International Journal of Cultic Studies Vol. 4, 2013 15
Is Human Universal Energy a Cult Masquerader?
Isela M. Verdugo Verdugo
independent researcher
Abstract
This paper examines the teachings and practices
of a group of related organizations founded by
Mr. Luong Minh Dang, herein collectively
called Human Universal Energy (HUE), which
offer instruction in a form of complementary
alternative medicine—specifically, biofield
energy medicine. The paper attempts to show
that HUE may be a cultic group in disguise
using unethically manipulative persuasive
strategies to influence its members
psychologically, intellectually, and emotionally.
The conclusions are based on a qualitative
content analysis of this group’s teaching
manuals and other primary sources, which
revealed recurrent themes consistent with
characteristics and persuasive strategies
associated with cultic groups. I identified these
characteristics and found that, although HUE
does not inflict physical harm on its members,
other types of harm seem to be associated with
this organization: social harm (e.g., fraudulent
fund-raising practices and tax evasion), and
personal harm (e.g., financial exploitation and
diminished personal autonomy, psychological
integration, and critical-thinking capacity.)
Keywords: Human Universal Energy (HUE),
Luong Minh Dang, Spiritual Human Yoga
(SHY), Mankind Enlightenment Love Inc.
(MEL), biofield energy medicine
Human Universal Energy (HUE) refers to a
group of related organizations the Vietnamese-
American Luong Minh Dang founded in the
early 1990s: the International Human Universal
Research Institute (IHUERI) established in
France and renamed Spiritual Human Yoga
(SHY) in 1994 and Mankind Enlightenment
Love Inc. (MEL), established in the United
States (Luong, M. T., 2007, p. 1 Mayer, 2000,
p. 1).1
Today, these organizations are under the control
of HUE Faculty Inc. (HUEFI) and the Academy
of Human Universal Energy and Spirituality
(HUESA). These companies oversee several
centers that operate in more than 60 countries
around the world and offer instruction in a form
of complementary alternative medicine known
as biofield energy medicine, which involves the
manipulation of putative energy fields that
ostensibly affect health. The belief system of
these centers, based on New Age philosophy,
includes a spiritual and pseudoscientific
ideology that incorporates elements of Hinduism
and Buddhism, esoteric theories, and theories
that derive from Chinese and Vedic medicines
that emphasize the harmonization of “life
energy” in the human body through the opening
of chakras.
Some cultic groups such as the Gnostic
Association of Anthropological and Cultural
Studies (AGEAC), Sukyô Mahikari (Light of
Truth), Invitation to Intense Life, and Energo-
Chromo-Kinesis have a similar belief system
and place the same emphasis on harmonizing
people’s energy or vibrations (Abgrall, 2001, pp.
160–187). Other groups embrace different
religious traditions but also incorporate New
Age themes and alternative forms of healing,
which they use to recruit their followers. This
was the case of The Order of the Solar Temple
(OST), whose cofounders Joseph Di Mambro
and Luc Jouret won over recruits by lecturing on
New Age themes and holistic health.
Beyond their medical concerns and belief
systems, common to these groups are certain
characteristics and persuasive strategies that
have been identified in the research literature on
1 Luong Minh Dang’s writings are listed in the References section
under Luong, M. D. because Vietnamese names list the family
name first, followed by the given name. Adhering to Vietnamese
custom, he is referred to as Mr. Dang throughout the paper.
References to his son Luong Minh Trung follow the same rules.
Is Human Universal Energy a Cult Masquerader?
Isela M. Verdugo Verdugo
independent researcher
Abstract
This paper examines the teachings and practices
of a group of related organizations founded by
Mr. Luong Minh Dang, herein collectively
called Human Universal Energy (HUE), which
offer instruction in a form of complementary
alternative medicine—specifically, biofield
energy medicine. The paper attempts to show
that HUE may be a cultic group in disguise
using unethically manipulative persuasive
strategies to influence its members
psychologically, intellectually, and emotionally.
The conclusions are based on a qualitative
content analysis of this group’s teaching
manuals and other primary sources, which
revealed recurrent themes consistent with
characteristics and persuasive strategies
associated with cultic groups. I identified these
characteristics and found that, although HUE
does not inflict physical harm on its members,
other types of harm seem to be associated with
this organization: social harm (e.g., fraudulent
fund-raising practices and tax evasion), and
personal harm (e.g., financial exploitation and
diminished personal autonomy, psychological
integration, and critical-thinking capacity.)
Keywords: Human Universal Energy (HUE),
Luong Minh Dang, Spiritual Human Yoga
(SHY), Mankind Enlightenment Love Inc.
(MEL), biofield energy medicine
Human Universal Energy (HUE) refers to a
group of related organizations the Vietnamese-
American Luong Minh Dang founded in the
early 1990s: the International Human Universal
Research Institute (IHUERI) established in
France and renamed Spiritual Human Yoga
(SHY) in 1994 and Mankind Enlightenment
Love Inc. (MEL), established in the United
States (Luong, M. T., 2007, p. 1 Mayer, 2000,
p. 1).1
Today, these organizations are under the control
of HUE Faculty Inc. (HUEFI) and the Academy
of Human Universal Energy and Spirituality
(HUESA). These companies oversee several
centers that operate in more than 60 countries
around the world and offer instruction in a form
of complementary alternative medicine known
as biofield energy medicine, which involves the
manipulation of putative energy fields that
ostensibly affect health. The belief system of
these centers, based on New Age philosophy,
includes a spiritual and pseudoscientific
ideology that incorporates elements of Hinduism
and Buddhism, esoteric theories, and theories
that derive from Chinese and Vedic medicines
that emphasize the harmonization of “life
energy” in the human body through the opening
of chakras.
Some cultic groups such as the Gnostic
Association of Anthropological and Cultural
Studies (AGEAC), Sukyô Mahikari (Light of
Truth), Invitation to Intense Life, and Energo-
Chromo-Kinesis have a similar belief system
and place the same emphasis on harmonizing
people’s energy or vibrations (Abgrall, 2001, pp.
160–187). Other groups embrace different
religious traditions but also incorporate New
Age themes and alternative forms of healing,
which they use to recruit their followers. This
was the case of The Order of the Solar Temple
(OST), whose cofounders Joseph Di Mambro
and Luc Jouret won over recruits by lecturing on
New Age themes and holistic health.
Beyond their medical concerns and belief
systems, common to these groups are certain
characteristics and persuasive strategies that
have been identified in the research literature on
1 Luong Minh Dang’s writings are listed in the References section
under Luong, M. D. because Vietnamese names list the family
name first, followed by the given name. Adhering to Vietnamese
custom, he is referred to as Mr. Dang throughout the paper.
References to his son Luong Minh Trung follow the same rules.
