World Of Secrets: The Bad Guru – Episode 1: The Retreat

Introduction

In the gripping first episode of BBC's World Of Secrets Season 6, titled The Bad Guru: The Retreat, journalist Kat McShane delves deep into the sinister underbelly of an international yoga movement led by the enigmatic Gregorian Bivolaru. This episode unpacks the harrowing experience of Miranda, a university tutor from Oxfordshire, who becomes entangled in a web of abuse and manipulation within the Tara Yoga Centre, a prominent branch of the Atman Federation of Yoga and Meditation.

Unraveling Tara Yoga Centre

Tara Yoga Centre, based in London with multiple branches across the UK and Ireland, presents itself as a sanctuary for spiritual growth through various forms of yoga, including the mainstream Hatha Yoga and the more controversial Tantric Yoga. Maria Porzveld, one of the centre’s leaders, emphasizes the spiritual integration of love and relationships in their practices. However, beneath the surface, disturbing allegations begin to emerge.

Miranda’s Entrapment

Miranda's journey into Tara Yoga Centre begins in 2017 when she joins the yoga charity seeking healing and community. At first, the classes provide her with a sense of well-being and belonging. “There was this sense that these people cared,” Miranda recalls (07:07). Her mother, Penny, however, grows increasingly concerned as Miranda becomes more involved, noting the secretive nature of her calls (03:09).

Kat McShane interviews Miranda six years later, uncovering the depths of her ordeal. Miranda describes how she was coerced into participating in highly sexualized activities under the guise of spiritual development. “We were encouraged to dance very sexually to a song, to kind of interact with each other in a sexual way while dancing,” she explains (16:24). Despite the distressing experiences, Miranda felt compelled to stay, believing in the spiritual benefits promised by the gurus.

The Polarity Retreat

The pivotal moment in Miranda's story occurs during the Polarity Retreat in Somerset, a luxurious weekend getaway organized by Tara Yoga Centre. Here, participants engage in intense rituals meant to balance masculine and feminine energies. During these retreats, women were instructed to participate in sexually charged dances and rituals, often feeling pressured to comply. Miranda recounts feeling shocked when a teacher made overtly sexual advances: “I was very shocked and surprised in the moment” (20:09).

Other participants, like Elise and Michael, provide corroborative accounts of coercion masked as consent. Elise describes a ritual where women were encouraged to engage in intimate acts with men, leaving her feeling violated and distressed: “I found it really difficult... I just kind of went and hid myself away,” she shares (18:26). Michael, on the other hand, reflects on a fellow participant who appeared to consent but was later deeply traumatized: “She felt very coerced into doing so... she really pushed herself way beyond her boundaries” (22:29).

Witness Accounts and Psychological Manipulation

The episode highlights the psychological manipulation employed by the Tara Yoga Centre to maintain control over its followers. Miranda and other whistleblowers describe how the organization fosters dependency by continuously offering “the next big thing” in spiritual development, ensuring members remain engaged and less likely to question authority. Elise articulates this cycle: “There's always, like, a thing that's just around the corner that you really need to know about” (25:37).

Miranda also speaks about her growing loyalty to the group, even as she recognizes the red flags: “I wanted to believe that whatever they were doing... was for some spiritual reason that I couldn't yet understand” (26:24). This internal conflict underscores the complex nature of leaving a manipulative environment where emotional and spiritual investments have been deeply ingrained.

Confrontation and Silence

The culmination of Miranda's struggle is portrayed in a clandestine meeting where she is publicly denounced by the guru, Bogdan Radhasanu. The hostile environment and the guru’s aggressive slander tactics signify the organization's efforts to silence dissenters and protect its leadership. When confronted, Tara Yoga Centre declined to comment, and Bogdan Radhasanu did not respond to inquiries, leaving many questions unanswered.

Current Status and Reflection

As the episode draws to a close, Miranda stands as a symbol of resistance against the oppressive practices of the Tara Yoga Centre. Despite facing ostracization and ongoing threats, she remains determined to seek justice and expose the truth behind the alluring façade of the yoga movement. Kat McShane leaves listeners contemplating the thin line between spiritual seeking and exploitation, urging vigilance in communities that promise enlightenment.

Notable Quotes

• Miranda on feeling trapped: “I feel that I have no other choice... I want truth and justice and for other people to not be hurt” (07:07)
• Penny on the movement’s origins: “I knew that the whole movement had started in Romania” (03:27)
• Elise on emotional aftermath: “I cried the whole way through, and afterwards I just kind of went and hid myself away” (17:40)
• Michael on perceived consent vs. coercion: “Like nobody actually put handcuffs on someone and forced them into something” (24:22)

Conclusion

World Of Secrets: The Bad Guru – The Retreat is a compelling exposé on the dark side of spiritual movements cloaked in benevolence. Through Miranda's harrowing experience and the testimonies of others, Kat McShane sheds light on the mechanisms of control and abuse within what was once considered a haven for personal growth. This episode serves as a stark reminder of the importance of critical thinking and the courage required to confront and dismantle manipulative organizations.