Serenity vs commodity
Kia ora friends and readers,
I just finished reading an Aussie bestseller which inspired the Netflix series “Wellmania” (more info below) – a souvenir from the Byron Writers festival. What a ride! It describes in funny but also sober terms how self-help and self-care have become commodities in the narcissistic world of wellness and spirituality. I’m sure some of you can relate…
After all the overstimulating crazy workshops of the past, it’s back to the roots for me these days. When you read this, I’ll l be offline on a silent meditation retreat near the Southern Alps. Serenity for my ADHD brain – and the best preparation for a gig the day after I return: Comedian Shay Horay will put me on stage in his Palaver show at the Lyttelton Arts Factory this coming Saturday, 7 October. We won’t just dive into the heavy cult topic, but also my Germanic past for some lighter moments.
I’m still buzzing from my Wellington events: a media lecture about cult reporting at Massey university, a lunch time talk with Susie Ferguson from RNZ at Unity Books, and the workshop How Not To Start a Cult – plus a brainstorm meeting with the Human Rights Commission. Watch this space.
If you’re attending the Tauranga Arts Festival later this month, check out my solo session “Charisma, Cults & Control” with Toby Manhire from The Spinoff. I’m heading there with friend and poet Tusiata Avia who will take the Mount in a storm. So, talofa!
In other professional news: I went on the new homegrown podcast Cult Chat where the three hosts discussed me at the end – which felt a bit weird, but they were super kind. Equally nerve-wrecking but validating was a review about “Cult Trip” in ICSA reviews, the journal of the International Cultic Studies Association which is a worldwide authority on recovery from high-demand groups. That’s big for me. Thanks, y’all!
Now the drum roll (but don’t prick up your ears since this one’s for them): HarperCollins went into their Sydney studio and recorded “Cult Trip”. Although it will be strange to hear a young voice actor who sounds nothing like me, I can’t wait to listen after the audio book launches this Wednesday. But I’ll have to curb my curiosity for a few more days and watch my breath in silence instead. Perfect practice for non-attachment and patience?
Speaking of which: After local Jehova’s Witnesses dropped a friendly note in my letterbox, I took them up on the offer and went to their annual convention in Christchurch. I only lasted three hours – the whole indoctrination marathon is three days long – so I missed what they had to say about the awful practice of shunning (it was mentioned in the program). More is also coming to light about JW covering up child sexual abuse. Which brings us back to Gloriavale where a teenage victim finally had her name suppression lifted to talk about the male leader she took to court, twice – and who walked free. Whether it’s a miscarriage of justice, or just complete ignorance about cult dynamics by the judiciary – either way, it’s outrageous.
I’m signing off with a healthy dose of rage before I unplug from all the noisy channels. To handle them better, I’ve created a new author page which is now the to-go-to place to follow my work on Facebook and Instagram. Still new to Linkedin, but trying.
What I've read:
Fellow intrepid journo Brigid Delaney has traversed similar territory, from detox in Thailand to urban hot yoga to cathartic new-age therapy. While she doesn’t apply an investigative cult lens – the terrible track record of sexual abusers like Osho and Bikram is barely mentioned in Wellmania – she nails the workshop high: “The feeling lasts for a long time, weeks and weeks. What a strange spell it is.”
And what a smart and entertaining writer this is. Check out her latest book on stoicism too.
Over and out and ommm,
Anke
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