it is a male follower hiding under a false identity of a woman in order to seem more credible, he can be criticized for having no way of knowing the real situation of the female MISA students, and could not be in the position of being invited for a sexual initiation with the leader. But this is not the only case of this kind, as there are other commentators who present themselves as men and who comment on a situation that only a female student could have known about:
➤ ”I'M SORRY FOR YOUR EXPERIENCE, BUT... IT'S JUST YOUR OPINION!”
@DanTalpos (logged in with male name and photo):
I’m sorry to hear that your experience with the school and its teachings was painful. I don’t want to diminish what you went through, and I respect your right to speak about it. At the same time, my experience – and the experience of many people I’ve known over the years – has been very different. I’ve met members who have lived balanced and fulfilling lives, and others who came into the group with deep personal struggles and found support, structure, and inner strength through the practices taught there. For them, the teachings were genuinely helpful. Of course, personal experiences can vary a lot. Not everyone connects with the same methods, and not every environment works the same for every person. That doesn’t invalidate what you felt, but it also doesn’t mean that everyone who found value in these practices was misled or blind to their own situation. I’m simply sharing that there are multiple perspectives, and many people continue to practice these teachings with sincerity and positive results. I believe it’s possible to acknowledge different experiences without framing one as more “true” than the other.
author's comment: "He doesn't want to diminish what she experienced", but that's exactly what he does, because in this way he seeks to relativize the unfavorable opinion about the school and its leader and to counterbalance it with another, favorable one, which he seeks to make seem stronger by speaking on behalf of all the students!
Another MISA activist applies the same tactic often used by the organization, counterattacking by bringing a contrary opinion:
➤ ”WHY DON'T YOU ASK US AS WELL?”
@romanticfinder4999:
Shelise (podcast host n/a), have you ever spoken to people from MISA or Atman? It would be interesting to interview 25 - 50 MISA or Atman members.
author's comment: There is no need to interview MISA members, it is already known what they will answer, because some express themselves through comments (and at least they do it individually), but if she were to turn to the organization to do interviews, they would immediately "deliver" specially elected members.
In fact, they also proceeded in the same way with the court, sending letters of support that were previously "read", I quote:
At the initiative of some colleagues, those who wish to express their support for our Spiritual Guide can do so through letters of support of a maximum of one page, which will be translated into French and sent to the team of lawyers in France. In this way, the French authorities can see that the image created by the few malicious individuals who have given false statements against the yoga teacher Gregorian Bivolaru does not correspond to the reality known to thousands of people.
After being translated (by the colleagues who took this initiative), it is necessary for the letters to be sent by mail by each staff member, signed with their full name (anonymous letters are not accepted) and accompanied by a minimum of identification elements, in order to eliminate any suspicion that they are not written by real people.
Those who wish to engage in this initiative are asked to send an e-mail to ... to receive some necessary clarifications and only then to write the respective letter of support. We would like to point out that those who did not personally know yoga teacher Bivolaru, but had the opportunity to form an opinion about him from the letters they wrote to him, from the accounts of those who knew him directly, from the conferences he gave, etc., can also send letters, if they wish. (source)
Wow! In court, a case is being tried with concrete facts, in which only direct witnesses can participate! The opinion of some or others about the accused is not being judged! This way of thinking at MISA demonstrates that followers do not realize the reality they are in, they live in their bubble, from which they cannot get out. This attitude of relativization and confusion is expressed by the passage "there are several perspectives!" This does not mean that one perspective cancels the other, because they do not refer to the same thing! Miranda talks about her horrible experience as a female student invited for sex by the sect leader and then exploited as a video chat worker, while @Talpos refers to something completely different, his experience as a man at MISA, which cannot be compared to that of a female student!
➤ "WE MEN HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED WHAT THESE WOMEN ACCUSE!"
@Jonathanskjalholt (logged in with a male name and photo):
I have never experienced anything remotely close to what is shared in this video... I have been a student of this teaching system for 10+ years now. Regarding Bivolaru - then I have not personally met him - but I know him through the teachings and from applying the techniques of Tantra Yoga and meditation i have experienced inner transformations that I did not even dare dream of. I am deeply, deeply grateful for what I have learned and for what I am now becoming. It is a remarkable, challenging and in the same time fulfilling and truly amazing journey. As I mentioned I only know him through the teaching - but from that he has left a very positive impression and I invite all to not take other peoples opinions and experiences as facts - also not mine - but to go and ”investigate for yourself” and get a first hand experience with a teaching system that is truly revolutionary and one that i stand for with all my heart. Thank you all
@Maicol045 (male photo):
I am attending courses in MISA school since 5 years and so far, I do not think anything more impactful than the teachings I have received so far. I am sorry to see such instrumentalization around something that could not in any way be forced as anyone of us is more than free to pursue all the times the choices we make. But still, we know many other famous true representatives of the Faith to be prosecuted in history. We are blessed that Godly Justice is one of our biggest Gift for this life and does not makes any mistake. Soon or later, the Truth will be unveiled.
author's comment: Leaving aside the ridiculousness of the situation in which the men from MISA express their amazement that they were not invited by the guru to Paris and were not even offered to be active on porn video chats, none of them realize that inviting exclusively female students clearly shows that the guru was intent on sexually abusing and exploiting them. And after contesting Miranda's experiences, as if they had witnessed them, they begin to relate their own experiences, which are, obviously, "indisputable." But because quite a few roosters had started clucking about what great eggs they had laid, in order to fix things, it was "necessary" for a woman from MISA to come out and comment as well, to add an extra shadow of doubt:
➤ ”I DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS WOMAN IS TALKING ABOUT!”
@sunyata.000 (logged in with a photo of a woman):
I'm a student at this school, and the experiences and teachings I have received from the teachers have only helped me, my family, and my friends. The fact that only 26 people are making such accusations, while thousands of other students report wonderful experiences, says a lot to me. I have studied psychology and trauma-based therapy, combined with body-language analysis, and I am very aware of what a cult or a manipulative organization looks like. This school has never shown anything of that sort—only fraternity, integrity, and respect.
author's comment: Someone replies: "Your experience is your experience." Exactly! The people at MISA cannot get out of their bubble, they believe that their vision is the real one, and that what does not correspond to it is false. They do not understand and do not accept that there are others who have their own vision and that this could be the true one! And the bubble grows:
➤ ”WE KNOW BETTER, BECAUSE THERE ARE MANY OF US!”
@KuberaVayoo:
The issue with dealing with such highly charged and emotional topics is that an individual's response to a situation is very subjective and problems appear when such subjective opinions are turned into universal "truths", and when podcasts or media outlets promote only a particular narrative without being sufficiently objective or offering any in-depth research, alternative perspective or even give a voice to the thousands of practitioners who have wonderful experiences and have achieved significant results and improvements in their lives then we are entering into the realms of a kangaroo court desiring only a particular outcome and having a specific agenda using very charged and emotional language to garner emotional support for that agenda. In fact, most often, anyone contradicting the general narrative of what is being said in this podcast are told they are "wrong, foolish, confused or brain-washed", ironically those making the complaints of abuse are using exactly the very same tactics and techniques to "quieting" the naysayers that they are complaining about. The subjective experience or opinions of a few should not carry an exaggerated weight to such a degree that they become the all-encompassing "truth", ignoring, negating and denying the wonderful experiences of thousands of others who have been or still are members of this school as irrelevant, unimportant or not worthy of consideration in the one-sided witch hunt that is being pursued. There are thousands of us out there who have nothing but good things to say about this school and the values the school promotes and the love, friendship and support we encounter in the school.
author's comment: Subtle attempt at manipulation specific to MISA: it starts on a note of alleged objectivity ("an individual's response to a situation is very subjective, it should not be transformed into a universal truth") which is true up to a point; but they cannot stop there, because that would mean that their subjective vision could also be erroneous, a fact they do not accept, and then they feel the need to leave this zone of neutrality: "the media only promotes a particular narrative without being sufficiently objective or without giving voice to the thousands of practitioners who achieved wonderful experiences, significant results and improvements".
And suddenly, as if by magic, the "subjective truth" from MISA which "should not be transformed into a universal truth", becomes the only truth! The experiences of MISA practitioners have imperceptibly become universal truth, for the simple reason that there are many of them! But those who have left MISA over time are more numerous than those who have stayed! If the criterion is that the many are right, then those from MISA are not! Worse for them, those from the opposite camp also come with their stories, which counterbalance the counterbalance:
@IslaTusindstråle:
I have been a member of the Danish branch of this group (Natha) and I can confirm that this lady is telling the truth.
@mariuscoach (logged in as male):
I know the teacher and the school very well since I follow his classes since more than 30 years and I can testify that all the things Miranda says are not true. Why she tells all this unreal stories is another question.
@rachel-marieweiss564 answers:
Genuinely, how do you know that? Were you there? Why was there enough evidence for multiple arrests to take place if everything was completely made up?
Oops! The people at MISA realize that the "our word against your word" strategy is not enough, and "accusations tend to be automatically believed" and "whoever apologizes, accuses himself", so they risk being left with suspicion hovering over them, so they overcome the defensive attitude and go on the offensive:
➤ ”I KNOW THIS LIAR!”
@Ramram888puravida: (RAM - bijamantra of fire energy, suggests a "male" commentator):
I know Miranda quite well. Regarding her meetings (because she went there several times) with GB, I remember she was very excited and happy to go meet him each time. Even before "coming out" as a victim she asked him to meet him again but that never happened. This doesn't really sound as the behavior of a victim. [...] Her main project for a couple of years now is being against something else. This tells a lot more about her then about the school and its activities. It s the easiest to be an attacker than a creator of something beautiful and meaningful yourself.
@miracle-k8i (uncertain identity):
I can testify as well! I’ve seen Miranda after she meet Gregorian! She was happy and looked amazing, radiant!
author's comment: This could be one of MISA's strategies in court, against Miranda and the other plaintiffs: undermining their credibility! Colleagues and classmates, "friends and intimate confidants" of the plaintiffs could come to court to give "testimony" (in MISA style) about how happy the "demonic liars" were when they left the "spiritual guide's" bedroom, after the initiation with the Father of Infinite Love, how they told them how wonderful it was and how they are now pretending to be victims, in order to receive damages for their "alleged suffering". But it would be a desperate action, because imagine how these "testimonies" would look like if they were put next to the footage of the Great Lover's students, who were filmed NAKED giving such obviously forced statements, which end with the standard formula ”I will never forget this experience, and if I do, I will then fit into the category of the superficial, shifting, and stupid woman” (podcast BBC, audio, min23:sec22)
And if we add the fact that these video statements were shown to the invited female students BEFORE they went to the "initiation" for the first time, as part of a brainwashing process, the witnesses from MISA would only confirm this process! So, good luck with that in court...
Moreover, it should not be overlooked that the women invited to the “sexual initiation” with the guru had to swear on their health that they would not reveal this to anyone, except at most to the female students who had also been to the “initiation”. Therefore, if the person who claims to have witnessed the “radiant” face of the alleged victim is a woman, it means that she was also “initiated” sexually and is subjective, as she was not a direct witness to the victim’s experience, and if the person is a man, he would have no way of knowing about the victim’s trip to the guru unless he was her instructor, so he is involved! And if he is not even an instructor, then he is simply lying and manipulating!
”She asked him to meet him again but that never happened”.
This does not accuse her as much as HIM, who claims to be the “channel of divine love” and preaches endless love, but does not call his “radiant girlfriends” at all after a few dates, “so that they do not develop attachment”, while HE is busy with other new women. This means that HE only deceives them and uses them, their aspirations, illusions and naivety, so he is a manipulator and a sexual abuser, so Miranda is right!
Gradually, the offensive becomes a direct attack on the person, both against the victim and the podcast producer, with threats waved with the “hand of destiny”. This is why the “demonic critics” remain anonymous:
➤ ”HOW MUCH DID THEY PAY YOU?”
@alicemirabilitis2894:
You are knowingly misinformed. Whoever speaks is well paid by those who want to discredit. We already know these practices. Let's be vigilant.
@eupop7270 (the "transvestite" obsessed with Johnny Depp's ex-wife):
Obviously had no problem taking anything back. she could leave at any time, even with all her documents. She is a paid actor at this moment . Amber Heard.
@CamiHumi (apparently a Romanian woman named Camelia!):
For those who suffer out of pity for Miranda: you should know that these podcasts sell fake sensationalist stories, primarily for views and money. They don't care about the well-being of the trafficked and abused, because if they did, they would look elsewhere.
@PhilomenaBenedicta (”Loving Blessed woman” in Latin):
Miranda, be honest and tell us how much you were paid to tell all these slanderous lies? Do you really think you won't get your well-deserved reward when you get to the afterlife, after leaving this world where you can so easily fool others?
@miracle-k8i:
She doesn't see this side of the victim role. Victims don't give up this role because they see the many benefits they get from it: attention, privilege, money, etc. OK, that was her experience. She needs to recover and move on with her life. Nobody raped her; she did it because she wanted to. After a few years, she came forward to say that she had been raped. You can't say that you were raped after a few years. A rape victim doesn't go back to the rapist repeatedly. In another interview, she mentioned that she had seen him multiple times. I don't know any woman who would go back to being raped.
author's comment: If the smart commentators at MISA "know for sure" that Miranda was paid, then shouldn't
they also know the amount she received? And the "miraculous" one (@miracle-k8i) who doesn't know any woman who would come back to be raped, should also ask herself if she knows any man who deceives thousands of women into having sex with him multiple times, with the promise that their souls would be saved!
Instead, she blames all the evil committed by the guru on the victim (DARVO tactic):
➤ ”HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT THE HARM YOU HAVE DONE?”
@Ramram888puravida:
Miranda, did you ever think of your friends from the Paris ashrams, the so called “victims” that were waken at 6 a.m. by the police screaming and with the weapons at their heads, taken out of the house at minus degrees only in pijamas, having their phones and money confiscated and then being left on the streets with only what they could have carry in their arms? If you are so mindful about the safety and well being of these women that you call “victim” which some were even your friends, why didn’t you help them then? When they really needed help…
@DeeDee-c7j5m:
If she had received the money and the attention that she wanted nothing of this had happened - from the start it is obvious that she was interested to be with the "seniors" to have a rang, to be recognized. And she wasn't, so she find another way to capt all that she was missing. Miranda you complain that people from the school left you and you think that they never care about you, it is all about you, you, you and again you....Did you ever thought of the harm that you had done to them? Of the suffering that you caused? Don't think so, not enough space there, just for you. I do not say that things like she is pretending that she lived, are not happening in this world. The Truth will come out for sure.
@CamiHumi:
This podcast is misleading and biased. It is exaggerated and deliberately misleading language, to victimize and attract tears and compassion. The facts are presented partially and do not respect the truth. Thus neither Miranda nor the producer say anything about the "26 recovered women", what happened to them, why were they not invited to the podcast to hear their stories? For Miranda: can you really sleep peacefully knowing that you have put so many people in such a situation?
@ColomaIonescu:
What a shame that your institution allows such an unethical, with a clear lack of evidence and unprofessional interview, about an old story, 8 years ago of some Miranda girl. It is not very clear what the human trafficking consisted of. This girl was permanently free to leave the place if something was wrong there, why didn't she do that? Why didn't they notify the police or an institution authorized to deal with human trafficking? Miranda must be rewarded now by those who stages in France the accusation against our Yoga Teacher Emeritus Gregorian Bivolaru, accused without any evidence of the belonging to a "human trafficking cult". Although she "says something and prove nothing", Shelise doesn't need any proof, she does not aim to show a truth, but only to make a story. MIranda, WHY why didn't you go to the police 8 years ago? And WHY didn't you notify than any institution dealing with human trafficking? Why didn't you find another yoga class and teacher? There are plenty in your country!
@joanadevi6567:
This woman must be possessed by strong evil to talk so bad about an authentic yoga school.
author's comment: Amazingly, MISA followers are so brainwashed that they blame Miranda for what happened to those who were in the "spiritual retreats" in France at the time of the raids! They don't realize that their leader is the one who orchestrated all of this, although he claimed to investigators that those female students had come there on "their own initiative"! Miranda did not decide who would be in those locations at the time of the raids, but the guru and those who were there! And she did not decide the time of the raids either, but the police! The "victims" of the raids were there because it was "necessary" to be invited at that very moment by the enlightened guru and "blessed by the grace of God, who showed by His affirmative answer to the consecration that they had to be there then"!
"It's all about you, you and you again!" Yes, Miranda, you selfish, don't you know that at ATMAN school the individual doesn't matter, but only the good and image of the school and its spiritual guide, that there it's all about HIM, HIM and HIM again?
One thing must be emphasized: all these commentators from MISA seem to have not found out even now, after two years, what really happened in France and which was exposed, to a limited but sufficient extent, both in the media and on this blog. They don't even know the statements of their guru who, faced with the crushing evidence obtained by the French police after a surveillance of over a year, was forced to admit some "aspects"!
➤ ”LOOK AT THIS DEVASTATING ANALYSIS!”
@spyridonkontis4544:
I have been a student of this school for 7 years. Objectively speaking, this is not an objective video. I respect the woman`s emotions who speaks, but that should not cancel critical thinking, especially when there are so serious accusations. The video is not objective because::
1) The conclusion is presented before the facts are examined (The video frames the situation as a “cult” and a “crime” from the start, which influences how viewers interpret everything that follows, instead of letting them evaluate the information step by step.)
author's comment: The introductory fragment is actually a summary, a short sequence of statements that show what the podcast will be about, so that the listener knows from the beginning if it is a topic of interest to him. The commentator does exactly what he himself reproaches the producer for: he starts from the beginning with the conclusion - "the video is not objective!" When expressing themselves "spontaneously", MISA followers just confirm the mental state of confusion they have been brought into by the brainwashing within the sect! That is why the sect leadership avoids taking part in debates that are not "arranged" in advance, in which they do not know the questions or the debate program in advance, and also avoids allowing their followers to express themselves individually, controlling everything so that there are no "leaks" from the category of "oops, what came out of my mouth!"
And the presentation follows many other widely-watched podcasts, so the guest's story is already well-known; she does not retell her experiences from the beginning in chronological order, but rather emphasizes some ideas and offers some new details.
2) Only one perspective is shown throughout the video (No full response, explanation, or context from the accused side is presented, making it impossible for the audience to compare accounts or assess contradictions.)
author's comment: This is not a report, it is a podcast with a set theme: experiences of those who consider themselves victims of cults. Anyway, it was useless to invite someone from MISA.ATMAN, I showed that they only participate in pre-arranged and favorable presentations. And anyway, their position is always denial, even despite indisputable evidence, which they interpret only in the sense that suits them. Producers of the previous podcasts emphasized that they also asked the opinion of the leaders of ATMAN school, who either wanted to know the questions in advance, or refused to participate, or sent denial statements. Moreover, MISA presents itself on its websites and posters, the statements of the followers are selected in advance and are in "unison", everything is "perfect and divine", what is missing is precisely the strictly personal point of view of its students.
3) Disagreement is framed as evidence of guilt or manipulation (Any doubt or alternative interpretation is explained away as “indoctrination” or “denial,” which removes the possibility of good-faith disagreement.)
author's comment: Denying the evidence is always proof of indoctrination and bad faith! Those at MISA ignore the fact that the victim's statements, contained in the complaints she filed with the police BEFORE the investigation, were mostly watched "live" by the investigators! MISA is silent about the fact that these podcasts do not come on empty ground, but in a context in which the accused have been in preventive detention for a very long time, precisely on the basis of sufficiently solid evidence; and he cannot be kept in preventive detention based only on simple allegations!
4) Earlier positive experiences are reinterpreted only after the outcome is fixed (Events that were described at the time as empowering or meaningful are later redefined as “brainwashing,” without examining whether both interpretations could partially coexist.)
author's comment: This is how it always happens when it comes to manipulation: at first everything is fine, and then the mess comes out! Notice the confusion in the commentator's mind, who claims that "contradictory interpretations coexist", which is not possible in concrete reality or in the logic of the same person, but can only coexist in different people with different points of view, but the truth is still only one! And if he refers to the contradiction between the video statement given by Miranda at the end of the "sexual initiation" and the accusatory statements given by her in the complaints, he ignores that that video statement was not given on her initiative, but was requested and even suggested to her by watching the laudatory video statements of other women, before her "initiation".
5) Emotional intensity is used in place of clear factual separation (Disturbing experiences, legal accusations and personal interpretations are blended together, making it difficult to distinguish feelings from verifiable facts.)
author's comment: If that commentator were even aware of the evidence in the file that is publicly known, he would not make such a statement, especially in the case of that statement given by Miranda at the end of the "sexual initiation" in Paris, which is included in the aforementioned BBC podcast and which is verifiable!
6) The interviewer does not apply critical distance (The host consistently affirms the narrative instead of asking clarifying or challenging questions that would help the audience understand the limits of the claims.)
author's comment: The podcast host must have thought that there was good reason why the police arrested the guru after a year of surveillance and have been holding him in pretrial detention for two years, and even arrested his two deputies!
7) The structure guides viewers toward a single interpretation (The cumulative effect of framing, repetition and emotional reinforcement leads the audience toward one conclusion rather than supporting independent judgment.)
author's comment: The truth is always one, in the real world or in logic you cannot have two contradictory conclusions at the same time! Once again, the commentator confuses concrete reality with the virtual bubble he lives! And the audience tends to believe the guest because the host specified that the accused have been in pretrial detention for a long time and not without reason!
8) No real evidence is presented The video relies mainly on personal testimony and references to investigations or media reports, without showing documents, court findings, recordings, or independently verifiable material that would allow viewers to confirm the claims for themselves.)
author's comment: Here is proof of the blindness and blind faith of those at MISA! The court's findings resulted in the preventive arrest of the accused and the extension of the preventive arrest every four months, each time by a different court! There is at least the recording presented by BBC and MisaTV with Miranda's statement after the "initiation", from which the reality of the "sexual initiations" given by the guru clearly emerges, and the commentator, together with those at MISA, should at least ask themselves the questions that arise logically: how did the former female student Miranda get to the house with the secret address of an internationally wanted person, why did only women get there (and were found and arrested during the raids) and why have the guru and his acolytes been kept in preventive arrest for so long?
final quote from the comments of @spyridonkontis4544:
I have not met Bivolaru myself, but his teachings saved my life and helped me come closer to Jesus, despite the fact that he is teaching Yoga. I haven`t experienced enything close to what is described in the video (abuse, manipulation, sex trafficking etc) I hope the above lines are helping you to see the manipulative methods of the video. The problem is not the woman`s intense emotions, the problem is that this video is using them to lead the audience to a biased conclusion. The conclusions are yours.
author's comment: Wow! After accusing the video of being subjective and demanding concrete evidence, the commentator launches into the exposition of his own opinions, which are subjective since he clearly admits that he has not met the guru personally, but that he has total trust in ”Him”! Finally, he extrapolates his prejudice to the entire reality, without basing it on any evidence, although he claims this: "I have not experienced anything described in the video", suggesting that the podcast guest is lying and therefore automatically the guru is innocent!"
The conclusion that belongs to any person who analyzes objectively and uninvolved is that there is no escape for those who think like these MISA commentators!
@Ramram888puravida:
The fact that the course has 30+ years of structured weekly courses with authentic yoga techniques and theories to improve your life and your well being it’s quite a creation… if you’d really do your homework and have the complete picture maybe you wouldn’t rush to make such big affirmations.
@dannag3881:
This is not balanced journalism. You interview only one person with a biased narrative while completely ignoring major academic studies by Nylund, Andreescu, Vojtíšek, Frisk, Palmer and Introvigne — all of whom show that this yoga school is not a cult. Presenting a single hostile story while excluding expert research is misleading, discriminatory, and fuels unnecessary hate
author's comment: We will see what will become of these "scholars" when the evidence is presented publicly during the trial and the sentence is announced!
Some commentators notice the attempted manipulation on the part of those in MISA, who can be recognized by comments like "I've been a student for many years and I've never noticed anything like this!"
@CH-vm6cq:
Wow they really activated their army to discredit this woman. The comments are full of people saying they didn’t have that experience. Here’s the thing: just because it didn’t happen to you doesn’t mean it didn’t happen to her. I thank her for sharing her story.
@rachel-marieweiss564:
All of the comments from current members talking about how 'she must be lying,' but also admitting that several of the practices she describes do happen are wild. I don't understand how a non-brainwashed person could listen to this interview and not be truly disturbed, and have some real questions about the practices described and at least admit that clearly some of these higher-ups were behaving unacceptably, even if there are people with positive experiences. The comments are really just solidifying that this IS a cult where people are encouraged to accept the unacceptable, and to publicly bash anyone who speaks out. Huge props to Miranda for sharing when clearly there is substantial pressure to stay silent.
And finally, some "alternative" comments:
@maruzzella-3:
When i heard a naked photo was sent to the guru .. I thought that cant be it but it is I was in one of his schools in another city run by his disciples It was normal yoga afternoon practice and was great. When I was told I need to take a photo in bathing suit, I asked why, I was given the same reason The teacher would read my aura to see if I'm fit enough for the trip I said no to that. And eventually left for a different reason. They were telling me to stop eating meat and I wasn't convinced... which I later did by myself but I think something rubbed me the wrong way Then a friend of mine told me she was from the same city with this guy that she sensed something wrong and left but couldn't believe it that two of her friends fell for the shame which was same as in France.
@johanbolin6793:
This was a good interview. I used to practice yoga at a school founded by the bastard. Almost joined their ashram during a period of crisis. I had no idea about all of this until a couple of years ago.
@maruzzella-3:
Me too. I left a couple of weeks after being asked to give 2 photos in bathing suit for the mountain retreat. I see quite a few comments here. It seems he only got bigger and bigger since then. That's crazy I found out they raided his home years ago and around a decade after I left
@TheBodySanctuary-Gozo:
I know this cult, I hope every single one of them ends up in jail!!! This is wow! I attended courses at Agama, before this disgusting ”Swami” fittingly called Narcis was rightfully accused of rape and fled like the lowlife coward and creep he is. I did courses at Mahasiddha tantra yoga in Chaing Mai, Thailand - which I am very sad to hear is also involved and obviously complicit :( Especially since the two main teachers are, as far as I'm aware, licensed psychologists. This is …..!!!!!
Tara Yoga centre in London I also attended a couple of courses but I didnt like the feeling of it, it felt v cliquey and I felt a lot of the women were full of ego. Tbh that ego vibe was big at Agama too back in the day and I was always the outcast. But I have good instincts, I didnt feel safe or comfortable with many of them. I remember in the women's group - towards the end swami Narcis was invited to sit in as 'shiva' and we women were all supposed to get up in 3's and dance for him! The female teachers were all gushing about how this was a sacred privilege. But I'd felt this creeps energy from across a room the year previously and decided I DID NOT LIKE HIM. My feeling was this 'dance' was him getting to check-out the latest supply of meat/ 'shakti's, that he could lure into an 'initiation' with himself. I LOVE to dance but when it was my turn in the circle to get up to dance with 2 other women for him, my body absolutely refused.. haha.. instead I just glared at him and directed the kali mudra they'd taught us at him. I was not surprised when all the allegations came out and Agama collapsed a year after. I'm just honestly shocked and disappointed mostly that Mahasiddha Yoga is involved! Shame on them if they know!
@paulacostescu1041:
I'm here to learn. Never, never give your passport to others. Keep your options open and critical thinking. Thanks for sharing your story.