Guess higher education didn't take. I imagine you spent your college years telling yourself and the world of your exotic upbringing and your specialness. Look: It's not exotic, it's not special, there are no "tools". 3HO is a de-facto Cult. You can use all the language and cognitive dissonance that makes it possible for you to stay, but the fact remains.

I understand how difficult is is to learn that the society you were raised in is a Cult. We believed that what our parents were doing and the choices they were making were in our best interest. But the truth is they were in love with a bigoted, selfish pervert who ruled over their everyday lives, and amassed great wealth from their hard work and devotion. The choices they made were out of love for him, not us. It's a hard reality to swallow.

I don't see how it reflects collective insecurities?? If anything I am being honest.

Post what you like. You did not do me a big favor.. Find the haters to support your opinion. I don't think you are opening up any closet doors that weren't already open. I guess the only thing to say is get over it and "live your life".

I am not criticizing your feelings which you are 100% entitled to, but my experience and opinion is very different than yours.

Even though I was picked on, beaten by teachers, and had a tough time in India, those experiences did made me a stronger and more secure person today. Being away from my parents ( which I was @ 6 years old ), helped me to think independently, and learn how to deal with diverse situations with grace. The yoga and meditation helped me to have clarity and neutrality in many life decisions.

Many children in the US, are physically, sexually, socially, and mentally abused all the time. A large percentage, by their own relatives. Bullying is rampant within public schools and the drop-out rate is enormous. Depression and substance abuse is wide spread. There is no guarantee that your life would have been without scars if you grew up outside of 3HO.

It pains me to hear that your experiences were so negative and anger inducing, but I feel that your description does not paint a truthful and balanced picture of 3HO. It really vilifies 3HO and does not take into account some of the intention behind what 3HO is about. I think if someone was a first time reader on this site, they would be getting a very biased opinion.

For many people 3HO and Yogi Bhajan has empowered their lives, provided support, improved their health, and given them tools to survive amid all of the issues we face in a modern society ( over medication, drug abuse, neglect, highly processed and unhealthy food, depression, fear, anger, poor family structure, etc. ).

As in any another organization there exists some rotten apples, but it does not make the whole lot bad. 🙂

My suggestion would be to not concern yourself with the way in which my blog "paints" 3HO. There are plenty of websites and blogs that most certainly paint 3HO to be a utopia. Whereas, I honestly talk about my own feelings, my experiences, my memories, and the things in my day to day life that trigger them.

If you are concerned about how my honest writing conveys the image of 3HO as a whole, this is simply self involved. I do not remain closeted to protect anyone's image, period.

I am posting your comment because your comment so transparently reflects the collective insecurities of an organization with a troubling history and a very uncertain future.

Elders in 3HO that I've talked to about the dysfunctions of GRD don't sugar coat it – they didn't live there, so only we know first hand the heartaches that we personally experienced, but they do know the heartaches of their own experience from dealing with the real issues from their own children upon returning home.

It was from this reality, of painful firsthand experience, that a "self managed & family founded" school needed to be created – The other schools were around before western students attended. Thats why parents from the original ashram decided to independently join hands and fund Miri Piri, directly from money earned in an honest career. The dysfunctions of the other schools wouldn't be, were not nor have been, tolerated.

The severity of correcting the wrongs of past is of the highest priority in the minds of these parents, many of which are some of the original people of 3HO.

Yes, anyone qualified to talk about the boarding schools in India will probably tell you they had issues, and probably lament a bit. If they are members of 3HO, they will probably also tell you that the benefits outweigh "those issues". However, they might not mention that those "issues" included violent and physical abuse, corporal punishment, neglect, and sexual abuse.

I'm glad some MPA kids are getting degrees. College is a great place for developing critical thinking skills. Having critical thinking skills is the foundation for independent thought — once one can think on his or her own, he or she has more freedom to decide which religion, faith or spirituality to pursue as an adult.

One main thing to note: Anyone you ask in 3HO, who's qualified to answer, will tell you that the first two schools had issues & kids were mistreated, even by older american students. Most are very sorry those things happened, Miri Piri was created to make a better place.

I didn't attend Miri Piri, but I know people who have. Many are now in universities or have already graduated ranking colleges, some going into masters and PHD programs.