Crazy Wisdom: A Personal Account
William Yenner
Abstract
This personal narrative offers a synopsis of the
author’s experience as recounted in American
Guru (2009). The author describes his life in the
spiritual community EnlightenNext, tracing his
path from an idealistic seeker to a leader in the
group. He discusses the teaching methods of its
founder, Andrew Cohen, the author’s ultimate
disillusionment with and departure from the
group, and his attempts to make sense of his
experience.
The Beginning
On a snowy night in 1988 in Amherst,
Massachusetts, an old friend told me a
remarkable story. H.W.L. Poonja, a mystic sage
in India, had transformed a young Westerner in a
matter of weeks into a powerful guru whom he
had charged with inspiring “a revolution among
the young.” The Westerner's name was Andrew
Cohen.
Within a few days, I hurried to attend my first of
countless gatherings, known as satsangs,
focused on Andrew’s teaching. (Satsang is a
Sanskrit word that means “in the company of
truth.”) That evening, Andrew sat in the front of
the room, eyes closed. Eventually, he opened
his eyes and said, “Does anyone have any
questions?”
Many people did: “What is the true nature of
freedom?” “What are the obstacles to achieving
it?”
I was struck by Andrew’s serenity. He spoke
broadly about spiritual freedom and urged us to
abandon the notion that we are not free. His talk
cast a spell, and I felt connected to my
passionate desire to attain freedom.
I returned nightly, sensing a mystery that defied
expression or comprehension. My own
exchanges with Andrew fed my deep yearning
for freedom, which had been the object of my
many years of spiritual practice.
Andrew wove the nonduality teachings of Indian
Advaita Vedanta into his discourses. I became
more convinced that I could attain the highest
spiritual goal: enlightenment.
Inevitably, my gravitation toward Andrew
strained my marriage, which soon broke down.
I moved into one of Andrew’s group houses and
embarked on what was to be a 13-year career as
a devotee. From that moment forward, my life
and Andrew’s—his teachings, wishes, and
priorities—were profoundly intertwined.
Heading West
Within months, Andrew moved his community
to California, where the closeness and trust
between community members grew. He
founded EnlightenNext Magazine and
increasingly relied on his students for
(unremunerated) creative and managerial
support.
Andrew instituted weekly gender-segregated
meetings, in which members could “investigate
the teachings.” These meetings gradually took
on another purpose: targeted criticism of a
fellow student, ostensibly to free that student
from the influence of the ego. Such meetings
could be grueling affairs if individuals did not
humbly and sincerely embrace the offered
criticism, they were subjected to protracted
attacks on their character by other students.
On one occasion, I was the focus of one such
session, having been accused of undermining a
fellow student. I became frightened and
defensive, and I was subjected to several hours
of intense and escalating pressure intended to
humble me.
The day after my ordeal, which had concluded at
3 AM, I received a directive from Andrew to
shave my head. This edict was Andrew’s
remedy for pride or vanity, and it was typically
prescribed for a year at a time. Often, however,
a perceived offense—a display of pride or
aggressive behavior, for example—would result
in a “renewal of vows”: another year with a
30 International Journal of Cultic Studies ■ Vol. 5, 2014
William Yenner
Abstract
This personal narrative offers a synopsis of the
author’s experience as recounted in American
Guru (2009). The author describes his life in the
spiritual community EnlightenNext, tracing his
path from an idealistic seeker to a leader in the
group. He discusses the teaching methods of its
founder, Andrew Cohen, the author’s ultimate
disillusionment with and departure from the
group, and his attempts to make sense of his
experience.
The Beginning
On a snowy night in 1988 in Amherst,
Massachusetts, an old friend told me a
remarkable story. H.W.L. Poonja, a mystic sage
in India, had transformed a young Westerner in a
matter of weeks into a powerful guru whom he
had charged with inspiring “a revolution among
the young.” The Westerner's name was Andrew
Cohen.
Within a few days, I hurried to attend my first of
countless gatherings, known as satsangs,
focused on Andrew’s teaching. (Satsang is a
Sanskrit word that means “in the company of
truth.”) That evening, Andrew sat in the front of
the room, eyes closed. Eventually, he opened
his eyes and said, “Does anyone have any
questions?”
Many people did: “What is the true nature of
freedom?” “What are the obstacles to achieving
it?”
I was struck by Andrew’s serenity. He spoke
broadly about spiritual freedom and urged us to
abandon the notion that we are not free. His talk
cast a spell, and I felt connected to my
passionate desire to attain freedom.
I returned nightly, sensing a mystery that defied
expression or comprehension. My own
exchanges with Andrew fed my deep yearning
for freedom, which had been the object of my
many years of spiritual practice.
Andrew wove the nonduality teachings of Indian
Advaita Vedanta into his discourses. I became
more convinced that I could attain the highest
spiritual goal: enlightenment.
Inevitably, my gravitation toward Andrew
strained my marriage, which soon broke down.
I moved into one of Andrew’s group houses and
embarked on what was to be a 13-year career as
a devotee. From that moment forward, my life
and Andrew’s—his teachings, wishes, and
priorities—were profoundly intertwined.
Heading West
Within months, Andrew moved his community
to California, where the closeness and trust
between community members grew. He
founded EnlightenNext Magazine and
increasingly relied on his students for
(unremunerated) creative and managerial
support.
Andrew instituted weekly gender-segregated
meetings, in which members could “investigate
the teachings.” These meetings gradually took
on another purpose: targeted criticism of a
fellow student, ostensibly to free that student
from the influence of the ego. Such meetings
could be grueling affairs if individuals did not
humbly and sincerely embrace the offered
criticism, they were subjected to protracted
attacks on their character by other students.
On one occasion, I was the focus of one such
session, having been accused of undermining a
fellow student. I became frightened and
defensive, and I was subjected to several hours
of intense and escalating pressure intended to
humble me.
The day after my ordeal, which had concluded at
3 AM, I received a directive from Andrew to
shave my head. This edict was Andrew’s
remedy for pride or vanity, and it was typically
prescribed for a year at a time. Often, however,
a perceived offense—a display of pride or
aggressive behavior, for example—would result
in a “renewal of vows”: another year with a
30 International Journal of Cultic Studies ■ Vol. 5, 2014
