ABSTRACT

Cutting across three areas of interest within New Religious Movements - insider perspectives, sociology of religion and the helping professions - this book explores insiders' experience of the Indian Guru-disciple Yogic tradition and is authored by a former member of that tradition. Highlighting the rich spiritual experience of devotees of Guru-disciple Yoga, and broadening the understanding of Guru-disciple Yoga Practice, this book also adds considerably to knowledge of conversion to New Religious Movements and to issues of affiliation and disengagement. Exploring participants' experience of attraction, affiliation and disengagement, these themes highlight individuals' personal experience of Guru-disciple Yoga Practice.

chapter 1|8 pages

Introduction

chapter 2|14 pages

Guru–disciple Yoga Practice

chapter 3|14 pages

The Study of Religious Activity

chapter 4|10 pages

Brainwashing and the Helping Professions

chapter 5|22 pages

The Study

chapter 7|20 pages

Experiencing Siddha Yoga Life

chapter 8|22 pages

Spiritual Life: ‘Sadhana’

chapter 9|16 pages

Movement away from Siddha Yoga

chapter 10|14 pages

Life After Siddha Yoga

chapter 11|12 pages

The Varieties of Religious Experience

chapter 12|6 pages

Conclusion