Sarah Mettrick spent 13 years in the Sri Chinmoy Centre in Christchurch. In this first of two episodes Sarah talks to Caz about her years in the group. The two talk about life as a teenage recruit in this eastern mysticism group, the conflation of the guru with the divine and the control of member’s sexuality. Sarah reflects back now years later on what she was part of and how much she gave of herself, the aspects she loved, and the aspects she was ultimately forced to escape.

Show Notes

• Article - Out on their Own by Anke Richter

• Book - 1984 by George Orwell

• Book - Animal Farm by George Orwell

• Book - Mao’s Last dancer by Li Cunxin

• Book - Wild Swans by Jung Chang

• Book - The Guru Papers by Joel Kramer and Diane Alstad

Recently Caz, Liz and Lindy spent a day with renowned trauma expert, Dr Bessel Van Der Kolk, author of “The Body Keeps the Score”. Our trio unpack their day of learning, and talk about the impact of trauma on the body, on memory, on recovery and why it is important in the context of cults. Using their hastily scribbled notes, they discuss neurophysiology, EMDR, neurofeedback, and a bunch of other technical stuff. Listen up if you’ve an interest in the mind-body connection and trauma recovery.

What do you do if someone you love won’t acknowledge the harm that you experienced - the harm they may have caused? How long do you wait, and is there another way to move on? In this third episode Sam and Caz talk about the yearning for acknowledgement and reparation that follows betrayal, especially betrayal as a child. Join this final conversation with Sam and Caz, as they grapple with hurts left behind, relationships that may never be repaired, and their own creative pursuits for justice.

Show Notes:

• Webpage: An Open Letter Calling for Restorative Justice for the Children of Centrepoint Community

• Book: Trauma and Recovery - Judith Herman

• Podcast: The Children of Osho - Cult Vault

• Podcast: In My Father’s Footsteps - Indoctrination

• Podcast: Children of the Guru - Loss of Identity within the Rajneesh Cult - Talk Beliefs