Cult Expert Dr Steven Hassan
@drstevenhassan·58.1K subscribers·897 videos
Hooked by a FAKE GURU, Freed by a Question! Escaping the Prem Rawat Cult
Posted
July 14, 2025
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56:10Now PlayingWhy do intelligent people stay in cults for decades? In this episode of Cult Conversations: The Influence Continuum, Dr. Steven Hassan speaks with Dr. Michael Finch—former high-ranking devotee of Guru Prem Rawat (formerly Guru Maharaj Ji)—who shares his 30-year journey through devotion, disillusionment, and recovery.
Mike exposes the mind control tactics Rawat used to keep followers loyal, from "thought-stopping" language to create doubt and authoritarian teachings masked as spiritual wisdom. With a PhD in math and physics, Mike's firsthand insights challenge the myth that only the weak-minded fall for cults. Dr. Steve and Dr. Mike dive deep into: - Thought control, spiritual deception, and the psychology of indoctrination - What it really feels like to wake up from a spiritual delusion - The role of meditation in both cultic control—and in personal healing - Why critical thinking isn’t enough without emotional self-awareness Whether you're recovering from a high-control group, questioning a “guru,” or fascinated by how undue influence works—this conversation will stick with you.
📘 Read “Without the GuruHow I Took My Life Back After 30 Years”
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👇 COMMENT: What tactics does your red flag radar pick up now?
#PremRawat #CultSurvivor #MindControl #StevenHassan #UndueInfluence #Deprogramming #GuruCult #SpiritualAbuse #Cults #Meditation #SpiritualJourney #ReligiousTrauma #ExCult #CriticalThinking #FreedomOfMind #InfluenceContinuum #drstevenhassan #brainwashing
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